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Title: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 15th, 2004, 7:22am First part archived at http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/indulge.html Carolyn The rest of the evening had passed by in a flash, with Emily becoming more and more bemused at how different the reality of school was to her expectations. She could hardly wait to write her letter home, which she knew Grandmother was as eagerly looking forward to. Emily couldn't resist chuckling as she thought of how her Grandmother would react if she knew that Emily was actually quite happy to be here now after all. It would have been different if the school was still the stuffy middle class establishment it had started life. Over the years however, the school had had to adapt to survive, which meant accepting that the middle classes were no longer sending their daughters to be educated abroad. Nowadays, the Chalet Schools had two main client bases; the armed forces and middle eastern countries. Children of parents in the armed forces, instead of living nomadic lives, arrived at the Chalet School, secure in the knowledge that they had a permanent base for ten years or so. This also meant that the constant moving involved with a life in the services had no adverse affect on their education, allowing the girls to study consistently and gain the good grades required to obtain equally good employment. For families in many middle eastern countries, the Chalet School provided a safe secure single sex environment to send their daughters. With so many girls coming from this new source, the Chalet School had had to adjust their views on the issue of prayers; while still a school with a strong Christian ethos, prayers were no longer compulsory, as Emily was to find out the following morning. When she awoke the next day, Emily yawned and stretched, and decided that 6.30am was far too early to get up. Aimee's worried face appeared around the curtain. "Aren't you up yet Emily?" she asked. "Oh yes I am," replied Emily, still lying in bed. "Look! There I go dashing down the corridor! If you want to talk to me, you'd better run." "Oh Emily, don't tease me please! I only came to tell you that as it's first full day back, you can wear casuals. You don't have to wear uniform until lessons proper start on Monday." Aimee withdrew her head and went sadly on her way, convinced that this new girl was almost as bad as Helayna and Konnie. Eventually Emily got up, mainly as she remembered hearing the night before that breakfast was only available until 7.45am. If you missed that, you had to either go hungry until break or find your house mistress, offer a full and genuine apology, along with a good reason, and then you might be permitted to take breakfast in the "latecomers" room. Latecomers breakfast was always the cereals nobody else would eat, and Emily had gathered from conversations going on around her the night before that Konnie, despite taking nearly every breakfast in the latecomers room, always managed somehow to find a decent cereal. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 15th, 2004, 7:22am After breakfast, Emily was wandering round the building wondering what she was supposed to do next. Aimee, slightly breathless, caught up with the new girl outside the Science Labs. "We aren't allowed here on our own, I'm sorry, I thought you knew," Aimee said anxiously. "Ok," Emily's reply was brief in the extreme, and she began to walk in the opposite direction. Aimee tagged along, trying to offer information about the coming day which Emily listened to half-heartedly. At length, the two girls found themselves in the school's main entranceway again. "I'm going to prayers now," Aimee told Emily. "Would you like to come with me?" "Do I have to?" Emily's reply was cautious. "No, it's voluntary-" "No ta very muchly then," replied Emily grinning. "You're not into all that happy clappy stuff either then?" The voice was a drawl, and turning slightly, Emily saw Konnie lounging against a wall. "If it's voluntary, I just thought I wouldn't go in. I might go in another day though. Just because I said I wouldn't today doesn't mean I don't ever!" Emily was nettled by Konnie's manner, and regretted her hasty response. Emily had developed a strong dislike for Konnie already, and anything Konnie approved of Emily felt would be wise to steer clear of. "I have to go," murmured Aimee, trying to move off. "That's right, mustn't be late now, must we?" Aimee refused to allow Konnie to provoke her to answering at this point, choosing instead to walk off in silence and go to prayers in the hall. Konnie watched Aimee leave and then turned to Emily with an exaggerated sigh. "Now she's gone, I suppose you'd better come with me." "Thank you, I'm sure I'll be fine on my own." Emily's reply was cool to the point of frostiness. "I don't think you understand. When Aimee told you prayers are voluntary, she only told you half the truth. In this place, if you don't go in for prayers, you have to go for Citizenship classes - to learn how to be happy clappy without mentioning god!" Konnie's voice broke on an unexpected note of bitterness that made Emily look at her curiously. "Don't!" snapped Konnie. "Come on, this way." Without waiting for the new girl, Konnie made her way along several passageways, Emily scuttling along behind her, until they arrived in a classroom with yet another mistress smiling as they entered. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 15th, 2004, 7:43am Would some kind mod please put the links to the archived part on EBD's first part? |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Rachael on Jan 15th, 2004, 9:00am *applauds EBD's cunning creation of a new thread to avoid the yibbling on the original!* I am enjoying this - why has Knnie got such a gigantic chip on her shoulder - "chip"? Bloody great potato field more like! So - I'm warming to this EBD 'cause the story's good but slightly alarmed by her avatar still ... |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 15th, 2004, 9:58am on 01/15/04 at 09:00:48, Rachael wrote:
Me too! Who had it coming to them?!! I'm sure certain people can fill this thread up with yibbling, pretty quickly!! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 15th, 2004, 10:26am *suggests we do so, just to annoy her* ;) |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 15th, 2004, 10:50am Or just for fun, or just because we (you KB?!) always do anyway!! 8oo 8oo 8oo |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 15th, 2004, 10:59am Well, perhaps for fun this time, just to be different... |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Rachael on Jan 15th, 2004, 11:08am Is that it?! Come on, keep yibbling ........................... ;D |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 15th, 2004, 11:12am Hey, I'm trying to have an MSN conversation with Angel! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 15th, 2004, 12:22pm You're not demonstrating you skill at multi-tasking very well, then!! :P |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Chloe on Jan 15th, 2004, 5:13pm Thanks for more story, but why are there the two thread for it :-/ |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 15th, 2004, 8:14pm EBD_Herself started another one, Chloe!!! ::) ::) |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Vikki on Jan 15th, 2004, 9:26pm Well, I guess I might as well delete the other one then, since it didn't meet EBD's high standards of cleanliness!! ;) |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Carolyn P on Jan 15th, 2004, 9:30pm on 01/15/04 at 11:12:10, KB wrote:
How is she? She doesn't seem to have been around for a while. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Susan on Jan 16th, 2004, 12:54am Thanks EBD for more story. May I say it wasn't quite enough though. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 16th, 2004, 2:21am on 01/15/04 at 12:22:48, Pat wrote:
Obviously I'm having an off day! ;) Quote:
And I think she's focusing more on her blog than the CBB. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 16th, 2004, 7:26am Citizenship Class was actually rather interesting to Emily who had never even heard of such a subject prior to this. It involved role play situations where the girls had to debate what action they personally would take, and whether this was the correct course of action. There were a number of scenarios, covering situations such as knowing a friend was using drugs, seeing somebody steal from a shop, underage drinking and thinking that a friend might be pregnant. Emily found the discussions lively, and all the girls keen to join in, except Konnie who sat scowling throughout the class. After the role plays, the mistress read out a few school notices, and reminded the girls that the weekly assembly at which the Head would address the school, would take place on Monday afternoons this term. At the end of the time, having enjoyed herself so much, Emily wondered whether she would attend prayers at all whilst at school. The mistress in charge of Citizenship, Miss Waters, grabbed Emily at the end of the session. "How are you getting on so far kid?" she asked Emily with a grin. "Pretty good thanks," replied Emily, startled at the mistress's informal manner. Sarah Waters, an old girl of the school knew what Emily was thinking. "I used to come to school here, about fifteen years ago if you're interested, and leapt at the chance of running these classes. They help you girls grow up to be considerate members of the human race. Sometimes its easy to think you are alone in your problems, but every day, all over the world, there are kids your age facing far bigger struggles. Just remember that and try to grow up with good manners! You'll be ok though," Miss Waters added cryptically. Although Emily did not know it, the staff of the Chalet School had been awaiting her arrival with interest; at least those mistresses who had connections with the school and had grown up with the legends of Emily's grandmother. Many of the staff had been predicting that Emily would be precisely like Mary-Lou Trelawney had been, while others felt the blood would have diluted sufficiently by now for Emily to be completely different. "Right kid, you're due for an appointment with Mrs Richardson now - did you not know?" asked Sarah seeing Emily flush. "Um, no, I don't think I did. Am I late?" asked Emily, not wanting to be in trouble on her very first day. Sarah Waters laughed as she replied, "not at all. You'd be amazed how many girls haven't a clue where to go or what to do on their first day. The rest will have been told in prayers, but as you are the only new girl in Cit Class, I thought I'd just grab you now. I'll show you the way if you like, unless you think you can find your way there by yourself?" Miss Waters tone was teasing, for which Emily was extremely grateful, knowing she hadn't a clue where she was in the school. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 16th, 2004, 7:27am Mrs Richardson was very busy trying to deal with the mountainous pile of mail that arrived on a daily basis in the school. Added to her work load, first day always saw new girls having a short interview with the Head's secretary to arrange for any extras on their timetable. Although the extras were chosen by parents before their daughters arrived, the timetables always arranged at the last minute seemingly, couldn't be dealt with until all the girls were back. Emily expected this interview to be very short, having assured her parents she didn't wish to take any extra lessons at school. Therefore, it was with considerable shock that she saw Mrs Richardson pull out a very complicated looking timetable. "Ok, it's been a struggle, but we finally managed to find a combination that works for you to get all your extra subjects in. Now, your parents tell me you are already fluent in French, is that correct?" Emily nodded; she had been speaking French with Grandmother for as long as she could recall. "How about German? Are you fluent in that too? Your parents wrote that you can speak, read and write in it, but didn't actually use the word 'fluent' or go into details." "I don't know many technical terms if that's what you mean, but I can do all the conversational bits," Emily offered shyly, not having expected to be interrogated on this subject so early in the day. "Read these two pages out loud please," said Mrs Richardson handing over two laminated A4 sheets. Emily began with the French, feeling confident there would be no trouble with it, as indeed there wasn't. Turning to the German, she began fluently, stumbled over the middle paragraph, but recovered in the final one. Mrs Richardson nodded as she made a tiny note on Emily's timetable. "Yes, you'll do. We're putting you in the A stream for everything including German for this term at any rate. You should be able to cope with it, and speaking it two full days a week will add any extra words you need. Your extras have been a bit of a night mare to be honest, but here's where they fit. Pay attention!" Emily snapped to attention, worriedly looking at all the little boxes on the timetable that Mrs Richardson was still holding. Emily was desperate to see it close up and find out exactly what her parents had let her in for. "Mondays, piano lessons. I understand you've never played before, so you're in beginners, fifteen minutes practice daily immediately after lessons. Tuesday, Drama class. Wednesdays, your parents have booked you in for our craft workshops so you can find a hobby that suits you. The workshops go on all term, and give you a taste of various different creative subjects. Thursdays, bible class. Your parents felt that you would probably opt for Citizenship but say in their letter that they want you to attend bible class too. I should tell you," said Mrs Richardson with a faint gleam in her eye, "that this 'extra' was based on what you did this morning. If you had gone to prayers, you wouldn't have to do it! Too late now though!" she added as Emily began to protest that she had wanted to see what the Citizenship was all about. "You made a choice, now you have to live with the consequences. That's what Citizenship will teach you my dear!" Emily felt most disgruntled by this, but realised this was an issue to take up with her parents, not the staff, so kept quiet. "And Fridays?" Emily asked. "Ah yes, Fridays. Apparently your Grandmother asked for this to be added to your timetable, and your parents agreed. You are to attend special lectures on Fridays. They are only open to a select number of students, but your Grandmother wrote the letter which we require giving reasons for why you above another pupil should be permitted to attend these. As your Grandmother was one of Britain's foremost archaeologists, we felt we could hardly say no to her granddaughter attending a course of lectures on history and archaeology in the southern hemisphere. I'm sure given your background you'll find them very interesting. Emily was fighting an internal battle not to break down and cry. Even though she was so many miles away from her family, her Grandmother was still dictating her life. With a look of horror, Emily realised Mrs Richardson was discussing weekends now |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by PatMac on Jan 16th, 2004, 8:46am Thank you EBD. Are you writing this because we criticised the protective attitude of the school as you wrote it originally? Nice to know you are listening to our comments! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Rachael on Jan 16th, 2004, 8:57am *wondering why, if EBD is "not nasty, just misunderstod", she hasn't changed her avatar!* Actually, this is great - very interesting to see that Emily is OOAO's granddaughter Like the citizenship classes and that she copped for bible classes because of not going to prayers! Wonder how she'll react in the history and archaeology lectures - personally, I'd much prefer to go to them than take piano! Certainly sounds as though she'll be too busy to get into much trouble!! BTW, bags me being first in the queue to give Konnie a slap - she's a very objectionable creature so far ... I hope there's a good reason for it ... *longing for a cane and the right to use it ;)* |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 16th, 2004, 9:08am Konnie needs more than a slap unless she has a *very* good reason for being the way she is. I suspect she has though, given the way this is developing. May we have more than one posting a day, please, EBD? |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Carolyn P on Jan 16th, 2004, 9:28am Ellie this is brilliant. I presume her parents HAD to give her so many extra's because ML insisted. I'm surprised the school didn't say no. That is going to be a dreadful burden for her. Poor kid, still at least she speaks the languages. Now, is Miss Richardson, Ruey, and which Maynard is head. And why oh why are Helayna and Konnie such beasts. (yes slang I know, but their behaviour deserves such an epithet.) Still at least we now know who Emily is. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Lesley on Jan 16th, 2004, 3:07pm Very interesting - thanks very much author! Rachael - would like to be next in queue to slap Konnie - and would like to slap Mary-Lou too - fancing loading all those extras onto the kid! BTW Why the Southern Hemisphere? |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Chloe on Jan 16th, 2004, 6:40pm Yay thanks for the lovely long posts, so OOAOML is Emily's gran, poor her! More please :) |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 16th, 2004, 9:11pm Hmm, this is becoming increasingly interesting. I'm glad I was right about OOAO! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Carolyn P on Jan 16th, 2004, 11:34pm Wot, no more story? ??? |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 17th, 2004, 1:30am No more until Monday dear people. "I cannot be expected to work all weekend too," gasped Emily. "Not all weekend, no, but you will have certain activities scheduled. Do you wish to join the Guide company in the school?" Emily shook her head, but refrained to mention how she had been asked to leave Brownies at the age of nine with the request that she never darken their door again. To this day, that memory rankled. Emily was certain that using morse code to make comments on the Brown Owl shouldn't have been an offence worthy of being kicked out of the entire institution, but her parents in acure embarassment had agreed and Emily had left precipitously. "That's fine, there are plenty of other girls who don't join and we do have an alternative scheme for you. On Saturday mornings, you can take your pick of nature club, book club or art classes. It is entirely up to you, but whichever you pick you will be expected to continue with for at least this term, and we would prefer you to continue until the end of the year as it makes it far easier to arrange staffing levels." Emily thought hard and fast and eventually elected for book club, hoping it would allow her time to sit and catch her breath once a week. "Next thing is curch. Your parents have already said you are to attend church each week, so all you will be required to do is sign up once a week for either early church or late. Early church is 8am, and late 11am. We allocate girls places at service on a first come first served basis, so if you are particularly keen on one over the other, you will need to sign up by about Wednesday afternoon, otherwise you may end up having to take pot luck. And I think that's us just about finished. If you take this timetable, do try to learn it quickly, and just tap on the door across the way. It is the stationary room and you will find a prefect waiting there to issue books etc based on your timetable. off you go! I'm busy!" and with that, Mrs Richardson called the next girl to her and began discussing yet another timetable. Emily wandered across to the stationary room, feeling very bitter at her parents and her Grandmother. Well enough Emily knew who was responsible for all those extras, the same person who had been responsible for making Emily's life at home a never ending round of after school classes, Saturday workshops and Holiday Playschemes, none of which Emily had ever wished to attend being a solitary creature by nature. Emily tapped the door and was greeted by the prettiest girl she had ever seen in her life. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 17th, 2004, 1:30am "Katy Brown," said the tall girl holding out her hand. "Emily Chapman," muttered Emily holding out her timetable. Katy smiled at the little girl in front of her, remembering how she had felt the first time she had left her home far away in New Zealand to attend the Chalet School. Katy rapidly pulled together the books Emily needed, piling them on a table set to one side of the large stock room. Just as rapidly, Katy gathered a pile of exercise books, A4 paper, ring binders and jotter pads and placed these with the text books. Emily stared at the huge pile, aghast. "Don't worry kid, we don't expect you to cart all of that yourself. You'd end up with a hernia if we did ! Which class are you in, let's see?" Katy scanned the top of the timetable and nodded. "Ok, lower fourth with the irrepressible Konnie and Helayna! There ought to be someone from your form floating around in the corridor, see if you spot anyone will you while I divide this stuff up!" Emily wandered towards the door, which opened just as she reached it to reveal Konnie with one of her worst scowls in place. "I've been sent to help you - you better be ready!" she growled. Emily nodded curtly. Konnie was the last person she would have chosen to assist her, but she recognised that she had no option in this matter. Konnie moved to the table and grabbed the smaller pile of books hurling a quick "Follow me!" to Emily. Emily called "Thankyou" over her shoulder to Katy, who smiled in response, and then Emily had to hurry to catch up with Konnie. The two girls made their way to a bright sunny classroom, painted in a pale yellow, and with various posters and prints decorating the walls. Many of the posters appeared to be representing historical events throughout the world, and Emily quickly grasped the fact that their form mistress was also the head of the school's history department. Konnie almost threw Emily's books down on the only spare desk in the room, next to Aimee who smiled cheerfully at Emily. Emily sat down quietly and began putting her new books away in her desk when told this was the format by Aimee. Shortly after Emily had all her books stowed, their form mistress, Miss Phillips, entered the room. "Just a minute please girls. I'll call roll since all girls shold be in place now, and then you will be free to attend to any unpacking you didn't have time to finish yesterday. Please remember," she went on, uncapping her pen, "that all cases and trunks MUST be placed in the corridor before tea this afternoon. Any cases that aren't there in time will be your responsibility to store for the rest of term. You have been warned!" Roll call went quickly, with every girl answering politely with the words "Good Morning Miss Phillips" when their name was called. Miss Phillips smiled at each girl in turn before calling the next name, and Emily felt herself relax slightly as the mistress ran through all fourteen girls in the class. When roll was finished, Helayna was asked to take the book to Mrs Richardson with a slight wink from Miss Phillips, and Emily relaxed still further. Any school that employed mistresses who could be so casual couldn't possibly be as bad as she had feared. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Kathy_S on Jan 17th, 2004, 2:36am Thank you, EBD. Do have a productive weekend :) . |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Susan on Jan 17th, 2004, 2:48am Thank you EBD - glad to see Emily relaxing. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 17th, 2004, 3:34am I love the reappearance of the Morse Code idea! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Chloe on Jan 17th, 2004, 10:10am Thank you EBD_Herself, i hope this means we get lots more on monday though :) |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by KB on Jan 17th, 2004, 10:55am I think we should be 'expecting' not 'hoping for' more on Monday! >:( |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Carolyn P on Jan 17th, 2004, 1:30pm Thank-you EBD. This is great. Looking forward with expectation to Monday. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Lesley on Jan 17th, 2004, 3:26pm Thank you for that ! - Waiting - with reasonable patience - until Monday! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Rachael on Jan 17th, 2004, 5:23pm *scoffs at Lesley's feigned patience!* Good posts, thanks! Also like the little snippets indicating that Emily can see some good in the school ... *drumming fingers on desk, waiting for Monday ...* |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 17th, 2004, 7:17pm I do hope there will be lots more on Monday. Will EBD reveal herself before March I wonder? |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Carolyn P on Jan 17th, 2004, 7:20pm I hope that since this story is being well received she will tell us at the end who she is. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 17th, 2004, 7:27pm She said she was coming to the Gathering, so we should find out then! After all she has to claim her badge from Chloe, doesn't she? ;) |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Vikki on Jan 17th, 2004, 9:08pm Yay!! I knew she had to be OOAOML's grand daughter!! I feel so sorry for her with all these extras though!! Looking forward to more please EBD!!! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Mandyb75 on Jan 19th, 2004, 12:03am Brilliant EBD - cant wait for the next installment. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 19th, 2004, 10:26am I'd expected a posting by now. EBD said there would be more on Monday, and she usually posts early - 7.30ish. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Carolyn P on Jan 19th, 2004, 12:20pm Is this the same person as was EBD_Herself before who said that she was coming to the gathering, I thought someone owned up to that persona? Or am I confusicated again, there are so many EBD's floating around. Whoever, please post some more soon. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Vikki on Jan 19th, 2004, 2:24pm Chelsea claimed to be EBD herself, but she wasn't really! It was an attempt to trick the real EBD herself into fessing up!! |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by crashbb on Jan 19th, 2004, 3:49pm on 01/19/04 at 14:24:28, Vikki wrote:
But, alas, it didn't work! And, I'm not coming to the gathering either!! I do remember something about one of the EBD type people saying that they were coming to the gathering, though. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by PatMac on Jan 19th, 2004, 4:38pm on 01/19/04 at 10:26:54, Pat wrote:
And it's now nearly 5.00 in the evening - could it be someone who works shifts and is on a different one this week? |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 19th, 2004, 6:20pm Miss me? The rest of that first full day passed by quickly, filled with unpacking, break, lunch, or Mittagessen as it was still known, and quick lessons in most subjects to give the girls an idea of the curriculum for the term, and in certain subjects it was a chance to see the reading list and begin planning the work load. Emily ended the day feeling stunned by the expected workload, and was beginning to think her parents would be getting an extremely unhappy letter from her next week. Eventually a bell rang, and Aimee whispered to Emily that the bell signified the end of afternoon school. “Maybe for you!” growled Emily, aware that the end Friday afternoon lessons would bring the start of her after school classes. “For everyone today,” smiled Aimee. “Full lessons do not begin until next week, therefore after school extra classes do not begin until then either. For today, and this weekend, you are free to do as you choose. Perhaps you would like to accompany me now and I will give you a proper tour of the school? I am sure you cannot have seen very much of it as yet?” As this was true, and as nobody else seemed to be making any gestures of friendship towards her, Emily agreed to accompany Aimee. “Perhaps we should do the grounds first,” suggested Aimee politely. “We are permitted anywhere within the grounds, apart from the Rose Garden which is exclusive to the mistresses. Would you come this way please?” and Aimee led the way to the Splasherie where both girls changed their shoes in silence. Outside it was a beautiful September afternoon, clear and bright. Aimee gravely led the way around the buildings pointing out such features as the tennis courts, the cricket pitch, the swimming pool and the mistresses Rose Garden. “The Rose Garden is a memorial garden, built to remember Lady Russell who started this school many years ago,” Aimee told Emily. “She died six years ago, and left much money to the school to be used in furthering the education of girls, it is through her generosity that I have been able to attend here; I received one of the first Scholarships and my parents were truly delighted that I could follow-“ Aimee cut herself off abruptly, leaving Emily curious to know what she had been meaning to say. “Go on, Aimee, so you could follow what?” Curiosity was one of Emily’s greatest failings, but Aimee refused to tell her. Next Aimee led Emily to a position where the two girls could gaze across the mountain range to see the Jungfrau. This was Emily’s first chance to see the great mountain, and she gazed at it for quite a few minutes. “It’s beautiful,” said Emily simply, but with real feeling, at last. “Grandma says it always was the most beautiful sight. This was one of her favourite spots, and she told me-“ Once more Aimee cut herself off and Emily was left to stare at her new friend in astonishment. “For goodness sake Aimee! Don’t keep starting sentences if you aren’t going to finish them! It’s really annoying!” “I am sorry, I will try to not do so again Emily.” Aimee hung her head, embarrassed. In silence, Aimee led the way round the rest of the gardens, indicating a large house adjoined to the school grounds by a wicker gate. “That’s Freudesheim. A famous authoress used to live there, but not now. Have you heard of her? Josephine M Bettany?” “Nope, what did she write?” asked Emily. “School stories mainly, and a few books for adults too. She was very popular, but I suppose it was quite a long time ago.” Aimee’s eyes ranged hungrily over the old house, but she said no more on the subject. Hearing footsteps behind them, Aimee and Emily turned to find Konnie and Helayna coming towards them. “Out of the way,” demanded Konnie. “Let us pass!” Emily and Aimee, who were already standing well over to one side of the path, had nowhere further to move, but Konnie elbowed them both sharply as she walked by. Helayna smiled apologetically but said nothing as she followed the brash Konnie through the fence to Freudesheim. Back in the school, Emily tried to raise the topic of Konnie's behaviour to Aimee, but the other girl seemed reluctant to discuss her. "She's been like that a long time, it's easier just to ignore it," was all Aimee would say. "But why has she been like that?" Emily tried to push the subject a little further. Aimee whirled round and stood facing Emily, almost nose to nose. "Look, Konniie has her own problems, same as the rest of us. If she wants you to know, she'll tell you! Now come on, if you want to see the swimming pool and sports hall, we'll just have time before Abendessen if we hurry!" And with that Emily had to be content, althogh she decided there and then to find out exactly why Konnie appeared to be in a raging temper every moment of the day. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by EBD_Herself on Jan 19th, 2004, 6:20pm Saturday was spent in the Sports Hall by Emily and Aimee, who appeared to be becoming a recognised duet for no other reason than neither of them had anyone else to associate with. Aimee was desperately hungry for friendship, something she had been lacking for so long in her ife, and Emily was a naturally sociable child and couldn't help being friendly despite not really wanting Aimee as a special friend. The two girls swam length after length of the pool, finding they seemed to be fairly evenly matched. Emily was beginning to enjoy herself, appreciating the size of the pool, the pleasant building it was housed in, and looking forward to making use of the other facilities the school boasted. This enjoyment was spoiled however by the appearance of Konnie and the ever faithful Helayna. Konnie walked out to the poolside, spotted where Aimee and Emily were swimming and hurled herself into the water right in their path. Both girls had to tread water while Konnie surfaced and then began swimming in a leisurely way dfirectly in front of them. Emily threw a glance at the mistress in charge of the pool, but seeing it was Miss Rosomon knew that any hope of chastisement for Konnie was a complete non-starter. After mittaggessen, Aimee and Emily walked back over to the Sports Hall complex, and managed to bag one of the last squash courts. The game was new to Emily, so Aimee patiently explained the rules to her new friend, and made sure she understood before they attempted to play. They were just getting started when Konnie barged her way in. "Me and Helayna are going to play here today." she said in a low tone to Aimee. Aimee lowered her racquet and began to walk off court. "Hey! Wait a minute!" said Emily angrily. "You don't own the school you know! Me and Aimee got here first, so you can wait til we've finished - then you can have the court!" "No chance," replied Konnie, as angry as Emily. "If I say I want to play, I play. So get that in your head, and get off!" Konnie finished her words with a shove to Emily, forcing the new girl to tumble backwards, dropping the racquet in an effort to save herself from injury. Emily sat on the floor. "You complete and utter cow!" she told Konnie. "Who the hell do you think you are?" demanded Konnie. "Think you can walk in here and start ordering me around, just 'cos your granny used to come here, do you? Is that what you think? Well my granny came here too, she was the first ever pupil! And my mother-" Konnie choked, and to Emily's great astonishment, Konnie ran from the squash court, heart rending sobs tearing the air. "I wish you hadn't started this," muttered Helayna before she turned and ran off after her cousin. Emily looked to Aimee for support, and was astonished to see Aimee creeping away back to the school. There was definitely something strange going on with those three girls, and Emily was determined to find out what. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Chloe on Jan 19th, 2004, 6:21pm Yes we did thank you ;D |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by crashbb on Jan 19th, 2004, 7:04pm *agrees with Emily that there is something weird with the other three girls. Thanks for more story. |
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Title: Re: Indulge me please - part II Post by Pat on Jan 19th, 2004, 7:09pm Wonder if there is a deal of truth in the shifts theory. |
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