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Title: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 8th, 2004, 1:56am Restarted for length! Links are: part 1 (http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/danceratcs.html) part 2 (http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/A%20dancer%20at%20the%20CS.htm) part 3 (http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/danceratcs3.html) part 4 (http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/csdancer4.html) part 5 (http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/csdancer5.html) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 8th, 2004, 5:16am Lisa, that last part was lovely! I'm glad Gisella is such a lovely person! And will she straighten everything out? I doubt it, but I hope so! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 8th, 2004, 10:38am Ooh! Part six! *jiggles with excitement* Kathye, thanks for the encouragement and welcome to the board. Have you discovered the archived bits of the story? (If you really want to read it all?!) No, Gisela did not go to the Chalet School! You will have to wait and see! Felt led to add a tag line thing today (for the first time) as I was reading Fete last night and found this line shocking/amusing/frightening! Sometimes I'm reminded of just how snobbish and rude those CS girls really are! :( and this quote is followed up by Nancy vowing to diet because "I don't mind being chubby, but seeing Winnie makes me realise what sort of a house-end I might become!" And all this because Winnie has seven - SEVEN sons! Isn't she entitled to be fourteen stone? Entitled to be sixteen stone if you ask me! Grr . Sorry. Rant over. (Takes me back to the cornish pasty addiction that turns Millie into an overweight slob - does anyone remember that?!) Writing more story today! :D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by LauraT on Jan 8th, 2004, 10:50am The new thread would be even better if it had more story on it! ;D Also reading CS last night in an attempt to sleep (I think my reaction was based on 3 in the morning syndrome) at one point it describes Marie's eyes as violet.... Doesnt that make them purple??! ??? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:01am *agrees that more story would be very welcome* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:24am *heaves enormous happy sigh* Thank you, Lisa Finally caught up with this drabble after a huuuuggggge absence and you've surpassed yourself ... and EBD (is it me or does anyone else think that a number of these drabbles are more fluent and in-depth than EBD's?) Love the scenes between Veta and Joey ... Love the twists and turns with 'Rico turning out to be her father ... Love the introduction of Gisella ... Am now on various cliff and knife edges - half-thinking that surely everything should turn out fine now that Gisella is taking an interest but half consumed by a terrible Eustacia-like foreboding. I shall try to remain patient ............................................ :D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:26am Quote:
*giggle* I think it means violet-grey ... like Len's? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:30am That still makes them rather purple, which wouldn't be the nicest colour! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Pat on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:39am *Trying to picture someone with bright purple eyes* splutter!! Surely violet is a lot softer colour? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:42am Well, I did say 'rather purple'. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by LauraT on Jan 8th, 2004, 11:46am on 01/08/04 at 11:42:23, KB wrote:
Now imagining someone with bright purple eyes (of the Doctor Who variety) with those hypnosis circle things radiating from them! I think you've just ruined my mental picture of Marie forever! ::) ;D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 12:25pm Agghh No more story yet, I've just made my daughter sit on my lap for 5 minutes at the computer hoping to get a CS fix, while she draws on every peice of paper she can reach, and there's no more :'( Now dolly's having a Tea Party on my lap at the PC, imaginery Tea luckily though. Please write more, please, please Sooonnnn. Ok disaster strikes she just managed to kick over PC, post later if all still working |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 12:59pm Just on the weight thing but has anyone else noticed that Joey seems to go from book to book either being overweight or slim for her age ? As for Winnie, I struggle to lose weight after only having had 1, I think I'd be more than happy to only be at 14 stone after 7. Though I think anyone with more than 2 deserves some sort of bravery award, do you think we could get the government to introduce the Elinor Cross for service in field of child-rearing, Chalet style. Having not given birth herself do you think Elinor imagined they just popped out after 9 mths, when I was jounger I always wanted a large Joey style family, now after having had 1, I think the woman must have found being pregnant & giving birth either very easy, or Jack was some sort of super stud, who couldn't breathe near Joey without her getting pregnant ? Anyway my family of 6 is now going to be a family of 2, maybe 3 if I'm feeling very brave. Anyone else change there minds like this ? Oh computer survived, we'll its still working ! Megan's eating lunch so I get a 10 min break ? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 8th, 2004, 1:17pm Kathye, I went through much the same stages. i was going to have 12 but hadn't worked out that you need a rich husband/partner, to live in a pension and have at least 2 dedicated helpers (the like of which don't exist in real life) to make the whole thing possible, let alone bearable. We've doctors in our family and they don't earn enough to support 12 kids! It's nice to hear about your little one. PS Perhaps Joey was a yo-yo dieter and went on crash diets, could explain the mood swings |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 8th, 2004, 1:21pm *chuckle* Can't imagine Joey dieting successfully when serving English tea with Anna's luscious cakes every other day! Perhaps she just forgot to eat when she was engrossed in writing and thus lost excess weight? (It can't have been from runing after the kids! ;)) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 1:31pm The only people I know of nowdays that have 12 kids are living on benefit and both parents are unemployed so they can cope with looking after, feeding 12 kids ? And not to knock it, but thats not exactly the CS dream I had growing up ? Unfortunately didn't meet Millionaire and spent all 9 mths throwing up when pregnant (not something I'd want to do yearly !) And don't forget once the kids got to about 7/8 the girls went to the Chalet School during term time and the boys went to England to boarding school, so a lot of the time she didn't even have 12 around. ? |
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Title: RachaelRe: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 8th, 2004, 1:41pm Rachael, perhaps she had an unidentified allergy to cream - remember when she had 'something wrong' inside and had an operation. Misdiagnosis? Kathye, Ditto. I certainly never dreamt the benefit life - and it would take a millionaire to have houses (and they often had more than one) big enough to cope with those numbers and put even the boys through public school. Alas for RL! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 1:47pm Alas for RL! ?? ??? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:01pm I like the cream theory, PatMac! If you haven't already, you should check out the archives where there's an entertaining drabble about them having to go on a health kick and give up all the cream etc! Quote:
Kathye - you obviously haven't watched Wife Swap - there was a classic episode last year when aspirational middle-class couple with 2.4 kids, who thought they were doing OK on combined income of, I think, £30-35k, were completely and utterly flabberghasted and aghast (along with the entire nation) to find that their benefits wife swap couple took in a net income of £37.5k!! Mainly down to the sheer number of kids but the couple made a point of being unemployed as this might adversely affect their income!! Apparently, the more kids you have, the more money you get from the state! Makes absolutely no sense but hey, that's politics for you - I hope the TV does an update when the kids go beyond the age of child allowances!! Said couple have also been on the news since for being a pair of no-good, scrounging, deceitful low-lifes .... detested by their neighbours - so it isn't necessarily reflective of everyone in that situation but it shows how open the system is to blatant abuse .... |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:07pm But that's what I mean, the only way you could have 12 kids today, without finding a millionaire would be to go on benefit, and thats not exactly my CS dream Childhood dream versus reality ! I'd like more kids now, but we only have 2 bedrooms and don't have the room, and can't afford to but a larger property because of house prices, none of that reality ever entered into my CS dream of having a large family. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:10pm *collapses into sobbing heap! :(. Is wearing fingers to the bone trying to keep up with the current drabbles* Kathye - dreams not withstanding, I'm a happy bunny! :D :D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:23pm Don't get me wrong I'm very happy :D, just ruminating over the difference between childhood dreams of CS life and reality of having a large family, super stud Jack, out of the equation ? The dream is still very much alive, I just have to be left a large house and lots of money, but I think I'll adopy a few more than Joey ? here's a Q for you, how do you think Miss Annersley stayed so thin ! with all those Tea's she had in her office and working at a desk all day. Karen was always baking her little treats to read the average day |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:24pm Yay - another one hooked!! ;D That's it PatMac - no weekend breaks, no holidays - you just need to miss a day from the board and you're so behind it's frightening! Sorry, Kathye I was just having a minor rant about selfish eejits who expect the rest of us to pay for their family's upkeep - in the 21st century, I don't think it's unreasonable for even stupid people to take responsibility for the number of children they have so they're not a complete burden on the rest of us ... *stomps off muttering about neutering* (sorry - bad temper - just these numpties p*ss me off when I've been thinking long and hard about the pros and cons of having a family and there's vast numbers of people out there who don't give the consequences a passing thought ... rant over now :D) At least Joey and Jack could afford it! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:27pm With respect to Hilda: * the stress and strain of all that responsibility? * overactive thyroid? * fast metabolism * perhaps she did the rounds every night, like Mademoiselle, which would be impressive for 350+ * up at the crack of dawn jogging round the Platz? * personal trainer? Or horror of horrors, perhaps she discreetly popped Karen's treats into discarded envelopes and dropped them in her wastepaper basket? :o |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:39pm on 01/08/04 at 14:27:34, Rachael wrote:
that or she was dicreetly popping something else to help ? or sipping from a concealed flask somewere, not sure how else she cooped with all those near deaths and accidents, seems a shame there was no other way of curing the very rebellious than having them almost die, up some mountain or almost drown, or almost kill some one else ? Yeah I'm hooked, I'm already chatting on-line most days as I'm at home with a 2 year old for conversation, but to have CS fans to chat to, is like hitting the jack pot ! Yeah it makes me mad too, that if I just had a couple more kids with no regard for how I was going to afford it, we'd be given a house to live in too, but as that goes against every belief I have, we'll keep saving and maybe in 5 years or so Megan can have a jounger brother or sister ? ;D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 2:44pm Anyway, Got to go for a while, daughter's just let loose a nappy sent from hell as I can smell it from the lounge from here. " walks of muttering about father's feeding daughter's Garlic bread when not around to deal with resultant nappy" |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa_T on Jan 8th, 2004, 8:13pm *eeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurghh* Kathye, I hope the reality wasn't as bad as the picture that popped into my head..the garlic bread one, that is. *giggling at Rachael's comments on Hilda* Well, in fairness to Karen she only seems to give Hilda special treats when she (Karen) thinks Hilda has been having 'a time of it.' I think the real culprit is Anna! Which begs the same question re Joey... There must have been something wrong with Hilda, though we're never told what- the way everyone fusses over her, as if she was going to melt! (Yes, I am thinking of Matey's doses in Shocks, but there's any number of other egs to substantiate my point.) Long term damage from the accident?? Medics? Oh, and Lisa....I think all this yibbling is a hint for you to do You Know What! ;) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 8th, 2004, 8:28pm it wasn't pretty... sigh....but I survived the holecaust, all I can say is "Thank God for Baby Wipes" Agggghhh I'm off to bed and still no more story "Crawls off to bed after a sleepless night previously with daughter, and gazes longingly at bed with thoughts of 8 hours uninterupted sleep... zzzzzz" |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 8th, 2004, 8:30pm *creeps in with head down, hopes to remain unnoticed as no more story written yet* *relieved to see amount of child-related yibbling, feels off the hook* *notices Lisa's post & realises I haven't been forgotten about after all* Guess I'd better write some more story! Thanks for your lovely comments, Rachael! I just had a scare when I turned on my computer and 10 000 words of story was lost. Was dreading hearing hubby saying "Why didn't you back it up?" but fortunately when I tried again it had miraculously come back. Phew! :o Promise the next time I post there will be some story! Tonight if poss! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 8th, 2004, 8:30pm Hilda could have just been one of those really annoying people who could eat for England and never put on an ounce! Had a friend like that one - we were both in the Army together - she would eat everything the Officers' Mess could provide and was the size of a stick insect! I'd put on weight if I walked past the kitchens! (Don't know why I was friendly with her really!) Oh, and Lisa? More please! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 8th, 2004, 9:40pm Lisa, please may we have some more? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 8th, 2004, 10:13pm The evening passed in a daze for Amelia. Her seat seemed to be an afterthought; it was tucked away at the back, in such a position that the occupant had to crane his or her neck to see the stage. It was also in a draft, but the excited girl did not even notice this. She sat flushed, leaning forwards eagerly as the lights dimmed and the heavy old brocade curtains parted, swinging back to frame the stage. The first few bars of soft music began, and the little girl found herself transported to a different world: one of beauty, poetry and romance. She was enraptured by the sights, sounds and smells of the theatre and its ballet and when the curtain swished closed for at the end of the first act, she sat back, panting slightly, with a flush on her cheeks and a clamminess in the palms of her hands. Around her, the audience stirred into life, rustling programmes and queuing up for ice creams or chocolate. Amelia shook her head impatiently; she disliked this kind of activity amidst a performance, all this crackling and munching. It seemed to her as if the spell was broken somewhat. She shivered, and yet she was feeling unnaturally hot. Trying to shrug off her coat, she wriggled and got hot and bothered before reminding herself where she was. Peering surreptitiously at the programme of the lady in front, she clutched herself in glee. This was what she had been waiting for! Yes, the local company in the first act had been excellent, but Gisella was who she really had come to see. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 8th, 2004, 10:18pm A hush seemed to descend upon the audience just before the lights dimmed for the second time. The curtains were opened to reveal a beautifully set stage, with a shimmering lake in the background. Six elegant young dancers – some looked no older than Amelia! – began with an enchanting representation of a picnic by the lake. They flurried and fussed around one of their member who was sleeping in graceful repose. The dancers paired off and, their bodies joyfully moving with the rhythm of the music. Then the atmosphere changed and a lightness of mood pervaded. The sleeping dancer awoke and gracefully stretched out, her ladies-in-waiting fanning out around her as she rose up on her points, and executed a graceful arabesque. Amelia sucked in her breath as she watched Gisella hold the stance, unmoving, until the anticipation was almost too much, and then the ballerina glided forwards, sweeping towards the audience with her arms held out, inviting everyone to join her happy party and life. Performing an entrechat quatre she looked every inch the Princess that she was dancing, and by the end of the act, Amelia was not the only one who had taken her to her heart. There was not as much movement from the spell bound audience during the second interval, and Amelia was able to daydream undisturbed. Her memories unwillingly took her back to the last time she had seen ‘Lac des cygnes’ – when her father had taken her in London. True, the company had only been a third rate one, but the pleasure of seeing a whole ballet with her father had been wonderful. ‘I appreciated it, even then,’ mused Amelia. ‘I remember thinking how lucky I was. And it was so nice to be alone with Daddy. Mummy never understood or enjoyed theatre.’ For the first time since she had started at the Chalet School, Amelia felt a pang at the thought of her mother. Somehow she had always seemed in the background of her life. Her mother was the nagging one, the careworn one whereas her father was always cracking jokes, having fun, enjoying life – or, Amelia gulped as her eyes prickled painfully – had been. And her mother had lied to her! Hidden the truth from her! Just at that moment the third act recommenced and Amelia’s thoughts were forcibly turned back to the tragedy of Odette and Siegfried. When the curtain finally came down, Amelia felt trembly with tears and delight. She was glad it was the tragic version of Swan Lake, somehow she felt ballets worked better when they were swept up in sadness and inevitability. People stood up around her, discussing the performance, but Amelia remained where she was fantasising about the day she could dance Odette. ‘Or I’d really love to dance Odile,’ she told herself, ‘but I’ll never have a chance, not with hair as white as mine. They always want a raven-haired dancer for those sorts of roles.’ An usher was approaching her, and she realised that almost everyone else had left the theatre. Hastily she stood up and smiled prettily at the elderly man, then skipped off down the stairs, trying to retrace the steps she had taken earlier. She looked around rather hopelessly, not knowing what ‘Stage Door’ was in German, when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. “Fraulein Amelia?” said a very smart looking woman with steel grey hair piled up in a bun, and wire rimmed glasses. “Fraulein Faraday offers her apologies but regrets she is unwell. She says please write to her. Good evening.” Amelia felt like a balloon that had been pricked, but her dismay was quickly replaced by panic as she looked at the clock and realised the last train was due in just twelve minutes. She had put off thinking about the time when she knew she was meeting Gisella, and had rather irresponsibly assumed that that lady would somehow be responsible for getting her home. She picked up her skirts and ran for the door, but as she struggled to open it a terrifying sight met her eyes. A howling wind immediately swept in, depositing a mound of snow at Amelia’s feet. She had completely forgotten the weather whilst she had been engrossed in the ballet and to her horror it had built into a blizzard! ***************************** And there we leave out intrepid heroine for the night, amidst cries of 'hay -yelp ha-yelp!' ala Penelope Pitstop! ;D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Angel on Jan 8th, 2004, 10:53pm Oh how wonderful. This is brilliant. More, whenever. Don't mind how long I've got to wait. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Abi on Jan 8th, 2004, 10:54pm aaaaaaarrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! LIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could you? Come back here and write some more! *bursts into frustrated tears* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathy_S on Jan 9th, 2004, 1:13am Excellent, Lisa! *giggles over Penelope Pitstop* (But wouldn't Amelia have to be tied to the railroad tracks, as well?) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Susan on Jan 9th, 2004, 1:16am Lisa I'm sure spending another night on a cliff top is no good for us . No wonder so many of us are being ill. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 9th, 2004, 1:52am *bursts into tears on seeing the cliff edge* I'm going to sit here and howl until you post more Lisa!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 9th, 2004, 2:02am Lisa, thanks for that, but that so not a good place to leave Millie - the poor girls stranded for heavens sake - surely you don't want her to freeze to death overnight? And I bet the middle aged women is keeping something back too. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 9th, 2004, 4:10am Well, she's obviously getting a cold anyway, so the worst she can do is die of pneumonia! *feeling rather heartless today* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by ravenseyes on Jan 9th, 2004, 9:44am Whats a Penelope Pitstop ??? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 9th, 2004, 9:54am *giggling at KB's heartlessness* Ravenseyes - Penelope Pitstop is a blonde, pink-clad cartoon character, always being chased by villains and generally saved by the Anthill Mob - her general cry for help is a high-pitched, weak and feeble "hay-elp! hay-elp!" - she features in the Wacky Races cartoons (the ones with Dick Dastardly and Muttley) Lisa - brilliant! I'm not in the least bit into ballet or know anyting about it but that was beautifully written and totally captured my attention! I'm worried about Amelia though - surely Gisella would not have left such an abrupt message after being so sweet before the performance, even if she is ill? I'm with Esmeralda - anyone with a steel-grey bun is not to be trusted, IMHO!! Next instalment soon, please ... |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 9th, 2004, 10:07am on 01/09/04 at 09:54:17, Rachael wrote:
You don't expect me to be nice all the time, do you? ;) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 9th, 2004, 10:37am 9 hours of sleep later...... whhhoooo Thank you Thank you Thank you, I logged on and there was more story ;D Well done Lisa, In best Oliver Twist style "Please can we have some more" Has she gotten home safely, who will find her, what will happen next...... sitting her on a knife edge of anticipation Please interrupt my day of working on Sales Budget's at home, minus Megan (at Nursery) I would be very grateful for the break |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rachael on Jan 9th, 2004, 10:44am Quote:
My dear, I dont' ask miracles of anyone ;) But it would be great if you could keep it up for 10 days or so ;) :D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 9th, 2004, 10:54am on 01/09/04 at 10:44:34, Rachael wrote:
*lol* Nice quote. And I'll do my best to restrain my bad side during March. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 9th, 2004, 1:42pm on 01/09/04 at 09:54:17, Rachael wrote:
Poor woman - she isn't sinister, merely the messenger! I based her on my old English teacher who had a bun that wobbled when she wrote on the blackboard. That's why my spelling's quite good - we were always asking her to put words up! But she was a good teacher - very old school but very encouraging and probably why (alongside CS) I became one! Glad you liked the show, didn't want to overdo the ballet bit by laboriously describing movements that a) I had to look up and b) most of you wouldn't necessarily know anyway! OK - big drama ahoy! *********** Pulling her coat around her, the foolhardy girl stepped out into the storm. ‘I’ll soon warm up if I run’ she told herself, and putting her head down towards the driving snow, she began to jog along the main street. Slipping and sliding she was soon panting and warm, but getting very wet, both from melting snow and perspiration, and she reflected not for the first time on the unwisdom of leaving her mac behind. “Never mind,” she spoke aloud, to comfort herself, “I will soon be on the train – or at least in the station. Now, I need to turn left soon – “ peering into the murk, she could make out a shadowy opening on her left, and without hesitation she plunged towards it. She faced a sudden onslaught of wind and snow! Until now, Amelia had been partially protected by position of the main street, but turning to face the east had put her in a place where the wind simply channelled through. An involuntary scream escaped Amelia as she struggled to hold her coat closed, and her scarf was tugged at by the icy fingers of the wind. Her face was smarting and her very breaths seemed to be whipped away from her. Blinded by the stinging flakes that seemed to drive straight into her eyes, she staggered to one side of the street, seeking some sort of shelter, but could not make out where she was. The buildings loomed up suddenly out of the gloom, but other than that she felt strangely isolated – ‘almost as if I were stranded on an island,’ she thought. There was an uncanniness about the sound; simultaneously deafening and shrieking yet also a blanketing silence. Amelia had the terrible sensation that she could be the only person in the world. Pushing onwards, her breath coming in sobbing gasps, Amelia felt another fear add to the panic that was threatening to overwhelm her. Surely she should have reached the station by now? She tried retracing the route in her mind, but it was no good, she just was not that familiar with the locations. ‘Well, I can’t miss it,’ she reassured herself. “It was on this road. I’ve just lost sense of time, that’s all,” but she could not rid herself of the creeping, sickening fear inside her and when after what seemed about ten more minutes of walking she had not seen any sign of the station, just the occasional dark building she gave herself a firm shake and tried speaking out loud again. “Now, you’re in a town, what’s the worst that could happen?” The very act of speaking aloud scared Amelia more as the wind tore at her words, and she could neither hear them nor breathe. She replaced her soggy scarf over her mouth, wiped her streaming nose on her sleeve; her handkerchief having long since danced away in the snow, and furiously blinked away her tears. For a moment she stood irresolute, unsure whether to try to retrace her steps, or continue in the direction she was already heading. In the end she decided to turn back consoling herself with the thought that at least she would be staying within the area of the town, but at the moment she turned, a particularly savage wind snatched her scarf from her, and although she grabbed for it, it was thrown a few feet from her. As she stooped to retrieve it, a strong gust picked it up again, despite the heavy sodden wool and flung it out of sight within seconds. With a wail, Amelia began to cry, and started running back to the centre of Berne. Sobbing and panting, she wished with all her heart that she was pack in the hotel - or at school. Even of it meant an outsize in all rows, she didn’t care! Suddenly, her foot caught on something hard and with a thump and sickening crunch she fell flat on her face in the snow, and lay there stunned. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 9th, 2004, 1:48pm I'm catching a cold from hanging round on these windy drabble cliffs, so I'll retreat to a sofa to wait for some MORE, please. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 9th, 2004, 2:34pm Won't keep you long then, as you'll all be blaming your illnesses on me! ********** Tentatively moving her limbs one at a time, Amelia retched with pain as the familiar ache in her leg exploded into white hot agony. Moaning softly, she struggled to sit up, and it was only then that she acknowledged the throbbing in her arm, the limb she had thrown out to protect herself when she fell. Shaking her head to try to clear herself of the grogginess building inside, Amelia forced herself to try and rationalise the situation. Shakily, she realised that unless she went for help, it was unlikely that any would come to her. Unbidden, words came to her: “Cast all your worries on Him, for he cares for you” and sobbing she lapsed into a childhood prayer – with little relevance to the situation, not a rational thought out plea, nevertheless that prayer had more earnestness and faith in it than many that are uttered. Amelia was wet through and shivering; her previous exertion had kept her warm but now she was very much at the mercy of the elements. She placed her good hand flat on the ground either side of her to see what she had tripped over. ‘Perhaps if it’s a stick, I can use it for a crutch,’ she thought hopefully, and scrabbled about in the snow. Her numbed soaked gloved hand came into contact with something hard, and fixed. Metal, it stretched in a straight line for as far as she could feel. Having a sudden inspiration she leant further away and found the parallel bar. She had found the railway track! Gritting her teeth, she eventually managed to struggle to her feet, and stood whimpering with pain, but sending up a voiceless prayer of thanks. ‘So, I just need to follow the tracks, then I’ll get to the station,’ she told herself. It was just as well that Amelia did not start to question the direction she should go in, because her state of mind was so very fragile that any more uncertainty may have rendered her powerless to proceed. As it was, some unseen Hand guided her and she plumped for the right way. Slipping was now no longer a problem, as the snow was so deep it came over Amelia’s knees. But it was almost impossible to limp, so Amelia found progress very heavy going. She summoned up every bit of will power she had, and numbness and adrenaline also contributed their share, and she was able to shuffle about seventy yards further. Then, just as she was ready to collapse, a sudden lightening in the snowstorm gave her a glimpse of a hut just ahead of her, before it was once more obscured by eddies of churning snow. The sight had given her hope, and she fought with every ounce of her strength. It did not feel real to Amelia; she was locked in a terrifying, frantic nightmare and could not feel or reason. Just when she felt that she would never escape, a large dark shape loomed up before her and she fell upon the door, knocking feebly. Her knock was unanswered, but the weight of her body falling on the door forced it open, and she stumbled in to the coal shed sobbing in relief. Feeling around in the inky blackness, Amelia’s hand alighted on a pile of something soft and yielding, and the last thing she managed to do, before slipping into unconsciousness, was to pull up some old rags and newspapers around her. Then she was still and silent. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Pat on Jan 9th, 2004, 2:55pm She'll freeze if she stays there! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 9th, 2004, 3:29pm Well, que sera, sera Pat. No one knows where she is... :'( |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by LauraT on Jan 9th, 2004, 3:59pm Phew! I was so worried she was going to be run over by a train! I think, comparatively, the cold is the least of her problems! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 9th, 2004, 4:14pm Trains have been cancelled due to |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 9th, 2004, 4:55pm Thank goodness for that, but she'll be really ill if she isn't found soon. So, more, please. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rosalie on Jan 9th, 2004, 5:10pm Argh!! Please, where's the rest?? You can't leave her there! *Plonks herself down to wait with very little patience* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 9th, 2004, 7:24pm Waiting desperately for Lisa to come and add to story. Hoping first train along the line isn't one delivering coal. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Chloe on Jan 9th, 2004, 7:31pm :o Lisa, please don't leave it there for too long! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 9th, 2004, 8:44pm Lisa, please, please, please, please rescue Millie soon!! Pretty please? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Abi on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:02pm Liiiiiiiiisaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! Where are you? Come back and rescue your character - please! I can't go to bed with her lying there probably catching pneumonia! *panics* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Carolyn P on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:24pm Lisa, Lisa, Lisa More, More, More *Chanting continues until more story posted* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:30pm Lisa - she's even worse off than she was when you lefyt her last night, please let someone find her, and without too much delay, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please, |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:33pm You are a funny lot ... every time in the past something has happened you've all feared the worst, but now you're all trying to look on the bright side when she really doesn't have much chance ... She's exhausted, freezing, has a broken arm and gammy leg, concussion, depression etc etc and NOBODY KNOWS WHERE SHE IS! And such exquisite tragic irony that her father has just been found ... ;D (need evil smiley) Well, it's up to you, I could end this drabble tomorrow - but you know what the outcome would be! *strokes white cat whilst sitting in large leather chair with back to you all* mwahahahaha! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Abi on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:37pm *scowls at Lisa and debates the best way of making her write more* bribery? blackmail? torture? threats? pleas? (delete as appropriate) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:38pm Hoi! Lisa! Stop playing the evil genius, and get your butt back in this thread to post!!! ;) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:39pm (in response to Abi) *smiles sweetly* chocolates (of the real variety?!) (in response to Vikki) Who said anything about playing?! Oh my gosh Abi :o I've just realised I still haven't sent back your books! They're ready packaged up, they were waiting for me to add a handmade Christmas card as a special thank you! So sorry! Can you forgive me? :-[ |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:45pm Lisa, you've GOT to rescue her, *Prepared to beg* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Abi on Jan 9th, 2004, 11:59pm [quote author=Lisa link=board=drabbles;num=1073527006;start=60#64 date=01/09/04 at 23:39:35](Oh my gosh Abi :o I've just realised I still haven't sent back your books! They're ready packaged up, they were waiting for me to add a handmade Christmas card as a special thank you! So sorry! Can you forgive me? :-[/quote] Of course I can forgive you, Lisa........ so long as you post more of this tonight ;D ;) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Pat on Jan 10th, 2004, 12:04am on 01/09/04 at 23:33:26, Lisa wrote:
You don't really have to follow the example of cetain other drabbles you know, and kill people off! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Carolyn P on Jan 10th, 2004, 12:14am on 01/10/04 at 00:04:22, Pat wrote:
*innocent smile* Which drabbles would these be then Pat? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 10th, 2004, 12:45am *gives Abi a stern Head-Girl glare to illicit feelings of oh-my-God-I'm-in-serious-trouble* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathy_S on Jan 10th, 2004, 1:15am Wonders what happened to promises of niceness... :-/ |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Susan on Jan 10th, 2004, 2:48am OH MY GOSH!!! Poor poor Millie!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 10th, 2004, 3:32am on 01/10/04 at 01:15:01, Kathy_S wrote:
*suggests it might all have been a bluff* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:17am Lisa you don't have to make this a tragedy - not all of us kill off our characters. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:24am *guffaws in satisfaction at reactions* Abi, have only just seen your message, couldn't post more last night but here is some - so can I be forgiven now please? :-* (I don't think you're going to be very satisfied with it though!) ************************ The Maynards had caught their intended train, and were returning to the Gornetz Platz via Innsbruck. There were two additional members of their party, four if you include Elisaveta’s attendants, and they sat talking occasionally amongst themselves. Jack had taken it upon himself to care for the broken man beside him, and so he talked gently of fishing, golf and other matters of interest to the man that would not involve Frederick’s emotions. Joey gazed out of the window as the urban landscape of Milan flashed by. She was thinking over the revelations of the previous night and trying to appraise her own handling of the situation. ‘I wonder if Hilda would have been pleased with me?’ she wondered in an honest moment. Only Jack had any inkling of the vulnerable side of the woman he had married. Full of ‘bags of self confidence’ Joey had always taken the same approach to life, but if the truth be told, she was still the orphaned little girl who longed for her sister’s approval. Not that Madge had ever let her down, but, well, thought Joey, she had had to share her with a whole school of girls. And her brother Dick, the closest thing she had to a father-figure until Jem came on the scene, had gone to India. Yes, Joey had bags of self-confidence, but very little self-esteem, and Hilda’s words had rocked her to her very core. Joey hugged herself as she thought of the sensation she would cause, arriving back at the school with Frederick Bartram-Jones in tow. How everyone would be amazed! But a quiet niggling voice spoke in Joey’s mind now, detracting from her enjoyment of the prospective drama. Did she really have any right to make a family’s personal crisis into her own performance? Staring down at her nails, Jo forced herself to face some very real facts. She had surrounded herself with people, children, filled her life with busy-ness – and all because she didn’t really like the person she was inside. ‘How I wish I could be like Veta, or Frieda, or – or even Grizel!’ thought Joey despondently. ‘Just to be simple, and – and true! Without all the play acting and jollification.” “Are you alright Jo?” Elisaveta interrupted suddenly. “You look quite peaky.” Jack looked up, instantly jocular, but his eyes belied his immediate concern: “you’re not getting another holiday out of me that easily, Madam!” he reproved, whilst analysing her face for signs of illness. She was very sensitive and he had been rather concerned about the strain of yesterday’s confrontation. “Oh, I’m fine,” said Jo, but not in her usual breezy manner; in fact she sounded quite sober. “Did you say this train stopped for fifteen minutes at Verona? Then I’ll need to get off for a while. I have a phone call to make.” Hilda Annersley was startled at being summoned from her bed by Rosalie Dene at five thirty the next morning. Instantly awake and alert, she donned her housecoat and slippers and hastily followed the secretary,plying her with questions. Rosalie was hesitant in answering. “I really think it’s best if you speak to her yourself, Hilda,” that lady offered. “She was quite distracted and I couldn’t make head nor hide of what she was telling me.” Hilda could tell from Rosalie’s tone and avoidance to meet her eye that this was something serious and she shuddered at the thought of what it could be. Suddenly her worries about the day – the interviews she had lined up, the lists she had to check, the phone calls she had to make – vanished as she fervently prayed that the news wouldn’t be as terrible as Rosalie’s expression would seem to suggest. She picked up the phone in a hand that wasn't quite steady. "Kathie? Yes, it's Hilda. What on earth has happened?" (I need to edit part of the story that has been archived to say that the Maynards' train wasn't at 8 am but at 5!) Right. Off surfing! See ya! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:41am Oh, golly, gosh and goodness! So have they found her and is she seriously ill? Is she still missing? And what will Joey do? Questions, questions, questions - AND NO ANSWERS!!!! Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:45am Very nasty!! (Lesley hastens to assure Lisa she means the situation - the writing remains superb!) There is never a good reason to phone that early in the morning! (With the possible exception of announcing birth of new baby!) Would like Lisa to post soon - although somewhat worried about the content of said post. Love the insight into Joey's character - that's a very feasible possibility - many people considered to be very self confident are in fact covering up insecurities. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:45am Lisa how can you torture us so, have we not been in suspense long enough, have we not begged, pleaded, threatened, bribed to your ego's satisfaction yet ? Tell us What do we have to do.... |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:48am We have to chant, Kathye! Moooorrrrreee! Pleeeaaaaassseeeee! Moooorrrrreee! Pleeeaaaaassseeeee! Moooorrrrreee! Pleeeaaaaassseeeee! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:51am More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please More please |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 10th, 2004, 10:55am Very pretty, Kathye! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by LauraT on Jan 10th, 2004, 2:17pm on 01/10/04 at 10:55:18, KB wrote:
LISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And tut tut, KB - a head girl shouldnt break the drabble rules like that - how many words are there in the post I quoted?! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 10th, 2004, 2:58pm I'm getting to know how to use all thefancy code and I though it might get Lisa to repent and post more story if the please were all in colour ! so P L E A S E |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 10th, 2004, 3:08pm *takes Kathye aside and whispers gently to her with regard to the rules on large print and moving text* see here (http://www.chaletian.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=cbbvoice;action=display;num=1066845998) We try to avoid these, as they seem to attract the TEM! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathye on Jan 10th, 2004, 3:53pm Sorry, :-[ "Kathye humbly backs into obscurity under the gaze of horrified CBB's at her use of un-authorised large text" |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 10th, 2004, 4:39pm Please don't do it again Kathye, or I'll have to speak to you in my study. No-one else will ever know what is said, but you will end up feelin like seven species of worm. H. Annersley. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 10th, 2004, 5:13pm on 01/10/04 at 15:53:32, Kathye wrote:
*huggles Kathye* Its okay honey, you weren't to know! That's why I said it gently! ;) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 10th, 2004, 5:15pm New girls are always excused! Don't worry Kathye it was all meant for the best! Not a very good bit I'm afraid. Plot bunny has a headache this afternoon, but is determined to really get on tomorrow! ************* Kathie was sobbing and speaking incoherently, and Hilda had to speak to her sharply. “Kathie! Pull yourself together! Is Nancy there?” There was a crackle and muffled thump, then Nancy’s voice spoke into the receiver. “Hello? Hilda?” “Oh, for goodness’ sake, whatever is the matter? Perhaps now I can make some sense of this,” said Hilda crisply. “It’s Amelia, she – she’s missing!” Nancy’s voice was also tremulous, but unlike Kathie she retained control. On the other end of the phone, Hilda staggered a little as she heard the news. Putting her hand out, she steadied herself on her bureau and lowered herself slowly into a chair. Her gaze went to the snow that had relentlessly built up around window and she shuddered. A child lost in that? “We have only just discovered her absence,” Nancy was saying. “But no-one can actually account for her from 18 o’clock last night –“ “Tell me the rest later,” Hilda broke in. “What I want to know now is what is being done?” The Head’s usually flawless command of language and grammar was strained under the worry. “Herr Lauban is rousing some men from the town,” the younger mistress continued. “They are going out as a search party. When can you get here?” “As soon as possible, although I don’t know what the roads will be like. I’ll contact the San for assistance.” Hilda voicelessly added to her words that the San may well need to be contacted anyway. “I will see you soon,” she added, and rang off. Sitting back in her chair she met Rosalie’s worried eyes. “No time to explain now, Rosalie. Please put a call through to the San for me – yes! I do know the time! It’s an emergency!” Rosalie hurried into the adjoining room, and Hilda could hear her fiddling with the exchange. The Headmistress sighed and wrinkled her brow in an effort to put off an encroaching headache. She suddenly felt very alone. Impulsively, she reached for her personal telephone when she stopped: “Oh Joey, Joey. I need you now!” she murmured, as she realised what an asset that lady really was to her, especially in times of trial. “I’ve got the San on the line,” called Rosalie, and Hilda rose and became her business-like self at once, her moment of weakness gone in the drive to find her lost pupil. Down in Interlaken, the mistresses were having a conference with Frau Lauban. The latter was repeatedly dabbing her eyes with an outsize handkerchief, sniffing and cursing herself. “Oh, if only Gertrud hadn’t scalded herself,” she wailed, “and I hadn’t been seeing to her – “ “Yes, well, she did and you did,” said Nancy crisply, her temper shortened by the self-accusing woman, and Nancy’s own weeping colleague. “Let’s run through this once more before Hilda arrives. Kathie, you saw Amelia to her room, and Frau Lauban w you say you took her some hot milk. At what time was that?” she enquired. “About – about half past seventeen,” answered the miserable woman, and would have said more but for Nancy’s peremptory gesture that hushed her. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 10th, 2004, 5:15pm “Let’s stick to the facts, and have no more of pointless self-recrimination,“ Nancy said pointedly. “We returned at twenty one, and the girls were in bed by half past. Kathie looked in on her – “ “The room was quiet, apart from the sound of the storm outside, and I did not want to put the light on for fear of waking her,” returned Kathie in a muted voice. “I called to her but there was no answer so I thought she was sleeping soundly.” “And that’s all we know until I woke early this morning with a toothache. and thought I’d check in order to occupy my mind. So she could have been gone for twelve hours. But where to? And why? I never had her down as a disobedient child.” “She was acting very strangely yesterday afternoon,” contributed Kathie, thoughtfully. “I put it down to her sickness, but she was acting more as if she was in shock. I wonder if there was more to her illness than there seemed to be?” The conversation was interrupted by Gertrud’s light knock. She was summoned in at once, but Nancy expressed horror at her being out of bed. “I couldn’t sleep,” explained the girl in low German, cradling her injured arm. “And then Johann told me of the little girl, and I feel as if it is in someway my fault. But look, I went into the lounge and found that she had been there.” She exhibited a slipper that Amelia had left behind in her haste. “And I think she was reading this, but – but I don’t know what it says,” she proffered the English newspaper, open at the page at which Amelia had left it. Nancy snatched it up and scanned the page rapidly. Something of her own colour was returning after the shock and she exclaimed loudly: “That’s it! Look – there was a ballet performance in Berne last night. I’d – I’d bet my bottom cent that that’s where she went!” “Let me see that!” Nancy took the paper from Kathie and her eyebrows rose as she read the article. She glanced up at Frau Lauban who was still wringing her hands and rocking back and forth in a way that tried Nancy’s patience. She spoke to her in German, and the little lady gave a gasp and ran from the room. “There!” said Nancy. “Once she has got through to the station, we’ll know at least if she was heading to the ballet last night.” “And if she arrived,” added Kathie grimly. “But it’s more than likely that the naughty child was unable to return last night, so she took lodgings somewhere – or stayed at the theatre.” But even to her own ears it sounded like a flimsy idea and the mistresses sat in silence awaiting the return of their hostess. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 10th, 2004, 5:20pm Fantastic, thank you Lisa. Nancy and Kathie are so in character, it's wonderful. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 10th, 2004, 5:29pm Thank you Lisa!! I'm glad they have a clue, and I hope they find her soon!! (by the way, I trust they remembered to thank Gertrud for finding the paper!!) Please let Amelia be okay in the end!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 10th, 2004, 5:57pm Thank you Lisa - now please let the poor girl be found in time! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 10th, 2004, 7:53pm Thanks Lisa - still hoping for the best. Please oblige........ |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 10th, 2004, 9:15pm on 01/10/04 at 14:17:33, LauraT wrote:
Three, dear, which is the minimum required. :P And that was a wonderful part! I'm glad the school is swinging into action in their usual manner! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Abi on Jan 10th, 2004, 11:17pm Well, Lisa, I suppose I'll have to forgive you after all those nice juicy posts ;) But can we have more soon? Please let them find her!!!!!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by xanthe on Jan 11th, 2004, 12:19am I have just read *flops down in exhausted heap* the entire thing... and I am here now to chant for M-O-R-E!!!!!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:03am *joins in Xanthe's chant* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Sarah_G-G on Jan 11th, 2004, 9:24am *chanting alongside the others* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 11th, 2004, 9:44am *Joins the row of chanters and takes the beat from Xanthe* 1,2,3, Chant! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 11th, 2004, 9:57am Adds to the chanting - also settles onto the sofa provided by Jennie for all threads, and oversees delivery of wide screen satellite TV. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:12am *Welcomes Lesley and gets up to make coffee.* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:24am Ooh, satellite TV! *settles down to watch it* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:30am *Listens to arguments about which channel to watch.* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 11th, 2004, 12:49pm Strangely, we got a new TV yesterday, not widescreen, just big, and not satellite either, but I'd only want it for the cricket anyway. But as we realy need a washing machine, preferably one with an alarm which bleeps once the washing is done, and if there isn't such a thing there ought to be, my gruntle was a bit dissed. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by LauraT on Jan 11th, 2004, 12:56pm on 01/10/04 at 21:15:37, KB wrote:
"Please limit your use of two/three word responses where possible...." :P Liiissaaaa.....where are you?! And where is Amelia?! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 11th, 2004, 1:42pm on 01/11/04 at 12:49:46, Esmeralda wrote:
Lesley orders new washing machine, with alarm, for Esmeralda's use - to be delivered to this thread. (Thanks for the coffee Pat - nectar! ;D) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 1:54pm on 01/11/04 at 12:56:40, LauraT wrote:
I'm here - and Amelia's still unconscious in the coal shed!! ;D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 11th, 2004, 2:10pm Meanie Lisa - I thought you'd posted more story! *Lesley pouting now!* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa_T on Jan 11th, 2004, 2:54pm Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisa! Come back here NOW and post! Otherwise I'll resurrect the thread where we were so nasty to Lesley and replace her name with yours! *nasty cackle* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 2:58pm hee hee! Well done Xan for reading the whole thing - and thanks! Here is some more, but there will also be a (very emotional part) later tonight! *tries to build suspense* ************* The train bearing the Maynards and company back to Interlaken was on the last leg of the journey. Joey had been unusually pensive since trying to make her phone call at Verona, and when pressed would only say blandly that she couldn’t get through. “Don’t know what’s going on up there,” she added, “but I couldn’t even get Rosalie.” The group had had an anxious wait there whilst the station master tried to get through to their destination station. At last he had confirmed that trains were to recommence running there, although their one would be the first. “They had such a blizzard there last night,” commented the jolly man. “Even worse than up on the Platz, and that’s unusual. There are still no trains running on to Berne; there are drifts everywhere.” At length the train drew into the Centralbahnhof, and the weary party descended. It was bitterly cold, and no-one disagreed with Jack’s decision to stop and have kafffee und kuchen in a cosy little gasthaus before commencing the last leg of the journey up to the Platz. Joey was just thinking to herself that she could try to telephone Hilda again when with a shock she saw that lady approaching the station. “But, Hilda!” she exclaimed. “But how is it then that you’ve come to meet us?” Much to her surprise, the Headmistress who was composed as a rule took one look at Joey and fell on her neck, crying: “Oh, Joey, Joey! Thank the good Lord that you are here!” |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 2:59pm Bemused by this display, especially when she had been anticipating a frosty reception, Joey responded in kind, and the two women embraced emotionally. It was a relief to both of them to be able to release some of the pent up feelings. Observing Elisaveta, Hilda murmured a welcome, but added that she wished the reunion had been in better circumstances. Within moments Hilda had enlightened the younger woman with the news about Amelia and amid the startled comments, only Jack noticed the queer choking sound that came from Frederick before he sat down suddenly in the snow. Jack made to help him up at once, as Hilda frowned and enquired as to whether anyone would introduce them. In a flurry, introductions were made, and then it was the turn of Hilda to need support. She took Frederick’s hand and looked at him closely. “Well, may I say, Sir, that your appearance here is shocking. But let us trust to Providence that you may have come in time,” she said. “Let us all follow Dr Maynard’s suggestion and get out of the weather, whilst we discuss our next course of action. Your wife,” she added, looking at Frederick, “has been cabled for. Although I don’t know what it will do for her health to receive such a summons,” and she led the way into a nearby gasthaus. Over steaming Kaffee, Hilda related as much of the story as she knew. “And so we have spoken to the guard at the station here who confirms that a young lady of Amelia’s description left bound for Berne last night. He says he asked her why she was travelling alone and she replied that she was being met by a chaperone at Berne.” Joey frowned. “I didn’t think Amelia had that much German,” she observed. “No,” said Hilda Annnersley thoughtfully. “That crossed my mind too. I imagine she misunderstood the question and replied incorrectly.” Frederick had found his voice at last and begged that they could go and join the search parties, “for,” he said with a quivering voice, “I cannot bear to sit here doing nothing!” Jack noted silently that he did not think the man could bear much more of anything, and resolved to accompany him. He took up the thread of the conversation. “So, we’ve established that she DID travel to Berne last night,” he said brusquely, “and has anyone telephoned the theatre?” “Yes, yes, of course,” replied Hilda. She saw the show all right, but no one knows what happened to her after that.” “Well, let’s go to this – Berne place,” cried Frederick, rising to his feet in a hurry and upsetting the coffee cups on the table, “and look between the station and the theatre. Why are we all sitting here?” he practically shouted the last accusingly, but Jack laid a hand on his arm. “Peace,” he admonished, as Hilda, somewhat on her dignity, also rose and said quietly: “That’s exactly where the Police and search parties are looking. Besides, Berne is difficult to access at the moment.” At this comment, the young waitress who had come hurrying to the table to help clear up the overturned crockery, looked up. “Begging your pardon , mein dame,” she said in German, “but I couldn’t help but overhear. If you are interested, the line from Interlaken to Berne has just been cleared and reopened.” Frederick was up and running out of the door almost before the girl had finished her sentence and with a helpless backwards glance at the group, Jack followed. “Christopher Columbus!” exclaimed Jo, characteristically. Come on, we’d best pay up and get back to the rest in der Gasthof der Friede. What on earth have they told the girls?” “Nothing, of course,” said Hilda absently. “They just think Amelia’s still unwell in bed, and they’re occupied with rehearsing tableaux for performance in the Saal. Kathie Ferrars hasn’t taken this too well, so Nancy thought it best to keep everyone indoors. The weather gives them every excuse, of course!” Joey nodded agreement as they paid the bill, and prepared to leave. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa_T on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:01pm *files mental reminder that threats can be VERY effective* Yes.......................and? That's only a snippet! You said something yesterday about posting loads and loads! ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa_T on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:05pm Thank you! Oh, I don't know if you were being ironic about Frederick not being able to bear much of anything, but it gave me a giggle! More! *wonders if Lisa is getting her Jos mixed up. I can't remember Joey Bettany/ Maynard ever saying 'Christopher Coulmbus!'* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Rosalie on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:06pm Yay! More story! But they haven't told the other girls?? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:13pm Thanks for this instalment. Feeling more hopeful for Amelia now things are moving again. *Books seat on sofa for next emotional chapter* *Checks tissue box well supplied* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:14pm Terrific, Lisa, I had been wondering how and when they would all meet up, when it happened it all seemed so natural. I'm looking forward to tonights instalment, but with some trepidation............please let it all end happily. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa_T on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:15pm *giggles* Haven't you heard that our tissue box is supposed to be like the magic porridge pot? Or was that before it exploded? :o |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 11th, 2004, 3:33pm Yes, Lisa "supposed to be" is all very well but do you want to sit on the sofa with all the snotty nosed CBBers going, "where's the tissues?" It would spoil the atmosphere. ;) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 5:42pm on 01/11/04 at 15:05:24, Lisa_T wrote:
Oh yes, I think I might have! Thanks! What is it Jo says "Napoleon's pyjamas" or something?! The cat's bathmat rings a bell, but not appropriate for this bit! Oh yes, and that 'snippet' was over 900 words! (Needs huffy smiley) And I did say there was more coming ... *amused by image conjured up by PatMac's words!* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by catherine on Jan 11th, 2004, 6:20pm This is really good, Lisa! Looking forward to reading more soon! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 11th, 2004, 7:34pm Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa!Thank you Lisa! More please! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:06pm OK - here goes! Tissues at the ready! ******************************* Down in Penzance, Meryl had taken the news surprisingly well. The cable had merely stated ‘Amelia lost. Please come at once.’ and the receipt of it had galvanised the woman into action. She had been making steady progress although her doctor despaired of her ever being restored to full health unless she had a really radical change of lifestyle. The soft air of Cornwall which had done such wonders for Meryl’s health at first, would not provide for her long term needs as it was rather damp for the woman who was disposed to be delicate. “Are you sure you have all you need dear?” asked Miss Grant solicitously. “Yes, quite thank you, Mary,” replied Meryl absently as she wrestled with the fastening on her bag. She stopped and looked up at her companion. “Do you know, it’s almost a relief. No – not like that! But I’ve been saying to you how I’ve feared for Amelia’s character being like her father’s: impulsive, emotional and irrational. I can tell what’s happened. Her Headmistress must have told her – what I wanted her to about Frederick, and she’s run away. At least now something awful has happened I can stop dreading it –“ she broke off and laughed shakily. “Do I sound odd? But I feel that at least I have a purpose now. I can go and get on that plane and help her in some way.” “You will help her by being there for her. She’s probably hiding out in a school out building, or an alm hut somewhere,” said Miss Grant, blissfully ignorant of the situation. “Once she knows you’re there, she’ll come out, and the two of you can have a good talk. Now are you sure I’ve given you enough money?” Meryl averted her eyes in some embarrassment. “Plenty, thank you. I will repay you one day, I promise! I don’t know what I would have done …” “Now, now,” responded the elderly woman briskly. “Don’t think about that. And what good would my money be doing me sitting in a dusty old bank vault? Now, I think I hear the car we arranged. It will take you to the station, and then you will be on your way.” Meryl said her goodbyes and kissed the friendly old lady who had been like a mother to her. Her eyes prickled with tears as she waved from the back of the taxi, and then she set her mind to Amelia. Fortunately it did not occur to her that if Amelia’s mischief making was just that, the school would have certainly hesitated before sending the cable – if at all. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:07pm The snow had eased off at last, and the search parties in Berne were able to see with more clarity. The search was impeded by the big soft drifts that had accumulated and many of the volunteers who had turned out were shaking their heads and muttering in a way that did not bode well. The groups had just paused for a rest when they were joined by Jack and Frederick, breathless from their dash from the station. Jack immediately demanded a progress report from the leader of the biggest team. “He says they have combed the route from the theatre to the station,” he translated rapidly for Frederick’s benefit. “There are two routes she could have used, but they have found no trace. Frau Linst, who works at the theatre, said that she spoke to Amelia at about twenty two – so she was probably intending to catch the last train, although it would have been a scramble,” he added in an aside. “She certainly never arrived at the station. All the buildings, including those this side of Interlaken have been searched.” Frederick thought for a moment. “But how do you know which route she would have taken?” he demanded, looking straight at the police sergeant in charge and leaving it to Jack to translate. “She – she’s just like me, no sense of direction. And I know her. If she was coming out of the theatre her mind would have been away with what she had just seen. Now, take me to the theatre building; I want to search for myself.” It was only a ten minute walk back to the old concert hall, although advancing was made treacherous by the slush. They passed several drifts that had been dug through, and Jack realised with fear in his heart that the excavations had been part of the search. He stole a sidelong look at Frederick and did not like what he saw. The man was marching forwards, with a bright red spot on each cheek. He had a fire burning in his eyes, and had the look of someone with nothing more to lose. He would give his all, thought Jack. “Now,” spoke Frederick in a steady voice. “Amelia would have been heading this way; that’s certain. Imagine, she’s blind from the storm, and disorientated in terms of time. So, she walks this way …” Frederick started to take steps on the route he had indicated, and spoke aloud his thoughts as he did so. “Now she knows roughly that she needs to bear left, but doesn’t know when.” He kept walking and went straight on past the left hand street that led to the station. Jack drew his attention to it, but was dismissed with a snort. “That way has already been searched,” he retorted. “Why are they assuming that she knew where she was going? Now, me, I think I would have over compensated for the distance, and then looked for the left hand passage – about here!” He turned and headed into a narrow alley. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:13pm “But surely she was less likely to see this alley way than the other wider street?” Jack persisted as he struggled to keep up with Amelia’s father. “Not in the blizzard,” Frederick reminded him. “In fact, the shadow cast by the tall buildings either side of the alley would have stood out more than the street.” Jack admired the logic in this statement and lengthened his stride. The street bore to the right and suddenly opened into a piece of wasteland, which looked as if it had had an industrial purpose at one point. The men stopped and scanned the view, trying to catch their breath. Suddenly, Frederick gave a shout and ran to retrieve something small and dark huddled in the snow. It was a very soggy, grubby scarf. Jack ran up as Frederick was inspecting it. “Don’t know if it’s Amelia’s,” he was muttering, but Jack knew better. “Chalet School colours,” he said shortly. “Here, let me have it. Here’s the name tape.” Amelia’s father stood up with a steely determination about him. “Well, we’re on the right path then,” he said and mused aloud. “Now, that scarf won’t have blown very far; it’s too wet. So at this point she may have stopped – what’s that?” he stopped abruptly and motioned at some grey buildings silhouetted against the heavy yellow sky. “Looks like some out buildings – maybe of the station?” suggested Jack. “But we’ve come round on ourselves. If we head for the station from here we’d approaching it from the ‘wrong’ side.” The two men looked at each other in a wordless moment of understanding recalling the words of the search team leader about where they had looked, and they set off at a run towards the station. The train tracks were mostly covered by the snow, but here and there where drifts had occurred they were bared, and they led to the station which was only about 100 yards further on. A small rickety shed stood to the side, with strange mounds of snow all around it. With a heavy heart, Jack began kicking at some of the snow, but gave a painful exclamation as his foot came into contact with some coal. “It must be the old coal shed,” he began, curiously, as these trains had been running on electricity for some time, but a strangled cry from his companion drew his attention back to the shed he had disappeared inside. Frederick had noticed the door standing ajar, and, hardly daring to hope, he pushed at it. It creaked as it resisted for a moment, then swung inwards to reveal a small mound of dirty rags and newspaper. But as he peered closer, his heart quite literally skipped a beat as he saw a small gloved hand flung out from the pile if what he had thought was rubbish. He uttered the cry that brought Jack running, and dropped to his knees beside the small body. Her face was grey, although with the coal dust and poor light it was difficult to discern her true colour. Frederick leaned forwards and touched her, gently at first, and then he shook her. “Millie!” he cried, tears springing to his eyes. “My Millie, please. Daddy’s here. Millie? I’m so sorry. Come back to me, Millie!” he stroked her face, pleading with her unresponsive form. Tears began to run down his face, and dripped from his chin. One fell on his daughter’s eyelashes, and he tenderly wiped it away, removing some of the coal dust as he did so, streaking the grey colour across her face like the track of a tear. Her graceful body was twisted into an unnatural position, and he began to ache all over. “Where was I? I should have protected you, my sweet. And here you lie, broken – “ sobbing with full force now, he cradled her head in his arms, and began repeating over and over again: “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” He scrutinised her face for signs of life, but she wasn’t breathing, and he could feel her chill body in his arms. Jack appeared suddenly in the doorway, his figure blocking the light, and the kneeling man looked up at him in anguish, his face scarred by the guilt and sorrow, running with rivulets of fear. When he spoke, his voice was strangely quiet and devoid of all hope. “We’re too late.” |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:17pm No,no,no Hypothermia - warm her up, slowly - she'll be ok - Please Lisa?? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:18pm thank you! but what a cliffhanger. *Teeters on edge, not sure how long can hold on!!* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa_T on Jan 11th, 2004, 8:55pm Where's that tissue box?! Lisa, more, please!!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by catherine on Jan 11th, 2004, 9:30pm No! Lisa, you can't kill her off! Please don't! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Carolyn P on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:07pm *Collapses silently onto Jennies sofa and waits tensely for more* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:11pm Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Lisa, she HAS to get well! Please? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:14pm Lisa! Please, don't let it end like this, please Lisa, (even though it would serve Frederick right if Millie was dead), Jack is a doctor after all surely he can do something? :'( :'( :'( |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Chloe on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:15pm Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssaaaa! No please, pelase don't do it let her be ok :'( |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 11th, 2004, 10:57pm *sobs quietly in the corner* :'( |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 11th, 2004, 11:48pm *draws everyone into a supportive hug while we wait!* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 11th, 2004, 11:52pm *thinks that is an excellent idea* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Kathy_S on Jan 12th, 2004, 1:59am Lisa!!!! *holds onto hope that Frederick is too upset to know what he's talking about* Please? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 12th, 2004, 2:23am I suppose it might be possible, Kathy... |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 12th, 2004, 5:22am Definitely - if someone is hypothermic their breathing will slow - Frederick's not a doctor. Come back Lisa - make all these tales of Millie's survival official! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 12th, 2004, 5:35am on 01/12/04 at 05:22:22, Lesley wrote:
And the heartrate can drop to only one or two beats per minute. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Catherine_B on Jan 12th, 2004, 8:01am Argh! Lisa!! :o *very grateful to Lesley & KB for providing at least a glimmer of hope - but would like to see it realised!* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 12th, 2004, 8:04am on 01/12/04 at 08:01:00, Catherine_B wrote:
You're welcome, but I'm not sure it's wise to get your hopes up! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 12th, 2004, 9:34am We'd all like to hope, Lisa. That's just another big hint. I'm on tenterhooks over this, so hope for another long post very soon. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 12th, 2004, 10:18am Quote:
Quote:
Confound it! Foiled again! >:( *************************** Jack immediately sprang into action as his professional training came into play. He pushed the grieving man aside, not ungently. “Let me through,” he commanded, kneeling by Amelia’s side, and listening to her intently. He lifted her eyelids to study her dilated pupils, and put his head on her chest whilst feeling for the pulse with his right hand. “It’s there. Very faint but it’s there. Frederick! You must get some control – she still has a chance if you go for help NOW! Run to the station – tell them there, and telephone for an ambulance – or get someone to do it for you,” he added, mindful of Frederick’s language problems. But Frederick continued to sit where he was, rocking gently and crying: “It’s too late. I’ve failed her.” Jack’s patience snapped. “If you don’t go for help now, you WILL have failed her!” he declared. “You found her, and so have given her a chance. But are you just going to sit there and let her die? Then it WILL be your fault!” The doctor’s harsh words had the desired effect by shocking Frederick out of his lethargy. He had hitherto seen the gentle side of Jack, but now realised that this was a man determined not to lose a patient – and that patient was his daughter. Frederick clambered to his feet, as Jack continued to give him instructions, relieved that his ploy had worked. “Tell them that she is in the last – that is, advanced stages of hypothermia, and appears to have a broken arm. Quickly!” then he turned his attention back to the comatose girl. Thanking God that she had somehow managed to pull up the newspapers and rags around her, he left them in place for insulation, ‘for they certainly enabled her to survive the night,’ he reflected, as he removed his own jacket and scarf and tucked them round her. Gently chafing her hands between his he offered up a plea to the Virgin Mary. Jack was not usually outwardly demonstrative of his faith, but he knew now that some Hand must have been protecting this frail girl. Frustrated that he couldn’t begin to administer the healing that was his vocation, he sat there, willing her to live, and imagining if this was one of his own daughters. There was no movement whatsoever from the patient; she didn’t flutter her eyelashes, moan or respond in any way. Jack hoped with all his heart, but with all his professional knowledge, he knew the hope was a slim one. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Chloe on Jan 12th, 2004, 10:27am Yay, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you (i think you get my drift) Lisa,please let them get to her in time and make her well :) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 12th, 2004, 11:56am Adding little and often today! Oh btw, just read 'Out of the Wardrobe' thread & Cathy has her Jo saying 'Christopher Columbus' too, so I must have read it in the CS somewhere! *************** The fifteen minutes Jack waited with the ailing girl were the longest Jack had ever experienced. True, he had had tense times before, like when Joey was giving birth – and goodness knows there had been enough of those times – or when Margot had been so ill, but somehow this time he felt so alone and helpless. When at length he heard the voices of a rescue party approaching he did not leave his position, but stayed where he was. The moment they entered the ramshackle shed, all was chaotic. “What have we got, Jack?” “Oh Frank, Frank Peters! It’s good to see you. She has advanced hypothermia, heartrate has dropped dangerously, shallow breathing – I’ve assisted her twice.” The two doctors began to examine the case, whilst outside men made a stretcher ready. Strapping Amelia’s arm up best they could, they gently removed the still, grey girl from her nest among the coal, and carried her out to the stretcher. Hopping into the back of the motor ambulance, Jack asked Frank to join him. “For I think we’ll have to take the risk and go all the way up to the San,” he said. “Berne hospital just doesn’t have what we need.” Frank raised his eyebrows, but was disposed to agree that, although risky, it was Amelia’s only chance. “What about the father?” he asked with an eye to the broken man standing forlornly at one side. In response, Jack leaned out and called out in German, even as the motor ambulance had started to move. He pulled his head in and clanged the doors shut. “Police will bring him up,” he said laconically. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s going to need a bed for himself soon.” Despite the length of the road journey to the big Sanatorium, and the slow passage due to the state of the roads, the doctors were able to make Amelia comfortable. As Dr Peters said, better that her body temperature was slowly brought back up, as it was in the ambulance, or the shock to the system could prove too much for the girl. “Temptation would be to warm her too quickly,” he commented and Jack nodded agreement. His thoughts were with Hilda and the rest of the school, and wondered whether the Police sergeant had conveyed them the message yet. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 12th, 2004, 12:05pm Thank you Lisa. Not out of the woods yet but more hopeful. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 12th, 2004, 12:06pm Love the way the tension is rising. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Abi on Jan 12th, 2004, 12:16pm :o Glad I didn't have to have all the suspense of wondering whether she was dead.......but you'd better not let her die now, Lisa. Please don't!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 12th, 2004, 2:21pm Thank you Lisa, now please may we have the post where they say Millie is going to live? |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 12th, 2004, 3:30pm No, not yet, Vikki!! ************** The police had passed on the news, and Hilda, sitting with Nancy, Kathie, Joey, Elisaveta et al at the hotel in Interlaken was just completing the telephone call. She replaced the earpiece and looked at the others gravely. In a few words she had related the news, and joined the others in a few moments’ silent prayer. Then she looked up, a resolute expression on her face. “It’s time to tell the school,” she began, “well, those of them that are here. Then I’m afraid we must cut short the weekend and return to the Platz.” “Oh Hilda, must we?” asked Nancy quickly. “The girls will be so disappointed, and besides, what will we do with them to keep them occupied. Amelia would hate to think that she had ruined everyone’s trip.” “I don’t know whether you’ll be able to manage,” replied Hilda with a pointed look at Kathie. That lady reddened from her neck to the roots of her hair. “Oh, Miss Annersley,” she began, formal in her attempts to reassure her head, “I really am very well now. I’m so sorry and ashamed that I lost my senses like that. But I would feel much better doing something about it, and looking after the others would keep my mind busy.” Hilda looked closely at her penitent face. She knew there may well be an unpleasant time in store for Kathie if the worst came to the worst, for that lady had had responsibility, but more than that, she felt the guilt. Still, reflected Hilda, sighing, the ultimate responsibility lay with her herself; as Headmistress she could hardly lay the blame at anyone else’s feet. “Very well,” she said. “But we need to gather the girls in the Saal, to tell them something of what has been going on.” Most of the Middles were in the Saal anyway, and had been rehearsing their tableaux, improvising wherever they could with costumes. Frankie, Connie and Isabel had decided on ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and were struggling to think of props and costumes they could use. “I know!” cried Isabel. “Let’s make it the ballet version of ‘Sleeping Beauty’! I can sneak up and see Millie; I know she’ll have her ballet shoes with her, she takes them everywhere. The others applauded this brainwave, and Isabel silently fled the room. Just five minutes later, they heard heavy steps running back down the stairs, and Frankie was just commenting on how Isabel seemed to be able to imitate a herd of elephants, when that girl burst into the room, her hair flying and announced in shocked tones: “She’s gone!” It was into this melée that the staff appeared a minute or two later, and Miss Annersley was NOT pleased by the questions thrown at her about Amelia’s absence. “Girls, GIRLS!” she called, rapping on a table for order, which came almost instantly. “I know a number of you are concerned by the absence of Amelia. Girls, we all need to be brave now and strong. Amelia went out last night, and was lost in the blizzard – “ an audible gasp went up at this, with expressions of shock and horror appearing on many faces, and Miss Annersley paused until there was complete silence again. “She has been found this morning but is in a very bad way. She has various injuries, but most importantly is suffering from advanced hypothermia. I am telling you this so that your prayers will help your friend in her illness. Miss Wilmot and Miss Ferrars assure me that they wish for you to continue your weekend away, but I am trusting you to behave with sensitivity.” The last comment was superfluous, Hilda could see as she scanned the pale faces of many in the room. She dismissed the girls, and left the room with some dignity, ready for the car that had arrived to take her, Joey and Veta back up to the Platz. The Triplets were greeting their mother, but the excitement of the reunion was lost rather. Len, in particular, was very serious as she faced her mother. “Is it bad, Mamma?” she asked softly. “Yes, child,” replied Joey her eyes large and soft as she tousled her eldest daughter’s hair. Left in the Saal, the rest of the girls were subdued. In their corner of the room, Frankie looked at Isabel and then Connie with frightened eyes. “I don’t feel like doing ‘A Sleeping Beauty’ now,” she managed at last. I don’t know what to do to.” “Well, I do!” exclaimed Isabel, and dropped to her knees. The others followed suit, and there was silence, punctuated only by whisperings for some minutes. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 12th, 2004, 3:40pm :'( :'(Lisa. This really is so emotional - I can see why you are writing it in small chunks - it's hard enough reading it. But thank you for givinf Millie a chance, please let her survive. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 12th, 2004, 3:40pm *grabs large handfuls of tissues from the box and hopes for better news soon!!* |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 12th, 2004, 5:10pm Up in the large white Sanatorium, Amelia had been settled into a big bed. Tucked in among the sheets and pillows she looked tiny, especially to her father who was keeping vigil at her bedside. Her condition was described to him gently as critical, but stable. At least her body was being gently rehydrated and warmed, but no real colour had returned to her face, and she showed no signs of regaining consciousness. The doctors had set her arm, and addressed sundry bruises and scrapes, and Jack had noted the swelling and bruising that had returned around her leg. Frederick looked up as the door opened to admit Doctor Peters and Doctor Maynard, as well as a Nurse. “How’s the patient, today?” enquired the former, in a loud and cheery voice which jarred Frederick’s nerves, and caused Jack to frown as he glanced over the notes. He moved over to Frederick and pulled up a chair next to him. “We are conducting a few more tests – general ones,” he hastily assured the girl’s father, “into Amelia’s general state of health. And, Mr Bartram – Jones,” his subject jumped at the use of his surname, “I would like you to submit to some tests, too. I think you would find the services of Dr Halstead useful. He will talk to you about the way you have been feeling, and has some new drugs that he may prescribe you to help you get a better sense of yourself. You need to build up your strength for Amelia’s sake.” The last words had the desired effect and dumbly Frederick nodded agreement. After issuing the Nurse with a long list of instructions, and leaving Frank Peters to administer some tests, Jack accompanied Frederick from the room with a heavy conscience. After seeing him into Dr Halstead’s hands, he went out on to one of the attractive verandahs that the San boasted, and drew out his pipe. He needed to think, and the best way for him was to do so with a relaxing smoke and the panorama of the mountains before him. As the weed finally caught alight, Jack puffed with satisfaction and levelled his gaze at the distant Jungfrau, meditating on his concerns. He knew that he had to report Frederick’s reappearance to the British Consul, something that Joey, Hilda and the man himself seemed to have conveniently forgotten. Still, he reflected as he drew on his pipe, you couldn’t really expect women to think of these things, and Frederick certainly was suffering some ill mental effects. But for all of Jack’s sensibilities, he feared for Amelia. She simply wasn’t making the progress that he had hoped for and he couldn’t consign Frederick to prison without the chance to say good bye to his daughter. Equally, if Amelia regained consciousness as he was hoping for any day now, it would advance her progress no end if she could see her father. ‘Although it won’t necessarily be happy families,’ he ruminated. He was disturbed from his solitude by the arrival of the young sophisticated receptionist – a past chalet girl herself – who had with her a tired, drab looking woman. “Excuse me, Dr Maynard,” she began in prettily French-accented English, “but this is Madame Bartram-Jones, who has just arrived from the airport. I have acquainted her with Amelia’s condition - “ Jack clamped the pipe in his teeth and spoke out of one side of his mouth, whilst heartily shaking the hand of the anxious-looking woman before him. “Welcome, Mrs Bartram-Jones. I trust your journey was not too bad? Now, I expect that you’ll be wanting to see Amelia at once, so I will take you to her. But I will accompany you as there are some things I need to discuss with you.” He knocked his pipe out against the balcony and replaced it in his pocket. Meryl was struggling to keep control: “Very well, and thank you Dr Maynard. I believe you were the one who found my daughter? I owe you my greatest thanks.” “Well, one of the finders,” Jack added quietly as he led Meryl into the light and airy room in which Amelia was lying. He nodded to the Nurse who was sitting by her bed, and she rose, placed the charts on the chest of drawers and then quietly left the room. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lisa on Jan 12th, 2004, 5:13pm Meryl had flown to Amelia’s bedside with a wail, and she stroked her daughter’s brow as she said: “Oh! She’s so thin!” Jack was interested. “Is she? Thinner than you would expect, I mean. I thought she was always fairly petite.” “Oh yes, but not like this. Her face is so drawn and lined. I suppose that’s her illness?” she looked at Jack for confirmation, but he shook his head. “No, not really. I must admit, it is one of the things that have been puzzling me. Usually in an illness like this, the face smooths out, but, she looks quite different. It’s as if she has had a great shock.” Meryl looked up suddenly, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh! Hasn’t anyone told you? I charged Miss Annersley to give her some bad news; I have thought that it must be upon hearing this that she ran away.” “But she didn’t run away – “ began Jack, when the door opened suddenly, and an angry Frederick strode back into the room. He stopped stock still when he saw his wife standing by the bed, but her reaction was totally different. No-one had yet warned her that he was there; in fact Jack was about to do that very thing. She looked at her husband incredulously. “Freddy?” she whispered, moving like a ghost towards him. “Can it be – “ she put out a shaking hand to touch him, then withdrew it before she could make contact. “But, you’re – then – “ her face screwed up in utter mystification, she swallowed and tears sprang from her eyes, to trickle down already wet cheeks. “Meryl, I’m sorry,” said Frederick simply. His voice was the catalyst. With a half-human yell, Meryl propelled herself towards him, shrieking and hitting out with clenched fists. Jack rose in alarm, and with a glance at his patient, rushed towards the pair. “You – BEAST!” she yelled, incoherently, “you utter, low down liar and – and VILLAIN! Do you even care what you’ve put me through?” Frederick was just standing under the blows that were hailing down on to his head and chest, sobbing, and Jack made as to pull Meryl off when she bolted from his grasp and rushed over to the bed. “This,” she cried, pointing at their daughter’s body, “is ALL your fault! And I’ll never forgive you, NEVER!” Her voice had risen in a crescendo and two staff ran into the room, Dr Peters following with a syringe in his hand. Meryl was crying in a rage and shouting at Frederick and Jack had to raise his voice to make himself heard when a noise from the bed suddenly distracted them all. “Mummy?” Amelia lay perfectly still, but her dark eyes were open widely. Her voice was no more than a whisper, but the very atmosphere seemed to lighten as all fell silent and five pairs of eyes swivelled towards her. Jack rushed over and Frank assisted him as they performed various checks. Their quarrel temporarily forgotten, the two parents bent their heads over the bed. Amelia looked right past her father, into her mother’s eyes. “Mummy?” she repeated, and then closed her eyes again. Jack took a quick look and then spoke with relief in his voice. “She’s sleeping,” he announced. ******************* Whooh! I'm shattered by that lot, sorry it's so depressing! There's still quite a bit to go, but I think the end may be in sight! (ie by the end of the week!) There were so many little things I tried to weave into the story earlier, to come back to now, but I don't hink they're all going to work, so I'll have to puzzle it out tonight! You don't just want a list of explanations! :) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Chloe on Jan 12th, 2004, 5:24pm *appluads* Thank you Lisa :) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Sarah_G-G on Jan 12th, 2004, 5:24pm *sighs* she's alive, I'm so relieved! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Vikki on Jan 12th, 2004, 6:46pm Yay!! Thank you for not killing her off Lisa!! Looking forward eagerly to the next installment!!! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by LauraT on Jan 12th, 2004, 6:54pm *jumps up and down excitedly* She's alive! Yay! Wow, that was an emotional three pages. Even after she was rescued, when she woke up in the bed to her parents argueing I was convinced she was going to lose the will to live and Jack say 'She's gone. I'm sorry..' And I'm so glad she said Mummy rather than Daddy! ;D |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Lesley on Jan 12th, 2004, 7:41pm Lisa - that was exceptional - you must feel emotionally drained. Thank you. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Jennie on Jan 12th, 2004, 7:50pm This is wonderful,Scenes like this are so difficult and draining to write. I was glad to see that Meryl is standing up for herself at last, she deserves to. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by PatMac on Jan 12th, 2004, 8:00pm Hooray, Hooray, Hooray! Wow, that must have been difficult to write! thank you. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Esmeralda on Jan 12th, 2004, 9:06pm It's taken three attempts to get this stupid board to allow me to post this - but it was worth all the effort. That was so realistic Lisa - I feele totally drained after reading it, but also thankfully relieved that Millie is gong to survive. (I hope) |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by catherine on Jan 12th, 2004, 9:24pm Thank you so much for not killing her off, Lisa! Looking forward to more as soon as you can manage it! |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by KB on Jan 12th, 2004, 10:16pm Wow, that certainly was emotional! *huggles Lisa* It is superb writing, though. I can't wait to see where you take it next. |
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Title: Re: A Dancer at the CS ~ Part Six Post by Susan on Today at 1:13am Gosh Lisa that was wonderful. So, so emotional, wow!!!! |
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