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Title: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 6th, 2003, 10:54am Cecil Maynard stood in the large bay window of her office looking out over the grounds of the school. To her right she could see her childhood home, now a bed and breakfast run by one of her elder sisters. To her left the grounds gave way to tennis courts and the sports field with the large gymnasium building at the edge of her vision. In the distance she could just make out the large hospital, in her childhood a sanatorium for victims of TB but now the Sir James Russell Memorial Hospital, specialising in the treatment of orthopaedic injuries. Early mornings had always been Cecil’s favorite time of day, as a small child she had been an early riser preferring the solitude it offered before the rest of her large family began to rouse. She had lost the habit of getting up before everyone else during her early teaching career but since becoming headmistress three years ago she had returned to rising early in order to spend some time with her own thoughts. Though term had not yet started the staff were nearly all back from their holidays in time for the staff meeting due to take place that afternoon. The rest of the school would be returning at the beginning of the following week. Again Cecil’s eyes turned towards the hospital in the distance, becoming clouded as she thought of her father who had worked their for most of his career and up to his death ten years before. Despite all the work her father had put into the hospital the trustees had decided to honour her uncle rather than her father when they decided the hospital needed a change of name and image. With her thoughts on her family Cecil’s eyes turned towards the large house where she had grown up. It had been a hectic childhood, with ten brothers and sisters both older than younger than her she had tended to be forgotten in the grand scheme of things. Her mother was always busy, either with the family, her work or the school and her father had seemed to live at the hospital. Although she looked like both her mother and one of her oldest sisters she had always felt an outsider. Her siblings either side of her were twins, each pair having their own special bond, her eldest sisters, almost 13 years her senior, were triplets and had left home for university before she was really out of the nursery. Like her sisters she to had gone to the Chalet School and despite being a successful pupil and later prefect she had never really shone at anything. She had known from an early age that she wanted to teach and left the school for Exeter University to study for a degree in English Language with a teaching qualification. Whilst she knew from the outset that the Chalet School would have accepted her back to teach straight away Cecil had opted to work in state schools around England, never really settling in one place for long. Ten years ago had finally seen her return to the school, although not to Switzerland. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by PatW on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:24am This looks good! Starting chanting!!! ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:32am Hmm, very, very interesting. Can't wait to see what the 'court' section refers to... |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:47am *agog as an international gog convention* Ooh! Ooh! This looks really good! *joins in the chant* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Abi on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:48am Yes, this is interesting. I've never really thought about Cecil that much before, I have to say - I have a feeling this might be enlightening. *also wondering where the court comes in and what sort of court it might be* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:52am You really are an impatient bunch aren't you! ....................................... She had been teaching for six years at the English branch of the school when Miss Wilmot, the head of the Swiss branch had announced her intention to retire. Cecil had surprised herself by deciding to apply for the post but she had decided after the last family reunion that she really did want to return to Switzerland at last. The last occasion she had been to Switzerland before her interview was for her mother’s 80th birthday, that had also been the last occasion the surviving members of her family had been together. Although Len still lived on the platz, running the bed and breakfast and caring for their now physically frail mother, the rest of the family had scattered throughout the world. As Cecil continued to gaze out of the window there was a soft knock at the door connecting her office to that of her secretary “herein” she said turning to the door, which opened to admit Miss Richards, the schools secretary, balancing a large pile of post carefully in both hands. “Good morning, posts early today. This lots addressed to you personally I’m afraid” she said as she crossed the room and placed the post on the large ornate desk. “Do you want to open it now and go through it?” “Please Emma” she replied “you might want to get your notebook and we’ll see about replying to some whilst we have five minutes” As Emma went to fetch her note book Cecil sat down in her chair behind the desk, she couldn’t help but grin at the memory of being the other side of that desk on several occasions during her own school career when the formidable Miss Annersley had sat in the chair she now occupied. Cecil swiftly sorted the envelopes into piles and as her secretary returned. “I think we had better start with the more official looking letters this morning, just in case there is anything that needs to be dealt with in this afternoon’s staff meeting” she said taking the letter opener and splitting the first letter. Cecil and Emma were well used to the routine and most of the correspondence was dealt with quickly. “I don’t recognize this franking die” Cecil was looking with a puzzled expression at the last envelope to be dealt with “Grey and Franks Solicitors, London” She opened the letter and began to read the contents. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Abi on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:54am well, what are they ??? *gogging along with xanthe* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:59am Yeah! I was sitting just YESTERDAY thinking that Con used to be the forgotten Maynard, but nowadays it was definitely Cecil! And I picked up on the "twins either side of her thing" too! Can't wait to see where you're going with this - hurry up and post LOTS and LOTS more please. Rachel ~ ever quiet, restrained and subtle |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 6th, 2003, 12:00pm Oooh, this could be nasty. I hope you're not going to keep us in suspenders about who's involved in this! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 6th, 2003, 12:09pm Your going to have to be patient i'm afraid - i am trying to do some real work at the same time as write this!!! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 6th, 2003, 12:51pm This is great, Kate (sorry - no rhyme intended!) Please hurry up and tell us why the solicitors are writing ..... |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 6th, 2003, 1:19pm well seeing as you asked so nicely......... Private & Confidential The Headmistress The Chalet School Gornetz Platz Switzerland 31st August 2003 Dear Madam Our Client: Abigal O’Hara (a child by her father James O’Hara) Accident: 24th March 2003 We refer to the above matter and would advise that we are instructed to act on Miss O’Hara’s behalf by her father in connection with a claim for damages for personal injury arising out of the accident on 24th March 2003. We understand from our client’s father that the circumstances of the accident are as follows. On 12th March 2003 Miss O’Hara was taking part in an end of term excursion with her classmates under the supervision of two members of staff and two prefects. We understand that in total there were 42 children on the excursion, aged between 12 and 14 being the members of the forms IIIa and IIIb. We are advised that the two forms walked from the school to a local beauty spot, known as the Auberge. Whilst they were there one of the other children in the party fell and the mistresses and prefects in attendance completely focused on attending to her. Without supervision the remaining 41 children were allowed to wonder around the area and, in particular, stand close to a railed off area over a large drop where we understand that echo’s can be heard. We are advised that our client was standing next to the railings when we two other pupils ran up to her and she fell, sliding under the railing and down the hillside. As a result of the fall our client sustained fractures to her left femur, ankle and 4 ribs. She was assisted by the local mountain rescue team and taken by air ambulance to the Sir James Russell Memorial Hospital where she received emergency treatment. She underwent a 4 hour operation to reduce and fixate the fractures to her femur and ankle, inserting several pins and plates. Her left leg was then encased in an immobilizing plaster cast. Thereafter she remained in the hospital for a period of 14 days before being flown to a hospital close to her home in England. Our client remained in plaster for a period of 12 weeks and thereafter has commenced a course of physiotherapy. We understand that she remains under the care of her local hospital and that she may need to undergo an operation to remove the pins and plates in her leg at some point in the future. As a result of the accident our client was unable to attend school for the final term of the last academic year, she has been unable to participate in any of the sporting or leisure activities that she usually would have done. Having considered the circumstances of the accident we believe that the Chalet School is responsible, by the actions of is employees servants or agents, for this accident in that they failed to ensure a suitable number of supervisors, in the form of either mistresses or prefects, were present with the pupils whilst out on an excursion; they did not carry out any risk assessment in to the area where the pupils were visiting, nor did they assess the feasibility of taking such a large number of students in one group. Furthermore, the school, who were acting in loco parentis for the pupils, failed to attend to their welfare by allowing them to leave the school premises with such poor supervision. In addition to the claim for the personal injuries sustained in the accident our client’s parents will also be claiming their expenses incurred as a result of this accident. These items will include, travel to and from hospital in Switzerland, the medi-flight journey, loss of earnings for our client’s mother who took time of work to care for her daughter and general miscellaneous expenses. We understand that our client will be returning to school for the next term and would advise that she is unaware that her parents are bringing this action against the school. Her parents do not wish for her to be advised of the claim at this stage and we would ask that you respect their wishes. We trust that you will forward a copy of this letter to your insurers and would remind you that under the Civil Procedure Rules an acknowledgement is required by either yourselves or the insurers within 21 days. We await hearing from you. Yours faithfully Grey & Franks Solicitors Cecil looked up from the letter she had been reading, her face dismayed. “what is it?” asked Emma “listed to this” Cecil replied before proceeding to read the letter to her secretary. Emma sat impassively until she had finished her face growing more concerned. “Goodness, what are you going to do?” “Well, first things first, you had better scan a copy of this and mail it out to the board members, you had better also send a copy to the insurers. If you could see to that and the rest of this mornings correspondence please.” “Of course” Emma replied jumping up from her chair “I’ll see to it straight away” Emma took the letter from Cecil and went through into her own office from where she could hear the clicking of the keyboard. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Marianne on Nov 6th, 2003, 1:44pm ooooooooooooo! whats cecil going to do? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 6th, 2003, 1:55pm This is fantastic Kat (may I call you Kat? ohwell, just have, apologies if you hate it!) One minor niggle (sorry, but that's why I'm known as Pedantic Rachel!), what date did the accident happen? From the letter it appears to have taken place in March and June! Please hurry up and write loads more - did I mention this is fantastic? Rachel ~ awestruck |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 6th, 2003, 1:59pm Niggle away! actually i was originally going to make the accident happen in June but then i realised that she wouldn't have recovered enough to have come back to school! oh and I don't mind Kat (anything is better than Katherine which is really my full name but I don't answer to it!!) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 6th, 2003, 2:00pm Aha - the CS is dragged kicking and screaming into the real world of claims and litigation ;D Didn't we have a thread ages ago about the dangers of excursions and that eventually they would have been taken to court because of the frequency and severity of "accidents! Glad to see someone taking it up - should be entertaining! More, please! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 6th, 2003, 4:18pm Oooooh *eyes widening to a quite remarkable extent* while I fully appreciate that RL might get in the way: MORE PLEASE (as soon as possible!) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 6th, 2003, 4:31pm Last bit for today (sorry but I do have a home to go to and a few dogs to walk this evening)................ Abigail O’Hara had never felt nervous about going to school before, after all, when your grandmother was one of the first pupils and your aunts had all been their as well you had heard stories of the school since birth. She’d been a pupil since she was eight, first at the English branch and then, on her 11th birthday she was told that she could go to Switzerland. For the first time she had met some of the people her aunts had talked about and even people who had been at school with her grandmother. She had fitted in straight away, probably because she was already familiar with what was expected of her, and she enjoyed being known as one of the schools “grandchildren”. She had done well in classes and had fun outside of lessons, pestering her family during the holidays with tales of what she had done last term. Normally by the end of the holidays she couldn’t wait to get back to school and her friends. This term was different though. As she sat in the uncomfortable train seat her leg began to ache again reminding her why it was that she hadn’t seen any of her school friends for over six months, and at 13 six months was a very long time. They had sent her cards, letters and e-mails telling her the news and once the holidays had begun their had been phone calls and text messages too. Mobile phones having been very wisely banned by the School authorities. It wasn’t the same as seeing them though and her father, who had been furious about the accident, had refused to allow any of her school friends to visit her during the holidays, for fear of upsetting her. What Abigail didn’t know was that her father had actually tried to withdraw her from the school and it was only down to her aunts' objections that she had been allowed to return. After all, her fees were being paid as a result of the bequest in her grandmother’s will which specifically stated she should go to the Chalet School. The train began to slow as it came into the station and Abigail began to gather her belongings. She only had her overnight bag to worry about as all her other luggage had gone in advance but that was quite enough for her to be carrying. As she stood by the door waiting to disembark she began to grin, on the platform she could see her two best friends Pippa Richardson and Melanie Edwards waving to her. “Hiya Abi, is this all your stuff” said Melanie coming forwards to take her bag “Its so good to see you, I can’t believe its been so long, did you have a good holiday?” “Hi Abs” Pippa tucked her arm through Abigails as she spoke “glad to have you back. The school train is leaving from the next platform so it isn’t far to walk, you feeling allright?” “I’m fine” Abigail smiled at her friends “its good to be back”. Abigail began to hope that her fears about returning to school might be unfounded. Her friends remained the same, Melaine outgoing and talkative, Pippa more reserved. However, until she heard whether or not she would remain in the same form as her friends she remained anxious, unsure whether the missed term would affect her remove to Lower IV. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 6th, 2003, 4:51pm Thanks for that Kat! I did wonder why her parents were sending her back to a school they think incapable of taking care of it's pupils, but you've explained that nicely. And I assume she is Juliet's grand-daughter? Rachel ~ pondering the wisdom of starting a chant |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 6th, 2003, 4:58pm A chant all of your own Rachel, given that THE chant was started by PatW earlier...? Thank you Kat *inwardly wondering why the gifted authoress wishes to go home and walk her dogs when she could just keep writing this...* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 6th, 2003, 5:04pm My most humble apologies to PatW. Consider me a humiliated worm at your feet. (Thanks for pointing out my feeblemindedness Xan! :P ) However, as anyone who has ever read any of my astoundingly insightful drabbles, which reveal my mind in all it's glories, I would like to point out in my defence that PatW started the chant at 11.24am - nearly six hours ago! How was I supposed to remember THAT? So now Kat, in deference to Miss SmartArseXan (luffs you really :) ) I am JOINING the chant for MORE! Rachel ~ the "not really embarassed" one Edited: Aaaaaarrrrrrggggggghhh! I'm back to declaring the CS the best ever! That didn't take long! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by LauraT on Nov 6th, 2003, 5:09pm Wow! More please ;D ;D ;D *joins in with chant* Anyway, she's probably lost her voice by now and ceased to chant...! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 6th, 2003, 5:11pm on 11/06/03 at 17:04:18, Rachel wrote:
Any time, Rachel, any time!!!!!!! *chanting quietly as she needs to save her voice for the concert at Ely Cathedral on Saturday* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 6th, 2003, 9:11pm Ooohh! I like this one!! More soon pleeeeeeeeeeease! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 6th, 2003, 9:51pm About time someone wrote this story. Look forward to seeing how it develops and what effect it has on the school. Will we see lots of Cecil, and will she actually have to appear in court or will that all be dealt with by lawyers? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 6th, 2003, 9:53pm I'm surprised that 1) her parents sent her back to the school and 2) the school accepted her back! With that sort of threat, I would have advised her parents to take their precious daughter elsewhere. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 6th, 2003, 10:02pm So would I, KB! How long, I wonder, before she finds out what's going on and how long before the rest of the school do? Are there going to be any more parents bringing actions against the School? Or withdrawing their little darlings through fear for their safety? More Please, Kat! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Lisa_T on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:53pm *g* I'd a feeling this would be popping up. How's this for an eg of compensation culture gone mad. At the school i went to for my first placement we were told about a girl whose parents were suing the school because on a certain day she'd tripped and hurt her ankle. School consulted various records- pupil was absent that day. Parents responded by changing the date- to a Sunday! Presumably without checking their calendars first. Last I heard it was still dragging on!!! Anyway, more please!!!!!!!!! BTW to Rachel- I'd have you know Cecil's a major character in SA! *bleah!* :P ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 7th, 2003, 12:00am :o My favourite story of incredible stupidity by the legal system: A man decides he's going to rob a house. He cases the joint and finds out that the occupants go to work every day at about 8am. He arrives and watches them leave before going inside. He's just looking around when he hears a car pull into the driveway and looks out to see that the occupants are back, so he runs out of the back door. Climbing the back fence, he sees that the property backs onto a creek/river, so he dives in, breaks his neck and is a quadraplegic. He then sues the owner of the house for not having a deeper creek and NOT KNOWING HE WAS GOING TO DIVE INTO IT!!! The most incredible part: he won, and the owners' insurance had to pay him millions. And people wonder why the govt. wants to cap the amounts paid out to these people!! :o |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 7th, 2003, 12:17am on 11/07/03 at 00:00:41, KB wrote:
OH MY GOD?! I can't believe they had to pay out!!! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by crashbb on Nov 7th, 2003, 2:33am When I was about 11 I was shopping in a clothing store in the US with my parents. I was holding a suit for my dad and broke my finger by sticking between the two bars that hold the pants on tightly and closing the clasp (never said I was a particulairly bright child). Anyway after I ran around the store and finally found my parents, they had to sign a bunch of paper work saying we wouldn' t sue the store before my parents could take me to the hospital. Chelsea *managed to visit the same Florida hospital four Christmases running* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:26am Just a quick fill in about compensation claims..... 1. most parents who sue their child's schools do so without telling the child and it is normally done whilst the child is still at school. In the cases I have dealt with their has never been one where the child was refused back into school when the claim had been intimated. 2. the letter sent is not deliberately "nasty" its taken from the standard protocol letter of claim giving in the Civil Procedure Rules. In the UK if you cause a simple rear end shunt type road accident you can expect something very similar if the other party is claiming to be injured. 3. I would tell you about the strange and biazarre claims i have been asked to make for people but it would take too much time and no one would believe me! PS - there will be more story later hopefully but i have to write some first! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:45am Kat, please don't feel like I was attacking you, and I'm sure it isn't what most people would do, but my immediate reaction was 'if you're going to sue us for not taking care of your child, we don't want the hassle of her in our school'. Just my gut reaction. Not realistic at all. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:55am Tis ok KB - the lawyer side of me has a habit of defending everything its hang up from work! Just so long as i don't have to refer to your headgirlship as Yer Honour twill be ok! ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 7th, 2003, 9:04am There are literally hundreds of ridiculous claims, which have been successful - for example: * the woman who claimed for a broken ankle after slipping on some liquid on a pub/restaurant floor - the cause of the slip? She'd argued with her boyfriend moments before and deliberately thrown her drink at him (a case of "hoist by her own petard" I think but the company had to pay out) * the woman who broke her arm after tripping over a small truck in a toy store - why was it there? Because she had failed to control her brat-child who'd been playing with the truck and left it there" * And then, of course, there's the numpties who eat at MacDonalds three times a day and seem surprised when they get fat so try to sue!! At least the judge through (lol - I'm so wound up I can't even spell!!) that one out of court .... for now ... and don't even start me on the people suing the tobacco companies!! We've known for DECADES about the risks of smoking and the poor b*ggers who honestly didn't have a clue are long dead with no compensation Give me strength from money-grubbing, selfish little sh*ts - when will people start taking a little responsibility for themselves and their own actions?!! There's only so much that employers and companies can do to protect people from their own stupidity - and frankly they're expected to do to much - talk about a nanny state! Part of my job is to defend my company from nonsense like this - and the problem is, the more idiots that claim for nonsense, the more difficult it is to identify the people with legitimate issues. Most employers are happy to raise their hands to inadequacies and make proper compensation but it detracts from the real cases when people jump on the bandwagon *big sigh* - sorry to rant in the middle of your drabble, Kate but it's something I feel strongly about - your story though, is really good and a very interesting take on what the CS would be facing today. I only hope that if and when I'm a parent I have the common sense to realise the difference between my children getting into scrapes and their school being negligent More, please! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 7th, 2003, 9:48am Next bit..... The last stage of the journey back to school seemed to Abigail to take forever, the coaches the school used to transport its pupils from the station were cramped and by this time Abigail’s leg was starting to ache quite badly despite the fact she had been given a seat to herself so she could put her leg up. “Abs” whispered Pippa from her seat behind “are you all right, you’ve gone very pale” the concern in her voice was mirrored by the look on her face. Abigail grimaced to her friend in response “shush, I don’t want to cause a fuss, my legs a bit painful that’s all. I’ve got some pain killers in my overnight bag” “do you want me to get them down for you” Melanie started to rise from her seat as she spoke. “no” replied Abigail emphatically “the mistresses will notice and then they’ll be cross that I didn’t say anything sooner. I’ll take some as soon as we get into school” “you can’t just sit their in pain though” “its only another few minutes, look you can see the lights from the school now” Both girls looked out the window at the welcome sight of their school. Within minutes the coaches carrying the girls had drawn up at the doors and they began to disembark. Pippa slipped her arm once again through Abigails as they waited to file into the school itself. The chatter that had accompanied the girls at the start of their journey was beginning to fade as the girls got tired. Most were looking forward to a light supper and then going to bed. Cecil Maynard had taken the old head’s tradition of greeting the girls on their return from the holiday by standing near the main entrance as they came into the school. This term saw the arrival of a new set of girls for forms IIa and IIb, the lowest forms in the school but for once no new comers in the higher forms. The new prefects had been advised of their promotion during the summer holidays so that they could assist the escort mistresses on the journey. As the girls gathered around the main entrance hall Cecil clapped her hands for silence. “Welcome back to school all of you” she began, looking round at the rows of happy but tired pupils and teachers “I won’t keep you a minute as I know you are all tired and hungry. With the exception of the new girls, who are all in forms IIa and IIb, will the rest of you please file into school and go straight to your cloakrooms, supper will be served shortly so when the bell sounds please make your way to the spiesal. Thank you” The girls came through into the school and filed to their splasheries where outer garments and bags were quickly discarded. Five minutes later the large bell in the entrance hall sounded and the school made haste to the speisal where supper would take place. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Jennie on Nov 7th, 2003, 10:21am This is terrific, Katarzina, I hope you write some more, very, very soon. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 7th, 2003, 10:29am *Joins plea for more* Interested to see how the litigation develops and what recommendations are muted as the insurers investigate the accident! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 7th, 2003, 11:48am *also eager to read more of this* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 7th, 2003, 12:09pm Just a little bit more.......... After they had all finished eating Cecil again stood to address the school. She rang the small hand bell kept at her place on the table and a hush fell across the room. “I won’t keep you long, I would just like to quickly outline some of the arrangements for the new term” she addressed the assembled girls her voice carrying clearly to the back of the room, something her sister Len had taught her when she had become a prefect herself “firstly, tomorrow will be spent as usual with the morning devoted to unpacking. After mitagissen you will all go to the main hall where the form lists will be read out. You will then spend the afternoon with your form mistresses when the form prefect and other officers will be decided. Lessons proper will begin on Wednesday.” She paused briefly sending up a brief plea before she continued speaking “ From today only pupils in the sixth form will be permitted to leave the main buildings unsupervised but no one may leave the grounds of the school without specific permission of a mistress. Those in lower forms must ask permission before leaving the building unless there is an emergency. When going to the Gymnasium you should assemble at the main doors and Miss Phillips will escort you across the grounds. For the time being there will be no rambles or climbing but we will continue with formal walks.” As Cecil paused she looked out over the sea of shocked faces in front of her her heart sank, she knew they would take this restriction to their leisure time badly and some of the girls in the senior forms, particularly those girls who were in last years Inter V and fully expected to be in one or other of the fifth forms looked particularly mutinous. The school had always prided itself on the amount of freedom it gave its pupils, particular as they got older. This sudden lack of freedom was just the tip of the iceberg though and as the term progressed Cecil wasn’t looking forward to announcements she would have to make regarding such things as the usual half term excursions and winter sports. “Prayers will be heard as usual in the main hall and after that all girls in form IVa and below will go straight to bed. Those in the remaining forms may have until 9.00 pm. Your house mistresses and matrons will be available until then if you need anything tonight that you might have forgotten to put in your overnight bags. Can I remind you that all medication, including inhalers, must be logged with your house matron before you go to bed. I would ask you all to stand now for grace and thereafter will you clear the tables as quickly as possible and make your way to the hall” The school rose from their seats and Cecil spoke the brief latin grace used after meals. As the tables were cleared she turned to her staff “I hope I am welcome for coffee in the staff room?” she asked and when they nodded their agreement she smiled back “good I shall see you their at 9.30” |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 7th, 2003, 12:30pm Excellent stuff! I suspect it won't be long before some of the brighter sparks put two and two together as to why their fun and games has been curtailed .................. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Trish on Nov 7th, 2003, 1:05pm *horrified* Poor Abigail! It's not exactly her fault, she probably doesn't even know the school's being sued over her accident. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 7th, 2003, 1:12pm No indeed, but I bet there'll be a few dissenters looking for a scapegoat! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 7th, 2003, 1:29pm So what happens next kat? Rachel ~ enjoying the idea of the CS being sued for big bucks |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 7th, 2003, 3:19pm what happens next is.... Emma Richards hurried along the corridor to the staff room, the sound of raised voices getting louder as she approached. She slipped in through the door virtually unnoticed by the staff and after quick glance round decided that she needed to put a stop to their argument “Do you know you can hear this discussion half way down the corridor” she exclaimed loudly “Miss Maynard will be along shortly, do you really want her to hear you?” A slightly embarrassed silence fell across the staff room. One or two of the older mistresses who remembered Emma when she herself had been a nuisance of a middle were giving her rather baleful glares. Miss Chadwick, the junior geography mistress came to her rescue. “Is Cecil on her way down then” she asked “Yes she was just finishing up some replies to correspondence that a couple of the girls had bought from home” Emma took the cup of coffee offered to her Mlle Mercier and sank into one of the oversized armchairs against the far wall of the staff room. The room remained in uneasy silence when the door opened to admit the headmistress “Gracious” exclaimed Cecil “whatever is the matter, you could cut the atmosphere in here with a knife” None of the mistresses seemed keen to reply so Cecil continued with a resigned note in her voice “I assume that you were all discussing the new restrictions that have been placed on the girls” some of the staff mumbled under their breaths at this whilst others simply looked away. “Yes, that was the topic of discussion” began Miss Phillips reluctantly “Its just so sudden” blurted out Miss Redmond “surely you didn’t expect us not to discuss it” “No of course not, but you knew at the staff meeting there were going to have to be changes made in light of Abigail O’Hara’s accident” “I just don’t think that anyone realised that they were going to be such sweeping changes, and with no explanation being provided to the girls” Mlle Mercier said as she crossed the room with a coffee for Cecil. “the other thing that concerns us is how the girls will react, after all there were no changes last term despite the fact the accident occurred in March” she continued. Cecil sighed deeply. “I’m afraid ladies that the restrictions on outdoor activities are only the start” she looked round the room at the shocked faces of her staff “but at the staff meeting” began Miss Chadwick “Yes Jayne, I know, at the staff meeting we discussed the fact that the girls would have to have far greater supervision and that some things, such as rambles, winter sporting and climbing would have to stop for the moment. However, I received an e-mail from the insurers just prior to the girls arrival this evening” All of the staff turned to their head tensed for the bad news they believed was coming “unfortunately” Cecil continued the insurers want us to carry out risk assessments of all our activities outside lessons and we must ensure that we do not breach any of the relevant Health and Safety Regulations for either schools or workplaces. For the time being its also going to put an end to some of the hobbies the girls have” “why” exclaimed Miss Williams “because the insurers won’t cover is if any of the girls are using craft knives, hacksaws or any other sharp objects. We also have to check for the toxicity of all the paints and glues that they are using”. Cecil looked round at her staff again “I think I will say good night at this point as I am sure you have much to discuss” and with that she left her staff in stunned silence. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Abi on Nov 7th, 2003, 3:22pm Oh dear, I can see some tensions coming up here, both from the pupils and the Staff! *wondering if she dare ask for more so soon* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by PatW on Nov 7th, 2003, 3:30pm I know the feeling! We have just done a risk assessment for the stuff we clean the computers with! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 7th, 2003, 3:36pm oh dear! are the girls going to be able to do anything this term? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 7th, 2003, 4:26pm next bit....... Abigail awoke the following morning feeling very stiff and sore from her journey. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table she could see that she had another 30 minutes to go before she need to get up. ‘If I take my painkillers now’ she thought to herself ‘I can do my exercises before the rising bell then no one need know’. She sat up slowly and carefully reaching under her pillow for the tablets, she knew that really she should have given this packet into Matron with the rest of the tablets last night but she really did want to be able to control the pain in her leg herself. Abigail dry swallowed the tablets, gagging slightly at their bitter taste, and lay back down. She then began the short routine of leg exercises her physiotherapist had set for her. As she was finishing off her routine she began to hear the shufflings of others in her dormitory waking up and realising that it wasn’t quite time for the rising bell. Suddenly the bell peeled out and Pippa, who was acting as dormitory prefect that term timidly asked the rest of her dormitory from her own cubicle “are you all awake?” A chorus of reassurances responded and she continued “Marie and Heather you two are first for showers this morning, you’d better get a move on”. There was a muffled shriek from Heather, who wasn’t particularly a morning person “Now you tell me” frantically grabbing at her towel and sponge bag she followed Marie through the dormitory door. Pippa stuck her head round Abigails cubicle “how are you feeling today” she asked “ I’m fine, keep your voice down, I don’t want any fuss” was the tetchy reply “I’m not fussing” Pippa defended herself “but your next on the shower list so you had better be ready when Marie get back” “who’s after me” Abigail asked, she was sure that she could not get ready as quickly as she should “I am, so don’t worry about cleaning up or how long you’ll take, I’ll sort it” her friend replied. Abigail smiled gratefully at the retreating figure of her friend as she tried to tidy her cubicle. By some miracle, or rather Pippa’s good sense, all members of the dormitory were ready to go down to breakfast on time. Prayers were held in the hall after their usual meal, a selection of cereal, toast, fruit and yogurt washed down with large cups of coffee. After this the girls all made their way back up to their dormitories where unpacking took place under the supervision of the house mistresses and matrons. Most of the girls had finished by mid morning and had been sent to their common rooms. They were looking longingly out into the garden where a September sunshine warmed the grounds and playing fields “Oh I wish we could go out for a run” Melanie grumbled “I don’t understand why we have to be gated like this, its worse than being in kindergarten again”. Most of the others agreed with her and a chorus of “it isn’t fair”, “I don’t understand either” and “they might have said why not” sounded from around the room. Similar sentiments echoed throughout the school from the lower middles in IIb up to the more philosophical members of the sixth form. In the prefects room the eleven stately ladies that made up that body of young women were discussing the sudden restrictions placed upon them. “I really don’t understand why, after all this time, they have suddenly decided that we can’t have the freedom we are used to” moaned Hazel McDonald, a sub prefect “I am sure Maynie will explain it further to the school, they’ve never made sudden sweeping changes without giving us an explanation, it just isn’t like them” the head girl looked down from her perch on the window sill at her fellow prefects. She didn’t like the new regime anymore than the rest of them but she felt it was better that she backed up her headmistress in this. “come on” she said as the bell began to sound “lunch time, were supervising so we better move pdq or the kids will be up to who knows what”. (this is probably going to be the last bit for a while as our home pc doesn't want to play and I am off work till Wednesday next week) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 7th, 2003, 4:31pm Will look forward in antici...............-pation to wednesday then! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 7th, 2003, 5:45pm *wibbles* next Wednesday? *thinks Kat's computer should learn to play nicely* oh well, at least it'll be something to look forward to... *sigh* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Meganmca on Nov 7th, 2003, 6:52pm on 11/07/03 at 09:04:54, Rachael P wrote:
It's not that I disagree with your basic too-many-lawsuits premise, but the ones you're citing are mostly urban legends--why not use real ones. Check out: http://www.snopes.com/legal/lawsuits.htm And I think the McD one is to try to force publicity or decent food standards or labelling or something--my recollection is it's an organization, not individual people, who are suing. More story, please! Megan |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 7th, 2003, 7:46pm Great stuff. I'll look forward to Wednesday with anticipation. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:49pm *already waiting eagerly for Wednesday* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:52pm Same here. Hope Wednesday doesn't take too long to come around! Why isn't there a hopeful smiley, someone?!! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Lesley on Nov 7th, 2003, 11:17pm Really enjoying this! - Long time till Wednesday! Sigh. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 7th, 2003, 11:28pm *works out how many minutes until Wednesday.....* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 7th, 2003, 11:30pm and how many is it Vikki? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 12:15am Don't know!! My brain exploded when I tried to work it out!! ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 12:22am How did you notice that? ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 12:39am Well the gunk splattered on the screen tipped me off...... ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 12:42am Is a gunk covered screen not normal then? (Surreptitiously attempts to wipe gunk from monitor) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 12:53am *concerned about the state of Rachel's computer!* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 12:56am and there was me thinking you were more concerned about the state of my mind :) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:03am Well, that goes without saying! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:05am obviously it didn't since I felt the need to ask ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:23am Vikki wasn't worried about the state of your mind, Rachel, because I'd already floated over there to warn her about it after such a close-up look at it! ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:30am *wondering how KB survived that experience!* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:44am *sigh* I didn't, dear. I'm dead, remember? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:50am Well, for a dead person, you're sure posting a lot! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:54am That's the benefit of being dead - I can post as much as I like! :P |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 1:55am And what was your excuse before I ate you? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Tassie_Ellen on Nov 8th, 2003, 2:00am Last night I read in some trashy women's magazine that in Hollywood, you aren't ANYONE until you've been to rehab - Yibbleholics Anonymous, anyone? *ducks and runs for cover - I'm not advocating an end to yibbling, you understand, just suggesting a way to formalise it* and also not intending to make light of the real need for rehab in RL |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 2:03am Sadly, I think KB and Vikki are beyond help. <shakes head sadly at the situation> |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 8th, 2003, 2:15am Struck dumb by Rachel's cheek!!!!!! :o :o :o |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 8th, 2003, 9:44am You may have been struck dumb, but it hasn't stopped you yibbling :P |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 8th, 2003, 10:15am *admits to having been in rehab for other problems, so I guess I'm 'someone'!* *suggests to Rachel that a little talk in the Head Girl's study might be in order* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Susan on Nov 9th, 2003, 12:42am Brilliant story Kat, can't wait for more but secretly glad you can't post til Wednesday as it will help me catch up with other drabbles. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 12:44am * Suggests to the Headgirl that a little chat alone in her study might not be the wisest course of action she has ever suggested * |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 12:47am Who said anything about alone? *smirks and indicates Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson, who were hiding behind the door* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 12:50am * Curses under her breath before turning her charming smile on the two heads, (who always fall for it), before crumppling into tears and crying about how mean the HG is and how she abuses her position * ** Chuckles as the two heads take KB off for a quiet chat about the responsibilities that come with power ** |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 12:58am *points back at Rachel's grinning face and watch as the Heads, with cries of 'hypocrite' storm back in after the troublesome prefect* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:00am ** snaps her fingers, twitches her nose, and disappears in a puff of cornflour from a cunningly concealed bag ** |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:02am Hilda snaps her own fingers and Rachel finds herself back where she started, and deprived of her magic skills to boot. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:03am * drops to the floor sobbing and begging forgiveness * * then crawls out the door so fast nobody has time to catch her * |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:06am *blocks Rachel's way and watches as the two Heads grab her and freeze her using their own magical abilities* Now whose story am I plagiarizing? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:07am ** Satan arrives to unfreeze Rachel. Hilda is most impressed with is manly figure and turns into a simpering blethering idiot ** |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:09am Nell fails to do so and orders Satan to take Rachel back with him from whence he came. Satan does so, with a puff of red smoke that makes Rachel wibble wildly and enviously, and the whole school heaves a sigh of relief that she's gone. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:14am ** Rachel realises she forgot to take a clean hanky and comes popping back in a puff of red smoke, many many metres away from HG, Nell, Hilda and the infamous HGs study ** |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:27am Satan comes rampaging after his missing victim and drags her back by her hair. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:28am ** Rachel releases the clips holding her wig in place and chortles wildly at the sight of Satan falling over backwards with her hair in his mouth ** |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:32am Who said he was dragging you by his mouth? Much too unsanitory. No, he was doing it with his foot. And he's conjured up a whole lot of his elvish creations to take you back with them to Hell, or whatever you want to call it. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:33am Elvish! ** Rachel runs after Satan, overtakes him and calls "Cooooooeeeeeeeee! Legolas! Here I come hotlips" ** |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Trish on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:42am *Trish falls off her chair and rolls around the floor in a wild fit of unstoppable laughter* Boy am I glad I'm alone at the moment. Well, the dog is looking at me with some bemusement but at least he can't tell tales! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:42am *no longer wonders why Satan's residence is called 'hell', nor why Rachel has been stripped of her prefectship by the Heads* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:45am relieved of duties! yay! being a prefect is such a bore! I much prefer the freedom to be as mischievous as I please ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:46am I'm sure they will be hurt that you don't want the honour they bestowed on you. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 1:52am Well, after carefully considering KBs last statement, I have been and apologised to the heads for numerous wrongdoings, and they have delightedly reinstated me as a prefect. The told me (in confidence which I am happily breaking now) that they really need an "insider" to keep tabs on KB and Vikki . . .. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:01am *wonders whether to shatter Rachel's illusions (or should that be delusions?) ;)* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:03am No, seriously! The Heads were growing concerned at the amount of yibbling the HG and second pree do, and have asked me to monitor the situation, with a view to suspending the pair! Rachel ~ poised to step in and fill the breech :D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:05am Well, the Heads told me that they're all for yibbling, as it encourages creativity!! ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:26am They are such liars. * shakes head sorrowfully * |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 9th, 2003, 9:43am But who were they lying to Rachel? You or Vikki? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 10:08am *suggets that unless Rachel stops telling fibs, I will land her with the HG job and see how she copes, not being able to post nonsense stories and trying to act in a manner befitting the post* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:09pm ** snorting with laughter ** Like I could stop writing complete and utter nonsense drabbles! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:12pm Rachel as role model? You can't wish that on us, KB! The board would never be the same! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:23pm And what is so wrong about the idea of me as a role model I ask you? I'm considering also running for president, prime minister and empress of the outer galaxies. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 9th, 2003, 2:52pm *shaking violently with fear* *makes preparations to hide for the rest of her life, should Rachel be elected* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 3:02pm Hiding from me will become punishable by inclusion in a drabble. Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 9th, 2003, 3:38pm You sound more evil every time you post, Rachel! I didn't say I was hiding; just that I was preparing to go into hiding - and I fully intend to do so if you do get elected, inclusion in a drabble or not! :P |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 9th, 2003, 3:56pm *aching from suppressed laughter* Rachel as HG... *mind begins to boggle* *feels a need to go and sit somewhere quietly to recover from the images this has conjured* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Lesley on Nov 9th, 2003, 3:59pm on 11/09/03 at 10:08:37, KB wrote:
KB correct me if I'm wrong - but didn't you start a certain drabble called 'Dr Venables' - a very strong contender for the silliest drabble in existence! ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 9th, 2003, 5:19pm on 11/09/03 at 15:59:06, Lesley wrote:
Have you read Rachel's drabbles Lesley? :o And besides, Dr Venables was a joint effort, Rachel's madness is solely her own!! (and we love her for it!!) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 9th, 2003, 5:38pm I think that it is Rachel's madness that keeps me sane. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 9th, 2003, 7:03pm on 11/09/03 at 17:38:33, Carolyn P wrote:
Keeps you sane, or just makes you look sane by comparison? ::) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 9th, 2003, 8:00pm I should say it's a bit of both Rachel...... ;) :P |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 9th, 2003, 8:18pm I think I had best keep quiet about that or I might provide some incriminating evidence. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 9th, 2003, 10:02pm on 11/09/03 at 15:59:06, Lesley wrote:
I don't think I started it - in fact I know I didn't. You're just making me take the blame for it!!! :o |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:59am I don't know you go away for 4 days and what happens ....... the whole of yibbleaholics worldwide takes up residence in your drabble! really! Ok, yes I'm back and hopefully will post some more later on but for now i have to get someway though a backlog of incoming post and client phone calls! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 12th, 2003, 11:21am Aaaaaagggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! After trawling through PAGES of yibbling, I realise Kate has posted and what happens ....... nothing! *despondent* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 12th, 2003, 2:44pm Well having waded through the mounds of paperwork that currently litter my desk and tided them all into neat little piles so it looks like i have done some work I can finally post......... After lunch was over Cecil stood up on the daze and waited for silence. “as you are aware” she began once the room had fallen still “this afternoon will be spent in your form rooms where you will ensure that you have all the necessary books for the start of the year. These books have already been distributed to the form rooms” this was a change as from the outset the girls themselves had gone to collect their books from the stockroom at the start of term. “now most of you know which forms you are in this year but there are a couple of you who have yet to be placed. I will be seeing each of you individually this afternoon. To start with could Abigail O’Hara please come directly to the study once the crockery has been tidied away” Abigail looked round at her friends with a miserable expression on her face having been so publicly pointed out by their headmistress. “cheer up Abs” said Melanie from the opposite side of the table “its only to discuss your form place, bet your with us after all you were well up in the form lists before Easter” “yeah right, and then I missed all last term” Abigail sounded as dejected as she looked. “you’d better run to the splashery before you go to Maynie and tidy up” Pippa cast her eyes to Abigail’s hair as she spoke. Ten minutes later and Abigail was standing nervously in front of the headmistresses door, just making yourself knock on the door even when you knew you had no sins to be accounted for could make you anxious. It was lucky that Cecil had been waiting for her as Abigail’s knock on the door was barely audible. “Herein” Cecil was sitting behind her desk as Abigail entered “please be seated” said Cecil pointing to the stiff backed chair set in front of the desk. “Now” she continued “firstly how are you feeling” “I’m fine Miss Maynard” Abigail gave a tentative smile as she spoke “Good, now first things first” Cecil looked down at the sheet on her desk “please” Abigail interrupted unable to wait any longer “what form am I to be in” Cecil looked up at her pupil and noting the anxious look on her face decided that she would be better to tell her straight away “Well, I’ve spoken to your mistresses from last year and they all seem to think that there should be no problem in you moving up to Lower IV with the rest of your form” Abigail gave an audible sigh of relief at this news and at once lost the nervous expression on her face “but” Cecil continued “you will need to have a few weeks of remedial lessons, just to cover briefly what you missed last term”. “of course” Abigail could not help grin at her headmistress “I will do my best to catch up” “I’m sure you will” cautioned Cecil “but, after six weeks you will be reviewed and your mistresses will decide on whether you should stay with Lower IV or you should return to upper IIIa for the remainder of the term.” Abigail’s face formed into a mask of determination, there was no way she was going to allow herself to be demoted after six weeks whatever happened. “Now aside from your form placement” Cecil continued bringing Abigail’s attention back to her “I understand from your father that you are still under the care of your hospital and the physiotherapist” “Yes Miss Maynard, they have given me daily exercises to do” “Good. I have spoken to the Practice Nurse at the Health Centre here and she has arranged for you to continue with your treatment when the Physiotherapist comes down from the hospital once a week.” Abigail nodded, she was already sure that her treatment would continue at the school’s Health Centre “Now, you handed in all your pain killers last night didn’t you” Abigail jumped slightly at this knowing full well that she had kept back a packet which was currently hidden under her pillow in the dormitory “Yes Miss Maynard” she replied mechanically forcing herself to meet her headmistresses eyes. “Good, if you need to take any please ask to go and see the nurse straight away, don’t wait until you are in too much pain” Cecil smiled at the girl seated in front of her “now I suggest that you go and break the news to your friends that you got your remove” Abigail stood and made her way to the door, Cecil smiled at her retreating back, thankful that she had been able to stop the custom of pupil’s curtseying to their headmistress, a relic of what staff and pupils a like referred to as the dark ages. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 12th, 2003, 3:55pm more ........ The first week of term ended peacefully and as the weekend saw various trials for house and form teams in hockey, netball and for the older girls Lacrosse the school as a whole did not notice the fact that they had not been out of the school proper since their arrival. Abigail found the weekend somewhat vexing as obviously she could not try out for any of the teams and she had therefore spent much of her time in the middles common room with a handful of other pupils not able to try out for teams. Rather than being on their own however they were under constant supervision from either a mistress or a prefect, which had left one or two of them grumbling at the apparent lack of trust the school seemed to have these days in its pupils Monday morning of the second week saw Cecil in her office yet again sorting through the post. Miss Richardson, again sat opposite with her note book ready to take notes. “Most of this seems to be fairly routine” Cecil began “there are about half a dozen letters from parents advising that something or other got left behind, from the look of it most of it is handkerchiefs so no change there” Emma grinned at her boss across the desk “oh how things have changed since we were at school” “I know, Matey would have flayed us alive if we had forgotten our handkerchiefs” Cecil had very fond memories of the slightly tyrannical Matron Lloyd who had, to quote her mother, been one of the foundation stones of the school. “I still half expect to see her walking down the corridor or see her in the san some days” “It must have been very strange when you first came back here” Emma began “there were so many changes in the staff and the schools arrangements” “Well, the arrangement weren’t too much of a problem as we made the same changes at the English branch” Cecil reminded her secretary “but coming back after such a long time and with so many of our older mistresses now passed on or retired. I was only a baby when the two chapels were built and at the time there was no thought to a grave yard, yet look at it now, mistresses who gave their lives to the school will be forever attached to it”. Cecil sighed and returned to sorting the post. Eventually she looked up again “Oh, this is not going to be good” Emma could just see the insurance company’s letter head and braced herself for the latest piece of news “they are sending an insurance assessor” “whatever for” exclaimed Emma “we’ve already done most of the risk assessments they wanted and all the information we have about Abigail O’Hara’s accident has been sent to them” “it would appear they want to interview the mistresses and prefects who were on the walk on the day” Cecil continued to scan the letter as she spoke “they even want to interview the pupils, but I don’t see how they can do that if we aren’t to tell the girls about the case” “the prefects who were on the walk aren’t even here anymore, both of them left last term” “Well” Cecil’s voice had taken a very definite tone “there sending someone and it looks like they might be here for about a week or so, and even better they are arriving from London tomorrow” “Have they made arrangements to stay somewhere?” Emma enquired “No, they’ve very obligingly left that to us as well” “Do you think that Mrs Entwistle can put them up?” “I shall just have to phone and ask” Cecil picked up the phone on the edge of her desk and began to dial the familiar number of her old family home. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 12th, 2003, 4:17pm Excellent again, Kate :D Pleased to see you've caught up with your "never-ending paperwork" ;) Can't wait to see some of the interviews with the insurance assessors!! .............. .......... but rather sad to think of the graveyeard with past mistresses .............. :( |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 12th, 2003, 5:41pm Please post some more soon Kate!!! I'm really enjoying this one!! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 12th, 2003, 9:39pm *tries to wait patiently for more and hopes it won't be too long* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Lesley on Nov 12th, 2003, 9:41pm Very interesting - how are they going to ask questions without anyone getting suspicious? :-/ |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:28pm I think the cat is about to be put amongst the pigeons. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:36pm Carolyn!!! What is it with you and animals lately? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:40pm I think she caught it from Rachel. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:48pm Well, as long as that's all she caught from Rachel...... *whistles innocently!* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:51pm Rachel has introduced me to lots of lovely ideas. *whistles* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 12th, 2003, 10:56pm *now feeling very, very scared!!* :o |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 12th, 2003, 11:08pm *grins, and laughs mainically* I'm not afraid, I'm enjoying myself. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Esmeralda on Nov 13th, 2003, 12:30am [i][You/i] may not be afraid Carolyn, but I think I am! (Remembers the carving knife) This is getting interestimg Kate (I may call you Kate mayn't I), Looking forward to seeing what happens next. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 13th, 2003, 11:29am Morning folks, first bit for today ........... “Good morning and welcome to Frudeshiem Guest House, you will be given a list of six options” Cecil had heard the welcoming recorded message so many times she gave up listening at that point and punched in the two consecutive digits that would take her to her sister’s own phone. “Len Entwistle speaking” her sisters voice sounding the same as it always had done despite her sixty four years “Good morning Len” Cecil began, “Hello Cecil, how is everything going” despite the fact that she no longer taught at the school Len had always retained an interest in what was happening. Her own daughter, currently at University in England, had been a pupil and was hoping to return to teach after graduating. “Not to bad thank you” Cecil replied cautiously, there were times when she thought her older sister may be jealous of her position as headmistress, a position that many thought Len would apply for “I was just wondering if you had a spare room at present” “your not thinking of abandoning ship and coming back home” her sister joked “not at all” Cecil replied “We are expecting an insurance assessor over from England for a couple of weeks and wondered if you could put them up” “not a problem, I’ll put you through to Sara on reception and she can book them in” “thank you” Cecil breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t have to put the assessor up in the school itself. “Actually I’m glad you phoned” Len continued “Its mama’s 85th birthday in November and I was hoping to get the family together for a reunion. Mama’s been a bit down since we got word of Tante Simone’s death and I was kind of hoping that this would cheer her up a bit” “do you think you’ll be able to get everyone together, its very short notice” “I can only do my best” Len replied “I have mailed the sibs and the offspring so hopefully we should know whose able to come in the next few weeks” “Ok, let me know if there’s anything you want me to do” Cecil replied Len put her through to the receptionist in order to book the room for the assessor but as she hung up the phone her mind was on the family reunion her sister was trying to organise. Cecil swiveled in her chair so she was facing the bay window and lost herself in her thoughts about her family. Her father had long since passed, as had her aunt Madge, known to the school as Madame, and uncle Jem. Uncle Dick, Madge’s twin, and his wife Molly had died in a road accident whilst Cecil had still been at school. There were various cousins spread throughout the world and contact with them was generally a Christmas and birthday card exchange. Of her siblings Len had married Reg Entwistle shortly after she finished university and had returned to teach at the school. They had been married for over ten years when their one and only child, Tessa, was born. It had been the family scandal when two years later Reg moved out and returned to England. He and Len had been divorced shortly after that an Len had moved back into her childhood home, continuing with her teaching whilst her mother ran the guest house and looked after Tessa. It was only when their mother had a bad fall and fractured her hip did Len give up teaching. Margot had trained as a doctor before taking vows and entering the order, she had travelled the world working as a doctor and had on her 60th birthday retired from active medical practice to a convent just outside Chester. Their third triplet, Con, had married Roger Richardson and settled in London, working as journalist and thereafter editor of a magazine. There marriage remained stable, something unusual these days, and their two sons, Peter and Kenneth were now married with families of their own. Much to her mother’s dismay none of the family had gone in for reproduction in the same way that she had, not one of Cecil’s generation had had more than two children. Stephen had trained as a vet in Edinburgh, settled into practice there where he had married and had one daughter, Charles was widowed whilst his daughter Joanna was still in the nursery. Cecil knew that Felix was living in America somewhere but his location remained a mystery to all of his family save Felicity, his twin, and Len who could always contact him. Felicity herself lived in Paris and had caused a mini sensation when she produced the family’s first grandchild, James, only 10 months after leaving school to train as a dancer. She had married later but never had more children. Geoff and Phillipa, the youngest of the family had both married in their twenties and had each produced two children. Then their was Mike, the youngest singleton boy who as a child had always appeared to be permanently in trouble. During school holidays he had been Cecil’s closest friend and confidante the pair of them spending days together more often in trouble than out of it. It had come as no surprise to her when he had entered the Navy after leaving school. Cecil’s eyes clouded, her brother had been dead for over twenty years, a hero’s death in service during the Falklands war, at last he had finally achieved something his parents could be proud of. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 13th, 2003, 11:54am Wow, that is some background to the whole Maynard clan and what they're up to! All very realistic, too - nothing too extraordinary *looks meaningfully at certain other drabblers ;)* I love it - more, please ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 13th, 2003, 3:24pm Rachel - It may all just get a bit long winded as i have a compulsive habit of keeping cast lists etc when i'm writing or i get confused! anyway... next bit..... By the next morning Cecil had warned her staff of the imminent arrival of the insurance assessor and had asked her secretary to set up one of the rooms used for individual tutoring as an office for the duration of the visit. The pupils remained ignorant of either the impending arrival of the assessor or the claim against the school After breakfast Cecil had returned to here office and was preparing for a lecture on early women fiction writers which she was due to give the sixth form later that day when the intercom from her secretary’s office sounded “Mrs Price is here from the insurance company Miss Maynard” Emma’s voice sounded particularly formal “Could you ask her to take a seat for a second and I will come through for her in a moment” Cecil requested giving her time to quickly prepare herself. “of course” “oh, and Emma, could you also ask if she wants coffee or anything” Cecil checked round her office to make sure that all was as it should be. She had never been the tidiest person in the world and it was only down to her secretary’s careful ministrations that her office did not resemble a bomb blast in a paper factory. With a final glance in the mirror hanging on the back of the connecting door she took a deep breath fixed a smile on her face and opened the door. “won’t you come in Mrs Price” Cecil greeted the assessor “thank you, and if you don’t mind its Linda” as she replied she picked up the large briefcase and followed Cecil into the study. Cecil walked round to the back of her desk, seeking an air of authority from the position it gave her “please take a seat” she said pointing to one of the chairs opposite her position. When she was settled Cecil continued “I hope you found the guest house all right?” “yes thank you, Mrs Entwistle was most welcoming” Mrs Price began to open her briefcase “now if we can briefly go through some of the things I will be doing over the next two weeks” “of course” said Cecil sitting back in her chair and reaching for her coffee. “Firstly, I am dealing with the investigation into the O’Hara claim against the school. We only have a finite time in which to complete our investigations and return to the solicitors with a response so that will be my first task. Secondly, I will be reviewing the school’s policies with regard to leisure activities and reviewing the risk assessments you have been compiling” Mrs Price looked up at Cecil expectantly “I understand that the company told you exactly what we would need from you?” “Indeed” Cecil couldn’t help a trace of iciness creeping into her voice “I have arranged for one of our tutoring rooms to be set aside for you to use as an office whilst you are here” “That would be most useful, I would like to start straight away with the interviews” Once again she began to go through the papers from her case. “Certainly, if I could just briefly explain our timetable to you as we would prefer that your visit passed with the minimal interruption to the girl’s studies” Mrs Price looked up sharply from her paperwork. “you do understand the seriousness of this matter?” “of course, however, as you are perfectly aware Mr O’Hara has requested that neither Abigail or any of the other girls know about the claim so you reason for being here must remain confidential” “It is an inconvenience” agreed Mrs Price. Cecil couldn’t help thinking that Mrs Price was understating the fact however, she continued to listen politely to the assessor “now I have drawn up a list of who I would like to interview regarding the accident, starting of course with yourself” Cecil had been expecting that as headmistress she would be interviewed an gave a curt nod of agreement. “the others that I would like to interview are the two mistresses who were on duty at the time of the accidents as well as the two prefects.” “I am sorry” Cecil began “but the two prefects are no longer at the school, both left last July, we did inform the insurance company” “I assume that you have details of where they might be contacted now?” Mrs Price asked “I can give you their home contact addresses” Cecil replied unhappily “now the duty mistresses, Miss Chadwick and Miss Williams, are at present teaching, however, if you ask my secretary before she shows you to your office she will advise when they have free periods. “thank you” Mrs Price began to put the paperwork back into her brief case “now I would like to get started” She stood and began to made her way towards the door “of course” Cecil replied weakly to her retreating back |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 13th, 2003, 4:06pm Poor Cecil :( I have a sneaking suspicion she hasn't a clue what's coming, poor love Loved your analogy to a "bomb blast in a paper factory" :D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 13th, 2003, 4:15pm Next bit ......... The pupils of Lower IV were sitting in their form room after lunch waiting for their form mistress, Miss Chadwick, to arrive. The afternoon would see lessons in geography and English literature, which for most meant a fairly pleasant afternoon, for one in school time that was. Melanie, from her seat by the door was keeping an ear open for the approach of the mistress “Do you know” began Heather Jones looking round at her peers “we’ve been back for a week, the weather has been good and we still haven’t been out for a proper walk” her classmates began to voice their agreements adding their frustrations at the lack of freedom compared to last term “We are getting more supervision than when we were juniors” complained a fair haired slight girl from her perch on the edge of a desk “you heard what Maynie said at the beginning of term” began Pippa “yes” replied Lizzy Scholes bitterly “but no one’s ever bothered to explain why” “I am sure they will” her cousin Pippa replied “you know this school isn’t one to make rules and regulations without giving a reason” whilst most of the other girls backed her up in this assessment, the noise level in the room beginning to rise noticeably as a few voiced their dissatisfaction with the current arrangements. “be quiet” warned Melanie from her station at the door “we’ll end up with even more supervision if you keep that noise up” It was a good thing that the girls chatter subsided at that point as Miss Chadwick opened the door to the classroom. As one the girls stood as the she entered “be seated” she instructed curtly the tone in her voice indicating immediately that she wasn’t in a pleasant mood. The girls sat watching their form mistress cautiously, although normally the young mistress was friendly and her lessons enjoyable they had learnt that her tongue could be sharp and she didn’t appreciate people playing the fool. She ran quickly through the register and then laid it to one side. “I notice that only three of you out of 18 have bothered to get your books out in readiness for this lesson” her tone was cutting “the rest of you please get your books out immediately, none of you are new to the school and so you should know how to be prepared for your lessons” Abigail, who had got her books out whilst the others were discussing their lack of freedom, sat quietly at her desk. Her leg was aching quite badly as she had been to the physiotherapist that morning and, as with most treatments designed to help you recover, for the first few hours the resultant pain made her wonder whether it at been worth it. There hadn’t been time at lunch to go to nurse for a painkiller and she didn’t dare go to the dormitory for the medication she had stored there. Miss Chadwick had begun to talk to the class about rock types using examples from around the world and as much as she tried to concentrate she found her mind wondering away from the lesson. Suddenly she realised that Miss Chadwick had stopped talking and had turned on the lap top on her desk. The whiteboard at the front of the class room lit up with notes for them to take down and at the bottom details of a brief essay Miss Chadwick required them to do for prep “Abi” Marie tried to get her attention from the desk next to her “are you ok” “Fine” Abi whispered back. She reached for her pen and hurriedly began to write down the information, realising that as she hadn’t been concentrating much of the notes failed to make any sense at all. “Have you all finished writing” Miss Chadwick looked down at her class, apart from a couple of people still scribbling the final sentences they were sitting looking attentively at her. “I expect your essays to be handed in this time next week, and each should be at least 2000 words. You will also gain marks if you are able to use diagrams to provide explanations”. The bell sounded for the end of the lesson, Miss Chadwick gathered her things together “Miss Williams will be along in five minutes so if anyone wishes to use the bathroom please do so immediately and make sure you are prepared for your next lesson” and with that she left the room. “I wonder whats wrong with her” Melanie observed after she left “she’s not normally that bad” “maybe she has a toothache” was Heathers unoriginal suggestions “I doubt it she just looked cross not in pain” Emma couldn’t help looking at Abigail pointedly as she continued “unlike some people in this room” “I’m fine” Abigail tried to reassure her friend |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 13th, 2003, 4:19pm thank you Kate ;D *torn between bouncing happily at the fabness of the drabble, and looking all worried and mismogged about the prospects of the insurance company investigation* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 13th, 2003, 4:53pm Last post for tonight folks....... Mlle Mercier and Miss Williams walked along the corridor towards their respective classrooms chattering quietly to each other “I see our visitor has arrived” Miss Williams noted, she had seen Miss Richards escorting her to her temporary office earlier. “of course” Mlle Mercier replied “its going to be difficult whilst she is here, especially as the girls are not to know who she is or why she’s here” “I take it from your tone you don’t approve” “it isn’t for me to either approve or disapprove cherie” the French mistress could not help moving her hands as she spoke, she continued “I suppose we just have to live with it” “Too true” Miss Williams smiled at her colleague “I just hope the girls don’t meet her” “they shouldn’t she is going to be working in her office most of the time and there are only a few under the sixth form who are having individual tutorials” Mlle Mercier said optimistically. “the prefects at least have some ideas as to why we are suddenly restricting the girls freedom” Miss Williams confided in her colleague “Sarah Peters is very bright and both she and her second in command have asked questions about the levels supervision the prefects are having to give the younger girls” “I just feel it might be better in the long run if it was all out in the open” Mlle Mercier shook her head “I am worried that Abigail doesn’t even know about the action, if one of the girls finds out” she left the sentence unfinished. As they turned the corner into corridor where the schools main class rooms were situated they could hear the general rise in volume. “sounds like we should get a move on” Miss Williams smiled as she spoke “I hope that’s not my lot” “Have fun” Mlle Mercier waved cheerfully at her colleague as they parted to enter their respective classrooms. Lower IV were sitting smartly at their desks with the books out ready as she entered. She waved them back down into their seats as they started to rise. “Good afternoon class” Miss Williams began “please be seated and we shall start straight away”. Miss Williams kept the lesson lively with the girls taking it in terms to read from their set book and time passed quickly. As the lesson drew to a close Miss Williams set their preparation, to read the next three chapters and prepare a brief summary. “When I have finished you may put your books away and make your way to the cloakrooms to wash before tea, however, I would like Abigail O’Hara and Elizabeth Scholes to remain behind” Pippa and Melanie cast an anxious glance at their friend but Abigail didn’t notice, her attention fixed on the mistress. As the class filed out the room Miss Williams turned to the two remaining girls “don’t look so worried” she smiled at them “I simply want to arrange your tutoring time, Abigail has to make up for the work she missed last term and Elizabeth we need to see if we can improve your grades so that you can join the rest of your form in Upper IV at Christmas, rather than remaining a form behind” |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Carolyn P on Nov 13th, 2003, 8:46pm This is very good and I can see all sorts of things developing as this story continues. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Lesley on Nov 13th, 2003, 9:42pm Very interesting - think it might get nasty once the girls find out - poor Abigail! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 13th, 2003, 10:42pm I'm enjoying this one a lot Kate! *waits patiently for next installment!* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 13th, 2003, 11:28pm Everyone please excuse me for a moment while I try to get over the shock of Vikki being patient.... Okay, I'm all right now, I think. Kat, this is becoming very interesting. I had a brief flash of thought that the assessor would be someone known to the school, but I'm glad she wasn't. I find it interesting that Cecil should be 'weak' in the face of the visitor, which could make like difficult for everyone! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 13th, 2003, 11:32pm on 11/13/03 at 23:28:47, KB wrote:
*wonders who Vikking is!!!?* ??? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 13th, 2003, 11:50pm *blames typos on trying to get through things quickly so that I can write more* And as you could never be patient, Vikki, I must have meant someone else. ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 13th, 2003, 11:59pm I can be very patient!! (when it suits me!) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 14th, 2003, 12:04am Can't say I've ever noticed it! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 14th, 2003, 12:09am Maybe it just hasn't suited me recently...... :P |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 14th, 2003, 12:10am *doubting what I haven't ever seen* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Esmeralda on Nov 14th, 2003, 2:29am Hoping to see more of this as soon as possible. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 10:09am next bit... The rest of the week past without the girls catching sight of Linda Price, she arrived from Fruedeshiem when the girls were at their first lesson and left during Kaffe und Kutchen. The weekend saw the real start of autumn with squally rain showers and high winds which kept the girls inside. On Monday the girls woke to blue skies and sunshine. “at last” Sarah Peters the schools head girl looked out of the window onto the grounds “hopefully we might get out for a bit this morning” “if we don’t” Rachel Jones replied “then we can look out for trouble” “what makes you say that” Sarah looked at her deputy with concern “I ran into young Heather last night as the forth forms were going up to bed and got very short shrift about the fact that they hadn’t been out all term” “I hope she didn’t give you any cheek” “Didn’t give her a chance” she grinned “I told her to quit grumbling and to get to bed, I was quite restrained” Sarah laughed knowing from her own sister’s complaints the difficulties of being a prefect with a sister in a lower form. At Frustuck the main topic of conversation appeared to be the question of whether or not they would get out that morning for a walk. At the staff table the mistresses were feeling no less restricted, the extra supervision and lack of exercise was affecting them as well “I do hope” Miss Chadwick whispered to her neighbour Miss Willaims “that we can get the girls out today" “I’m not sure that we will” Miss Williams sounded pessimistic “and if we don’t” she left the sentence unfinished “The trouble is” Miss Chadwick continued “that they are so used to having more freedom, particularly the older girls, and the lack of fresh air is beginning to affect them all” “What about petitioning Cecil?” They both turned to look at the head, who was seated in the middle of the long table. She was looking down at the school, her breakfast had hardly been touched “I’m not sure” began Miss Chadwick when Cecil struck the small bell in front of her and rose to her feet. “If I could have your attention for a moment please girls” she began, all eyes turned to her “As you are aware we cannot continue at this stage with the walks that you are used to” disappointment was etched into nearly every face as they feared that the walks they were hoping for wouldn’t happen. “however” Cecil continued “in view of the fact that you haven’t really been out all term this morning I would ask that when you have finished tidying your dormitories rather than going to your classrooms you go to your cloakrooms and put on your outside shoes and coats” she paused noting at once that the atmosphere in the room had lightened, she couldn’t help smiling as she continued “I am afraid that it will only be a straight walk, there will be no rambling, and you will remain in your forms under the supervision of two mistress and at least two prefects.” She looked round to the head girl “if you could arrange that please Sarah” “of course Miss Maynard” Sarah replied. “now if you will all stand for grace” Dormitory work was done at high speed in anticipation of the forthcoming walk. In Poppy dormitory however, the atmosphere wasn’t all happy “I don’t suppose I will be able to go” Abigail said glumly to Pippa as she fininshed hanging up the clean clothes that had come up from the laundry “how far do you think you could manage” Pippa replied “Not really sure, perhaps if I took some more pain killers I could manage the whole walk” “I don’t think that would be a good idea” Pippa said realistically “you could make it worse and then you would take longer to get better” “I suppose so, I just want to get out” As the bell sounded Pippa lined the girls up by the door and they marched quickly down to the splashery, shoes and coats were put on in record time and the whole of lower IV were lined up by the door when their form mistress, Miss Chadwick, and Mlle Mercier came to collect them. “Are you all ready girls” “Yes Miss Chadwick” the girls chorused their replies “now here come our prefects” she said as Hazel McDonald and Juliette Petrie approached “I see you are already lined up so shall we go” The girls marched smartly down the corridor towards the small side door that led out onto the grounds. As they reached the door Abigail wondered whether or not she really should have spoken to her form mistress before she left but in anticipation of getting a walk no one appeared to have remembered that she really shouldn’t be walking such distances yet. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 14th, 2003, 10:30am That would certainly be a very dramatic change. I don't know how this story is going to resolve itself, unless there's a situation in which the assessor is going to be in danger and is rescued by girls who are out on what might have been considered an 'unsafe' activity or something. However, I'm sure you'll come up with something, Kat, and I'm looking forward to it! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 10:45am on 11/14/03 at 10:30:58, KB wrote:
Neither do I! am just following Vikki's advice of following my plot bunny where ever he leads me. *shrugs - oh well back to trying to write this and pretend to be working at the same time* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 14th, 2003, 10:49am *considers bribing the PB to tell me, as I love spoilers* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 11:58am next bit (written whilst plot bunny has decided that real work is unnecessary on a Friday!) ........ “Miss Chadwick” Sarah Peters called down the corridor as lower IV began to move through the door. “just wait there girls” she said to her form and walked back down the corridor to the head girl “Sorry Miss Chadwick, but I have a message from Miss Maynard for you” she handed over a piece of paper which Miss Chadwick quickly unfolded and scanned “Oh of course, I see” she said to herself then looking at Sarah “are you coming with us?” “Sorry no have to go and catch up with Inter V, they’re the largest form and so Miss Maynard has asked for three prefects to go” “you had better run along then” Miss Chadwick dismissed the head girl and turned back towards her own class “Abigail O’Hara” she called out “come here please” Abigail glanced quickly at Pippa and Melanie, who both shrugged but said nothing, before walking back to her form mistress. “I am sorry Abigail” Miss Chadwick began “but your doctor has asked that you don’t walk for the distance we will be going just yet so you won’t be joining us today. Miss Maynard has asked that you go along to her office” “Of course Miss Chadwick” Abigail’s reply came out as a depressed sigh “of you go then” Miss Chadwick watched her pupil walk away down the corridor before returning to her own walk. Abigail took her time walking the short distance to Miss Maynard’s office. As she approached the school secretary called to her from her own room “Abigail, come through this way” she beckoned through the open door “Miss Maynard is waiting for you” the interconnecting door stood ajar and Abigail could see her headmistress sat at the desk. “come through” Miss Maynard called and as Abigail approached the desk she continued “I am sorry that you couldn’t go with the other girls today, however, Miss Richards has to take some papers over to Fruedshiem that arrived here by accident and I am sure you can make it that far” “oh, thank you, I don’t think that I could have managed a long walk” she admitted “but I do need some fresh air” Abigail looked so relieved that Miss Maynard couldn’t help but wonder if she had some undiscovered sin on her mind. She studied her pupil quizzically deciding that what ever it was would probably be better left for now, before indicating the door “well now, run along dear, Miss Richards is waiting” The pair of them made their way across the gravel path that led from the school to Freudeshiem, crossing through the gardens and round to the front door of the guest house. As Miss Richards knocked on the door Abigail asked hopefully “do you think we will get to see Mrs Maynard?” Abigail was a grand daughter of the school and although she had only seen Mrs Maynard a couple of times since her arrival in Switzerland she had heard plenty from her aunts, she was also an avid reader and before getting to school had read most of the junior fiction Mrs Manyard had published under her maiden name of Josephine M Bettany. “I’m not sure” Emma Richards smiled a the younger girl “I do know she hasn’t been well so it might not be possible” |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 14th, 2003, 1:18pm Yeh! This is excellent, Kate Very true to the CS but interesting with all the new characters Starts chanting .................... ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Jennie on Nov 14th, 2003, 1:30pm Joining in the chant to make it louder and more insistent. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 2:00pm Next bit.............. Len Entwistle had been forewarned of their arrival by a telephone call from her sister and had watched the pair of them approach from the school. By the time they arrived she had made coffee and put out some biscuits in the sitting room of the small annex she and her mother lived in. When she heard the knock on the door she went at once to let in her visitors. “come through” she greeted them “I’ve just got some coffee ready you will stay for ten minutes” “thank you Len” replied Miss Richards, who had been a pupil of hers during her own school days. The pair of them slipped out of their coats and made their way into the sitting room “I’ll just pop that post through into my office” Len took the bundle of envelopes from Miss Richards “pour out will you” The coffee was poured out and both Miss Richards and Abigail were sitting back in comfortable chairs when she returned. She smiled at Abigail. “Abi, Mama wants to know if you will go up to her room and see her, just for five minutes though as she tires quite easily at the moment” Abi jumped up and made her way to Mrs Maynards room. Abigail’s grandmother had been at school with Mrs Maynard and as such when Abi had first met her she been told to refer to her as Aunt Joey. She knocked on the bedroom door. “come in” Joey Maynard’s voice had remained strong despite her years, but in the six months since Abigail had seen her she couldn’t help noticing a tremor had crept in. She opened the door and walked over to the sofa where Joey was lying. “hello Aunt Joey” she said giving her brevret aunt a quick hug. “stand over there in the light and let me look at you” Joey laughed as Abigail struck a couple of dramatic poses “you look more like your grandmother every time I see you” “really” Abigail looked pleased “truly, now come perch here next to me and tell me whats been going on at school” Abigail was just finishing a recap of the terms events so far, in which a lot of time had been given over to griping about the sudden extra supervision they were all receiving when Miss Richards tapped on the door “Hello Joey” she began “time to go dear” she said Abigail “of course” Abigail got up from her seat and walked over to the door “May I come and see you again Aunt Joey” she asked “of course dear” Joey gave the girl a brief smile. Len was waiting for them in the hallway with their coats “you’ll have to get a move on if you don’t want to be late for the next lesson” she advised “I’m sure well make it” Miss Richards replied As they reached the door a smartly dressed young woman came out of the guest house side of the building into the hallway. “Miss Richards” she acknowledged the school secretary “Mrs Price” came the brief response. Abigail looked up sharply at the tone in Miss Richard’s voice. “I am just on my way over to the school are you headed that way” Mrs Price enquired “we are” “then may I accompany you” “of course” Miss Richards replied less than enthusiastically “shall we go, Abigail needs to get back over in time for the next lesson. Mrs Price turned to look at Abigail, who felt the woman’s eyes moving down to her left leg which was still wrapped in a tubi-grip support bandage. Abigail felt uncomfortable as the three of them walked slowly back toward the school. They had nearly reached the main building when Abigail spotted her own form returning from the walk. “Miss Richards, may I go and join my own form now please” she asked hopefully “of course dear” Miss Richards agreed and Abigail set off to join her classmates “I take it that was Abigail O’Hara” Mrs Price began before Abigail was out of earshot “Yes” Miss Richards replied cautiously. Abigail who had heard her own name had slowed down and continued to listen to the conversation. “I take it the girls have been out of the grounds walking this morning?” “They needed the exercise” was all Miss Richards was prepared to say “I thought I had made it perfectly clear to Miss Maynard that until I had concluded my investigation and the risk assessments had been carried out there was to be no walks outside the grounds” Miss Richards bit her lip to prevent herself replying “really, another claim like this O’Hara one the firm will have to consider whether or not it can continue to insure the school, particularly if our advice is going to be disregarded” the two women were now walking away from Abigail “and without insurance the school cannot stay open” Abigail’s mind was in turmoil as she reached her class mates, she was the only O’Hara in the school so she was sure they must have been talking about her but she had no idea what the claim was they were referring. She fell into line with her friends, giving them both brief smiles and tried to persuade herself to remain calm until she had had an opportunity to think things through. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by PatW on Nov 14th, 2003, 2:12pm Well that's let the cat out of the bag and put it among the pigeons, hasn't it? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachael P on Nov 14th, 2003, 2:13pm Brilliant, Kate Wonder what Abigail will do with that snippet of information! :-/ Bless her! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 14th, 2003, 3:01pm crumbs! *eagerly awaiting some MORE please Kate* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Abi on Nov 14th, 2003, 3:16pm Yes, more please, this is really good. Will Abigail understand what it's all about? By the way, she has the best name in the world....... ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by PatW on Nov 14th, 2003, 3:32pm I want to know what happens next!! Does she tell her friends? Does she write home? I think I would feel terribly let down by my parents - not telling me, and sending me back into the school. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 3:53pm A little bit more for you....... A sharp rap on the office door bought Cecil’s attention back from the stock request lists she had been considering. She quickly checked her schedule, noting that she wasn’t due to see anyone at this time. The knock hadn’t sounded like the usual timid tap of a pupil sent to their headmistress. At the same time she noted her secretary return to her own room and give a brief sympathetic smile before shutting the connecting door. “herein” she called and Mrs Price entered the office “Good morning Linda, how can I help you”. “I would like to know why you have allowed the girls to go walking off school grounds despite all that has been said” Mrs Price was obviously irate “Linda, neither the girls or the staff have had any proper exercise for over a week, they needed some fresh air and exercise” Cecil tried to pacify her as best she could “They should have stayed within the grounds as I advised, I cannot allow this” Cecil considered Linda Price for fully a minute whilst she fought to get her temper under control. In her iciest tones she replied “Exactly how much experience do you have of working in a boarding school?” “that is hardly the point” Mrs Price gasped “no that is precisely the point” Cecil indicated the chair opposite her “perhaps it would be a good idea for you to learn some of the background to the school, the way we run things and the reason for it” Something in the tone of Cecil’s voice made her realise she was going to have to listen to her whether she liked it or not and she reluctantly sat down. “I think that we need to discuss some of the basics of boarding school life, I take it you went to a day school?” “I fail to see why this is relevant” “well if you listen you will find out” was all Cecil said in response. She pressed the intercom connecting her office with her secretaries “Emma, Mrs Price and I are going to be in a meeting for a short while, perhaps you could reschedule her appointment with Miss Chadwick for later this week” “Yes Miss Maynard” Cecil turned back to Mrs Price, every inch of her the sort of headmistress her predecessors had been “Now I shall start with the beginnings of the school” |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 14th, 2003, 4:10pm *appreciates that Mrs Price is a villain, but thinks making her endure a History of the School is a bit harsh* ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Jennie on Nov 14th, 2003, 4:13pm Oh, I don't know about that. It may bludgeon her into submission! After all, what does she know about boarding schools? |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 4:15pm next .......... Abigail had been quite throughout the remainder of the mornings lessons and as the bell went for lunch she walked away from the classroom without waiting for her friends. Pippa and Melanie hurried after her down the corridor to the splashery. “Abi, whats the matter?” “Nothing Pippa I’m fine” was the only reply she received before Abi went into one of the cubicles. “Leave it” Melanie advised in hushed tones “she’s probably in pain from the walk this morning and doesn’t want to tell anyone” “I’m not sure” was all Pippa would say “its not like her at all” Having only over heard a part of the conversation between Mrs Price and Miss Richards, and having no real idea who Mrs Price was or what she was talking about, Abigail’s imagination had gone into overdrive. What had she done to put the school be in danger of having to close down. She didn’t want to face her friends, well what would they say they all loved the school and if anything happened it was all her fault. When the bell sounded she waited for the splashery to clear before coming out of the cubicle. She knew she would have to go into mittagissen but she had no appetite. The meal had started by the time she arrived and she gave her apologies to the prefect in charge of her table, who simply assumed she had been slow because of her leg. She sat at her place hardly touching her food and not saying a word. Both Melanie and Pippa who sat opposite her tried to get her to talk but she simply blanked them to the point where they eventually gave up. “Abigail” Hazel McDonald the prefect in charge of her table had been watching her “are you all right” “Yes Hazel” Abigail replied hastily lifting a fork full of the cheese salad “fine”. “I suggest that you get on with your meal instead of day dreaming then” the prefect finished. Abigail finished her meal without really tasting it and after it was over she again walked of leaving her two friends behind without a word, by now the rest of her form had started to notice in astonishment as the three girls had been pretty much inseparable since they started their school career and all knew how miserable Pippa and Melanie had been last term with out Abigail. For Abigail the rest of the school day passed in a blur, she hardly took in a word any of the mistresses said to her, she got through preparation without writing a word and afterwards spent the evening in the corner of the common room, almost growling at anyone who came near. Despite her friends best endevours they couldn’t shake Abigail from her current mood and by the time they went up to bed nearly ever member of lower IV was in a bad mood. Abigail lay in bed tossing and turning for a long time, before she eventually fell into a restless sleep. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 14th, 2003, 4:29pm aw, poor Abi... *notes that in THIS CS they seem to have loos* ;) |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Katarzyna on Nov 14th, 2003, 4:51pm Ok, as you know I don't have computer access at the weekend so this is going to be the last bit for this week... “what an earth is wrong with Lower IV” Miss Williams exclaimed loudly as she entered the staff room the following evening “who rattled your cage” Miss Phillips looked up from the desk where she was marking. Most of the other staff present taught Lower IV waited for the reply “I have just spent the last two ours supposedly teaching them something and I don’t think one of them heard a word I had to say” “oh dear” Mlle Mercier “perhaps they are sickening for something, Jayne have you noticed anything” she turned to Miss Chadwick their form mistress “They haven’t been any worse than usual, but then haven’t had a lesson with them since earlier in the week, I’ve just had prep supervision and registration” “has anyone noticed anything specific or is it just the form in general?” queried Miss Phillips “I think its something to do with the threesome” which was how the staff referred to Abigail, Pippa and Melanie “nurse said that they looked very tired and she was worried as their duty prefect had reported that the three of them were very quiet and weren’t eating properly” Emma Richards had been sitting quietly in the corner of the room having a coffee with Miss Redmond and sharing some of her news from home. “I wonder” she began thinking out loud “wonder what” Miss Williams replied “come on if you know whats got into them tell so we can deal with it” “I can’t be sure, but I wonder if they have found out about the insurance assessor” “well how could they?” “school grapevine?” was Miss Phillips suggestion, as a former pupil she knew well how that worked “no, I don’t think so we’ve all been so careful” “so careful about what” a new voice joined their conversation from the doorway. “just the person, come and join us” Miss Phillips welcomed Cathy Smith the school’s nurse into the staff room “there is a problem with lower IV” The staff quickly filled in the school nurse who agreed to see the three girls in the morning. “Oh I nearly forgot” she said as she was leaving the staff room “I came up to ask if form mistresses could do a quick dormitory inspection first thing in the morning” Lower IV sat at their desks the following morning waiting for their form mistress, the heavy silence that filled the room was affecting the whole class and a series of petty squabbles had broken out between the girls. Abigail remained uncommunicative much to her friends dismay. Miss Chadwick’s face was grim as she entered the room. “Good morning class” she said as she entered, signaling for them to sit, the classes response was less than cheerful. As she looked round her class she sighed “could I have your attention please” she began by getting the girls attention “Before we start this morning I would advise that dormitory inspections were carried out this morning” a few of her pupils expressions changed to dismay “now I am sure that most of you by now know how to put things away neatly but will the following girls note that instead of going to the common room for their break they should return to their dormitories and put their belongings as their meant to be” Miss Chadwick proceeded to read a list of eight names, the girls singled out looking acutely embarrassed. “finally, would Abigail O’Hara please report to Miss Maynard’s office immediately” Most of the girls turned to look at Abigail who had gone pink, racking her brains to think what she might have done to deserve such a summons she stood and excused herself from the room. She tried to think as she made her way to the study as to what offence she might have committed it was only when she entered the heads study to see a packet of painkillers on the heads desk that she realised what the dormitory inspection had turned up. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by xanthe on Nov 14th, 2003, 4:55pm Thank you Kate, enjoy the weekend :) *sighs with resignation* s'pose we'll have to wait for Monday *wants someone to hurry up and invent time-travel so she doesn't have to wait for drabbles...and of course, so she can acquire a full set of HBs with D/Ws and get them signed by the author...* |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Jennie on Nov 14th, 2003, 5:01pm We all want that. Xanthe, so the time machine will be really crowded. Still, I do wish we had some more. This is terrific, Kate, so please write some more over the weekend. |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Vikki on Nov 14th, 2003, 9:12pm This gets better Kate!! Looking forward to the next bit! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by KB on Nov 14th, 2003, 9:12pm Oh, poor Abi! What is going to happen as a result of this? Will Miss Maynard be reasonable? Does the assessor know about this? And how intimite are these cubicle searches?! Gee, what a lot of questions there are to be answered... ;D |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by catherine on Nov 14th, 2003, 10:39pm *groans* Of all the places to leave it................................ |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Rachel on Nov 14th, 2003, 11:58pm Grrrrrrraaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh! But I want to know what happens next! |
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Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court Post by Lesley on Today at 12:06am Only just managed to catch up on this - really enjoying it - that Miss Price comes across as a dragon - hope Cecil can sort her! Looking forward to more! |
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