The CBB :: View topic - Time for a change

#1: Time for a change Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:06 pm

Cecilia Marya Maynard

It was the last time she would sign that name and, as she watched the ink drying on the paper, she wondered for a brief moment if she was doing the right thing. Yes it was definitely the right thing, she told herself, and it was what she had wanted for a long time. However, she couldn’t help wondering how her family would react when she told them what she’d done.

There was only one way to find out …

#2: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:17 pm

Oooooh.... *eyes big and round with surprise*

I'm taking it she's just got married?! Or else signed her soul away to the Devil Twisted Evil

Will you most some more soon please? I'm very curious to a) know for definite what she's done and b) I want to see the family's reactions!!

#3: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:32 pm

Me too! More please!

#4: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 6:13 pm

Lovely - a new drabble. Don't leave it there, please! Mexican Wave

#5: Author: claire, Location: South Wales

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 6:48 pm

Ooh Cecil eloping (I assume) who's she marrying? why hasn't she told her parents? Why the doubts? Why am I asking so many questions? More please

#6: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:01 pm

Nice hook! Looking forward to further posts!

#7: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:18 pm

Unless she's just changing it by deed poll..... unless.... *gets very scary idea* Shocked

I wait in anticipation for the next part of this.

JackieJ

#8: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:23 pm

Oooh very intrigued!!

Looking forward to much more!!!

#9: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:42 pm

*joins the intrigued mob pleading for more!!!*

#10: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:18 am

*intrigued*

*curious*

May I start the chant please?

#11: Author: Robin, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:43 am

me curious too
maybe she's gone into witness protection!
*thinking hard*

#12: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 9:58 am

I'm wondering what JackieJ's very scary idea is... Scratch

Please don't leave us hanging too long Liz!

#13: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:15 pm

At Freudesheim, Anna was in the kitchen, baking, before dawn. It was a long time since the whole family had been together, now, even Margot was on furlough from her work in Zambia and the Maynard children were coming from all corners of the globe (query: can a globe have corners?) to celebrate the publication of Joey’s 150th book. It was a long time since they had been her nurslings, thought Anna. Even ‘little’ Phil and Geoff had left home, although Geoff visited regularly, arriving with bags of washing and departing with a supply of Anna’s best cooking. Of course Len and Reg lived with their family not far along the platz, and Felicity taught at the school, and was often in and out of the house, although she lived in the school itself during term time. There had of course, been many family get-togethers over the years, but this would be the first time that Margot was able to join them, and even some of the others had missed them on occasion.

Joey was also up early, wandering around the house making sure she had enough beds set up for everyone. She was thankful she had thought to borrow some guide tents from the school, which were pitched in the garden, and some of the younger fry would be able to stay in there as long as the weather stayed good. Once the term had ended next week, she could use the school as an annexe for guests, so they would only be squished for a few days.

'I wonder who will be the first to arrive' she said to Jack as he emerged from his dressing room. 'I bet Mike and co will be last!'

'I wonder how long it will be before we get a phone call asking me to collect someone from Interlaken' replied Jack. 'I've half a mind to send someone down with a car so it's waiting.'

'Let's see what Len thinks when she gets here' said Joey, who, as she got older, she was getting more and more in the habit of depending on her eldest daugther for advice. She said she'd head over as soon as she'd had breakfast. 'I know she's looking forward to us all being together again as much as we are.'

#14: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:20 pm

Is this another case of Joey fooling herself?

#15: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:00 pm

This is really looking good. Maynard reunions usually give plenty of scope for fun.

#16: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:28 pm

I love the idea of the school as a guest house for the Maynards. Laughing

#17: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:58 pm

*torn between giggling and wibbling*

#18: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:00 pm

A good CS girl can do both at the same time, Pim.

#19: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:17 pm

Has a thought... deed poll because of sex change? Shocked

Everything else I thought has been mentioned!

Pleeeeeeze continue, Liz!

K *hooked*

#20: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:33 pm

Soon everything was ready for the Maynard family to arrive. Len, of course, was the first to turn up with three-year old Marie, her youngest daughter. ‘The rest are at school’ Len informed her mother ‘they’ll be over later, Marie-Claire will bring them, but I thought it would be easier for now with them out of the way. Reg is hoping to get over here after lunch, if nothing urgent happens at the san.’

‘Do you know when anyone else is arriving?’ asked Joey, who had left most of the organising of the event in her daughter’s capable hands.

‘If Felix got away from the Sonnalpe ok last night he should be here about midday’ replied Len. ‘He’s bringing a friend with him – don’t worry Mamma, I’ve got a bed made up at ours’ she reassured before Jo could start to worry. ‘Now how about some coffee before we get started. Marie, my pet, will you go and ask Anna if she could put the kettle on for us?’

As Marie trotted off to the kitchen she continued ‘Mike, as you know, is a law unto himself. Steve, Erica and co should be here about fourteen. Con and her lot are meeting up with Charles and Roddy and should arrive about sixteen. Roger is meeting Margot at the airport and they should be here about half past seventeen. Geoff will be along when he’s finished work and Phil said she’d phone from Interlaken when she got there – what was that Papa?’

‘I knew someone would want to be picked up’ said Jack. ‘I don’t suppose she’s got any idea of what time?’

‘Come on Papa, this is Phil we’re talking about!’ laughed Len. ‘But don’t worry. Felicity hasn’t any classes after Mitagessen and she said she’d head down to Interlaken and wait for Phil – she’s one or two things she wants to get there anyway, and I think she's going to bring Ruey back as well.’

‘I think that’s everyone’ said Len and drained her coffee cup ‘oh, except Cecil, I’ve no idea what time she’ll be here.’

#21: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:17 pm

Ooooooh..... *eyes still big*

Thank you Liz!

#22: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:19 pm

Why do I have a funny feeling about Cecil!!!

Thanks Liz this is extremely interesting Very Happy

#23: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:49 pm

*perched on the edge of seat bursting with curiosity*

#24: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 7:08 pm

Tension rising - yep another good one! Laughing

#25: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:41 pm

Ciorstaidh wrote:

Has a thought... deed poll because of sex change? Shocked

That was my scary idea. Shocked

Please may we find out soon what the change that Cecil's felt it's time for is?

JackieJ

#26: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 11:12 pm

Oooh, I am very intrigued, please may we have more soon?

#27: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 9:46 am

Great start!

*Eyes all CBBers perched on edges of seats Wink

#28: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:49 pm

Cliff-hanging gear ready.

Warnings posted. megaphone

Trampolines in place. Red Blob Jumping

#29: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:59 am

Greatly wondering what she has done. Looking forward to findong out.

#30: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:08 am

*worrying madly*

But I'm presuming that if it's what I think it might be, Liz would have posted it in St. Hilds... I hope! If I'm wrong - poor Cecil!

This is wonderful Liz! Thank you!

#31: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:14 am

Joey looked panicked. ‘Cecil!’ she exclaimed. ‘Jack, can you remember if we’ve got a bed for her anywhere?’

Jack looked up from the letter he was reading. ‘Isn’t she in the old nursery?’

‘No, we talked about putting her in there, but Ruey and Maurice are in there with baby Evelyn, and Roger and Mélanie are in Rösli’s old room’

‘What about Roddy?’ asked Len

‘He’s going in one of the tents’ replied Jo. ‘Jack I think we’re going to have to commandeer your dressing room after all.’

Jack put aside his pile of post. 'I suppose I'd better go and clear some space in there then' he replied as he got to his feet. 'Have we got a camp bed or something to go in there?'

'I've got one' said Len 'I'll ring Reg and ask him to bring it along with him later.' she headed for the phone, but just then the doorbell rang and she changed direction to answer that. Her exclamation of 'Mike!' had Jack and Joey running to the hallway, where the third Maynard son, Michael was just entering with a small child firmly grasped in each hand.

'We didn't expect you until later' said Len as she helped divest the children of their coats. 'Marie, these are your cousins, Joaquim and Isabella'. With their dark curly hair, big brown eyes and olive skin, the children clearly looked like their Spanish mother, who had died shortly after they were born. They came out slowly from behind their father and smiled at Marie, who held out her hands to them 'I'll show you where we can play' she said and led them off.

'They're very quiet, Mike' observed Joey.

'They'll soon stop being shy and be their usual mischevious selves' replied Mike. 'As to why we're here so early, I stopped in Interlaken last night, so just had to come up here this morning. Those two had me up with the crack of sparrows, and there was no point hanging around. Is Cecil here yet? I saw her in Interlaken, but the road was busy and by the time I could see again, she'd gone - I don't think she saw us but I thought she might have beat us up here.'

'No she's not here yet.' replied Joey. 'We were just sorting out a camp bed for her. Why don't you and your father take your bags upstairs and you can unpack. By that time I'm sure Anna will have some more coffee ready.'

#32: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:14 am

Still no more?

Crying or Very sad

#33: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:03 am

This is getting very interesting. Nice to the Maynard Family together, without Jo interfering. Hope we see lots more of this.

#34: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:29 pm

Thank you Liz, I always did wonder how Joey would plan to fit her family's family into Freudesheim!

#35: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:31 pm

Well as Mike's seen her I guess that put's paid to my idea.....

Confused

Now confuzzled.

More please?

JackieJ

#36: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 3:39 pm

One large mystery!

#37: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 4:20 pm

More Liz, more!!

#38: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 4:34 pm

*echoes Kat's suggestion*

#39: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 5:01 pm

(sorry Pim)

#40: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:14 pm

Pleasantly confused and awaiting enlightenment. Laughing

#41: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:36 am

Sorry, only time for a little bit before I start work

From a little further up the slope, she watched Mike's arrival. She wanted to make sure she arrived last, so she could tell everyone at once, rather than have to explain it over and over again. She had discovered this hidey-hole, with a convenient view of Freudesheim when she was eight years old and had often sat up here, dreaming of the day when she would make her escape. When she would be free to be herself.

Felix was the next to arrive, she checked with her binoculars. He had someone else with him, whom she'd met once when she'd visited him at the Sonnalpe last year. Like his father, Felix was a doctor and since Uncle Jem had bought back the first san, the one he had started before he married Auntie Madge, Felix had been working there. She wondered why he'd brought someone with him; this was supposed to be family only. She didn't really want a stranger there when she spoke to them.

#42: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:53 am

More tension.

Thanks Liz! Laughing

#43: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:06 am

So who has Felix brought? Male or female? And if male, could he be about to steal Cecil's thunder with an announcement of his own? Shocked

Hope you have a nice short working day, Liz, so you can bring us some more sooooooon!

#44: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:13 am

uh oh *wibbles*

I want, nay need, to know more!

#45: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 10:52 am

Ditto - More please

With Stupid

(sorry Pim)

#46: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:09 am

Intriguing, I wonder what it is she wants to say that's "just for the family"...

#47: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 3:48 pm

Thank you, but please post more to elucidate the mystery.

#48: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:11 pm

Somehow this has grown much bigger than it started out ...

‘Felix’ exclaimed Joey as he entered the house, ‘you got away in good time then’

‘Yes, no emergencies to keep me this time’ replied Felix. ‘Mother I’d like you to meet Dr Laura Gulliver, one of my colleagues; Laura this is my mother.’

‘Dr Gulliver, welcome to Freudesheim’ said Joey ‘Any friend of my children is always welcome, although I’m afraid on this occasion I’m unable to provide a bed for you – but I hope you’ll be happy to stay with Len.’

‘I’m Len, by the way’ said that individual, coming forward. ‘I’ll show you to our place later, but for now I’m sure you’d like to have a wash and freshen up after the journey, let me show you where. Felix could you put Dr Gulliver’s bags somewhere out of the way please – where we’ll be able to find them easily later, but no-one will fall over them in the meantime!’ she added as she led the visitor to the cloakroom.

Meanwhile, Mike emerged from the salon, to embrace his younger brother in a bear-hug! ‘Felix, it’s been too long since I saw you!’

‘You too’ replied Felix, ‘but you’re always welcome to visit us in Tirol you know.’

‘I know,’ replied Mike ‘but with two small terrors like mine, international travel isn’t the easiest thing to do. When they’re a bit older I’m sure it’ll be easier, but at the moment I never know what they’ll get into next!’

‘Reminds me of someone else I know’ interjected Jack. ‘You were the world’s worst for getting into things as a boy.’

‘Remember the boat trip to Canada’ laughed Joey, ‘I never knew whether you’d be in the engine-room or the on the poop deck and how you avoided going overboard I’ll never understand!’

‘I always loved the sea’ sighed Michael, who had given up his career in the Navy to raise his motherless children. Just then Len reappeared to ask sweetly if they intended to spend the whole day in the hallway.

‘Not at all,’ replied Felix ‘I must go and say ‘hello’ to Anna. Is she in the kitchen?’ he headed off in that direction as the rest moved back to the salon.

No sooner had they sat down than Dr Gulliver joined them closely followed by three children. ‘I seem to have made some friends’ she smiled as Len offered her a chair.

‘Dr Gulliver, this is my daughter, Marie, and these are my nephew and niece, Joaquim and Isabella, my brother Mike’s twins she added.

‘Please call me Laura.’ begged Laura as Isabella scrambled up into her lap ‘Felix has told me so much about you all, I feel I know you already.’

‘I hope it’s been nothing too terrible!’ grinned Mike. ‘Have you been working with him for long Laura? Quim you can’t both climb up on her, come and sit with me if you want a lap to sit on.’

‘Wants to sit with pretty lady’ replied Joaquim. She was pretty, realised Mike suddenly. She was completely different from Catalina’s dark, voluptuous Spanish beauty with her slender figure, ash-blonde hair and green eyes. He felt an unexpected stab of envy towards Felix. Suddenly he realised she was looking at him expectantly, waiting for the answer to a question. Before he could embarrassedly ask her to repeat herself Felix came back into the room and made a beeline for them.

‘Anna says lunch will be ready in 15 minutes’ Felix announced to all. ‘Laura has anyone shown you the view from here yet?’ He drew her up from her seat as she gently put Isabella and Joaquim (who had managed to join his sister in her lap) aside, and led her towards the window, which, on a fine day such as this, gave a magnificent view of the Jungfrau.

Mike turned his attention back to his children ‘come on you two lets go and make sure you’re clean and tidy enough to sit and eat with grown ups.’

#49: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:10 pm

Ooooh.....
Do I see a love triangle brewing here?

#50: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:25 pm

Ahhh, poor Mike. Ahhhhhh

Thanks Liz! Laughing

#51: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:25 pm

Ooooooooooh, the intrigue... *whirring of cogs*

#52: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:00 pm

I love the idea of a hidey hole from which you could view Freudesheim - methinks that has drabble-potential in itself!

With Stupid

(sorry pim) Laughing

#53: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:30 pm

Aww, poor Mike Sad

But please! get onto Cecil!!

#54: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:44 pm

*Agrees that we need to know about Cecil*

I really like Mike's children they seem so lovely! Thank you Liz Very Happy

#55: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:05 pm

When Joey said to Dr. Laura that she was unable to provide a bed for her, I was expecting the reply to be 'that's ok I'll share with Felix'!

But now I'm wanting to know about Cecil!
As well as intrigued by potential love triangle...
... and delighted that this is growing bigger than you intended Liz - just let it keep growing so we can keep enjoying it! reading

#56: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:19 pm

Helen P wrote:

When Joey said to Dr. Laura that she was unable to provide a bed for her, I was expecting the reply to be 'that's ok I'll share with Felix'!

I too thought the same. Glad I'm not the only one with my mind in 2000s rather than 1960s. Wink

Ellen

#57: Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:09 am

Wot, still no more?
Wave

hopefully at Liz to let her know we're still here, wanting to know MORE!!! pleeeeez

LN (the shorthand I use at work - like it?)

#58: Author: Ruth, Location: Lincolnshire, England

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:10 am

Please!!!!!!!!!! GIVE US MORE!!!!!!!!

#59: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 1:18 pm

After a noisy, laughter-filled lunch (and over half the family wasn’t even there thought Joey), Len hustled the children off for a nap and the adults retired once more to the salon with coffee. Peace and quiet settled over the house for a few minutes. Then a call of ‘anyone home?’ came from the hallway and Felicity came bursting in.

She flung herself rapturously first on her twin and then on Mike before more decorously shaking hands with Laura saying ‘nice to see you again’

‘I’m off to go and meet Phil and Ruey anyone else lurking in Interlaken that I can fit in the car’ she announced, refusing a cup of coffee and departing as quickly as she came.

‘Still whirlwind Fliss!’ laughed Mike ‘What on earth do the girls she teaches make of her?’

‘Oh she manages to be calmer most of the time’ replied Len ‘and I understand from my girls that she can be quite a disciplinarian when necessary. Plus it’s useful to have all that energy for teaching gym.’

The phone rang at that moment and Anna came in to call Len away to speak to Reg. As he was explaining that he wouldn’t be able to get away until later, the front door burst open. ‘Auntie Len’ cried a voice and she was almost knocked off balance by a small boy flinging himself against her legs.

‘Reg I’ll see you later’ said Len, as she regained her balance ‘and don’t forget the camp bed for Cecil will you?’ she hung up and turned her attention to the newcomers.

From her hiding place she watched as Steve, Erica and William arrived. It would be a while longer before all of them arrived, she thought, maybe she should go and join them now, and break the news later on? No, she decided, it was better to do it straight away, if she was there waiting for the right moment it would never come and the longer she left it the harder it would be to say anything. As it was, she was feeling increasingly nervous about breaking the news. Would any of them understand?

#60: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 1:21 pm

Understand what? What is her news? We need to know!!!

(Thanks for the lovely post by the way Very Happy

)

#61: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 1:47 pm

Go now and tell them straight away Cecil!!! Wink

Thanks Liz, another great post! Very Happy

#62: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 1:53 pm

Len definitely seems to be turning into Joey! Rolling Eyes

Go on then Cecil - tell them (and us!) now! Razz

#63: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 2:14 pm

Waiting..........

Laughing

#64: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 2:56 pm

Lovely to see all the clan gathering. They all seem so nice in this. Greatly wnndering what the great secret is. May we know soon please?

#65: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 3:34 pm

LIZ!!!!

Get back here and post some more!!

#66: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 3:41 pm

*squats on the thread until Liz tells us what Cecil's secret is*

*hands around blankets, hot chocolate and begins the obligatory chant*

MORE MORE MORE,
MORE MORE MORE,
WE WANT MORE DRABBLE
MORE MORE MORE!

#67: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 3:48 pm

Go and tell them straight away! Preferably now...! Very Happy

#68: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 3:49 pm

I'm thinking it might be some extremely shocking news (at least in the 1960s) but I have a feeling she's winding us up! Please, please, please tell us!!

#69: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 4:34 pm

Sorry, only a quick bit now as our server's about to go down. Cecil's secret isn't very shocking and I didn't mean to keep you waiting that long, but the drabble's grown (no-one warned me they took on a life of their own) since I started it, and now it has to wait for the right place to be revealed.

The afternoon dragged on and she watched and waited as Charles and Roddy arrived, along with Con, Neil and their four boys.

The house was getting fuller and noisier as the day progressed. The three younger children had awoken from their naps and come downstairs. Jamie, Con’s eldest son, soon had them all involved in a riotous game of hide-and-seek in the garden. After a while, Jack sent Joey to lie down for a few hours ‘it’s either now or you’ll be too tired to stay up chatting with everyone this evening’ he told her. Obediently, Jo went up to their pretty bedroom, took off her frock and slipped between the sheets.

‘Is Mamma ok?’ asked Con, her brown eyes filled with worry.

‘She’s fine’ Jack reassured her ‘but neither of us are as young as we used to be, and I don’t want her exhausting herself and being unable to enjoy the week. See if you can keep the kids quiet for a while, and if anyone else arrives we’ll have to try to keep the noise down so we don’t disturb her.’

‘Okay’ replied Con ‘Mike and Felix can you round the kids up, tell them if they come and sit quietly I’ll tell them a story.’ Con’s stories were always in popular demand with the next generation and they came willingly for a tale thrilling enough to keep the older ones as enthralled as the younger ones.

#70: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 4:44 pm

Thank you Liz! Lovely to see a bit more Very Happy

#71: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 5:15 pm

Thanks Liz! Red Blob Jumping

#72: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:10 pm

Thanks!

#73: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:26 pm

Lots more snce I last read this, but still nothing about Cecil's secret Sad

I really like the family in this, and would like to find out more about Mike and his Spanish wife - as well as about Cecil.

I the meantime I shall

to my heart's content.

#74: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:34 pm

Thanks Liz! Very Happy

#75: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 4:01 pm

I'd really like to know what Cecil has to tell them.

#76: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 4:13 pm

Jennie wrote:

I'd really like to know what Cecil has to tell them.

Moi aussi, very much so. Please?

#77: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 4:21 pm

Ready to start a chant, everyone?

#78: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 5:24 pm

i'l join the chant. these drabbles are overtaking my life. they are fantastic and i spend so much of my time wodnering what'll happen next!

#79: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 7:30 pm

hehe - welcome to the madness mihiri - it doesn't take long to get sucked in....!

Come on then, Liz, where's the next bit? Razz

#80: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:42 am

Len, keeping watch from Jack’s study was able to dart out and catch the next arrivals, her own daughters and Marie-Claire, and warn them of the need to be quiet. ‘Okay Mum,’ grinned Mollie the eldest ‘but I’d like to know why, if we were always trained as babies to sleep through anything, and you said you and the uncles and aunts were as well; then why can’t Grandmamma do the same?’

‘Cheeky brat’ replied Jack who had just come down the stairs. ‘Grandmamma is fast asleep, and I don’t think she’ll wake for a couple of hours, but that isn’t an invitation to go yelling about the place. If Auntie Con has finished her story, why don’t you older kids settle down to a game of some kind – not Pit’ he added quickly, ‘something a bit quieter like Cluedo, or Monopoly if you can remember not to shout ‘rent’ too loudly.’

‘Len is that your girls I hear arriving?’ asked Con, as, story-telling finished for the moment, she emerged from the salon. ‘I’m sure it couldn’t be anyone else making so much noise trying to be quiet!’

‘Hah! you should hear your boys' attempts to whisper!’ retorted Len. It was a source of great amusement in the family that Len and Reg had managed to produce only daughters; Mollie, Rosamund (Rosie), Jacynth (Jackie), Emmie and Marie; while Con and Neil had sons; Jamie, Alex, Joseph and Rob

No sooner had they all settled down again in the salon, with fresh coffee supplied by Anna, than there was another arrival.

#81: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:36 am

Thank you LizB! And good point Mollie - well said!

#82: Author: Robin, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:49 am

i am enjoying this! but where's cecil???

#83: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:47 am

The hiding place wasn’t quite so comfortable and was slightly more snug now than it had been when she was younger and she cautiously emerged and stretched her cramped limbs, wondering how much longer it would be before everyone was there. Part of her longed to go and join them now; she remembered how excited she had always been as a small child, waiting for her older sisters and especially brothers to come home for the holidays. Wondering when they’d arrive and waiting to hear the tales of their exploits. The house had been filled with laughter and life had held no greater worry than whether or not she would be allowed to stay up a little bit later than usual. With a sigh for the memory of those uncomplicated days she stretched once more then retreated back into her spy-hole as another laden car came around the bend in the road.

#84: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:53 am

Stop teasing us, LizB, and TELL us!

#85: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:53 am

*echoes Jennie*

Please? Please? And pretty please?

#86: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:20 pm

I've just counted up and there's another 5 people to arrive! I think we might be in for a wait - unless you make them all arrive together LizB ? Very Happy

#87: Author: pygmy, Location: glasgow

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:24 pm

AAARGHHHH! When will Cecil reveal all?

#88: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:31 pm

Ruth B wrote:

I've just counted up and there's another 5 people to arrive! I think we might be in for a wait - unless you make them all arrive together LizB ? Very Happy

5? I make it at least 9 more arrivals! Twisted Evil

Not all at once, but not all individually either.

Liz

#89: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:06 pm

I thought that was another post, very, very disappointed in you, LizB.

#90: Author: Robin, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:07 pm

what? That's LOADS of people. Shocked

and I was hoping to go home soon for the weekend!
maybe I'll come back on Monday and find out what's going on

*looks hopeful*

#91: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:09 pm

Liz!!! Please tell us!!! Very Happy

*Looking forward to all the other arriving!*

#92: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:38 pm

Jennie wrote:

I thought that was another post, very, very disappointed in you, LizB.

Sorry - I've been reading other drabbles and picking up tips from some of the writers Wink

Here's a bit more, but that's it until at least Monday.

Roger and Melanie got out of the car first and headed straight into the house (attempts to keep the front door closed had been given up as useless by now) and made their way to the salon, where they were warmly welcomed by everyone.

‘I’ve not seen you two since your wedding.’ declared Con ‘you both look like married life suits you.’

‘There’s someone you’ve not seen for even longer coming in behind us’ Melanie told her 'I think you and Len might find her in the hallway.’ the two of them didn't wait to hear any more but rushed from the room.

‘Margot!!’ with squeals of joy Len and Con threw themselves on their triplet.

‘Hey, steady on!’ she exclaimed when she eventually emerged from a long hug. ‘I know it’s been 4 years, but leave some of me for the others!’ Her blue eyes sparkled in her tanned face as she looked at her sisters. Yes, she thought, they were both well and happy with their lives.

‘Well come on and let me say hello to everyone else and meet my latest nephews and nieces’ said Margot ‘there’s several of them I’ve only ever seen photos of.’ Con led the way to the salon where the rest of the family had waited while the three of them had their reunion in the hallway.

‘Steve! Erica! Felix! Mike! Charles! Marie-Claire! Roddy! I don’t know which of you to hug first!' she exclaimed ‘Papa’ she settled on as Jack got a little stiffly out of his chair and held out his arms.

It was some time later that a rather tousled Margot finished a round of hugging, exclaiming, laughing and crying, and then had to be introduced to the members of the family she hadn’t yet met. Len brought Marie forward, then Con introduced 4-year old Rob. ‘And these must be your twins, Mike’ Margot squatted down to meet them as they once more turned shy and tried to hide behind their father.

‘Come on you two, say “hello” to Auntie Margot,’ encouraged Mike.

‘Auntie Margot in Afr’ca?’ queried Isabella.

‘That’s right sweetheart’ replied Mike ‘and I’m sure she’ll be able to tell you lots about it.’

‘Are there lions?’ asked Rosie

‘And tigers?’ questioned Joseph

‘And l’phants?’ shly from Joaquim.

‘All those and more,’ Margot told them. ‘There’s lots of time to tell you all about them. I’ve got eight months furlough and I intend to visit all of you in your homes once we’ve recovered from this shindig!’

‘What’s a shindig?’ asked Jackie

‘All of us getting together,’ explained Jamie.

Laura sat quietly in the corner and watched. She was forgotten for the moment, but she didn’t mind that. It was lovely to see how close this family were, despite the many miles between them and long periods of time without seeing each other. Her family got together regularly for various occasions, admittedly she went along more because she felt she ought to than because she wanted to, and there was certainly nothing like the love for each other that this family radiated.

#93: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 6:57 pm

awh...Margot is so good with the children!

But what I want to know is, where are Phil, Geoff, Ruey, Felicity (their respective spouses and children as appropriate) and when can Cecil come and tell us her secret? Wink

#94: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:51 pm

Awwww! Lovely to see Margot!

BTW Hope that Margot only saw Tigers when visiting a zoo! Wink

#95: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:52 pm

Hurrah! Margot's here!

But I still want to know about Cecil!

#96: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:50 pm

Well, that means there are only six more people to come now.

I'm glad to see that Margot is there, and for a whole eight months too.

But what aboutCecil?

#97: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:09 am

Lovely reunion, but what about Cecil?

#98: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 11:53 am

Was hoping that Cecil's secret would have been revealed when I started reading this, but I guess I should know better from a cbb drabble! Very Happy

#99: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 11:54 am

Sorry that was me Embarassed

#100: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 6:19 pm

Argh!!

Cecil!!!!

#101: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:14 pm

A fanfare of tooting outside announced the return of Felicity with a carload of Phil, Ruey, Maurice and baby Evelyn, plus luggage crammed into every available space.

‘Can you guys come and help unload the car’ she demanded of her brothers as everyone poured outdoors. ‘I never knew travelling with a baby involved so much junk.’

‘Everything but the kitchen sink’ laughed Ruey as she carefully lifted the baby out of the car. ‘Uncle Jack, say “hello” to the latest addition to the family. She handed the still-sleeping baby over to him. He ran a professional eye over her and then over Ruey.

‘Well you both look the picture of health’ he declared. ‘Mind if I take her off to show Joey – she’ll be waking up around now. Phil, you come with me and tell me what you’ve been up to lately. Not overdoing it I hope?’

‘Don’t fuss Papa, I’m fine’ returned Phil, following him into the house ‘I’m making sure I get plenty of sleep and I only go to the occasional party. I’m not going to do anything silly and risk damaging my career.’

‘I know, I know’ replied Jack ‘but you hear so much about the wild lives of pop singers, and your mother worries about you, you know.’

‘Yes, but you could have some faith in me too’ Phil pointed out as she followed him upstairs.

#102: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:33 pm

Phil a pop singer! Wonder how Joey took that! *g*

Thank you LizB!!

#103: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:41 pm

Well, with a thought to 2 Sams I was going to make her a flautist and then a song I remembered learning at school 'Phil the fluter's ball' came into my head and I decided maybe that wasn't such a good idea!!

Liz

#104: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:20 pm

Thanks Liz!

#105: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:12 pm

But what about Cecil?

#106: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:30 pm

Ta very much, but when are we going to hear Cecil's secret?

#107: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:40 pm

Gem wrote:

Phil a pop singer! Wonder how Joey took that! *g*

I'm thinking the gold lame minskirt may have made another outing Shocked

#108: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:28 pm

Please, please, not the lime-green twinset!

#109: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:49 pm

Jennie wrote:

Please, please, not the lime-green twinset!

maybe it's about time for a gold lame twinset!! Shocked

(with lime green shoes and bag of course, just for Jennie Wink

)

#110: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:47 am

Surely the rest of them would arrive soon she thought, yawing and having another stretch. She didn’t really want to be up here much longer – it wouldn’t get dark for a while yet, but she was getting hungry. She had eaten some sandwiches earlier, and still had a bottle of water, so thirst wasn’t a problem, but apart from some extra strong mints, she had nothing else to eat. Her eyes caught sight of two more arrivals making their way along the platz...

#111: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:57 am

Argh! More arrivals! *sitting precariously on the edge of seat*

#112: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:12 am

Dang - and I was hoping to find out what Cecil's secret was...

Ray *on tentahooks* *and since everyone else seems to be doing it...* * With Stupid

* *sorry Pim!*

#113: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:36 pm

if its possible to die of curiosity then i will be dead soon! save me please....tell us cecil's secret!

#114: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:57 pm

Oh my gosh, this story is developing really well, I love it! Smile

I really like how much they love each other, and I'm glad of a story where Joey is nice too! (Please don't make her be mean once Cecil's secret is out!!)

ETA: I might be developing a wee crush on Mike. Oops.

#115: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:25 pm

Hope everyone else arrives all at once then Cecil can 'come on down' and spill the beans.

#116: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:01 pm

And after all this cliff-hanging, the beans had better be good, really shocking and scandalous.

#117: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 5:05 pm

Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz!!!!

Please come and give us some more!

#118: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 5:11 pm

We've been stuck on this very high cliff for an awfully long time...

#119: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:35 pm

Thank you LizB. I actually cried at Margot's reunion with her family. Hoping we hear what Cecil's secret is very soon.

#120: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:59 pm

Looking forward to an installment soon!

#121: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 4:45 pm

‘Reg, my love, what ages you’ve been’ greeted Len as her husband came into the salon.

‘Hello everybody,’ said Geoff, who had also come from the San, where he worked as a radiographer.

‘Sorry,’ replied Reg ‘had a bit of an emergency with Mrs Harvey, but it’s all ok now. Remembered the camp bed by the way. Margot it’s good to see you after all this time, Con, Mike, Felix, Ruey, Steve...’ he started a round of hand-shaking, back clapping, hugs and kisses.

‘Are we the last to arrive?’ asked Geoff, after he’d followed Reg round the room greeting everyone and they had both been introduced to Laura.

‘Not quite,’ Joey told them, looking up from the chair where she was nursing Evelyn in her lap, ‘Cecil’s not here yet.’

‘Mike swears he saw her in Interlaken early this morning though.’ said Phil.

‘Surely she’d be here by now if he had.’ interjected Felix ‘I think you were imagining things Mike old fellow!’

'Maybe it was just someone who looked like her,' suggested Erica. 'Don't they say we all have a doppelgänger somewhere in the world?'

'Bit weird if Cecil's was in Interlaken.' answered Charles.

‘I do know my own sister when I see her!’ Mike paused in the game of dominoes he was playing with Isabella and Marie, ‘I’m sure I wasn’t mistaken.’

‘You weren’t,’ said a quiet voice from the doorway.

‘Cecil!’ exclaimed several voices at once.

This was the moment, she decided. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

#122: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 5:08 pm

AND...???

#123: Author: keren,

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 5:51 pm

so come on and tell us

#124: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:13 pm

Oh good......a cliff! Laughing

Thanks Liz!

#125: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:16 pm

Spit it out Cecil!!!!
I really hope that Joey isn't going to steal the limelight now though!

#126: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:28 pm

Cazx wrote:

Spit it out Cecil!!!!
I really hope that Joey isn't going to steal the limelight now though!

isn't she still in bed?

#127: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:38 pm

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

I've got to go home now and I won't get to a computer until Friday probably.

*wanders off muttering about evil cliffs*

#128: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:58 pm

*Tetters precariously on edge*

Come on...what did she say!!!

#129: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:59 pm

Great, but where's the rest.

*Looks harshly at Lesley for encouraging such a sharp and high cliff*

Ellen

#130: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:00 pm

Lesley is too good a teacher!!! Please post some more!

#131: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:03 pm

*stands opening and closing mouth like a stranded thing before falling clean off the edge of the cliff*

MORE!

#132: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:17 pm

Aaaargh!!! We need to know Liz!!!!
PLEASE????

#133: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:36 pm

Ray *contemplates a lynching party* *realises that if Liz is lynched we will never know Cecil's secret* *settles for joining in the massed chants*

#134: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:07 pm

*Thanks the Lord that I've got the abseiling gear on*

Well, at least I'm getting some practice before RCS5 starts.

Liz, please, let's get clear of this cliff and not have any more. Too many cliff fill drabbles at once make me lose concentration, and my grip Shocked

JackieJ

#135: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:40 pm

Aaargh Liz!

Please carry on....!!

#136: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:50 pm

pim wrote:

*stands opening and closing mouth like a stranded thing before falling clean off the edge of the cliff*

MORE!

*peers over & waves at Pim from top of cliff*

More please Liz, before we ALL fall off!

#137: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:54 pm

*runs into thread to check update, sees cliff, doesn't stop in time, falls over and lands with a nice big splat*

I hope you're ashamed of yourself Liz! Wink

#138: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 10:10 pm

*deeply worried by pile of bodies at foot of cliff*

Urge Liz to post more to reduce body count.

Ellen

#139: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:26 am

Thought about cutting this in two and posting half later, but decided that would be too mean...

‘Neee nah neee nah neee nah! I’m a policman and I’m going to get you and put you in prison!’ Rob and Joaquim ran around Cecil into the room chased by Joseph. Not paying attention to where they were going they ran through the game of dominoes, kicking pieces out of line as they went, and the two ‘robbers’ ran to hide behind chairs.

‘Okay guys,’ said Con ‘I think it’s time for you to quieten down a bit and get ready for bed. Off you go upstairs and I’ll come up in a minute.’

‘Good idea’ agreed Mike ‘Come on Quim and Bella, it’s time for bed.’ he held out his hands to them ‘You can see everyone again tomorrow’ he told them in response to their protests.

‘It’s time you lot all went home as well.’ Len told her girls. ‘Rösli will be waiting for you. Who do you want to take you, me or Daddy?’

‘Both of you’ replied Rosie promptly

Len’s eyes met Reg’s. ‘Okay then, go and get your coat and we’ll come with you. We won’t be long Mamma, we’ll be back in time for supper.’

‘We could all do with freshening up before supper anyway,’ said Ruey. ‘Auntie Joey can you tell us where we’re all lodged for the night and we can have a wash and change while the small fry are put to bed.’

There was a few minutes confusion while everyone got up and went to find their rooms. ‘Laura, come with us for the time being’ Felicity invited her brother’s guest ‘You can freshen up with me and Phil and Marie-Claire.’

She couldn’t believe she had lost her chance. Now she would have to work herself up to it again. It didn’t take her long to wash her face, change into a dress and tidy her hair, and then she sat on the camp bed that had been set up for her in her father’s dressing room, once more waiting until she knew Len and Reg were back in the house and everyone else was downstairs. She had to tell them tonight. She must watch carefully for her chance. She was starting to feel nervous again, thinking of their reactions and she gave herself a little pep talk to calm herself. No-one in her family had been brought up to be a coward; the only thing to do was to face up to them and let them know. Anyway, however much they might hate it, there was nothing they could do about it now!

She took a deep breath and went down to join her family for supper.

They said the Latin grace that all the girls had used at school, and then served themselves from the dishes down the middle of the table. Once everyone had their meal in front of them she took a hasty gulp from her glass of wine and spoke.

‘I’ve got something to tell you all.’ she said it quite loudly because she was nervous, but it had the desired effect. Everybody stopped talking to listen to her.

‘What is it Cecil?’ asked Joey.

‘I’m not Cecil Maynard anymore,’ she felt relief wash over her. She had done it. It was out now.

#140: Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes.

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:40 am

Yes, that's all very well, and lovely post LizB, especially nice to have a new one before lectures! But if she's not Cecil Maynard, WHO IS SHE????????

#141: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:24 am

She's eloped!!!!

I bet she has!

#142: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:32 am

With a CBB drabble I'm possibly thinking that elopement is a bit too obvious. But if it's not that then what is it? Shocked

#143: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:21 am

*picks self up briefly from bottom of cliff only to fall back over it again*

#144: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:23 pm

*teeters on the edge of a very high cliff*

Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz!!!!!!!!!!

#145: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:44 pm

Isn't there something about no cruel and unusual punishments, because I think leading us from cliff to cliff is cruel to CBB'ers.

Please, pretty please tell us why?

Ellen

#146: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:54 pm

Perhaps shes changed her name by deed poll? I wonder what her name is now?

Thanks Liz Very Happy

#147: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 3:04 pm

Liz!!!! Please come back and post more!!!!!

#148: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 3:08 pm

So, who is she then????? I dont know

Please rush back and tell us more?

#149: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 3:47 pm

Well you may not have split it in half, but you've still left us dangling!

Razz

#150: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 4:16 pm

LizB! Please come back and rescue us from this cliff! Two cliffs in succession is NOT nice! (whatever Lesley says)

#151: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:38 pm

Ok, here's some more... then you'll have to wait for the next bit to make it's way from my head to my fingertips, hopefully tomorrow, otherwise next week.

She felt, rather than saw, several pairs of eyes go to her left hand, then returning to her face, having seen nothing, even as the barrage of questions started.

‘How can you not be called Cecil Maynard?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Cecil have you got married? And without telling us?’

‘What are you called then?’

‘I don’t understand...’

‘Everyone QUIET’ bawled Jack and there was immediate silence. ‘Let’s give Cecil a chance to tell us what she has to say without any interruptions.’ He turned to his 9th child and noticed the anxious look on her face ‘Cecil, we love you and whatever you might have done, nothing’s going to change that.’

‘I’ve not got married. I’ve just changed my name.’ she told them. ‘I’m now called Catherine Robertson.’

‘How do you mean you’ve changed it?’ asked Geoff ‘You can’t just change your name like that!’

‘Actually you can by deed poll,’ replied Cecil.

‘But why?’ asked Felicity, after a moment’s stunned silence. ‘What was wrong with Cecil Maynard?’

‘You mean we can’t call you Cecil any more?’ queried Joey, looking hurt.

‘If you didn’t like the name, we could have called you something else, without you going to such lengths.’ Con told her.

‘Or you could have chosen something far less boring’ added Felix and received a swift kick under the table from Steve.

‘It’s not that I didn’t like the name’ Catherine said ‘it’s just… oh, I’m not sure if I can make you understand.’

‘Tell us and we’ll try,’ said Margot gently.

#152: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:59 pm

yes, tell us!!

Liz, I've only just seen this, but its wonderful. Please explain why cecil is now catherine

#153: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:57 pm

TELL USSSSSSSSSSS....

Maybe she's trying to fit in on the CBB... with all the C(K)at(e)heri(y)n(e)s here. Smile

#154: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:04 pm

I am so intrigued now!

Liz, I hope it is a short distance from your head to your fingertips Very Happy

#155: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:05 pm

Well that's different! Hope drabble hurries up in its travel from Liz's head to her fingers.

#156: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:06 pm

Interesting...wonder what reason she will give them and how they will take it, Joey esp as she was named after Robin.

#157: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:07 pm

Thank you Liz, but PLEASE make it tomorrow rather than next week for the next bit!!!

#158: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:12 pm

Hmmm, wondering what Cecil is thinking.

Liked Felix's lack of tact. Laughing

#159: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:05 pm

Hope the small sparkling purple leaf is highly co-operative, along with Liz's computer so that we can find our why sooner rather than later.

Ellen

#160: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:10 pm

Tell us the reason!!!!

#161: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:53 pm

Tell us please......i get so excited every time i see a new message has been added to this drabble

#162: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:37 pm

*now toppled over cliff and clinging to small fir half way down*

#163: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:24 pm

‘I just wanted a chance to be someone different.’ she began ‘I’ve spent my whole life being "one of the Maynard children", “one of the Maynard girls” or even “one of the Maynard boys” if people couldn’t remember whether there were 6 girls and 5 boys or 5 girls and 6 boys – being called Cecil, it tended to confuse some people. Everyone knew who Len, Con and Margot were. And although you were the triplets, you were three of you together, but you all had your own identities. Everyone knew you were different, you looked different, you had different characters.’ It all began pouring out now ‘All my life I’ve been “the one with dark hair like Con” or “the one who comes between the two sets of twins”. The older boys, who you always referred to as singletons, they were all seen as individuals as well – each was a different person and looked different. But by the time I came along, I was just another addition to the long Maynard family. No-one was really bothered about who I was as a person. There was nothing particularly interesting about me – I wasn’t even a twin or anything.’

‘I was always on my own as a child.’ she carried on, as her family sat silently listening. ‘Felix and Felicity had each other, Phil and Geoff had each other, and I was stuck in the middle, on my own. Everyone had something special except for me. They were the triplets, or first twins, or second twins, or the one with Mamma’s gift for writing or singing, or the one who was going to be a doctor like Papa, or the clever or good at sports one.’

‘I knew you loved me. But I never felt that you knew me.’

‘School was the same.’ she continued. ‘I was always Felicity’s sister, or Len, Con and Margot’s sister. The mistresses would tell me I was just like my sister or cousin, or even some of them that I was just like you, Mamma. Or I’d be introduced to new girls as either Josephine M Bettany’s daughter or the niece of Lady Russell who had started the school, or Miss Maynard’s sister, or the head-girl’s sister or cousin depending on whether it was when Felicity or Ailie was head girl. I was never just introduced as "this is Cecil Maynard" without defining me by my relationship to someone else. Oh I did what was expected of me at school, although there were times when I felt like rebelling against it. I worked hard and, yes, I was head girl, but I always felt it was because I was a Maynard, rather than because of any merit of my own.’

#164: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:29 pm

*Huggles Cecil*
The poor little Pie, hope her family realise how much she is hurting.

#165: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:50 pm

Gosh, much deeper than any of us had thought. This is good Liz. I love the reasoning and I'm sure Cecil can't have been the only one who thought that.

Ellen

#166: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:12 pm

Poor Cecil Sad

I just want to give her a big hug now.

#167: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:15 pm

awww, bless Cecil. Sad

Hope they give her some respect for what she's done.

thanks for the update Liz Very Happy

#168: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:45 pm

Poor Cecil she must have really felt unhappy. (though I did love the fact that some people thought she was a boy!)

*gives Cecil a hug*

#169: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:51 pm

Oh, poor Cecil *huggles*

#170: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:46 pm

Poor Cecil!

I always thought it must have been tough for her as a singleton between two sets of twins.

#171: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:27 pm

That all makes perfect sense! Poor Cecil, and I can totally understand her reasons for wanting to change her name now.

I really really hope the family understands....

#172: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:38 am

Oh, poor Cecil! I always felt sorry for her being a singleton amidst the twins and triplets too.

But it's so hard to see how her family can react. If they go all embrace-y and "don't worry because we love you", it's just more familyness - which is what she doesn't want. Or does she?

#173: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:42 am

Poor Cecil, it's horrible for her. I wish we'd seen EBD write the rest of the family, we only get to see the trips through her eyes. But drabbles definitely make up for it!

#174: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:09 pm

Poor Cecil! I'm so glad I didn't check this during the week - am pleased to have missed the cliffs!

More please Very Happy

#175: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:46 pm

The cliffs are half the fun, Laura.

Now, who in the family is going to understand how ex-Cecil is feeling?

#176: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:36 am

Poor Cecil, I really hope she gets understanding from her family though I'm not sure if Joey for example would understand

#177: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:01 pm

Echoes everyone else in saying 'poor Cecil' A lot to live up to, being a Maynard. and almost forgotten in among everyone else. Crying or Very sad

#178: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:07 pm

Jennie wrote:

The cliffs are half the fun, Laura.

Now, who in the family is going to understand how ex-Cecil is feeling?

I'm all for a quiet life!
Maybe Charles can empathise?

#179: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:05 pm

‘I don’t care that it’s not a fancy name, Felix, that’s not what I wanted. I just wanted to be able to be somebody and at the same time be just anybody.’ she blinked hard, to stop the tears that were gathering from falling.

‘But once you moved away from home, wasn’t it different?’ asked Charles. ‘I mean I can understand how it was when you were at school, Auntie Hilda and everyone had known you since before you were born, but you left there years ago.’

‘But don’t you understand, I couldn’t get away from being “one of the Maynards” people would ask, even just jokingly, if I was related to Pippa Maynard, the pop star, and then once I said I was, I was never seen as me any more, I was just her sister. Or I was Con Maynard, the best-selling writer’s sister; or even Josephine M. Bettany’s daughter. People never knew me as me, only as how I was related to one you. And that’s not all, if people didn’t know who you are, at some point I’d find out they knew one of the Russells or Bettanys or someone connected with them. I’ve never been anywhere where someone didn’t have a connection to one of my relatives somewhere along the line. I just couldn’t get away from the family – it’s like a mafia!’

The tears she’d been struggling to hold back started to overflow and trickle down her cheeks.

‘And it’s not that I don’t want to be part of this family, I do. But I want to be me. This way I can be known as just me, for who I am, not for who my relatives are.’

She pushed her chair back and rushed from the room. Len started to get up to follow her, but Joey put a hand on her arm ‘leave her for now Len, I think she’d rather be on her own for a while.’

#180: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:23 pm

Thanx liz. Another fab update. Yay!

#181: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:57 pm

Ahhhh! Poor 'Cecil'.

Thanks Liz

#182: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:00 pm

Someone give Cecil a hug please! Poor kid!!!

#183: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:21 pm

*wants to hug Cecil*

#184: Author: keren as guest,

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:09 pm

My daughter has just become a leader in a youth group, for girls who are 9 years old.
one girl comes to our house all the time and really hangs around her.
I said to my daughter, look, she is coming as she needs attention, she is the fifth child of 8, (only 2 boys) and she is the fourth girl before the second boy (so no one special in the family.

They do not have twins however, although we do have neighbors with 2 sets of twins

#185: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:10 pm

(((Cecil)))

Wonder what the family reaction will be when it's sunk in?

#186: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 7:28 pm

I'm hoping the Maynards will be sympathetic towards her.
Thanks for the updates!

#187: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:04 pm

Thank you for that post. It's hard always to be seen as someone's relative, and never as yourself.

#188: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:12 pm

Thankyou Liz!

Joey appears to have some understanding, thankfully. I can well imagine that Cecil couldn't get away from Maynards, Bettanys (Bettanies?) and Russells wherever she went - they are like the mafia!

I hope the whole family will be nice to her, but feel that is unlikely...

#189: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:10 pm

The meal fell rather flat after that. Everyone tried manfully to make conversation, but each time a topic was introduced it soon fizzled out. No-one mentioned Catherine’s announcement, but it was obvious what was on most of their minds.

Soon after the dishes had been cleared away, Len and Reg said their goodbyes and, taking Laura with them, walked back along the platz to their home. They chatted politely on the way home – Laura, understanding their wish to avoid talking about what had happened with someone who wasn't part of the family, readily answered the questions Reg asked about her work at the San and a discussion of new treatments kept them going until they arrived back at the Entwistle home.

After offering coffee, which was declined, Len showed Laura into the pretty guest room, checked on her girls, who were all fast asleep, and then she and Reg retired to their own room.

‘Did you have any idea Cecil felt like that?’ Reg asked his wife.

‘Not a clue’ answered Len as she undid her hair and started brushing ‘but then she was only about 6 when I left to go to Oxford, then I never really went home again for much time, and then we got married. She’s always been quiet, I never had any idea anything like this was going on underneath?’

‘She must have been bottling it all up for some time and feel very strongly about it to have actually gone and changed her name though.’ Reg commented.

‘I guess I can understand a bit’ Len replied thoughtfully. ‘There are a lot of us, and although it’s fun, I can see it could be overpowering at times to be one of our family, if she felt like that it’s no wonder she wanted to escape. I know I always felt responsible for the rest, especially before we had our own children, because I was the eldest.’

‘That’s not why you agreed to marry me before you’d even finished school was it?’ asked Reg ‘to escape from being a Maynard?’

Len put down her brush and slipped her arms around his waist. ‘Idiot! Come here, and I’ll show you why I married you.’

#190: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 3:11 pm

Awwwwww! Lovely bit with Len and Reg. Laughing

#191: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 3:25 pm

Awwwww!!!!

#192: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 3:38 pm

How nice to see a happy Len and Reg. Sweet.

#193: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:37 pm

Awww that was nice between Len and Reg, but I do hope that Catherine is ok!

#194: Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:33 pm

Nice warm feeling from Len & Reg.

Good to see they're sympathetic to Cecil/Catherine's announcement.

Ellen

#195: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:14 pm

Thankyou - another one here going 'awwwww' at a nice Len and Reg moment!

#196: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:17 am

‘So, what do you think’s got into her?’ Geoff asked Felix and Roddy as they made their way out to the tents in the garden.

‘Women!’ shrugged Roddy carelessly.

‘Hey! that’s a bit harsh!’ protested Geoff

‘Well, let’s face it, you can never understand them’ returned Roddy ‘It’s not like it can’t have been the same for all of you to be “one of the Maynards” the whole time with people asking if you’re related to Phil or Con. So why’s it a problem for her when it’s not for anyone else?’

‘I don’t know’ replied Geoff slowly, ‘but she’s my sister and I would like to understand if I can.’

‘As Roddy said,’ Felix grinned ‘you’ll never understand her – she’s a woman! But seriously’ he continued ‘I agree with you Geoff, she is our sister and we owe it to her to try to understand what’s going through her head.’

#197: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:20 am

At least they are not immediately rejecting her - that's good.

Thanks Liz!

#198: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:14 am

*struggles with anti-Reg feelings* They are very very cute in this story!!! Smile

#199: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:11 pm

Glad to see they are all trying to undersatand. Poor Ceil\Catherine it must have been really awful for her.

#200: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:21 pm