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Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >> The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
(Message started by: Vikki on Nov 15th, 2003, 2:00am)

Title: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 15th, 2003, 2:00am
Archived due to length!
Here's the link: http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/csincourt.html

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 17th, 2003, 2:11pm
thank you all for your words of encouragement!

as you were all so patient over the weekend.......

“Come in and be seated” Cecil pointed to the chair.  Abigail came into the room, carefully keeping her eyes on her headmistress and not letting them stray to the packet on the desk.  Cecil watched her pupil thoughtfully.
“I wonder if you could explain why this packet of pain killers was found under your bed this morning?” she began
“Umm, I…” began Abigail before trailing off and looking down to where her hands were clasped together in her lap. ‘They must have fallen out from under my pillow when I was making the bed this morning’ she thought to herself
“Shall we start more simply” Cecil’s tone of voice had taken a slightly harsher tone which Abigail had not heard before, though some of the schools more frequent visitors to her office could attest that it did belong to their headmistress. “does this packet of painkillers belong to you?”
“Yes Miss Maynard” was all that Abigail could mutter
“Look at me when I speak to you”
Abigail raised her eyes from her lap, her face had taken on a dull red flush and her eyes were filled with tears
“Now” Cecil continued, noticing her pupil’s obvious distress her voice again its usual gentle tone “can you tell me what it was doing under your bed?”
“I had them in my cubicle to take in the morning before I got up” Abigail confessed weakly
“Have you been taking them every morning?”
“not every morning”
“how often then?”
“about 3 times a week”
“I seem to remember asking you at the start of term whether you had handed in all your medication to nurse, why did you lie”
Abigail’s reply was so mumbled that Cecil didn’t hear her
“Could you repeat that please” she requested, Abigail’s reply was still barely audible
“Didn’t want to be a nuisance”
“I see” Cecil sighed “so you thought you would lie to your doctors, the nurse, myself and the staff about your recovery by taking matters into your own hands because you didn’t want to be a nuisance?”
Abigail was fighting hard against her tears and couldn’t reply
“You do realise why we ask everyone to hand in their medication at the start of term? Cecil queried gently, when she received no rely she continued.
“Abigail, whilst you are at school we are responsible for your health and well being as well as your education.  We ask you to hand in your medication for several reasons, the most important of which is to make sure that the health centre staff and nurse know how you are.  If you take pain killers and don’t tell us how are we going to know if you are in pain from your injuries.  What if we thought you were recovering faster than you were and allowed you to do more strenuous games, you could be at risk of seriously injuring yourself again, or you could undo all the work you have done in getting better.  Do you understand?”
“Yes, but I didn’t want to make any fuss”
“we cannot allow pupils to carry their own medication for other reasons” Cecil continued “what would happen if someone else took your tablets?  What if they took to many or had an allergic reaction to them?  By keeping them yourself you not only lied but also put the other girls in danger” Cecil knew that she was overstating the point but felt she wasn’t really getting through.
“Now I am going to give the rest of this packet to nurse and from now on you will not get out of bed in the morning until nurse has been to see you and checked you are fit enough to get up, if you need pain killers regularly then we need to ask the doctors to have another look at you”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 17th, 2003, 2:57pm
Phew - on one hand, poor Abigail, on the other, I'm glad the painkillers have been discovered, I have to confess to being worried about them leading to all sorts of complications.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 17th, 2003, 3:58pm
bit more ........


This was too much for Abigail who burst into tears, all she wanted was to lead a normal school life and forget about the accident but now her whole dormitory would be reminded every morning.

Cecil stood up from her chair and came round to where Abigail was sitting, picking up the box of tissues on route.  
“Here you are” she said handing over a tissue as she took the seat next to her.   Abigail wiped her eyes but could not stop sobbing.   There was no sign of the tears lessening and Cecil began to think that there might be more to Abigail’s unhappiness than the fact she couldn’t control her own pain mediation.  Worried that her pupil was about to cry herself into hysteria or sickness Cecil spoke sharply
“Right, now that’s quite enough of that” Abigail looked up at her headmistress “stop crying at once” Cecil commanded.  Abigail sniffed and hiccupped a couple of times trying to get herself under control.  

Cecil left her pupil where she was seated whilst she went to the kettle she kept for personal use in her office.  
“here drink this” she put the cup of hot sweet tea into Abigail’s hands and sat down next to her again
“Abi” she spoke softly “is everything all right”
Abigail nodded not trusting herself to speak
“Are you happy at school this term?” Cecil continued to question her and when Abigail nodded she continued “So there is nothing worrying you?”
“Does my accident mean the schools going to close” Abigail blurted out before she could stop herself.

Cecil looked shocked at Abigail’s question but quickly gathered her thoughts together
“What on earth made you think that?” she asked
“I, well” Abi wasn’t sure how to continue, after all she had just been scolded for lying to admit she had eavesdropped on a private conversation on top of that.  Cecil waited patiently for her pupil to continue
“I, um, overheard a conversation”
“I see, and did you over hear the whole conversation or just part of it”
“most of it” admitted Abigail reluctantly
“perhaps you had better tell me exactly what you heard”

By the time Abigail had finished telling Cecil what she had overheard between Miss Richards and Mrs Price she was again in tears
“Please Miss Maynard, I’m so confused, I don’t want the school to close and everyone will blame me if it does”.   Cecil couldn’t help but smile at this declaration
“Don’t worry yourself, there is no danger of that”
“Please then what was Mrs Price talking about”
“I am sorry Abigail, I am not able to tell you” Cecil didn’t like having to say this as it had always been an unspoken rule at the school that the girls were kept as informed as possible no matter what the situation. “Now I am not going to say anything further about eavesdropping on a private conversation, but I would ask you not to repeat to anyone what you overheard”
“of course Miss Maynard” Abigail replied, starting to cheer up “but, what was the claim thing she was talking about”


Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lisa on Nov 17th, 2003, 4:11pm
Poor Abi. I have noticed how often in the CS people are told to stop crying before hysterics threaten. If someone told me that & I was in a bad state, it would make me worse! (But then I am a bit of a spineless jellyfish!)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 17th, 2003, 4:21pm
next bit...

Miss Chadwick had finished her mornings teaching not in the best of moods, after the disgraceful behaviour of lower IV she had gone on to teach Inter V, who had some how managed to misinterpret the question she had set for preparation the week before and as a result she had been forced to re-visit the work they had done the previous week rather than move on with the syllabus.

As she rounded the corner towards the staff quarters Linda Price called out from the room she was currently using as an office
“Miss Chadwick” she began “could I remind you that our appointment is directly after lunch”
“Thank you Mrs Price” Miss Chadwick replied politely “I hadn’t forgotten”
“Good, I shall look forward to seeing you here at 1.30 pm then”

Miss Chadwick walked away her temper not improved by the thought that she would have to go through what happened on the day of Abigail’s accident yet again.  She had played out the whole matter in her mind on numerous occasions, trying to find if there was anything she could have done to prevent it.  It was all very well thinking if only but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t see anyway in which the accident could have been avoided.  Despite this she still felt, as senior mistress on the walk that day, responsible for what had happened.

She remained fairly silent throughout lunch, not joining in the conversation around her.  Miss Williams who was sitting next to her noted her friend’s silence
“Have you had one of those mornings” she asked
“Yes” she replied shortly “and I am sure its only the start of a bad day” Miss Williams decided it might be better to carry on with her dinner without making any further observations.

As the weather was still holding, after lunch the girls made their way into the grounds under the supervision of the prefects whilst the staff as a whole adjourned for coffee on the small terrace which was situated just outside the staff room’s window.  

“Where did Jayne go” asked Miss Williams, looking round for her friend and holding the coffee she had poured for her
“She didn’t come with us” Miss Redmond replied
“Strange, she has a free period next, I thought she could have done with a relax judging by her expression at lunch”
“I gather she has had a terrible time with lower IV this morning after their dormitory inspection” Miss Phillips grinned, as the form mistress of Upper III had been responsible for that particular set of girls last year and knew that some were more than a little slapdash when it came to housekeeping.
“Oh dear, I take it their not showing any improvement in that department then”
“I am sure it will come to them in time” Mlle Mercier joined “they are young yet but with practice they will learn to keep their domains neatly
“I’m sure they will” Miss Williams replied “but in the meantime poor Jayne has to keep on top of them”
“Do you mind if I join you” Cecil stepped onto the terrace
“not at all” Miss Williams replied “In fact, why don’t you have this coffee seeing as Jayne Chadwick appears to have disappeared into the ether”
“thank you” Cecil took the coffee “I believe Jayne has her interview with Mrs Price in five minutes so I hope that clears up the mystery of her disappearance”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 17th, 2003, 4:48pm
Thank you Kate!! Looking forward eagerly to the next bit!!
Poor Abigail, she's having a really rough time!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 17th, 2003, 4:53pm
:)

You all get to wait until tomorrow now as I am off home!

happy yibbling

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachel on Nov 17th, 2003, 8:18pm
Yibble, yibble, yibble, yibble.

Is it tomorrow yet?

Wonder where Kats home is? Wonder if we could ambush her and make her write some more?

Yibble, yibble, yibble, yibble.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 17th, 2003, 8:27pm
Thank you Kat - please post more as soon as you are back in work! ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 17th, 2003, 9:12pm
*doing little "happy-dance-at-more-drabble"*

*realising this may not QUITE fit in with "library conditions"*

*dancing in a more restrained fashion*

thank you Kate!  ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 17th, 2003, 10:42pm
Oh, poor Abi. I can't help feeling that Cecil is being rather unfair. She's stressed because of the situation, and she's really taking it out on the victim.

I sense more problems on the horizon...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 17th, 2003, 11:15pm
I'm still really enjoying this story. Just thought I'd let you know and encourage you to continue with it 'cos it's worth it.

Am I rambling on here and not making sense?

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 17th, 2003, 11:16pm
*thinks that Carolyn makes perfect sense and wonders why she thinks she doesn't*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 17th, 2003, 11:28pm
'Cos of how I feel at the moment, see the Satan drabble for further info.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 17th, 2003, 11:47pm
*understands perfectly now and directs Carolyn to the hugs box*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 18th, 2003, 3:19pm
ok, hope this reads ok

Jayne Chadwick made her way through the corridors to Linda Price’s office, the door was ajar when she got their and she knocked quietly.  

“come in” Mrs Price called out.  Jayne entered and was waved to the wooden backed chair on the opposite side of the desk, more usually used for one to one tutorials or remedial lessons.  Jayne felt very much as though she was facing some sort of interrogation rather than an interview about the circumstances of the accident, particular when Mrs Price continued
“Now I have a list of questions that we need you to answer, I assume that you don’t have any objection to the interview being tape recorded” she pointed to the tape recorder on the desk.  Jayne didn’t answer after all she didn’t feel that she was actually being given an opportunity to refused.
“Good, well begin” Mrs Price shuffled the papers on her desk and turned on the machine.

Taped interview with Miss Jayne Chadwick (JC) commenced at 1.36 pm on 26th September 2003, interviewer Mrs Linda Price (LP).  

(LP) Now if you could begin by giving me your full name and date of birth

(JC) My full name is Jayne Elizabeth Chadwick and my birth date is 12th June 1970

(LP) In what capacity are you employed by the Chalet School

(JC) I am employed as a geography teacher

(LP) and how long have you held this position

(JC) I have been here since September 1996, so 7 years.

(LP) was this your first appointment

(JC) No, I taught at a comprehensive school in Sheffield for 3 years before that

(LP) I understand that you were a pupil at the Chalet School yourself

(JC) yes, but at the English branch not this one

(LP) Right, now if we can address the day of the accident itself.  Could you explain as accurately as you can the walk taken with your pupils and what happened.

(JC) Ok,

-pause -


Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 18th, 2003, 3:20pm
continued ..........

(LP) Take your time

(JC) well, the weather had been particularly bad during the end of February and the beginning of March and none of the girls had been out for longer than about 10 minutes a day.  As a result they were all fractious at being housebound so on the day of the accident

(LP) Sorry could you clearly state the day and date

(JC) um, the 12th March, a Wednesday.  The form mistresses and the nurse were called to Miss Maynard’s office and it as decided that rather than holding lessons that day we should take advantage of the weather and spend some time out in the fresh air.  It was decided that we would walk together in forms, each form having two mistresses or one mistress and two prefects present.  Mlle Mercier, who is form mistress to IIIb had sprained her ankle the week previously and couldn’t go and so forms IIIa and IIIb were to be combined with two mistresses and two prefects

(LP) could you just clarify how many pupils are in each form

(JC) there were 20 in IIIa and 22 in IIIB

(LP) so 42 altogether

(JC) yes

-pause-

(LP) Please continue

(JC) um where was I, oh yes.  Miss Williams, the form mistress of IIIa was going with her form and as last year I wasn’t a form mistress I said I would join them.  We had two prefects with us Amile Petrou and Sophia Hammerstrom.  We left the school at about 10 am and walked the girls along the platz and then rambled through the woods

(LP) can you explain the difference between walking and rambling

(JC) walking generally means walking in pairs in a line and rambling is where we walk less formally, generally the girls split up into small groups

(LP) I see, please continue

(JC) Right, well we reached the Auberge just before lunch and stopped to sit down and eat.  After lunch the girls rested for an hour, some of them read, some talked and a couple fell asleep.  Then at about 2 pm the girls insisted on trying the echos, as it would be the last time that term they would go

(LP) why was that

(JC) because term ended on the following Friday.  

-pause-

(JC) anyway, whilst some of the girls were trying out the echos and others playing hide and seek with the prefects on the alm when Heather Jones, from IIIa, fell and landed badly, twisting her ankle.  The prefects who were with us called myself and Miss Williams over and we were examining Heather when  there was a scream from the direction of the railings

(LP) you didn’t see what happened

(JC) no I had been bandaging up Heather’s ankle

(LP) Ok, and what did you do when you heard the scream.  

(JC) Myself, Miss Williams and Sophia ran over to the railings leaving Amile with Heather.  

(LP) and what did you see there

(JC) Most of the girls were gathered round the railings, some were screaming and crying.  Phillipa Richardson and Melanie Edwards were about to try and climb over the rail, we got them down and they told us that Abigail O’Hara had slipped under the railings and down the bank

(LP) and did they say how she had slipped

(JC) not at the time, later on when they were calmer they explained that they had been looking for a whistle that Melanie was sure that she had put in her rucksak and that when they found it they ran over to Abigail, who had been standing at the railings.  They said it was as though her feet slipped from under her on the wet grass and she slipped under the railings and down the hill.

(LP) I see, so neither of the girls could have pushed her

-pause-

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 18th, 2003, 3:22pm
continued ...........

(LP) Please answer the question

(JC) They didn’t say that there had been any contact

(LP) and what happened afterwards

(JC) There is a café at the auberge and they had heard the screams and come over, one of the men ran back and rang for the mountain rescue team.  There is a base up near the hospital and they arrived within 15 minutes in the helicopter. Two of the men went down the hill with a stretcher and bought Abigail back up to the top.

(LP) take your time

(JC) sorry, do you have any water

-pause-

(LP) there you go

(JC) thank you

(LP) now can you tell me what you did with the other pupils whilst you were waiting for mountain rescue

(JC) the girls were all very shaken and on top of that Heather’s ankle was badly twisted.  Sophia rang the school and the minibuses were sent out to pick us up. Heather was taken to the health centre for treatment and the rest of the girls back to school

(LP) and how was Abigail when she was bought back up

(JC) she was barely conscious and her leg was twisted out at an angle, she had lots of cuts and grazes on her arms and face.

(LP) did she receive treatment at the scene

(JC) yes the mountain rescue people gave her first aid and then took her up to the hospital

(LP) that would be the Sir James Russell Memorial Hospital

(JC) yes.

(LP) and what happened after that

(JC) As senior mistress I went with Abigail to the hospital, she was taken to theatre and they operated on her leg.  Miss Maynard came up from the school.

(LP) ok, now just a couple more questions, firstly, you say that you were senior mistress on the trip

(JC) yes, Miss Williams is a junior English mistress and has been in post for 3 years

(LP) ok, and finally, can you tell me what first aid equipment you carried on the expidition

(JC) we have a standard first aid kit made up by the staff of the health centre, a mobile phone and emergency flares as a precaution

(LP) but you didn’t phone for help from your own mobile

(JC) no, there was no signal in the area at the time.

(LP) I see, I think that’s all for now, interview terminated at 2.26 pm.

Jayne Chadwick sat back in her seat after the tape recorder had been switched off, she felt totally drained
“Ok, I will be sending the tape through to the company and one of the secretaries will transcribe your interview and turn it into a formal witness statement”  Jayne could only nod in response
“Thank you for your time” Mrs Price said by way of concluding the interview and Jayne gave a wan smile before leaving.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 18th, 2003, 3:24pm

on 11/17/03 at 20:18:00, Rachel wrote:
Wonder where Kats home is? Wonder if we could ambush her and make her write some more?


Home is in Preston, Lancashire but i am writing this whilst at work so when the office shuts i have to give up for the night!

ps - if you try and ambush me my PB will get you - he doesn't like to be made to do anything!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 18th, 2003, 3:40pm
May I gently remind you that it's still work time?  therefore you can post some more?  Pretty please?   :-*
And you told me I was mean, leaving mine like that?!!!  ::) :o

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 18th, 2003, 4:19pm

on 11/18/03 at 15:40:55, PatW wrote:
May I gently remind you that it's still work time?  therefore you can post some more?  Pretty please?   :-*
And you told me I was mean, leaving mine like that?!!!  ::) :o


trouble is i can't post anymore until its written and my clients keep phoning me!  how inconveinent is that!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 18th, 2003, 4:22pm
bit more

Later that evening Cecil sat in the arm chair of her private sitting room her thoughts troubled.  She knew that many of her staff were unhappy with the presence of Mrs Price and that Jayne Chadwick in particular had been fit for nothing after her interview, luckily the school’s nurse had met her in the corridor and sent her to relax rather than to try and continue working.  

The girls were fretting at the lack of freedom and exercise, which had led to an increase in the number of order marks given out for answering back to the prefects who hand landed the unwelcome job of extra supervision of their juniors.  Cecil herself was particularly upset at the way she had had to finish her interview with Abigail earlier that morning.  She wished that she had been able to tell the girl about the claim and put her charge’s mind at rest but instead she simply had to advise as per her father’s wishes.

Cecil had met James O’Hara on several occasions during her life, as his mother had been a friend of her mothers.  James himself was the last of Juliet O’Hara’s children about the same age as her eldest brother Stephen.  He had been referred to as “the afterthought” by his sisters, the youngest of which was a good 20 years old than him.  His wife had tragically died in an accident whilst Abigail was still small and as a result James was fiercely protective of his only child.  Whilst she could understand his need to protect his daughter she couldn’t help feeling that keeping this from her might cause her more harm in the long run and may actually ruin the relationship between father and daughter.

As she sat their in the increasing darkness their came a quiet tap on her door.  She quickly switched on the small reading lamp on the coffee table next to her before calling out
“Entrez”  The door opened and her eldest sister stuck her head round the door
“Have you got time for visitor” she asked
“Of course” Cecil got up and hugged her sister in welcome “do you want a drink”
“if your having one” Len replied seating herself in one of the chairs “you look a little fraught”
“the joys of being a headmistress” Cecil replied wearily filling the kettle
“look why don’t you send down to the kitchen for some cocoa, the staff will be making some for the girls supper anyway” Len suggested “then you can sit down and tell me about it”  Despite the fact that Cecil was a grown woman of fifty her eldest sister still had a tendancy to look out for her, as she did for all the family, despite some of their protestations.

Cecil arranged for some cocoa and when the pair of them were sat down Len began again
“can you tell me about it” she asked knowing full well that Cecil wouldn’t break a confidence
“some” she replied evasively and filled Len in on Abigail finding out about the claim when she had finished Len sat back and regarded her sister
“so what do you think you should do about it” she asked
“well to be honest I would rather tell Abi the truth, being aware of only a grain of the whole story leaves her free to make up her own mind as to the ending but I won’t go against her father’s wishes”
“what was it matey used to say”
“were not bringing up spineless jellyfish” both sisters burst out laughing with fond memories of the wiry little matron who had been at the school when they were pupils.

When they had finished laughing Cecil turned to her sister
“so in my position what would you do” she asked seriously.  Len gave careful consideration to the question before replying
“why don’t you phone the solicitor tomorrow and explain the situation, ask his permission to tell Abigail the truth”
“and if he won’t let me”
“then perhaps phoning James might be the best plan” Len advised “tell him what has happened and how its affecting Abi, he might not want her to know about the claim but I am certain he would be more upset he she found out from somewhere else”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 18th, 2003, 7:53pm
Hmm, very interesting, Kat. I feel sorry for almost everyone, but I'm wondering if there isn't something a bit dirty about the whole incident and I can't wait to see where it goes...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 18th, 2003, 8:42pm
Glad that I wasn't faced with that interrogation - Just wondering if James O Hara was sueing the Auberge as well?  Surely it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of their visitors?

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 18th, 2003, 9:45pm
Most interesting. Wonder too about whether it was an accident or if Abi was pushed!

Please post more soon!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 19th, 2003, 3:01am
Kate! I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to know what happens next!! More soooooooooooooooooooon please!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 12:51pm
Just a little bit more for now

Saturday morning’s at the school were given over to a short preparation session and then at 10.30 came their guide meeting.  Guides was still extremely popular at the school, with enough pupils joining to enable to school to boast four packs, one for each house of the school.  

Lunch time on Saturdays were a buffet affair, laid out after breakfast by the kitchen staff in order that they could take off most of the rest of the day.  The buffet arrangement allowed the girls to sit where they wanted in the hall and often the mistresses sat with their pupils.

Cecil had spent her morning as leader of the St Therese House guide pack on a march out across the platz.  It had given the girls a much needed work out and the gusty breeze had done much to blow away her own mental cobwebs.  As a result she felt much brighter and more cheerful.

Some of her brightness was also due to the fact she had received a message from James O’Hara, whose solicitors had passed on her request to tell Abigail about the claim.  As a result Mr O’Hara had decided that the best solution would be to come out to the school and explain matters to his daughter himself.  He had managed to get a standby flight and would be arriving later that night.  Cecil had arranged that Len would put him up at Freudeshim and that Abigail could go over for tea the following day.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 19th, 2003, 12:56pm
I cannot think she'll be very pleased with him!  I hope she tells him exactly what the results are for the girls!!  :D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 19th, 2003, 1:13pm
Excellent - very realistic!

Did she fall or was she pushed?  ;)

Shame that James isn''t as understanding ashis own mother!!

Looking forward to more ... never mind your pesky clients!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 19th, 2003, 1:46pm
Oohh, is someone going to push him off a cliff in order to facilitate a true CS style repentace. Then he can drop the case.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 2:01pm
bit more..........

Abigail lay in bed on Sunday morning waiting for nurse to come and check on her before she could get up.  There was no bell on Sunday until 8.00 am but the girls in forms above Lower IV were allowed to get up before then, on the understanding that they would be quiet and not wake those girls who preferred a lie in.  Unfortunately Abi was an early riser, normally on a Sunday she and her friends would get up early, shower and dress before going down to spend their time relaxing in the common room before breakfast.  

One of the schools oldest rules was that the girls did not visit other cubicles in the dormitories and as a result she had been forced to lie in bed and listen to her friends getting up and going out.  When the bell went at 8 Abigail had been awake for over two hours and then minutes later when nurse finally appeared she was extremely bored and fed up

“Good Morning Abigail” nurse greeted her pleasantly
“well morning anyway” was Abigail’s sarcastic reply.  Nurse looked at her sharply, noting the heaviness to her eyes
“I take it you have been awake for a while”
“since before six, I wish I could have got up sooner”
“I’m sorry” nurse apologised “I would have come sooner but a couple of girls in lower IIIa were extremely sick during the night”
“tisn’t your fault” Abigail acknowledged “If I hadn’t been so stupid this wouldn’t be happening”
“I see” nurse smiled, Cecil had asked her to inform her if Abigail acknowledged that she had bought matters upon herself, in the hope that she had learnt her lesson.  For the last week Abigail hadn’t needed any painkillers to assist her in the mornings and nurse felt that she would be able to report to Cecil that Abigail should be allowed to rise as usual from Monday.  However, she didn’t say anything to her patient at this point other than to give her permission to get up and go join her classmates.

Abigail showered, washing her hair, and had only just finished drying and re-plaiting it when the bell went for breakfast.  She made her way down to the dining room where she was greeted warmly by her friends.  Sunday morning breakfast saw a break from the usual toast and cereal and this morning there was a cooked breakfast.  As always on a Sunday breakfast was followed by services is the school’s own chapels and then the rest of the morning given over to quiet restful activities.

As the weather was good most of Lower IV had decamped under one of the large trees at the edge of the schools playing fields, most were reading or writing letters home, no one was allowed to do any school work on a Sunday.

“Please, is Abigail O’Hara here” a small silver haired child from IIb had approached the group.  Abigail had been sitting on the other side of the tree, resting her back against it
“Yes, what is it”
“Miss Richards has asked that you go to Miss Maynards office immediately please”
“Thank you” Abigail replied and the messenger turned and raced back to school “someone give me a hand” she said holding out her arms.  Melanie jumped to her feet and pulled her friend up “do I look presentable” she asked generally.  A chorus of replied ranging from a simple “yes” to Melanies “do you ever?” was her reply and after brushing a couple of stray leave from her skirt she made her way to the office.

‘I wonder what I’ve done this time’ she thought to herself miserably as she walked down the corridor.  The door was open when she arrived and Miss Maynard was waiting for her.  
“Come in dear” she smiled at her pupil.  The smile and tone of her headmistresses voice made Abigail think that she couldn’t have done anything wrong
“Now, first of all I want to tell you that I have spoken to nurse this morning and she tells me that you haven’t needed any painkillers this week, she also tells me that she feels that you should be allowed to get up as usual.  However, I want you to promise me that if you are in pain in the morning you will get your dormitory prefect to go and get nurse straight away”
“Yes Miss Maynard” Abigail replied, relieved that things were returning to normal “Im sorry I lied to you about handing in all my tablets” she continued
“well in that case I don’t think we shall say any more about it” Cecil was confident that Abigail wouldn’t do anything further to endanger her own recovery.

“Now” Cecil continued “I have a request from Mrs Entwistle that you should go to Freudeshim this afternoon for tea with her and Mrs Maynard”
“Oh, excellent” Abigail blurted out.
“I would be careful how often you use that phrase” Cecil said dryly “or it might well end up on the list of forbidden slang”
“Sorry” Abigail’s apology was not extremely sincere
“she has also asked that you take two friends with you, who would you like”
“Melanie Edwards and Philippa Richardson please” the reply was exactly as Cecil had expected.
“That’s fine, I am sure Philippa will be extremely pleased as she hasn’t seen either her aunt or her great grandmother this year, why don’t you run along and tell them”
“please what time are we to go over”
“if you are ready to leave at 3.00 pm Mrs Entwistle will come over and collect you”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 3:39pm
next bit .........

The three girls were ready promptly at 3.00 pm, waiting by the side door.  Len Entwistle smiled as she approached the open door, all three looked extremely smart in the blue raincoats, which covered their own personal clothes.  The school allowed the girls to wear their own clothes out of lessons and most favoured jeans and sweatshirts in the autumn terms, however, in deference to their visit to Freudeshim all three had chosen to wear skirts rather than trousers.  

”Ready girls” she asked as she reached them and when the assured her they were they began the short walk across the grounds and through the small gate separating the school from the guest house.  
“Well go in through the side door” Len directed “you can leave your coats and outside shoes in the downstairs bathroom then come through to the lounge”  Len left the three girls to discard their outer clothes.  The lounge contained comfortable furniture and when all three were seated Len returned with her mother.

Joey Maynard was nearing her 85th birthday and old age was beginning to take its toll on her body, although her mind remained as agile as ever.  She had always been slender, despite having such a large family, but in recent years she had become increasingly frail.  She was no longer able to walk without aid but greatly despised having to use the walking frame.  No matter how hard Len tried to pursuade her mother to use the wheel chair the hospital had provided nothing on this earth who get her into it.  As a result she rarely left Freudesheim these days.

She had been greatly affected by the deaths of her husband, son and many of those closest to her both family members and from the school.  In fact she was almost the last of what she called the foundation stones, who had either been pupils or mistresses during the school’s early days in Austria.   Her hair, once jet black, was now snowy white and her face was lined with wrinkles.  Her eyes however remained bright and at times mischievous.

Once Len had got her mother settled on the sofa she poured drinks for everyone from the jug that she had set up in the corner of the room.  
“Now then” began Joey “what shall we do, I don’t think I am up to anything to strenuous so don’t go suggesting anything to wild”
“Grandmama” said Pippa “please can you tell us a story from when you were at school”  The other two joined in her plea eagerly.  Joey laughed
“how about a family story”
“Please” the girls replied with Pippa adding “do you mean one about Granny?”
“I could tell you about some of the things Con and her sisters got up to at school” she said with a sly glance at her eldest daughter, Con’s sister.  “but I think for today I will tell you all about a fishing trip I made with two other pupils during a guide camp when I was about 16”
Len excused herself from the room to go and see to their tea and Joey sat back and told the girls their story.

She was just finishing when Len returned with the tea trolley laid out with sandwiches and cakes.  They chattered generally about school as they ate and afterwards Joey went back upstairs to her room to rest.  Len asked Pippa and Melanie to clear the tea things and turned to Abigail.
“Abi” she began “will you wait here please, you have visitor”.  Abigail looked surpised and Len left the room returning almost immediately with her father.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:02pm
bit more....possibly last bit for today....

“here she is James” Len said leading Abigail’s father into the room
“Thank you Len” James replied “sorry, but would you mind” he asked somewhat sheepishly
“not at all, besides which, I had better go supervise Mel and Pippa or who knows what will become of my plates”  Len said laughingly as she left the room
Abigail stood and went over to her father giving him a brief hug before pulling away
“What on earth are you doing here” she asked
“Do I need a reason to come and see my only daughter”
“I suppose not, but you don’t normally”
“why don’t we sit down and you can tell me how you term is going”.  The pair of them sat side by side on the sofa and Abigail told her father about the school, telling him not only about lessons, her friends and the general gossip but also about the extra supervision and the fact they weren’t allowed to go on rambles. Finally she finished talking and looked seriously at her father
“what is it Abi” he asked gently
“I, um, well” she began hesitantly knowing her father insisted on honorable behaviour from his only child, she paused and when her father made no attempt to speak continued “overheard, this lady say that the school was in danger of closing down and something about me and a claim”.
“I see” her father replied
“Daddy do you know what she was talking about” Abigail asked

James stood up and walked to the window unsure how to answer his daughter and wishing, as he did on almost daily basis, that his wife was still with him to help bring up their daughter.  He had cared for Abigail since the day Jennie had died, his family had rallied round to help him but he had been adamant that Abigail was his and Jennie’s daughter and he would do everything possible to make sure that he bought her up as they had planned.  Initially this had driven a large wedge between himself and not only his family but Jennie’s family also.  It was only the death of his father and his mother’s grief that had allowed him to again let in the rest of the family to their lives.  He turned back to where Abigail was still seated on the sofa, her eyes reflected the turmoil in her mind.

“Yes Abi I do” he replied
“is it true, is my accident going to shut the school down”
“no its not” he replied truthfully “but I do need to talk to you about the claim”.  He sat down again, this time in one of the chairs opposite his daughter “when you were still very sick I was talking to a friend of mine who works for a solicitors, they suggested that you should be compensated for the accident”
“I don’t understand” Abigail looked extremely confused
“Well, its like this, when you are at school they are responsible for looking after you, the same was that I am responsible for you when your at home”
“yes daddy I know that, but why should I get compensation for the accident”
“when someone is at fault for an accident then the victim of the accident is entitled to claim money from them for the injuries they received”
“but, how were the school at fault”
“well they were responsible for you”
“but, its not their fault I fell”
“it is if they didn’t look after you properly”


Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:03pm
Abigail sat silently taking in this information, her father watched her closely noticing how much she resembled his own mother.  Eventually she looked directly at her father
“so the claim thing” she began
“yes”
“You have made a claim against the school because of the accident”
“Yes” James replied hesitantly unsure of exactly what his daughter was thinking
“and because of that the school could close?”
“no I told you, the school won’t close because of the claim”
“but the lady said”
“Abigail listen to me, the school won’t close because of the claim but they will probably have to make some changes”
“you mean like having prefects and mistresses with you all the time?”
“possibly”
“and not being able to go for rambles and trips”
“I, ” was all James could say before Abigail burst out
“So its all my fault, everyone is unhappy at school cos of the changes and its all because of me” “Abigail listen to me” James could tell that Abigail was extremely angry as the colour rose in her face and her eyes flashed
“you didn’t ask me if I wanted to claim” her voice was raising as she spoke
“Its not your decision to make” James replied “whilst you’re a child its up to me to make sure that you are cared for”
“but I its not the schools fault”
“That’s something for the insurance company and our solicitors to decide”
“I don’t want any compensation” by now Abigail was shouting
“Keep your voice down” her father warned “do you want everyone to over hear?”
“I don’t care” was Abigail’s defiant reply before she crossed her arms and stared at he father.

James tried to explain to Abigail why he had bought the claim but she refused to speak to him and eventually both lapsed into a sullen silence.  Len stuck her head round the door and smiled at both of them
“sorry to disturb you but Abi needs to be getting ready to go back to school”
“Thank you Len” James replied and then turning to his daughter said “I understand that you aren’t happy about the claim but just let the insurers and solicitors deal with it.  I am also forbidding you to talk about it to anyone do you understand”
“Yes” Abigail replied, absolutely certain that she wouldn’t tell anyone, after all she didn’t want anyone else in the school to know what her father had done.
“I am going straight back to England first thing tomorrow morning” her father told her “I shall see you at the end of term”
“Ok”  Abigail stood up and her father went over to her
“take care of yourself poppet” he told her giving her a hug, Abigail was completely unresponsive and didn’t reply, nor did she say goodbye or look back at her father as she left the room.  James sat down again in the chair feeling miserable and wishing once again he could talk to his long dead wife.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:06pm
I do hope that you are planning to write more of this before you leave work today, please........

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:09pm
Oh poor Abigail!!

He's not exactly looking at it from her point of view is her?!

Esmeralda - you're very greedy after that incredibly lengthy post!
*joins Esmeralda in plea*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:11pm
Aren't we all always greedy for more?  Joining chant!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:20pm
*Confesses that original request for more was made before the last two posts - this computer can be so embarrassing at times!  On the other hand, I am greedy for more anyway; and why not?  You can't have too much of a good thing.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:30pm
sorry folks but really not sure if i will get anymore written today (its less than half an hour till home time!)

You will just have to be patient!  or rather try to be patient!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:39pm
Ooooooh - *all caught up and hoping for some more tomorrow* - can't wait to find out what happens next!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 19th, 2003, 4:55pm
ok, i managed a little bit more for you all

Elizabeth Scholes could not remember the last time she had been in a good mood.  ‘Probably’ she thought to herself ‘before I came back to school’.  She normally enjoyed herself at school,  where she formed part of a small group of middles who had joined at the same time.  This term was different.  If Elizabeth was honest with herself she would admit that she was lazy.  As a result of this laziness she had fallen behind last term with her work, poor marks from handing in preparation which had been done carelessly and at the last minute, combined with bad examination results had meant that rather than going up to Upper IV with her friend she had returned to school to find that she would have to repeat her year in Lower IV.

Miss Maynard had made it perfectly clear at the start of term that they had no problems keeping her down for the whole year, however, she had thrown her a lifeline by stating that if she attended remedial lessons for the first term there was a possibility that she might be able to rejoin her friends after Christmas.  As a result she had found for the first time in ages she was having to work hard, this meant that she had less free time to spend with her friends and relax.

She was on here way to the splashery when the side door opened and three of her form mates came in, accompanied by Mrs Entwistle, her great aunt.

“Auntie Len” she exclaimed “what are you doing here”
“Just bringing these three back” Len replied smiling at her niece
“you mean they have been over to Freudeshim?” she asked bluntly
“they came for tea” Len explained “and if they don’t go and get their out door clothes off the are going to be late for prayers” she laughed as the three girls gave startled expressions and hurried down the corridor waving goodbye as they went.  “I have to get back” Len told her niece “you take care of yourself and I am sure I will see you again soon”  With that Len left Elizabeth standing in the corridor.

Elizabeth’s anger mounted as she made her way to prayers, after all, like Pippa she was family Pippa’s grandmother being her mother’s older sister, so why hadn’t she been invited ‘and the other two aren’t even family’ was her final thought as she took her place in the room.

The following morning Elizabeth didn’t wake in any better mood than she had gone to bed.  She scowled at everyone who spoke to her, at breakfast she was downright rude to the prefect in charge of their table, her reply to a request to pass the milk jug earning gasps from the other girls.  As a result by the time she went for her remedial lesson she found her self with an order mark, which was her fifth in two weeks meaning she would have to go before her form mistress.

As she walked along the corridor to the study room where Miss Redmond was waiting for her she passed the door to the room being used by Linda Price as an office.  The door was open slightly and she could hear voices.  Although she had intended to walk straight past when she heard the name Abigail O’Hara she stopped to listen.  It was only when Miss Redmond put her head out of the next room to look for her did she move away from the door, trying to prevent the shock she was feeling from showing on her face

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 19th, 2003, 5:00pm
Thank you Kate!

*has a suspicion things could be about to get VERY nasty!*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 19th, 2003, 5:06pm
Aaargghh!  Talk about a cliff hanger!  I'd almost rather it had been left as it was before!  Almost!  Roll on tomorrow!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 19th, 2003, 5:14pm
Thank you for what you've written today - look forward to more tomorrow!

*James is an insensitive idiot isn't he? Maybe he should speak to his own mother!*

*Bet the news is around the school before the end of the day!* :o

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 19th, 2003, 5:44pm
*produces another tent!* ;)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 19th, 2003, 7:11pm
Oh, thanks for that last part - I can see it all getting very nasty soon, too.  Looking forward to more...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 19th, 2003, 9:06pm
Hooray! We have a school-related villain (Elizabeth) as well as a non-school-related one (James)! That always makes it more interesting...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 19th, 2003, 9:39pm
I'm starting to feel very, very sorry for Abi!!! :o

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 19th, 2003, 10:39pm
Poor Abi, and how quickly will that snippit of gossip fly round the school?

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 20th, 2003, 12:23am
Carolyn, I think your question has only one answer: VERY!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 20th, 2003, 12:39am
The phrase 'like greased lightning' comes to mind!! ;)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 20th, 2003, 1:05pm
bit more.....

Miss Williams finished her interview with Mrs Price and made her way back to the staff room
‘at least I don’t have any classes this afternoon’ she thought with a sigh of relief ‘Jayne did warn me what to expect but I feel like I’ve been through the Spanish Inquisition rather than an informal interview’

There was nothing more taxing for her to do in the staff room that afternoon other than to mark Va’s preparation on Shakspeare’s sonnets and some of their answers really helped to lighten her mood.  Shortly before break she put on the large coffee machine and hunted out a box of biscuits for the staff to share.  

Not long after the bell sounded staff started to arrive all clamoring for coffee and a comfy chair.  
“How did it go” Jayne asked her once she had settled herself on the end of the sofa
“about as bad as I expected from your description of your own interview” Miss Williams grimaced at her “at least I’ve done it thought”
“Yes” Jayne’s voice was distant
“don’t worry about it”   she tried to reassure her friend
“Sorry Eve, can’t help it, I keep finding myself going over it again and again, its been worse since my interview”
“She must have nearly finished her investigations now, hopefully she will be going soon”
“hopefully” Jayne agreed.

The door of the staff room opened with a bang and Miss Phillips entered the room from the expression on her face her colleagues knew immediately she had had a tough morning
“Oh dear, someone get the coffee” Fraulien Eisen the young German mistress laughed.  Miss Phillips glared at her but accepted the coffee that Eve Williams passed her
“now Gennie, who’s been doing what” Jayne asked.  Miss Phillips sank into one of the comfortable chairs
“I’ll give you three guesses” she said to the room in general
“lower IV” guessed Fraulien Eisen who herself had had that particular form in the morning and noticed that the atmosphere was less than settled
“in one” Miss Phillips replied
“what have they been doing” Jayne sighed, as their form mistress she had a feeling it was going to be up to her to deal with whatever it was
“nothing too out of the ordinary but there seems to be some sort of problem with Elizabeth Scholes and Emma Richardson”
“It could be a family problem” Miss Williams suggested
“not that I know of” came Cecil’s voice from the door.  Her staff turned to face her, as aunt to both of the girls she would probably know of any problems long before them.  “what happened?” she asked
“I don’t want to make this formal” Cecil may have been both girls aunt but she was also their headmistress
“Fine Gennie, just tell us what happened”

“well as you know the girls can start hockey when they get to lower IV and up till now we have spent time on the basics, you know dribbling the ball, shooting and passing” the staff nodded aware of how excited most of the girls were when they first started hockey “well” continued Miss Phillips “I decided that today we would have our first game, they spent the first ten minutes warming up and then I reminded them of the rules before splitting them into teams” she paused to take a sip of her coffee “well, Melanie Edwards and Heather Jones have shown some real promise so I made them team captains, I then asked them to pick their teams.  I am not exactly sure how it started but the next thing there are raised voices and two seconds later Elizabeth Scholes and Emma Richardson are yelling and pushing at each other”
“Great” Jayne Chadwick interrupted rolling her eyes
“Well” continued Miss Phillips   “I put a stop to the argument and demanded to know what had started it but the pair of them went as quiet as fish and I couldn’t get a word out of them.  The rest of them were standing around completely agog so I sent them off to practice passing and set Emma and Lizzy running laps of the pitch, it was too late by then to give them a proper game.  After the lesson finished and the girls had changed I asked them to stay behind and explain themselves but neither was very forthcoming so I still don’t know what the problem was”
“so what did you do with them” Fraulien Eisen asked
“told them that I wasn’t prepared to have them in my games lesson if they behaved like kinders and that they could report themselves to their form mistress” Miss Phillips looked over to her colleague “sorry Jayne” she said simply.

Cecil had been very quiet whilst she listened to the gym mistress tell of the afternoon’s happenings, her face growing slowly graver.  Eventually she turned to the girls form mistress
“Jayne” she began speaking slowly and quietly “I would be grateful if you could deal with this matter without referring them to me”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 20th, 2003, 1:16pm
This is superb, Kat/Kate!

The detail is tremendous and I love the way the plot is developing ...

Poor old Cecil, as if not's bad enough with the claim to consider, she's got her family making trouble as well!

I wouldn't be in her shoes!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 20th, 2003, 1:30pm
bit more ...

Abigail rejoined her form in time for tea, she wasn’t permitted to take part in games lessons until she had been given the all clear by her doctor and so had spent the previous lesson with the physiotherapist in the health centre.  Consequentially she knew nothing of the argument between Pippa and Lizzy.  She collected her tea from the prefect in charge of the big urns and helped herself to two biscuits before going to her seat

“Hiya” she began
“Hi” Pippa spoke quietly without looking up at her friend
“Did you get to play a proper game” although she couldn’t join in her friends had been keeping her up to date with their hockey practice, telling her about the rules and the moves so that hopefully when she was allowed to join them she would be able to play straight away
“Not in the end” Melanie replied from the opposite side of the table
“how come I thought Miss Phillips said you would be this week”
“It, um, didn’t happen” Melanie replied looking at Pippa and when she didn’t say anything Melanie continued “there was an argument when we were picking teams”
“who” Abigail asked
“Me and Lizzy” Pippa admitted
“you” Abigail was amazed.  Pippa was one of the most well behaved members of the form, ok so she was no angel but she very rarely got into trouble.  Pippa didn’t say anything but quickly drained her cup
“are you going now” Melanie asked her as she got up
“might as well” was the glum reply.  As she left Abigail turned back to her friend
“going where” she asked
“Chadders” was the succinct reply
“she’s on report?” Abigail asked
“yep, her and Lizzy”

Pippa made her way down the corridor to the staff room as slowly as she could.  In the whole of her school career she had never had to report to her form mistress for bad behaviour and on the whole she was feeling very ashamed of herself.  ‘After all’ she thought miserably ‘I should just have kept my mouth shut’.  She knew that she had to report herself by the end of the day, or face a summons to the headmistresses office first thing the next morning and Melanie, who herself had been on report several times during her school career had recommended she get it over with as soon as possible.  She knocked timidly on the door which was opened by Mlle Mercier.

“Can I help you” she asked
“Please” began Pippa “may I speak to Miss Chadwick”
“of course, wait here please” Mlle Mercier shut the door behind her as she went back into the staff room and a few seconds later her form mistress appeared in the door
“yes Pippa can I help you” she asked. Pippa took a large gulp and looked up at her form mistress
“I have been told to report to you by Miss Phillips because of my behaviour in games” her voice trembled as she spoke
“very well, I think we will go to your form room to discuss this”  Miss Chadwick lead the way to lower IV’s form room in total silence.  They met quite a few girls in the corridor most of whom guessed what was happening and threw Pippa sympathetic glances, however, she didn’t notice as she kept her eyes firmly on the floor.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 20th, 2003, 1:56pm
Miss Chadwick seated herself at her desk on the platform and asked Pippa to stand in front of it.

“now Phillipa” she began “perhaps you would like to explain to me exactly why Miss Phillips has asked you to report yourself”.  The use of her full name surprised her and Miss Chadwick continued “I’m waiting”
“well, um I got into an argument with someone during games” she began and then paused
“and” Miss Chadwick prompted
“we kind of disrupted the lesson”
“I see, anything else”
“Miss Phillips said we were behaving like kids, um I mean children and that we should report ourselves”
“and did you tell Miss Phillips why you had been arguing”
“no”
“so let me get this straight, you got into an argument, ruining a lesson for both the mistress and the other girls and then you didn’t explain to your mistress why you had been arguing”
Pippa held her breath trying to prevent herself from crying
“Perhaps you could explain to me what you were arguing about”
“Something Lizzy said” was the mumbled reply
“what was it that she said that was worth disrupting the whole lesson?” Miss Chadwick’s voice was sharp and Pippa mumbled her reply not daring to look at her form mistress
“speak up”
“she, um, said something about Mel being made captain”
“and that’s all”
“well, er”
“perhaps you would like to explain further”  Pippa gulped and looked at her form mistress who could see the tears forming in her eyes “Phillipa I’m waiting” and Pippa continued in a rush
“she said that it wasn’t surprising that Mel had been made captain cos she and Abi and me were allowed to do anything we wanted cos we were everyone’s favourites and that we were spoilt”
“I see, and this was worth fighting over”
“no” Pippa replied in a very small voice

Miss Chadwick sat staring at her pupil for a minute whilst Pippa felt increasingly uncomfortable under her constant gaze.  Eventually she spoke
“I am disappointed in you Phillipa” she began “you are prefect of Lower IV yet you have behaved like the youngest junior, I had expected much better from you”  Pippa forced herself again to look at her form mistress “you have let me down, you have let your form down and you have let yourself down”  Miss Chadwick paused to contemplate how best she could deal with this matter “do you wish to say anything further” she asked
“please, um, just that I’m sorry and I won’t do it again” Pippa meant this sincerely as she never wanted to have to face her form mistress in this situation again
“very well” Miss Chadwick continued “tomorrow morning after I have taken the register you will come and stand up here in front of the class and apologise to them for spoiling their games lesson.  You will also, before you start any of your preparation tonight, write a letter of apology to Miss Phillips explaining your conducted.  If you are told to report yourself again this term for such childlike behaviour then you will lose your position of form prefect is that understood”
Pippa could only nod as at that moment speech was beyond her
“now you have around 30 minutes before preparation so I suggest that you go to the cloakroom and wash your face before you rejoin your form” with that Miss Chadwick dismissed her pupil.

As Pippa made her way blindly out of the classroom she almost bumped straight into Elizabeth who had been told by one of her form mates that she had already gone to report herself.  Normally Elizabeth would have waited till the last second to do this but she felt it might be better to go straight away on this occasion.  As Elizabeth knocked on the door and Miss Chadwick was left to deal with her other unruly pupil Pippa made her way along the corridor to the splashery.  Abigail and Melanie had guessed that she would be sent there first and had waited after tea rather than going straight to their common room.

“how did it go” Melanie asked sympathetically as Pippa entered
“horrible” she shuddered wiping her eyes
“she can be a bit sharp” Abigail spoke from experience having been on the receiving end of a scolding from their form mistress last year after messing about in prep “have you got a horrible punishment”
“I have to apologise to everyone” Pippa told them
“it could be worse, its half term in just over a week, what if they had said you couldn’t go”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 20th, 2003, 2:33pm
*overawed by Kate's prodigious output!*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 20th, 2003, 4:36pm

on 11/20/03 at 14:33:27, Rachael P wrote:
*overawed by Kate's prodigious output!*


I wouldn't be too overawed if I were you its been a quiet day today I'm sure I won't be able to keep up this rate for much longer.

Besides which i have no idea where this story is going!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 20th, 2003, 4:37pm
last bit for today....

After registration the following morning Pippa and Elizabeth stood in front of the class, their demeanor’s couldn’t have been different.  Pippa was red faced and looked incredibly sheepish as she apologised to her classmates for the fracas in yesterday’s games lesson. Elizabeth on the gave a short off hand apology which didn’t show that she was actually sorry at all for what had happened.

Miss Chadwick wasn’t happy with Elizabeth’s attitude but felt that it would be best to leave the matter be for now.  When both girls had returned to their seats she said
“Now if I may have your attention”.  The girls looked up at their form mistress “as you know half term will begin a week on Friday.  Most of you are either meeting up with family or friends, some of you who live near enough are going home.  Those of you who won’t be at school for half term may now go straight to the chemistry laboratory, if those staying for half term could remain seated”

Nearly three quarters of the form left the class room leaving only Abigail, Melanie and Pippa together with Elizabeth, Marie Valdes from France and two other British girls.  Miss Chadwick smiled at the remaining girls who smiled back expectantly, half terms at the school were always good and they waited to hear where they would be going this year.
“I am sorry but there will be no excursion this half term” she began noting the changing expressions on her pupils faces “instead you will be staying at school and we will be having day trips and other things for you to do while you are here”
“Please” Marie asked timidly “why aren’t we going anywhere this year”
“because there are a lot less pupil’s staying at school than their would normally be” Miss Chadwick replied as Miss Maynard had suggested to her staff.  The girls looked incredibly dissatisfied “Cheer up” she commanded “I am sure that you will have lots of fun, now why don’t you run along to your first lesson”

The girls did as they were bade and as Miss Ferdinand was waiting for them in the laboratory there was no opportunity to discuss matters.  After a grueling hour and a half dealing with the groups of the periodic table the girls left the laboratory and made their way back to their form room.  When they had reached the safety of the classroom and were able to talk Heather asked

“so then, where are you going for half term?”
“were not” was Melanie’s blunt reply
a chorus arose from the girls who were going home “why not” “what do you mean” “how come”
“Keep your voices down” Pippa cautioned before continuing “We don’t know much more than that, Chadders said that because there aren’t many of us staying this year we were staying at school and having day trips”
“If you believe that you’ll believe anything” Elizabeth’s voice added to the conversation.  Melanie whirled round to face her
“what do you mean by that” she asked
“yes we are staying at school and having day trips but because there are so few of us, come on” Elizabeth’s voice had taken on a superior tone that she had been using lately to address her class mates “that’s just an excuse”
“and I suppose you know the real reason” Abigail joined in
“well I’m surprised that you at least can’t work it out”
“sorry I’ve no idea what your talking about” Abigail was genuinely puzzled by Elizabeth’s response.
“well I am sure your clever enough to work it out” Elizabeth’s voice had started to rise
“Look, we don’t like it any more than you do but were all just going to have to live with it” Melanie answered with finality before she sat down “I am sure Miss Williams will be here any second and I suggest we get ready, you know what she said to us last week when she came in and we were sitting on the desks.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 20th, 2003, 5:37pm
Lots and lots of story to come home too - wonderful.  I'm really enjoying this, and even if you're noy sure yet, wgere uyou are going to end up, the journey is fascinating.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 20th, 2003, 5:39pm
yay!  yippeee! [more story]

eek...ibble [reaction to story]

oh dear, I hope things get sorted out in the end...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lisa on Nov 20th, 2003, 6:34pm
This is wonderful, I'm enjoying it so much! You've painted the characters so realistically, and the description of Pippa's telling off was just right!!
Thank you! Looking forward to tomorrow - here's hoping you have another quiet day at work! ;)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 20th, 2003, 7:40pm
Kate, this is great! Although all you people who can post huge chunks of story make me feel very embarrassed about my little installments on New Family!!! :-[

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 20th, 2003, 8:08pm
Thank you Kate!I feel the same as Esmeralda - don't care that you're not sure where this is going - liking the journey! ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by catherine on Nov 20th, 2003, 8:18pm
This is really good, Kate!  Very impressed that you are managing to do it while at work!  Looking forward to more!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 20th, 2003, 8:33pm
This is wonderful, and so much of it.

Great stuff, hope for some more soon.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 20th, 2003, 9:06pm
Kat, this is an incredible story. I love the way you've drawn the characters - it's very true to life, being a sad fact that girls will b*itch and be unpleasant to others, and those with a bit of power always want more. The long parts are also wonderful.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Abi on Nov 21st, 2003, 12:14pm
Definitely agreeing with all the positive comments on here. This is a great story with a lovely heroine and I can't wait for the next installment. Keep up the good work!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 21st, 2003, 12:47pm
Terrific story, Kat. Please let Elizabeth be sorted out by the Abbess, but NOT in the privacy of her study. ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 21st, 2003, 2:28pm
next bit.......

The final week before half term passed quickly, the level of work decreasing as the excitement of the impending holiday increased.  Most of the girls going away for half term left either on Friday night or on Saturday morning and by lunch time on Saturday there were only around 35 girls left in the school.  Many of the mistresses had taken the opportunity to get away themselves and so only a very skeleton staff remained.

As Abigail, Pippa and Melanie made their way into the hall for lunch they noted at once the holiday atmosphere, two of the long tables, which usually seated 20 people had been pulled together in the centre of the room so that the remaining staff and pupils could sit together.  Most of them had already taken seats and so the three were forced to separate.  

Abigail found herself seated between Fraulein Eisen, the german mistress and the head girl Sarah Peters. ‘wonderful’ she thought to herself ‘pleasant start to the holiday having to mind your manners’ but both the prefect and the mistress, who were not to far apart in age themselves, were in a holiday mood and they chattered pleasantly throughout the meal.

When they were finished Miss Maynard stood up from the seat she had taken in the middle of the table.
“Before I say grace I just want to run through the plan of action for the week” she smiled at the seated girls “as you can see there aren’t many of us left so we are going to be informal.  We have arranged several things for us to do during the holidays, a list of which will be pinned up on the main notice board after tea.  This afternoon we thought it would be best for everyone to relax and get into the holiday mood and so we have set up the TV and video recorder in the 5th form common room, we are showing both Harry Potter films one after another starting at 2 pm, so anyone who wants to go and watch can.  Miss Phillips has agreed to open the school’s swimming pool for two hours from 2 until 4 for anyone that wants to swim.  Other wise the 4th form common room will be open to use if you want to read, play board games etc.  This evening the computer room next to the library will be open for a short time if anyone wants to use the internet or e-mail”

After grace they cleared the large table and drifted away from the room in small groups
“well what are we going to do” Melanie asked
“Video for me” Marie replied “I haven’t seen either of the films since they were originally on in the cinema, and it teeming down outside so we can’t go out”  She pointed to the window where sheets of rain fell from a dark grey sky
“I wouldn’t mind going swimming” Pippa suggested
“me either” Melaine agreed
“well enjoy yourselves” Abigail said in resigned tone
“Why can’t you come too” Pippa asked “after all you have been swimming as part of your physio treatment and we’ll be supervised”
“Do you think they’ll let me” she sounded extremely pessimistic
“I’m sure they will, I don’t think nurse is here so lets find Maynie and ask”.  With that the three girls set of to find their headmistress.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 21st, 2003, 3:01pm
bit more .........

Emma Richards was in her office tidying up the last of the paperwork before she too enjoyed a break from work.  She looked up as the three girls entered her room
“How can I help” she smiled at them
“Please, is Miss Maynard in, we need to ask her something”
“Hold on a second and I’ll let her know you want her” Emma popped through the door connecting her office with that of the heads and almost immediately came back through with Miss Maynard
“Hello girls” she began looking at the three of them “what’s the matter”
“Well” Melanie as ever began first “we want to go swimming and we weren’t sure whether Abi was allowed to go”  Miss Maynard looked Abigail who was nodding in agreement with her friend’s statement
“I spoke to nurse this morning when I was arranging to open the pool and she said that so long as you are careful and don’t over do things you may go swimming” The three girls grinned widely at each other “but” Miss Maynard continued “you must promise me that you will rest for at least an hour when you have finished swimming and that if at any point your leg starts to ache when you are in the pool you will get out immediately”
“Of course Miss Maynard” Abigail replied immediately.  Miss Maynard laughed at her pupils
“run along then” she advised and then watched them as they made their way down the corridor.

The school’s swimming pools had originally been built some 40 years before in a separate building to the school.  These days the school’s gym was housed in an extension to the original pool building and it had undergone several refurbishments so that anyone who had been at the school when it was originally built would have difficulty in recognising it now.

The three girls had stopped off in their dormitory to collect their swimming costumes and towels before making their way to the pool.  They changed quickly and spent an enjoyable hour in the water, a couple of girls from IIb and a serious swimmer from Upper Va were the only others in the pool.  After the hour Abigail swam over to the steps at the shallow end

“I think that I had better get out now” she told her friends “I don’t want to push it”
“Lets all go” Pippa made for the steps “I am starting to look at bit shriveled”
Laughing the three girls got out and made their way to the changing rooms.  As the were getting their towels Lizzy Scholes and Rebecca Morrison, her friend who had achieved a remove to upper IV came through the doors into the changing room.  

Lizzy looked at her three form mates with undisguised hostility whilst Rebecca, who they didn’t know well simply smiled at them
“Oh look” Lizzy began “it’s the favoured ones”
“whats that meant to mean” Melanie’s temper was always quick to rise
“Exactly what I said” Lizzy’s tone was superior
“Leave it” Abi growled at her friend “It isn’t worth fighting over”
Rebecca looked shocked at this brief exchange and turned to her friend
“come on lets get changed over here” she tried to pull Lizzy away from the three girls but Lizzy ignored her and set her bag down directly next to where Abigail was getting dressed
“I am surprised you wanted to go swimming” she began as she started change
“and why is that” Abigail asked coolly
“Because everyone can see how ugly your legs are, that scar is revolting” she pointed at the large scars on each side of Abigail’s leg, which admittedly weren’t pretty
“I would rather be physically scarred than unable to walk” she explained with dignity turning away.
“you had better not show them to any of the juniors you’ll give them nightmares” Lizzy continued
“Liz, you ready” her friend had changed in silence but had heard the whole conversation and was frankly shocked.  She knew from experience that there was no point in trying to say anything to her friend about it.
“Yep” she replied stowing her clothes in the bag and the pair of them walked through to the pool

The three girls finished dressing in silence, all were upset at Lizzy’s comments but neither Melanie or Pippa really knew what to say to their friend.  Eventually Abi herself broke their silence
“look, in a way she’s right” she began and was quickly broken off by their objections, however, she resolutely continued “no listen, my leg is badly scarred but I meant what I said back their I can live with the scarring but I don’t think I would have been able to survive if I couldn’t walk anymore.”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 21st, 2003, 3:36pm
next ....

The following day was a typical Sunday with church followed by leisurely activities around the school.  Monday saw the girls make their way to Geneva for the day “doing the tourist thing” as Miss Phillips referred to it and on Tuesday morning they came down to find a new notice on the board.

Abigail, freed from the restrictions of having to wait for nurse before she got up and without having to wait for the rising bell was up first.  She was making her way to the common room, where she intended sit in comfort and read until the others got up.  As she passed the notice board a large piece of cream card edged with lilac caught her eye.

Scanning the notice quickly and barely managing to suppress a squeal of excitement she turned and quickly returned to her dormitory, cursing her leg for the length of time it took to get there.  

“Guess what” she began as soon as she got through the door.  
“Go away” was the only response from Melanie’s cubicle
“Mel, get up, come on” the excitement obvious in her voice
“what time is it” was Mel’s reply
“about 7 am” Abigail replied and Melanie groaned loudly
“go away” she said before burying herself under the duvet.  At that point the door opened and Emma returned from her shower
“Morning” she smiled at Abi “what time did you get up”
“you’ll never guess what” was the slightly incongruous reply. Melanie groaned from behind the curtains of her cubicle
“Your not going to shut up are you” she said grouchily
“doesn’t seem like it” was Abi’s cheeky reply.  

There was much sighing from Melanie’s cubicle and eventually she appeared from behind the curtains in her dressing gown
“I hate morning people” she said before stomping off towards the bathroom with her shower bag and towel.  Emma used the opportunity to slip into her own cubicle to dress.

By the time Emma was fully clothed and Melaine had returned from the showers Abigail was almost jumping up and down trying to contain her excitement.  Casting an eye to her friend Emma turned to Melanie and said
“I suppose she’d better tell us before she bursts”
“Well” Melanie asked
“theres a new notice on the board” she began “for what we are doing tonight” Abigail’s sentence was completely ungrammatical.
“and” prompted Emma
“come and see” she said grabbing the other two’s arms and trying to pull them out the room.
“hey wait a minute” Melanie protested “I am still in my pj’s”
Melanie ducked back into her cubicle and quickly dressed before all three left the dormitory.

There was still no one around by the time they got to the notice board
“see, there” Abigail pointed at the notice “An Evening with Josephine M Bettany”
“excellent” was Melanie’s succinct reply “tonight at seven in the sixth form sitting room”
“look, she’s going to give us a talk on her books and her life as an author followed by a buffet supper and then a question and answer session” Emma read from the notice

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 21st, 2003, 3:55pm
*Incredibly shocked at myself*

have just checked the file stats to find that i have done 25,095 words! and have only got to half term.  Am still hoping to finish this story EBD style at one term's length!

- and just to reassure everyone - I am keeping on top of my work at the same time.  Having a typing speed of just over 80 words a minute probably helps!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 21st, 2003, 4:08pm
Thank you Kate!

*knows how people STARE at scars and think that Abigail was very brave about that*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 21st, 2003, 4:35pm
last bit before i go home for the weekend!

By quarter to seven the thirty five girls and the teachers were beginning to assemble in the sixth form sitting room.  The staff had arranged the furniture informally with comfortable chairs clustered around small tables and a long sofa on each side of the room that could sit up to four people each.  In front of the fireplace a chair was set ready for the guest speaker, a position where she would be clearly visible to all in her audience.

The idea of the evening had been the guests and had been set up in collaboration with her headmistress daughter.  Len had accompanied her mother across from Freudeshiem and although she had insisted that Joey used the wheelchair to get to the school it was only on the condition that Len and Cecil would help her walk to the room.

When everyone was seated Joey began and her audience listened with wrapped attention to her story of how she got started as a published authority.  She included details of her first every story published in the Chaletian, which some of the girls had seen as the school kept copies of every single edition.  She went on to tell them of her first story and how it ended up in the incinerator thanks to Matron Lloyd’s comments, not even Len or Cecil had heard that story before.  She related the excitement of getting her first type writer, a gift from her brother, and her first advance from the publishers.  Her eyes misted as she told them about seeing her first book in print for the first time, and how the advanced copy nearly got burnt.

“And now” Joey’s voice had started to tire “I understand that Miss Maynard has arranged for a buffet to be laid out next door, if you would like to go and help yourselves”
The girls applauded her and she acknowledged them with an inclination of her head.  They made there way into the next room where a buffet of finger food had been laid out.  They picked up plates from the end of the large table and walking along helping themselves.  When they returned to the other room to sit and eat Fraulien Eisen had been to the kitchen to collect a trolley of lemonade, water and hot drinks for those that wanted them.

They ate and drank in near silence and when they had finished and tidied the plates away they again sat waiting for the evening to begin again.  Len Entwistle came to join her mother at the front of the room

“Ok, we will start with questions from the floor” she began formally “raise your hands if you have a question you would like to ask”  she looked round the room but not one hand rose.  “don’t be shy” she added laughing “it doesn’t have to be a question about being an author, I am sure that any question to do with the school will do” there was amusement in her voice as she spoke, knowing full well that the school was a subject extremely dear to her mother’s heart despite the fact that it was now over seventy years since she had first been a pupil.

Sarah Peters raised her hand and began the questioning and soon the whole room had become a forest of waved arms as the girls and staff a like asked questions.  Joey answered the majority of the questions though Len herself answered some, particularly those relating to her own time at school.  Eventually Cecil walked up to the front of the room

“I’m afraid that’s all we have time for tonight” she began “have you all enjoyed yourselves” she asked.  The girls answered that they had and Rebecca Morrison proposed three cheers for Mrs Maynard, which they all joint in whole heartedly.
“you’ve been a fantastic audience” Mrs Maynard replied “if I can just have a word with Pippa and Lizzy before they go off to bed” she asked her daughter
“of course” Cecil replied “and on the subject of bed, could you now make your way to your dormitories”

Whilst the mistresses escorted their pupils to their various dormitories Lizzy and Pippa remained in the common room, though seated at opposite sides.
“well girls” Len began “seeing as you can’t be with your immediate families during half term Mamma and I would like you both to come over tomorrow for the afternoon.  Lizzy I assume that you would like to bring Becky?” she asked and Lizzy nodded eagerly before she continued
“Pippa, I would suggest that you bring one person as well but seeing as you appear to be inseparable from both Mel and Abi you had better bring both”
“oh, thank you Auntie Len” Pippa replied
“good, now that’s agreed you two better run along to bed whilst we make our way home”

The girls departed bedwards but not before Len noticed Lizzy give Pippa an extremely nasty glare
‘now I wonder what’s the why of that’ she thought to herself as she helped her mother from the room.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 21st, 2003, 4:50pm
Ooooooooooooooooooh *agog as a troupe of performing gogs*

Thank you Kate - have a good weekend!  ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 21st, 2003, 4:53pm
What a little bovine animal Lizzy is turning out to be! Well done, Kat, you've really made these characters believable. Wish I had a typing speed of 80wpm.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 21st, 2003, 4:57pm
What a really nasty person this Lizzy Scholes is!! What relation is she to Jo Maynard??

More of this please Kate! ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 21st, 2003, 5:09pm
This really is a wonderful story Kate!


*feeling even more dejected by the amount Kate has written in such a short time!!*
*goes off to count new family, and finds its only about 15000  words! :( :'(*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 21st, 2003, 5:39pm
Well, we have been asking for more, Vikki, so please give us some more!
(Asks once again!)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 21st, 2003, 5:44pm
*begins to weep despairingly*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 21st, 2003, 9:41pm
*briefly comforts Vikki before turning my attention to the story*

Kat, this is a wonderful story. I'm always eager for another part (although I try not to nag) because I want to know what the girls will get up to. They are very realistic and I could imagine the school continuing in this way. The touches of modern life are great, but I can still picture it in the original building where it is in my mind.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 22nd, 2003, 12:14am
*thanks KB for the comfort, and choks off the sobs!!*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 22nd, 2003, 2:00am
Glad you've cheered up, hun!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 22nd, 2003, 2:03am
Well, I'm nearly at 16000 words so it looks a wee bit brighter! ;)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 22nd, 2003, 9:42pm
I think I know how you're feeling Vikki - OK I have written a bit more than 16,000 words, but it's taken me ages.  I wish I could be this prolific.
I'm really enjoying this too, looking forward to more on Monday.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 22nd, 2003, 10:13pm
I seem to write for ages and not get a lot to show for it at the end!! :-/ :'(

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 22nd, 2003, 10:19pm

on 11/22/03 at 22:13:45, Vikki wrote:
I seem to write for ages and not get a lot to show for it at the end!! :-/ :'(


That's exactly what happens to me, or it looks like a reasonable amount on the word doc but seems really small and insignificant once it's posted.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 22nd, 2003, 10:26pm
Oh, I so know that feeling!! :'(

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lisa on Nov 23rd, 2003, 11:02pm
Me, too! I know my posts look quite long, but I spend hours on them, and keep rereading and drafting!
Kate, this is fantastic, wonderful, incredible (add more superlatives!) I agree with KB, I love the modern touches and to see old characters, but I'm so intrigued by Abi's story. She is such a likeable character. When will the baddies get their comeuppance?! How long will Cecil have to wait to find out what will happen about the court case?!

Here's to the next 25, 095 words (to take us up to the end of term!) Cheers *Raises rather wobbly glass of Baileys!*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 24th, 2003, 3:17pm
Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement.....and now for the next installment

The next afternoon couldn’t come fast enough for the five girls, going to tea at Freudeshiem was always a treat whether you were family or not.  Although Pippa, Mel and Abi avoided Lizzy during the morning after lunch they all got into their outdoor things and made their way to the door together

“don’t see why I couldn’t have bought two friends” groused Lizzy as they waited for someone to escort them across
“Who else would you have asked” Becky began reasonably “after all none of our other friends stayed at school”
“that’s not the point” Lizzy snapped at her friend and Becky subsided knowing full well it was futile to argue with her friend when she was in this mood.
“anyway” Lizzy continued “I don’t see why we just can’t go across, were not babies we don’t need an escort”
“We were told to wait for someone to come” Pippa replied
“but why, we used to go across on our own all the time, and its not even as though its term time were on holiday”
“she’s right” Mel reluctantly agreed “it is a pain having all this extra supervision and stuff”
“well we can’t do anything about it now” Abi replied “so we’ll just have to wait”
“you would say that” Lizzy sneered at Abigail but she refused to reply turning her back on her.  At that point Cecil herself came down the long corridor, dressed in her casual clothes she did not look at all like the headmistress of a busy boarding school nor did she look her 50 years, although her dark hair was shot with silver gray at the temples it made her look dignified rather than hold

“well girls” she began as she reached them “are we ready”
“are you coming for the afternoon too Miss Maynard” Pippa asked
“no” Cecil laughed “don’t worry I’m only popping over to drop of some things then I am coming back to have a quiet afternoon”  the girls looked relieved at her statement, she might be aunt to Lizzy and great aunt to Pippa but even though she was family she was still their headmistress.
They made their way through the grounds and round to the side entrance of the guest house.  Len greeted them in the entrance
“come along girls, get out of the wind” she said as they went into the hallway “go and dump your coats in the cloakroom and come through” she invited them into her home.
Cecil stayed with her sister as the girls made their way to the cloak room
“Is Mrs Price in” Cecil asked
“no, she and some site inspectors went out this morning to visit the Auberge” Len replied shortly “I don’t expect them back till later”
“can I just leave these risk assessments the” she said handing over two large files
“sure” replied Len “I’ll just put them behind reception”  she took the files from her sister and stowed them away.  “Mrs Price said she should be gone by the end of the week”
“Thank goodness for that” Cecil’s relief was obvious “Oh to get back to normality”
“its been that bad” Len queried
“not in general terms, but the girls and the staff have really felt the restrictions and there has been a few barney’s that would probably have been avoided if it wasn’t for the lack of freedom”
“never mind, its nearly over”
“oh I hope so” Cecil replied fervently “Do you want me to come and get them later” she asked
“no I’ll run them back myself” Len replied “and I might stay for supper and a natter”
“of course” Cecil made her way to the door “see you later”.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 24th, 2003, 3:35pm
Hurray - Kate's back at work  ;D

Looking forward to lots of postings over the next few days!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 24th, 2003, 3:49pm
Yay! Thank you Kate! Looking forward to the next bit!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 24th, 2003, 4:05pm
The five girls settled themselves in the lounge, Lizzy and Becky on the sofa at one end of the room and the other three in armchairs near the large window.  Len watched the girls from the door for several minutes, the three in the chairs talked to each other animatedly, occasionally laughing whereas Lizzy and Becky sat in silence, Becky looking glumly at the floor and Lizzy with outright hostility at the three at the other end of the room.  Eventually Len left the doorway and came into the room

“now then” she began “unfortunately it’s too windy and wild to go out so we will just have to make do with indoor things” she looked out at the view where the wind was clearly bending the trees in the grounds of the house and school, the long hot summer had dried out much of the vegetation and the leaves were falling at a great rate.  “you know” she said conversationally “I think this winter is going to be really tough”
“why’s that Auntie Len” Pippa asked
“well, come and look out the window and I’ll show you”.  The three girls jumped up from their chair and went to join Len at the window.  Becky went to join them but Lizzy pulled her back down onto the sofa.  Len beckoned the pair of them over “come on you two” from the tone in her voice this was quite clearly a command.

The girls gathered round the window and Len pointed out various signs which indicated to her that the winter would be harsh, from the snow line on the distant mountains, to the amounts of nuts and berries on the trees. They watched a couple of squirrels gathering nuts and Len pointed out the various birds feeding in the garden.  
“how soon do you reckon the snow will come” Mel asked
“I really can’t say” Len replied “normally its early December, but to be honest if I am reading my weather signs right it could be as early as mid November”
“oh goody, that means we might get skiing this term” Becky said
“well, if it’s the right type of snow, and we get the frosts to harden it” Len cautioned, thinking to herself that she was doubtful that the insurance company would consider skiing to be a safe thing for the girls to do.
“oh well, we might get lucky” Mel was optimistic
“I doubt I’ll be skiing anyway” Abi advised
“true” said Len “I don’t think you would do yourself any favours if you even tried”
“no intention of” Abi replied “I want this leg to heal quickly, it’s boring not to be able to join in with everything and the sooner it mends properly the sooner I can go back to normal”
Len laughed and steered the group of girls away from the window.  She switched on the lights and glanced at the clock
“well Mamma said that she would come downstairs this afternoon and sit with us, she did want to be down when you arrived but she was very tired after last night.  Pippa do you and Mel want to go and ask her to come down” Len asked them.  When they nodded enthusiastically she cautioned “she will need to use her frame to get to the lift so don’t let her fool you into thinking she can make it without”  as Pippa and Mel went to the stairs Len continued “if Abi and Becky act like proper guests and stay here, Lizzy you can come and help me finish the tea trolley”

Lizzy cast a glance back to her friend and followed her aunt to the kitchen leaving Abi and Becky in the lounge.  The two girls barely knew each other, they had always been in separate forms and hadn’t spent much time together.  As a result they sat in silence, eventually Abi turned to Becky
“Becky” she began somewhat shyly “I know we don’t really know each other that well, but can you tell me why Lizzy is acting so strangely”  Becky remained silent and Abi misreading this as Becky’s reluctance to tell her anything continued “it doesn’t matter, I just wondered if she had said anything to you”.  Eventually Becky replied quiety
“what do you mean by strangely” she asked
“well” Abi continued “you know Pippa and Lizzy are cousins, of a sort anyway, Pippa’s grandma is Lizzy’s mum’s older sister”
“I can’t ever get my mind round how their related” Becky confided in the younger girl “there whole family is just so big”
“Pippa’s gran is one of the oldest of the family and Lizzy’s mum is the youngest” Abi explained before she continued “well, my gran was one of Mrs Maynard’s oldest friends and we’ve known the family for years.  I went to some family do’s in England when I was a little kid and played with Pippa and Lizzy, we were all friends then”
“but”  Becky prompted her to continue
“well we were still friendly in school until this term, although we weren’t with Lizzy in form.  I don’t know why but she has been behaving really strangely this term and I can’t work out why.  Its not like I’ve done anything to her” she trailed off weakly
“she’s been out of sorts all term” Becky advised “its probably cos she was kept down after failing her exams last year but you missed a whole term and were still allowed to go up with the rest of your form”
Abigail and Becky sat in silence, Abi considering what Becky had said and Becky thinking that maybe there might be something more behind Lizzy’s hostility towards Abigail and her friends.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 24th, 2003, 4:38pm
last bit for today....

Lizzy had followed Len reluctantly into the little kitchen area that Len used for herself and her mother.  The big kitchen, which had been the domain of Anna during Len’s own childhood, was now the guest house kitchen.  As Len put the finishing touches to the sandwiches and cakes she had made for tea she instructed Lizzy to put on the kettle and fish out the tea pot.  Lizzy remained silent and eventually Len spoke
“so how are you enjoying yourself this term” she asked
“its all right” Lizzy replied.  Len had a feeling that getting any sort of conversation out of her niece was going to be like pulling teeth but she gamely continued
“Where did you come in the half term lists?”
“10th” Lizzy replied
“oh well done” Len was enthusiastic, knowing that Lizzy wasn’t the most academic of girls “what did your mum and dad say”
“they were pleased” Lizzy conceded
“and how are you enjoying your hockey” Len knew that her niece had taken a liking to the sport when she started playing last year, as a result she wasn’t at all prepared for her response
“its boring”
“but you really enjoyed it last year”
“that was last year, this year I have to play with a load of girls that have never played before and we haven’t even had a proper game yet” she grouched
“I’m sure that you will get a game soon” Len placated her
“whatever” was the off hand reply before Lizzy again lapsed into sullen silence.  Len poured the water into the teapot and she and Lizzy returned to the lounge with the trolley.  By the time they arrived Pippa and Melanie had escorted Mrs Maynard downstairs and had installed her on the sofa and covered her in the brightly coloured crocheted blanket.

“Oh good, tea time” Mrs Maynard said brightly.  Len emptied the contents of the trolley on to the coffee table in the centre of the room, handing round the plates she invited them all to help themselves.
“Can I help you Auntie Joey” Abi asked
“of course” Joey replied “if you can get me a couple of sandwiches and a handful of crisps for now” she passed Abi her plate “and Lizzy could you pour me a cup of tea”  Lizzy actually smiled at her grandmother as she relied
“of course”  soon they were all settled and tucking into their tea.  
“now” said Joey pausing between sandwiches “I am sure we could do with a story whilst we are eating”.  Len cast an eye to her mother, knowing full well that she started on a story she wouldn’t eat the rest of her meal
“lets just finish tea first” Len replied firmly “then we can light the fire and have stories”.  The girls smiled to each other, having heard their headmistress use exactly the same tone of voice on them.

After tea Len asked Becky and Mel to help her fetch some wood from the pantry at the back of the kitchen in order to light a proper fire whilst she cleared away.  Pippa was instructed to pull the thick velvet curtains and Lizzy to turn on the sidelights.  When the fire was lit the girls gathered round Joey Maynard waiting for their story
“well girls” she asked “what would you like to hear about”
“the school” came the unanimous reply.  Joey laughed
“I know so many stories about the school that your going to have to be more specific than that”. The girls debated for a while before Lizzy announced
“how about telling us about some of the accident’s there have been” her voice remained completely innocent but Pippa cast a shocked look at her cousin for making such a suggestion
“Is that wise” Len cautioned
“well” Lizzy countered “there have been such a lot over the years, mum has told me some about when you were at school” oblivious of the fact that she was being quite rude to her aunt “and I am sure that there were more accidents before then” she finished
“Oh believe me there were” Joey chuckled “and in my early school days I was involved in quite a lot of them”
“Oh tell us Auntie Joey” Lizzy pleaded and Joey gave in, beginning her story with a tale of how she and her friends had crossed the lake at night to warn group of girls from another school that they were skating in a dangerous place.
Len watched the girls cautiously as her mother told this story and then embarked on further tales of accidents which had happened at school, from the funny, where one of the prefects had dropped a bottle of ink completely dousing one of the younger girls, to the frankly dangerous, where a girl had been badly injured after running away from school and getting caught beside a quickly rising river. Eventually Len spoke firmly
“Right, now I think that’s enough stories for now” and when the girls chorused their disappointment Joey herself stepped in
“Len is right, enough stories for now, I need a rest and another cup of tea” she glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece “and if I’m not mistaken there is just enough time for Len to arrange that whilst you five get ready to go back to school”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 24th, 2003, 10:33pm
*Now why is Lizzy asking about accidents? I don't think it can be for any good reason! ;D*

Kate - this is superb - more please!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 24th, 2003, 11:17pm
*Also wondering what Lizzy is up to.

*Hoping to see more tomorrow.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 24th, 2003, 11:45pm
I suppose she's going to use them to further her campaign of being nasty to Abi.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by crashbb on Nov 25th, 2003, 12:08am
I'm worried that Miss Price might have come in in time to overhear the stories - and use them to her own neferious purpose.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lisa on Nov 25th, 2003, 1:49pm
Hmm. Lizzy's tricking JOEY into her plans! She must meet her comeuppance, related to the Maynard clan or not!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 25th, 2003, 1:49pm
The rest of half term passed quickly, the weather slowly deteriorating so that going out of doors was never really going to be an option.  Most of the girls arrived back at school on the Saturday and lessons started again on Monday morning.

Cecil was sitting in her study looking through some of the half term reports prepared by her mistresses when the intercom buzzed.
“Yes Emma”
“Please, Mrs Price wants to know if you are able to see her”
“Of course” Cecil rolled her eyes heavenwards “give me a couple of minutes to tidy up”. Quickly she put away the documents she was working on a cleared her dirty coffee cup off the desk.  With a final glance in the mirror on the back of her office door as she opened it to welcome in her visitor
“Please come through” she invited formally
“thank you” Mrs Price replied.  When the two women were seated with Mrs Price’s ever present briefcase on her lap she continued “You will be pleased to know that we have finished the investigations regarding Abigail O’Hara’s accident and are able to advise on liability”
“and” Cecil asked somewhat impatiently as Mrs Price paused for breath
“As you are aware we have interviewed the two mistresses in attendance as well as yourself.  Our agents have managed to interview Amile Petrou and Sophia Hammerstrom over the telephone but neither could add anything further to the comments made by the mistresses.  In addition to the interviews I attended the locus in quo with a geological expert and we have a full report on the area”  again Mrs Price paused and Cecil dug her nails sharply into the palm of her hand to stop herself from prompting her guest to finish speaking.

“starting with the area in general” she pulled out a copy of a plan of the area, geological fault maps and weather reports and placed them on the desk.  “as you said yourself the weather for the weeks prior to the accident has been particularly wet which combined with the heavy snowfalls and slow thaws at the beginning of the year led to some structural defects in the area of the accident.  In particular, the fencing placed around the auberge had become loose and although it isn’t obvious it does fail various tension and stability tests”.  She handed Cecil a copy of the report on the area before continuing
“As you are aware the Auberge is owned by the Canton’s government and is maintained by them.  Their engineers perform inspections of the area on a six monthly basis and at the last inspection prior to the accident, which was just before Christmas last year, there were no faults found. The whole area is due for renovation next spring and the inspection due in June didn’t notice any major faults, however, our engineers feel that this is down to the dry weather we had at the time”  Mrs Price looked up at Cecil across the desk “are you with me so far”
“Yes” Cecil replied simply wishing that Mrs Price would get on with her report concerning the school’s part in the accident.
“Now there are a couple of points that my investigations have highlighted.  Firstly, having looked through the school’s accident records it would appear that you are extremely lucky not to have received a claim prior to this.  There are numerous incidents which hint at poor supervision being at least partially responsible for accidents throughout the school’s history, many of the accidents could have been avoided if the school had taken proper measures to ensure a greater level of supervision.  If this were a state school then the inspectorate would have called for an investigation much earlier”
Cecil’s eyes were stony as she took in Mrs Price’s comments.  When it was obvious that a reply of some sort was expect from her she asked bluntly
“and so the insurers recommendations are”
“firstly that there is a tightening up of procedures, we would recommend that when out of the school’s boundries there is at least one mistress per 10 pupil’s or a prefect for ever 5 pupils under the age of 16.  In addition, we would suggest that these supervision levels are highlighted to parents when the girls first enroll and written agreement to this level of supervision is obtained.  If parent’s do not or will not provide such agreement then we suggest that these girls remain in the school’s grounds, again under supervision”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 25th, 2003, 1:50pm
“I see” Cecil made notes on the pad in front of her as Mrs Price continued
“at present we would ask that you do not continue with winter sports, particularly skiing or snow boarding”
“Those sports have always been part of our winter curriculum” Cecil interrupted
“Our policy does not cover dangerous sports” Mrs Price replied “if you want the girls to be able to continue with them then you will require extra cover and specific parental permission”
“Can I arrange the extra cover now?” Cecil asked, knowing that winter would soon be upon them and after the disruption to the girls outdoor activities already this term she knew how badly some would react. “I will ask Emma to start contacting parents for permission straight away”
“Of course” Mrs Price conceded.  
“So what are your recommendations for settlement of Abigail’s claim” Cecil asked finally
“Well, I feel over all that the school does have some responsibility towards their pupil’s welfare and on this occasion 2 mistresses and 2 prefects supervising a group of 42 girl’s wasn’t sufficient” As Mrs Price paused Cecil felt a sinking feeling “However, with the environmental factors to be taken into consideration I do not feel that the school would be found to be completely culpable on this occasion”.  
“How much responsibility do you feel the school should accept?” Cecil asked
“We will be suggesting that in view of the Canton’s regular inspections of the area and their maintenance record this accident could not be foreseen and was simply an unfortunate accident.  If the solicitors are unable to accept this we will concede that the school was partially to blame, to the extent of about 20% of the accident being due to the lack of supervision”.
“how soon will you be putting this to the solicitors?” Cecil was anxious to have this matter settled once and for all
“I am leaving Switzerland tomorrow and will type up a formal report and write to the solicitors first thing on Wednesday”

Almost immediately after Mrs Price had left Cecil’s office Emma came through the interconnecting door
“And” she asked “whats the verdict”
“nothing definite” Cecil replied, her voice brighter than Emma had heard all term “but they are going to advise the solicitors that in their view it was simply an unfortunate accident”
“so that’s it”
“well nearly, we have to hope that the solicitors accept the insurance company’s findings”
“how long will it take”
“I am sure it will be wrapped up by the end of term” Cecil smiled at her secretary

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 25th, 2003, 4:25pm
Terrific, Kat, but did I detect a hint of cliff-hangering 'spoke too soon'?

Moving the trampoline to the base of this particular cliff, help wanted.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 25th, 2003, 4:41pm
Cliff, what cliff.... well maybe a small one!

anyway last bit for tonight.............

Cecil made her way to the staff room the following morning before school, knowing that the majority of her staff would be there, picking up the last few items needed before embarking on the morning’s teaching.

She rapped her knuckles against one of the lockers in order to get everyone’s attention
“I have just a couple of brief announcements this morning” she said brightly, the tone in her voice caused one or two of the mistresses to look up sharply at their head “firstly, I am pleased to announce that Mrs Price is leaving Switzerland today, her investigations have been completed”
there were audible sighs of relief from around the staff room and noticibly Miss Chadwick and Miss Williams had genuine smiles on their faces for the first time in weeks.
“and secondly” prompted Miss Redmond looking at her watch
“secondly” Cecil smiled at her senior mistress “you will be pleased to know that the script for the nativity play has arrived this morning” a general babble of requests to see the script erupted from the staff and Cecil laughed as she continued “your worse than the girls, have some patience, you’ll see it soon enough”
“come one” Miss Phillips argued “are you telling me you haven’t read it”
“now when would I have had the chance” Cecil countered “it only arrived this morning”
“I didn’t think of that” Miss Phillips looked crest fallen and failed to notice the faint smile at the corner of Cecil’s mouth. Miss Redmond had noticed however
“I suppose the post as been then” she said with an air of feigned innocence “conveniently early this morning”.
“Your far to quick” Cecil countered “No it didn’t come by post, its author delivered it”
“Is she still here” Miss Redmond asked
“no she’s gone over to Freudeshiem”
“Are we to tell the girls the play’s arrived” Miss Chadwick asked as the bell for registration sounded
“please do, read through is on Friday night”.

Lessons passed quickly and as always the girls behaviour and grades both improved, they knew from old that any bad behaviour or poor work would most likely result in them missing not only the play’s read through but possibility that they might miss out on the privilege of having a part in the play.  

At 4.00 pm on Friday afternoon Miss Chadwick called for her form’s attention.
“Please finish what you are writing and pay attention” she waited for the last few girls to finish copying from the whiteboard before she continued “as you are aware this evening at 6 pm the staff will be reading through this year’s play for you” she smiled at the obvious excitement on the girl’s faces. “This evenings preparation therefore will be rescheduled for 10 am tomorrow morning and when the bell goes you will go to the cloakroom and wash for tea, after tea there will be time for everyone to change out of uniform into casual clothes before coming down to the main hall where the play will be read”

The school had a longstanding tradition that the plays were written specially for it, normally by either mistresses or former pupils some of whom had numerous literary credits of their own.  In particular Joey Maynard and her daughter Con Richardson had provided more nativity plays than anyone else and they always tried to make sure that the plays were topical and up to date yet without fail they all finished in the same manner.  This year the play was one of Con’s and unbeknownst to any of the pupils, including her granddaughter, she herself was in Switzerland and would be at the reading of the play.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 25th, 2003, 5:31pm
Thank you Kate!! Lots of lovely story!!

Jennie, do you still need help moving that trampoline?

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 25th, 2003, 6:40pm
Looking forward to reading your version of the Christmas play. I suppose I'd better get thinking of another one soon as well.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 25th, 2003, 7:18pm
*Echoing Vikki's thanks!*

Really enjoying this Kate - so nice to see the CS translating into the modern day. ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 26th, 2003, 12:26am
*also can't wait to see what form the play takes*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 26th, 2003, 2:34am
Well, it looks as though things are beginning to get sorted out, but.......
*Wondering why she always expects things to take a turn for the worse

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 26th, 2003, 9:50am
Hmm, the nasty insurers may have gone but things still have to come to a head with Lizzy ...

Looking forward to more, Kate!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 26th, 2003, 10:27am
*wonders where Kate's next post is!!*  
More please Kate! ;)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 26th, 2003, 1:29pm
You might all have to be a little patient cos i think that Rupert might have bitten of a little more than he can chew when he suggested we did a bit about the nativity play.

Am currently trying to coax him out from behind the filing cabinet....

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 26th, 2003, 2:33pm
*offers to help Kate*

does Rupert like jaffa-cakes?  *waves packet near filing cabinet*  nice plot bunny...  

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 26th, 2003, 2:59pm
I found Christmas play inspiration by doing a search on the internet!  You naturally get a whole lot of stuff that's totally useless, but also some that give ideas!  Send Rupert to have a look there!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 26th, 2003, 3:48pm
ok the combination of jaffa cakes whilst surfing finally coaxed rupert out from behind the filing cabinets....

The hall lights had been dimmed and the girls sat in their neat form rows eagerly awaiting the arrival of the mistresses who would be reading the play, those mistresses who weren’t taking part in the reading had spread themselves out throughout the hall so that they could keep and eye on their pupils.  

The door to the side of the diase opened and the remaining four mistresses walked out, they were followed by the Head and then after her came an older lady many of the girls had never seen before.  Although shorter than the head by a good five inches and slightly broader, her features were so similar that it was clear they were related, despite the fact that the older woman’s hair was now silver gray with only hints of its original dark colouring.

Several audible gasps were heard throughout the room as well as exclaimations of “Auntie Con” and in three places “Grandma”.  Cecil had taken her place at the lectern and looked out of the assembled school

“Good evening girls” she began “We are very pleased to welcome here tonight, as some of you have guessed, Mrs Richardson, who has written this years play”.  Cecil smiled at her sister and invited her to the lectern
“Thank you Miss Maynard” Con acknowledged her sister before turning to face the girls “Now can you all hear me?” she asked, assured that they could she then continued “this is not the first time I have written the school’s nativity play, however, I hope that this year’s production is as good as all those that have come before.  I have enlisted the help of Miss Williams, Miss Redmond and Miss Maynard to assist in reading out the play, however, before we do that I am going to give you a brief overview of the story”

“the curtain rises to reveal in the centre a comfortable family living room with a sofa and two chairs, at the back is a Christmas tree surrounded by presents, there are two girls sitting on the sofa exclaiming about the wonderful Christmas they are about to have.  Their mother is expected home from work at any moment but when she arrives she has with her a girl, not much older than them.  There mother simply states that she will be staying with them for Christmas.  The girl’s aren’t happy with the situation as it means they must share their Christmas with a stranger”

“Their mother leaves the three girls together and they start talking, the visitor explains that she has come to stay with them as her own parents have thrown her out of the house after discovering she was pregnant. She goes onto explain that her family don’t have much money and how life is difficult on the Council estate where she lives.  The two girls, who have had an easier upbringing are quite shocked, but the girl explains that there will be others facing much worse hardships over the Christmas period, the two girls don’t really believe her and so she goes not to explain”

“At this point the main light breaks away from the three girls on the sofa in the centre of the stage and goes to the right, where it shows children whose homes have been bombed during conflict managing to survive by begging on the street.  The light will then move to the other side of the stage to show another scene, this time children living in a land of drought where there has been no food or water”

“as the light goes back to the centre of the stage the two girls dismiss what the older one has been saying as these children are not at all like them, living far away in distant countries.  Again the lights dim and this time light up to show a girl cowering under a table whilst her parents argue, again the light swings to the other side of the room to show a child visiting the graves of her parents who have been killed recently in a car accident and must now move into a care home.  Again the light swings over to show a ward of sick children whose illness doesn’t prevent them from finding hope and looking forward to christmas”

“Eventually the light swings back to the three girls, the two who now see that they have forgotten the meaning of Christmas and wish to make amends by welcoming their guest for Christmas.   The lights then fade and as usual the play finishes with the usual tableau of the stable in Jeruselem”

Con finished speaking and the school sat in silence taking in what she had been saying.  Eventually a ripple of applause began from the prefects at the back of the room and echoing its way to the front.  Cecil rose from her seat and went to her sister’s side.

“I take it from your applause that you approve of the play” she began “now the staff will read through the play as it is written”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 26th, 2003, 4:31pm
Kate,

I think that's lovely, especially the modern touches which fit in well with the setting of the story

I am very impressed by the speed of Rupert's switch from biting off more than he can chew to such a lovely outline for the play!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 26th, 2003, 4:38pm
last bit for today.....

The parts to the play were given out and Pippa, Abigail and Melanie all founds themselves with small parts in the side scenes, Pippa and Melaine as street urchin’s in the bomb site and Abigail as the girl reduced to cowering in fear at her parent’s fight under the kitchen table.  What with the addition of rehearsals to their already busy schedule it felt like the term was flying by.

Towards the end of November the weather began to change, the temperature started to drop away and the rain turned first to hail storms and then to snow.  The girls all hoped that the snow would hold and after a couple of nights where there had been a sharp frost the last Tuesday in November dawned bright and crisp.  

Cecil was preparing to go to breakfast in her own rooms when their was a tap on the door.  Checking quickly that the room was presentable she called out
“Come in” and Miss Phillips put her head round the door “How can I help” Cecil enquired
“I just wanted to check with you that the ban on skiing still stood”
“Unfortunately it does” Cecil grimaced at the younger woman “I know that they are all going to be expecting to go out to ski today but it just can’t be done I’m afraid”
“I thought as much” Miss Phillips said gravely “a couple of the girls have been to see me this morning already to ask if it was suitable to ski today.  Are you going to tell them at breakfast”
“I think it would be for the best”
“Rather you than me” Miss Phillips replied airily as she left

The buzz of excitement in the dinning room was obvious from the moment Cecil walked into the room.  Nevertheless the girls all knew that breakfast would come first, that morning it disappeared in record time and before long all the girls were sitting looking expectantly at their head. Cecil sighed deeply as she rose to her feet

“a quick announcement before grace” she began, pausing to glance at the expectant faces below her “As you are aware we have been unable to go out much due to the poor weather this term and I know many of your were hoping that the ground would be suitable to ski on today.  Unfortunately, at present we aren’t able to allow you to ski” instantly there were raised voices from around the room in protest at this statement.  Cecil raised her hand and waited for silence before she continued.  “I know most of your will be disappointed at this, however, it cannot be avoided.  We are required to obtain formal permission from your parents or guardians before our insurers will allow you to undertake what is classed as a dangerous sport”  she felt that she owed the girls this explanation but from the long faces in front of her it did not appear that they felt it to be a satisfactory one.  She asked the girls to stand and said the brief Latin grace before leaving the dining room to escape to the sanctuary of her study.

The grumbling was audible throughout the school at the prohibition on skiing and other winter sports.  As the girls finished their dormitory work and got ready for their first lesson of the day they could talk of nothing else.  They made their way to the form rooms for registration in near silence as the rules demanded but once safely inside the classroom they debate began again.

“It isn’t fair” Melanie complained “we haven’t skied since last February and I had just about got the hang of it”
“I did so want to get out” even Pippa complained.  

The only two not to join in the conversation had been Abi and Lizzy.  Abi knew that there was no way her doctors would allow her to try anything as dangerous as skiing and, in fact, she had a feeling that she would be staying indoors during most of the cold icy weather, not only was it dangerous in case she slipped but the cold weather was making her leg ache so much that she was considering going to nurse for pain killers.

Lizzy watched Abigail from her desk for a few minutes more until the debate in the room had become extremely heated.  Suddenly she got up from her seat and went to stand directly in front of her.
“this is all your fault” she said loudly and bitterly
“I don’t understand” Abigail was truly nonplussed by the accusation “whats all my fault”
“the fact we can’t go skiing” Lizzy explained
“don’t be ridiculous” Pippa interrupted “you heard Maynie as clearly as we did”
“Yes but I know more than you do” Lizzy’s voice took on a highly superior tone as she addressed her cousin
“why would what you know make it Abi’s fault” Melanie came to join Pippa in trying to defend her friend.  Lizzy’s temper was rising as she replied
“you won’t be so quick to defend her when you know” the rest of the class had by now lapsed into silence and a small audience of IIIrd formers had formed outside the door as their classroom had been locked and they were waiting in the corridor.
“so” goaded Melanie “are you going to explain or not”
“its all her fault we can’t ski because she had that accident and now her dad’s suing the school.  Because of her we can’t ski, we can’t go for rambles, we have to be supervised and what’s worse it could mean the school closing down”
Abigail had turned white at Lizzy’s outburst, her friends turned to look at her with shocked expressions on their faces not wanting to believe what they’d heard
“you’ll notice she’s not denying anything” Lizzy stalked to her own seat and sat down, leaving most of the girls not only from her own form but those in the corridor staring at Abigail in horror.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 26th, 2003, 4:42pm
You're not going to leave it there, are you?!!   :o

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 26th, 2003, 5:11pm
Oh no! Poor Abigail!

You've certainly got the hang of this cliff edge thing haven't you?!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 26th, 2003, 7:26pm
Poor Abi indeed, it's not as if she even wanted her father to sue the school - I hope her friends stand by her.
And that Lizzy get's what she deserves!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 26th, 2003, 8:02pm
Poor Abigail!   :'( :'(

She is getting it in the neck from Lizzi in't she, I do hope that her friends at least stand by her, it's not her fault after all.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 26th, 2003, 9:56pm
Kate, that was wonderful, but I can't believe you  left it there!!! :o :o

*goes off to hunt for Jennie and her trampoline!*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 26th, 2003, 9:59pm
I'm waiting for someone to wonder how Lizzie knows that...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by keren on Nov 27th, 2003, 8:54am
beatiful idea for the christmas play, showing the relevance of it all, in todays modern world

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 27th, 2003, 9:03am

on 11/26/03 at 21:59:12, KB wrote:
I'm waiting for someone to wonder how Lizzie knows that...

Didn't she over hear a conversation?   :o

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 27th, 2003, 10:52am
Yes, dear. I know that and you know that. The girls at the school don't know that. I'd imagine they won't think much of eavesdropping, even in this modern day and age...

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Abi on Nov 27th, 2003, 11:02am
poor Abi, that Lizzy is pretty nasty. (its very bizarre seeing Abi and Lizzy together like that as my sister is Lizy). I hope her friends stay her friends and dont get angry with her.

*teetering on the edge of the cliff*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 27th, 2003, 11:16am
That would definitely make it difficult for you to take the story seriously, Abi, I agree.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Abi on Nov 27th, 2003, 11:50am
Actually, it's not too bad because Lizy is a) spelt differently and b) nicer than Lizzy. Just vaguely weird  ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 27th, 2003, 3:22pm
so glad your all enjoying this!

next bit....

Luckily for Abigail at that moment Miss Chadwick, their form mistress, and Miss Williams, form mistress of the girls of the third form, who were currently crowded round the doorway.

“now then” Miss Williams exclaimed as she approached “this doesn’t look like you are lined up smartly outside the classroom does it”.  The third formers literally scurried over to the door of their own room and formed up as requested.  Miss Chadwick leaned over to whisper at Miss Williams
“have fun, looks like were both in for a fun morning” before stalking into her own classroom.

The girls warned of their mistresses approach had seated themselves at their desks.  Abigail still looked extremely pale where as Lizzy was flushed, her eyes flashed, betraying her bottled anger.  The other girls around the rooms looked in turn angry, bewildered or downright shocked and Miss Chadwick couldn’t help wondering whether this was the fall out from this morning’s announcement that there would be no skiing this term or whether her form were coming down with some new sort of sickness.

“Good Morning girls” she greeted them as she took her place at the table.
“Good morning Miss Chadwick” they chorused in what was definitely not their usual tone.  After registration Miss Chadwick put her books down and looked at the class, quite clearly in their current frame of mind working would be extremely unproductive.

“I am not entirely sure what has happened in here this morning, and to be honest I am not sure whether I either want or need to know”  she paused surveying the room “I will ask you now to get out your geography books, quickly and quietly, and to give yourselves a minute to try and get into the right frame of mind for your lesson”
There was a general shuffling of papers, as desk lids were lifted and bags were emptied to get out the relevant books, eventually all of the girls were sitting neatly at their desks, books open and pens in hand waiting for their mistress to begin.

Miss Chadwick was halfway through her lecture on the impact of climate change when she looked up at her pupils who should have been taking notes.  More than half of them were sitting staring into space, Melanie and Pippa kept glancing anxiously at Abigail whose face had still not regained any colour.  Other girls were also watching her though in most cases it was not concern mirrored in their faces but undisguised hostility.  

“Could I have your attention please” she switched of the projector which she had been using to give examples of the environmental damage caused by global warming.  “am I to assume from the fact that hardly any of you are paying attention to this lesson that you know all about this subject”  her question was rhetorical but she paused to allow the her words to sink in.  Turning to the board she quickly wrote on it the title of the essay she wished the girls to do for preparation. “In which case you obviously don’t need me to continue with this lecture.  You have a week to complete this assignment, I will be collecting your work at the start of next week’s lesson”.

The girls copied down their preparation not really knowing how to respond to their mistress.  There were another twenty minutes to go before the bell would ring for break but they had nothing to do but sit and wait.  
“I would suggest” Miss Chadwick spoke as she rose from her desk “that you at least start by reading the chapter on climate change before you start your essay”.  Most of the girls needed no further instruction and heads were quickly buried in books.  Miss Chadwick started to walk through the rows of girls occasionally pausing to ask a question.  When she reached Lizzy she stopped

“Elizabeth” her tone was gentle “you don’t look well, do you need to go to the nurse”
“I’m fine” Lizzy replied bluntly and returned her eyes to her book, though she completely failed to take in anything she was reading.  Miss Chadwick continued down the rows of desks until she reached Abigail
“You look a little pale Abigail, are you all right” she asked
Abigail nodded, not trusting her self to speak
“are you sure” her teacher queried.  Abigail remained silent but after glancing at the clock and noting that the lesson was due to end she realised that she would have to face her friends or find an escape route.  She looked up at her mistress and said quietly
“my leg’s hurting a bit”
“why don’t you go along to nurse then” Abigail needed no further prompting, she gathered up her belongings and slowly made her way to the door

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 27th, 2003, 4:06pm
next ....

The bell rang for break and Miss Chadwick dismissed her class, meeting her colleague in the hallway as she to sent her form to the cloakrooms to freshen up before the next lesson

“That was fun” Miss Williams remarked sarcastically “at one point I might as well have been teaching a room of goldfish”
“oh dear” Miss Chadwick couldn’t help but to laugh at this comparison
“your telling me that your girls all behaved impeccably this morning”
“not at all, but that was to be expected after this morning’s excitements”
“I think that the disappointment at not skiing has got to them, that’s all” Miss Williams tried to reassure her colleague who was looking particularly pensive.

In the lower IV’s splashery Pippa and Melanie were finding themselves under siege from the other girls regarding Lizzy’s allegations.  Lizzy herself, not wanting to come under fire from either of the two girls had skipped passed the splashery and made her way to the laboratory where the girls were to undergo their next lesson.

“well” Heather Jones rounded on Pippa “is it true”
“I would very much doubt it” was Pippa’s reply, although even she could not bring her self to deny the matter outright
“so your saying it could be true” Marie queried
“I….” Pippa hesitated really not knowing what to say
“I think its horrible” Harriet West joined in “she shouldn’t have come back to school at all”
“Why ever not” Melanie was amazed
“she obviously doesn’t care about the school” Julie replied
“Anyway, look what its meant for us” Harriet continued “all that extra supervision, its like being a junior again.  No skiing, no going out, she’s spoiling it or all of us”
“I don’t think your being fair” Pippa tried to be reasonable “you haven’t heard her side of it yet”
“We don’t need to” Harriet continued.  She looked round the girls assembled in the cloakroom
“we should make her drop her claim” she continued
“we don’t even know if there is a claim” Marie tried to be reasonable
“so how did Lizzy know about it” Julie asked “its not like she’d make something like that up” even Pippa and Melanie had to admit that to make something up like this would be very unlike Lizzy.
“she didn’t deny it though” Harriet added “I vote we make her tell us the truth”
“and how do you propose to do that” Melanie’s voice had become extremely quiet and her eyes flashed. Pippa knew from old that her friend was on the verge of loosing her temper and placed a hand on her arm trying to warn her not to do or say something she might regret.  
The cloakroom door flew open and Sarah Peters, the head girl, stood framed in the doorway.
“do you realise that the bell rang for your next lesson three minutes ago” the tone of her voice was icy “what ever do you think your doing”.  
The girls mumbled their apologies and the splashery cleared in record time.

The discussion in the lower IV’s splashery wasn’t the only one that had taken place over break.  The girls from the third forms who had also heard Lizzy’s outburst were discussing the situation themselves.  Whilst at 12 and 13 years old they didn’t really have much concept of the claim itself two things had stuck in their heads, that it was Abigail’s fault that they were stuck in school all the time and that she was doing something which might shut the school down.

The school’s grapevine worked in its usual fashion, the story spreading from form to form throughout the lower and middle forms, only a handful of girls were prepared to wait to hear Abigail’s side of the story, the general consensus of opinion was that if Abigail didn’t care enough about her school to put it in danger then they didn’t want to have anything to do with her.

During all this time, however, Abigail knew nothing of what was going on.  The shock of hearing Lizzy’s accusation had upset her so much by the time she got to the health centre not only was her leg aching but her head as well.  She had been given pain killers and sent to bed where in the quiet of the dormitory she soon fell asleep.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 27th, 2003, 4:41pm
last bit for tonight...

By the end of the week the whole lower school was in turmoil.  Abigail couldn’t go anywhere without receiving hostile glares and comments.  Various members of lower forms had taken to turning their backs on her when ever she approached and even her friends were finding it difficult as they had not had an opportunity to speak to her about Lizzy’s allegations nor had Abigail raised the subject herself.

Lizzy herself should have been jubilant if what she had intended was to set the whole of the school against Abigail.  Unfortunately, however, she had spoken in temper and whilst she didn’t like Abigail she wasn’t particularly proud of what she had done.  She couldn’t tell anyone where she had come across the information about the claim, as not one of the girls admired someone who would eavesdrop on a private conversation.

Sarah Peters had noticed some of the tensions between the girls but hadn’t at any point seen anything she could pull a particular individual upon.  She had not seen any actual rule breaking.  She sighed to herself as she sat at her desk in the head girl’s study.  With 5 A levels to work for as well as her duties as head girl she had hoped for an easy term of it.  A rap at the door made her jump

“come in” she called out and a rather flustered second prefect put her head round the door
“I think we need a prefects meeting pronto” she said, her eyes sparkling
“whatever’s the matter” Sarah’s expression mirrored her concern.  Rachel inserted herself into the room and shut the door behind her
“apparently the school is going to close” she delivered this statement with dramatic effect.  Sarah looked into her deputy’s face carefully to see if she was joking
“says who” she asked ungrammatically
“it’s a very long story” Rachel sighed “do you mind” she asked pointing at the spare chair
“not at all, I’m all ears”
“well, I have been hearing all sorts of stories over the last few days from various sources.  I managed to grab young Heather this afternoon and hauled her up to my study for a chat”
“well” Sarah was impatient for the rest of the story
“It would appear that there was some sort of argument amongst the ranks of the lower IV’s earlier in the week and one of them, Heather won’t say who of course, declared that Abigail O’Hara was the reason why we haven’t been able to go out or ski and why we have been stuck supervising the kids for everything under the sun this term.  She accused Abigail of making a claim against the school which somehow might make the school close”
Sarah sat back in her chair and looked at her deputy.  Unlike Rachel, whose mind ran on mathematical and scientific lines, Sarah hoped to be going on to university to study law next year and had started to work part time in a friend’s father’s firm during the holidays.  Although it appeared to be blown out of all proportion the fact that Abigail might be making a claim wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

“well” she began eventually “I can’t say anything about the fact she might be bringing a claim.  After all” she continued reasonably “if the school was at fault for the accident it is her right to make a claim”
“she apparently didn’t deny it” Rachel added
“she may not even know” Sarah guessed
“surely she’d have to”
“no, as a child any claim must be bought by the parent”
“oh, I wonder if that’s why she didn’t say anything”
“we have to do something to stop this rumor about the school closing” Sarah continued “if we don’t then knowing what the younger girls are like they will make Abigail’s life a misery”
“how on earth are we going to do that” Rachael asked “take it to Maynie”
“I don’t think so, she said something about not being at school this weekend, a family do for her mother’s birthday apparently”
“what about the other staff?”
“Supposing they don’t know about it either?” Sarah paused whilst she considered her options “I think that we should alert the other prefects to keep a firm eye on the middles and juniors.  If we see any signs of bullying we can step in straight away but the best thing would be to try and identify who started it and how they got the information”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 27th, 2003, 6:09pm
Thank you Kate  ;D

oooooh, things are not looking good...  

*on edge of seat, which is never a good plan on a swivel chair*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 27th, 2003, 6:33pm
Careful Xanthe!  You don't want to repeat Bill's accident, do you?!!   ;)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lisa on Nov 27th, 2003, 6:41pm
Very exciting! Head girl saves the day ...?

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Vikki on Nov 27th, 2003, 11:12pm
Ohhhhhhh!! Poor Abi!!
*waiting on tenterhooks for the next bit!!*

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 28th, 2003, 12:02am
I'm feeling so sorry for Abi, none of this is her fault yet she is one who is bearing the brunt of it, apart from Cecil of course, and she still has her injuries to contend with.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 28th, 2003, 12:02am
Oh, poor Abi! As she said to her father, she didn't even want compensation. I hope he finds out that he's ruining her happiness at school.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Rachael P on Nov 28th, 2003, 8:53am
Wow, Kate - mammoth postings!

Poor Abi, she must be feeling dreadful!

I like your Head Girl - very well characterised - very real

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 28th, 2003, 12:18pm
What a terrible situation for Abi to find herself in.
Anyone want to join in with giving Lizzy a good smack? She deserves it.

BTW, it didn't take long for the CS ethos to dissolve, did it?

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 28th, 2003, 12:26pm
I hope for Abi's sake that the HG can deal with it quickly, but think that the bullying that is going on needs to be brought to the heads attention as well.

Poor Abi. :'( :'( :'( (Max sympathy)

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 28th, 2003, 2:31pm
first bit for today..........

The prefects weren’t the only ones to notice that there was something seriously amiss in the school. After supper on Friday evening the staff gathered as usual in the staff room.

“Well” declared Miss Redmond “I am sure that the rest of you must have noticed that there is something wrong with the girls”
“Like we could help but notice” Miss Phillips replied
“I have noticed it to” Mlle Mercier looked at the senior mistress “I had one girl tell me that she hadn’t done her preparation as there was no point as the school was closing”
Miss Williams, who had just taken a mouthful of her coffee literally sprayed it back across the staff room as she spluttered
“what on earth did you say to that”
“Just that even if the school was closing that was no reason not to do her prep” the little French mistress replied
“Ok” sighed Miss Redmond “one at a time observations please” as senior mistress during Miss Maynard’s absence from the school it was her duty to try and get to the bottom of things
“well” Fraulien Eisen began “It seems to be just the lower forms, my fifth formers do not seem to be affected”
“true” continued Miss Ferdinand “lower IV were particularly bad on Tuesday, you had them before me Jayne”
“I did” Jayne Chadwick sighed “there was something very wrong with them on Tuesday morning, but I just put it down to the fact they had been told they couldn’t ski”
“IIIa were particularly bad on Tuesday morning” Miss Williams recollected “I couldn’t say why but they were all gawking outside the lower IV form room”
“so are we saying that it seems to have started in lower IV” Miss Redmond asked
“Looks like it” Jayne replied bleakly “now we just have to work out what on earth ‘it’ is”
“I think for now” Miss Redmond said decisively “we will have to keep our ears to the ground and try and locate the source of the problem.  So far as any rumours of the school closing are concerned, step on them at once, that sort of talk doesn’t help anyone”

Abigail hadn’t been looking forward to the weekend.  During the week she had kept her head down during lessons and tried to ignore the hostile looks from her classmates.  Initially Pippa and Melanie had tried to talk to her about Lizzy’s outburst but she had been made to promise that she wouldn’t say anything about the claim and she didn’t want to lie to her friends when they asked if it was true and so she said nothing.  Unfortunately, although her two friends agreed to stick by her in any event what they were somewhat nonplussed by the fact she refused to make an outright denial.  

The second and third formers had decided on mass to send Abigail to Coventry and many of them turned their backs on her if she spoke to them or walked past.  Most of the upper IV and Inter V had come to speak to her, usually in groups of two or three, firstly asking her if what they were told was true, then they came to her to tell them how much her actions were impacting on their lives.  In her own form it was pretty much the same, only here several of the girls had told her in no uncertain terms what they thought of her.

Unsurprisingly when Saturday morning came Abigail out up long before the rising bell, quickly showered and dressed before making her way to the IVth form common room.  She sat in the corner by the large radiator looking out across the snow bound playing fields and up into the hills, lost in her thoughts.

She didn’t hear the door to the common room open and it was only when a hand fell on her shoulder did she notice that she wasn’t alone.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 28th, 2003, 3:03pm
“What do you want” she asked in cold icy tones
“To say I’m sorry” was the timid reply “can I sit down”
“as far as I’m aware this common room is for the whole of the IVth form so you are entitled to sit where you want”
Rebecca pulled up a chair opposite to Abigail’s and sat down
“Please Abi” she began “will you listen to what I have to say”
“I’m listening” was Abigail’s grudging response.
“Well, um, I’m not sure where to begin”
Abigail had no intention of making things easy for Rebecca and simply sat staring at her.  Eventually Rebecca continued
“well, you know Lizzy and I have been friends since we first got here” she asked and when Abigail nodded wearily she continued “well I just feel that I should have been able to stop her saying what she did”
“you couldn’t have, you weren’t even there”
“I know I wasn’t but she told me about three weeks ago that she knew something about why we couldn’t go out.  She made this huge thing about how their was some investigator at the school but wouldn’t say any more. Look at when we were at Mrs Entwistles and she asked Mrs Maynard to tell stories about accidents at the school.  I’m sure now that that was deliberate”
Abigail looked away out the window and replied distantly
“I was pretty sure it was too”
“anyway” Rebecca continued “I could see she was getting in a worse and worse mood but to be honest I couldn’t be bothered to try and snap her out of it.  I feel that I have let her down and you down very badly”

Abigail wasn’t the sort of girl to hold a grudge and turned to Rebecca
“Look Bec” she began “its not your fault, I think Lizzy has been in a bad mood since before term started”
“yes she has” Rebecca replied simply “her parents were furious about her having to stay down a form, she’s very bright but she’s lazy, her mum said Lizzy’s like her older sister, the one that went to be a nun”  she paused not really knowing what to say next and the pair of them sat in silence thinking about what the other had said.  Eventually Abigail spoke
“I just don’t know what to do” Rebecca could hear Abigail’s unhappiness in her voice
“You should tell someone what’s going on” Rebecca suggested
“I can’t, it would get Lizzy into really bad trouble”
“I think she’s got herself into that already” her friend replied “look its up to you what ever you decide to do, but I am going to try and get my form to back off a bit.  I am not sure what to do about Lizzy though, I don’t want to talk to her about it cos I’ll only get my head bitten off”
At this point the rising bell sounded and both Abigail and Rebecca new that they wouldn’t have the chance to speak together again in private, or because of Rebecca’s friendship with Lizzy at all.
“Thank you” Abigail said simply “talking to me has made a difference”
“you know what your going to do about it then”
“I’ve some ideas, but I am going to need help”
“will Pippa and Mel help” Rebecca knew how close the three younger girls were
“To be honest Bec I don’t really want to involve them, particularly Pippa as she and Lizzy are cousins”

With the sound of voices in the corridor approaching the two girls smiled at each other, Rebecca moved her chair away and walked to the other side of the room.  Abigail returned to her window gazing as the room filled up.  Pippa and Melanie were the only people who came near her and the sat on a nearby chair not speaking to her or each other just waiting for the bell to go for Frustuk.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 28th, 2003, 3:37pm
After Frustuk came dormitory work followed by, for the fourth formers, preparation and then the usual guide meeting.  During this time the girls were kept busy by their patrol leaders, most of whom were prefects and as such were under instruction from the head girl to keep an eye out for squalls.  Sarah had been very specific during the previous evenings emergency prefects meeting

“There is something very wrong” she had said “amongst the middle and lower school, I am not sure what started the rumor that the school is to close but we need to put a stop to it, and if we can do it without involving Maynie then so much the better”
She had asked her prefects to keep a firm eye on the girls during Saturday morning and straight after lunch a further prefects meeting would be held to discuss their further thoughts, having spent much of the morning observing the girls, both at guides and supervising the dining room and preparation time.

Shortly after 1.30 pm the twelve 17 and 18 year olds who made up the school’s prefect body had assembled in their room.  Sarah sat at the head of the table with Rachel to her left hand side.

“Now we are all here” Sarah began “lets begin” she opened the floor to the rest of her peers and immediately hands were waving in the air “Hazel, do you want to start” Sarah indicated the youngest of the prefects this year, who happened to be the table prefect for lower IV.
“nothing specific, but there is definitely a problem in lower forth, I can’t say what it is for sure but you can feel the tension”
“who has lower IV members in their patrols” Sarah asked and three girls raised their hands “go ahead Juliette” she indicated the pretty French music prefect
“I have Harriet West, Marie Valdes and Melanie Edwards in Forget-me-not” she began “this morning neither Harriet or Marie were talking to Melanie, and I over heard one of them say that it was not good to be friends with someone who didn’t care what happened to the school”
“were they saying this to each other” Rachel interrupted
“yes, but it was more like it was being said for the benefit of Melanie”
“did she reply”
“non, she simply turned away, but she had become red in the face”
“I see” sarah continued “Claire, you have both Pippa and Abi in your patrol don’t you”
“Yes” Claire replied “I also have Harriet’s twin Julie”
“did you notice anything”
“I kept them all very busy I’m afraid so they didn’t have much time for talking, but I did notice that a couple of the younger girls in the patrol were acting very strangely towards Abi and Pippa”
“what do you mean by strangely”
“well, they kept turning their backs on them and wouldn’t reply or look at Abi when she spoke to them”
Several ideas were beginning to form in Sarah’s head about what was behind the trouble in the lower school.  She quickly asked several questions to those prefects who had contact with Abigail or her friends eventually she sat back in her chair and frowned
“Go on” Rachel prompted after looking enquiringly at her friend
“well, I can’t say for sure” she began “you know I explained to you last night about how Rachel’s sister Heather had told her about the rumor the school was going to close because Abigail was making a claim, well I think the girls are acting on that rumor”
“but we don’t know if its true” Juliette interrupted impatiently
“no I know we don’t, the only people that will know if its true are Maynie and Miss Richards, possibly the staff and maybe Abigail herself, though I am not so sure she does know”
“so how to do tackle the brats” Hazel asked
“Hazel” Sarah said warningly “I know were amongst friends but you know that’s been added to the slang list”
“never mind that now” Rachel interrupted “what are we going to do”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 28th, 2003, 4:05pm
Saturday afternoon found the staff with time on their hands, most after a busy week teaching needed some time to themselves and as a result the staff room was filled. Most of the mistresses were using the time to chatter, read or write letters, though Miss Williams and Miss Phillips had challenged each other to playing pinball on the computer in the corner of the staff room.

Emma Richards had joined the staff for the afternoon, her in tray had been emptied and with Cecil away at Freudeshiem for the weekend she was free to enjoy herself.  
“oh well” she said to Miss Chadwick “only another two weeks before the end of term, and then three weeks of peace and quiet”
“lets just get through the next two weeks first” Jayne Chadwick replied grimly
“problems?” Emma asked raising an eyebrow
“haven’t you heard the latest rumor” she asked
“what rumor” Emma had been particularly busy in her own office during the previous week, collating the end of term reports and dealing with the stock requests for next term
“apparently the school is closing” Jayne said in a level voice and perfectly straight face
“what” Emma’s explanation came out as a splutter “where on earth did that one come from”
“we think it started in lower IV” Miss Redmond replied “though how we are at a loss to discover”

There was a brief tap on the door and Miss Redmond looked over at Jayne
“your turn I believe” she said smiling at her junior.  As Jayne made her way to the door she turned and pulled a face at her colleague that would have shocked the girls she taught.  Opening the door she was somewhat shocked to find the head girl and second prefect, having assumed that on the other side of the door she would have found a lower school girl.
“hello there” she smiled at the pair of them “who are you after”
“well, it’s a bit complicated” Sarah began “we could do with some advice but would really rather it was off the record”
“of course” Miss Chadwick replied, having been a prefect herself at the Welsh branch of the school she understood that sometimes prefects needed guidance to deal with the younger girls without going to the extent of officially reporting matters to a mistress “how many of us do you think you’ll need”
“Yourself, and possibly the form mistresses of upper IVb and IIIa, if that’s all right” Sarah asked
“hold on a moment” Jayne turned her back on the head girl and pulled the door too “Eve, Gennie, your going to have to stop playing I’m afraid” she called to the two mistresses on the computer
“just when I was winning” Gennie stood up as she spoke “what do you need”
“The prefects need some help apparently” Jayne replied
“About”
“no idea, they didn’t say, just asked for me, you  and Eve” Jayne continued “shall we”

The three mistresses left the staff room and joined Rachel and Sarah.  It was decided that the best place to go for their discussion would be the prefects room, with the other prefects supervising the other girls the room would be empty.

“now then” Miss Williams began as she sat down “whats the problem”
“this has to be completely off the record” Sarah began looking anxiously at the three mistresses and when they gave their assurances she began firstly by telling them of the rumors flying around the school.  
“to be honest” Miss Philips said when she’d finished “we were aware of the rumor, but it is just that”
“we thought as much” Sarah continued and after glancing at her second who nodded at her to continue “but that isn’t all”
It took her fully ten minutes to explain what the prefects had discovered after observing the girls and at the end of her speech the three mistresses looked extremely anxious.  
“So” Sarah finished “that’s what we need your advise on, we aren’t too sure how to deal with the matter”

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 28th, 2003, 4:23pm
Terrific, Kat, will there be more before you go home for the weekend, Pretty Please.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 28th, 2003, 4:39pm
okay, this is the last bit before i escape from work for the weekend..........

For Abigail Saturday had not got any better, whilst she had been able to take her mind of things in the morning by keeping busy she was aware of the constant stream of sarcastic and cruel comments being made.

She desperately wanted to be able to talk to someone but as her father had sworn her to secrecy about the claim and Miss Maynard, the only person she thought knew about it, was not in school she felt completely trapped with her own thoughts.   She had taken up her usual position in the corner of the common room with her two friends again sat close to her.  Pippa was growing increasingly concerned about both of her friends, whilst Abigail was clearly becoming more and more upset by the whole situation Melanie was beginning to lose her temper as her attempts to protect her friend were resulting in her being on the receiving end of some of the more nasty comments made by her class mates.

“Lets get out of here” Pippa said suddenly to the two of them unable to stand it any longer.  Melanie rose to her feet immediately but it took some persuading to get Abigail to come to.  The three girls held their heads up high as they left the room although they could hear the other girls’ comments.  At one point Melanie flushed bright red as the result of a particularly cruel accusation but Pippa put her hand on her arm to restrain her, the last thing they needed was for Melanie to lose her temper.

The three girls made their way to the lower IV’s form room, although not the most comfortable place to spend a Saturday afternoon at least they would be on their own.
“how are you doing” Pippa asked Abigail when they reached their sanctuary
“not to good” Abigail admitted, tears standing out in her eyes
“can you talk about it at all” Pippa coaxed and when Abigail shook her head she turned to Melanie
“have you calmed down yet” she asked bluntly
“just about” was the truthful reply “thank you for stopping me back then” she added knowing full well from experience what she was capable of if she had lost her temper
“any time” Pippa grinned at her friend. “afterall a blazing row is just what you don’t need right now”
“so what shall we do” Melanie asked looking round the room
“prep” was Pippa’s unhelpful suggestion which was shouted down by Melanie instantly
Neither Pippa or Melanie could think of anything to do and Abigail remained silent.  They sat there not saying anything to each other for a short while before Pippa glancing at her friend couldn’t stay silent any longer
“Oh Abi” she began having noted that tears were falling silently down her friends face. Melanie, who was unsentimental and, as she said herself, didn’t do tears, looked at the floor not wanting to witness her friend’s distress.
“I know that their being beastly to you but this won’t help” Pippa looked anxiously at her friend
“sorry” Abigail sniffed “but I can’t deal with this any more”
“what do you want to do” Pippa asked
“I promised I wouldn’t say anything”
“about the claim” Pippa’s guess was shrewed and Abigail’s head came up sharply
“I didn’t say that” she replied immediately
“I know” Pippa’s voice was gentle “you didn’t have to.  Look if we promise not to say anything can’t you tell us”
Abigail took a large gulp of air
“both of your promise” she said and when they had she told them about the claim her father had started without telling her, she told them of her meeting with Mrs Price and what she had overheard.  When she had finished she was exhausted
“so now you know” she said sadly “I don’t mind if neither of you want nothing to do with me any more”
“don’t be silly” Melanie replied instantly and when Pippa backed her up Abigail felt like a great weight had been lifted of her shoulders.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by xanthe on Nov 28th, 2003, 4:50pm
Thank you Kate  ;D

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Jennie on Nov 28th, 2003, 4:54pm
Thank you Kate, I'm looking forward to some more on Monday. Not that I'm dropping a hint, or anything, you realise.

Walks away looking very innocent.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by PatW on Nov 28th, 2003, 8:55pm
A whole weekend to write heaps and heaps!!

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by KB on Nov 28th, 2003, 9:05pm
Kate, this is an incredible piece of work. The characters are amazing. I just wish Cecil could come back to the school and straighten things out, as it will be amusing to see the entire school (bar three people) have to eat humble pie.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Lesley on Nov 28th, 2003, 9:39pm
Kate - this is exceptional - really feel for your characters. Hope you have lots of ideas over the weekend - look forward to the Monday postings.

Title: Re: The Chalet School in Court ~ Part Two
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 28th, 2003, 11:36pm
This is excellent, you have written it so that we feel really involved with the charters. Well done, on length of post as well as everything else.



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