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        Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >>  Estranged Maynard.at the CS
        
(Message started by: edith on Aug 18th, 2003, 8:23pm)
Title: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 18th, 2003, 8:23pm
Poppy Buchan flung the holdall onto her bed and began to pack her new clothes, it'd be strange going to boarding school but Mum had made a windfall with her new book and was struggling to care for both Poppy, her work and her new house. Phill Buchan wrote a famous series of adventure/sci-fi novels set in a strange universe where everything was controlled by the Entity Mooching Beyond the Depths, who stretched time, elongated lives and repeated events in a solar system held in her thrall, except for a few rebels who were for some reason beyond her control. Poppy laughed, how many of the lads in her old comprehensive realised that their favourite author was a woman!
It was the first Beyond the Depths novel that had alienated her mother from the Maynard clan and the world of the chalet school.
What would the chalet school be like? Mum had warned her not to mention her grandmother or family. Phil had been a taboo topic to the CS since she left at seventeen when her first book was published.
To complete the isolation from her family Phil had moved to a hill farm in mid wales to write, driving to London if she needed to see her publishers.
Now the family was moving to a small town in Shropshire and a beautiful timber framed house. And Poppy was to be a weekly boarder at the welsh branch of the school. She'd miss her Mum, Phil was a great friend to the lonely Poppy who found it hard to be friendly with real people, for Poppy had inherited her Mums writing skills. She wandered over to her Mums office where Phil was sitting with Queen at Wembley blasting through the speakers. "Hello MaryLou..." Sang Freddie Mercury.
"And it will be," Phil said smiling at her daughter, Mary-Lou Trelawney's the head teacher at Carnbach, I remember her when I was young. I knew her well. Don't worry!" She said. "She won't recognise you, you take after your father alot." Phil sighed. Her husband Ned Buchan had been a writer too and together they had written a short series of comic sci-fi called "The Pearls of Wisdom!" They had nearly finished the last one when Ned had been killed in a car accident on a midwales trunkroad. Poppy was helping her mother with the final book, but she had GCSEs to start and Phil wanted to keep her daughter away from distractions.
"Have you packed? No? Well I'll come and help!"

I've been mugged by plot bunnies! I've got 2 non cs story ideas from this post!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Ellen on Aug 18th, 2003, 9:02pm
I want to know more about the" Entity Mooching Beyond the Depths"!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 19th, 2003, 7:48pm
I wrote 2 pages last night-I was seriously mobbed by plot bunnies-I wont post them here but I'll put them up somewhere else if you want! "I am the Entity! You are under my control. I am the Entity! You are in my thrall!"

Back to the story-still fending off plot bunnies!

Granny Buchan took Poppy to Carn Beg as Phil did not want to be seen at the school. The battered old beetle that Granny Buchan drove everywhere pulled up outside the front gates and Poppy took her bags off the back seat where they had been bouncing around the whole journey. Poppy hoped that this new school had a decent library, she'd left nearly all her books at home and always wanted to read something new. She looked up and saw the disaproving frown on the face of a girl watching from an upstairs window. What was up with her? Poppy didn't care and dragged her two heaviest bags inside.
"Here, do you want a hand?" A girl in the same brown and flame tie, white blouse and grey trousers as Poppy appeared from the main entrance. Poppy gratefully gave her a bag.
"I'm Poppy Buchan." She said.
"I'm Amy Brent," The girl said. "What year are you in?"
"Ten..."
"Ooh, just like me!" Amy grinned. "Hope you're in my form! Its the best!"
Poppy looked at the girl interestedly and smiled. Amy was a pretty girl, and friendly, if a bit too neat for Poppy's liking.
Amy smiled back at Poppy. "You'd better tidy up! Matron's great out of school, but she hates untidyness. She's my great Aunt by the way. I'm the granddaughter of her triplet Con. And she was a Maynard before she married." Amy looked as if she would burst with pride.
Amy was the Granddaughter of Con Maynard, who was a triplet... Didn't Mum say that she had much older triplet sisters, Len, Con and Margot... Amy must be Poppy's neice! And this matron was a family member too. How many more Maynards could there be here? Perhaps going to the chalet school at all was a big mistake!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 19th, 2003, 10:39pm
Luckily for poppy Sister Margaret did not recognise her neice and she smiled as she sent Poppy off to the dormitory, mentioning how nice it was to see new blood at the school. How little did she know mused Poppy.

Poppy settled in fast at the school, she was in form 10A, as was Amy and was fast becoming friends with her niece. Lessons were no problem for the clever Poppy but she did miss the wide range of books she had at home, the entire Sci-Fi and fantasy section of the library consisted of a few Terry Pratchetts, the Redwall books, Duncton wood and a few nondescript and elderly fantasies. Poppy thought she saw a glimpse of a few favourites in the senior section, but that was forbidden to the year 10s. Poppy sighed, she'd have to write her own entertainment after all. The rest of the library was ok, but there was an emphasis on every girl reading the complete works of Josephine M Bettany. Her grandmother.
Why did the girls have to read the out of date works of an elderly authour who hadn't written much post 1960, while her mother, another sucessful chalet school writer was missing completely? Poppy smiled to herself, she'd have to change that!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 20th, 2003, 4:03pm
That evening Poppy wrote to  a friend with a very strange request...
  Apart from the lack of books the school was up to date and Poppy decided to send an email to her mother explaining what was happening.

Hi Mum!
CS is ok but v.v. pro. Maynard.
Cant find anything 2 do with u in the library but lots on Granny Maynard.
Made a friend-Amy Brent, she's the grand daughter of ur sister Con and ur sister Margot's matron.
Its hard not to give u away but i'm trying.
Miss u loads!
Poppy  :)
Poppy posted the email quickly before anyone knew who she was emailing.

Off the story-umm is anyone actually reading this-and what would dormies etc be like today? Cos I've no idea!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by PatW on Aug 20th, 2003, 4:11pm
I would guess that they'd be similar, but the girls would be allowed posters etc.  I certainly had a radio back in the 1960s.  The CS has always used duvets/plumeaux.  Mattresses would probably now be srung, so they couldn't hump them.  Beds may be divans with drwaers undeer for extra storage, as people these days have more clothes, and CS girls would be more likely to be able to wear their own clothes in the evenings.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Lisa_T on Aug 20th, 2003, 4:11pm
Dormies- when I was at boarding school in the 90s, it wasn't anything so luxurious as the Cs. Not until you got to the 6th, anyhow! in a dorm of 5, there were two of those bunkbed wardobe contraptions plus a kids bed with storage underneath. Ylou had half the mini (and it was mini!) wardrobe, plus some of the big wardrobe at the back of the room that was covered by a curtain and obscenities, an entire desk to yourself (the only thing you did have!) and half a drawer for your underwear etc.

I was back last year and it hasn't changed much, except that there are fewer people to a room. When you consider that some of those rooms are those huge highcielinged victorian things,they look strangely empty with only 3 people in them..!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Ally on Aug 20th, 2003, 4:13pm
I am, and I think its very good, I especially want to know more about Phil's estrangement.  I also like the idea of being friends with your aunt - oh and all the Sci-Fi stuff - please keep going.

As for dormies, not having been to boarding school I couldn't say for sure, but probably for the younger girls (11-13 years) rooms of 6-8, middles: 4-6, fifth: 2-4, and the Sixth Form would be on their own or two sharing.  In this way you start with lots of friends, but as you grow up gain more personal space.  Also they might have desks in their rooms.  

But don't forget the CS was always different by having curtained off cubicles, so I'm sure this idea of private space would have remained.  I hope this helps
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 20th, 2003, 5:32pm
Cheers-ohg nad if you want more of ths sci-fi stuff ask Ellen to forward you the stuff i sent her.
Back to the story

Another email
"Hi Mum !
Thought I'd tell u about the dormies. They're noy quite like u said.
I'm in Louisa M Alcott dormy-they're all named after authours-theres a Josephine M Bettany dormy!!!
U still have cubies but they're bigger. In ur cubey u have an ancient bureau-probably 1 0f the 1s from when u were in school, a bed with a duvet etc, and there're drawers under the bed. U also have a desk and chair and share a wardrobe with the others in the dormy."
Poppy clicked send and wandered out of IT to the common room to find Amy. Poppy had quite happily joined Amy's group of friends, but she wished they had more intrests, than the school magasine, the school, guides and Josephine M Bettany. Poppy had reluctantly read one so far, it was ok, she decided but a bit out of date. She picked up the 2nd JMB book that Amy had told her she had to read-this was more interesting-a historical novel, but Poppy yearned to see how the final Pearls of Wisdom book was going.
"Are you putting anything into the mag?" Amy asked her.
"I-I'm not sure..." Poppy said.
"Go on, everyone puts something in the magazine..."
"OK!" Poppy said. "I'll try!"
That evening after prep Poppy picked up a notebook and began to write.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Cumbrian_Rachel on Aug 21st, 2003, 7:08pm
"Floccinaucinihilipilification" she began...
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Esmeralda on Aug 21st, 2003, 11:33pm
,,,then having proved to herself that she could spell the longest word in the dictionary, she tore out the page and started again.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Rachael P on Aug 22nd, 2003, 11:09am
(LOL! Cumbrian_R - you're incorrigible!!)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 22nd, 2003, 11:46am
Poppy finished what she was writing by the end of the evening, and by the end of lunchtime the next day it was typed out and ready to go into the box for magasine entries.
  Poppy dashed back to the common room before anyone had realised where she had gone.
"Hi Poppy!" Amy said. "Have you done that english work for Miss Jones yet?"
"Yeah, day it was set, have you?"
"No, and we've got it next lesson. What did you do?"
"Answered the questions, just like she said."
"I thought you had to write an essay on each question..."
Did you read what she said?"
"No..."
"Look I'll help you." and Poppy picked up her biro.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 27th, 2003, 4:04pm
Poppy thought she would enjoy english language lessons, how wrong she was. She looked through the final draft of her coursework, SEE ME! was scrawled at the bottom.
Poppy gulped and walked over to the teacher's desk. "Miss Jones, you wanted to see me about my narrative." She said.

"Oh Poppy, yes, I thought I told you to write a narrative on a holiday..."
"But I did..."
"I did not mean a science fiction holiday, I meant a holiday ON EARTH!!! I know your Mother thinks that she can turn out a book of rubbish a year and call it fiction..."
"My Mum's work's not rubbish! People read it,  The last Beyond the depth was nominated for an award!"
"But it was hardly the booker prize..."
"She writes Sci-Fi, not the stuff they want for that! Anyway at least she's got something published!"
"Poppy Buchan, GET OUT! Go and see Miss Trelawney!" Miss Jones had turned scarlet-Poppy didn't know this but the english teacher had tried to get a book pulished for over 20 years, failing every time.
Poppy stormed out of the room towards Miss Trelawney's office. She hated this stuck up school and its warped views!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by xanthe on Aug 27th, 2003, 4:09pm
*sidles out to wave at edith*

just wanted to register my appreciation  ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Chloe on Aug 27th, 2003, 9:59pm
ME TOO!! that is for registering appreciation  ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Aug 28th, 2003, 11:55am
My english teacher wouldn't let me write sci-fi, so i wrote a story set in ancient Crete!!!

Back to the story.
Poppy sat outside Miss Trelawney's office, she had to write her "improved" coursework in her free time, My Holiday. And no aliens, planets or even sci fi confrences-well that counted out all her real holidays-the conferences that was. The amount of time she spent on a story she'd have no free time till the deadline. No time to carry out her plan which she was even more determined to carry out after hearing the english teachers comments...
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 3:32pm
Keep writing this, Edith. Just what I want to read while imbibing my Kaffee und Kuchen (well, OK, mug of tea and a tracker!)

Are Poppy and Phil going to be quietly subversive and then take over the Chalet School with a full gang of men in Star Trek uniforms? Patrick Stewart looking particulalry dashing in his.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:06pm
Over the next few weeks, several neat rextangular parcels arrived for Poppy. Amy commented on these, but Poppy refused to say what were in them.
"You'll see!" was all she would say.
Miss Hopps the librarian also managed to mislay some library stamps and some date stamp forms, but no one was suspicious since the absent minded librarian frequently mislaid things.
Miss Jones smiled to herself as she took library duty one day when Miss Hopps was ill. Poppy Buchan appeared to be turning into a proper chalet school girl at last, she was borrowing vast quantities of Josephine M Bettany books.

No one grew suspicious until Miss Trelawney, picking up what appeared to be a childhood favourite found the dustjacket held a copy of the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. Perhaps Miss Hopp was getting even more absent minded and had put the wrong dust jacket on the books-but no! Nearly all the Josephne M Bettany books had been replaced with sci fi books!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:09pm
*chortle* Good old Poppy!  ;D ;D ;D

Totally ot, I know a Poppy who'd be just like this one, (except he's male). Do we know the same people, edith???????
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:11pm
Yeeeeesssss!!!!!!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Rachel on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:13pm
I like that a lot! lolol  

What's she done with the J M Bettany books then?

Rachel ~ chortling

(Not a pretty sight I can tell you!)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:20pm
Meanwhile, hidden away in the attic among a pile of dustjacketed sci-fi books and a pile of JMB books was Poppy, carefully she wrapped the dust jacket of Tessa in Tyrol round a copy of the Dolphins of Pern, and carefully pritt-sticked a signing out form in the front, then carefully stamped some dates on it. That should fool Miss Hopps. she thought as she put the book in her bag.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Rachel on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:23pm
<gasp> I'm sure she must be breaking rules right left and centre here!

I do like to see a little deviousness at the Chalet School!

Rachel ~ thinking that would be a good title for a book . . .


Would the owner of this plot bunny please claim it IMMEDIATELY
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:29pm
The mysterious outbreak of sci fi lasted another week until one day Poppy was careless and handed in her copy of Nancy meets a Nazi while talking to Amy, not noticing that it was the head that sat behind the counter...
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Chloe on Sep 2nd, 2003, 6:14pm
oohhhh this will eman trouble, but i can wait for the next post keep going please
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Carolyn P on Sep 2nd, 2003, 7:11pm
I'm really enjoying this idea, Replacing Joey with Anne McCafferty et al, I wish she had just been able to add to the library though, I'm very protective about books being disposed of.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Toria on Sep 2nd, 2003, 7:16pm
More please :)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Esmeralda on Sep 3rd, 2003, 2:00am
;D Chortling at the idea of the revered JB's books being replaced, more please
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Marianne on Sep 3rd, 2003, 12:35pm
Ooops! Give us a little more please Edith!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Sep 3rd, 2003, 3:01pm
Surely, even the Chalet School encourages wider reading! I'm shocked to think that they don't.Seriously, it's time Jo was knocked off her perch as the leading literary light, all good authors thrive on competition.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Marianne on Sep 3rd, 2003, 6:16pm
Visualising a mad fight between Joey and her youngest daughter - lol!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 4th, 2003, 5:19pm
That'll come later!
MaryLou knew that the book had been whole when Poppy had borrowed it and unlike Miss Hopps noticed that this book was not Nancy meets a Nazi.
"Poppy Buchan, I'd like to see you in my office, please." The headmistress said in her coolest voice.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Rachel on Sep 4th, 2003, 5:47pm
I think the words "Uh-oh!" would cover the situation nicely!

Rachel ~ never ever done nuffink like that to a book!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 6th, 2003, 1:10pm
"Uh-oh!" Poppy muttered under her breath (thanks Rachel)
Slowly she trudged out of the room behind the headmistress.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 10th, 2003, 7:17pm
Im going to do an EBD and miss out the interview in the study-mainly cos i cant think of what to write.

As a result of the trick, Poppy was denied access to the library and the computer room for a month. However this had a negative effect on the girl and like her aunt Con, whenever she got stressed Poppy began to sleepwalk...
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by PatW on Sep 15th, 2003, 2:17pm
Next installment please?!!  Pretty please!   :-* :-*
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 16th, 2003, 10:37am
Sister Margaret hadn't been able to sleep well that night, so she wandered down to the kitchen for something to eat to help her drop off. She pulled on her oversized dressing gown and fluffy slippers and waddled downstairs. As she made herself a third chocolate spread sandwich she heard a noise somewhere near the IT and library block. Murmering about old bones and needing to loose a few pounds, the fat matron waddled over to the library, where a light shone. A grey figure stood there reading. "It's a ghost!" She concluded. "The ghost of Miss Ferrars, the teacher who had a heART ATTACK WHILE PLANNING HER NEXT Lesson!" With that Sister Margaret fainted.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 16th, 2003, 10:52am
More please Edith!
*badger, badger!*
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Sep 16th, 2003, 11:32am
Don't leave us in suspense like this, it's cruelty to dumb CBB'ers
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 16th, 2003, 11:39am
Well Jennie, the truth of that statement depends which context you're using "dumb" in! If you mean unable to speak, then definitely no! If you mean stupid, well speak for yourself my love! :P ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 16th, 2003, 1:45pm
The "ghost" dropped her book and slowly wandered out of the room straight over the bulk of sister Margaret

(Supposed to be doing CW)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 16th, 2003, 2:40pm
No no! This is much more important! ;)
*suddenly remembers Edith's mum posts here too and retracts previous statement!* (I was kidding, honest!!)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Sep 16th, 2003, 2:52pm
To misquote Oscar Wilde ' Work is the curse of the CBBing classes.'

You'll know what I mean, Edith, but we still want you to do well in your CW.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 17th, 2003, 12:40pm
I've got 5 minutes free so heres a bit more!

Miss Trelawney had suspected the rotund Sister Margaret of snacking at night and had wanted to catc her in the act, the Matron was becoming less and less efficient and Miss Trelawney was looking for an excuse to dismiss her.
She arrived at the library just as the "ghost" stepped on the Matron, Mary-Lou noticed that it was Poppy, what was the girl doing?
"Poppy Buchan!" She began then stopped when she noticed that the girl was sleepwalking, leaving the now snoring matron Mary Lou followed the girl.
Gotta go!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 17th, 2003, 5:04pm
Drat I had an idea but the pe teacher just came in talking about DofE. I'm off on a walk son, if mum and dad get past the bit about me being the only girl going! I've waited 3 years to do 1 walk!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 22nd, 2003, 9:03am
Right, I'm stuck again- I've got something in my head about paperwork but it s too mad, I think I'll send Poppy to san for a bit.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by NickiL on Sep 22nd, 2003, 10:22am
Don't get stuck!! I'm really liking this  ;D

Does your plot bunny need a carrot ot two? Or would he prefer chocolate??? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 22nd, 2003, 1:15pm
It needs to help me with my CW and homework so I've got time to write!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 22nd, 2003, 1:32pm
No, no Edith! For that you need his cousin, the homework bunny! ;) ;)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 22nd, 2003, 2:24pm
Unfortunately that species seems pretty rare in soggy shropshire and wet wales-Its tip[ping it down and I've got a driving lesson this evening!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 22nd, 2003, 2:38pm
I hope it dries up a bit before your lesson Edith. Driving lessons in the rain are no fun!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 22nd, 2003, 2:42pm
I kow, but i suppose its better than driving straight into the sun on an A road, then only just seeing a bend, cos you were totally blinded by the light
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by NickiL on Sep 22nd, 2003, 2:46pm
Sounds like you're speaking from experience...?

(sending homework bunny round asap  :) )
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 22nd, 2003, 2:50pm
Yep! Thats what happened in my lesson last week! Where did all the sunshine go???
Cheers for the homework bunny, but he's got his work cut out, I hope hes good at physics and maths.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 23rd, 2003, 1:27pm
The sun came back-straight in my eyes most of my driving lesson!

I really need to do some homework and do something more to this.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 25th, 2003, 1:18pm
A Visit to Plas Gwyn

"Poppy Buchan, Keri Jones, Sam King, you're going to Plas Gwyn today for tea with Mrs Maynard, she's stopped off on her way to London to see any new girls, you can take a friend along too."
"Mrs Maynard?" Poppy asked, "Why does she want to see me?" Poppy trembled inwardly as she remembered what her mother had said about what Jo had done last time they'd met.
"Cos you're a new girl and thats what Great Granny's always done!" Amy said. "Don't worry, she won't eat you."
"WIll you come with me though?" Phil asked..
""Sure I'd love to see her again, she's always jet setting, ever since Great Grandpa died in the late 70s.So us poor English branch have to wait ages before we see her again."

So that afternoon Poppy and Amy boarded the coach taking the girls to Plas Gwyn and Poppy's Grandmother.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Susan on Sep 26th, 2003, 12:47am
LIke this, more please Edith
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Carolyn P on Sep 26th, 2003, 11:49am
Will Jo know who Poppy is? Is there a family resemblance?

*waiting to find out*
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Sep 26th, 2003, 1:24pm
Will she make a scene, or even worse, will she try to come between Poppy and her mother?

One never knows with Jo, especially in a drabble.

:-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Esmeralda on Sep 26th, 2003, 4:11pm
Maybe she'll just know that Poppy reminds her of someone but won't know who it is.
Whatever happens, it's going to be interesting....
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by NickiL on Sep 26th, 2003, 4:21pm
I hope Jo makes a scene!!  *evil grin*

Although maybe that would be too cruel to Poppy...  :-/
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 26th, 2003, 11:29pm
*on tenterhooks AGAIN!!*
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 29th, 2003, 1:23pm
Welcome to Plas Gwyn" The woman at the door said. "I'm Wendy Maynard. Joey will see you now."
The new girls trooped into an immaculate drawing room with every surface covered in photos.
"Welcome girls," Said an old woman sitting in a wheelchair. "I'm Jo Maynard, but you'd know me as Josephine M Bettany. Come on in, have some of Anna's cream cakes" The woman waved at a plate of brought fairy cakes.
"Anna's been dead 10 years," Amy whispered "But Great Granny thinks shes still alive.
"Now, Rufus move for the visitors. Come on girls, sit down." The new girls nervously sat down on the assorted chairs and tables that were spread round the room, each terrified to go near the old woman. Phil hid herself in the furthest chair, waiting to see what the old woman did next.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Sep 29th, 2003, 2:43pm
Please write some more Edith!
Oh, and did you have a good birthday?
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Carolyn P on Sep 29th, 2003, 5:38pm
Love the idea of them all being terrified to sit next to Joey.  ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Esmeralda on Sep 30th, 2003, 12:40am
Oh, I like this.  I can just imagine the scene!  
May I ask, is their a dog in the room at all?  And if their is, what breed is it?  Or is it one of those large stuffed one's that you can buy these days?
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Lisa_T on Sep 30th, 2003, 12:46am
A mongrel, perhaps, Esmeralda?
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Esmeralda on Sep 30th, 2003, 12:58am
LOL.  I love my little mongrel dog!

How's your young pup getting along?  He sounds gorgeous.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Sep 30th, 2003, 10:20am
Thanks Vikki-yep my birthday was great-but cos i had school the next day i couldn't drink as much as i wanted.

More story in a bit.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Sep 30th, 2003, 10:24am
Edith, I'm beginning to think that making the new girls go to tea with Jo Maynard is cruelty to dumb Chaletians.
Perhaps it could be used as a punishment for naughty Middles!
'Behave yourselves, or we'll send you to Freudesheim to tea.'

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 1st, 2003, 8:57am
Remember its a tradition...

Jo ranted on at the girls talking about members of the school long gone, asking how Miss Annersley, Miss Wilson, Frau Mieders and other long gone members of staff were. Then she suggested the girls looked at her photo album.
"This is Len, Con and Margot, here are the twins, here's Mike, now I haven't heard from him for years, but that's just like him..."
"Uncle Mike's been dead years after a car accident." Amy whispered.
"Here's my little Felix and Felicity, and here's my youngest Geoff and Phil, my poor little Phil's been dead years poor thing..."
Jo looked round at the girls in the room. "Now how about a game of consequences."
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Susan on Oct 1st, 2003, 2:45pm
Brings back memories of my Gran.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 1st, 2003, 4:10pm
Sorry.

Poppy crept back that night to school thinking about what had happened. She had finally met her Grandmother and she was totally mad, was this the same woman that had written all those books, the same woman that had upset her parents in the jewellry box. Poppy remembered her mother showing her a letter once off her grandfather appologising for what Jo had said. It was tragic really. It was not long after Jack and Phil had made up when...
Oh well. Time to email home again. Granny would like to know about Amy and the others.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Susan on Oct 2nd, 2003, 3:45pm
If that sorry was meant for me don't be, they were happy memories. She always got people confused, the family soon learnt to ingnore name she said and answer if she was looking at you, yet she could go through the old photos and knew exactly who was who even 60 - 70 years ago often when and where the photo was taken, yet ask her after her day care days what she'd had for lunch and she hadn't a clue - bless her.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Oct 2nd, 2003, 4:33pm
I'm glad your memories of your gran are so good, Susan. My gran lived to be 103, and she had a very sharp mind until she reached her 103rd birthday, but then everything went, and she died 6 months later.

But I've got some terrific memories of her, she was the one who taught me to bake, and always made my favourite pastries for me whenever I went there.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 3rd, 2003, 10:26am
I'm glad you're ok about it

The Magazine

Poppy flicked through the magazine, it had to be in here surely, a rather basic piece on Holidays-looked like Sam's CW, a piece on a haunted house, but where was Poppy's story?

"What's up Poppy?" Amy asked.
"I sent a story in to the chaletian and it didn't get in."
"Oh mine didn't either, its because Miss Jones chooses what goes in it, and we're both out of favour with her at the mo."
"But it's not fair!" Poppy said.
"I know," said Gina Houseman. "But its always been like that, she's jealous, thats why, and we've all annoyed her cos of our writing."
"Have you noticed," Amy said "That we've quite a chunk of good authours and poets," she said nodding at Gina. "Lets set up our own magazine with some decent stuff in it. Laura, you could put in your essay on solar pannels, and Hannah, there's that georgeous recipe for fudge cake that you promised to give us some day."
"I'll do a page," Hannah said. "Dad'll give me a few more recipes." Her father was a famous chef.
Poppy picked up her pen. "OK, shall we do it. I'll be secretary if you want."
"Go for it Poppy, and you can edit the story page."
"Gina can do poetry, Hannah, cooking and you Amy can be the editor!" said Laura.
Amy blushed. "OK, if you want.  Laura can do essays and what about a few of those puzzles of yours?"
"Fine!" Laura said.
"Right Poppy get all that down. When shall we have stuff in?"
"Would  next week be too early?" Poppy asked. "Cos we've all got stuff written up."
"OK, this time next week'll be the deadline then we can sort stuff out and type it up!"
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 3rd, 2003, 1:15pm
A week later

"Everyone here?" Amy asked. "OK, lets start. "Who's got what?"
She was immediately presented with four bundles of paperwork. Wow, thats plenty, are they all edited?"
Yep, we checked each others" Poppy said. "Umm, AMy, she said as she flicked through all the stuff, how often are we going to print?"
"I dunno, why?"
"Cos we've got enough for four or five mags here. If we're printing regulary it'd be an idea to serialise some things."
"OK, what about once a fortnight. That gives us loads of time to sort things out. OK, shall we sort out serials here then."
"Better give us until tomorrow." Poppy said. "It could get quite tricky to split some of these up."
"Right," said Amy, "And we need to do a cover..."
"Why don't you do the first one," Poppy said. "Do it in colour to get some intrest, only the first say twenty, then the rest can be black and white. Oh and Amy whats it going to be called?"
"Oh I don't know..."
"What about "The Real Chaletian""  said Gina, "'S not the most original name I know, but that's what it is!"
"OK then," Amy said. "The real Chaletian it is!"
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Lesley on Oct 3rd, 2003, 3:32pm
Excellent - I should imagine that it'll upset some people when that mag comes out! Might embarrass them too if its shown to be good!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Oct 4th, 2003, 3:57am
Please post some more soon Edith!!!!
I want to see what happens whan they finally realise who Poppy is!!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by KB on Oct 4th, 2003, 4:35am
I am enjoying this, perhaps because it reminds me of the first Trebizon book, which I liked.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 4th, 2003, 1:04pm
Yes, I thought of Trebizon too.  Enjoyable series, but no way as addictive as CS, though to be fair, there are rather fewer of them.

More please Edith.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 6th, 2003, 1:22pm
The next Monday free copies of "The Real Chaletian" were in every form, with a note giving the price of extra copies. Miss Jones picked up her forms copy, flicked through it, snorting at the contents, those year 10s! What right had they to make their own magazine?
However the magazine seemed popular with everyone else and copies even graced the staff room.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 7th, 2003, 1:10pm
Miss Jones was livid, everyone prefered this piece of nonsence to her magazine. Two could play at that game, so the next week a new edition of the chaletian was produced full of stories and work she had filched from various students work.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Jennie on Oct 7th, 2003, 4:20pm
How did she get it printed so quickly?

Just an innocent question, you understand.

Seriously, I think it's a good idea to have a jealous member of staff, you can bring all sorts of deviousness from the Middles.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 8th, 2003, 9:41am
Its the wonderful world of the photocopier-I remember my primary school magasine was done that way, and we did the photocopying and stapling.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Kathy_S on Oct 10th, 2003, 1:45am

Quote:
How did she get it printed so quickly?


Wouldn't the Chalet School have had some form of mimeograph or "ditto machine" technology?  

The dates used below were obtained from <http://www.deadmedia.org/notes/40/408.html>, where you can find more technical descriptions.

Gelatin duplicator (hectograph):  Probably invented in the 1870s.  I have never done this, but am fairly certain I read a 1940s era novel in which a schoolgirl uses gelatin duplication (the at home variety) for her own newspaper.

Ditto machine (spirit duplicator): invented 1923
This is the one with which I am most familiar, having typed and run off far too many dittos, usually the night before I needed them.  For those too young to remember, a ditto was a sheet of paper attached to a second piece of paper with a purple, waxy coating.  When you wrote (if lazy) or typed on the ditto, it picked up the purple stuff on the back, in the shape of backwards letters.  (Correcting errors was a nightmare, but possible using an elaborate scraping procedure or, if you had the right glue, cutting and pasting.)  Then you attached the paper to a hand-cranked drum, with the purple backwards letters facing out.  Turning the drum rolled the paper through "duplicating fluid" (methanol according to the above web site!) and then over a new piece of paper.  A little of the purple lettering came off onto each new page, along with that "fresh ditto smell" from the duplicating fluid.  You could only make a limited number of copies with these, but they'd be fine for a Chalet School class size.

For exams in the really big classes (over 100), we used a mimeograph machine (marketed by 1887).  For these, you typed stencils that actually had letter-shaped holes through them:  no corrections possible.  Again, you attached the thing to a drum, this one covered with a sort of material soaked in very messy black ink, and the ink went through the stencil onto new pieces of paper.  I really, really hated running off mimeos, and am very thankful that today I only need to push the photocopier buttons -- though this may induce one to procrastinate even more, as at this very moment.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Vikki on Oct 10th, 2003, 2:01am
I remember having worksheets at primary school with purple writing, which I think would have been done on a ditto machine, which means they were still in use 15-20 years ago.(My god! I feel old reading what I've just written!!)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Kathryn on Oct 10th, 2003, 2:16am
Same, but loved the smell of the fresh sheets!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Chloe on Oct 10th, 2003, 9:12am

on 10/10/03 at 02:01:15, Vikki wrote:
I remember having worksheets at primary school with purple writing, which I think would have been done on a ditto machine, which means they were still in use 15-20 years ago.


They were used when i was at primary schools too adn that was six and a bit years ago
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Carolyn P on Oct 10th, 2003, 9:38am
The description of the ditto machine seems to be what we called a Bander, or bandergraph machine. I remember the smell too, we used to sniff fresh copies in the classroom.

Wasn't it possible to do copies with a couple of colours on too somehow?

I know these were still in use when I did teacher training 89/90, but even then were not widly used, being considered old fashioned, but copies from photocopies were considered expensive, it was an interesting switch over.

How are the girls copying their magazine, did the staff give them permission to use the school copier? I thought about that for The Family, and decided they might not be allowed if it was subversive. Mind you, IIIA's first edition hasn't hit the streets yet, and when it does!!!!!!!!!


I'm loving this thread. I can just see a girl with Poppy's background deciding to take on The Chaletian, and making a much better job of it. Well done Poppy! ;)
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 10th, 2003, 1:24pm
The authours of the Real Chaletian were called to Miss Trelawney's office a week after the first edition had been published.
"D'you think we're in trouble?" asked Poppy.
"Hope not!" AMy said.
"Come in girls," Miss Trelawney sounded cheerful. "I just want to congratulate you on your wonderful newsletter. It's fascinating!"
"Th-thank you Miss."
"And AMy, you made a wonderful job of the cover and a splendid job as editor."
"Thank you."
"One question though, where did you photocopy it?"
"In the village shop, its got a coloured photocopier."
"Well, from now on you canuse the school photocopier."
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by KB on Oct 10th, 2003, 10:17pm
Altogether now: Ooooh! I wonder how Miss Jones will feel about that!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 15th, 2003, 3:59pm
Miss Jones was furious when she saw that the rival magasine was being encouraged, there must be some way of stopping it. The teaher sat back in her chair where she was marking assaignments, what if they had no time for editing?...
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Lesley on Oct 15th, 2003, 4:29pm
Evil woman!

More please!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 17th, 2003, 8:55am
At the end of each of the editors' pieces of English homework there was the words SEE ME, the next day. Nervously the girls went to Miss Jones' desk after the lesson and stood there waiting for the english teacher.
"Ah, you are there girls," Miss Jones said. "Recently I have seen a decline in the quality of your homework, so I want you to do it in your free time, here when I can see you doing it."
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Carolyn P on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:42am
Thank you for the little aside about the photocopier!

Won't this give them free time in prep when they would normally have been doing their English homework. And how will matey react to them having to work in their free time. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops. It was mentioned somewhere recently that the school only had evil matrons, never an evil teacher, I'm enjoying seeing one here. It will be great to see how the other staff deal with it if they realise somthing is happening.

More Please, when you have time.
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by PatW on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:57am
Wonder how the other staff will find out - the girls won't dare to say anything.   :o :o :o :o :o :o
SSMJ - Society for the Suppression of Miss Jones anyone?
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 17th, 2003, 1:09pm
"All our prep in the English rooms and all our breaks and most of lunch time, the only time we'll have left to do the magasine'll be after tea and I usually use that time to Email Mummy and Gran!" Amy complained.
"P'raps that's what Miss Jones wants," Poppy answered.
"What does she want?"
"For us not to have enough time so the mag has to stop!"
"Well that, thats wrong!" Gina moaned.
"I'm not going to let that stop me," Hannah said. "I finished my next few pages last night so they're ready. We can use those anyway and I can help someone else."
"You can do the cover." Amy said. "My editorial'll only take a mo, so I can help Gina and Poppy?"
"I've nearly done a bit more on one of the stories, the rest'll just have to be a bit short, and Mum sent us a short Pearls of Wisdom story."
"The real chaletian can't be stopped just like that!"
"Yeah!"
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by Carolyn P on Oct 17th, 2003, 1:54pm
A Pearls of Wisdom story.

Written specially for them?

Now that will put the cat amongst the pigeons.  ;D
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by KB on Oct 18th, 2003, 6:46am
Hmm, how will the Head feel about that? Surely they still feel the girls need a certain amount of free time!
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by edith on Oct 20th, 2003, 8:51am
Miss Trelawney sighed when she heard about the punishment, te girls still had the minimum free time, but that wastoo little for them to be able to work on their mag properly. Especially as the old rule about free time being spent not working still applied. The girls only had that time, none of hobbies time or internet time that were extras.

soz if its a bit garbled
Title: Re: Estranged Maynard.at the CS
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 9:53am
So will Miss Trelawney put her foot down about the issue or see if they can work it out? And maybe the girls need to do their work so well that Miss Jones won't be able to find a reason to make them do it again...


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