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Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >> A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
(Message started by: Chloe on Nov 30th, 2003, 11:46am)

Title: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Nov 30th, 2003, 11:46am
Archived due to length:

Part 1 http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/danceratcs.html
Part 2 http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/A%20dancer%20at%20the%20CS.htm

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Abi on Nov 30th, 2003, 1:12pm
Hahaaha, *gasping with laughter*

That was a great interlude! Please write some more story soon!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Nov 30th, 2003, 8:10pm
Esmeralda - it was a country ginger wine - meant to be good for the lungs, but obviously good for experimental plot bunnies!

Sorry folks, had a redecorating-fest today, so no story yet! More tomorrow!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by ali on Nov 30th, 2003, 8:53pm
Just caught up with part 2 - poor matey, I can appreciate her dentistry fear and refuse to go under any circumstances. ( Yet my teeth are shiny, white and all my own) Thanks for my guesting-I like me! Hope the books lived up to expectations. ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 1st, 2003, 11:25pm
Glad you liked it Ali! Didn't want to offend!



For a second day, Amelia spent her lessons in a haze of dreams, but this time they were based on ideas of her curtseying gracefully before an adoring audience. She only really sat up and paid attention in the music lesson, where the harmonies touched her sensitive soul and gave birth to elaborate ballets she had choreographed. At the end of the day, she approached Matron’s room and knocked timidly. Matron appeared, much restored to health following her interlude at the dentist’s. Her cheek had returned to something of its usual size, and although she was left with a slight headache after the pain relief she was feeling like her normal self. She handed over the ballet shoes with a few comments as to their safekeeping, then hesitated a moment.

“They are a good pair,” she commented, looking at Amelia consideringly. “A gift?”

“From my friends at home,” Amelia replied softly.

“Well, they must think a lot of you, dear. In my estimation these were not cheap!” She paused. “Dancing must be a significant part of your life.”

“It is, Matron,“ the girl responded fervently. “It is.” She walked sensibly until out of sight, then sped off to the form room.

The middles greeted her with delight.

“At last! Are we to get our performance tonight, then?” cried Charlotte.
“Indeed you are!” responded Amelia with a laugh. “Put on the record, will you?” She bent to tie on her shoes, crossing the satin ribbons expertly, and tying them in a neat knot. Moving into the centre of the room, she began to bend her knees, and stretch, warming up, whilst sundry others in the form moved furniture out of the way, puffing and panting with the effort.

“Quickly!” Amelia warned. There are only twenty minutes until Prayers, and then I have to go straight to bed! Now,” she said, as the girls sat on the floor around the fringes of the room, faces raised expectantly, “don’t expect very much. I really ought to have warmed up properly, so I can’t overdo it. I haven’t practised much recently, either.” She reddened at her last words, but simply moved into position, and nodded towards Connie who was in charge of the gramophone.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 1st, 2003, 11:48pm
Oooh, hooray for Amelia, and for Matey for being more decent about things.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 1st, 2003, 11:56pm
For a moment, there was silence - or as near to silence as is possible to achieve in a busy boarding school. Then the first few rippling notes of Swan Lake sounded, and Amelia rose up on her points, her arms held gracefully aloft in the fifth port de bras, her face tilted towards her palms, every part of her held in taut readiness. She resembled a statue, so still was she, then she appeared to glide forward with a series of rapid, tiny steps, coming to an instant halt again, in attitude to the back. The girls gasped as Amelia held her pose perfectly, her bent right leg held with the calf absolutely horizontal. The whole mood of the dance then changed and became far livelier. She began with a sequence of petits jetés, a number of tiny jumps, crossing her ankles back and forth in what seemed a blur to the audience. The dance and dancer seemed to become one as the piece progressed, and when Amelia finally took a short run across the room, with precise steps, ending in a pirouette, and then dropping into a graceful curtsey there was a short pause and then the very room seemed to burst into applause.

It was a few minutes before the flushed girl came to earth, and she looked around at the others in a daze, hearing their words of congratulation and admiration, but still in her own world of music and movement. A bell rang, and the girls cried in dismay.

“Quick! Abendessen! We’d best put the room to rights after prayers,” called Isabel and with one accord, they fled to the splasheries to prepare themselves for entering the Speisesaal.

Nell Wilson looked up from the staff table as the Middles entered in some disarray. “Now what have those scamps been up to?” she muttered. “Some mischief, I’ll be bound.”

“Oh, they’re just settling into the term,” said Kathie Ferrars benignly. “They are always on best behaviour at first, then spirits begin to stir.”

“That new girl, Amelia Bartram-Jones,” said Matron wryly, “she’s doing the stirring I should think.”

Hilda almost dropped her fork in shock. She eyed Matron firmly. “Now whatever do you mean by that?” she demanded. “That girl has a – a troubled background, and it was my impression that she was quiet and rather reserved.”

“Ah, but that was before she got the Joey treatment,” giggled Kathie.

“To be sure!” interjected Biddy in her broad Irish brogue, “It be true, I had to call her to order both yesterday and today in History! So distracted, she seemed.”

“Much like yourself,” spoke Nell with her famed sarcasm. “Or have you forgotten your language in the presence of the girls?” but her eyes twinkled.

Kathie immediately supported her friend as she saw her discomfiture. “Oh, Nell, don’t be so unkind.”

“You know I’m only teasing you!” retorted Nell, and Kathie and Biddy broke into subdued giggles before being brought up short by Hilda’s withering glare.

Over on the middles’ table the girls were blissfully unaware that they were the subject of the mistresses’ conversation. They were talking as loudly as they dared about Amelia’s startling performance.

“I mean, I knew you must be quite good from what you said about the Royal Ballet School, but I never thought …”

“The way you were so in control was amazing!”

“I can’t believe you moved so fast!”

Amelia basked in their admiration and felt buoyed up by their kind words. At the same time, she felt an affirmation that her decision was the right one and vowed to herself to focus almost exclusively on her dancing. ‘Then Mummy will see that she’s made a mistake, and I will have to come home,” she thought with determination. She was still surrounded by a warm rosy glow as she made her way to bed with the juniors after Prayers, and scarcely felt the ignominy of it. The girl’s head had been somewhat turned by all the praise, and she was feeling proud of herself. Before giving in to fatigue, Amelia resolved to write to her Mother on the morrow, and fill the letter with happy news. With this thought, she was comforted, and when the others came up to bed later on, she did not even rouse.




I'm sorry, I seem to end most postings with her going to bed!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 2nd, 2003, 12:00am
*lol* It's always a good place to finish.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Sarah_L on Dec 2nd, 2003, 12:02am
That's okay, everyone has to sleep! I am looking forward to her waking up though, I wonder if she'll get away with her morning dancing this time.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 12:03am
It's where I'm going now! Spent part of day in bed with a migraine, and now body clock's all messed up! Didn't feel like writing til now! I'm going to 'drift into slumber'  ;)

Sarah - I think we'll give Amelia some luck for a while! But she is breaking the rules, so it wouldn't be CS if there wasn't some moral lesson to be learnt eventually!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 2nd, 2003, 2:01am
*sends Lisa huggles and sympathy for the migraine!*
I hope you're feeling better now Lisa! Migraines are rotten aren't they?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 2nd, 2003, 4:25am
*also sends Lisa migraine-easing items*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 2nd, 2003, 6:53am
Awww poor you Lisa, but thanks and more soon i hope!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 10:24am
Feeling better today thanks!  :D (must have been all the virtual chocolate I was sent - but then whu didn't I have a virtual migraine?!  >:( )




Meryl Bartram-Jones was sitting in the ornate conservatory pouring tea for her companion, Miss Mary Grant. The soft air and mild climate of Cornwall was refreshing her body, and the quiet everyday routine and lack of cares restoring her soul. The grieving process for her husband had not really started yet, but she was feeling more prepared to cope with the future. As she offered the older lady a pretty china plate on which was an array of butter biscuits, she continued with her conversation.
“And her letter arrived this morning. She sounds so different, Mary! The last couple of letters seemed rather – strained. As if she was trying really hard to sound happy, to please me. But this one … It was written,” she reached into her cardigan pocket and retrieved the already well-read letter, and glanced at the date,” just over a week ago. She’s managing to do some dancing to entertain her friends, that’s nice for her, she always enjoyed that. She likes music and,” here she consulted the letter again, “art. Oh, and she’s doing very well in French, in the top five of the class. She’s written some German here, too! There’s something in her writing that reminds me of the happy girl she used to be.” Her voice trailed off as she recalled her first thought upon reading the letter, that the something in her writing also reminded her of her dear late husband. It was Frederick’s expression, turn of phrase and impulsive enthusiasm. She glanced up as Mary white papery hand patted her younger one kindly.

“I know you’re thinking of him, dear,” she said. “It will take time, you know. It’s not as if yours is a – a normal grief. Why, what is it?” For Meryl heaved a shuddering sigh and looked up with eyes that glistened with tears.

“Oh, Mary, I was so afraid that Amelia would inherit some of Frederick’s, you know, moods,” she said in a rush. “Up in the air one minute, down like a stone the next. She does get so passionate about things, and I thought losing her father might depress her spirits utterly. Those two were always so alike; they understood each other. I was always the odd one out in the family, pragmatic and sensible, not given to flights of fancy. I worry about her so much. Even more, since …”

“I know, Meryl, I know. Best not to dwell on it,” Mary spoke briskly, in order to stem the tide of tears she feared would fall soon. Meryl was not yet well enough to give in to the wild grief that Mary knew was lurking beneath the surface of that controlled exterior. “Plenty of rest and fresh air, that’s what you need. Now would you like to go for a walk in the Morrab gardens after tea? It is dry now, and we should make the most of the opportunity before the weather really turns.” Meryl agreed gratefully and the two ladies finished their tea in a comfortable silence, both occupied with their own thoughts.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 2nd, 2003, 10:43am
The Morrab Gardens are in Penzance aren't they?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 11:39am
Yep! Full marks! Have a lollipop!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 2nd, 2003, 11:56am
I was at school there for 3 years!  Grew up in Cornwall, and am half Cornish.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 2:04pm
Cool!  8) I wish I was! I've always felt half Cornish! I've got some family there (moved there 50 years ago, not real Cornish!) and my Grandad lived in Cambourne. We went to Cornwall every year when I was growing up, and one of my closest friends from uni was from Porthleven, so stayed there a fair bit too. Hubby's from Devon, so we still manage to visit Cornwall two or three times a year, had our honeymoon in Duloe, and have returned there a few times more! Just spent a week in Sennen. Ah! I love Cornwall. Maybe for my next drabble, the Chalet School could move to Looe Island! Yay, I'd love that! (plot bunny has that distracted look on his face again)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 2nd, 2003, 2:17pm
I love the spread of proper pasty shops round England.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 2:33pm
Ooh! My Auntie used to make a massive pasty the length of the kitchen table and crimp up a massive pastry crust. Then she'd cut it into giant slices!  :P (me licking lips) Oh, and I love the double ended pasties with savoury one end and sweet t'other!

*goes off to raid fridge to see if anything will substitute pasty craving*
*sadly discovers a stick of celery doesn't satisfy the craving*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 2nd, 2003, 2:41pm
Yay thank you!

*wondering if there's any chance of more story today ???*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 3:00pm
There is a chance ... depends on whether I can control this pasty craving which is currently making me pace around the house. Have discovered that cream crackers don't help either!

Do the ballet bits sound right, anybody? I don't want to alienate readers who know nothing about ballet, on the other hand, those who do are probably laughing their socks off at my mistakes and french!  ::)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 2nd, 2003, 3:11pm
*hopes Lisa satisfies her pasty craving soon!*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 2nd, 2003, 3:21pm
Sorry!  The pasty craving is my fault!!  I want one too!  My Aunt used to make the best ever pasties.  I've had good ones in Pennsylvania too!!!  There's a lot of Cornish in the slate belt there, including some of my distant cousins.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 5:49pm
Ten years later, Amelia was being helped from her chair to the bed. Sadly all hopes of a dancing career had fled after Amelia's pasty craving refused to be sated, and the girl had verily stuffed herself for nigh on a decade. Once she had reached thirty six stone, her mother had sat her down and revealed the secret of her father's death.

"You've always been so like him my dear," her mother had said. "Now, I think you're old enough to know. He died from overeating - he went on a pasty binge."

THE END


8oo 8oo 8oo

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Sarah_L on Dec 2nd, 2003, 6:50pm
Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!  ;D ;D
Actually I recommend Gregg's pasties. I used to work there and it was brilliant to get hot pasties fresh out of the oven for my breaks. And I got 50% staff discount too.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 7:10pm
*sigh*
Sorry! This diet is doing strange things to me, I'm not motivated enough. Steamed chicken and veg for dinner.  :( OK, I will post more later, and if you're all good (!) I will let you into the secret of Amelia's father ...  :o

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 2nd, 2003, 7:18pm

on 12/02/03 at 18:50:35, Sarah_L wrote:
Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!  ;D ;D
Actually I recommend Gregg's pasties. I used to work there and it was brilliant to get hot pasties fresh out of the oven for my breaks. And I got 50% staff discount too.

I'm sorry - they *call* themselves Cornish pasties, but they are not.  Did they have minced meat in them?  English nasties usually have!!!  Go to one of the specialist pasty shops if you have never had the real thing, and you'll see the difference!  Ginster's don't count either!!!  Proper pasties have pieces of meat, onion and potato in them.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 7:44pm
Whilst her mother was making progress in the mild climate of Cornwall, Amelia was thriving in the crisp, cold air of Switzerland. She had been dancing for an hour and a half every morning before the rising bell, and as her early bed punishment had been in force, she had not as yet felt any ill effects. The very opposite was true, good healthy meals, plenty of walks in the bracing air, and a feeling of renewed purpose had given Amelia a rosy glow that suited her usually pale countenance. She had worked through the temporary stiffness that occurred after the first couple of mornings and could feel her young body growing fit and strong.

One morning, Amelia had just returned to her dormitory in time, for Isabel was pulling back her curtains. She spotted Amelia and immediately questioned her, for the dormy prefect took her duties seriously.

“Where have you been, Millie? The rising bell has only just gone.”

Amelia looked uncomfortable, and glanced out of the window so that she would not have to meet Isabel’s eye. “I needed a drink of water,“ she began lamely then gave a startled exclamation. “Snow!”

This served not only to distract Isabel from her topic; it also brought the remaining members of the dorm out of their cubicles amid a chorus of excited cries. The experienced Chaletians informed the newer ones of the customary activities they could now enjoy, and it was an excited group of girls that made their way to the Speisesaal for Fruhstuck. At the end of the simple meal, which many took in the traditional way, dipping their rolls in the milky coffee, Miss Annersley rose to her feet. She did not even need to call for quiet as an instant hush descended on the girls when they saw that their Head had something to say. She began without preamble.

“You will all have noticed the wonderland outside this morning,“ her melodious voice rang out, reaching every corner of the airy Speisesaal. “It has been snowing steadily overnight, and we feel it has firmed sufficiently for us to go out and have some fun.” She was interrupted by shrieks of glee which instantly quietened as she raised her hand, smiling. “Lessons will be suspended this morning. After Prayers you are to go straight to your dormitories and don your warmest clothing. We will meet at the front of the school where you will please line up in forms at nine o’clock.” She paused and smiled again as she felt the anticipation of the silence. “We will have a snow battle!”

Her final words released an immediate outcry of excitement and noise, as the girls fell to discussing this venture at the tops of their voices. En route to the dormitories, Frankie enlightened Amelia as to the nature of the battle.

“We choose teams,” she said breathlessly, as she pulled a sweater over her head, and emerged red, “and then we have – oh, I don’t know – fifteen minutes to stockpile our ammunition – “

“What my what?!” demanded Amelia, caught up in the excitement.

“Oh, the ammunition is the snowballs,” replied Frankie ungrammatically, “and we have some preparation time to make them. Then someone blows a whistle and we have to try and destroy the other team’s fort, and take their people as prisoners!”

The enthusiasm was contagious and in no time everyone from the smallest junior to Miss Annersley herself was ready and eager for the signal. The school trooped round to the large field at the back of the school, five minutes’ walk away. The walk took longer today, however, as the girls slipped and stumbled, sinking into the snow giggling and clutching each other wildly. Some of the older girls were just ahead of Amelia, and one of them suddenly called out loudly “Mamma!” Amelia followed her line of vision and saw a tall, dark haired figure trudging with ease through the snow, carrying a large basket over each arm.

“Aunt Joey!”

“Mamma!”

“Auntie Jo!”

Joey approached and surveyed the group with satisfaction.

“I couldn’t miss this!” She said merrily. “And I’ve got a treat for you folks later! No!” she said, lifting the baskets high, “you’ll have to wait until then!”

The mistresses shepherded the youngest ones away, to the relative safety of a smaller enclosure where they wouldn’t be troubled by the older ones when they got more boisterous. Teams were chosen, and then strategies discussed. Amelia found herself with Connie, industriously making a rapidly-growing pile of snowballs. They worked away, hardly even speaking, and when Miss O’Ryan blew the whistle they had assembled quite a mound of ammunition. Suddenly, all was frenetic action. Amelia watched as Margot Maynard in the form above her ran forwards shrieking: “Cover me!” and then began yodelling a hunting cry. A volley of snowballs sailed over Amelia’s head and she ducked involuntarily and the opposing team quailed before the onslaught. Margot seized her chance and grabbed the collar of a yelling girl from IIIA and shoved snow down her neck. Amelia’s team sent up a victory cry: “First prisoner!” and the disgruntled girl went and stood on the sidelines with bad grace.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Sarah_G-G on Dec 2nd, 2003, 8:17pm
This is very good! Please continue soon!

About the dancing bits, I wouldn't worry too much about being incredibly accurate because most of it flows more or less right and it's not that important anyway. Could I just say though, that pointe shoes are not made of leather. Soft shoes are but pointe shoes are covered in satiny material (hence the need to darn them so they don't fall apart!). They're made hard by hard soles and papier mache-like stuff in the toe.  Sorry if that seems a bit fussy, it's just that that bit confused me a bit when I first read it and you did ask so I thought I'd say.  :-[  Otherwise it's really good.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 8:29pm
No, thanks Sarah, that's great! I want it to be as accurate as possible! I'll go back & change it. As I gave up ballet at 12 I only ever had children's shoes with no blocks, but my sister had blocks so I should have known!

Oh! Is it possible to modify something once it has been archived? Never mind, I'll change the original!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 2nd, 2003, 8:58pm
Yay Thanks for the last bit,

Hopes for more soon, the sooner the better  ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 2nd, 2003, 9:04pm
This is developing well, and is very enjoyable. Looking forward to more.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Angel of the North on Dec 2nd, 2003, 9:15pm
I love this. I was forced to give up ballet, and loved it. Looking forward to reading more - it brings a lot of good things back.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 2nd, 2003, 9:35pm
Thanks as always, guys!  ;D



Jo was flushed with excitement, and acted as she always had done, joining in with her daughters as if she were the same age. They had a jolly half hour, pelting one another with snow, and finally they collapsed in a heap worn out and aching with laughter as well as strenuous exercise. Jo removed the cloths covering the baskets with a flourish to reveal dozens of sweet bread twists, prepared by Anna, and the girls fell to with a will.

After their snack, Kathie Ferrars oversaw the herding of the younger or weaker students back to the school. They went amid protests, but secretly rather relieved, for some of them had certainly ‘overdone’ it. The rest of the girls, Amelia included, remained to build snow people, and they settled quite happily to their diverting task.

Jo stacked the baskets, and plonked herself unceremoniously on top of them.

“Oof!” she ejaculated. “I’m done in!”

Hilda Annersley looked at her sharply and with not a little anxiety, her practised eyes seeking out signs of Jo’s weakness, but she was reassured to see that there were no shadows on the face, or creases on the brow of the young mother.
Jo glanced up. “There’s no need to baby me, you know Hilda! I’m perfectly alright now. Do you really think Jack would let me out if he was concerned?”

Hilda had to admit that was true, and she and Jo fell to happily discussing the events of the term so far.

“Oh, and by the way, Jo, what did you do to that Amelia child?” Hilda demanded. “She came back from Freudesheim quite changed! She has become, well, something of a little monkey.”

Jo threw back her head and her tinkling laugh could be heard across the field. “I simply had a talk with her – “ she began, and Hilda interrupted with a groan.

“Joey, I do wish you would sometimes hold fire a little. You don’t know the background of that one. But never mind,” she added hastily as she observed Jo’s crestfallen face, “you seem to have worked wonders this time.”

Jo recovered quickly and turned to face the Headmistress. “Now, you can tell me to mind my own business, Hilda,” she began, “but the school always has been my business. Just what is this big mystery behind Amelia?”

Hilda considered for a moment, and looked around casually, checking no-one was within earshot.

“You’ve heard of Jones the Draper’s, I suppose?” she began at length. Joey nodded assent. “Well, that was Amelia’s father’s business. He built it up from nothing, to the success it became.”

“Jones the Draper’s,” repeated Joey thoughtfully. Then she looked up, “There was some scandal there, wasn’t there? Someone embezzled the money? Isn’t that the one that went bankrupt after the director – oh!” With a small cry of horror, Joey grabbed Hilda’s hands, her eyes dark and huge in her suddenly pale face. “No,” she wailed softly. “Not that!”





Now I want to see who has guessed ...

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Angel of the North on Dec 2nd, 2003, 9:49pm
Some big scandal in all the papers. Amelia's dad was the director that found out, blew the whistle, then topped himself when he realised he was in on the financial scandal. Joey just realised there was no money for the Royal Ballet.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 2nd, 2003, 10:24pm
*looks longingly for the next part!*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 3rd, 2003, 8:39am
*me too*
*agrees with AofN's theory*

This is really good, Lisa and I like the intrigue behind her father - I don't know the first thing about ballet but I'm finding it interesting so don't worry about all the details

(I read this at 8.45am and still managed to get hunger pangs for a pasty!! Cornwall is beautiful - I've only been there once for a week in Polperro but it was lovely. I also know Cambourne thanks to the School of Mines - handy for picking up the sort of graduates we need)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 3rd, 2003, 11:02am
*hopes desperately there will be another part the next time I check*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 3rd, 2003, 6:36pm
*sits down to wait hopefully for more!*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 3rd, 2003, 6:41pm
*aviods theorys and thinks more should be posted instead*  ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 3rd, 2003, 8:41pm
Sorry everyone, it's my father-in-law's birthday and he's staying for a few days. Have been a good little chalet school girl and cooked sumptuous 3 course feast (alas no pasties) and been hostess with the mostess, but for you, I have crept upstairs to post! Will do some more later if I can!




With a small cry of horror, Joey grabbed Hilda’s hands, her eyes dark and huge in her suddenly pale face. “No,” she wailed softly. “Not that!” Does she know?”

“No. Mrs Bartram-Jones deemed it appropriate to keep her in ignorance.”

“Of course,” Jo said absently, “I wasn’t thinking. That’s the last thi – Oh!”

“Joey?” questioned Hilda, “what is it?”

“I – I didn’t realise and I rather thought her mother had been unreasonable about her dancing …” Joey’s voice trailed off miserably.

Luckily, Jo escaped Hilda’s righteous anger as a loud shout from the girls caught their attention. Within seconds both were up and running towards the cause of the disturbance.

“Let us through, girls!” Joey ordered, pushing her way through the assembled group. To her dismay, they saw a young figure hunched up in the snow, very still. They instantly recognised the very girl they had just been discussing. The others were all clamouring for attention and one or two of the more highly strung ones were near tears. As Joey dropped to her knees beside the child, Miss Annersley immediately took control of the situation, and began to issue instructions:

“Now, move back, give her some air. Helena, Veronique both of you stop that crying at once! This is no time for hysterics. Connie, take someone with you and run back to the school. Call the San – “

Joey interrupted. “No, Jack’s at home. It will be quicker for you to go to Freudesheim and bring him back here.”

“Very well,” reconsidered Hilda, “but then phone the san to let them know.”

A moan from the unconscious girl, brought the Head to her pupil’s side. She brushed her hair aside and spoke loudly to her.

“Amelia. Amelia! It’s me, Miss Annersley. Can you hear me?” Her voice penetrated Amelia’s hazy mind, and she struggled to answer. “No, don’t try to talk. Now where does it hurt?”

Amelia pointed with a trembling finger to her lower right leg. She looked quite green with pain. “Twisted it,” she muttered through gritted teeth.


Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by ali on Dec 3rd, 2003, 8:47pm
Disaster strikes! Poor Amelia, has she got enough problems even if she doesn't know it yet. Still you've got to learn the hard way. (Oh no cliche woman strikes again!) ;)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 3rd, 2003, 8:49pm
OH NO!!! Poor Amelia!! Hope she's going to be alright!! :o

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 3rd, 2003, 9:08pm
Father-in-law and husband are talking accounts so I can slip away unnoticed !!  ;D



Joey had busied herself with making a supportive back rest for Amelia out of rugs and she dug some snow out to form a seat.

“Try to sit up a little,” she suggested. “You’ll feel less woozy then.”

Amelia did as she was told and immediately began to look a little more like herself. But her eyes were glistening as she struggled to hold back the tears.

“Now, what happened?” demanded Miss Annersley. “Frankie, did you see? Very well, then, let’s hear it.”

Frankie looked uncomfortable. “Well,” she began, looking around at the others who studiously avoided meeting her eye, ”we – that is to say, I was asking Mill – I mean Amelia to show us some of her ballet moves, and we challenged her to a pirouette …” Frankie stumbled over her words and then stopped unhappily under Miss Annersley’s glare.

“And?” that lady challenged in a voice that was terrible to hear.

“She sort of slipped,” Frankie explained lamely.

Joey had been watching the interplay between some of the others and knew this wasn’t as innocent as it looked.

“Did one of you push her?” she suddenly asked. Faced with the direct questions, two girls were betrayed by their faces. Tessa looked red and guilty, and Veronique once again burst into tears.
“It was an accident!” she pleaded. “We thought she would slide – do a – what’s it called? glissando!”

“So you deliberately pushed a child who was off balance, and who is not used to snow and ice?” extracted Miss Annersley. Tessa’s lower lip also started to quiver, but at this moment the sinners received a temporary reprieve as Jack came running up, carrying his medicine bag in one hand and a flask in the other. He crouched down by Amelia, examining her face, checking the pupils of her eyes and talking to her gently, whilst at the same time removing the top of the flask and holding it to her lips.

“Here, drink this. I know it tastes horrible, but it will do you good.”

Whilst Amelia was preoccupied with the brandy and the way it made her cough, Jack moved a covering to one side and took a look at Amelia’s leg. A dark bruise could already be seen spreading, and the calf was beginning to swell. He felt the flesh below the knee, and down to her ankle. At last he looked up, relief evident in his expression.

“Well, it could be worse,” he said cheerfully. “Doesn’t look like there’ll be any internal or long lasting damage, but we’ll keep an eye on it just in case. The fact that the bruise is already showing should indicate that it’s mostly superficial. Whoa there!” This to Amelia, who had absent mindedly continued sipping at the brandy, and had drained quite half the flask! “Take it easy, or I’ll be treating you for headache, too!”

Amelia grinned up at him, a deep flush spreading over her cheeks. “I do feel besher,” she slurred. “Shorry for making all that fush!”

Jack glanced penitently at Hilda; he knew she would not take too kindly to his intoxicating one of her charges. He decided instant action was necessary to divert her attention. “Right!” he said decisively, “I’ll carry her back to the school, and then she needs a hot bath and some food. A sleep this afternoon will help you feel more like yourself,” he added kindly to the invalid, then he stooped and lifted her in his strong arms, and led the way back to the Chalet.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 3rd, 2003, 9:11pm
Whoops!!  Please don't keep Jack's interview with Hilda behind closed doors!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 3rd, 2003, 9:13pm
*giggles!*
Love the flask scene!! Will Amelia be hung over in the morning? ;) ;D 8oo

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 3rd, 2003, 9:21pm

on 12/03/03 at 21:13:47, Vikki wrote:
*giggles!*
Love the flask scene!! Will Amelia be hung over in the morning? ;) ;D 8oo


Oh yesh!



on 12/03/03 at 21:11:59, PatW wrote:
Whoops!!  Please don't keep Jack's interview with Hilda behind closed doors!


OK Pat, even though I'm so gentle and mild mannered I'll do my best with Hilda at her steeliest! (She's gonna have a field day, she still got to tell Joey off, and Jack's in trouble, too!)  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 3rd, 2003, 9:54pm
Fantastic - what a night!

Joey as a lush on the Advent drabbles and now Jack wilfully pouring brandy down a minor!!

*off to pour herself a snifter to get into the spirit  ;))
*intentional pun  ;)*

Good story Lisa - more please!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:06pm
Oh, that is so funny, Amelia getting drunk from Jack's brandy, bet she regrets it in the morning though.  But what does the scandal involving her father have to do with her dancing?  Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by catherine on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:20pm
*giggles*

Hope both Jack and Joey get a stern talking to!  Especially Joey!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:24pm

on 12/03/03 at 21:54:38, Rachael P wrote:
Joey as a lush on the Advent drabbles and now Jack wilfully pouring brandy down a minor!!


I've just this second read that drabble! Didn't know when I wrote the brandy bit! hee hee. Plot bunnies are conversing AGAIN!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:27pm

on 12/03/03 at 22:06:19, Esmeralda wrote:
 But what does the scandal involving her father have to do with her dancing?  Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick?


No, you're not. It's kind of a tenuous link but it will be explained!

Sorry for posting twice in a row, couldn't find a way of modifying & quoting at same time!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa_T on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:32pm
*giggling at the slurring*
My favourite CS example of intoxication is that one in Joey Goes, when Jo has the argument with the drunk guy wanting a taxi, and he slurs something at her about being no lady! ::)

More, Lisa. Hilda at her absolute nastiest. Well, ok, maybe not!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lesley on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:47pm
Thank you Lisa - that was great! Looking forward to the interviews with Hilda - Joey and Jack both deserve Hilda at her worst!!! :o

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Angel of the North on Dec 3rd, 2003, 11:02pm
Will this involve Joey funding joint lessons with Felicity's teacher?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 3rd, 2003, 11:07pm

on 12/03/03 at 22:47:02, Lesley wrote:
Thank you Lisa - that was great! Looking forward to the interviews with Hilda - Joey and Jack both deserve Hilda at her worst!!! :o


Don't you mean Hilda at her *best*?!  ::)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 4th, 2003, 10:47am
*lol* Fantastic work and I giggled throughout it! I can't wait to see the scenes with Hilda! Will she make Joey and Jack wait until she's finished with the girls?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 4th, 2003, 7:19pm
The rest of the school followed in a subdued state. Tessa and Veronique were marched along by a stony faced Jo, and in that manner, they soon arrived back. Matron was waiting for them, alerted to the predicament by Connnie who had had the presence of mind to fetch her after faithfully fulfilling her mission. Within moments, she, Jack and Amelia disappeared upstairs where and a hot bath was soon run, and a bed prepared in the sick room. With the patient out of the way, Miss Annersley turned her attention to the miscreants.

“Tessa, Veronique, Francesca. I wish to see you three in my study straight after Mitagessen, “ she commanded. The three girls visibly quailed. “Come, Mrs Maynard,” continued the matriarch, giving Jo the opportunity now to jump and look suitably apprehensive, “do accompany me.”
The two women made their way to the office in a silence, that lasted when they were seated with a kaffe each, brought by Rosalie. If the truth be told, Hilda was berating herself for revealing something of Amelia’s history to Jo. She wanted to have a few straight words with Jo about that lady’s infamous ‘butting in’ but felt she had provided her with even more information that would only encourage her in future. Joey herself intruded on Hilda’s thoughts by clearing her throat.

“At least Jack said it didn’t seem serious,” she began awkwardly, when Hilda stood up abruptly and cut across her.

“Josephine,” Joey cringed at the use of her full name, it took her back to being a naughty middle, “I do wish you would learn to restrain yourself from getting involved with everything.”

Joey made as protest, but Hilda held up her hand. “No, let me finish. I know you mean well, but you can be so – heedless. Now I want to know exactly what you said to Amelia.”

Joey struggled to recall the conversation. “I told her that she had a duty to herself and God to continue with her gifts of dancing, and that no matter what she should make time for it,” she looked at Hilda’s stern face and faltered.


Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 4th, 2003, 7:22pm
“And?”

“And that her dancing would be her father’s legacy. Oh, Hilda, I only thought that if her mother could see how much it meant to her, she’d change her mind and let Amelia return to her Ballet School!”

Hilda sighed, and sat back down. She felt suddenly weary, dealing with these girls and their problems, to say nothing of ex pupils causing havoc. “Now listen to me, and don’t interrupt,” she commanded. “I will tell you the full story, but so that you understand and don’t give any more unhelpful advice. You need to know a bit of family history about them first. Frederick and Dorothy Bartram were both the children of James Bartram, Earl of the Bartram estate in Gloucester. Well, Bartram senior intended his estate to go to his son, of course, but he and Frederick quarrelled over Frederick’s choice of bride. She was Meryl Jones, from London, with no family background or resources. Eventually, James Bartram gave his son an ultimatum, his inheritance or marriage to this Meryl, but not both. Frederick, it would seem was wilful, and given to great passions and moods. He marched out of the house and declared he would never return – and so he didn’t. He was cut off without a penny, and his sister Dorothy inherited everything.”

Joey sat enthralled as the story unfolded, trying to piece together parts that she already knew of from the papers.

“Anyway,” continued Hilda, taking a sip of her cooling kaffe, “Frederick and Meryl married, and to further distance himself from his family he took the double-barrelled surname. He vowed to do everything he could to give Meryl a life of luxury. It all went very well at first. He had travelled to India as a boy, and he remembered the cottons and quality of cloths he had seen there. He first set up a stall in Covent Garden, but demand soon exceeded stock and he moved to premises in Bond Street. The success that the company became you know of course.” She paused and drained her cup while Jo nodded.

“Amelia was born, and Frederick doted on his little daughter. As she showed signs of talent in dancing he was determined that she should have all encouragement and opportunities. But meanwhile – and this was six years ago – the business had started to have a few problems. The demand for natural fabrics had fallen dramatically, of course people prefer the benefits of nylon, and Frederick – well, he spent beyond his means. Mrs Bartram-Jones told me some of this, and I gather from her and the reports in the papers that for many years he was borrowing from the company, to keep Amelia in the Royal Ballet School, and Meryl in their London home. About a year ago, the business all but collapsed, and Frederick tried to cover it up, but he’d really go too far into debt. He – well he must have been desperate, poor man, he set a fire in the main shop in Bond Street, hoping the insurance would pay out. But they suspected him and police investigations commenced. This went on for some months, all kept from Amelia of course. Then one day, Frederick just disappeared. Some weeks later, police brought news to his widow; they’d found his abandoned car and a note.”

Joey’s sharp intake of breath sounded loud in the quiet room. She was suddenly aware of the ticking of the clock and the sound of muted discussion coming from a French classroom. Her heart went out to the poor woman, to receive such news as that. Why, if Jack …

Hilda noted Joey’s pale face and felt grimly pleased that this was making an impression on her. “Obviously, Mrs Bartram-Jones had to suffer grief and the scandal. I think she was quite friendless. She tried to contact relations and eventually Dorothy Bartram, who had never married, got to hear of it. She had become quite a bitter woman, and had no one to leave her fortune to. She had seen Amelia once, when she was two, and resolved to provide for her at least until she could see what sort of young lady she would turn out to be. She stipulated the Chalet School (Dorothy knows Kay Wynne) and Meryl was powerless to agree – after all she can provide her with nothing.”

“And I suppose Meryl blames Amelia’s ballet for her husband’s death?” contributed Joey.

“Well, yes, partly,” admitted Hilda. “Oh, I know it sounds unreasonable, but remember what this woman has gone through. Well, the strain of it led her to experience something of a breakdown, and she has gone to be a companion to an elderly woman in Penzance. The doctor recommended it for her own sake.”

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 4th, 2003, 7:48pm
Aaah, now I understand.  Thank you Lisa, another superb instalment.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 4th, 2003, 8:00pm
Thank you Lisa. it is good to see that Hilda is dealing faithfully with Joey. More please.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lesley on Dec 4th, 2003, 8:38pm
Feel so sorry for Amelia - and it's about time Joey had this pointed out to her. I know she butts in out of kindness but she would be better off finding out the facts first!

*GO HILDA!!! ;D*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa_T on Dec 4th, 2003, 9:57pm
*agrees with all of the above but unable to stop giggling at the thought of Hilda as a 'matriarch.'*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 4th, 2003, 10:35pm
Wow, strong stuff, Lisa

*impressed by Hilda's handling of Joey*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 5th, 2003, 2:15am
Thank you Lisa!! Now, what about Hilda's interviewing of Jack, about intoxicating her pupils? ;)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 5th, 2003, 2:30am
Excellent stuff, Lisa!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Jennie on Dec 5th, 2003, 1:07pm
This is terrific, Lisa. How typical of Jo though, to help create this mess by butting in where she doesn't know all the facts.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you resolve this, so hoping for more soon.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 5th, 2003, 5:07pm
Thats was great, thanks, it explained their situation beautifully!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 5:21pm
I thought it was about time I made it clear! I had it all in my head, and didn't know how long to keep it quiet! The story is far from finished, though! Hope that's a good thing! Father-in-law just gone home, so I will write a bit more later!  :D





*Lisa, looking like one big exclamation mark!*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 6:28pm
She brought the lengthy story to an end. Then, she drew a deep breath as if mustering strength for her next statement.

“Joey, do you know how much damage you may have caused?” she demanded, striking suddenly. Joey sat bolt upright and began to protest.

“No, you listen to me! If you have been encouraging Amelia to continue with her dancing, you have been raising false hopes and possibly you may have driven a wedge between Amelia and her mother! How would you like it if someone spoke to any of your children about your plans for them, without knowing the full facts? It was not your concern to tell Amelia that her ballet and her father’s memory were so intrinsically linked. She will find out the truth about his death one day, but I think Mrs Bartram-Jones has a right to decide when. What do you think will be the effect on Amelia if she realises how much her dancing was to blame for the financial difficulties and subsequent suicide?”

Joey was goaded into a retort. She leapt to her feet, eyes blazing. “How dare you lecture me in that way?” she demanded hotly. “I’m not one of your students. You have – over dramatised the whole situation! Why shouldn’t the girl dance? I stand by my advice to her – well, most of it. God DID give her gifts, so she should use them. Why should she do without just because of her father’s cowardice?” Shocked at her own words, Joey stopped, breathless and flushed with an unnatural colour.

Hilda spoke very quietly. “Josephine, I think you forget yourself. As you just so kindly reminded me,” her sarcasm stung, “you are no longer a pupil at this school, and with that fact in mind, perhaps you take too great an interest. I suggest that you return home and mind your own affairs. Perhaps when you have calmed down and seen reason, you will be ready to apologise for both your conduct and tone. Until then, I don’t expect to see you around the Chalet.”

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 6:28pm
Trembling, Joey stood, and gathered her coat and scarf mechanically. She could not trust herself to speak, and she moved towards the door in silence. Just as she reached it, the door opened suddenly and Jack bounced in with a somewhat forced cheerfulness entirely inappropriate for the atmosphere of the room. He was about to report on Amelia’s progress when he was struck by his wife’s stricken face.

“Why, Jo what is it, my dear? Has the shock been too much for you?” he enquired solicitously. He was interrupted by Hilda’s voice, which was strangely cold.
     
“Your wife was just leaving.”

Jack glanced from one woman’s face to the other’s aware that something had passed between them. He began again in a jocular tone, trying to disperse the tension. “Come, come ladies …” but his patronising words metaphorically pushed Hilda over the edge.

“Does nobody respect my position?” she demanded angrily. “As for you, Dr Maynard, I would like to know what your superiors up at the San would have to say about intoxicating minors. Dr Russell, for instance? I would not think that he would be very happy about your misuse of medicinal brandy. I’m also convinced that Madge would not take too kindly to it.”

Jack held his hands up in a gesture of submission, still unsure if this was a joke. “Come on, Hilda! It was just a simple accident, it won’t  cause any long lasting effects. I didn’t know that she would drink so much of it…”

Hilda moved towards the door and held it open with an unmistakeable expression on her face. “It would appear that neither of you seem to know what you’re doing. You act without thinking, and then blame it on an ‘accident’. I think it is time for you to leave.”

“Come on, Jack, let’s go,” murmured Joey. Leaning against him, she stumbled out of the door. Jack looked back over his shoulder, now really cross.

“I’m taking my wife home,” he informed Hilda, unnecessarily. “I will return to discuss this with you in due course.”

“I think not,” replied Hilda frostily, “I am going to be very busy and will not find time to see you for at least a week. Goodbye.” And with that, she closed the door firmly. She leaned against the door, finding that she too was shaking, and beads of perspiration had formed on her brow. A nagging pain had begun over her right eye, and she thought of the rest of the day with trepidation. All she wanted to do was creep away and sleep. Already, regrets were filling her head about her hasty argument with Jo, but she resolutely closed her mind to them and prepared for Mittagessen with a heavy heart.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lesley on Dec 5th, 2003, 6:59pm
Wow! :o :o  Strong stuff - yet I think high time it was said. Well done Lisa - more please!

(BTW that had better just be a tension headache that Hilda's got!)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 7:06pm
Oh Lesley - don't give me wicked ideas! Imagine Joey if Hilda suddenly dropped dead of a brain tumour. No, it is simply a tension headache - do you blame her?! (Also a memory of my recent migraine!)

Some light relief:


Up in the sick room, Amelia heard the bell for Mitagessen and sang along softly to the chiming sound. “Ding dong merrily on high …” she crooned, feeling quite at ease with the world and wonderfully warm and snug. She moved her leg experimentally and did not feel as much pain as she had anticipated. “Clever old Dr Jack,” she commented aloud. “Jack – Jack-in-the box, Jackanory, Jack and Jill – “ she stopped as her door was opened. “Oh, hello, Matron. Have you come to see me? That’s nice. You know,” she continued confidentially, “I used to think you were rather a dragon, but now I know you’re sweet as sugar!” she giggled at the end of this and put her hand over her mouth in mock self-disgust. “I can’t believe I’m saying this,” she chuckled.

Matron decided to put a stop to the situation before it got out of hand. “Now that’s enough chat,” she told her patient firmly, but without rancour, knowing Amelia’s behaviour was not within her control. “Drink this,” she continued, offering up to Amelia one of her infamous potions. “It will help you sleep, and get rid of the poison in your body. You will feel quite different in the morning,” she promised. Trustingly, Amelia reached up and took the cup in both hands. She downed the mixture with hardly a grimace and decided to continue her conversation with Matron.

“I’ve got a secret,” she whispered, as Matron tried to tuck her in. “Nobody knows what I’ve been doing.”

Matron paused and eyed Amelia consideringly. She felt that she was intruding on the girl’s innermost thoughts as she couldn’t control what she was saying, but was intrigued by the mention of a secret.

“Now are you sure you want to tell me?” she asked gently. “You’re not quite yourself at the moment.”

“Best not, then!” agreed Amelia, with a comically solemn expression on her face. She laid down obligingly and shut her eyes. Then she opened them again, and to Matron’s dismay sat up, sending the bedclothes into disarray. “I say, the others won’t get into too much trouble, will they? I mean, yes, they encouraged me, but, well, I s’pose I am a bit of a show off!” Matron’s lip twitched as she tried again to pacify her garrulous pupil.

“Don’t worry about that. Now go to sleep!” She leaned over the girl, stroking her hair until the sedative finally worked and she drifted into a sweet repose.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 7:19pm
Back at Freudesheim, Jack Maynard was also stroking his wife’s hair. She had told him the whole story, and worn out with the confessional and the storm of sobs that had ensued, she had fallen asleep against his shoulder. Jack reflected on the tale. He knew that much of what Hilda had said was true – hadn’t he warned Jo of this very problem himself? but he was fiercely protective of his vulnerable young wife, and knew that she had only meant for the best. He also felt uncomfortable about the Head’s threat against him. He knew that he should have poured out a measure of brandy from the flask before administering the drink. “But, dammit, I’m only human!” he exclaimed aloud. “We all make mistakes.” Joey stirred at his words, and he looked down at her pale face. “You need a holiday, my love,” he whispered. Joey opened her eyes and looked drowsily into his. “What do you say to the two of us going off for a holiday?”

“Really?” Joey murmured, incredulously. “But what about the children?”

“Cecil is old enough to be left now, and Anna will adore having the twins to care for full time. After all, we don’t want to raise clingy children. It won’t do them any harm to have a couple of weeks of independence. I’m due some leave from the San.”

A smile lit up Joey’s face. “That would be wonderful,” she said, snuggling back down into his embrace.

“Leave it to me to arrange it,” reassured Jack, feeling quite the man and ideal husband, as he began to run ideas through his mind.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by PatW on Dec 5th, 2003, 7:28pm
Jack's as bad as Jo isn't he?  "Anna will love having the kids!!!"  ;) ;)

This is great - loved the row!  Wonder if it will make any long term difference to Jo?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 5th, 2003, 7:33pm
Going back a few posts - jolly good for Hilda, she certainly told 'em!
But why has the bit of light relief left me with a slight feeling of trepidation?  Please tell me it's all in my imagination, nothing else is going to go wrong is it?
Oh, and it's interesting to see Anna being taken for granted yet again!


Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 7:57pm
I thought the comments about Anna would amuse you (particularly in the light of the advent drabble the other day!)
The light relief was just meant to show Amelia almost fessing up to her illegal early morning dancing sessions because she was under the influence! Nothing sinister to come (except for her stonking hangover) 8oo




Mitagessen was rather subdued that day. Tessa, Ronnie and Frankie could hardly eat for worry about the pending interview with Miss Annnersley, and many of the girls’ friends and supporters were in full sympathy for them, and not a little anxious about their own role in the accident of encouraging Amelia to dance in the snow. Although the meal dragged it also seemed over too quickly for the guilty three, and sighing heavily they made their way together to the office. Miss Annersley had remained a silent and distracted figure at Mitaggessen, remote from the conversation of the other staff around her. She too made her way towards the interview unhappily. ‘Just for once’ she thought to herself ‘I would like to be nice to people’ but the thought was rapidly brushed aside as her professional face came into action.

She summoned the three into her office all together, resolving to get this out of the way as soon as possible.

“I don’t wish to hear any of your reasons. Suffice it to say, between the three of you, and any other foolish girls who joined in with this, you have caused an accident that could have been very serious. Frankie, I appreciate that you did not wish to reveal names of the others who joined with you to encourage this silly act, but you may inform them that they are to come and see me before the end of today. You and they are to participate in no further outdoor sports for the rest of this week, and you may all go to bed straight after Prayers tonight.
“Now, Veronique and Tessa. Words fail me. What were you thinking? You both have been at the Chalet School long enough to know that safety is an important issue with any type of outdoor activity in these surroundings. Your excuse is weak and not what I expect from girls of your age. Tessa, I am especially disappointed in you. You know of the tragedy Amelia has recently suffered in the loss of her father. You of all people should have been looking out for her, making her transition from her old school to this one as smooth as possible, not endangering her health.” Miss Annersley had made a long speech, and she paused to see how the girls were receiving it. Veronique, who had never been far from tears since the incident had given into quiet sobbing. Tessa looked mutinous, but her Headmistress was not fooled by the firm thrust of her chin, knowing the girl was trying to mask her emotions. Frankie looked stricken and deeply regretful. Miss Annersley resumed her judgement. “As well as early bed, you two will be supervised in all your free time for the next week, and you will not be allowed to participate in any outdoor sports until half term. You will be permitted to take formal walks with whichever Mistress is on duty when the others are playing games.”

The girls reeled from their punishements, as Miss Annersley showed them out of the door.

“What’s got into her?” muttered Tessa rebelliously, but the other two ignored her and scurried off to the Splasheries to wash their faces.



I'm shattered by writing all this emotional angry stuff! Off to sort through Christmas decorations!  ;D Not at home for Christmas, so my sister & bruv-in-law are coming this weekend for an early Christmas!! Byee! ;)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Esmeralda on Dec 5th, 2003, 8:21pm
Errm, in that case, Happy (early) Christmas, but I am rather selfishly hopiong you won't be gone too long!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 5th, 2003, 9:07pm
Lisa, maybe you could jump forward a few days, make Abi's leg improve, have the naughty girls repent in sackcloth and ashes, and have Joey and Jack return from their holiday, having realised what idiots they both are! ;)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 5th, 2003, 9:28pm
Emphathise with you about writing the emotional stuff. Hope you feel up to continuing after a happy early christmas. Are you going the whole hog and cooking christmas dinner?

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Alex on Dec 5th, 2003, 9:38pm
Just caught up on the last couple of days and I have to say it's very suspect that they only found his car and a note. Did Amelia's father fake his suicide?! Will he stage a come back?!

*desperately trying to stop myself from uttering the words "same bat-time same bat-place!*

*bother*

Love Joey and Jack being told off for a change.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 5th, 2003, 10:07pm
Very interesting!
Nice handling of Jack, Joey and Hilda!

Have a nice Xmas with your sis ... but don't be too long ... ;D

*giggling at Alex's bat-comments  :)*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 5th, 2003, 11:24pm
My Christmas tree is up!! ;D

Hope you don't think I'm tacky - lots of people in this area think you're very tacky if decs go up before 20th! Well, I love Christmas and I'm proud of it! We always go away for 10 days over Christmas to do a tour of Southern England and see all the families, so it's always seemed a bit sad to put up decs, go away come back and take them down again.

Confused about bat comments ??? Or am I being dim and missing some significance?!

Yep doing Christmas style dinner etc this weekend. They're only here til Sunday, so I will definitely post some then, if not before. I'm gonna have to finish this before Christmas aren't I?

Thanks for your kind words! Not going to respond to some questions/suggestions about the plot in case I give too much away! 8oo

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 6th, 2003, 12:01am
Too hyper to go to bed yet, so here is a little more!


Miss Annersley heaved a huge sigh as she finally allowed herself to collapse into her easy chair. She felt that she had been awake for two days, not just a half of one! ‘Just Amelia to go,’ she thought to herself, but resolved that that could wait until morning, reflecting that a sensible interview may not be possible at that moment. Resisting the urge to go to bed and forget about the world for the rest of the day, she went off to seek Matron and ask for a painkilling remedy for her headache. Matron also reassured her as to Amelia’s condition, and suggested that Amelia would receive her own punishment in the morning.

“For I can’t imagine that she will wake up feeling particularly well,” she commented ruefully.

Such prophetic words! The early morning sun slanted through the curtains and fell on Amelia’s face the next day. She stirred and opened her eyes only to immediately squeeze them shut again as pain sliced through her brain. Gripping the sides of the bed for support, she gradually moved her head out of the sun’s glare, and then risked opening her eyes once more. The pain subsided into a throbbing ache that started in her head and seemed to spread to her stomach. She moved a little in the bed and was hit by a wave of dizziness, and a hot flush rapidly spread through her body. She let out a low groan, which brought Matron hurrying in.

“Oh you poor child, I’m afraid you’re going to feel rather bad for a little while,” she said, noting that Amelia was definitely looking quite green.

“Feel sick,” muttered Amelia, and Matron rushed to fetch a bowl, just in time as it turned out. Afterwards, the girl felt a bit better and struggled to sit upright in the bed. Matron helped to position the pillows, and then she sponged Amelia’s face and brought her a drink of water. After a while, the ailing pupil fell asleep again, and when she awoke later it was to see Matron with a plate and cup.

“Ooh, no food, please Matron!” said Amelia in a panic as she felt another wave of nausea coming.

“It is just some dry bread which I believe you will find helps you,” said Matron. “And in the cup is some juice to which I have added some concentrated vitamins. It may not taste very nice, but it will quickly replace those you have lost. Now, how does your leg feel?”

Startled, Amelia moved her leg. “I’d forgotten all about it!” she exclaimed. “It feels much better, just a bit stiff and bruised.”

“Well, it won’t do you any harm to exercise it a little later on. I daresay you’ll benefit from the fresh air, too.”

She left Amelia alone with her thoughts, which were quite sad as she considered her dancing. ‘How am I to practise if this leg is bad?’ she wondered. ‘Well I must work through the pain, that’s it.’ she vowed.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 6th, 2003, 12:11am
Oh, poor Amelia! Both for the hangover and the pain she will endure as a result of her practicing! I hope Joey finds out and learns her lesson!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 6th, 2003, 12:34am
Oh! Poor Amelia!!!  :o 8oo
Bet she was the first pupil to end up in san with a hangover!!! ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lesley on Dec 6th, 2003, 8:08am
Thank you Lisa - hope your early Christmas goes well!

Also can empathise about how writing the emotional stuff drains you - but keep going, this is fascinating! ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 6th, 2003, 9:55am
Yay! Thanks for all the long posts!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Abi on Dec 6th, 2003, 1:13pm
yay, I had loads to catch up on with this! The story has developed lots and is getting more and more intriguing. Keep posting... pleeease  ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 8th, 2003, 2:01pm
Had a lovely Christmassy weekend and put on all weight lost so far!  >:( Oh well!


The day seemed a long one to Amelia, who felt queasy and headachy for the whole time. On Matron’s advice she wrapped up warmly and limped outside for some fresh air, which much restored her. Whilst sitting lost in her thoughts on the old wooden seat outside, Amelia heard a subdued sigh and looked up to see the Head of the school engaged on a similar quest. Miss Annersley was massaging her temples and pain was etched into her forehead in the wrinkles there.

“Miss – Miss Annersley?” ventured Amelia shyly. The lady jumped, and glanced at her pupil. “Are you alright?”

“Just a slight headache. I’m getting some minutes’ peace and fresh air.” Amelia felt that she had been perhaps a little snubbed, and held her tongue, but her misapprehension was soon corrected. “And how are you feeling, Amelia?”

“Woozy,” replied Amelia, considering. “Feeling a bit sad, too. I guess I’m missing … people,” she continued, surprised at her own forthcoming.

Miss Annersley ignored the lapses in Amelia’s English, and spoke shrewdly and gently. “Are you missing your father, my dear?”

Caught off guard, Amelia’s eyes filled with tears, but she did not respond. Miss Annersley got up and moved towards the bench. “May I sit?” she asked, correctly believing that her question would rouse Amelia’s sense of manners, and distract her from her grief. “I would like to tell you a story.”

“Of course,” said Amelia, curiously, moving her skirts to give more room to her teacher.

“There was a little girl who was about a year or so younger than you. She lived with her mother and loved her very much, but perhaps she took her for granted just a little bit. The child always thought that her mother would be there when she came home from school. Well, one day, her mother became unwell, and took to her bed. The little girl was reassured that she was just under the weather, and she carried on going to school, with no thought of spending much more time at home. Then, one day several weeks later, the child arrived home to find a house full of strangers and sadness.”

Amelia was listening intently, her mouth slightly open as she anticipated the end of the story.

“Yes, the child’s mother had died. How do you think the little girl felt?”

“Angry!” blurted out Amelia at once. “I’d be furious if that was kept from me!”

“Yes,” said Miss Annersley, thoughtfully, her gaze resting on Amelia before returning to the distant mountains. “I thought you’d understand that. Well, for many months this girl was just about swallowed up with anger and resentment. She felt that the adults in her life had made decisions for her with no thought for her feelings.”

Amelia nodded sympathetically. She could relate to this story. Anger towards her mother for sending her off to Switzerland, anger towards her father even for leaving them and dying filled her small soul from time to time.

“But the little girl had to grow up. After some years of resenting her position and what had happened to her she gradually came to realise that her anger was slowly destroying her character. She was allowing it to poison her heart and thoughts.”

“What did she do?” asked Amelia, breathlessly, completely caught up in the tale.

“Prayed to our heavenly Father,” said Miss Annersley softly. “She realised that only He could give her the strength of character she needed to allow the events in her life to shape her for good. It was then she made a plan for her life. She chose to go into teaching and worked hard and with complete commitment to fulfil her ambition. Today she runs a school and has charge of many many girls and their learning.”

“Oh,” breathed Amelia, “then is it …”

Miss Annersley smiled down at her, meeting her eyes. “Yes. The little girl was me. Is me. What I’m trying to say to you is, do not allow yourself to be poisoned by your anger, but turn it to good effect. And, my dear,” uncharacteristically she clasped Amelia’s hands, ”sometimes grown ups keep things from children. Try to remember that they do it with the best intentions.”

There was silence for a few moments, and then despite herself, Amelia shivered. Miss Annersley was galvanised into action. She sprang up, something of her old twinkle restored to her eye. “It is time you went back indoors!” she exclaimed. “Matron will have words with me, else! Oh, and Amelia,” she paused in the act of rising from the seat, “no more showing off in front of friends on the ice!” With that, the Head returned to the Chalet, her headache eased and her spirits somewhat lighter.

Amelia had reddened at the lady’s last statement, but was still absorbed with thinking over the lesson to be learned from Miss Annersley’s story.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 8th, 2003, 2:51pm
Lisa,

Glad you had a nice weekend - don't worry about the diet - as I read on a Xmas card today, there's no point going on a de-tox diet in the New Year if you haven't "toxed" up in the first place  ;)

This is a beautifully written scene with Miss Annersley and an excellent portrayal of how she must have felt at her mother's death.

Thank you

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 8th, 2003, 3:27pm
Thanks Rachael! I couldn't remember which CS book it was when it explains what happened to Hilda, so my story may be rather inaccurate. E.G. can anyone remember if she had an older brother or sister? And I think she was 13 at the time.
I quite liked that scene, both characters were feeling vulnerable and I feel like they 'bonded' a little bit!

Thanks for the wise words about toxing & detoxing  ;D Trouble is, I know I've got a lovely new outfit from hubby for Christmas day, & I'm concerned that at this rate I won't fit into it before Christmas dinner, let alone afterwards!
*sighs and goes to dig out old favourite elasticated waist items*  ;)



Three days passed before Amelia was able to walk quite comfortably, and her mind turned to resuming her practising. The first morning she awoke early again, her little alarm clock muffled under her pillow, she lay and pondered the wisdom of exercising so soon. It did not take her long to convince herself that this was the best course of action. She reminded herself of her vow a few days earlier to work through the pain and also decided that this would build character in its own way.

She found the practice session alone in the bathroom frustrating as her stiffened limbs refused to respond with their usual suppleness, but left the room determined to practise more and harder until she reached and exceeded her previous level of fitness.

Later, sitting in a History lesson about the early Kings of Mercia, Amelia found a sense of discomfort spreading through her injured leg, and she was distracted from the lesson that usually engaged her so much. ‘Focus’ she instructed herself, recalling Miss Annersley’s words, ‘turn this to good effect.’

“Hsst!” The signal from Frankie broke in on her thoughts. “Millie, wake up! Have you read the note yet?” Amelia’s eyes searched the desk to see a crumpled note that had evidently travelled some way around the classroom to reach her. She opened it and raised her eyebrows as she read:

Top Secret. Meeting in Splasheries before Mitagessen. Code word ‘Bluebell’

Turning over the scrap of paper, Amelia noted a list of names, ticked hers and surreptitiously passed the epistle on to Connie, the next-named, tilting her chair far forward. Connie received the note smoothly and silently, viewing it under her desk in one fluid, unobtrusive movement. Delighted at this intrigue, Amelia grinned widely, bringing down the wrath of the Miss O’Ryan upon her head who demanded to know in rich tones just what it was that was so amusing. Amelia rapidly scanned her brain for some sort of excuse.

“I – I was remembering the story of King Alfred burning the cakes, Miss O’Ryan,” she replied demurely, inviting repressed giggles from other mischief makers around the room. Biddy O’Ryan pursed her lips disbelievingly, but accepted the reason with a mere: “See that you concentrate on the current topic,” and the lesson resumed.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lesley on Dec 8th, 2003, 3:53pm
Lisa - thank you for the last two post - totally in character for Miss A.

Re Hilda - she was 13, nearly 14 and an older brother came to fetch her home from school - and she had not known that her mother was seriously ill.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:03pm

on 12/08/03 at 15:27:45, Lisa wrote:
Thanks Rachael! I couldn't remember which CS book it was when it explains what happened to Hilda, so my story may be rather inaccurate. E.G. can anyone remember if she had an older brother or sister? And I think she was 13 at the time.
I quite liked that scene, both characters were feeling vulnerable and I feel like they 'bonded' a little bit!

Lisa, the story is great! In answer to your question, I think it's in 'New' that Hilda's mother's death is first mentioned. And as I recall, she is thirteen, but I think she was at boarding school. She has a couple of brothers I think, because it's mentioned that the first she knew of her mother's illness was when her eldest brother came to her school to take her home for the funeral!!! (don't envy the brother that task!!!!!)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:05pm
Ooops! Lesley beat me to it again!!! :-[

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:17pm
*appaudes*

Thanks for the lovely long posts, but may we have some more soon!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:29pm
Oh thanks, Lesley & Vikki, I will go back and re read that, and probably modify post a little.

OK, then Chloe, seeing as you're so encouraging, you may have some more!



Finally, the bell went, and Amelia burning with curiosity, made her way to the Middles’ Splasheries. On arriving, she found her way barred by Charlotte Harrison who stood on ceremony and refused to let Amelia pass.

“Password?” she demanded.

Hugging herself with glee, Amelia whispered “Bluebell,” and the solemn Charlotte opened the door with a bow saying: “You may enter” in sonorous tones.
The Splashery was full of girls in various attitudes and poses. The room had begun to steam up, which added to the excitement of the meeting. Amelia was glancing around the room when a sudden hush prepared her for action. Perched on top of the cupboard that contained the fresh towels, Lucy Collins swung her feet and called for order.

“Esteemed colleagues,” she began, and then stopped to stare sternly at Tessa who was tittering. The miscreant thus quashed, she continued. “We have called this secret meeting to plan our campaign,” she paused for effect, drinking in the eager faces of the girls before her, “a campaign so cunning that it will go down in the legends of the school! A campaign that shows the Abbess and other staff that we are a force to be reckoned with. A campaign that will earn us the right to receive that which is our due!”

Several of the girls muttered at this, and Isabel called out: “Get to the point, Lucy!” much to the speaker’s annoyance.

“I would like to proceed without any further interruption,” she said crossly.
“Every person in this room has been summoned to this meeting because of her status at half term, namely she can’t go home.” Enlightened, some of the quicker girls looked round in satisfaction at the others, but the majority still looked to Lucy.

“As some of you know,” the latter continued, “the Abbess hath decreed that there is to be no half-term treat this year – “ a flurry of exclamations filled the air, clearly most of them had not known this gem of information. Lucy waved away with the comments. “She has explained that due to staff shortage over the half-term there will not be the mistresses available to oversee any expedition.”

“Why not?” demanded Sophie Bejou, a French girl who was beginning to be known for her talent in music.

“Oh, something about an old girl’s wedding that most of ‘em are going to,” supplied Tessa. “But, Lucy, what good can we do?”

Amelia’s mind raced. What could Lucy be suggesting? She had no wish to be involved in anything untoward, particularly following Miss Annersley’s confidences.


Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:32pm
A sharp knock at the door made them all jump.

“P-password?” requested Charlotte timorously, hoping fervently that it would not be a staff member.

“Oh rot!” came a voice rudely. “Don’t be so stiff! Let us in!”

“Only if you have the password – “ began Charlotte, but Lucy had jumped down from her perch and ran to open the door.

“It’s Margot!” she said, and then as the girl came in accompanied by her sisters, she added : “and Len and Con!”

“You’re not supposed to be here,” advised Tessa sullenly. “Everyone knows you three will be at home for half-term.”

“Well, that’s just where you’re wrong!” retorted Margot.

Len took up the thread of the story. “We’ve just come from Miss Dene, where we took a ‘phone call from Mamma. Pappa is taking her away to Italy for a month!” A chorus of cries sounded:

“What’s wrong?”

“Is she OK?”

“Why Italy?”

“Calm down everyone!” laughed Con. “Nothing is wrong, Pappa just felt that Mamma needed a holiday now that Cecil is old enough to be left. And Mamma’s old friend Elisaveta, you know, the Heir Apparent to Belsornia’s throne, is touring Italy on a political visit. So they're going to meet up.“

“But it leaves us in the same boat as you,” Margot said grumpily.

“So what’s the news?” Len asked.

Fourteen pairs of eyes once more swung round to Lucy, who preened herself a little at the attention.

“I propose that we strike a deal with the staff!” she said. There was a shocked hush. “I think we should launch a campaign of being so nice, so helpful, so good, that the staff feel that we deserve a treat!”

“But Auntie H- I mean Miss Annersley said there simply weren’t enough mistresses left in school, except Miss Ferrars and Miss Wilmot, and they are having some well deserved time off.”

“Exactly!” declared Lucy, triumphantly. “We could persuade Ferry and Willy to give up their time in return for, oh, I don’t know, errands we could do them.”

There was a pause whilst everyone digested this idea.

“It – might work,” said Isabel doubtfully. “What sort of errands could we do?”

“Oh, mending, fetching, carrying,” began Lucy, but Charlotte broke in:

“I really don’t think that would be enough. We need a really big treat. Like – a party or something.”

Amelia suddenly had an idea, but felt shy about mentioning it, so she began to whisper it to Connie, when Len spotted the exchange.

“Come on, out with it!” she said kindly, and Amelia found herself blushing as she became centre of attention.

“It’s just that, “she stammered shyly, “we could put on a – an entertainment. Like a concert, with refreshments and a whole programme!”

This was received rapturously. “Jolly good idea!” approved Tessa, slapping Amelia’s shoulder.

“Well, we do have the Christmas play to put on later in the term, but if we made sure this was really different … yes! It might just work!”

A loud and urgent knocking at the door revealed delicate Nan Wentworth, panting with exertion and speaking in hushed tones: “I say! Don’t any of you folk care that the bell for Mitagessen went five minutes ago and everyone is waiting for you in the Speisesaal?” Horror greeted this statement as the girls fled to their meal to be roundly scolded. As Len commented later, it was a pity the great campaign to be good had to start this way!



Can't remember Veta's maried name/title. Does heir apparent make sense, or should it be Crown Princess?

Also, still concerned about Alex's bat comments on Friday  ??? (Just call me paranoid!)  ;)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:36pm
Yay! Thank you for the lovely long posts so quickly!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 8th, 2003, 4:47pm
*beams*
Thank you Lisa! Wonderful post!  ;D
Veta was Crown Princess, although, I think by this point she'd given up and was just plain Mrs Helston. :-/

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 8th, 2003, 5:50pm
Hmm. Well, for this story she needs to be royal ish!!
*trying to convince readers that story is well planned*  ;)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Carolyn P on Dec 8th, 2003, 6:17pm
I'm really enjoying this story, sorry I haven't posted much to say so.

The scene with the Abess and Milly was so touching, and just what I can see her doing, it reminded me slightly of Bill and Jacynth in Gay.

Look forward to hearing details of the campaign.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Angel of the North on Dec 8th, 2003, 6:33pm
I wish I had such a deft touch when it comes to handling emotional postings.

Looking forward to some more, please

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 8th, 2003, 7:59pm
Aw thanks! I just worry that I get too miserable, so try and deliberately insert more lively / humorous bits!

Carolyn, I haven't read Gay yet! So that must be a case of great minds think alike! (If I dare compare myself to EBD!) But I've just bought a copy of Gay from KB, so I'll be reading it very soon.  ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 8th, 2003, 9:01pm
Lisa, I suggest you check out the transcript, too. That has more detail than the book I sold you.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 8th, 2003, 9:57pm
Excellent!

Totally captures the secret meetings they used to have - shades of the SSM and the meeting Francie leads against Victoria Adams (was it her)

Anyway, marvellous - thank you!

Alos love the idea to win N&K round!!  :D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by crashbb on Dec 8th, 2003, 10:07pm
close - it was Virginia Adams (she who slept in two dormies!)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 2:18am
Lisa? When do we get more please? ;) :-*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:01am
Thanks, Chelsea!

I had a feeling Victoria Adams was wrong - now realise that's Posh Spice - LOL!

Come on, Lisa - surely it's time for some more?  ;D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 9th, 2003, 10:34am
Rachael - imagine a spice girls / cs crossover, girl power & all that. Dubious claim to fame - friend went to school with posh spice & she grew up round corner from me! Even more dubious claim to fame - ex-boyfriend was drinking buddy of Paul Gascoigne!  :-/

KB, sorry to show even more ignorance than usual, but how do I go about finding & reading transcripts?  :-[

I will do some more writing today, post later!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 9th, 2003, 11:12am
[quote author=Lisa link=board=drabbles;num=1070192760;start=100#110 date=12/09/03 at 10:34:13]KB, sorry to show even more ignorance than usual, but how do I go about finding & reading transcripts?  :-[/quote]

Lisa, check the Transcripts thread on the board, and also go to this website (http://humanities.psydeshow.org/be2/) for the CS transcripts and others.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Alex on Dec 9th, 2003, 2:51pm
Lisa, sorry bat comments are not meant to be offensive.  :) At the end of an episode of batman, aforementioned superhero would be left on a cliff hanger ie batman in room slowly being overcome by poisonous gas and the bad guy, having taken him out would be off to carry out evil plot. Then the commentary voice man (big deep voice, I'm sure you know the kind I mean) would ask "Will Batman escape the poison gas? Will the bad guy achieve world domination?" (Or words to that effect.) "Find out tomorrow. Same bat-time, same bat-place." Or something like that. I know I'm sad.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 9th, 2003, 4:32pm
Oh! Get it!! 8oo 8oo Sorry I'm so slow! Also embarrassed that I needed to ask about transcripts when there is a transcript thread!  :-[ *sobs with shame and humiliation as fruitlessly searches for transcripts thread*
Can't find it!! Help! What is wrong with me?!

PS Thanks for website KB it's fantastic! Am I allowed to adopt the same character as someone else?

Posting some story soon!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 9th, 2003, 5:35pm
Can any of you help me? Who would have been some of the staff at this time (e.g. New Mistress - Coming of Age ish) I'm really hopeless on things like this, & would really appreciate your help as always! I particularly want to know who the maths mistress, art teacher & needlework teacher would have been.

Thanks! :D

Oh yes, you won't get any story until I find out  ::)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 7:29pm
Lisa, I think Maths would have been Kathie Ferrars or Nancy Wilmot, Art would have been Herr Laubach, Needlework was probably Mademoiselle de Lachennais?
Hope that helps!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 9th, 2003, 7:45pm
Aargh! Thought Kathie was an English teacher! Perhaps she could be covering an English class in my story! I got Laubach & Lachennais right! Thanks very much Vikki, just updating a couple of details then I'll post!

Is it Jeanne de Lachennais? Tell me if I make any mistakes anyone, please! I do want to get it right!  :D



It was several days later, and the staff were sitting around in their comfortable room, enjoying a cup of Kaffee and a quiet chat before going to bed. The topic ranged from the upcoming wedding that many of them would be attending, to the piles of marking, to the exciting topic of the Christmas play.

“So I’m going to wear the lilac,” said Biddy, concluding a long discourse that she had been having with Davida Armitage, the science mistress. She looked across the room to a slight back topped with a smooth brown bob and called: “Here, Kathie! Will you be so kind as to stop all that marking you’re doing and come and join us? I declare you’re making me feel quite guilt-ridden!”

“Well, I’ll join you once you discuss a subject in which I can participate!” retorted Kathie in a cheeky tone, smiling and capping her pen nevertheless.

“Very well, enough wedding talk!” decreed Biddy. “Come on then, you choose the topic of conversation,” and with that she poured herself a fresh cup of Kaffee from the steaming jug and settled back comfortably, peering over the rim of her cup at Kathie.

“Actually, it’s an old topic, but with a fresh edge,” Kathie began, “Oh yes, thanks Hilda, I will have a cup,” to the lady who had just entered the room. “Have you noticed anything odd about the Middles recently?”

Davida spluttered into her drink. “The Middles, odd?” she asked with heavy sarcasm. “They are always up to something odd!”

“No, but that’s just what I mean,” replied Kathie earnestly. “They are being so good.”

“I seem to remember having to tick them off as a group when they were so late for Mitagessen recently,” added Hilda wryly, as she handed the brimming cup to the young teacher.

“Yes, but since then, they all – well, most anyway, have been extra ‘meek and mild’. Oh, maybe I’m just imagining it.”

“No, I think I know just what you mean,” contributed Nancy, suddenly. “When I entered the classroom this morning, I found a fresh posy of flowers on the desk and rows of smiling faces.”

“Guilty consciences?” suggested Biddy, interested despite herself.

“Well, that’s what I thought at first, but they behaved impeccably. And I’ve just marked their prep and lesson work – it’s up to an excellent standard!”

“I’d like to know where they got the flowers from at this time of year,” commented Hilda, looking a little concerned.

“Do you have an example, m’dear?” Biddy asked, turning to Kathie curiously.

“As it happens,” Kathie began, “I have. As you know, I caught the sleeve of my blouse on that window latch the other day and tore it quite badly. It was in class with IVA and I exclaimed loudly as I also scratched my arm.”

“I did not know about that,” said Matron at once. “Why did you not tell me, cherie? Let me see it.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” said Kathie, rolling up her sleeve and showing a rapidly fading snake-like mark on her forearm. “Anyway, the girls showed a real concern, and I told them the blouse was a gift from my Aunt, after the lesson of course,” she added hastily for Hilda’s benefit, in case it should be thought that Miss Ferrars chatted to the girls about personal things in her classes.

Hilda swallowed a smile and nodded solemnly. “Of course,” she repeated. “But I would expect the girls to show sympathy. After all, I pride them on having manners and understanding.”

“But that’s not it!” cried Kathie in a rush. “I awoke this morning to a gentle tapping at the door. I feared that one of the girls was ill, so I rushed to open it, but there was no one there! As I was closing it, I looked down and there, laundered and beautifully mended, was my blouse!”

“Well, if that don’t beat all!” breathed Biddy.

“But why should you think the Middles were anything to do with it?” enquired Hilda, frowning at Biddy.
“The way they were today. In Fruhstuck four of them made a point of asking me if I had had any nice surprises this morning! Then Tessa Wynne commented that the nicest gifts are ones that show a great deal of thought and effort. In the lesson with them today, every opportunity to discuss clothing seemed to come up, we were discussing Shakespearian costume,” she added in parenthesis, and was slightly discomfited to see Hilda choke slightly on her drink. “Then Connie asked oh-so-innocently if ladies made the costumes, and that turned into a discussion of who was good at sewing and mending!”

Breathless at this tale, Biddy threw her hands in the air and exclaimed “Whatever is the world coming to?” in a rich brogue. Rosalie came running to rescue the history teacher’s cup.

“It’s a mercy it’s empty,” she began to scold when the door flew open with a crash and Herr Laubach stormed in.


Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 9th, 2003, 7:52pm
“Whatever is the matter?” demanded Hilda, rising to her feet in alarm.

“Someone,” said Herr Laubach with a dreadful voice, “has been in my studio and stolen my still-life flowers!” He was taken aback and affronted by the laughter that immediately issued from the other teachers in the room. “That’s not all,” he expostulated, his temper frayed by what he considered to be unkindness from his colleagues, “Jeanne de Lachannais tells me that someone has ransacked her work room leaving threads, needles and scissors in disarray!” There was further mirth, with more than one mistress wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. Hilda was the first to recover and hastened to comfort Herr Laubach who really was offended.

She explained the story, concluding: ”So now we know how the girls performed their good deeds! But rest assured, I will be speaking to them about matters of invading classrooms and borrowing things that are not theirs.”

Mollified, Herr Laubach allowed himself to be led to a chair and given a kaffee and eventually began to see the full tale. He looked at Kathie consideringly, and then asked “excuse me for mentioning it, Kathie, but how did the girls obtain your blouse in the first place?”

Kathie sat up straight. “I never thought of that!” she gasped. “Let me think, I’d left it on my bureau, planning to repair it in tomorrow afternoon’s rest time.” She looked up in horror! “That means those young scamps must have entered my room to get it!”

Hilda looked serious. “It’s all very well that the girls want to do good turns,” she acknowledged, “but it has gone too far when they intrude on the privacy of a member of staff’s bedroom. I must take steps to remedy this.”

“Oh please let me handle this,” begged Kathie. “I’ll ensure it doesn’t happen again.” She did not want the girls to get in to trouble as they were obviously trying to be helpful.

Hilda conceded and the discussion continued taken over by Biddy who had now recovered her powers of speech. “I haven’t noticed ANY change in their behaviour for me,” she grumbled. “If only they’d start doing my mending and bringing me flowers! Is there anyone else they’ve been sucking – I mean,” with an eye to Hilda’s disapproving glance, “making up to?”

It was established that Kathie and Nancy were the sole recipients of the Middles’ beneficence. There was some more discussion as to the meanings behind this, until eventually Rosalie stood up with a yawn and declared that she didn’t know why the rest of them weren’t tired, but she was heading straight to bed this minute! At this there were startled exclamations as the staff looked at their watches, or the big old cuckoo clock above the mantelpiece and hurriedly prepared for bed.

Nancy made her way to her little room with the window that looked out over the lake, and stretched as she pushed the door open. Her upraised arm came into contact with something dangling from the ceiling and she let out an involuntary squeal. Heart pounding, she switched on the electric light and then gave a shaky laugh as she saw the object of her fear. Her room was decorated with garlands of fresh green boughs, and the covers on her bed had been turned back with a spray of holly laid on the pillow. A noise from the corridor made Nancy spin round and she met the laughing eyes of her colleague.

“So they did yours too?” whispered Kathie, giggling. “I nearly laid my head on the blessed holly, ‘cos I hadn’t bothered with the light!”

“What IS going on?” demanded Nancy. “We simply must get to the bottom of this.”

“Not until morning!” admonished Kathie, yawning. “Seeing as I now have no tasks to do in the rest time, perhaps you and I could go for a walk then and discuss this. Goodnight!” and she merrily tapped off down the corridor to clear her room of vegetation before she could retire to bed.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Angel of the North on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:07pm
*loves the middles and pleads for more*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:10pm
YAY! Thanks for the lovely long post  :) May we have some more soon please!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:34pm
*giggles*
Oh, bless them! How cute!
Thanks Lisa! :-*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:37pm
*giggle* Hooray for the inventive Middles, although it's a shame they have to upset other staff! I imagine they will feel rather dropped on when they get scolded...

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:41pm
The Middles could only guess what the reactions of their staff would be to their intended good actions. Their meeting being cut short, a hasty decision was made for a select few to put a plan of being helpful into action with other suggestions being left for further discussion at a later date. Charlotte and Lucy, who claimed to have an artistic bent, had gathered up the items for decoration once the juniors had gone to bed, risking capture by righteously indignant teachers. But as Lucy said “for gain you have to risk all.” They longed to know how their teachers would react to the beautiful bedecking of the rooms, but had to content themselves by imagining tears of rapture and happiness. Charlotte declared that they should reconvene their planning meeting the next afternoon to discuss the success so far and make further arrangements.

The first person in the school up in the morning, before even Karen, was Amelia as usual. The pain in her leg had subsided into a permanent ache which she strove to ignore and she fled silently to the bathroom for her practice at a quarter to five as was now her custom. She relaxed happily once she began her familiar movements, and got lost in a dream of performance. Suddenly, she stopped as her daydream sparked an idea in her. ‘The entertainment show!’ she thought. ‘I could write it! I could do a dance, and Sophie could play the violin. Tessa and Frankie could do a comedy sketch and Connie could recite some poetry …’ She became more and more excited as she began to think if the variety of ideas they could employ to win over the hearts of Miss Ferrars and Miss Wilmot. Alerted to the time by the rising bell, Amelia hurriedly ran a cold bath and leapt in. Her muscles stiffened as they often did in the shock of cold water after exercising, and then the cold sensation was replaced by a burning one, which Amelia always took to be a sign of healthiness as all the others said, and then she emptied the bath, put the plug back in and left it running for the next person.

Yawning, she returned to her dormy, and called out to Isabel: “Hie, Issy, bath’s all yours!”

“You were quick!” said Isabel in surprise, “the bell went only five minutes ago!”

“Oh, I jumped out of bed at the moment it went; I knew that I was first today,” lied Amelia easily. Repetition of her early morning rulebreaking had become such an ingrained habit that she no longer felt the qualms of conscience that she had at the beginning.

As they were getting ready, and Isabel the dormy pree had gone to the bathroom, Amelia broke another rule and after rustling the curtains in warning strode into Frankie’s cubicle. The latter jumped in alarm, and as she had been in the act of putting in her stockings she overbalanced and landed in a heap on the floor. As she helped her up, Amelia spoke quickly: “Oh don’t fuss, you’re not hurt! Listen, I’ve had a splendiferous idea about the entertainment. Here’s your other stocking – I could organise it!” Frankie looked confused as she sat on her bed and rubbed her knee. “The show, silly! What do you think?”

“Good idea!” exclaimed Frankie, whilst trying to steer her uninvited guest back out into the dormitory passageway, “you can say so later, in the common room. Now scram and let me get ready!”

In a happy reverie, Amelia skipped down to Fruhstuck and spent the day mulling over grand plans. In the rest period in the early afternoon, she sat in a window seat with a book propped up on her lap, but gazed out of the window. Absently noting Miss Ferrars and Miss Wilmot walking off together down towards the flattest part of the Platz, she began counting off items on her fingers. She drew up her legs, wincing as a mild spasm of pain rushed through her right calf, and then settled more comfortably making plans eagerly.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:53pm
Ooooh! I see bad times ahead for Amelia.....

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 9th, 2003, 8:53pm
I think Amelia is going to have damaged her leg so badly that she will have to give up dancing. I hope Jo hears of it and blames herself.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:05pm
Oh no! I hope it won't be that bad for poor Amelia!! :'(

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:07pm
Well, it seems to be the logical conclusion.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:21pm
Yeah, but I really hope it won't be that serious!! She's had a hard enough time already!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:47pm
Who wants nice? We want realism, dammit!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by catherine on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:56pm
I want nice, KB, so there!   :P

Lisa, this is so good!  I love the Middles' cheekiness (but I do hope we're not about to see an outbreak of crushes!).

If you're after a name for the Science Mistress, it would be Davida Armitage who was great friends with Peggy Burnett.

I love the line about the coffee from Kathie to Hilda!!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Dec 9th, 2003, 9:59pm
I want nice too!!!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Dec 9th, 2003, 10:00pm
But it's not up to you, Catherine, it's up to Lisa, and going by the rest of this story, she prefers realism. If she didn't, Joey would have straightened Amelia out instead of doing so much damage. :P ;) :P

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Angel of the North on Dec 9th, 2003, 10:00pm
Poor Amelia.

*remembers a plot line where someone ran before she could walk and found herself out of things for far longer than usual*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by catherine on Dec 9th, 2003, 10:12pm
I never said it was up to me!  

I was replying to to the "Who wants nice?" part of your post and pointing out that you might want realism but I want nice! :P

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Dec 9th, 2003, 11:09pm
Lovely long posts and original & inventive plot

I'm loving this, Lisa and really looking forward to the next bit  :D

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Today at 6:45pm
How about nice realism? After all, we are in the CS world!  ::)

The two mistresses headed for a favourite spot, a small plain surrounded by evergreen trees. As they made their way out of the grounds, Nancy giggled. “Don’t look now!” she hissed at Kathie, “but I think that must be where our decorators got their materials!”

Kathie looked surreptitiously under her lashes at the area Nancy was indicating and choked back mirth as she observed a tree with its lower boughs hacked off. Just above, lit up from the electric bulb, the women could see the Middles at rest in their common room. A silhouetted figure waved enthusiastically at them. Nancy nodded back, remarking to Kathie that she was sure that one was Connie Winter.

“There they go!” commented Connie with a happy sigh, for the benefit of the others not near the window. “P’raps they’ll talk about all the nice things that have happened and it’ll put ‘em in a good mood.”

“Me, I cannot understand why tell them it is us, we do not,” said Sophie, who still occasionally had trouble with the order of the English sentence, although she spoke very nicely indeed.

“Because,” explained Frankie as she wandered up, “we don’t want to be too obvious. Once they look back over our behaviour, we want the idea that we should be rewarded to come from them. Oh, that reminds me, Amelia! Didn’t you have something to suggest to everyone?”

Amelia unfolded herself from her window seat and made her way to the large desk in the middle of the room rather shyly. The others looked up from what they had been doing and gave her their undivided attention, which was somewhat unnerving.

“You know I suggested putting on an entertainment show of some sort?” she began, “well, it’s about that really. If – if you’d have me, I’d like to organise it, and, well, arrange it.” Her voice trailed off as she awaited a response, and it was not slow in coming forth.

“Oh, ripping idea, Millie!”

“Rather you than me! I thought it was a great idea, but sounded too much like hard work when you first suggested it. But if you could direct it and produce it, we’ll help!”

Amelia addressed the girl who had just spoken. “Actually, Lucy, I want your help straight away – that is, if everyone votes it’s a good idea,” she added modestly. An immediate outcry announced a positive vote, and Charlotte volunteered to help Amelia with the planning.

Shortly after this, two heads, one almost white, the other a curly auburn, bent together over a sheet of foolscap that Amelia had managed to procure from somewhere and began drawing up lists. Charlotte looked up and summoned Lucy over. The latter came, looking apprehensive as she was rather a lazy girl and did not relish the thought of taking on too much extra work.

“Sit down , Luce, and for goodness’ sake, don’t look so frightened!” said Charlotte in a business-like manner. ”We’re not going to eat you!”

Lucy sat down with a sigh. “What would you like me to do?” she asked. Charlotte looked at her sternly.

“You were the one with all the big ideas, now you can help out with the work too! Millie?”

“Yes, erm, I noticed that your art work is always praised very highly by Herr Laubach,” said Amelia shyly, “and thought perhaps you wouldn’t mind doing the invitation to the show.”

Lucy sat up straight, her eyes glowing. “Oh, I’d love to!” she cried. “I could do a poster too! For the staff room – we are inviting all the staff I suppose?”

“Yes, I think we ought,” agreed Charlotte, looking at Amelia for confirmation, “but we could do an extra special invite for Miss Ferrars and Miss Wilmot, to make it clear they’re our special guests.”

The three girls sat happily discussing their plans, and by the time the bell went for cocoa, to be followed by two hours of instruction in cookery they had a good plan drawn up.

“Hurrah! Dommy sci!” proclaimed Nan, who being a delicate girl often felt left out of the more vigorous pursuits many of the girls enjoyed, but really came to the fore in all aspects of Domestic Science. She led the way into the large, airy kitchens, where they were to learn how to bake honey and lemon fingers, following a favourite recipe of their teacher’s.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by catherine on Today at 6:58pm
More please, Lisa!  Can't wait to see what the staff make of all this!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Esmeralda on Today at 7:22pm
Wow, such a lot has happened since Christmas,  thanks Lisa, this story is just getting better and better.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what the staff make of all this, particularly Nancy & Kathie.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Today at 7:24pm
Later that day, once again gathered in the staff room, the staff were surprised by a soft knocking on the door.

“Now, who can that be?” asked Kitty Burnett, springing up and opening the door. She was greeted by two smiling faces belonging to Isabel and Alison, bearing a plate of long rectangular cakes.

“We made rather a lot in dommy sci,” explained Isabel rapidly, blushing as she spoke, “and we thought you might enjoy them, particularly Miss Wilmot and Miss Ferrars.” Alison was craning her neck at this point, trying to see if the afore-mentioned mistresses were present. They were, and looking towards the door indignantly.

“Oh!” cried Alison, “we weren’t implying you were greedy!” she stopped in confusion, and with a glance at each other the two hurriedly shoved the plate at Miss Burnett then fled! The latter brought the cakes into the room and, with a mock bow, laid them at the feet of Nancy and Kathie. Biddy entered the room amidst this merrymaking, spied the cakes and demanded an explanation as to their origins. Duly enlightened, she snatched one up with a muttered “I’m starving” and began to munch with enjoyment. Within a moment, her face began to change: her eyes bulged, she sucked her cheeks in and a most peculiar sound came from her. Indicating wildly towards her mouth she proved to be such a spectacle that the other mistresses could only laugh. Eventually Jeanne took pity on the spluttering history teacher and presented her with a glass of water.

“Lemon!” was all Biddy could utter for some moments, whilst the others, particularly Kathie, rolled about, weak with mirth.

“What on earth is the matter? They can’t be THAT bad!” enquired Hilda, attempting to keep a straight face.

“Well, if they want to kill you, they’re going the right way about it! These are the most sour things I’ve ever tasted!” retorted Biddy. “Who gave them the recipe for these, I would like to know?” she said, looking around the room accusingly.

The dommy sci mistress came forwards. “It’s my favourite cake! And you’ve certainly had them before without any complaints, Bridget O’Ryan!” she said. “But I don’t know how they managed to make extra, we didn’t have enough honey for any more than …” her voice trailed off into a giggle.

“Oh, it serves you right!” shrieked Kathie, in tears of laughter once again; the memory of the grimace on her friend’s face too new. “You came in and helped yourself and so you ended up with the ones without the honey!” Biddy looked affronted for a little, then she too relented and the evening was passed in pleasant reminiscences about the Middles’ exploits, especially this latest offering.

Nancy put down her cup with a bang, causing the others to jump. “Kathie and I were discussing this this afternoon,” she said, “and we think there is a reason behind why we are the two the Middles seem to be targeting as recipients for all their – their surprises. It’s obvious that they want something. We came to the conclusion that it must be to do with half-term; we’re the only two free that holiday, and you know how many of them complained Hilda, when you told them they were unable to go anywhere.”

“Do they not know of your arrangements, then?” enquired Jeanne with a smile.

“Apparently not!” answered Kathie. “Oh, don’t you know, Kitty? Well Hilda asked us if we could possibly give up the half term in exchange for a couple of free weekends later on in the term. Then we would be able to do something local with the ones left behind. We both agreed, but decided that we should wait and to tell the girls until nearer the time.”

“Oh, do let’s play them at their own game!” begged Nancy. “We won’t tell them, in fact, we’ll commiserate with them, but let them go on trying to be little angels!”

The women looked to Hilda for approval, and when she nodded with a smile, they grinned, looking for all the world like Middles themselves.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Dorothy on Today at 7:28pm
*giggles*

This is really good, Lisa 8oo

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lesley on Today at 7:37pm
Wicked Nancy and Kathie!!! ;D

This is excellent - more please!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by KB on Today at 9:19pm
*giggle* Great twist! I think there will be an audible dropping of jaws when the girls find out!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by ali on Today at 9:35pm
Such cruelty, and when they have been making such an effort too. How could you.

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Today at 9:35pm
8oo

Well it'll keep them out of trouble for a while.
More soon please!  :)

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Rachael P on Today at 10:18pm
Pure genius, Lisa, can't wait for the next bit!

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Lisa on Today at 10:21pm
So chuffed by your compliments have decided to post some more tonight!


Joey looked up from her plate of Viennese pastries, looking the picture of health now that the sparkle had returned to her eyes, and the worry lines on her brow were smoothed. Jack was pleased to note these changes for the better and congratulated himself on the idea of a holiday. He joined her at the table and placed his cappuccino in front of him.

“’Veta says she will be free after her dressing this morning, and offered to take me on a tour of the Grand Canal,” said Joey, much of her old enthusiasm evident. Jack lifted his eyebrows at yet another of what in his view was a girlish past time and Joey saw the look. “Now!” she admonished, playfully tapping his hand. “You know Veta isn’t all that bothered, but as Crown Princess of Belsornia she has to attend these meetings. She has to have appropriate attire for all the political meetings and she has to be drilled in matters of protocol. Also, her make up and hair need to be dressed just so every morning, ready for her audience with the elite.”

“Just as well you don’t need to be present!” commented her husband, eyeing her black coiled flat plaits, traditional of the Tyrol where Joey had spent her teenage years.

Joey refused to rise to the bait, as she recalled her visit to Belsornia after she had rescued Elisaveta from her evil cousin’s clutches. She shuddered. “Oh, no, you know I would hate that! All that pomp and ceremony – it’s not me. I wonder that Veta puts up with it!” and she bit into a delectable pastry with relish.

Jack smiled as he commented that Veta knew her duty, and did it well. Before his wife could respond, he whipped a package from his pocket and laid it in front of the woman, who although in her mid thirties did not look much over twenty one, rightly surmising this would distract her from their conversation.

“Letters!” she exclaimed, pouncing on them gleefully. “Jack, you pig! Why didn’t you tell me straight away?”

“I won’t tell you at all next time, if that’s the language you use!” he observed, but Jo was already lost in the first letter she had unpacked.

After a few moments of silence, during which Jack sipped his drink in peace, Joey began to speak.

“Listen to this! It’s from Len. She says the Middles have been putting on a show …” and she began to read:

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Chloe on Today at 10:26pm
Thank you!

*racks brain for more compliments to hopefully get more lovely story*

Title: Re: A Dancer at the Chalet School - Part 3
Post by Vikki on Today at 11:08pm
Thank you, this is wonderful!!
Can't help feeling a tad sorry for the middles though! ;) ;D



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