The Godmother (s)
The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles
#1: The Godmother (s) Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:07 pm

Please be gentle as this is my first attempt at this, but here's my version of a missing part of Exile
_____________________________________________________
Jo Maynard rubbed the small of her back and groaned, how could this be happening, here she was, about to give birth to their first child and her husband wasn’t there, she wouldn’t be able to feel his arms around her or see him try to keep the tears away when his son or daughter was shown to him for the first time. He should be downstairs, pacing the floor, or even with her, he was a doctor after all. She knew that it wasn’t really Jack’s fault, you couldn’t blame him for Hitler invading Poland or for him being called into the forces. Jo rapidly changed her opinion when another contraction hit, stronger than any she had felt before. ‘His duty was to me, his wife, not his country’ she muttered under her breath.
The Nurse who had been employed to look after Jo for her confinement recognised the change in the labouring woman’s breathing. ‘Mrs Maynard, You need to get back into bed, the doctor’s on his way and it won’t be long now.’
Jo turned to argue but as her lips parted all that came was another low moan, Nurse took her arm, and with a look that had never failed to be obeyed, even by Joey’s sister several months earlier, helped her onto the bed in the centre of the room. From downstairs the sound of a doorbell was heard, and the women looked at each other, Nurse gave her patient a small smile, ‘That’ll be the doctor, and just in time too I should say,’ as at that moment the slight movements in Jo’s form gave signs that the baby was starting to make an arrival, the wet patch spreading giving the same information.
Dr Chester entered the big airy bedroom at Les Rosiers to find Jo reaching above her head grasping at the bedhead, her hips slightly raised, bracing herself. ‘Jo have you been pre-empting my arrival. Stop pushing until I say you can. Nurse can you ensure everything is ready. Anna’ raising his voice ‘bring some hot water up here immediately’
A few moments lately he announced that Jo was ready to push. ‘As if I wasn’t already’ the 21 year old muttered under her breath. With the next contraction she pushed as hard as she could, this was different to all the pains she had felt previously, this time she felt her body tighten its hold and her baby move closer to entering the world, a feeling of intense fullness followed as her pelvis felt it was about to explode, the baby forcing it’s entrance to the world through her abdomen, another contraction followed, the fullness faded and a burning sensation took over.
Lost in her own world Joey barely heard the doctor’s voice ‘I can see the baby’s head, on the next contraction don’t push so I can check the cord.’ The next contraction came and Jo was unable to stop herself, and in one push out came a small baby, pink and crying.
‘It’s a girl’ Dr Chester said with a smile, passing the baby to Nurse, who quickly cleaned up the baby before passing her to her mother for a cuddle.
‘It’s a gingertop’ said the new mother, with distinct shock in her voice. A giggle rang round the room, as she hugged her baby daughter closer ‘What will Madge say? Oh, I wish your Papa could see you.’
‘Jo, can I feel your stomach for a moment, pass your daughter to Nurse.’ As Jo did as she was told she turned a questioning glance at her doctor. ‘I told you I thought that there was a high chance of twins, I need to check that I was right, more so as your baby is small compared to what I would have expected a singleton to be’
Ten minutes later, the redheaded baby was in her crib as all three people in the room where involved in the next birth. ‘Jo, you have to listen to me and do as I say, this baby is the wrong way round, so I’m going to have to help things along.’
Jo glanced down at the scissors Dr Peters was holding and paled.
‘Your daughter needs help, but things are going to be fine’
‘Another daughter?’ The question was followed by a stoical flinch as the incision was made
‘Yes, another girl. Now, Jo push as hard as you can, and I’ll help the head out.’
A loud scream tore through the air, causing Anna in the kitchen to drop the pie she had just taken out of the oven on the floor.
‘One more push, Jo, and she’ll be in your arms.’
Jo sat up in bed, a baby tucked up in each arm. ‘Two babies, I can hardly believe it, I know you said it was twins, and twins do run in my family and, of course, Jack is a twin but I didn’t really think I’D have twins.’
Nurse and Dr Chester shared a smile and as Jo gave a grimace as the contractions returned they each took a baby. ‘Just the placenta to come now Joey, and looking at those two I’d say they were identical so it should soon be over now.’
As Joey started to push a gush of water sprayed over the doctor, causing him to frown. ‘That’s not a seperation bleed’ he muttered to himself ‘what..’ as he bent to take a closer look his face visibly paled. ‘Jo, you know I said it was twins?’
Jo nodded towards the crib ‘Yes, there they are’ before continuing to push, the feeling of fullness returning again
‘I was wrong, you’re not having twins. It’s triplets. There’s the head. And’ lifting another bawling redhead ‘here is your third daughter. Congratulations’
The next hour went by in a blur for the new mother, being washed and then feeding her new baby daughters, marvelling in them, their newborn smell, their thirty fingers and thirty toes, even the surprising ginger hair seemed a miracle to their mother.
A few tears fell at the memory that she was unable to show them off to their father, to see the shock and surprise on his face when he learned that he was the father of three, she hadn’t mentioned that twins was a distinct possibily so this would be a complete bolt out of the blue. Jo wiped away the tears and turned to Dr Chester, he could provide a second best to seeing Jack’s reaction – her sister Madge, who had been more of a mother to her. Initially Jo had intended to tell Madge over the telephone to get her to visit as soon as possible but she couldn’t miss getting a first hand account of the look on her face.
‘Do go yourself Peter,’ she implored. ‘Don’t just ring up or send a message. I’m dying to hear what Madge says and how she looks. You go; and tell me the whole story next time you come.’
‘I’ll go if you’ll go to sleep without any more fuss,’ he had said.
‘Sleep? You couldn’t keep me awake if you paid me for it!’ retorted Joey, snuggling down among her pillows, and closing her eyes.
And meanwhile in the large double crib, babies One, Two and Three slept just as paecefully.

Last edited by claire on Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:06 pm; edited 2 times in total

 

#2:  Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:16 pm

Oh wow! I had such a similar idea myself - spooky! This looks great, Claire - looking forward to the next installment! Very Happy

You have described this both realistically and beautifully!

 

#3:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:26 pm

I really enjoyed that Claire, thankyou very much!

It's only 16 weeks since I gave birth for the 3rd time (singletons each time!) and it brought it all back - very realistically described!

Wasn't sure about the 'stoical flinch' as the episiotomy was done... I never had one of those but don't think I would have been flinching stoically exactly! Full of admiration for Jo!

 

#4:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:08 pm

Claire, you brought that to life! Can just see all the shocked reactions in the room as Margot was born!!!

 

#5:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:45 pm

All the babies I've seen born had their mothers swearing and cursing the fathers, screaming that they'd never allow them near again - right up until the baby was placed into their arms!

Joey was far more refined!

Lovely

 

#6:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:12 am

Thank you Claire, it was good to see how shocked they all were, and Joey's feelings about Jack not being there.

 

#7:  Author: Dreaming Marianne, Location: Devon PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:59 am

Ahhh, bless that was lovely!

But "the baby forcing it's way through her abdomen"? Yikes! I thought for a moment it was a CS/Alien crossover!

 

#8:  Author: Ruth, Location: Lincolnshire, England PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 11:29 am

More please.

 

#9:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:48 pm

Dreaming Marianne wrote:
But "the baby forcing it's way through her abdomen"? Yikes! I thought for a moment it was a CS/Alien crossover!


No that was my memory from Katja being born, scary but only lasts a few seconds (not to scare you Marianne and she was the only one I had it with - that I can remember)

Was thinking of doing Jack's reaction to it but need some help - where was he at the time - on active service/training camp/elsewhere - or can I make it up (I'm kind of hoping he's in England for it but I can work round that)

 

#10:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:54 pm

I think he was on service in France, I'm sure its mentioned, along with his names for the girls! I do hope there will be some more! Very Happy

 

#11:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:39 pm

Somewhere in France

Jack Maynard sank back onto his billet, the news just emparted by Major Holmes had still not sunk in.
‘Three, three..’ he counted on his fingers ‘One, two, three! How?’
‘What’s up, Maynard?’ A strong Liverpudian accent called from across the room, ‘The news can’t be that bad. You’re whiter than a sheet, not these sheets obviously’ patting the khaki cover Jack was perched on.
Jack turned, a grin creeping over his face. ‘It’s my wife and the baby. She’s had it, them. She’s had three little girls. I’m a father……I’m a father.’
Lee Watson’s hand clapped the new father on the back ‘Congratulations, mate, knew you had it in you. But three, what do you mean, three?’
‘She’s had triplets. I’m in shock, I thought it could be two, I’m a twin myself and twins are in her family as well but three didn’t cross my mind. But according to the wire mother and all three babies are doing well, tiny but perfect. And I’m not there to see them’
‘At least it means you miss the stinking nappies and sleepless nights. Congrats again, mate. You know what this means, do you? We’ll have to take you to the pub to celebrate.’
Later that evening Jack Maynard and Lee Watson, along with Jones and Bennett, were propping up the bar of the nearest hostelry, a fifteen minute walk from the frontline hospital where all four were currently based, although Jack was a qualified doctor he had joined up as a regular soldier, but his talents had soon been noted and he had been placed within the RMC, ostensibly as an orderly.
Jack grinned at the drinks put in front of him, each of the other three men had a pint glass in their hands, Jack had the pint along with 3 whiskey chasers. ‘One off each of you is it?’
‘No, one for each baby of course.’ Bennett raised his glass, ‘once I’d explained to the bloke behind the bar he found a bottle for you.’
As soon as Jack finished that round of drinks, one of his mates ordered the same round again, the comments became slightly lewder, involving the milkman, the postman and any other male who may have cause to call to the Maynard household.
The four mates set off, the new father being propped up between them, as they rounded the first corner they nearly bumped into a courting couple, who hastily straightened their clothing.
‘Better be careful, luv,’ chuckled Watson ‘the amount of lead this one’s got in his pencil, you’re lucky you ain’t up the duff already!’
Leaving the mystified French couple behind them, they made their way back, as they came within sight of the hospital buildings Jack’s face turned green and hastily Jones and Bennett pulled him to one side, just in time for him to vomit the whiskey over a nurse’s foot.
Jack looked up, the horrified look on the pretty nurse’s face, not to mention the disgust on her two colleagues, was the perfect antidote to the alcohol, sobering him almost instantly.
‘I am so sorry, so, so sorry,’ he gabbled, pulling his handkerchief out of his pocket and trying to mop the mess away from the brunette’s face. ‘I’m not normally like this, honestly, it’s just we’ve been out to celebrate’
‘I can see that,’
‘No really, I’ve just become a father for the first time,’
‘And the second and the third’ came a murmured comment behind him.
‘This won’t come off, how can I make it up to you?’
‘Don’t worry about it, Daddy, tell you what name the baby after me, unless it’s a boy, he might get teased in the playground being called Maria.’
‘No problem, done.’
‘What about me?’ A cockney voice chimed in, ‘I got caught in that little explosion too, why isn’t she going to be Eliza?’
Jack looked at the three girls, ‘Why not? I’ve got three of them! What’s your name?’ turned to the third girl, who up till now had remained silent.
‘She’s Martha,’ the cockney replied.
‘Well then, Maria. Eliza and Martha’ Jack replied, punctuating each name with a quick kiss ‘I’ll came one of my triplets after each of you, goodnight’ And the proud new father sauntered off, leaving a surprised sextette behind him.

 

#12:  Author: Rosea, Location: Edinburgh PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:44 pm

Brilliant Claire!

Love the explanation for Jack's choice of names.

 

#13:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:58 pm

Wonderful!!! Very Happy I love these little Jack snippets, and the great explanation!

 

#14:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:04 pm

Thats so good!

 

#15:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 11:19 pm

Wonderful Claire!!!!!!!!

Imagine if Jo had gone with Jack's suggestions, and then found out WHY he chose them!!!!!

 

#16:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:43 am

Laughing Laughing

Great explanation of Jack's chosen names. It sounded very possible too!

 

#17:  Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:45 am

Love seeing Jack like this! Imagine a CS reaction to the lewd comments about the milkman etc Laughing

 

#18:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:13 am

ROFLMAO!!

Far too credible - great start to the morning, thanks Claire!

 

#19:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:33 am

Laughed my socks off!

 

#20:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:59 pm

Brilliant!

I'll never read that part in the same light ever again...!

 

#21:  Author: Kelly, Location: Auckland, New Zealand PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:08 pm

I love how you've integrated Jacks choice of names!
lol!

 

#22:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:28 pm

Jo sat propped up in the bed, looking at her three daughters lying on Broderie Anglais bedspread in front of her.
‘I just don’t know what I’m going to call you three!’ she said to them quietly ‘I know I’ve said Jane, Joan and Jean, but that was just to wind Madge up, there’s enough J Maynards in this house as it is, I’ll never be able to sort the post when you’re older if I go with that.’
She looked from One (which she was currently thinking of her eldest daughter as) clad in a lemon cardigan over her frock, to Two (dressed in plain white) then across to Three (in lemon and white stripes) ‘I don’t know why I’m expecting you lot to answer, I have to dress you differently to tell you apart – maybe that’s it call you after colours and dress you to match your name, Jade, Rose and Scarlet? No, with your hair colour I couldn’t dress any of you in pink’
‘Your Papa did suggest if we had a girl to name her after him, and a boy after him so maybe I could choose Joesphine, oh and Margaret and Cecelia to go with it. No Robin’s already got one child named after her and at her age that’s enough – there’s such a thing as overkill. Oh, this is so frustrating, all I have so far is that each of you will have Mary as a first name, and we’d agreed that before you arrived.’
At a murmur from Two, Jo moved the others to the large crib next to the bed and started to feed her. ‘This is your fault, you know’ she went on conversationally, ‘If you three had come along at Christmas time as I was expecting, then we wouldn’t have this problem, well, I wouldn’t if there had only been two, you would have been Mary Christine and Mary Natalie, maybe Mary Holly as the third, but no, you had to come on Bonfire night. There’s an idea – Guyella…… Catherine and ……. No can’t think of a third, it was stretching to go with Catherine Wheel.’
At the mention of these names Three set up an horrific bawling and moments later joined her elder sister in her mother’s arm. ‘Maybe we should see what your Papa suggests’ she mused, picking up the letter beside her. ‘Maria, Eliza and Martha – urgh – Jack what ARE you thinking, you know I didn’t even like Pygmalion! No, sorry dear, you got your way over the Marys, the rest is up to me if that’s the best you can do.’
‘Maybe the J thing wasn’t such a bad idea, just a different letter. Hmm. Connie, Clare and … Clara? No that’s horrible. Clare and Connie are nice, but.. This is why most sane people only have one baby at a time, to come up with three names is too hard.’
Jo shifted her younger two daughters back to the crib, before settling down with her eldest. ‘I think I’ll leave this idea for now, what about godmothers? I could name you after them, problem solved.’ Jo leant back on the pillows with a smile, before realising that she didn’t know who the three godmothers were to be. ‘Maybe Simone, Frieda and Marie? Simone couldn’t get jealous that any one was picked over the other? No that’s no good. They’re not nearly old enough to be godparents’ sublimely ignoring the fact that all three were older than she was and Marie, at any rate was also a mother. ‘Beside’s who knows when, or if, I’ll see Frieda again, and Marie doesn’t stand a chance of crossing the Atlantic until this war’s over.’
‘I’d quite like Bill to be a godmother, both she and Hilda have helped me enormously and she’s the only one eligible and Jack did say Charlie and Nally were instrumental in bringing us together, although he won’t say why, so those three I think. That would been Helena, Constance (ohh, that’s good I thought of Connie earlier) and Grace. Grace! No, I can’t have that, whichever infant I saddled it with is bound to become the clumsiest creature in existence.’
Jo laid her eldest back in the crib and sat watching over the three of them. ‘Madge, I’ll name one of you after her, but maybe Margot instead, it’s the only nice short we aren’t currently using and it would be nice for Daisy and Prim’ she thought, her brother-in-law’s sisters death still fresh in her mind. ‘So, then,’ she said out loud. ‘Margot, Helena and Connie, we’ll have to shorten Helena, Nell’s in use and Hell is just not in the running so Len, ‘now it’s just a question of which name for which baby. Right you three, speak up. Margot!’ she called in a sweet voice.
The baby wearing stripes let out a cry and woke up startled, ‘Hello, Margot, come to Mamma’ Jo said, picking her up with a smile. She then went on to try the same trick with the other two names but both babies continued to sleep. ‘How can I work this out. Which is to be Connie and which is Len? Whoever wakes next will be Len, the one still sleeping Connie.’
An hour later, Jo was still sat in the same position shifting Margot back to beside One and Two, even though she only weighed 4lb 3oz, 8oz and 6oz less than either of her respective sisters, a sleeping baby was never a lightweight after some time. Jo placed Margot down between the elder two, accidently nudging a lemon clad arm as she did so, thus settling the names, and incidentally the godparents.

 

#23:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:38 pm

That was a very loverly scence.

I kept thinking - but of course the first born MUST be named Len, surely Jo knows this! I guess the babes wore their names well.

 

#24:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 7:17 pm

I love the meanderings of Jo's mind, but I do wonder how Grace Nalder felt as the other two bore their godmothers names. Thank you Claire Very Happy

 

#25:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:40 pm

I really enjoyed that, Claire! I liked the part about a child named Grace turning out to be a clumsy creature! Smile

Where are you going with this next? Looking forward to finding out...!

 

#26:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:14 pm

Am liking this so much!

Except...Miss Nalder was a PT mistress, was she not? Oh dear. I may have made that up. But if she was, she must have had some grace!

 

#27:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:39 pm

Lovely and very credible, like Jack's choices!

 

#28:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 10:09 pm

I loved how she let the babies chose their names Smile a very Joey touch.

 

#29:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 11:11 pm

Claire, it's lovely to see this side of Jo! Looking forward to your next installment!

 

#30:  Author: Beth, Location: Durham, apparently... PostPosted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 11:13 pm

This is really good, Claire, thank-you!

Just one thing - and I may be being dense here - but why did Jack say Charlie and Nally were instrumental in bringing them together? What have I missed?

 

#31:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 12:59 am

I loved the way Joey chose the names, but I loved the way Jack made his choice even more!
This is great, hope there is more soon.

 

#32:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:13 pm

Beth wrote:
Just one thing - and I may be being dense here - but why did Jack say Charlie and Nally were instrumental in bringing them together? What have I missed?


That part hasn't happened yet - have a vague idea but it may change

 

#33:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:51 pm

Excellent way of chosing the names! Laughing

 

#34:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 7:42 pm

'I've finally settled on the girls' names, I hope you don't mind, Jack, but I didn't use your suggestions from your letter and the baptisms tomorrow (the 12th) so this is what I decided upon in the end, I went with your request for Mary as a first name for a daughter (for all three, not sure if that was what you meant as you were only expecting one daughter) the eldest is Mary Helena (after Bill, who will be her godmother, with Gottfried Mensch as godfather), then Mary Constance (after Charlie, godparents to be her, of course, and Eugen von Wertheimer) and the baby to be Mary Margaret (after Madge but due to the religion aspect I've asked Grace Nalder to be godmother, along with Vater Bar) Hope that meets with your approval, you've always said you owe a debt to both Charlie and Nally so I thought this would be a nice way of repaying them. What do you think?'
Have to go now, Nurse won't let me do much at the moment, so just to say I love you and can't wait to see you and for you to see the babies - I keep showing them your photograph so hopefully they'll recognise their Papa when they see him!
Jo
PS I thought that Mary Margaret would be shortened to Margot - so nice for Daisy and Primula don't you think?'

Jack folded up the letter from his wife, with a frown on his face 'B****ks, what do I think? No, you're going to ask why I owe Con and Grace, I should never have mentioned the whole thing. B******ks, b*****ks'
'Something wrong?' an amused voice asked.
'Something from the dim and distant past has returned to haunt me, and I just pray my wife doesn't find out'

 

#35:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 7:50 pm

Oooh you must tell Claire!!!!

*giggles at Jack and Joey's methods of asking!*

 

#36:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:02 pm

Ooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


C'mon Claire!!! Please spill the mystery, before I die of curiosity!

 

#37:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:51 pm

ROFL! Lovely, I'm sure the Charlie and Nallie reasoning will be just as believable. Wink

 

#38:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:54 pm

Vikki wrote:
Ooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


C'mon Claire!!! Please spill the mystery, before I die of curiosity!


Yes, I love the way the trips chose their own names.

*stands by ready for artificial respiration*

Any chance of any more soon please, if Vikki does decide to try and expire, it's going to get awfully tiring trying to keep her on this mortal coil Very Happy

JackieJ

 

#39:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:27 pm

Definitely want to know what Jack is so upset about!!! Laughing Laughing

 

#40:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:49 pm

Yes, what???

 

#41:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:58 pm

Shocked Jack has something in his past that's going to haunt him? Someting he doesn't want Joey to find out about?
Please Claire, come back and tell us what it is?

 

#42:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 12:33 am

JackieJ wrote:

Any chance of any more soon please, if Vikki does decide to try and expire, it's going to get awfully tiring trying to keep her on this mortal coil Very Happy

JackieJ


Very Happy

I agree, Claire! Tis wonderful so far! *starts chant for more*

 

#43:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:08 am

It is interesting,
What did people do then, when babies were born during the war, and there was no way of contacting the fathers within good time?
I bet there were some cases where the fathers' family decided what the names were to be

 

#44:  Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 3:30 pm

c'mon Claire, inquiring minds want to know why Jack is so upset - did Nally and Charlie stop him from straying??? *thinks guesses will get wilder and wilder unless you post and soon!*


MOOOOOORE, please!!!

 

#45:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 4:57 pm

Ciorstaidh wrote:
c'mon Claire, inquiring minds want to know why Jack is so upset - did Nally and Charlie stop him from straying???


What makes you think they stopped him?

 

#46:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:08 pm

claire wrote:
Ciorstaidh wrote:
c'mon Claire, inquiring minds want to know why Jack is so upset - did Nally and Charlie stop him from straying???


What makes you think they stopped him?


CLAIRE! It's downright mean to insinuate things like that and then leave us all on tenterhooks!

 

#47:  Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:21 pm

claire wrote:
Ciorstaidh wrote:
c'mon Claire, inquiring minds want to know why Jack is so upset - did Nally and Charlie stop him from straying???

What makes you think they stopped him?


Because they're the reason him and Jo are together! Unless..... nonononono!!!!!!

You'll just have to post the next bit, Claire!

 

#48:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:30 pm

*mind boggling at the possibilities*

C'mon Claire I think your comment deserves a sequel! Wink

 

#49:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:31 pm

Ok, first part

Jack collapsed onto his bed, his eyes closing almost immediately, the 18 hours he had previously been on his feet for did not ensure a dreamless sleep and he was transported back to the town of Spartz some 18 months previously.
Although the rain was heavy, Jack had come down to the town on his weekend off, ostensibly to see a play that was on at the tiny hall the Tyrolean town boasted. In reality he wanted to avoid his colleagues, or colleague if he was being honest with himself. As he walked down the stairs of the Hotel Post he recognised a figure in the doorway, a small, pretty woman was peering out into the cold, as if trying to decide whether to venture out or no.
‘Hello, Grace,’ he called, ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Are you meeting anyone?’
She turned to look at him, the tears evident in her grey eyes, ‘No, I came down for the weekend with Con, Con Stewart, but she’s gone to dinner with Jock MacKenzie so I’m on my own, I was going to see that murder mystery everyone’s been talking about, but, it’s stupid I know, but I was getting nervous about going alone.’
‘Not stupid at all,’ Jack said gallantly, offering his elbow, ‘I would be delighted if you would do me the honour of accompanying me to the theatre.’
Grace Nalder smiled up at him and took the prooffered arm, ‘Thank you, kind sir, I would be delighted.’
Much later that evening the pair were sat in a quiet corner of the hotel bar, his tongue loosened by several whiskeys Jack looked at the firelight, reflecting off the well polished dark wood all around, and admitted his problem and his feelings to Grace.
'It's. it's Dr Hunter'

Last edited by claire on Thu Sep 02, 2004 6:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#50:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:42 pm

Now I'm sure Claire doesn't mean to happen, what I immediately thought of there!!!! Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked

*Please come and showme the errorof my ways Claire!*

 

#51:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:54 pm

Wondered who would have the dirty mind there, Lesley you just won the prize

‘I’ve had a letter from Jo and from what she says it appears she’s staying in India for as long as he’s at the Sonnaple, I think he’s put her off doctors for life, I was going to tell her how I felt, but then HE turned up and she runs for the hills, I can’t decide whether to cut my losses and just move on myself, ask out one of the nurses instead of hankering around over someone I may never win over.’
Grace reached across the table and placed her hand on top of his, ‘It’s hard when you love someone and they don’t love you back,’
Jack looked into her eyes, recognising a kindred spirit, ‘You too?’
‘And when they are with someone else, it’s like a knife turning in your heart, take tonight, Con and Jock are out having a meal, and I’m here with you. No offence, but you’re just not the one I wanted to be with tonight, but maybe your advice was right’ her voice trailed off.
‘My advice?’
‘Move on, find someone else, you may both know you’re not first choice but as long as you’re not deceiving anyone where’s the harm?’
Grace picked up her glass and drained the rest of the golden fluid before flicking her brown hair back off her forehead, ‘Are you going to walk me to my room?’
Up stairs the pair paused outside the door, ‘Goodnight then Jack,’ she said softly, before turning the doorknob and pushing it.
‘Night,’
As Grace entered her hotel room she heard her name and turned, Jack stepped forward, kissing her, at first gently then with more passion, kicking the door to with his foot.

 

#52:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 8:13 pm

Whatever happens next Shocked , Joey has no reason to complain - she's run off to India for goodness sake, and there doesn't even seem to be anything between her and Jack yet.
But what does happen next???????

 

#53:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:05 pm

Oooh very interesting, but I agree with Ellie ~ what does happen??

 

#54:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:23 pm

Hey!!! I won a prize Laughing Bet I wasn't the only one to think it! Glad it's not that - but could this be the reason Grace Nalder disappears until Oberland???

Thanks Claire! Wink

 

#55:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:37 pm

Goodness me! Jack & Grace? Shocked

*also finds Lesley & Claire's innuendoes rather mysterious*

 

#56:  Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:11 pm

Lesley wrote:
Hey!!! I won a prize Laughing Bet I wasn't the only one to think it! Glad it's not that - but could this be the reason Grace Nalder disappears until Oberland???

Thanks Claire! Wink


*admits to having just as dirty a mind as Lesley...judging by the shock in her post*

Claire - tell us what happened next!!!

 

#57:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 4:20 pm

Jack rubbed his eyes the next morning and snuggled up to the warm body lying next to him, ‘Looks like we moved on’ he whispered in Grace’s ear.
Grace sat up, clutching the plumeau around her, ‘That should never have happened. I’m so sorry,’ Pulling the plumeau with her, incidentally leaving Jack sprawled naked on the bed, she began the pick up and wriggle into her clothes. ‘Put that on,’ she ordered, throwing his trousers onto the bed, ‘I can’t talk when you’re like, like that!’
Downstairs in the Speisesaal, she spoke quietly, ‘I meant it when I said that should never have happened, Jack you love Jo and I, well, it’s complicated’ her voice faded as she saw a familiar red-head in the entrance hall and waved her over, ‘don’t mention what happened last night, please.’
As Con Stewart joined the pair at the table, Jack followed Grace’s lead and spread thick blackcurrant jam onto his bread.
‘Morning, I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Jack. What have you been up to?’
Jack’s mouth was full of his roll so Grace explained how they had both wanted to see the same play, and had accompanied each other rather than sit alone, before turning the questioning onto Con’s date.
‘It went well,’ she nodded, although Grace knew her well enough to see that there was no spark in her eyes or voice when she spoke of Jock McKenzie, ‘He’s, he’s nice, and dependable, and he seems to like me, every woman wants to marry and have children don’t they?’ she added, almost defensively.
‘And you think this Jock may be the one?’ asked Jack, entering into the conversation for the first time.
‘Con, a marriage should be about love, not just, well, not just something you feel you ought to do? Jack agrees, don’t you, Jack?’
Jack winced as a walking boot came into contact with his ankle, ‘Yes, yes, I do.’ giving Grace a strange look before a realisation came to him.
‘That’s why we have to help Jack, you’ll help me won’t you Con?’
Both Con and Jack gave Grace a quizzical look, ‘Help me? With what?’
‘Getting rid of Dr Hunter of course. ‘


PS you have to wait till Jo returns to get to the bit Jack's keeping secret!

 

#58:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:46 pm

May we have more please Claire?

 

#59:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:52 pm

*admits to having thought exactly the same thing as Lesley*

*also wondering about Grace and Con (unless everyone else has already figured it out and I'm just dumb)*

Claire? May we have more please?

 

#60:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:53 pm

Ok so not Jack and Dr Hunter - but what about Grace Nalder and Con Stewart????? Shocked

 

#61:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:16 pm

Lesley wrote:
Ok so not Jack and Dr Hunter - but what about Grace Nalder and Con Stewart????? Shocked


I was a poor innocent Chalet girl till I joined this board Wink

I wonder the same as Lesley.

 

#62:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:29 pm

See....it's not just me! Laughing

 

#63:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:22 pm

*turns shocked gaze in Lesley's direction* Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked

 

#64:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:23 pm

Not just you at all Lesley, I went through exactly the same process Very Happy

If we have to wait till Jo returns Claire then please can that happen very very quickly...

 

#65:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:19 pm

Vikki wrote:
*turns shocked gaze in Lesley's direction* Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked


Vikki - it's far, far too late for you to start protesting your innocence! Razz

 

#66:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:41 am

Lesley wrote:
Vikki wrote:
*turns shocked gaze in Lesley's direction* Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked


Vikki - it's far, far too late for you to start protesting your innocence! Razz


You can't really expect us to believe you weren't thinking exactely the same as the rest of us!!! Rolling Eyes

 

#67:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:42 pm

Enough of the yibbling, let's all yell for Guest to post some more!

 

#68:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:22 pm

Jennie wrote:
Enough of the yibbling, let's all yell for Guest to post some more!



Jennie dear, I think it would be more effective if we yelled for Claire to post some more......

 

#69:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:09 pm

Trumpet Claire Trumpet

*crosses fingers and hopes it works*

 

#70:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:28 pm

See, I wasn't the only one who immediately thought of Con and Grace - everyone else did too!!!!

Claire, may we have some more, please? *looking very hopeful*

 

#71:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:05 pm

Gem wrote:
See, I wasn't the only one who immediately thought of Con and Grace - everyone else did too!!!!



Um, I didn't. Embarassed Maybe I'm being dim - or perhaps I have led far too sheltered a life.

 

#72:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:56 pm

Nope, it's just that my mind is permenantly in the gutter Embarassed

 

#73:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:04 pm

This isn't the next bit, but I need help with it - my mind is pulling in two ways with the Dr Hunter story - do we hear what happens to him after leaving Austria or do I have free range ?(one possibility is sending him to St Bartholmews but if it says somewhere he goes to a different hospital I will honour that and not go with the either of my current versions) any one know? (Jo will return after the next installment!)

 

#74:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:05 pm

Theres very little about him in the series but in Gillian there is this:

Quote:
And that was the last Jo ever saw of Dr Hunter, for by the time she and Robin returned from their sojourn in India, he had left the Sonnalpe, having accepted a post in a hospital in Australia.


I hope this helps becuase I want to see the next bit! Wink

 

#75:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:10 pm

so he has time to go to Barts and then move on? I reckon so as he sounds fickle Wink

 

#76:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:53 am

Ally wrote:
Theres very little about him in the series but in Gillian there is this:

Quote:
And that was the last Jo ever saw of Dr Hunter, for by the time she and Robin returned from their sojourn in India, he had left the Sonnalpe, having accepted a post in a hospital in Australia.


I hope this helps becuase I want to see the next bit! Wink


But I think you have already written something (cant remember what) that does not quite fit in with Gillian, so you do not have to feel bound by this (it is not quite canon)

 

#77:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:49 am

sorry, am being dim - is Gillian a book that only came out in HB? or a fill-in? or part of another book? or a drabble i've missed somewhere?!? Confused Embarassed

 

#78:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:53 am

Robin wrote:
sorry, am being dim - is Gillian a book that only came out in HB? or a fill-in? or part of another book? or a drabble i've missed somewhere?!? Confused Embarassed


Gillian is a fill in published by the Girls Gone by Publisher and of which (do not tell them) a transcript exists on the transcript site (see forum what I really want)

It fills in the term joey went to india somewhere between New and Exile.

I personally found it interesting but not so well written

 

#79:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:58 am

thanks, will check it out!

 

#80:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 6:48 pm

‘So, remind me, why are we getting rid of Dr Hunter?’
‘So Jack and Joey can fall in love, get married and live happily ever after of course. Doesn’t everyone deserve to be happy?’
Grace and Con skirted round the pile of dirt in the San gardens, Jurgen, the boy of all work, was going a little overboard on digging the pond ordered, and only the tip of his blonde hair was visible over the edge, they walked past him, nodding to Jem who was on his way to explain that the pond was only ornamental for patients to look at, not a diving pool.
It took them nearly 20 minutes to locate Dr Hunter but Grace soon persuaded him to leave his letter writing and take a walk with them and they headed off back the way they came.
‘So, I hear you have an offer of a job at Bart’s. When are you going?’
‘Why? Are you going to miss me?’
‘Can’t you speak to a woman without flirting? Believe me, there is no way I would be interested in the likes of you!’ The disgust on Grace’s pretty face was more than evident. ‘I recommend that you take it, once people start to talk, I doubt if you’ll be employed here for must longer.’
Dr Hunter’s face started to redden, his curiosity and anger starting to rise. ‘Why? Why are you saying that?’ the tension audible in his voice.
‘Well, how you won’t take ‘no’ for an answer off women, that why Jo Bettany left, and she’s Dr Russell’s sister-in-law, if some of the teachers at the school said you wouldn’t leave them alone, who’s the say that you took things a little further before she got away from you? If she got away at all?’ Grace’s voice trailed off, leaving Dr Hunter to think about her veiled threat.
This could destroy his career! Destroy his life even. Angrier than ever before, Dr Hunter grabbed the petite woman by the arm and swung her round, before raising his arm. For a moment the pair teetered at the edge of the freshly dug pond.

 

#81:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:18 pm

Con’s eyes swung wildly between the two for a second, then she reached down, and round.
THWACK, the shovel Jurgen had left in the earth connected with Dr Hunter’s head and he fell into the gaping hole, thankfully releasing his hold on Grace as he did so.
The two women looked at each other in horror, what did they do now? Was he dead? What would happen to them? Before they could start the scramble down the slope to check on the inert doctor, Jack Maynard crept on them them.
‘Boo. What is with you two? You look like you’ve just seen a ….’ Jack’s eyes followed theirs. His medical training immediately took over and he swiftly went over to his colleague, his fingers searching for a pulse in his neck, already knowing that it was fruitless, the sight of grey mass within the gaping skull was evidence of that.
He looked up, his eyes asking the obvious question.
‘He was going to hurt Grace! I had to stop him! I didn’t mean to hurt anyone! Oh my god, what do we do now?’
Grace picked up the shovel, and beckoned to Jack to move out of the hole. She worked quickly, covering the body with dirt until no part of the doctor was visible. The other two stood there watching her.
‘What if someone finds out what we’ve done?’ Jack’s question allied him with the two women and fromt hen there was no way back.
‘We didn’t see him,’ Con said, ‘No one saw him with us, if we stick to the story that we came to see you Jack no one can prove a thing.’
The three silently agreed, before looking up and Jem Russell and Jurgen came round the corner, Jurgen with a pond liner under his arm, Jem unravelling the hose as he went.
As Jurgen laid the liner over the grave and Jem gave a shout for the tap to be turned on the guilty three heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that their secret was safe.
As the water flowed into the pond, Jem turned to Jack, before asking angrily ‘Have you seen Dr Hunter?’






PS there is one more installment before Jo returns - which there wouldn't have been if Con hadn't insisted on hitting the man so you'll have to wait for that part

 

#82:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:27 pm

Now I can understand why Jack doesn't want Joey to find out his guilty secret, or anyone else for that matter, even though he was only an accessory after the fact. Shocked
Who would have thought it of Con Stewart?

 

#83:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:16 pm

Wow, thanks Claire, a much better ending for Dr Hunter Twisted Evil

 

#84:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:43 pm

Claire that was both brilliant and truly inspired! Laughing

 

#85:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:57 pm

I've thought of a much better title for this though.

Three births and a death

Okay, not quite the same ring to it..... but.....

This is wonderful, can't wait for the finale

JackieJ

 

#86:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:31 pm

ROFL! Don't blame Con though - he's a frog! Gr.

 

#87:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 11:44 pm

LOL


Excellent Claire!!! More soon please!!!

 

#88:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:57 am

Ellie wrote:
Who would have thought it of Con Stewart?


*g*
It'll be that red hair of hers, I'll warrant! Wink

 

#89:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:22 pm

Brilliant! have now skim-read Gillian so I think the evil toad deserved it!

 

#90:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 3:58 pm

He's not a frog, he's a toad!

 

#91:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:14 pm

More soon please! Have just caught up again!

 

#92:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:41 pm

The three glanced guiltily at each other.
‘No, why? Are you looking for him?’
‘He’s late, I wanted to speak to him about Frau Grunburg, he wanted to observe her operation, looks like he’s missed his chance now.’
As the small party broke apart a silent agreement remained between the three guilty parties, each vowing never to speak of what had happened to another living soul.
The following day, somewhat unsurprisingly, Dr Hunter failed to turn up at the start of his allotted shift. When Jem came off duty he went to investigate.
He came up to Jack Maynard, who was trying to eat a hurried sandwich, having failed to consume any food since the incident the night before.
‘You haven’t seen Hunter, have you?’, he asked, waving a piece of paper in front of him.
Jack shook his head, trying, in vain, to keep his colour from rising, cursing his fair skin. ‘Why?’ Jack hjust managed to keep the squeak from his voice.
‘Listen to this, I found it in his room!’ Jem’s voice portrayed his fury as he began to read the latter aloud.
‘Dear Sirs,
I have found the offer of the post of registrar at St. Bartholomews very difficult to turn down.
Then he just stops the letter, he’s left and not even had the decency to SIGN his resignation letter. The swine, he’s better pray he never needs a reference from me after this.’

Jack managed to speak to Con and Grace, each one was happy that Dr Hunter’s dissapearance had been explained, Jack, however, was more happy in the knowledge that Jo Bettany would soon be returning home, free from the spectre of Dr Hunter.

 

#93:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:47 pm

Thanks Claire

I'm looking forward to Jo's return, and seeing how they deal with their guilt.

 

#94:  Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:15 pm

claire wrote:

The following day, somewhat unsurprisingly, Dr Hunter failed to turn up at the start of his allotted shift.


Cracking line!! ROFL ROFL ROFL

 

#95:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:33 pm

Dr Hunter wasn't totally bad then! At least he was considerate enough to leave that letter lying around to save any awkward questions. Jem certainly won't be taking any steps to find him!

I'm also looking forward to seeing how the three of them cope when Jo returns.

 

#96:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 12:24 pm

Changed the title, went with your idea, Jackie, but ONE death wasn't enough.

By the way, when I started writing this I had no idea of Dr Hunter's fate so that wasn't what he was keeping from Jo (well, he was but keeping it from me too)

 

#97:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 12:32 pm

So what is he keeping from Jo - and who's the other death? I presume that which is being kept and the other death are connected? Making Jack a mass-murderer!

 

#98:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 12:52 pm

If Jack's a mass murderer maybe he should up the dose of arsenic he keeps putting in Jo's coffee, so far all it's done is build up a tolerence.

ANyway, next bit and Jo's back

____________________________________________________

Jack stood awkardly at the back of the Chalet School Staffroom as his fiancee showed off her engagement ring to her friends, even from this distance he could see the light gleaming off the emeralds and diamonds as she waved her hand in the air.
During the past five months he, Con Stewart and Grace Nalder had studiously ignored each other, none of them wanting to be the first to break the silence, as he looked at the group of women he realised that the two women were standing as far apart from each other as it was possible to be, while still being part of the same conversation. Grace seemed a little pale upon hearing the news. Jack frowned, she had know about his feelings for Jo, so it shouldn’t have been a complete shock to her but she looked close to tears as she admired her friend’s ring.
As the bell sounded and the majority of the teachers had to head to the first class of the new term, Jack went forward to join his fiancee, but as he passed Grace she whispered in an undertone that she needed to speak to him, there was no mistaking the urgency in her voice and he asked when.
‘This evening, meet me outside the Kron Prinz Karl at 7.’
With that she was gone and Jack was left to wonder at what she wanted.

That afternoon Con and Grace spoke properly for the first time in several months.
‘I just wanted you to know, I’m getting married, Jock proposed in his letter, I’ve just returned it and accepted. When we do get married, will you be a bridesmaid? I know we haven’t been that close since, since….’ Con’s voice trailed off, ‘anyway, you introduced us, so I’d love it if you would. I’ve, I’ve missed you.’
Grace looked up at the woman who had once been a close friend, ‘You expect me to be your bridesmaid? Let me ask you something? Do you love him?’
Con looked at the ground, studiously avoiding Grace’s gaze. ‘I care about him, every woman wanted to marry and have children, don’t they? Don’t you?’
‘I wanted to have children with the man I love,’ she said quietly, trying to keep the emotion from her voice, ‘but that isn’t going to happen now, is it?’ she turned to walk away.
Con reached out to pull her back, ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘What do I mean? What do you think I mean? I fell in love with Jock when I first met him, when I was at training college, I know he didn’t feel the same, but he kept in touch and I thought that his feelings were growing, but then he met YOU! I wanted you two to like each other, you should have been MY bridesmaid, not the other way round. I can’t be a part of all this, I won’t’ Grace turned and ran off, tears streaming down her face, she had known that she could never have married Jock, but the have the women she had once thought of as her best friend to take her place was too much to bear.

 

#99:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 2:02 pm

Thanks Claire, looking forward to seeing what happpens at the hotel - but why culdn't Grace have ever married Jock?

 

#100:  Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 3:49 pm

Thanks Claire!
I've only just read this, and am enjoying it. Slightly worried about the second death though! Shocked
So Grace Nalder's got a bit more of a 'past' than I'd thought! Intrigued as to where this is going next....

 

#101:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 6:58 pm

Back to 1939 for the the next snippet

The clarion call of ‘Maynard, get up, you lazy sod’ woke Jack out of his Austrian dream, he quickly dressed and went off to the ward, after quickly swigging a luke warm cup of tea and stuffing his mail into his trouser pocket.
Thirteen hours later, he finally got to open the letters, first he opened one from Joey, detailing the triplet’s christening, he smiled at the thought of baby Helena’s crying at the first touch of the holy water setting off Constance and Margaret, the three babies nearly drowning out the sound of the baptism service.
The second letter he opened more slowly. It was a brief note from Grace Nalder.
‘Dear Jack,
I’ve received a letter from Joey asking me to be godmother to little Mary Margaret, I have accepted of course, but part of me is glad that I am unable to be there, I think it would be too hard for me, it’s too soon. Mary is always in my thoughts. I will come to see the triplets once I have found the inner strength. Do not be afraid that I will tell your wife, I wouldn’t do that, even if I did feel able to talk about it.
Yours Grace
PS what are you calling the other two babies? Jo didn’t mention the names only that Bill and Con were the other two godmothers.

 

#102:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 8:36 pm

claire wrote:
Changed the title, went with your idea, Jackie, but ONE death wasn't enough.

By the way, when I started writing this I had no idea of Dr Hunter's fate so that wasn't what he was keeping from Jo (well, he was but keeping it from me too)


Embarassed Aww, shucks, thanks Claire Embarassed, although I dread to think who the second death is going to be.

This is turning out very good by the way, I especially like the bit with Grace introducing Jock to Con, and then having him stolen away from her.

JackieJ

 

#103:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 11:11 pm

I may have an inkling of a guess about who the second death is, and if so, wibble!!!

 

#104:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:03 am

pm me to see if you're right Vikki

 

#105:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:04 am

That was me in case you couldn't guess

 

#106:  Author: pygmy, Location: glasgow PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:06 am

Have just found this - it's great! Am now waiting eagerly for the second death...

 

#107:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:41 pm

The meeting at the Kronz Prinz Karl filled Jack with trepidation, he couldn’t imagine what Grace wanted to speak to him about, he thought that they had put the events of five months ago behind them, he was going to marry the woman he loved, he was employed as a doctor, his dream since boyhood but he couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that something was about to send his contented life crashing down around him.
Jack had dropped his fiancee back at the school, Jo deciding to take this opportunity to discuss wedding plans with her friends, Jack smiled to himself, for all her previous comments about never wanting to wed Jo certainly knew how she wanted the wedding to go. He took his coffee out to the terrace where Grace was sitting at one of the tables, sipping a glass of water. He sat down beside her without speaking, wondering what her first words were going to be.
She studiously gazed into her glass, hating herself for what she was about to say, wanting both Jack and Jo to be happy but knowing that his reaction to her news could change the whole outcome of her life.
‘Jack, I, I, you know that I wanted you and Jo to be happy, and I told you that I’d never mention that night we spent together, well, I’m afraid I have to,’ Grace raised her eyes to glimpse Jack’s face, for a doctor you’d think he’d be more insightful and save me from saying the words, she thought, but it was obvious that Jack had never considered the possibility of repercussions from that night. ‘I’m pregnant,’
Jack spat the mouthful of coffee he had just taken across the table, bespattering the white tablecloth, which Grace immediately dabbed at with her handkerchief, leaving Jack to gasp out the beginning of several sentences, none of which got past the first syllable.
‘You… Preg….How….Mi….’ his voice trailed off into silence, before he regained his power of thought, ‘Why didn’t you tell me before? Why wait till we announced our engagement? Jo’s going to be humiliated when everybody learns that I’ve broken our engagement to marry someone else. You know that everyone will be counting the months when the baby’s born, knowing that we had to get married.’
‘I couldn’t tell you earlier, I didn’t know. I mean I suspected that when I first missed but then I thought the curse had started,’ Grace’s face was red, she had never spoken to a man this intimately before, even a doctor, a doctor who had known her as intimately as was possible. ‘But it never really did, but I didn’t think I could be expecting but then, this morning, this morning I felt it, I felt our baby move and I knew I had to tell you, I just wish I could have told you as soon as I found out but Jo just burst in and announced it, and I just wanted to curl up and die, I am so sorry, Jack.’ There Grace burst into tears, and clumsily Jack put his arm round her, pushing his handkerchief at her as her own was soaked in coffee.
‘Don’t cry, Grace, it’s not the end of the world and it’s not your fault. We’d best get back to the Chalet, I need to speak to Joey.’

 

#108:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:45 pm

Oh oh, the plot thickens!

 

#109:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:48 pm

Poor Grace and the poor baby. I am enjoying this, especially seeing more of Grace who always seems to get forgotton.

 

#110:  Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:13 pm

*Gulp.* Sad
Oh dear. Well, as Ally says, it's nice to see some more about Grace, but I have an inkling of where this might be going. Hope I'm wrong. Poor Nally. Crying or Very sad
Nevertheless, more please Claire! I'm enjoying this!

 

#111:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:19 am

uh-oh, poor them.

well, I suppose we know that it all ends happily for Jack and Joey but all I remember about Nally is that she marries a classics master and doesn't come back, I think? not sure where that came from though!

claire wrote:

I think it would be too hard for me, it’s too soon. Mary is always in my thoughts.


i was wondering what this bit meant - as surely she would have known that the triplets were going to be called by their second name, but now I think it makes sense

*thinking hard*

 

#112:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:28 pm

Oh no *sobs*

Poor Grace...

 

#113:  Author: Alex, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 7:08 pm

OH is that why he wanted to call them all Mary... Question

 

#114:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 7:36 pm

What? Mary's? I'm confuzzled.

More please!

 

#115:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 9:55 pm

Ooooh..... now the Mary thing is making sense (I think)...... Awwww...... I won't say anything thought.

Please may we have some more?

JackieJ

 

#116:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 1:26 pm

Claire I have just caught up with this. It is wonderful. I giggled aloud at the triplets chosing their own names. So typical of Jo at that time.

Poor Jack, poor Grace! We know the ending so all we need to know now is how it is resolved. More soon please.

 

#117:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:06 pm

Sorry about the change of title again, but as you've all worked out it wasn't right and it has turned into Grace's story really

As the parents-to-be made their way back to the Chalet Grace kept rubbing at her side, wincing slightly.
‘What’s wrong?’ Jack said anxiously. ‘Are you in pain?’
Grace smiled at him, ‘It’s nothing, just a tummy ache that’s all. I’m probably just nervous at facing Jo, and everyone else. I’ll loose my job for a start!’
‘You’d be giving it up soon anyway. It’s not good for you to be working in your condition, never mind all the running about you must do.’
They lapsed back into silence after that, each thinking of how the news would be taken. Jack told Grace that he wanted to break the news to Jo in private, knowing it wasn’t fair to her to let someone else witness the scene.
Back at the school, Grace headed up to her room while Jack took Jo from the staff room into the empty Lower IVth classroom.
‘What’s the matter, Jack? You seem awfully serious. Is something wrong? It’s not Madge is it? Or Robin? Or..’
‘No, Jo, no one is ill. Please be quiet and listen to what I have to say.’ He took her hands in his, and looked her straight in the eyes. ‘Jo, I have loved you for years now. I planned on spending the rest of my life with you. You were the woman I wanted to bear my children, for us to build a life together. I promised myself that when you agreed to be my wife that I would dedicate myself to making you happy, to avoid hurting you at any cost. My feelings for you will never change,’ Jack paused, hating himself for what he was about to say, knowing that the dreamy look in Jo’s dark eyes would change to hurt, ‘but I can’t…’
At that point Matron rushed into the room, panting slightly, ‘Jack, come quickly. It’s Grace Nalder.’

 

#118:  Author: keren1,  PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:10 pm

'wow,
isnt this a clever story

 

#119:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:31 pm

Very clever - poor Grace. Crying or Very sad

 

#120:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:25 pm

*wibbles*

Oh dear!!! this doesn't look good for Grace..... Sad

 

#121:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:46 pm

Biting nails for Grace. I can see this going into a very downbeat patch.

Tad confused by change of title, but still intrigued, as to what will happen.

Ellen

 

#122:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:58 pm

*Reaches for the tissues*

I don't think things are going to go very well, poor Grace.

 

#123:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:08 pm

This is SO clever - I've just read the whole thing at once - am completely on tenterhooks! And feeling very, very sorry for Grace Crying or Very sad

 

#124:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 6:02 am

*echoes all the worry for Grace*
(Lucky for Joey, though.... I think.)

 

#125:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:41 am

So what has Jack done to her? Put something into her coffee?

 

#126:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 2:47 pm

Jennie wrote:
So what has Jack done to her? Put something into her coffee?


I don't think so Jennie - he was about to tell Joey he couldn't marry her - so obviously intended to do 'the right thing'.

(Of course I could be being terribly naive here!)

 

#127:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 3:41 pm

I'm guessing with Lesley here.

 

#128:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 3:55 pm

So why haven't we been put out of our misery then? Let's all shout.

 

#129:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 4:35 pm

megaphone More Please!

 

#130:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 5:24 pm

Oh no! Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Poor Grace!

 

#131:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 7:09 pm

I'm with Lesley and Kathy_S... thinking Jack was going to play the honourable card and tell Jo he couldnt marry her but now it doesn't seem to be going so well for Grace (I think i know what's going on here..! )

More please! Is v clever!

 

#132:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:29 pm

sorry it's only a teeny bit, but it's not going right, I know what's happening to Grace but she keeps dying on me (and I can't make Jack save her - he will try harder before the next installment) she's had to transfer to the San which wasn't meant to happen

Jack swiftly followed Matron from the room, leaving a stunned Jo trailing in his wake. Matron told Jack how she had heard a cry from Grace’s room and went in, only to find her doubled up in pain. The expression on Jack’s face tightened; he had been so concerned with telling Jo, in easing his own conscience that he had ignored the pains Grace had experienced that evening.
On entering her room, he found her curled up on the bed, pale and sweating. On touching her wrist he was alarmed to see that her pulse was racing. Matron Lloyd shut the door and came to help him, as he raised Grace’s blouse to check her abdomen she realised that the P.E. mistress was expecting a baby. Jack tenderly touched the swollen flesh, alarmed by the fact that it was much bigger than he was expected and rigid to the touch. As soon as the examination finished, Grace rolled back onto her side, mainly to avoid Matey’s eyes. A large patch of both red and brown blood was soaking into the bedclothes. In a tight-lipped voice Jack urged Matey to get the Sam ambulance there as soon as possible.

 

#133:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:42 pm

Isn't it annoying when 'your'characters take over! We're all willing Grace to live - if that's any help.

 

#134:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:22 pm

*wibble*

We know Grace survives; you've written the chronologically later bits, so she's got to be there to be Godmother to the Trips.

Ellen

 

#135:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:44 pm

*Hopes Claire manages to control the bunnies - Grace survives, whatever they say! Laughing *

Thanks.

 

#136:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:44 pm

poke bunnies - aren't you satisfied that Claire's writing simultaneous drabbles? No treats for you until you agree to let Grace live, you obstreperous, flop-eared rodents!

 

#137:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:25 am

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Poor Grace!!!

 

#138:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:25 am

Poor Grace! I don't like the sound of this at all!

 

#139:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:51 am

OOH poor Grace. We knew it had to happen but still poor Grace! (and jack)

 

#140:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:18 pm

Poor Grace, what a terrible experience for her.

 

#141:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 8:57 pm

Before Matron could turn and leave the room, Grace screamed. The pain was excruciating and she seemed to be loosing more blood every second. Her body started to take over and without her help or consent started to push, Grace closed her eyes, not wanting the inevitable to happen, wanting the pain to stop, but knowing inside that when the pain stopped then her baby would be gone.
Jack felt helpless, he’d assisted in childbirth before, even delivered a stillborn baby once, back in his training days, but this was different, this was his baby, and he knew that at this gestation there wasn’t much chance of survival, even when discounting the bleed, in all likelihood the baby wouldn’t ever take its first breathe.
The pain stopped. There was silence and on the bed was a tiny, perfectly formed little girl. All three adults in their room held their breath, hoping against hope that a cry would come, but the silence was only broken by a sob from Grace. Jack gently picked her up, his feeling had been right, Grace had suffered a placental haemorrhage and nothing could have been done to save their daughter, he started to recite the baptism rites, looking up at Grace as he did so. She mouthed the name Mary to him.
As he finished speaking he went to wrap Mary’s body in a small towel, before passing her to Grace to hold. Grace reached out to take her daughter in her arms, but she was growing paler by the second, and her arms slumped. Jack quickly laid his daughter’s lifeless body next to her mother and sent Matron to call for help again. Jack worked furiously to try to stem the flow of blood, his irresponsibility had already caused one death, he wasn’t about to let it cause a second

 

#142:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:20 pm

*wibbles*

Poor Grace!

 

#143:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:33 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

So well described.

 

#144:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:42 pm

How awful for everyone. Sad Sad Sad

 

#145:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:44 pm

So sad.

 

#146:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:46 pm

That is so Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

and as for 'Mary'...well! Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#147:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:47 pm

Ooooh, I lost this for a couple of days, and have just caught up. Poor Grace, and poor Jack, and poor little Mary.

Hoping for more soon here Claire.

JackieJ

 

#148:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:22 pm

*sobs bitterly*

Glad that the triplets were named in some way after their half-sister though.

 

#149:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:40 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Beautifully moving, poor Grace, Mary and Jack

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#150:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 3:05 pm

Crying or Very sad
I know Grace survives but I'm still worried for her, that doesn't make sense does it! Still poor Jack and Grace and little baby Mary
Crying or Very sad

 

#151:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 4:05 pm

This is awful, how sad for everyone!

 

#152:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 5:25 pm

bawling

 

#153:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:27 pm

my friend had this at full term and nearly died.
make sure you get the ambulance quickly!

 

#154:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 4:41 pm

Glad I read that alone! So sad for all of them.

 

#155:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:28 pm

Jack could hear footsteps bounding down the corridor, he prayed that they were from the San, and that whatever information Matey had passed on had been enough for them to bring the drug he desperately needed. Mentally he kicked himself for not telling Matey the name, but there was nothing he could do about that now. As Jem came into the room, sizing up the situation immediately.
‘Did you bring the ergometrine?’ Jack’s voice was tense, Jem nodded and started to draw from the small vial. As soon as he could he inserted the fluid into Grace’s thigh, after giving the drug time to work, Jack eased up on the massage he was doing and was relieved to find that the haemorrhage had stopped, the blood loss had slowed and was back to within safe limits. Grace moaned slightly, her blood pressure starting to raise and bringing her back to consciousness, seeing her heaving shoulders Jack reached for a bowl.
When the vomiting had finished, Grace sipped on the glass of water she had been offered, then tentatively asked to see her baby. Jem advised her not to look, believing that her recovery would be easier if she had no memories to disturb her. Jack ignored his superior and laid Mary into her mother’s arms.
Her eyes filled with tears as she gazed down at her daughter almost translucent skin, she was so perfect, yet so tiny, too tiny and too pure to live. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispered.


what do you know, you go looking and find they refined the drug you needed in the thirties, just in time to save Grace - even if it wasn't very common at the time

 

#156:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:34 pm

So glad Jack ignored Jem - much better that Grace could see her daughter.

Thank you Claire. Crying or Very sad

 

#157:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:39 pm

*sniffles*

Poor Grace!!!!

 

#158:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:49 pm

Poor Grace! And Mary! (oh the irony...)

 

#159:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 6:34 pm

I'm so glad the drug existed and that they ignored Jem. Poor Grace. Crying or Very sad

 

#160:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 7:17 pm

Poor, poor Grace *sobs*

 

#161:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:53 am

Thank goodness for medical science.

 

#162:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 pm

Poor, poor Grace.

 

#163:  Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:19 pm

Oh. Have just caught up on this.
How awful. So sorry for everyone! Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#164:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:32 pm

Jack started to usher the other two out of the room, but before he did so Matey asked if Grace wanted her to call anyone, her family or the baby's father?
Looking straight at them she replied that she didn't want anyone to know, 'Mary is mine, no one else's. Now will you please give me time alone with my daughter.'

 

#165:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:34 pm

Poor Grace. bawling

 

#166:  Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:27 pm

bawling `

 

#167:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:41 pm

*Hugs Grace* Thank you Claire

 

#168:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:35 pm

Poor Grace. Poor Mary. Poor Jack.
How noble of Grace to refuse to name the father.
Does Jack end up owning up to Joey?

 

#169:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 8:12 pm

The three left the room giving Grace time alone. She sat up in bed, propped by pillows, holding the tiny body of her daughter. Mary was still warm and if Grace closed her eyes she could imagine that it was all a big mistake, in her mind she could feel her baby’s chest rise and fall, as she gazed down at her it was as if she was sleeping. Mary looked so peaceful that although Grace felt her own loss keenly part of her was relieved that her daughter had felt no pain. She bent her head to kiss her daughter, salty tears landing her the tiny forehead as she did so. Despite the fact that she had blocked out the possibility of motherhood for so much of her pregnancy, even wished that it wasn’t true that her baby didn’t exist, this pain deep within her was so strong and more than anything she wanted to hear her baby’s cry and she would have given anything at that moment in time to have changed things, given up all her old dreams for this new one, one that sadly could never come true, she would never get to see Mary take her first steps, go to school, get married or have children of her own. All that she had taken for granted had disappeared and all the worries and nightmares she had had were also gone, to be replaced with a nightmare of such magnitude she had never even conceived it could happen.
Grace looked up quickly as the door was pushed open. Jack peeked round the door, silently pleading to be allowed into the room. He sat quietly on the side of Grace’s bed, ignoring all of Matron’s rules, eventually he raised his eyes from Mary, focusing on Grace instead.
‘I’m so sorry, Grace, I couldn’t do anything. I’m a doctor and yet I could save my own daughter,’ his voice broke on the final word, ‘It won’t happen again, I promise. In time, we could have another child and I won’t let you go through this again.’
‘Jack, we won’t be having another baby. You go and marry Jo, you haven’t told her yet, have you?’
Jack shook his head before trying to persuade Grace, ‘I told you I would marry you and that still stands. Jo will understand, I’ll explain and she, she will, eventually.’
‘Jack, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. A marriage needs love to work, you love Jo and I don’t love you. Our marriage wouldn’t stand a chance.’
‘You were going to marry me a few hours ago,’ the fair headed doctor looked confused.
‘A few hours ago, Jack, I thought that our marriage would be the three of us, you and I, and Mary. There would have been love in that marriage. As it is now, I can’t, I just can’t. Please, go on with your life and be happy, Mary deserves to have one happy parent.’
Jack stood up to leave and went to take Mary. Grace shook her head. ‘I can’t let her go, not yet. Let me have a little longer before I have to let her go.’
He left the room, letting the door shut behind him before the tears started to flow.

 

#170:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 8:16 pm

*sobs*

Poor Grace!!!!

 

#171:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 8:19 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Thank you Claire that was so moving

 

#172:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:36 pm

*sobs*

Incredibly moving and Grace is so strong.

 

#173:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:04 pm

Poor, poor Grace Sad

 

#174:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 6:19 am

Very moving, Claire. Poor, poor, Grace.

 

#175:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:26 pm

*Gulps* Feeling desperately sad for all of them, especially Grace.

I hope Jack doesn't tell Jo, she may not have had any claim to him when he and Grace comforted each other, with such tragic results, but why should he salve his own consience at the expense of her peace of mind?

 

#176:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:30 pm

So sad, but so strong of Grace. Crying or Very sad Will Jack tell Joey?

Thanks Claire.

 

#177:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 3:50 am

How can Grace be so sensible? Oh that's right - strong women, not spineless jellyblubbers.

...weeping into my lunch

 

#178:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 11:19 am

Perhaps she realised the truth, that she and Jack did not really have a future together without the baby.

 

#179:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 2:23 pm

Very moving, very brave Grace. THank you Claire.

 

#180:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 4:09 pm

Thanks Claire, although I wish you'd stop renaming this - I got very confused there!
poor grace - must have been very hard to send Jack away, even if she knew it was the right thing. Out of interest (slightly lost track) how many months gone was she?

 

#181:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:11 pm

Glad you found a way to keep Grace alive. That was so sad.

Well done, Claire

Thanks for sharing


Ellen

 

#182:  Author: jacey, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:20 pm

This is so moving. More please, quickly.

I can't imagine what I did with a spare hour or three before I discovered the drabbles.
They should carry addiction warnings!!

 

#183:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:34 pm

Ah Jacey - but would you want to be cured of your addiction? Wink

 

#184:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:20 pm

Jem and Matron both kept Grace’s condition to themselves, most of the members of staff at the school knew that she had collapsed but not the reason, being put down to ‘women’s trouble’ in itself not a complete lie. Jack kept his distance from everyone, not trusting himself to keep his emotions under control, worrying that Jem would guess that his concern was more than that of a doctor loosing a patient, although distressing a baby of 25 weeks gestation wasn’t expected to survive and as an unmarried mother some would say that Grace had escaped the stigma attached to her situation.
When Grace was asleep Jack entered her bedroom and took little Mary out of her mothers arm. For the first time he cradled his firstborn child in his arms, his top lip quivered as he tried hard not to cry. He left the room with his daughter, knowing that although Grace would be heartbroken to wake up and find her baby gone, that she wouldn’t have to physically pass the baby over to him, as that act had been too hard on her earlier.
Two days later at the small Catholic Chapel on the Sonnalpe Vater Ambrosius read a short funeral service. Grace was still too weak to attend so Jack was alone, he felt guilty at deceiving the priest, who had assumed that the baby had been born to one of Jack’s patients at the San, but he reassured himself by thinking that he hadn’t actually lied to the Priest and that he was following Grace’s wishes. It was so hard to see the tiny white coffin, just 10 inches long be lowered into the ground but he had to do it, he couldn’t let her go alone, he had even tucked a tiny teddy bear into the coffin with her so that she would have company on her final journey. As the grave was filled Jack turned away, hoping, praying, that he would never have to attend another of his children’s funeral’s, this wasn’t the way that nature was intended to work, he should have died before Mary, years in the future when he had seen her grow into womanhood and have her own children, as well as mourning his daughter he also mourned the grandchilden that he would never have, that lost generation.
Grace had insisted on sticking by her resolve just after Mary’s birth, that he should go ahead with his marriage to Jo and keeping the secret of Mary to themselves. She had told him that she was going to go home to recuperate, back to her parents home, he couldn’t help agreeing with her the situation in Austria was becoming more precarious daily. Jem was sending his family to Jersey before long and the School would be following shortly and that Grace needed stability in her life and wouldn’t be able to help with the move. Before her journey back to Britain began Grace visited the tiny grave, staring at the small wooden marker with the initials M.N.M written on them, for only initials were permitted for those too pure to ever draw breath on earth. Her eyes filled with tears she silently said goodbye to her daughter, hating the fact that she had to leave her behind, vowing to one day return.
One week later, Jack was stood in the same place, making the same promise, before going to pick up Robin and depart on the long flight from the Tyrol.

 

#185:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:28 pm

Poor Grace and poor Jack. Than was a really moving section Claire, very beautifully written.

JackieJ

 

#186:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:34 pm

Thank you Claire - poor Jack. Crying or Very sad

 

#187:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:49 pm

Thank you Claire! That was beautiful, but so sad! Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#188:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:51 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

A beautiful piece thank you Claire

 

#189:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 10:36 pm

That was sooooo sad. Beautifully done Claire.


Ellen

 

#190:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:45 am

Aww how sad for both Grace and Jack.

Thank you Claire.

 

#191:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 12:35 am

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad
have just caught up on this - so beautifully moving Claire

 

#192:  Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:44 am

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#193:  Author: Claire as guest,  PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 2:41 pm

Only a tiny bit

Jack leaned back against the wall, even now he had still kept his secret from Jo and although he wanted to tell her, especially when she had made comments to him regarding the ‘firstborn’ before he had left Guernsey, he knew that the time for telling her was past, as there was no reason that he could give for hiding it from her. He looked down at the photograph Jo had sent him of the babies with a smile, although they were small in comparison to Mary they were enormous. He opened his bible and tucked the photograph into the back cover, adding it to the one already there. Prior to giving Mary over to Vater Ambrosius he had taken two snaps, one for Grace and the one he kept himself. He put the book back into his kitbag, keeping the precious photographs of his four daughters safe.

 

#194:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 2:48 pm

So sweet. Poor Jack keeping that secret for so long, but love the fact he has a photo of Mary to keep with the one of the triplets.

Thank you, Claire.

 

#195:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:46 pm

I've said it before but I am going to say it again poor Jack.
What a secret to have to keep!

 

#196:  Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:56 pm

Crying or Very sad

*hugs Jack*

 

#197:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:01 pm

Nice that he keeps the photo, not so good that he's keeping it all a secret.

 

#198:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:50 pm

Secrets do have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt you... Surely Jo will eventually find out?

 

#199:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:20 pm

Lovely that he has a photo Crying or Very sad I don't like the secret keeping though!

Thanks Claire Very Happy

 

#200:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:22 pm

This story goes up to Joey and Co in Tirol and as Jo hasn't found out by then I can't see it happening, another member of the Maynard family finds out though

 

#201:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 7:05 pm

Interesting, thanks Claire!

 

#202:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:37 pm

Ooooh, intriguing. Plus that last section was beautiful. The fact he has a picture of Mary is so heart-rending.

More please Claire?

JackieJ

 

#203:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 10:18 pm

Claire, that was such a tear jerker, the image of Jack with his treasured only picture of his secret firstborn! CryingCrying

 

#204:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 11:08 pm

Sad I'm a bit behind, but that was so sad, but Jack keeping the photo is quite touching too.
I still think he was right not to tell Joey myself, he might have felt better for it, but I'm sure she wouldn't.

 

#205:  Author: lyanne,  PostPosted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 9:24 am

poor grace, thinking she was feeling the baby move but it was just the beginings of labour. i lost a baby at 18 weeks and thats what it was like for me too.

 

#206:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 9:41 am

I just caught up with this. It was incredibly sad and moving. I'm very much in favour of Jack keeping quiet. Joey would have been devastated and that would have been one more sad person.

I think Grace was SO strong - and right not to marry just to 'do the right thing'.

Who is the Maynard who finds out?



























please

 

#207:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:52 pm

Please tell us, Claire.

 

#208:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 2:22 pm

Fast forward a little, this is set during Changes

Jack sat next to Grace in silence, when Nell had offered to get one of her staff to run him to the airport he had accepted gratefully, presuming it would be Gillian Culver, after all he and Grace had managed to avoid each other for the past twelve years so it was a surprise that she had offered.
'You found a place for you all to live in then?'
'Yes, it used to be a Pension, so it's certainly big enough, although we'll have to give up Pretty Maids. We may not be in the poor house but there is no way we could afford the upkeep on three houses. It also means that Jo can give up on the idea of having a purpose built chalet, she has no idea of the time scale of the building and we wouldn't be able to have plans drawn up and the place fit to live in by the summer.'
The conversation went on, politely enough, until Jack mentioned the newest addition to his family. When asked if she had received the pictures Jo had sent Grace went quiet. Jack knew what the problem was, he had thought it himself before now.
'The photo upset you didn't it? It was Felicity. When I first saw her I couldn't get over how like Mary she looked, much bigger of course, but if Mary had, had lived then thats how she would look. With each of them I've looked for a likeness and never really seen one before, Charles a little but that was because he was so premature rather than his actual features. Felix doesn't have it either, but it's..' Jack trailed off, biting back his final thought, realising how much it would hurt Grace if he shared the thought that his first-born daughter had come back to him as she couldn't share in the same way.'
Grace lifted her hand off the steering wheel, fingering the silver locket that hung around her neck. 'You still think of Mary then?'
'Of course, I do. No matter how many children I have, I don't love any of them any less, and that includes Mary, not just the ones I have with me in this world.'
Grace smiled, although the raw pain had faded she still thought continuously about Mary. Although she had given Miss Annersley an excuse that she was needed at home, the truth was that she couldn't face going back and facing them, especially Jack and Jo, so had made do with sending cards and presents. When the ache inside her had subsided she had gone back for a visit, met her godaughter for the first time, but by then Mary would have been old enough to be a member of the school and she was unable to face teaching that age group, knowing that she would spend too much time torturing herself over what her daughter would look like. When the Chalet School had opened this branch it had seemed ideal, she wouldn't be confronted by 12 year olds and she would be back in the Alps, closer to Mary.
'I went to the Sonnalpe in the holidays, I needed to see her grave again, there was a proper gravestone there, not the wooden marker there was when I left, that helped. I've finally come to accept that while I can't hold her, or kiss her, she's still with me, inside, that it's not her in the ground, only her body, she never felt any pain.'
'You'll be reunited with her, one day.'
Grace pulled up outside the airport with tears in her eyes. 'Thank you.' upon seeing Jack's puzzlement she expanded, 'I needed to know I'm not the only one who thinks of her, otherwise it's as though she never existed, and this is the first time I've been able to say her name aloud.'
'I don't get to talk of her either, although I do sometimes, talk to the photograph I have of her, she's a great listener.'
Grace opened the silver locket she had been toying with earlier. 'I do the same thing. I wish we'd had this conversation years ago. When I did come to your home I used to time it so you wouldn't be there, and if you did arrive home I'd make an excuse to leave. I was so sure Joey would find out somehow and be devasted I never meant to hurt her.'
'She doesn't know, she wouldn't be upset at you if she did. She may be mad at me for keeping it from her, but she's a mother, she would know how much it would hurt to loose one of her children.'
'No she wouldn't, she could imagine but until you go through it no one can truly understand, but thank you again for saying that.'
'If you ever want to talk then just call me, or when we move out here then come round. You are always welcome in my family, you are part of it and never forget that.'
With a hug Jack picked up his luggage and walked into the terminal. Grace sat back in the car, glad that they had cleared the air, feeling that she could now start to build a proper relation with her goddaughter, rather than shying away and comparing it to the relationship she had never got a chance to build.

 

#209:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 2:45 pm

That was lovely Claire thank you. It must have been hard for Grace all this time and you neatly explained the reasons why she left and came back.

 

#210:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 3:39 pm

Awwwwwww! Thank you Claire!!!!

This isn't the end is it? I hope not!

 

#211:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 3:57 pm

Thank you, Claire, is there more planned?

 

#212:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:30 pm

Thanks Claire, I'm glad that that conversation has helped Grace.

 

#213:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:54 pm

So Good! Jack and Grace come across so mature.

 

#214:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 1:56 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Thank you Claire.

 

#215:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 3:13 pm

Lovely, Claire

 

#216:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 3:43 pm

Lovely Claire. glad they got to talk about things it must have been horrible for them both to have that festering away inside.

 

#217:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:25 pm

Much better out than in. I'm glad they had the chance to talk in privacy.

 

#218:  Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:12 pm

*Ella - behind the times as usual!* Embarassed

Thank you Claire.
I didn't see how Grace could avoid Jack and Jo later on. Glad she and Jack managed to talk to each other.
Poor, brave Grace.

 

#219:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:52 pm

Nearing the end now, and yet another fast forward (this time to Jo and Co in Tirol)

Jack stood in front of the small gravestone, glad to see that despite him having left Vater Ambriosius had gone along with his wishes and erected a memorial stone. When he had first moved to Switzerland he had sent the plot papers to Grace, during the first few months after Mary's stillbirth he had wondered in the wisdom of buying a plot the size he had purchased, one large enough for an adult as well as the tiny baby it held, by now he knew he had made the right decision, a large part of Grace had died alongside her daughter and it was right that they should have the opportunity, should Grace wish it, to be reunited on earth as well as in the next life.
Whispering a few words, he laid down the white rosebuds he had brought with him, then he stood in silence, wondering what his life would have been like had things gone differently, had his firstborn survived. A voice broke into his wonderings.
'Papa, what are you doing here?'
Margot stopped short as she saw the gravestone. She had seen her father leave along the path to go up to the Sonnalpe and, presuming that he was going to see the Sanatorium where he had previously worked, had followed him to share in his explorations and reminences. When he had turned into the small churchyard she had been bemused, as far as she knew her father hadn't lost anybody in Tyrol, maybe a patient?
Jack looked at his daughter, his face paled as she looked at the initials on the headstone. Margot let out a small gasp as she realised what they represented, although she had not guessed the true significance.
'M. N. Maynard?' she turned to her father in disbelief.
'Mary' he nodded slowly before continuing, 'your sister.'

 

#220:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:16 pm

Oh!!! Shocked Hadn't thought it could be Margot! How is she going to take it?


Thanks for update Claire.

 

#221:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:19 pm

Poor Margot! I have to feel sorry for her, being the one to uncover such a huge secret like that.

But good for Jack for being honest!

 

#222:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:20 pm

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Come back and post more please Claire!
We need to know what Margot will do!

 

#223:  Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:14 pm

Lesley wrote:
Oh!!! Shocked Hadn't thought it could be Margot! How is she going to take it?
.


But it had to be Margot. Grace is her godmother, so in some ways she has the strongest connection. I share in the question though. And does the secret stop here, or will anyone else find out?

 

#224:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:51 am

it was a bit stupid of the priest to put the name on it

 

#225:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:39 am

Oh poor Margot what a way to find out Crying or Very sad

*Also wondering about what she will do*

 

#226:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:15 am

oh dear, poor Margot

 

#227:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:49 pm

keren wrote:
it was a bit stupid of the priest to put the name on it


Sorry, the headstone just has MNM and her date on it, when she saw Jack laying flowers on the grave Margot assumed that the final M stood for Maynard

 

#228:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 2:18 pm

Poor Margot. Will she able to talk to Grace I wonder? Will she understand? So many questions.

 

#229:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:26 am

Claire, come back and show us what happens. How does Margot react? Does she tell Len and Con - or keep it a big dark secret?

 

#230:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:08 pm

Margot’s mind whirled over as she stared at the single date on the headstone, a date she knew was before her parents marriage. ‘You mean, that Mama.’
‘Please, don’t mention this to your mother, it would only upset her.’
Margot nodded, Joey was still weak after her second set of twins had arrived two months ago, coupled with the fright she had had over Michael at the beginning of the school holidays, it must be terrible to loose a child, Margot thought, a fleeting thought went through her mind as to if her mother was trying to replace her lost daughter by adding to her family continuously. Margot made up her mind there and then to keep her parents secret, knowing that some people, even now after fifteen years of marriage, would judge. ‘Does, did any one else know?’
Jack nodded, part of him feeling guilty, knowing the deception he was letting Margot believe, another part euphoric that one of Mary’s half-siblings knew of her existence ‘Your god-mother.’
Margot stood in silence, saying a silent prayer and goodbye to the sister she had never known.
On the way back to Die Blumen she asked her father if she and her triplet sisters had been named after Mary, after assuring her that they were Jack again reiterated the need to keep Joey from knowing. Margot agreed, still putting it down to a mixture of grief and shame at the fact that she had anticipated her marriage vows, but the first thing she did upon seeing her mother was to put her arms around her and to tell her that she loved her. Jo was a little surprised as Margot was the triplet who tended to keep her feelings to herself, aside from her rage, but she welcomed the girl with open arms, reminded of the times before Margot had gone to Canada and grown out of long cuddles with Mamma.
Nothing more was said about Mary, Margot even choosing to keep it a secret from her triplet sisters, but upon their return to Switzerland she went to visit her godmother.
‘Marraine, I just wanted to say thank you.’
Grace was puzzled as she eyed her goddaughter over her cup of coffee. ‘Thank me? Why, what have I done?’
‘For what you did for Mamma and Papa. He told me about, about Mary’
Grace spluttered, her hand automatically going to the silver locket containing her daughters photograph.

 

#231:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:15 pm

Uh Oh! I do NOT see this ending well.

 

#232:  Author: Alex, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:16 pm

Oh dear oh dear. Ohdearohdearohdear. Rolling Eyes *Wibbling at the mess*

 

#233:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:28 pm

Aarrghhh, poor Grace, I wonder what she will say.

 

#234:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:00 pm

Shame that Jack didn't tell the whole truth - I know he didn't lie, but he allowed Margot to come to an erronous assumption.


*Wonder what Grace will say.*

 

#235:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:15 pm

Eeekl!
I see fireworks in the not so distant future!

 

#236:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:29 pm

Poor Grace! And poor Margot - she thinks she's doing the right thing!

 

#237:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:46 pm

Jack, you idiot!

*hopes things don't go as awry as I fear*

 

#238:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:55 pm

Oh lordy! Get the feeling Jack's landed himself in a right mess here! Shocked

Poor Margot too, how's she going to feel when she finds out the truth Sad

 

#239:  Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:40 am

*wibbles rather A LOT*

 

#240:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:02 am

Oh help!! This could get very messy!

 

#241:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:54 am

I am glad you are updating this story

 

#242:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:10 am

oh dear
let's hope Grace has presence of mind to find out exactly what Jack has said before she goes and puts her foot in it.
On second thoughts, it would be much more interesting if she just says the first thing that comes into her mind!

 

#243:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:03 pm

What a horrible mess, it isn't even as if Jack can be blamed for anything other than not explaining the whole story. There's no way he can know exactly what Margot thought.

 

#244:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:18 pm

Oh dear. Hope this does not end messily, though I have a feeling it might.

 

#245:  Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:54 pm

Gulp.

*Joining the wibblers* Jumping

This has the potential to get very complicated. Think Jack should have told Margot a bit more than that!
Interested to see Grace's reaction...
Thanks Claire!

 

#246:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:46 pm

*chokes*

Oh dear!!! This could turn out to be Very Bad Indeed!!!

 

#247:  Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:03 pm

Oh dear, this could go sooo badly wrong... Poor everybody!

 

#248:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:23 pm

Ok Last bit

“I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose your child, Papa told me not to ask Mama questions about it and I could tell he didn’t want to talk either, not really, but she was, is, my sister and you’re the only one I can ask about her. Did, did you see her? Who did she look like?”
Grace, calm by outward appearance, took another sip of her coffee, sensing that Margot only knew half the story, but pleased to be able to share a snippet of her daughter existence with her goddaughter, she did nothing to dispell Margot’s illusion.
“I saw her, and held her. She was beautiful, and so tiny, so so small.” Grace’s eyes softened as did any mother’s eyes when talking of their offspring, “Out of all you Maynards Felicity is the only one to look like her, like a baby angel.”
Margot smiled, her long lost sister taking on an appearance in her mind, “Life would have been so different if she had lived, it would have been nice to have an older sister, a real older sister, I mean” she added, dismissing Len and Con without a second thought, “but I think she’s still with us, like a guardian angel. I know I listen to my devil, have listened to my devil, a lot but there’s always something else, something or someone who’s looking after me and trying to help me to do the right thing, since, since I found out about Mary I think it’s her. Does that sound silly?” Margot blushed as she put forward her feelings.
Grace smiled, “I don’t think it’s silly, Part of Mary will always be with m…. her family, mother, father and siblings too.
“I’m going to try to listen to her more, make her proud of me,” Margot hugged her godmother, who held her tightly to her, holding the closest thing to a child she had with her on earth. As they embraced they both felt a warmth spread over them, the warmth of a smile from a very special guardian angel.

 

#249:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:40 pm

Awww! After all the worrying about how it could go wrong, instead it goes very right.


Thank you Claire, a lovely story and a beautiful ending. Smile

 

#250:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:50 pm

Ahhhhhh Claire, that was lovely!

So nice to have such a heartwarming ending. Very Happy
And loved the way that Grace referred to Margot as the closest thing on wearth she had to a child.

 

#251:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:59 pm

Phew! I didn't expect Margot to go dashing off to Grace like that. Thank goodness Grace soon twigged that she only knew half the story.

And what an absolutely wonderful ending. Really lovely, it's made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

#252:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:20 pm

That was wonderful Claire and a beautiful ending, thank you Very Happy

 

#253:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:54 pm

Lovely ending, Claire, thank you.

 

#254:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:49 pm

Claire that was just wonderful

Grace was so forgiving to be able to discuss this with Margot when it was clear that Margot thought she was a whole sister not a half sister. It must have been so tempting to say that she was her daughter not Joeys.

 

#255:  Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:47 pm

*crying*

That was such a wonderful ending. Thank you Claire.

 

#256:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 12:52 am

Claire, that was lovely! Thank you.

 

#257:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:16 am

Thank you Clare for not sending everything pie shaped.
Your ending was very special.

 

#258:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:22 am

Thank you, Claire!
Probably both Grace & Margot feel better after that....

 

#259:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:30 am

that was really lovely
thanks Claire

 

#260:  Author: keren,  PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 11:26 am

Thanks goodness that ended ok.
Now you just have to finish off the other story.

 

#261:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:36 pm

Thank you Claire - I'm so glad Grace managed to keep calm and prevent Margot's illusions being shattered.

 

#262:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 11:23 pm

Thank you Claire perfect endng to a lovely story.

 

#263:  Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:58 pm

Thank you, Claire.
That ending was exactly right.
*Agreeing with the warm fuzzy feeling*

 

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