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        Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >>  Joey and the pole
        
(Message started by: Marianne on Jun 19^th, 2003, 7:26pm)

Title: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 19^th, 2003, 7:26pm

Joey maynard had woken up in the middle of a night after a very bizarre dream, she decided that it would make a perfect story so she got out of bed, taking a forbidden pen and pad of paper onto the balcony and decided to write. She was writing for what seemed like hours when a women holding a small baby appeared below her.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jun 20^th, 2003, 9:33am

whys it called Joey and the pole?

Title: [b][/b]Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 20^th, 2003, 2:34pm

I thought the women should be Polish, it should have been Pole.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 20^th, 2003, 11:07pm

Joey noticed the distress on the womans face and wondered what she should do. If she called down to them it would most likely wake up all the school including the babes, and then Matron would have something to say. She decided the best thing would be to go down and talk to them and find out the problem. With Joey, to think was to act.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 21^st, 2003, 4:41pm

Without thinking, Joey swung her thin long legs over the balcony and preceded to lower herself down. The women was unmistakabley happy a the thought ofa kind helper and said,'Prosze o pomoc' which translates as i need help. Luckily Joeyhad great talent for language learning and had managed to pick up a little polish.

Joey replied, 'Prezepraszam, nie mowie po polsku' (i'm sorry i don't speak Polish). The polish women looked worried but pressed on, speaking Polish. Joey managed to gather that there was something wrong with the baby and so took it from the alarmed women. Joey cried, 'Jimmeny Cricket! This kids burning up! We must get to Matron!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Sioned on Jun 23^rd, 2003, 12:53am

Without thinking of what the red rash on his face might mean she gently took the baby from the woman, beckoned for her to follow and made her way round to a side door she knew was unlocked. She ran swiftly in and up to Matey's room and knocked just loud enough to wake that lady up.
"What on earth Jo..I...Good Lord! What have you got there?!"
"Matey - I think there's something wrong with her - I'll explain later...but please!" Jo was beginning to babble so Matron wisely let it go, and giving a swift glance to the foreign looking woman behind her, took the baby from Jo's arms. However, one look told her all she knew, and she exclaimed....

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 23^rd, 2003, 7:47am

"Jo, to the san at once. No-one is in there thankfully. Please stay there until I return." With this message, Matron turned again to the lady and her child quickly assessing the situation.

Jo groaned inwardly as she walked to the san, it must be something infectious. Now what had she done!

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 23^rd, 2003, 4:24pm

The clever and efficent matron was mean while observing the young mother and her baby and came to the conclusion the chil had measles and probably the women too. There was nothing else for it, she would have to take the sick pair in. Matron lead the ill pair up to the san and left them in an isolation room, while she called Dr Jem.

Jem answered the phone and Matron explained the story finishing with, 'And so you see, this could be a great disaster, i beg of you to come quickly.'

'I will Matron, i will come as soon as i can.'

The good Matron returned to her sorrowful charge...

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 24^th, 2003, 2:54pm

Jo looked up with wide eyes as Matron returned to her. "What - What is it?" she asked fearfully.

"I'm not sure yet. Jem is on his way and will let us know as soon as he looks at the baby. Meanwhile you will need to stay here" replied Matron.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 24^th, 2003, 3:34pm

'I...i'm truly sorry matron, its just the women was so upset!' hesitated Jo.

'Yes well, its done now isn'tit.' replied te matron briskly.

The subdued Jo, replied with a squeaky sorry which made the matro become very angry and she cried, 'You might well be sorry Josephine! People are tryingto keep you safe Jo, but you seem wiling to put yourself in incredible dangers, paying no heed to the rules!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 25^th, 2003, 12:46am

Jo flushed a brilliant red. She had been given this warning many times and still forgot whenever something unexpected happened, which always seemed to when se was around. Madge had warned her only the previous weekend of racing heedlessly into situations and now she had done it again.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 25^th, 2003, 9:18am

Soon Jem came rushing into the room, ready to give the pair the frightening news, 'Ok, sit yourselves down, it could be measles, which would be bad enough, but it could be scarlet fever...'stated the concerned doctor, running his fingers through his hair,'what i can't figure out was how they got here from poland!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 26^th, 2003, 10:48am

"You mean - they don't live locally?" asked the surprised Matron.

"Not knowing any Polish, I can't say for sure. I don't think so though"

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jun 26^th, 2003, 11:02am

Jem went in to see the Polish woman with a seditive.
"Do you speak english? Spretchen de deutch? Parle en francais?"
"Oui, Oui!" the woman said.
"Your baby's got measles, and you are tired out, after I ask you some questions, you must drink this and go to sleep."
"Oui, d'accord!"
What is your name?"
"Maraya!"
"OK Maraya, how did you get here?"
"By train, I used up most of my money but I had to come."
"Why?"
"To see my daughter, I found out that she goes to school here"
"At the chalet school?" Jem was puzzled.
"Yes, there."
"What's her name?"
"Ceclia Marya Humphries, but I used to call her the Robin!"

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 26^th, 2003, 12:51pm

"But - but you died. I don't understand" Jem grasped at the bed beside him to help steady himself as he heard this news. "How can you be Rob's mother?"

(nice one Edith :) )

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jun 26^th, 2003, 12:59pm

(thanks)

The woman sobbed. "Ted, he ran away, left me. He said he did not want an ill wife, and I was a burden. he said he was trying to get a job so he had to be single, but, but, he was taking Robin away so she would grow up English, not Polish. He said he did not want a polish wife."
Jem was shocked, he'd thought that Ted Humphreies was a decent sort and had been upset when he was killed in a climbing accident. But he had abandoned his wife while she was ill! He had said that she'd died of TB. But what was she ill of before? He asked the sobbing woman.
"I had scarlet fever, and was so ill, he wouldn't let me see my little Robin. He told her I was dead, then he left me. I've been looking for her ever since."
Jme frowned, "But whose baby is it?"
"My cousin's she died and I was the only one left, I was so poor, I came to find Robin and Ted, to say that I was well and I wanted to see my baby again."
Jem sighed. "Ted's dead in a climnbing accident. But Robin's well, and as soon as you and your cousin's baby are well you can see her."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jun 26^th, 2003, 10:59pm

The women cried out with joy, inthe knowledge she would soon be able to see her daughter. At the same time however she ws sad, sad at the loss of her marriage and the death of her selfish husband.

Later that evening when Jem finally had a momet to sit down, he siged to himself, thinking how nice it would be for a quiet life. He was also questioning how he was going to deal with the latest situation.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 28^th, 2003, 3:08pm

Madge came into the room and sat besides Jem anxiously. She was concerned for her sister and for the Robin. "Jem, do you think Jo will catch the scarlet fever. I don't want to think of anything happening to her, isn't there something more we can do. As for Robin ... what will she think when she finds her the mother she has grieved for all these years is actually alive?"

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Sioned on Jun 28^th, 2003, 3:24pm

I don't know...I really don't know. It will either give her new strength, or the shock will set her back years. I don't want all our and her hard work and patience to be lost. In fact...I'm beginning to wonder if I should have waited before agreeing to this meeting. Oh Madge, what shall we do?

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 28^th, 2003, 4:08pm

"Well ... you said it wouldn't take place until after everyone is well so that gives us time. Perhaps we should try and find out if this woman is really who she says she is. After all, I knew Ted for many years and this doesn't fit his character at all."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by crashbb on Jun 28^th, 2003, 6:32pm

Actually, I am beginning to think that it does. You never knew, and I never meant to tell you, but when Dick was up here (not sure if this takes place before or after Dick brings his family to visit, chalk it up to an EBDism, if the timing is wrong) he told me a story about Ted.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jun 29^th, 2003, 5:39am

Jem looked at his wife for a moment debating whether he should tell Madge or not. He had hoped by not telling her the story he had heard he would protect Madge and the other girls. Now it seemed he must include her in what he had learnt.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Kathryn on Jun 30^th, 2003, 11:52pm

'When Ted visited you and D ick when he was on leave he used to vanish every afternoon for a few hours. D ick, he was a young boy, caught up in the excitement of the war, thinking of spies and everything. So one day he followed Ted.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 1^st, 2003, 12:03am

"Madge, I'm sorry. From what Dick can remember it seems that Ted was involved in some fairly questionable business although we don't know much beyond that. Dick and I both hoped that he had changed and that the responsibility of losing his wife and raising a daughter would have given him more stability. I thought by having Ted work here with me we could also keep watch over him"

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 1^st, 2003, 4:17pm

Madge held her face in her hands and with greatest dispair murmered,'Oh Jem, anything for a quiet life!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Clare on Jul 1^st, 2003, 8:45pm

Then she lifted her head from her hands. "How do we know that this woman is not an imposter? The Robin is a beautiful child, you would not forget her in a hurry. How do we know that this woman is not just making up this relationship with the Robin?"
"But Madge, she said her name is -"
"How do we know that she hasn't just been lucky and found out Robin's parentage? No Jem, I want concrete proof before she lays eyes on the child" Madge said firmly, her eyes glowing dangerously.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 2^nd, 2003, 6:47am

Jem realised it would be futile to disagree with his wife in this mood. After thought he realised that what she said was all that they could really do. They needed to know the truth in the situation, and while Ted may have acted suspiciously in the past it was wrong to speak ill of the dead especially when the facts weren't all known. How would he confirm this woman was who she said though and at what point and how much should they tell the Robin. Just thinking about the Robin tore at Jems heart, for she was precious to them both.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Clare on Jul 2^nd, 2003, 11:27am

"OK Madge, the woman will not see the Robin until she has confirmed her story. I'll send the Robin to you in the morning, and you can keep her to quarters with David. Tell her Joey's come into contact with something infectious, and she must be kept out of the way, and she has to be good and not fret about being kept away from everyone."

Madge nodded. "The Robin will be good. Why don't you bring her here now, while she's asleep, and I'll go and make up the little bed ready for her".

Jem sighed inwardly, and set off to collect the Robin. The Polish woman was in the San with Matey, and Joey was in bed, in a little room adjoined to Matron's.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 2^nd, 2003, 11:29am

I know," he said. "Lets ask her to sing the red sarafan, with Robin in the next room. She'll be able to tell her mothers voice. If its not her mother it won't matter, Rob'll never know, but if it is..."
"Rob will have family at last!"

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 2^nd, 2003, 2:06pm

Madge nodded in silent agreement and Jem took the women to a room ajoining the one where Madge held the Robin on her knee. The Polish women did as she was bade and sang the Robins favourite song, as she did so something stirred in the samll childs soul and she pok in a daring whisper, 'Thats my mamma, how can this be, for mamma is with the angles and the christ child.'
Madges eyes welled with tears and she said, 'Oh Robin, your mamma is not dead, she is alive and she has found you!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 9:13am

"Mama! She's alive! I must see her!" Robin cried.
"You'll have to talk to her through a window," Jem said. "Your Mama's been looking after a baby cousin who's very ill, and she's in quarantine, but you can talk to her through the glass."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 1:06pm

Robin sighed at yet another restriction being put upon her in the name of heath but relented and resigned herself to a reunion behind glass.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 6^th, 2003, 12:41am

"Tante Guito if mamma is alive why was I told she was with the angels" demanded the Robin. Madge looked at Jem with concern. How could they explain this to the child without raising more questions and confusion.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 6^th, 2003, 12:15pm

'Your papa thought she had gone to be with the christ child, but we must not dwell on such a thing, we must rejoyce oin the truth that she is alive.' reassured Jem diplomatically, 'Can you unerstand that child?'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 7^th, 2003, 9:05am

Robin nodded her angelic face sweetly in agreeance with Jem's words. The young girl was thrilled to know that the woman who she loved so greatly was still alive and would be with her again soon.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 7^th, 2003, 12:36pm

The women and Robin caught sight of each other through the glass...

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 7^th, 2003, 12:49pm

Robin wept with joy as she beheld the sight of the woman who had been so dear to her all those years ago. Everything was as she had held in her memory. On the other side of the window her mother wept just as loudly although her tears were a mixture of joy and grief. So many years had been lost between them, so much time.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 7^th, 2003, 12:56pm

The Robin was no longer the baby she had loved and loss but a young girl, it suddenly hit her that she would never get those years back, no matter how hard she tried.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 8^th, 2003, 10:10am

Jem looked at Robin and decided that the reunion had stretched long enough for the present. Robin had never been a healthy child and the stress from learning her mother was alive had been a shock, even though it was a good one. Maraya Humphries was also worn out and rest would do them both good.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 8^th, 2003, 4:29pm

The Robin was bright eyed and her cheeks flushd as he dragged her away from the window. Maraya Humphries was glad of the rest but dreading a two week break from her daughter.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 9^th, 2003, 10:53am

Joey appeared at the window. "Mrs Humphries?" She said.
"Please call me Marya." the woman replied.
"Do you want a photo of Rob, so you still have something of hers to look at, even though you can't see her."
"Oh thank you, that would be wonderful!"
"And Rob says she'll write to you every day!"
"Oh, my little angel ,I can't write to her though!"
You can, the letter'll have to be sterelised though."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Clare on Jul 9^th, 2003, 11:03am

Madge still was not convinced by the identity of the Polish woman, despite having witnessed the reunion. She was still so sure that the woman was a fraud, but when she voiced this concern to Jem, he told her to stop it. "I can't help it Jem. Part of me keeps thinking what if this woman is an imposter and she's come to take the Robin away". Jem made a noise of frustration in his throat. "No Jem, you didn't listen properly before, and I want you to listen now. This woman could be a cousin, a neighbour or soemone else who knew Marya when she was alive. She would know what the Robin looked like, what Marya would sing to her and so on. Therefore it would be easy to masquerade as Marya."
"But I've told you what Ted was like, and we've both witnessed the reunion!"
"But what about Mayra's delicacy that you've found traces of in the Robin? Why else has her health been under constant surveillance? Have you forgotten the time we feared she would die? The term that the school went to see the Passion Play?"
Jem had no answer. This aspect had not crossed his mind.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 9^th, 2003, 12:08pm

"The woman is delicate, and Madge. I think she's dying." Butted in Jack Maynard. "Not from TB but from something else, a tumour."
"A tumour?"
"I was reading up on it and talking to her, she shows signs of cancer. I don't think she's got long to live, thats why she wanted Rob."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 9^th, 2003, 12:59pm

'Oh Jem, then Rob'll loose her mamma all over again!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 9^th, 2003, 2:28pm

"I know, poor baby, but at least she's had this little bit of time with her now."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Ally on Jul 9^th, 2003, 2:34pm

'but Jem, how are we to explain to the Robin that she will lose her mother again, the poor child, whatever will happen'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 9^th, 2003, 2:45pm

"We have to talk to her now, explain whats happening."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 9^th, 2003, 6:43pm

'Oh Jem, this is just too terrible, i will wake her, you can talk!' said Madge and did as she promised.After a few moments she brought a confused Robin, who had never in her nine years be woken from a medicinal sleep.
'Alright Rob, sorry about this but there is something i have to tell you...'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by edith on Jul 11^th, 2003, 9:51am

"What is it? Is it to do with Mamma?"
"I'm sorry Rob, your mother is very ill. I know she doesn't look it, but she's in alot of pain and is suffering. There is a very nasty disease called cancer and it's not curable, I don't think your mother has long left on earth."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Ally on Jul 11^th, 2003, 10:02am

Robin lifted her beautiful brown eyes up and looked at Madge, 'bbbut Tante Guita' she said trying to hold bad the tears welling up inside her 'I ddon't understand, why hhas God given me Mamma, only to, to take her away again'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Clare on Jul 11^th, 2003, 7:14pm

Madge cuddled the Robin closer, trying to formulate the words to explain to the child what was happening. "Robin, we're terribly sorry. But at least, when you are older, you will be able to take comfort from the fact that you have met your mother, and spent some time together. At least you will remember both of your parents. Joey does not remember ours, as she was a tiny baby when they died. You will have an opportunity that she has never been able to have."

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by KB on Jul 11^th, 2003, 11:14pm

Tears streaming down her angelic face, the Robin raised her eyes to those above her.

"But if you knew Mamman was dying, why did you have to show her to me? I have my dreams of my Mamman, and now I will have to remember her so tired and ill, instead of happy and with the angels!"

Madge looked up at Jem, anxiety in her eyes...

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by claire on Jul 12^th, 2003, 11:50am

Meanwhile Marya was requesting to see Madge. Upset at leaving the Robin and still not fully believing this intruders story, she came to the window, still mindful of the quarantine rules.
"Mrs Russell, your husband has told me that I do not have much time yet in this world, I wish to thank you for taking caring of my daughter and also to tell you the full reason behind my arrival here. My first was to see my firstborn again, to know that she is happy and healthy, my second is...

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 12^th, 2003, 12:10pm

'...to claim my rightful inheritance.'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by ariella on Jul 24^th, 2003, 10:35am

"Your rightful what?" asked Madge in surprise.

"Inheritance" replied Marya. "Surely Ted told you all about it. As Robin's guardians you must have the jewellery also. I knew I should find it eventually" finished the woman with a strange glint in her eyes.

"I'm afraid there is no jewellery". Madge looked at the woman keenly wondering now if this was the real reason that she had come and not to see her daughter.

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 24^th, 2003, 1:44pm

'Oh,i think you will find there is!' cried Marya exictedly.'Have you still got the little bundle Cecillia arrived here with?'
'Yes.' replied Madge simply.
'Take me to it, and i shall find the jewls.' the women ordered, rubbing her hands greedily together. Madge developed a shrewd suspision that this women was not Robins otherat all, the thing is she had not proof.

Suddenly, from dw the corridor came theacing of small feet, and Robin burst into the room, paying no heed to thefact that the women was still in quarantine.
'This is not my mama!' cried the Robin, her eyes blaxing in triumph.
'Whatever do you mean darling?' asked Madge in relief and stooping down to Robins level.
'Mama is dead, for i see her with the angels very much in my dreams.'
Madge sighed, she was sure the Robin was right but she couldn't ask anyone to beleive that testament. Robin however seed to sense Madges thoughts for she said, 'Tante Guito, i have proof! Mama ha a little scare above her left eye, she hurtit once when she fainted! I remember because the next day Mama died.' said the Robin,dropping into rapid french, which all in the room understood.
'Robinette, are you sure' said Madge, speaking in German so that the imposter could not understand, the Robin, picking up on the cue, did the same,
'Yes Tante Guito, for i hve a photo! Look!'

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Clare on Jul 24^th, 2003, 6:00pm

"Thank you Robin, now you know you are not supposed to be here. Go back to Jack and ask Oncle Jem to come here quickly." Robin nodded, her halo of curls flouncing wildly as she ran off.
"Has she gone to fetch the bundle?" asked the Polish lady.
"No, she has gone to fetch my husband" Madge replied calmy. She was comparing the picture of Marya to the Polish lady, and could see no scar.
"Why does your husband need to be here?"
"Well, firstly, you are in quarantine. Secondly, I can not possibly give you any posessions that have been left in our care for the Robin when she comes of age without consulting my husband first."
"You do not believe the child when she says I am not her mother? For I assure you, I am. She would have few memories of me."
�Madge just smiled at the lady. She could hear Jem's footsteps outside the door. "Please excuse my husband and I for a moment, we will come back to you with our answer shortly." Madge smiled again, and left the room to be caught in her husband's arms. "Madge, what on earth is going on?" he asked.

_{resisting the temptation to have Madge say "I was right and you were wrong, ha ha"}

Title: Re: Joey and the pole
Post by Marianne on Jul 24^th, 2003, 8:34pm

Madge slipped out of the room, worry etched on her youthful face.
'Oh Jem, there's been an awful mix up i fear, the Robin is convinced this women is not her mother. She say'sher mother had a scare above her eye and it certainly seems to be true, just look at this photo!' exclaimed Madge, glad to be putting the burden onto her husband.
'I say Madge! Has Robin been in that room?' he asked, suddenly concerned for the Robins health.
'Yes Jem, but what are we going to do?' asked Madge agitated.