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Title: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 27th, 2003, 5:03pm Take 3. I don't know the link to my original thread but it's on the page you get onto immediately on the archive at the moment and it's under the same title. Here's the link for you Sarah! http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/maryloualt.html Vikki * * * The next day passed peacefully enough, with few people even trying to get out of winter sports and those who did received no sympathy from anyone. Margot had a rapturous reunion with her triplets when she joined the others for Fruhstuck and then morning lessons and even Emerence’s presence was received with some delight, or at the very least with equanimity. Many of the girls had worked out for themselves that Emerence must have been at least partly to blame for the accident and one or two were thoughtless enough to look at her askance and try to avoid her because of it. However both morning lessons and winter sports passed by without incident, little things such as a Junior fleeing from “a pack of bears!” which turned out to be a dog chasing a fir cone, not counting at all. True, little Marjorie Roberts was teased fearfully over her exploit but that was only to be expected and only the Juniors were really aware of it in any case. Most of the girls enjoyed their time in the open air quite as much as usual and if both Mary-Lou’s and Emerence’s forms were more subdued than usual, that again was to be expected and the fresh air still did them good. After Abendessen that evening, Vb plus Josette Russell and sundry others who were friends with the Gang but not in that form were sat once again in their common room, chatting quietly about the day when a summons came instructing Verity to go and see Miss Annersley at once. The other looked at her in surprise, “Whatever have you been doing, young Verity?” asked Hilary. It was rare for Verity of the silver-fair looks and shy manner to be in trouble, for her main fault was “mooning” as her own crowd were wont to call it, and they were all very careful to help so that she didn’t get into trouble about it. As even Matey said despairingly, the school ahd tried for many years but there was nothing to be done about it; Verity got everything done in her own time and any attempt to hurry her would merely fluster her to the extent that nothing a tall would be finished correctly! So it was with some shock that this summons was received. Verity looked suddenly worried. “You don’t suppose it’s something to do with Mary-Lou, do you? Oh, I do hope she’s getting better quickly!” “Oh, so do we all,” Josette assured her, “but it’s probably nothing to do with that. Or if it is, it could be just to say that you can visit her soon.” “You’d better get a move on,” Lesley interjected at this point. “The Abbess is fairly sweet but you shouldn’t keep her waiting, whatever it is she wants you for.” The others saw the sense of this remark immediately and Verity reluctantly got up to leave the room. As she left, the others looked at each other. The thought was running through all of their minds that the summons could well have something to do with Mary-Lou, but would the news be good or bad? “Wasn’t Willy’s lesson today ghastly!” Barbara attempted, a little half-heartedly. The others responded with relief as they tried not to wonder what was happening in the Head’s office and at the San. They discussed school topics with a determination worthy of a better cause until Ruth, looking at her watch, suddenly exclaimed: “I say, do you people realise that Verity’s been gone a good half an hour now! What on earth is going on in there?” “It’s strange,” Vi remarked seriously, “the Abbess rarely keeps us that long as a general rule. I hope everything’s all right and there’s no bad news or anything.” |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 27th, 2003, 5:04pm Just as she finished speaking, the door to the common room opened and Miss Annersley herself stepped in, looking grave. “Miss Annersley, is everything all right?” Barbara asked anxiously. Her query was followed by several others in the same vein. Miss Annersley smiled gently at their eagerness but Vi and one or two others noticed that the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m afraid I must be the bearer of some bad news girls. I have just told Verity and she is now safely tucked up in bed as she is, understandably very upset.” Here she paused and Vi butted in. “Is it Mary-Lou,” she said quietly. “I’m afraid it is,” Miss Annersley affirmed, her eyes unnaturally bright. “The doctors have discovered some internal injuries which can only be put right with an operation. They have put the operation off for as long as possible in order to allow Mary-Lou to regain some strength but tomorrow they will proceed because they fear that if they put it off for much longer- there will be no need for it at all.” A lump in her throat stopped any further words from coming out as she looked at the degrees of astonishment on the faces in front of her. Some of them had honestly believed that Mary-Lou was, if not quite nearly better, not far from the stage when she would be able to be transferred to the school San. Others, more knowledgeable, had understood that there may be a long convalescence but still Mary-Lou was on her way to recovery. This set back was a massive shock to all of them and they could well imagine that Verity was in bed. She was very fond of her “sister-by-marriage,” as they called and the affection was returned in full by Mary-Lou so that they were closer than many blood-related sisters; both sisters and good friends. Miss Annersley could see the thoughts running through their minds, each of them wondering so mmuch but too afraid to ask ofr fear of what the answer might be. It struck her forcibly that, as much as these girls had grown up over the last term or so, they were very young to have to cope with a situation such as this one and they simply did not know how to react. Eventually, Vi spoke for them all when she said simply, “Thank-you for letting us know. We do appreciate it, and we’ll look after Verity when we see her. You needn’t worry about us.” The Abbess smiled kindly at her. “I am glad to hear that you will look after each other but the ultimate responsibility is mine. If ever any of you need me, you know where to find me.” With that she turned as walked quickly out of the room, not stopping until she reached the privacy of her study where she could finally sit down and let her emotions take her over, as she had not been able to do since Joey Maynard had rung her up from the hospital to tell her the latest news. “Doris and Roland have arrived at the hospital,” Joey had said, her voice tired and stained. “They are very upset, naturally, but they wish Verity to be informed as soon as possible. I’m afraid the responsibility for that must lie with you, for neither of them are willing to leave Mary-Lou just now. Unless you would like me to do it?” Miss Annersley had refused this offer in favour of doing it herself, but it was one of the hardest duties she had had to do since becoming head mistress, many, many years before. *thank you to the people who supplied Verity's dad's name! I'll post more tomorrow hopefully* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lisa_T on Oct 27th, 2003, 5:24pm Is it Roland Carey or am I making that up? But doesn't he have a title- you could always used that! ;) More please, Sarah, and *lots* of it. This is really good! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Dorothy on Oct 27th, 2003, 6:02pm Vikki - wrong link: http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/maryloualt.html |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 27th, 2003, 9:38pm Yes, it is Roland. And this is just beautiful. Please post more soon! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lesley on Oct 27th, 2003, 10:59pm Agreed, lots more please! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Esmeralda on Oct 28th, 2003, 12:18am More please - this seems so much more realistic than the original version. *Am I allowed to think that? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_L on Oct 28th, 2003, 12:49am Hi Esmeralda, can we have some more of Tension please. ??? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Esmeralda on Oct 28th, 2003, 1:13am Sarah - Are you going to say that everytime I post? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_L on Oct 28th, 2003, 1:36am I'll stop saying it if you post some more story ... ;) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Carolyn P on Oct 28th, 2003, 1:36am It is likely that somebody will. So why not put us all out of our misery? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Esmeralda on Oct 28th, 2003, 1:46am Ok - I don't want everybodies posts to get interupted so I'll revive it tomorrow - possibly in the morning but more likely late at night. I'm certainly NOT going to start now, I'm tired and my head aches, and I'm going to bed soon. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Carolyn P on Oct 28th, 2003, 1:59am Hope you feel better tomorrow. I suppose I'll have to think about going to sleep soon (already in bed) as the kids will wake up in about 5 1/2 hours. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_L on Oct 28th, 2003, 2:12am Hope your head is better in the morning Esmeralda. Thank you for reviving Tension and making me happy :) Sorry for hijacking your story Sarah, I'm enjoying it (if enjoying can be the right word since it's a sad story) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Oct 28th, 2003, 2:23am on 10/27/03 at 18:02:50, Dorothy wrote:
You must have posted this as I was changing it Dorothy! I tested it once I'd posted and realised something was wrong! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 28th, 2003, 6:19pm What forms were Len, Con, Margot and Emerence in at this point, anyone? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Oct 28th, 2003, 6:31pm Len Con and Emmy must have been in upper IVa (as it's because of Len and Con that they have to start Inter V the following year) and Margot in the form below I guess! Although this is the period where the trips seem to jump rapidly through the forms, so it's hard to be sure! Hope I helped a bit! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 29th, 2003, 7:36pm Ok, the next bit is written- thank-you Vikki. It's fairly important that work out who's in which form together, or it will be ;) Does anyone mind if I'm very vague about what's wrong with Mary-Lou? I was planning on sticking with "internal injuries" and an operation seems to solve everything in CS-land plus it seems logical in this situation so I thought I'd leave it at that. I'm not medically minded and haven't a clue what could actually be wrong with her so if it really irritates anyone please speak before the post after next because after that it might be a bit strange to suddenly add in more details. Thank you for all the comments and I don't really mind my thread being hijacked since it means you were reading it in the first place, which is very flattering! :) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 29th, 2003, 7:39pm Before long the bell for Abendessen rung so Miss Annersley hastily collected herself and smoothed her hair, after which she hurried down the corridor to the Speisesaal. All of the mistresses knew the latest news by this time and many a sympathetic glance was shot as Miss Annersley as she came to take her place. Miss Wilson looked grave as she said: “When will you tell the rest of the school? Now?” Miss Annersley shook her head. “I thought it would be best to let them have their meal first. I’ll tell them at the end, just before we go in for Prayers.” The other mistresses nodded agreement and the meal began with the traditional Latin grace that they had used from the time when the school first began. The meal passed quietly, and if there was a marked lack of noise and appetite from the table where Mary-Lou usually sat and the one next to it, no-one except the staff and the duty prefect on those tables particularly noticed it. As Kat Gordon, the prefect on duty, remarked, it was scarcely to be wondered at if they did not chatter quite as usual. “Although,” she added to her great friend Betsy Lucy, “they seemed to be even quieter today than they have been the past couple of days. Oh, your sister Vi made an effort to choke something down her throat and to keep some conversation going if I started it but it clearly was a massive effort on her part and few of the others managed even that much. You don’t know if there’s been any more news do you?” But Betsy didn’t so they had to wait until the tables had been cleared and everyone was sat down again before the Head made her announcement. All heads were turned expectantly towards the staff table and again Miss Annersley had to take a deep breath before she could begin. “Girls,” she began in her beautiful voice, which reached, as effortlessly as always to the very back of the hall, “I’m afraid I must convey to you some bad news. The doctors have discovered that Mary-Lou needs an operation as a result of some of the injuries sustained in the accident last week. This operation will be carried out tomorrow at some point so we must all think of her and pray that the operation will be a success. Now we will go to Prayers as usual, Protestants in the Hall and Catholics in the gym.” Miss Annersley sat down again, relieved that the announcement was over and recovering herself before she went to the Hall to conduct Prayers as usual, although with perhaps more than their usual emphasis. The girls had fallen silent and still; this was not what they had expected or hoped for. Many of them still did not know the full implications of the operation but the for the older girls, many of whom had lived under the shadow of the Sanatorium for most of their formative years, it was all too clear that Mary-Lou’s young life hung in the balance as surely as it had when the accident had first occurred. The younger girls did not understand so much but even they knew it was a serious situation. On the tables where the two fourth forms were sat, Margot was rtying very hard to contain her tears. Emerence had returned to the San. earlier in the day but Margot was stil with her form to hear the announcement. Len and Con came to her quickly, trying to calm her with murmured words of comfort, Len’s arm around her younger triplet’s slim shoulders. Con was shocked into a state of wide-awakeness unusual in her, so that it was she who heard a muttered comment from one of her form-mates, saying that this was “all Emerence’s fault! I hope she knows what she’s done. She ought never to have come here!” Con turned, surprised at the sentiment. “Of course Emmy knows what she’s done,” Con replied, wide-eyed, “Why else would she be so upset? She never meant to hurt anyone though; it was an accident!” Luise looked at her coolly. “One that need never have happened. That girl,” and the scorn in these words was cutting, “has been nothing but trouble ever since she arrived here. I wish she’d never come.” There was no time for more as they entered the corridor at this point but Con’s mind was whirling at the near hatred in her form-mate’s tones. It was true that the accident was a direct result of Emerence’s disobedience but it had never occurred to Con to turn against her because of it. ‘After all,’ she thought to herself, “Emmy must be feeling simply awful about it all and I’m sure that Mamma would say she deserves more sympathy than hatred now. She cried herself sick with guilt, I’ve heard Margot say so she’s really sorry it happened.’ She shook herself. Now wasn’t the time to think of that. Now she must go to Prayers and pray for Mary-Lou – and Emerence. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Oct 29th, 2003, 7:54pm More soon please Sarah!! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lisa_T on Oct 29th, 2003, 8:07pm Sarah, you CANNOT leave it there! C'mon- MORE! *wondering if the mods would forgive me for using moving text* *decides not to risk it* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Oct 29th, 2003, 8:34pm *tells Lisa she made the right choice!* ;) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lesley on Oct 29th, 2003, 9:00pm Pleeeeeeease post more Sarah!!! Got to know what happens - oh re, medical stuff - keeping it vague works fine! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 30th, 2003, 12:14am Personally I'd rather be on tenterhooks now than waiting to hear the results of the operation and whether OOAOML survives. ALthough I suspect we'll have to suffer through that anyway... |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Esmeralda on Oct 30th, 2003, 12:54am Please don't be too long posting the next bit Sarah - and I'm quite happy not to know all the gory details of Mary Lou's injuries. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachael P on Oct 30th, 2003, 9:02am Absolutely, more and soon, please I like the Luise angle and the maturity of Con |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_L on Oct 30th, 2003, 3:13pm on 10/30/03 at 09:02:32, Rachael P wrote:
I agree. It will be good to see Con come to the fore rather than Len for a change. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 30th, 2003, 8:31pm Lisa- clearly I can leave it there, since I just did and I equally may, since I'm writing the story :P You really should listen to the Abbess more carefully! *ducks* KB- well, you didn't really expect to clear that up immediately did you? Especially since it's such a key part of the drabble. I've learn't form other drabblers that it's simply no fun to solve everything at once and I haven't quite left any of you danglinf from the very top of a cliff, have I? Sarah_L- I think it may become apparent in this drabble that I am a fan of chalet underdogs- both Con and Vi will get to play their parts in full for once. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Oct 30th, 2003, 8:32pm The next morning Mary-Lou awoke late to find her mother sat beside her bed. “Good morning,” she said, opening her eyes rather sleepily. “Heavens,” she continued in her usual clarion tones, “Whatever are you doing here? Matey will have a fit!” Then, as she unthinkingly tried to sit up sharply, a moan of pain escaped her lips and remembrance returned. “Darling! Are you all right? Have you hurt yourself? You must be more careful!” Mrs Trelawny fussed worriedly around her daughter, trying to arrange the pillows and covers until Mary-Lou protested that there was no need for such a lot of bother! Her mother smiled a little sadly. “I know, you’re not my little girl anymore. I just want to make everything better for you.” “I know you do,” Mary-Lou replied more gently, “and I’m more relieved than I can say that you’re ‘flu seems to have cleared up but as much as I love you being here, you can’t do anything about my injuries.” “Oh my poor, brave little girl!” Mrs Trelawny bent down to the bed and carefully put her arms around Mary-Lou, trying to convey all her love, anxiety and sympathy with that one movement. Undemonstrative as any boy, Mary-Lou returned the hug for a moment as she tried to get her own emotions under control before drawing back with the muttering gruffly, “Ass! I’m no child! Let’s get this over with.” “Your Gran would have been proud of you for the way you’re holding up now,” her mother said simply. Mary-Lou blushed. “Gran would have told me to stop complaining and get on with it!” she said with a wry laugh. Then she looked suddenly shy. “I’m almost glad Gran didn’t have to live to see this; she would have worried so. I loved her so much and I still miss her but- I wouldn’t have wanted her to suffer. I’m- I’m sorry for- for all- for this…” Mrs Trelawny cut her off. “It’s not your fault. And you’re right about Gran. If she had lived she would have suffered through ill health and she would have hated to see you like this. But I stand by what I said before: she would have been proud to see how you coped with this situation. So would your dad,” she said softly, with a catch in her voice. Just then Nurse came in briskly. “You’re awake at last then? Pleased to see it- I was beginning to think you were planning on sleeping the day away! Now, let's get you sorted out for the doctors! I’m afraid you’re not allowed any food or drink this morning so we’ll have to see about a decent meal when you come back from theatre.” Mary-Lou looked suspicious. “What exactly do you mean by a decent meal? And just so you know, I don’t call porridge ‘a decent meal!’” Nurse looked stern. “You’ll get what you’re given, young lady, and be thankful for so much!” Mrs Trelawny smiled at her daughter. “I’ll have to go now so that the doctors can examine you but I’ll see you just before you go in to theatre. Now be a good girl and do what the Nurse tells you.” She bent to kiss her daughter good-bye and left the room. “You heard your mother. Now just sit quietly while you’re waiting for the doctor to arrive.” Nurse said firmly. “Well, but what else am I supposed to be when I’m can’t move from this bed?” Mary-Lou grumbled. “Why do they call it ‘theatre’ anyway? I say,” she opened her eyes until they lkked as though they would fall out of her head, “people don’t watch, do they? I don’t want loads of people from around the hospital peering in at me like I’m in a museum or on stage or something!” Nurse tries to stifle a smile. “No one will be watching, only the doctors who are performing the operation.” “Are you sure?” Mary-Lou asked doubtfully. “Guide’s honour.” Nurse replied. “Well, I certainly hope you’re right,” Mary-Lou said, condescending to allow Nurse to sort out her bed covers as the doctor started to examine her. “Guten Tag, Herr Doktor! Wie geht es mit Ihr?” “Gut, danke fraulein.” The young doctor was good at his job but very shy and Mary-Lou’s hail-fellow-well-met manner made him nervous. He looked relieved when the other doctors entered and it was time for them to give Mary-Lou the anaesthetic before she went in for the operation. As promised, Mrs Trelawny and Mary-Lou’s step-father, Roland Carey, made one last visit to Mary Lou before she was taken to theatre and the long operation began. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lesley on Oct 30th, 2003, 10:15pm Excellent - really enjoying this Sarah - more please! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 30th, 2003, 10:55pm Well, OOAO certainly seems to be back to her usual self and is putting her mother in her place as usual! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Oct 31st, 2003, 12:51am on 10/30/03 at 20:32:31, Sarah_G-G wrote:
Hee hee. Very typical Mary-Lou comment! She's seems alright at the moment though. Suppose she's got to survive the 'shock' of the surgery though before we'll know. Please hurry and write some more! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Esmeralda on Oct 31st, 2003, 2:57am on 10/31/03 at 00:51:08, Nicolette wrote:
Or not survive as the case may be! *Echoes Nicolette's plea for more. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:04am *reminds esmeralda that even if didn't survive surgery, OOAOML would still manage a miraculous recovery 'alternative rivals' style* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:08am *wonders if perhaps this is one time when she wouldn't* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:10am *wonders if KB lacks faith in miracles* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:18am *actually wondering if this is one time when the tried-and-true formula might be tinkered with a little* *would have complete faith if this was Joey* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:30am But, but *splutters* she can't kill off OOAOML! She may annoy me at times but I'll blubb if she doesn't make it. *goes to Hall to join in prayers for Mary-Lou* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:35am That's the problem with a drabble, Nicolette. She can. BTW, can we shorten you to Nic? Nicolette takes so much longer to type. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Oct 31st, 2003, 3:41am With pleasure, ain't my real name anyway, mine was already taken. Besides was beginning to make me think of Nicorette gum. Ooh *with breathless excitement*, could you add a syllable and make it Nicci? Pleeease. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Oct 31st, 2003, 4:09am What is your real name then? If you don't mind my asking? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 31st, 2003, 4:19am I think we can manage that, Nicci. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Oct 31st, 2003, 4:57am Nothing exciting, just Nicola. But that was taken and I have a passion for putting ette on the end of words ie snoozette, snackette, so it made sense (at the time) *finally demonstrates understanding of the word 'sense'* As for the Nicci, one of my friends always writes it that way. Bit of a break from the norm! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Oct 31st, 2003, 5:03am Well, that's nice and easy! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 1st, 2003, 10:12am Back at the school lessons had very quickly been abandoned for Vb and the less said about the general standard of concentration on work in lessons the better since the mistresses were unusually lenient with their pupils. Mary-Lou’s classmates themselves had made a valiant effort at lessons before break but it soon became painfully apparent that the attempt at normality was a wasted effort since the lessons would have to be repeated in any case in order for them to have any impact whatsoever. The form was somewhat depleted in any case as Verity had never returned to lessons since the previous day and many of them were heavy eyed due to lack of sleep so that Barbara Chester and Jessica Wayne had been sent back to bed under strict instructions not to stir until Matey came to fetch them. The remainder of the form were sitting, talking quietly in the common room, although if anyone had asked them what they were talking about, many of them would have been puzzled to answer. Emerence in Upper IVa, mindful of her promise to Miss Annersley, was concentrating hard on her work in an effort to forget what was happening at the hospital. In any case, Emerence was in many ways a far younger girl than those in Va and, while she knew that the operation was a serious one, it is unlikely that she realised what exactly the outcome of the operation could be. So she carried on as best she could, ignoring the often chilly looks certain member of the form cast her way. Con and Len were in the same form but both were far too wrapped up in their own thoughts to heed Emerence. Con had completely forgotten the episode of the night before in her worry for Mary-Lou and Margot whilst Len had the same worries for the pair of them, wishing desperately that she could go to Margot to support her. Besides which Len had no particular reason to think of Emerence, who was, after all, a firebrand, her sister’s friend and, as kind and helpful as Len so often was, Emerence did not seem to need her help. Len and Con were clever girls and, in spite of their parents’ best efforts, knew much more of the San. than the average twelve-year-old girl so out of all the girls in their form, it was they who knew best what was feared for Mary-Lou. The same, of course, was true for Margot and she eventually shared the fate of Barbara and Jessica. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 1st, 2003, 10:12am In her office, Miss Annersley debated the best course of action with her secretary, Rosalie Dene. The mistresses had agreed that it would be best if they tried to carry on as usual, distracting the girls from thinking too much about the events at the San. However with Va at least this had proved impossible, so what should they do now? “Why not just leave them to their own devices?” Rosalie suggested. “They know how they want to react so maybe we should let them sit in the common room, talking or reading if they wish it.” Miss Annersley sighed. “I feel like I should be doing more to support them though. They are only children and they are my responsibility. I have just had a phone call from Nurse saying that the parents are asking for Verity to be sent over to them, so that removes one problem, but we are still responsible for the rest.” Rosalie looked grave. “Is it wise for Verity to be going there now? As you said, she is just a child and in many ways is not as old even as some of the others.” “She has been asking to go and she has begun to grow up these past few years. She is certainly far removed from that obstinate 19th century schoolgirl she was when she arrived here. And I think that she is more grown up than we realise. There is a tendency to overlook her because of the many strong characters in that form but we should not mistake her quietness for immaturity.” Miss Annersley shook her head, “But his does not help to solve the problem of the rest of the form.” Rosalie looked thoughtful. “I think that you are right, about them being more grown-up than we realise. They are all about fourteen or fifteen now and clearly they understand the seriousness of the situation. I would say that we cannot afford to treat them like children today, although of course they need support. What about giving them religious texts to read if they want to and giving them the choice? It would give them some support while allowing them to cope in their own ways. For that matter if Barbara, Jessica or any of the others who have been sent to bed are still awake, why not send them to join the others? Lying on a bed tossing and turning is unlikely to provide them with much rest.” She looked questioningly at her friend and colleague. “I think I’m inclined to agree with you,” Miss Annersley said slowly. Lessons are clearly doing them no good and if those upstairs are wakeful then it could do them more harm than good to lie there with nothing to do but worry. Yes,” she nodded decisively, “I’ll do that. I’ll find the lives of the saints and other books of that kind and offer them to the girls.” |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 1st, 2003, 10:13am So saying she left the room, her black MA gown swishing the floor mournfully as she walked slowly to collect the books and then to the form room where Vb was waiting. To her surprise, Barbara and Jessica were already among them, white-faced and heavy-eyed. In response to her questioning look, Barbara said quickly, “Matey came to fetch us. Neither of us were asleep and she said the others weren’t in lessons so there seemed to be little point in keeping us separate.” Miss Annersley smiled to see that her and Rosalie’s shrewd guess had been proved correct. “Well girls, I am glad to see that you are all together. No,” as she interpreted the hopeful look on some of the faces, “we have no news as yet but I have brought you some books if you want to read them. We have decided that for the moment it is probably best to leave you here to do as you wish but you have the option of reading these religious books if you would like some quiet time to find support from Our Father and the saints.” She placed the books on the table in the middle of them and left them to themselves. Vi was the first one to move. “I for one will read one of these. The Abbess has been very good to us about this and there’s no use in discussing every eventuality of the operation, or in endlessly saying “What if?”” Characteristically, Barbara quickly backed her up by coming forward to choose one of the books. “She has been very good to us and I vote we repay her trust in any way we can.” Gradually the others came forward to claim books until the room was silent apart from the turning of the pages. “I wonder where Verity is,” Hilary remarked suddenly, “We haven’t seen her since yesterday evening.” The others were silent a moment. Then, “I expect she’s gone to visit Mary-Lou. They are relations so it makes sense that her parents would want her there,” Lesley said. Everyone agreed with this dictum and the room fell silent once more |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 1st, 2003, 10:40am Verity was indeed at the San. with her parents. The operation was nearly over but still no one could tell them anything about what was happening. She fidgeted impatiently, fed up with all the waiting. Her father, one arm around her and one arm around Doris, felt her move and looked at her sympathetically. “The waiting is the worst of it, I know. It will all be over soon.” Verity nodded and looked down. Privately she wondered if this would be the worst of it. A series of ‘what ifs’ ran through her mind and she shook them away impatiently, along with the tears that the thoughts had called into her eyes. This was not the time to let her imagination become carried away. She must not think of anything except that Mary-Lou would be safely back at the Chalet School in no time at all. This time she drifted off into a daydream about Mary-Lou’s return to school; they would make sure that everything was perfect for her. They would- Her thoughts were cut off by a doctor coming into the room where they had been told to wait. He looked at the three of them and summoned her parents to go with him Verity rose to follow but the doctor said to her father, “It is best if just the parents come now. We do not want to upset the little girl.” Her father smiled apologetically at her but followed Doris out of the room without argument. Verity paced around the room, frustrated. Mary-Lou was her sister and friend; why shouldn’t she see her? What was going on? Wait a minute. Did the doctor mean he didn’t want to upset her, or did he mean Mary-Lou? How dare he anyway? Neither of them were ‘little girls!’ Oh, what on earth was going on in there? She simply had to know, before she went crazy! But surely the news must be good? They wouldn’t take her parents to see a dead body! Would they? Was that why the doctor thought Verity shouldn’t go? Verity shook herself frantically, trying to get rid of such thoughts. Deep breaths, she told herself. I must keep calm, be adult about this. They’ll never let me in if they see me in this state. Very slowly, she released the breath she was holding and sat down. There were books on the table so she picked one up and looked at it. It happened to be the book they were reading that term so, very carefully controlling her emotions, she began to read it from the point where they had left off last lesson. A little while later she looked at her watch. They had left her there for half an hour! Whatever was going on? Just as she thought this, her father turned up at the door. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Nov 1st, 2003, 11:49am Ooh, more please. Love seeing Verity coming out of her perpetual mooniness. But don't leave us waiting to long, am desperate to know whether OOAOML survives. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 1st, 2003, 1:11pm Does anyone know what MAry-Lou and Verity call their step-parents? (I have written the next part by the way but I just thought I'd wait a bit... :P :-X) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lesley on Nov 1st, 2003, 1:27pm Loving this - more please! *Sarah has obviously engaged teasing mode!* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 1st, 2003, 6:05pm I'm just following the example of various eminent members of the board ::) However that question was serious and I can't post any more very easily without an answer (and my dad's been on the computer all afternoon). Verity got up. She just had time to note that his face was grave and his eyes red before he spoke. “Verity, I’m so sorry that we didn’t come to you before,” he paused, collecting himself. Verity just waited. “I’m afraid…your sister…the operation was a success but then,” he paused again, unable to speak for the lump in his throat. “I’m so, so sorry. Mary-Lou passed away ten minutes ago.” “No,” it was a whispered protest. Verity felt her world falling around her as she tried to hold it together. “No, it can’t be true, it can’t be.” She sat heavily back on the chair, her mind a blank. “I’m so sorry,” her father repeated helplessly. “No,” she whispered again, but even more quietly than before. In spite of her denial, belief was creeping in and tears began to prick at her eyes. Before she knew it she was crying stormily as her father came forward to take her in his arms and stroke her hair. “I know,” and Verity could hear the tears in his voice now, “She was just too weak. She’s lost too much blood… I didn’t really understand what happened except that she was too weak to withstand it… the shock…but the operation was necessary… it was…” What else it was Verity never found out for the lump in his throat forced her father to stop talking. Not that it made much difference since Verity had hardly been listening anyway. Her own thoughts were in a whirl. A part of her couldn’t believe that it was really true and half expected someone to come in and say, “I’m so sorry, it was all a mistake. Mary-Lou’s fine!” She wanted it to be a cruel practical joke but most of her knew that this was all too real. Mary-Lou may only have been her “sister-by-marriage,” as they called it, but she was a close relation and Verity almost knew her better than she knew her own father, who had been away for so many years. Not only that but quiet Verity knew that Mary-Lou was her best friend and her other main friends were brought about partly because of her close friendship with Mary-Lou, since verity herself tended to be very shy and self-contained, not to mention in a fairly permanent state of ‘mooniness!’ |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lesley on Nov 1st, 2003, 7:16pm Oh no - as we expected - Mary-Lou has passed on! :( What will this do to Emerence? Plus how will Verity cope? Who will emerge as leader - Vi? *Hope you've got answers to all these questions Sarah!* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lisa_T on Nov 1st, 2003, 7:33pm *I'm feeling sorry for poor Hilda- havning to break this news! And Joey- isn't she pregnant with Cecil during Mary-Lou?* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Esmeralda on Nov 1st, 2003, 9:58pm Well, I would expect Emerence to have a hard time with the other members of the form though perhaps not as hard a time as she will give herself. I expect Margot is going to be pretty upset as well. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Nov 1st, 2003, 10:23pm *returns from the communal tissue box* (by the way, its empty now) I can't wait for the next bit, this must have a huge impact on Emmy. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:05am *considers buying a communal tissue box that refills itself* I don't think Verity will ever forgive her parents for not letting her be there when Mary-Lou passed away. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:12am My collegue just caught me on this site :-[. When I tried describing the whole CS thing to him, he said, 'oh, so its like Harry Potter but without the magic'. *trying to remember exactly what she might have said to result in that response* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:18am Beat him over the head with a plot bunny! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:20am Best not! If I started on plot bunnies he really would think I was mad *considers whether this is inevitable anyway* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:21am I never said you had to tell him what it was! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lisa_T on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:44am *wondering if KB's supervisors are familiar with the term 'plot bunny' and what they think of their student's sanity or lack thereof?* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:49am My supervisors know about my writings outside of my thesis and are very encouraging about it. So :P. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Susan on Nov 3rd, 2003, 12:52am Sarah this is a lovely story, sad but lovely. Quiet plea for more soon please. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by LauraT on Nov 3rd, 2003, 9:55pm Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I can't believe I'm saying this about OOAOML but hey, I've had a change of heart. Can't she do a Joey - either Jem (!!!) can have read the pulse wrong or Verity can sing the red Safaran and she can recover? Pretty please?! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lisa_T on Nov 3rd, 2003, 11:51pm *snickering at the thought of Verity singing Red Sarafan. Dunno why though- she was supposed to be a 'human lark.' Hand me the sick bucket please!* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Lisa on Nov 4th, 2003, 5:36pm Is there going to be more? Very sad but more realistic than her returning to full health in no time! Ironic to think of her last words! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Nicolette on Nov 5th, 2003, 12:39am Which were? -sorry, am very tired and don't have the energy to look back over the whole thread to when Mary-lou was last conscious. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Nov 5th, 2003, 2:08pm Looking back, OOAO's last words appear to be Quote:
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Nov 5th, 2003, 5:59pm Which translates, (I think!) as 'Good day, Doctor, how goes it with you?' Not a hundred percent sure on that, haven't done German since I was 16!! ;) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 5th, 2003, 8:19pm There will be more but not just yet. I've imagined out the next bit but haven't really had time to write it yet so it will probably be Friday or Saturday before I post anymore. I still have to work out who else is in various forms since at present I only know about 4 or 5 characters at most and it'll be a bit strange for just them to be around the whole time! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 5th, 2003, 9:50pm on 11/05/03 at 17:59:11, Vikki wrote:
That's correct, Vikki. Obviously something stuck! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Nov 6th, 2003, 1:04am I'm actually quite amazed that I managed to retain that information!!! :o |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 6th, 2003, 4:29am *applause* Wish I could remember things I learned when I was 16... |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachael P on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:38am Sarah - interesting development! (I'm pretty sure they just called their parents Father and Mother, regardless of the "step" scenario) Very much looking forward to more - I can imagine Verity really coming into her own now that she won't have anyone to rely on ... ... and Vi for Head Girl, please! (sorry - I suppose I should be more feeling but this seems like a great opportunity for the rest of her year to prove their mettle) Slightly off-topic, but who was Second Pree to M-L's HG? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 6th, 2003, 11:44am It was Vi, at least in "Theodora". |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Jennie on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:47am And in 'The Wrong Chalet School' OOAOML was jsut as moony as V-L is, so it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. OOAOML likes to forget that she was once a moony, careless, rowdy junior. |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Sarah_G-G on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:30pm Just to finish that scene for the meantime. fairly permanent state of ‘mooniness,’ as they all called it. Gradually the storm abated a little and Verity managed to gasp out, “Where is Mother?” Her father took a deep breath and wiped his eyes. “Doctor Maynard sent her to have a lie down. I think she would like to see you, though, before she tries to sleep. We must be strong together, just now. Come, my little one. We should go and find her.” Verity nodded and accepted the hand extended to her to help her rise. Commander Carey put an arm around his daughter, more dear to him now than ever, and the two of them walked to the small room to which Doris Trelawny had been assigned. As they walked in, Doris looked up and, with a faint moan, held her arms out to Verity, who had hung back slightly, unsure of her welcome by the woman who had just lost her only surviving blood relative. “Oh, my dear,” the grieving woman sobbed, her arms tight around Verity’s neck as if she feared that she would lose Verity, too, if she relaxed her hold. “How could this have happened? I don’t understand it! She was just here, talking to me- oh, my little girl, it was not supposed to happen like this!” Verity had nothing to say but merely hugged her step-mother closely, vowing that she would do all she could to prove that Mary-Lou was not the only one who could help people who needed it. *fighting off extra PB caused by thoughts like those of LauraT and a feeling that this is far too sad. It keeps suggesting that M-L's time in Heaven could be interesting* |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Nov 7th, 2003, 8:57pm Thank you for making me giggle at the end of a very sober scene. I hope you're either planning more of this or to start that! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Trish on Nov 7th, 2003, 9:53pm I'm now picturing a scene where Mary-Lou is haranging St Peter into getting a computer system for the Pearly Gates, then marching in to see God to demand why she's there when there were so many more people for her to fix at the CS. Not to mention trying to track down Satan and force him to apologise to God for everything he's done... |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Nov 7th, 2003, 10:04pm on 11/07/03 at 21:53:37, Trish wrote:
Now why am I getting a vision of Satan as a gibbering wreck, agreeing to a written confession and apology to God providing OOAO will just leave him alone? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Nov 7th, 2003, 11:42pm Well, you could always write that one Rachel..... ....it sounds like your kind of material....... ;) ;D |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Nov 7th, 2003, 11:44pm Are you not all sick of the blood guts gore and mint sauce I keep inflicting on you yet?? Hope not! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Today at 12:29am Of course not! Secretly we're all as twisted as you, we just hide it better! ;) ;D |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Today at 12:31am lolol - since I don't hide it at all, it's not exactly difficult to be "better" at hiding it than me! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Today at 1:11am Rachel, I worked on the assumption that all the laughing I did was great exercise for my chest, which can only be a good thing, so I'd love more! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Today at 1:15am So you want me to start the "Satan V OOAOML" thread then? |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Today at 1:16am Please do that soon Rachel!! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Today at 1:25am I'll do it tomorrow night, so long as nobody pinches the idea in the mean time ;) |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Today at 1:30am Rachel, that one really requires your special touch!! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Today at 1:36am Awwwww, thanks! I'll make sure there is a special role for you in appreciation of your comments . . . |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Vikki on Today at 1:41am OH DEAR GOD! NO! PLEASE NO! :o :o :o |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by Rachel on Today at 1:42am Keep up, it's SATAN, not GOD! Some people have such short attention spans! |
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Title: Re: Mary-Lou at the CS- alternative (cont.) Post by KB on Today at 1:47am *waits excitedly to see Vikki's 'special role'* |
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