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        Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >>  New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
        
(Message started by: Carolyn P on Dec 31st, 2003, 12:06am)
Title: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 31st, 2003, 12:06am
On New Years Eve Nicola was finally able to see visitors. Following her accident Dr Jack had carried her back to Freudesheim where he had made a cursory examination and realising that despite all appearances to the contrary the girl still lived, he had her transferred immediately to the burns unit at the San. For two days she had been kept under a heavy sedation, the shock and pain coming on top of the stressful term being too much for her. From the Monday she had slowly been allowed to rouse and now Len had been permitted to see her.

“Thank-you,” Nicola whispered, “if you hadn’t rolled me in the snow I might have died.”
“Don’t think about it. You need to concentrate on getting better now. I’m sorry for being careless with the fire. Now, lets change the subject. Miss Annersley has been here all the time you know, would you like to see her?”
Nicola was about to assent gladly when she realised that Len was facing her and mouthing “say no”, and that Miss Annersley herself was looking in through the window in the white door.
“No, I’m rather tired actually.” She gave a huge yawn and Len stared for a moment fascinated by the size she opened her mouth to. “I think I would like to go back to sleep.” Nicola snuggled down and Len pulled the blankets carefully over her tender back and arms.
“Sorry Auntie Hilda, said Len on leaving the room, “She was ever so tired and papa said she must be allowed to sleep as long as possible. Is there any news of her mother yet?”

Hilda looked closely at her brevet neice, and then hiding a sigh replied, “Loveday is flying in straight from the middle east so isn’t too sure about the time of the flight, but a car has been left at the airport in Berne for her. She should be here about teatime. I’ve arranged for a room in the hotel for her and she will be here for the next week or so, hopefully until the beginning of term. I will interview her and see if there is anything we can do to help, at least we now know why Nicola has been so defensive all term.”
“Poor kid,” commented Len, looking back into the room as they moved away, “she hasn’t had an easy start in life has she?”
“Neither have some of our other girls. However I have no doubt that she will turn out a True Chalet Girl.”
Len laughed, “No doubt she will if you have anything to do with it Auntie Hilda. You have a way with the girls like no-one else I know.”

Len and Hilda went back to Freudesheim where they joined the family for lunch, passing on the news that Nicola was beginning to recover. It had been a quiet few days, the investigation into Reg’s death had cost Len some pangs of conscience as she recalled how she had left Reg to die whilst saving Nicola. It cost Jack too as he ensured that the investigation was over quickly and the funeral completed with the minimum of fuss. Now the year was drawing to a close and they wanted to let the memories die with the old year.

Conversation round the lunch table was stilted until Margot in an attempt to lighten the mood said, “I say, did anyone ever find out who wrote the play?” As heads began to shake she added, “I still think it was you mama, it had to be someone who was so familiar with the staff as well as the girls, I can’t see anyone else even trying to get away with that one.”
“Not me my lamb. I haven’t had time this year; this last book has been a nightmare to complete. I did wonder if it was Madge, she hasn’t done one for years, but,” she broke off here, catching sight of her middle triplet who was pulling faces at thin air.
“Con, what are you doing?”
“Sorry mama, but the whole thing, does it really matter who wrote it?”
“No, but you must admit, it is curious.”
Len butted in at this point, “Con, are you ever going to tell them?”
The family and Hilda looked at Len in amazement, Joey gaped, her mouth hanging then asked faintly, “Are you saying that Con wrote it, and that you knew all along?”
Len grinned, “Yes, but if she wasn’t going to say, why should I.”
Con smirked, “It does show that I don’t blurt out everything in spite of my reputation. But Len, how did you know?”
Len shrugged, “Just came to me one night during a rehearsal.”

When Nicola woke again it was to see her mother sat next to the bed.
“I’m sorry mummy. I had to tell them. I couldn’t stand all the questions anymore.”
“Hush dear. Don’t worry, I should never have expected you to stand against it. I forgot how powerful the need to conform is here. Still now they know, you will be fine, and the Chalet is one of the best schools, it will give you a foundation like no other. Are you happy here, in the main?”
“Hmm, yes, Felicity is nice, but she tries far too hard. I like her; I just wish she would say no sometimes. She repainted the bedroom because I didn’t like the flowers. I wonder if I will ever get her to stand up for herself.”
Loveday laughed, “You carry on trying dear.” She patted Nicola’s hand and bade her lie down whilst she told her about her latest travels.
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 31st, 2003, 12:20am
Carolyn - what a wonderful surprise!  You certainly kept quite about this didn't you?
*Bows deeply to show appreciation
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Dec 31st, 2003, 12:21am
Yay!! Another drabble!!!
Thank you Carolyn!! :-*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Pat on Dec 31st, 2003, 12:21am
What's Rachel going to dowith this I wonder!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 31st, 2003, 12:23am

on 12/31/03 at 00:20:21, Esmeralda wrote:
Carolyn - what a wonderful surprise!  You certainly kept quite about this didn't you?
*Bows deeply to show appreciation


Yep, this was planned all along, but we wanted to surprise you all, so didn't leave a cliffhanger, just let you think Nicola was dead.

The previous bits are still on P2 if anyone needs reminding.
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Dec 31st, 2003, 4:23am
*wonders what time Rachel will post, and where she'll go with it?*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Lesley on Dec 31st, 2003, 8:35am
Thank you for this Carolyn - a great surprise. Also wonder what Rachel will do with it - and why Len wanted Nichola to say no to seeing Hilda? :-/ Oh well, should discover before the end of the year! ;D
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Catherine_B on Dec 31st, 2003, 9:20am
Lesley, I think it's because Hilda was drugging the girls to turn them into "True Chaletians".
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Polly1 on Dec 31st, 2003, 11:27am
Brilliant!! Thanx Carolyn! You really cheered me up  ;D
I ahve to drive back to Essex today, and I hate long journeys. Now, I can't wait to get home and see if there is enough time for me to log on and see what Rachel does with it!!!  ;D
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by xanthe on Dec 31st, 2003, 1:51pm
Yippee!  Thank you Carolyn  ;D
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Ally on Dec 31st, 2003, 2:18pm
Yay, I think Carolyn is a brillaint magician.  Out of her sleeve she's produced another wonderful surprise part.

*Wondering how much more there is*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Dec 31st, 2003, 4:48pm
Nicola lay in the bed listening as her mother recounted her various excursions, rambling on at length about the journeys she had taken, the people she had met and the places she had seen.
“Doesn’t she realise?” thought Nicola resentfully. “Doesn’t she even know that I would rather go to a local comp and have her at home. Why does she have to have a job that takes her away from me? Why can’t she get a job working near to home? I would happily go to day school if I could live with her!”

Nicola had long felt this under the surface, but it was the first time her thoughts had really surfaced into clear words. On one hand, she knew this was probably an incredibly selfish feeling for someone of her age to have, but on the other hand, there was that deep rooted feeling of being in the way, which had been there for as long as she could remember. Back in the earliest memories Nicola had, she saw herself being abandoned by her mother and left in the care of a servant. She knew that this was because her mother was raising the money to take them both back to England, but she also knew that her mother could have stayed in South America. “Why was it so important to get back to England?” Nicola wondered for perhaps the first time in her life.

Loveday prattled on, hardly taking notice that Nicola’s attention had wandered so far. Loveday knew she was a Good Mother, and that was how she always thought of herself, in terms of a title with capital letters. Motherhood was not something she had ever felt a great desire for, and it was certainly something she had never permitted to happen twice. Nicola was important to her of course, but she knew herself that there was a little voice that whispered to her in the dark of just how much easier and less stressful her life could have been.

Not giving Nicola up for adoption had seemed right at the time, but Loveday had a sneaking feeling it had more to do with getting back at her own parents than really desiring to have a child of her own. However, that was all history now as far as Loveday was concerned, and it was certainly not something she had ever encouraged Nicola to discuss with her.

Suddenly Nicola asked a question that Loveday had been avoiding for years.
“Mother, who is my father?”
The colour drained from Loveday’s face, she turned a delicate shade of green and a bead of sweat appeared on her forehead as she stammered nonsense words at Nicola. Nicola kept eye contact and asked again.
“Mother, surely I am old enough to know now? Who is my father?”
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Dec 31st, 2003, 4:48pm
Loveday made a strangled noise and ran from the room, pushing Dr Maynard to one side in her haste to leave the room.
He raised an eyebrow at Loveday’s leaving, but didn’t comment on it any further to Nicola.

“So, how are the burns tonight old lady?” he asked her with a grin.
“Still a bit sore,” replied Nicola honestly, considering that martyrs who told doctors that they felt fine when they didn’t were idiots and needed sectioning.
“I can give you something more for the pain if you like, and nurse will come along and change your dressings before you settle down for the night,” he said.
Nicola thanked him, but her eyes strayed past him as she spoke, trying to see out of the door to wherever her mother might now be.

Jack saw that the girl wasn’t giving him her full attention, and asked, “Want me to go and find her for you?”
“Oh would you?” Nicola replied in delight. “I want to speak to her some more before I go to sleep!”
Jack threw her a grin over his shoulder, and left the room to find Loveday.

Nicola lay back on her pillows, the pain relief already beginning to kick in and feeling at peace with the whole world except her mother. All she wanted was a name. Nothing more. She didn’t know what she would do with that name, but she wouldn’t be cut off and treated like a child over this any longer.
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by xanthe on Dec 31st, 2003, 4:57pm
*makes happy and appreciative noises*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Dec 31st, 2003, 5:16pm
what animal do you resemble whilst making said noises Xan?
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by xanthe on Dec 31st, 2003, 5:33pm
Why myself of course Rachel

*looks puzzled*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Ally on Dec 31st, 2003, 5:43pm
Ooh there must be more after this, thank you Rachel  ;D
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Dec 31st, 2003, 5:46pm

on 12/31/03 at 17:33:29, xanthe wrote:
Why myself of course Rachel

*looks puzzled*



OK. Apparently my happy noises remind people of a cow about to suffer a burst appendix. Just thought you might be the same  :)
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by xanthe on Dec 31st, 2003, 5:59pm
oh right... okay Rachel...
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Dec 31st, 2003, 6:14pm
not the same then? darnit!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by LulieCat on Dec 31st, 2003, 6:16pm
*joins xanthe in making happy noises*

Waiting for more!!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Lesley on Dec 31st, 2003, 7:18pm

on 12/31/03 at 09:20:01, Catherine_B wrote:
Lesley, I think it's because Hilda was drugging the girls to turn them into "True Chaletians".


So it was - I'd forgotten how the Advent drabbles had finished!

More please Carolyn or Rachel - there must be a revelation about Nicola's father?
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 31st, 2003, 7:20pm
More soon please - one of you - need to know who Nicola's father is!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Dec 31st, 2003, 8:47pm
Thank you both so much!!
Do we get a New Years Day drabble?
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by LulieCat on Dec 31st, 2003, 9:23pm
Thank you Carolyn and Rachel.

*adds more hopes for a New Years Day drabble - hangovers permitting  :P*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 31st, 2003, 11:01pm

on 12/31/03 at 21:23:08, LulieCat wrote:
*adds more hopes for a New Years Day drabble - hangovers permitting  :P*


So you think we have been wrting these on the day of posting?
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 31st, 2003, 11:09pm
*Disappointed that Carolyn's post wasn't more drabble.
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:17am
Annoying when that haooens aint it Wsmeralda
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by xanthe on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:20am
*isn't surprised Rachel is "looking flushed" given the amount she's been drinking*  ;)
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:31am
There you go then:

"Matey, I am delighted to inform you that it is not an outbreak of measles after all," said Hilda Annersley, swaying slightly.
Mar=trons eyes narrowed. "It's not?" she asked suspoiciously.
"Nope," replied Hils. "We're all piddled!"
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:39am
*giggles at Rachel!*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:44am
** giggles at everyting!! **
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by xanthe on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:49am
*giggles*
*wonder how she came to be TOTALLY plastered when she doesn't drink*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Abi on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:49am
*also giggles at Rachel*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Esmeralda on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:51am
*Suggests Rachel drinks vast amounts of OJ before goiing to bed
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Jan 1st, 2004, 1:56am
Not a chance - I am sitting at the computer which is liuterally five inches from the ced.
I have cleaned my teeth now,, and all I will do apart from inflicting myself upon you all is roll offf the cahir and into the bed
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by KB on Jan 4th, 2004, 6:32am
*hopes Rachel has had time in bed since this last post*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Carolyn P on Jan 4th, 2004, 6:15pm
Given the number of days that have passed, so would I.
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by KB on Jan 5th, 2004, 1:50am
Maybe that's why we haven't heard from her - she's still recovering!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:12am
*has image of Rachel, still sprawled across the bed, still very hungover!!* 8oo 8oo 8oo
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by KB on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:19am
*thinks this may not be an unreasonable mental image*
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachel on Jan 5th, 2004, 10:46am
** Thinks the rest of the CBBers don't deserve my limited talents to be splashed across the board  :P **
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:10pm
Rachel, it was the contents of your stomach we were worrying about being splashed across the board! ;)
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachael on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:13pm
Well!!

I was really enjoying this - the first drabble since before New year and now there's a whopping great cliffhanger that's been sitting there for 4 days!!

Does nobody care?!
*Outraged*
Is no one shouting "More!"
*Further outraged*

What are you all coming to ??

WHO THE DEVIL IS LOVEDAY'S FATHER??

MORE!!

I want some explanations! Please ...
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:37pm
Rachael, the sequel (New Year's Day) got eaten last night, but I had the thread saved from a couple of nights ago, so it's in the archives, the link is in 'archiving difficulties'
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachael on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:45pm
:-[ Ahem, thank you Vikki!

I am so far behind since before Christmas that I am quite convinced I will never catch up

*heads off to Archives*

On a brighter note, at least I still have my (second) identity intact since my absence!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Jan 5th, 2004, 2:51pm
*huggles Rachael*
Well, I should have thought to post the link on the end of this thread too, I guess!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Rachael on Jan 5th, 2004, 3:03pm
I've been ...
I've read ...
I've giggled ...
I've laughed ..

Don't know where to state my appreciation so came back here - fabulous ending to the advent series and huge thanks to both Carolyn and Rachel for such great entertainment over the festive period!  ;D

Now then - are they totally over or are there any more lurking in archives, snatched by the TEM etc?
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Vikki on Jan 5th, 2004, 3:10pm
Well, both Rachel and Carolyn have been going on about 'Advent Drabbles - The Holocaust' but none of us have seen hide nor hair of it, so it's either a wind up, or it got TEMed straight after posting!!!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Pat on Jan 5th, 2004, 3:20pm
Whichever it is, I'd like to read it - so if it hasn't been written you both know what to do, don't you!!  Write it, pretty .... quick!!   ;) ;D
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by KB on Today at 12:55am
You know, now that I see the full title for that drabble of Rachel's, I'm getting glimmerings of memory...
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by Abi on Today at 1:01am
I thought the Advent Drabbles were a holocaust!
Title: Re: New Years Eve (Advent drabbles - An Epilogue)
Post by KB on Today at 1:06am
*lol* Well, that's true, too...


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