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Title: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabble) Post by Carolyn P on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:14am Hilda put down the telephone and rubbed her temples before raising her eyes to Rosalie who was looking at her enquiringly. “Just a light headache, don’t tell Matey. That was the lawyers for Nicola Smith’s mother. They have asked us to make arrangements for her to go to a local hotel over the holidays, apparently her mother has to go abroad at very short notice and is unable to take Nicola with her.” Rosalie opened her eyes wide at this, “Did they say why?” “She is going to the middle east and that is no place for a young girl to be, not in the current climate.” “I agree, but what are we going to do about it. I don’t like to send her to a hotel on her own, especially at Christmas.” Rosalie was quite sure about this, sending an imploring look at the head, “I might almost offer to stay here with her myself.” Hilda shook her head at this, “No, you need a break, you’ve worked so hard this term, as ever. I couldn’t agree to that.” “So, what will you do?” “I can’t say just yet, will you ask Linda Stone to come and have Kaffee with me?” “Yes, shall I invite Joey as well?” “Cheeky imp, but yes, you might as well, we will probably need her help with this.” Rosalie departed, only to return a moment later with a glass of Alka Seltzer which she placed at the head’s right hand before leaving Hilda to her correspondence and her headache. In the Junior common room the members of IIIb were explaining to Nicola that she would need to make a speech at the spot supper that night. “We should have told you about it earlier, I’m awfully sorry,” apologised Felicity. “Be careful, there are prees wondering around, and they’ll fine you last day or not,” warned Lucy hearing this speech. Felicity reddened, but stuck to her guns, “Still, you need to be ready.” “I know what I’ll say. It’ll be short and sweet anyway.” Nicola surprised the rest of the form. “Ok, how did you know, I didn’t think we had mentioned it. I certainly never thought about it until just now?” queried Susan curiously. “Oh, I don’t know, someone must have mentioned it at some point. I knew anyway and that’s the main thing isn’t it?” “I’m sure no-one has,” Susan was warming to this mystery, and Nicola began to look slightly scared was beginning to bristle in defence, but was saved further questioning when Erica entered the room with a handful of papers. “Here is a new verse to the Spot Supper song. You need to learn it before tonight, and try to teach the new girls the chorus at least. Share these between you. New girls, has someone told you about the speeches. If any of you have trouble with the idea, or don’t know what to say I’ll be in the prees room after Kaffee, just come and find me and we will give you hand.” Erica looked around, and seeing that no-one wanted help immediately left to visit the other common rooms. Joey entered the Head’s study with a breezy “Hello everyone. What am I needed for at such short notice, or have you just called to say you’ve solved the identity of the Christmas Play author?” “Don’t be so flippant Joey, this is a serious matter, now sit down and listen.” Squashed, Joey took a seat and accepted a plate and cup from Rosalie who was pouring from the china pot that graced the small coffee table. Hilda proceeded to tell Linda and Joey about her telephone conversation, and before Joey could butt in she said, “Now, before you all give me your unvarnished opinion of Nicola’s mother, the important thing to discuss is what we are going to do with Nicola herself and how we will tell her.” “I will tell her, when I know what there is to tell, I am her form mistress after all,” sighed Linda. “Why the sigh?” asked Joey, “I know it’s a difficult task but it sounded as if there was more to it than that. I met her at the tea party of course, but I can’t remember anything startling about her.” |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Carolyn P on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:15am Linda paused, thoughtful before replying, “There is nothing in particular, she just seems to be ‘the cat that walks alone’ and whilst her marks are good and she takes part in everything there is always a distance between her and the rest of the form and I think she has purposely kept her distance from them. She has always been very polite to me, but she seems to watch everything with a slightly jaundiced eye and is very defensive.” Hilda pursed her lips and then replied, “All our dealings have been with the lawyer. He forwarded her reports from the High School, and the prep she was at previously and a bank reference from her mother, along with the usual admittance form. I never had a personal interview, but we don’t insist on the interview, although it is the norm. Does she have a lot of mail from home, I wonder of there is a problem we should know about?” “She receives a letter about once a fortnight, and always in the same handwriting, although the postmark is different, occasionally abroad. She doesn’t seem to expect any more, and is never looking for the post like some of them. Having said that I haven’t picked up on any especial sadness or worries about home life. She seems happy with her situation, just prefers her own company.” Joey butted in at this point, “This is all well and good, but we have to decide what to do. Why don’t you send her home with my girls tomorrow and she can spend the holidays with us, we’re not going anywhere this year. She is in the same form as Felicity and should find it easier to settle there than with total strangers. You are spending a few days with us anyway aren’t you Hilda?” “That would be an ideal situation, if you are sure. I was wondering about letting her stay in my apartment, but she would be happier with you.” “That settles it then. I’ll leave it up to you and Linda to tell her, I must dash now, I want to get this latest batch of proofs finished before the hordes descend tomorrow.” With this Joey flung her cape around her shoulders and tore away. Nicola, to everyone’s surprise accepted the invitation with equanimity, and merely asked if it would be possible to send a postcard to her mother to inform her of the arrangements. This calm acceptance left Miss Stone short of breath and she sent Nicola to the office to do just that. Nicola, left to herself wrote her postcard and went to join the rest of the school at the spot supper. After they had eaten Erica called for the speeches that were a traditional feature of these suppers. Many of the speeches, especially those from the staff included musings on the identity of the author of the play, and that from the head contained a literary analysis of the play that still concluded anyone could have been responsible. |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Katarzyna on Dec 23rd, 2003, 10:29am Oh, interesting.... Settling down comfortably on sofa with box of chocolates to await the mayhem Rachel is bound to cause with the speeches! |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by NickiL on Dec 23rd, 2003, 10:46am May I join you? *shares out toffees* Rachel with a free hand at speeches... :o |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Katarzyna on Dec 23rd, 2003, 10:51am Of course, i think that there will be quite a few of us sat here by the time Rachel posts. *shoves up to the end of the sofa and accepts proffered toffee* is it too early for a drink? |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by xanthe on Dec 23rd, 2003, 10:53am Room for a-not-tremendously-little-one? *offers everyone free-from-everything custard creams* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by NickiL on Dec 23rd, 2003, 11:36am Plenty of room! *accepts custard cream and offers dairy-free Baileys* *uses sofa-enlarging spell to add extra seats in anticipation* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Chloe on Dec 23rd, 2003, 11:52am *squeezes in next to Xanthe* Thanks Carolyn *offers jaffa cakes to the gorup* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by LulieCat on Dec 23rd, 2003, 1:49pm Squeezes in next to Chloe and produces a full teapot, cups and home made mince pies (well, it is Christmas!) |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Rebecca on Dec 23rd, 2003, 2:15pm *squats comfortably on the arm and produces a yule log to tuck into while waiting* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Ally on Dec 23rd, 2003, 2:49pm I know there is something suspicious about Nicola, I wonder who her mother is, and why is she making notes? *sitting back comfortably waiting for the mayhem* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Cumbrian_Rachel on Dec 23rd, 2003, 3:13pm *sprawls on a rug on the floor and producing a roaring log fire for warmth while waiting* *wondering if there will be any deaths this time!* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Rachel on Dec 23rd, 2003, 7:34pm Nicola’s own offering to the spot supper speeches turned out to be memorable, for all the wrong reasons. She had considered going down the trite and done to death route of “how glad I was to come to the chalet School!” but on reflection decided it would be far more interesting to point out a few home truths about the school and it’s inhabitants. Drawing inspiration from her notebook, Nicola spoke at length about the poor teaching staff, the lack of support for students out of hours, the obvious drinking, smoking and orgies that took place in the staff room, her own opinions on life and a cutting little lecture about the mating habits of donkeys. Everyone was relieved when Nicola finally sat down. The following morning, the girl was taken over to Freudesheim by Felicity. Joey was waiting to welcome the girl, and started to make her usual “welcome to my home” speech. Joey never had a chance to complete this speech however, as Nicola had pulled out her notebook at Mrs. Maynards first words and was reading aloud. “Welcome to Freudesheim my dear! Freudesheim means happy home, and that’s what we hope you will feel our home is to you too,” continued Nicola. Joey looked askance, trying to work out why Nicola was stealing all her lines. Faltering and having lost her place in her speech, Joey forgot to finish her speech and opted instead for the slightly more mundane, “Felicity, show Nicola where she will be sleeping,” and left the girls abruptly. Nicola coolly put away her notebook; pleased with the accuracy of the information she had been given. Felicity led her upstairs and showed her a pretty room with floral curtains, matching bedspread and a coordinated rug. Nicola let out a loud groan. “I can’t sleep here!” she declared. “Ummmm, why?” asked Felicity; never having experienced a guest refusing a room before, she was unsure how to deal with the situation. “Flowers!” said Nicola. “Always ruddy flowers! And what is with the hideous colours? Can’t you people paint rooms in neutral tones? No flowers, no patterns, no garish colours! Please! It’s all I ask for – surely that’s not too much to ask?” “Of course not,” soothed Felicity, having been trained in hospitality to guests since birth. “Leave your traps here Nicola and I’ll get it all sorted for you.” Nicola wandered off downstairs, leaving a flummoxed Felicity to race off to the shed, dig out some paint and brushes and dash back upstairs to paint the whole room. Painting completed, Felicity dragged the bedding and rug downstairs to the kitchen and proceeded to dye the whole lot one colour. Feeling at last that there was nothing for her guest to object to, Felicity sought out Nicola who had found her way to the attic, and showed her the changes she had made to the room. Nicola eyed the room critically for a few moments, before deciding that on the whole, the flowers had been better. By suppertime, Felicity was sick to death of the Nicola; having had to entertain her all day had been exhausting. Nicola on the surface seemed so ordinary, but when you started getting to know the girl, she appeared to be more and more peculiar, in so many ways. Nicola’s insistence that Felicity should walk at least three steps ahead of her was slightly bizarre but not difficult to comply with; her utter refusal to eat until the whole family had tasted a bit of everything first was nerve-wracking, and Nicola’s continual peering at people with mournful expression was disconcerting - even more so when Nicola was seen later that evening scribbling in her notebook and muttering “Maynard, such a pity, so sad!” and shaking her head. |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Pat on Dec 23rd, 2003, 7:41pm Longing to know what's with this girl!!! ??? |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by KB on Dec 23rd, 2003, 8:50pm Nicola is an intriguing character! Maybe she's a reporter... |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by xanthe on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:00pm *as intrigued as the cat before its unfortunate accident* Thank you Rachel ;D |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by KB on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:07pm *hopes Xanthe doesn't suffer the same fate* :o |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Kathy_S on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:16pm *wonders if Nicola has reason to suspect booby-traps and poison* :o |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by xanthe on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:19pm on 12/23/03 at 21:07:35, KB wrote:
not being of the feline persuasion, I'm optimistic about my chances... on 12/23/03 at 21:16:36, Kathy_S wrote:
course she does: she's in an advent drabble: isn't that enough! |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Lesley on Dec 23rd, 2003, 9:22pm *Curiouser and curiouser!* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Rachael on Dec 23rd, 2003, 10:27pm Hey - I was going to use that line, Lesley! Quote:
*chuckle* If she knows she's in a drabble and at the mercy of Rachel, then I would call that fair reason to be suspicious!! Loved the way Nicola quoted Joey's speech word for word and hated the floral decor! So what's going to happen next? :-/ |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Carolyn P on Dec 23rd, 2003, 10:52pm on 12/23/03 at 22:27:43, Rachael wrote:
That would be telling. Next post on Christmas Eve, UK time, somwhere between midnight and mid-day. |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Esmeralda on Dec 23rd, 2003, 11:19pm This just gets more and more mysterious - Looking forward to 24th. |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by KB on Dec 24th, 2003, 12:28am on 12/23/03 at 22:52:45, Carolyn P wrote:
Oh look, it's that time now! |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Susan on Dec 24th, 2003, 1:29am So it is but I suspect now it will be nearer midday. Very intruiging. |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Mollio on Dec 24th, 2003, 2:12am HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! The suspense is killing me. What's with this kid? |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Vikki on Dec 24th, 2003, 5:48am *goes hunting for Carolyn!!* Please post soon, I'm now very curious!! |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by KB on Dec 24th, 2003, 8:45am *hopes Carolyn means to keep her word* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Carolyn P on Dec 24th, 2003, 9:03am Of course I do. New thread up any minute now. *going off to do it* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by KB on Dec 24th, 2003, 9:14am *very glad to hear it* 8oo |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Chloe on Dec 24th, 2003, 11:00am YAy glad to hear it Carolyn *goes off to find latest installment* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Carolyn P on Dec 24th, 2003, 1:23pm Hope you liked it, there will be a bumper crop of installments tomorrow, Christmas Day. |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Ally on Dec 24th, 2003, 2:39pm Tommorrow sounds interesting! ;) *Prepares to unwrap lots of nice new chalet drabbles* |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by Vikki on Dec 24th, 2003, 7:58pm Well, I'm now even more excited about Christmas Day!! *goes off to count the minutes!!* ;D |
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Title: Re: 23rd December Christmas Special (Advent Drabbl Post by KB on Dec 24th, 2003, 9:03pm *mutters about it having been Christmas Day for more than eight hours already* |
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