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Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >> New Family - Back from the dead!!!
(Message started by: Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:43pm)

Title: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:43pm
Okay, here  goes the repost!




   It was a cold, grey day, three weeks before Christmas, and Beth Jacobson was sitting on the windowseat in the bedroom she shared with her sister, Kate, staring vacantly out of the window. She had been trying to read, but her concentration had lapsed, and now her book lay abandoned beside her. Her thoughts were whirling far to rapidly for her to be able to concentrate. Two hours before, she had been happy and contented, looking forward to Christmas with not a care in the world - well, no more than the average fifteen year old girl with five younger sisters, anyway - and then her whole world had turned upside-down.
Her parents had announced during dinner that they would be moving house in a month's time! The company Beth's mother worked for was transferring her to their offices in Geneva. Mr Jacobson was an author who worked from home, and therefore was free to move wherever his wife's career required. This news had come as an enormous shock to Beth and her sisters. Mrs Jacobson had told the girls that they would be attending an English school, which was situated in the mountains of the Bernese Oberland, about five hours drive away from the house they would be renting, just outside Geneva. Obviously this would be too long a journey for them to make each day, so they would have to be boarders.
  Beth had initially been horrified by this, and so had her sisters. To be away from home for most of the year was a totally foreign concept to them. All these things were spinning round and round in Beth's head when, suddenly, the door of the room burst open and her sisters tumbled - literally - through the doorway. Amy, the youngest, had tripped on the rug just inside the door, and the other four had fallen over her, landing in a tangled heap of arms and legs!
Beth jumped up from her perch, tumbling her neglected book to the floor as she did so, and hauled her sisters to their feet, exclaiming "I wish you lot would learn to knock on doors instead of just barging in!"
Fourteen year old Kate grinned at her elder sister. "Sorry Beth!" She gasped, out of breath after her undignified entry to the room. "We just wanted to know what you thought about this Swiss business?"
"To be honest with you, I really don't know what to think! I'm still pretty stunned about it. I mean, we didn't have any warning at all, it was just totally out of the blue!"
"It could be pretty cool though!" Butted in thirteen year old Meg "Well, some parts anyway!"
Anne, aged twelve, put in her quota here, "Yes, but imagine having teachers on top of you twenty four hours a day!"
"What do you two think?" Beth asked, looking at her two youngest sisters.
"At least we'll all be together." Said eleven year old Jo.
"Yes, it would be so much worse if we were all going to different places!" put in Amy - the family baby, at ten. "At least we'll have each other."
"Amy's right," said Kate, "let's make a pact, we all stick together, no matter what!!"
The six girls huddled together in a group hug, all the usual sisterly squabbles forgotten in a show of solidarity!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:45pm
  Looking back at things later on, Beth was struck by how quickly the next six weeks went by......
The day after they had dropped their bombshell, Beth's parents informed their daughters that they would be leaving for Switzerland five days after Christmas. This would give them two weeks or so to settle into the new house, before the girls had to be at their new school for the beginning of the Easter term.
  The following day, the six girls went up to town with their mother to buy their new school uniforms. They had to admit, however reluctantly, that it was an attractive uniform; skirts, blazers and jumpers of a rich gentian blue, combined with cream blouses, and ties and badges in the same vivid gentian blue, trimmed with crimson and silver accents.
The assistant in the outfitters smiled when the six girls emerged from the changing rooms, clad in the new uniform.
"Well, there's no mistaking the fact that you're sisters!" She said laughingly.
Mrs Jacobson surveyed her daughters and grinned. "I knew you girls resembled each other, but somehow, I hadn't realised quite how strongly." She said with a chuckle.
And it had to be admitted that the family resemblance was unusually strong. All six girls had the same delicate, finely drawn features, fair skin, deep, vividly blue eyes, and long, thick manes of wavy, dark red hair, tumbling past their waists.
Of course, once they started at their new school, The Chalet School, they would all have to wear their glorious manes of hair plaited neatly back, away from their faces, and tied with crimson ribbons. (This edict was one that rankled with Beth, in particular, as her preference was to wear her hair flowing loosely down her back, and this would now only be permitted on Saturday evenings.)
Once the new uniforms had been packed up into boxes and bags, Mrs Jacobson took the girls to a nearby cafe, and feasted them on the most luscious cream cakes available, washed down with mugs of extremely rich hot chocolate, before catching a cab to Paddington Station to catch the train home.......

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:46pm
  Once they arrived home, they all had to turn to, and start packing everything for the move. The next two weeks were spent in dismantling their rooms, packing clothes into suitcases and trunks. Books, ornaments and all sorts of other impedimenta were carefully packed into boxes and packing cases. Downstairs, their parents were busy packing up the rest of the house.
It was a strange Christmas that year, with pretty much all their possessions packed away, and boxes everywhere. The removal vans arrived two days after Christmas Day, and for the last few days before the family were due to depart for Switzerland, they stayed with Mrs Jacobson's parents. Then, at last, the big day finally arrived. The whole family rose at five am, in order to be ready to drive to Dover in time to catch the eight o'clock ferry to Calais. It wasn't the best of crossings - the channel was terribly rough, and the four youngest girls all suffered badly with seasickness. Which meant that Beth, Kate, and their parents spent most of the journey tending to the younger members of the family. They finally reached Calais, and piled into the car for the long drive to Geneva....

   Much, much later, they reached the outskirts of Geneva, and finally, at about ten o'clock that night, they pulled up outside their new home. The girls were all thrilled by the deep, startlingly white snow drifts, which were heaped everywhere. Real snow was something they had seen relatively little of in their lives, so it was rather a novelty for them.
Their mother refused to allow them to enjoy it properly, and insisted that they all go inside, and to bed, as it was very late and they had had such a trying journey.
Mrs Jacobson had arranged for someone to meet the furniture vans on their arrival, and see to the furniture being brought in. The bedsteads had all been set up, so they only had to put on the bedlinen, and then tumble into bed, and straight to sleep.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:46pm
Hurrah! I've found a drabble from the beginning! I will be following closely, please continue!! :)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:46pm
Excellent, Vikki. And I hope you'll make use of the opportunity to add more....

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:47pm
Next morning, the whole family turned to, and pitched in on the unpacking. It was a long job, first there was the furniture to organise. They had to get everything into the right rooms, and then they were able to start unpacking the small mountain of boxes. By the end of the week, the house finally felt more or less like home. It was a great relief to everyone to have all their old, familiar belongings around them again. And, with the house more or less straight, they were able to get out and explore a little bit of their new surroundings. They did find the language barrier something of a problem, the girls all knew a little german, and rather more french, from their old school, but not enough to really be able to talk to people, or ask for information if they needed it.
Beth was bewailing this drawback at the dinner table, after their first shopping trip, when her mother dropped another bombshell......
"Well, I'm sure your new school will soon sort that problem out for you girls." She said.
"What do you mean Mum?" Asked Amy, bewildered.
"Well, the school is trillingual, the girls have two days a week of french, two of german, two of english, and then on Sundays it's free choice of language."
"You mean we have to speak nothing but french for two days a week, and nothing but german for two others? In lessons as well?" Asked Beth incredulously.
"That's right," said her mother, "the headmistress, Miss Annersley, told me that they've found it to be a very effective method, and most of the girls find they've developed a fair degree of fluency by the end of their first term."
"Oh help!" Said flippant Jo, "Well, I'll just have to be dumb for four days a week!"
"I'm sure we'll manage somehow." Put in Kate, the voice of reason.
"Maybe eventually, but it'll be a bit of a nightmare to start with." Chipped in Anne.
"Oh well, if we can learn enough to be able to go shopping and stuff, without feeling like total idiots, then that'll be something, won't it? Said Meg, the family optimist.
"I suppose so," said Beth, "but it's going to be pretty sticky to start with."

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lesley on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:49pm
Glad you're back Vikki - my deepest sympathies - I know exactly how you feel! You do know that you have joined an elite - Lisa_T, you and myself! ;)  Don't know if anyone else currently on the Board has had a thread collapse on them!

Good luck with re-posting - then more please! ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:49pm

on 10/16/03 at 23:46:14, Lisa wrote:
Hurrah! I've found a drabble from the beginning! I will be following closely, please continue!! :)



It's not exactly from the beginning Lisa, at the momebt I'm reposting because the board ate my original thread!!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by catherine on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:51pm
I did suggest she wrote more and then reposted the entire lot with her new post on the end but me thinks, she's not written her new post!  Can't you come all teachery over her, Lisa?


BTW - very impressed with the ability of Vikki and Lisa to make things return from the dead!  Can't quite the same about Lesley as she hasn't got resurrected or back from the dead on her drabble!   ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:51pm
Before they knew where they were, the girls found that it was time to start packing their trunks for school. In went their uniforms, family photographs, favourite ornaments, books and, for each of them, a much loved teddy bear. The trunks were sent off to the school by rail, and five days later it was finally time to leave for school. Mr and Mrs Jacobson escorted their daughters on the train journey to Basle, where they handed them over to the care of the escort mistresses. One of the mistresses, a small, pretty woman, with wavy brown hair worn in a sleek, chin length bob, who had introduced herself as Miss Ferrars, led the new girls into a compartment which held a dozen or so girls of mixed ages, who shuffled along on the bench seats to make room for the new arrivals. The girls were all very friendly, and they spent the rest of the journey chatting amiably together. Around three hours later, having transferred from the train to the school coaches at Berne, they reached the school, and were herded into the school hall, along with the other five hundred or so pupils. Those who had arrived on the coaches were joined by others, most of them girls who lived up on the Gornetz Platz (the mountain shelf where the school was located), or who were staying in the area because they had relatives in the big Sanatorium at the other end of the shelf.
Beth and her sisters were the only new girls that term and, once the Head had finished greeting the school, and dismissed the girls to their commonrooms, Miss Ferrars swept them up, and took them off to hand them over to girls of their own ages. Beth was the first to be assigned her 'sheepdog' (as the girls called it). She was handed over to a pretty sixteen year old who was introduced as Felicity Maynard. While Miss Ferrars swept her sisters off to be assigned their own 'sheepdogs', Beth was left in a roomful of girls of about her own age, feeling as if she was surrounded by eyes!
Fortunately for Beth, this only lasted for a bare thirty seconds, and then Felicity stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Chalet School, Beth." She said, in a soft, musical voice. "I'm sure you'll be happy here, it's a great school."
"And if anyone should know, it's Felicity," said another girl, "she's been here practically since she was born!"
"Don't exaggerate Lucy!" Said Felicity, with a chuckle, "I've only actually been at the school since I was six!" She said, turning to Beth.
Beth looked at her new friend with horror in her eyes, "You mean your parents sent you abroad to boarding school when you were only six?" She gasped.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:52pm
"Oh, no!" said Felicity, with another one of those soft musical chuckles "We live next door, Papa's head of the San, and we've lived here since I was a baby. But even if we didn't I would still have been destined for the school anyway. You see, my Auntie Madge started the school, years and years ago now - more than thirty - and Mamma was the very first pupil!" Felicity paused to cast a friendly grin at the new girl, and then continued, "Anyway, enough about me, how about you? Were those other girls with Ferry, I mean Miss Ferrars, your sisters? They looked rather a lot like you!"
"Yes," said Beth with a grin "Mum and Dad wanted a big family, and they decided that it would be easier to have us all close together. I'll be sixteen in February, Kate is fifteen in March, Meg fourteen in April, Jo will be thirteen in May, Anne's twelve in June, and Amy, the baby of the family, is eleven in July. I guess we're a pretty big family for nowadays, with six of us!"
"Well Felicity's got you well and truly beaten," chuckled the girl who had spoken earlier, one Lucy Peters, "When it comes to big families, hers holds the school record!"
Beth turned and looked with new interest at Felicity, small and slight, with a mane of flaxen hair drawn loosely back from her delicately mobile features, and tied in a tail of curls which tumbled to her waist, "How many are there in your family then?" she asked.
"Well....." began Felicity, "first of all, there are The Triplets, Len, Con and Margot, they're twenty six and were all married in a triple wedding last February. Len to Reg Entwhistle, Con to Roger Richardson, and Margot to Tony Barrass. The wedding was on Valentine's Day, and the whole school was there."
"Anyway, after the Trips, there's Steve who's twenty three, Charles who's twenty two, then Mike's nineteen. Then there's me and Felix, my twin, we're sixteen, then comes Cecil who's nearly fourteen, then we have second twins, Phil and Geoff, they'll be twelve in June. Then there's Pat, he's seven, then more twins, Joe and Josie, who're five. Then there are second triplets, Ricky, Jamie and Jackie, they're three next month, and in November, Mamma had another set of triplets, girls again, this time. They're called Frieda, Marie and Simone after her three greatest friends, although I believe that when they were born, Mamma wrote to Auntie Madge, and told her they would be called Jane, Joan and Jean! ( that goes back to when Len, Con and Margot were born, I think she made the same joke then!) Anyway, that's our family!"

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:52pm

on 10/16/03 at 23:49:27, Lesley wrote:
You do know that you have joined an elite - Lisa, you and myself! ;)  Don't know if anyone else currently on the Board has had a thread collapse on them!

Good luck with re-posting - then more please! ;D


*seconds this*
I hope you're impressed by the company you find yourself in, Vikki?

*hiding*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:53pm
Beth was open-mouthed in disbelief! "B-bu-but, that's twenty of you!" she gasped incredulously "Twenty children! How do your parents cope?"
"Actually, we do fine," said Felicity, grinning "we older ones help with the kids, and you never get lonely in a family like ours! And of course, then there are the adoptees! There are the three Richardsons; Roger, who's twenty seven and is Con's husband, Ruey who's twenty six, and got married at Christmas to Barney Lucy, a friend of the family, and Roddy, who's twenty four. Then there's Adrienne Desmoines, who's a cousin of Auntie Rob, Mamma's adopted sister, she's twenty three. (Adrienne that is, not Auntie Rob or Mamma!!) Then there's Erica Standish, who's nearly twenty one, and Claire Mabillon who'll be eleven in September. So really, you could say we're twenty six!"
"Oh, and guess what?" went on naughty Felicity, before Beth had recovered her breath, "I'm an aunt! Nine times over!"
"What??" gasped Beth "But, how?"
Felicity grinned wickedly, "My elder sisters; Len, Con and Margot, each had triplet daughters in November - on the same day Mamma had our youngest sisters! You wouldn't believe the commotion it caused! Four sets of triplet girls, born in the same family, on the same day, each set identical! The school was in uproar. The bad thing is that it's going to make November a very expensive month for birthday presents, especially as Len, Con, Margot and Mamma all have birthdays then too! Anyway, Len's three are called Kate, Beth and Meg, Con's are Jo, Anne and Lena, and Margot's are Amy, Connie and Mary."
"It sounds like you have an amazing family!" Said Beth, somewhat weakly, still stunned.
"Oh, you'll get to meet them soon, I dare say." said Felicity airily. "Well, Mamma and Papa, and the girls, and all the kids anyway. The boys aren't around in termtime. Steve, Chas and Mike are all at uni, and Felix, Geoff and Pat are at school in England. Cecil and Phil are here of course, and third twins have just started in the kindergarten. The six babes are at home of course, and the Trips and their families live up here on the Platz. Mamma says she thinks third trips will be the last of us (and Papa says he knows they will be!), she says twenty is a nice round number, and it's nice to finish the family the way it started (with triplet girls). And as she's beaten everyone else she knows, by miles in the family stakes, she's quite contented!"

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:54pm
It was all Beth could do not to gape open-mouthed at Felicity's matter-of-fact listing of her extraordinary family. Then, suddenly, something registered, and Beth pulled herself together enough to say "Hey, six of your nieces share mine and my sisters' names!"
"Why, so they do!" exclaimed Felicity, "What a funny coincidence, I suppose one or two names in common wouldn't have been so surprising, but six is pretty amazing!! I'm sure Mamma will be amused when she hears!"
Suddenly Felicity woke up to her responsibilities. "Well, I suppose I'd better fill you in on the school side of things!" she said, looking a little guilty at having wasted so much time.
"We're form Va, and I guess since Ferry (that's what we call Miss Ferrars, although not to her face of course!) has placed you at my tender mercies, you'll be with us."
Ten minutes later, Felicity, with assistance from the rest of the form, had poured so much information about school rules into Beth's attentive ears, that the poor girl didn't know if she was on her head or her heels!
Luckily for Beth, just then the door of the common room opened, and one of the prefects, a tall slim girl with long, black hair, plaited and coiled neatly at the nape of her neck, entered the room. She informed Va, in a soft, musical voice, that it was nearly time for Abendessen (as the school called dinner) and they hed best go and wash their hands and faces, and tidy their hair before the meal.
The girls all looked a little confused by this, and it was left to Felicity to speak up,
"Please, Rachel," she addressed the tall prefect, "I don't mean to be cheeky, but why have you come rather than the bell ringing?"
Rachel James, who was Head Girl this year, smiled at Felicity, "Unfortunately, something seems to have gone a bit haywire with the bell, and when they tried to ring it, it wouldn't work, so the Head asked me to send prefects to each form, instead, to send you rabble along to the Speisesaal. Now, off you trot, all of you!" and with a final grin, she left them to it.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:55pm

on 10/16/03 at 23:51:14, catherine wrote:
I did suggest she wrote more and then reposted the entire lot with her new post on the end but me thinks, she's not written her new post!  Can't you come all teachery over her, Lisa?  


*grins* I can try.
*sternly* Victoria, you are expected to post another 1000 words on this, before the weekend, please. Otherwise, detention for you!

there. Will that do you, Catherine? ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:56pm
Beth found herself swept along the corridor in the direction of the cloakroom, or, as the others called it,"The Splashery". When they reached the big, white-tiled room, with its rows of coat pegs, and the bank of toilet basins at one end, surmounted by a large mirror, the form proceeded to wash their hands and faces, and tidy their hair for the meal. Beth untwisted her long, thick pigtail, brushed it out, and replaited it with deft fingers. As she tied the bow that fastened the end of the heavy rope, Beth was aware of a pair of eyes watching her! She turned to find Lucy Peters watching her wistfully.
Realising that she'd been spotted, Lucy grinned chummily at the new girl, and said "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable! I was just admiring your hair, it's such a gorgeous colour! I wish mine wasn't so boring!" this last with a tug at her own fine, flyaway, mousey-brown hair, which just brushed the lower edge of her shoulder blades, and was worn tied at the nape of her neck, with a large crimson bow.
"Believe me," said Beth, with feeling, "You wouldn't want the tangles I have to deal with each morning!"
The pair had just reached this point, when Felicity, as form prefect, called the form to order. The girls lined up at the door, and then proceeded to march smartly along the corridor to the Speisesaal (or Dining Room). As they marched in and took their places, in orderly fashion, Beth's eyes were scanning the room for her sisters. She found them quite easily, their deep red hair stood out amongst the black, brown and blonde heads belonging to the majority of the school, and made them easy to find.
Of course, Beth couldn't possibly speak to her sisters during the meal, but she managed to catch the eye of each of them, and by dint of raised eyebrows, questioning looks, and reassuring grins, managed to confirm that each of them was okay.
Once Abendessen was over, the Head rose from her chair, and dismissed the girls to prayers. The major part of the school filed out. Tha catholics going to the gym, and the protestants to Hall. However, twelve girls were left in the Spiesesaal. The six Jacobson sisters had each given their respective 'sheepdogs' a shock!
When Felicity had asked Beth whether she was catholic or protestant, the response had been, "Well, neither! We don't go to church at home. My parents are agnostic, which means we don't follow any religion, although we believe that there is some kind of god somewhere." Her sisters had all responded similarly when asked the same question by their own 'sheepdogs'. The result of this was that, when Miss Dene, the school secretary, came back to the Speisesaal to search for the missing girls, she discovered six embarrassed, but quietly defiant new girls, and six rather shocked, and decidedly perplexed old girls, gazing at each other, and trying to work out what to do!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:56pm
Once the situation had been explained to her, Rosalie nodded thoughtfully,and said "Hmmm, I see. Well, just for tonight, you girls had better come to Hall, with the protestants, and tomorrow I'll telephone your parents and ask what they would like you to do for the rest of the term."
She turned to the six 'sheepdogs', "I think it would probably be better if you don't mention this to any of the other girls at the moment, I know you six can all be trusted to hold your tongues."
"Of course, Miss Dene!" it came as a chorus.
Rosalie surveyed the six girls, blessing the fact that they were all girls with long histories in the school. Beth, of course, had been handed over to Felicity Maynard, fourth daughter of the school's first pupil, and niece of its founder. Kate was in the care of Felicity's cousin, Daphne Bettany. Meg was with Felicity's sister, Cecil. Jo had been paired with Marie Courvoisier, daughter of a very old girl, and the school's former history mistress. (Marie was also the god-daughter of Felicity's oldest sister, Len) Anne was with Phil Maynard, younger sister to Felicity and Cecil, and Amy was in the capable hands of Claire Mabillon, the youngest adopted member of the Maynard family. Rosalie knew that none of these six girls would speak out of turn.
"Now," said Rosalie, "you three Maynards, Claire and Marie, had better run along to the gym. You six Jacobsons go with Daphne to Hall, she'll look after you, and the others will rejoin you after prayers." The girls marched off quietly, in obedience to Rosalie's commands, and the rest of first night prayers went smoothly.
The Jacobsons actually found it quite an interesting experience, having had practically no experience of organised religion, up until this point. Once the Head had finished reading out the familiar prayers, (well, familiar to everyone but the six new girls, that was!) the catholic portion of the school filed into Hall and took their places with their own forms in an orderly fashion!
Miss Annersley read out a few school notices in a clear, beautifully modulated voice, which reached effortlessly to every corner of the large room, then she dismissed the school to bed. It was only half past seven, but the majority of the girls had had a very long day, and were exhausted by their lengthy journey. As they filed out of Hall, and up the stairs to the dormitories, Beth and her sisters managed to forgather for a few moments to wish each other goodnight. Their respective guardians held back understandingly, and gave the sisters as much privacy as was possible, in the situation. Once they had exchanged quick, but loving embraces, the girls parted for the night, each led off by her 'sheepdog' to their seperate dormitories.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:58pm
Felicity led Beth upstairs, and along the corridor to the Freesia dormitory, and introduced her to her cubicle. Beth was enchanted by the dainty curtained space. The bedstead was made of white-painted wood, with sprays of freesias painted on the head and foot boards. The coverlet on the bed matched the pretty cretonne curtains which enclosed the cubicle, with sprays of yellow and mauve freesias printed on a white background. There was a cunningly designed bureau, with three long drawers, two short ones and a lid which lifted up to reveal a mirror and a cavity, with spaces for brush and comb, and compartments for hair ribbons, handkerchief case, watch and any other trinkets. There was also a narrow shelf unit for any personal books, photographs or ornaments. There was a hook on one of the posts that supported the curtain rods, for her dressing gown to hang on, and a small ledge for her bedroom slippers. A pretty rug lay on the floor beside the bed.
As Felicity explained and demonstrated all these things to Beth, she realised that something was worrying the new girl.
"Beth, what's wrong?" she said, gently laying a hand on her new friend's arm.
Beth jumped a little, startled, and then asked in a low voice "Do you think we're terrible for not following any religion?" her voice broke on the last word, and Felicity impulsively hugged her
"Of course not, silly!!" she said gently, "I mean, it was a bit of a shock of course, but I like you Beth! And in this school, we don't judge people on their beliefs, but on who they are. Please don't get yourself upset, it honestly won't make a difference!"
Beth accepted the freshly laundered hanky which Felicity tucked into her hand, and dried her eyes.
"Thanks Felicity." she said, managing a rather feeble, watery smile, "I'm sorry to be such a watering pot, but I really don't want to get off on the wrong foot here!"
"It'll be all right Beth, really it will. Try not to worry about it." Felicity reassured her charge. Just then, a bell pealed out, startling them both, and making them jump. "Oops!" exclaimed Felicity, looking a little sheepish, "That's the warning bell, we'd better get ready for bed, we don't want a row on the first night of term. I'll be back in a few minutes to show you to the bathroom." and with this, Felicity slipped through the dividing curtains, and vanished into her own abode.
Left alone, Beth opened her nightcase, and pulled out her pyjamas, dressing gown, bedroom slippers and washing kit. She stripped off her uniform and scrambled quickly into her pyjamas, unplaited her long hair and brushed it vigourously, before tying it loosely back from her face for the night. She was just slipping her dressing gown and slippers on when Felicity reappeared to lead her down the corridor to the bathroom, which was partitioned into two cubicles. Felicity ushered Beth into one of the cubicles and entered the other herself. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Beth slipped out of the bathroom to find Felicity awaiting her in the corridor.The two girls reached the dormitory, just as the bell pealed out again.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:58pm
"That's the bell for personal prayers." said Felicity. Then, "Oh…" she began, turning to Beth with a dismayed look on her face.
"Don't worry," said Beth "it's not that we don't believe tat there may be a god somewhere, it's just that we don't know,and so we don't follow any religion, but everyone has a right to their own beliefs. I'll just sit quietly and think so as not to disturb anyone else."
Felicity nodded and slipped into her own cubicle to say her own prayers, while Beth perched on her bed and thought about the evening's happenings.
Five minutes later, the bell rang again, and Felicity popped her head between the curtains once more, "That's the 'Lights Out' bell," she said, with a matey grin, "'Night Beth!"
"'Night Felicity!" replied Beth, hanging up her dressing gown, slipping between the sheets and snuggling down on the fluffy pillow, ready to sleep, while Felicity, who was dormitory prefect in Freesia this term, switched off the lights.
The next thing Beth was aware of was the pealing of the rising bell. She sat up in bed with a start, and for a few seconds she gazed in bewilderment at the pretty curtains, wondering where she was. Then, as realisation dawned, and she remembered that she was at the Chalet School, she quickly scrambled out of bed. She was standing in the middle of her cubicle, wondering what she should do first, when her curtains were parted, and Felicity's head, topped with a tumbled mass of long flaxen curls, was poked in through the space.
"Oh good, you're already up!" she said, with obvious relief, "The last new girl I sheepdogged had to be almost dragged out of bed for the first few weeks of term! And no I'm not going to tell you who she is, it wouldn't be fair to her!"
Beth smiled, "Okay, I won't ask then!" she said amiably "And you needen't worry about having that problem with me, we've always been early birds at home!"
"Same here!" Felicity said, with a gurgle of laughter, I think you have to be when there are lots of you in the family! Now, you bathe second in bathroom 3a. I'm second in 3b, so I'll take you along, and explain things to you as we go. As soon as Lucy and Susie come back we'll have to fly, otherwise we'll make everyone else late, and if we do that we will NOT be flavour of the month!! Now, while we're waiting, I'll show you how Matey likes us to strip our beds!"
Beth looked at Felicity with great puzzlement, "Who's Matey?" she asked.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:59pm
"Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you," said Felicity, looking sheepish, "'Matey' is Matron Lloyd, our head matron. She's been with the school for years and years. She was here when Mamma was at school! She's lovely really, but you don't want to get on her bad side, she can be pretty scary when she's roused! But really, as long as you keep your cubey tidy, and all your drawers in order, and do your bed properly each day, you shouldn't need to worry about getting across Matey!"
Beth looked rather worried at this, she wasn't exactly the tidiest of creatures, a fact for which her sisters would have vouched voiciferously, had Felicity had cause to ask them!
"Well, you'd best show me what I'm supposed to do with this bed, so that I know, I suppose!" she said, a little reluctantly, "I certainly don't want to get on Matey's bad side, especially not this early in the term!"
Felicity, with a deftness which owed much to long years of training in Matron's prescribed methods, both at school and at home, proceeded to instruct her charge in the one way of stripping a bed which would meet with Matey's approval. They were just finishing humping the mattress, to allow the air to pass beneath it, when Lucy and Susie returned from the bathrooms. With a yelp, Felicity snatched up her own towels and spongebag, checked that Beth had hers and, catching her hand, towed her, pell-mell along the corridor, nearly knocking over several people on the way. Arriving at the bathrooms, Felicity ushered Beth into cubicle 3a, where Lucy had set the cold tap running, ready for her. She explained that most of the girls took their morning baths cold, but told her that it was permitted to have the water chill-off if anyone really couldn't face the cold water.
"It really does leave you feeling fresh though," she added. "Try it and see!" Beth looked doubtful, but said nothing, as Felicity went on to explain that she must be as quick as she could, and should set the tap running for the next girl, while she dried off and brushed her teeth.
Having finished her explanations, Felicity departed to cubicle 3b, next door, to take her own bath, leaving Beth to slip off her pyjamas, and reluctantly step into the bathtub full of icy cold mountain water, and force herself to sit down. She was unable to suppress a gasp of shock as the icy chill took her breath away, and she washed as quickly as she possibly could! Beth almost leapt out of the bath, and towelled herself dry faster than she had ever done before in her life.
Once dry, she slipped back into her pyjamas, brushed her teeth thoroughly and, having set the tap running again, left the bathroom.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:00am
Felicity was waiting outside, and grinned at the younger girl. "Talk about roses!" She said. "The ones in your cheeks are certainly blooming!" She then proceeded to tow Beth back along the corridor to the dormitory. As they entered, two other girls shot past them in the direction of the bathrooms. Felicity left Beth to dress, promising to return shortly and instruct her in the art of organising her cubicle, in the one way which was guaranteed to meet with Matey's approval.
Left alone, Beth hustled into her underwear, and pulled on her stockings. Then she donned her blouse and skirt, settling them with deft fingers. She swiftly and expertly knotted her crimson and silver tie, and then turned her attention to her hair. It was the work of several minutes to brush and comb her long, thick mane into some semblance of order, freeing the tangles which had appeared, as if by magic, overnight. Then she had to part it across her head, from front to back, and fashion it into two thick plaits which resembled nothing else so much as a pair of bell ropes.
Just as she was tying the bow at the end of the second pigtail, Felicity reappeared, and nodded approvingly. "You certainly don't hang about, do you?" She said.
Beth laughed, and said, "Thanks for the flowers! Now, what do I do with this bed?"
"Oh, that has to air until after Fruhstuck, I'll show you what to do with it then!" Said Felicity airily, checking that Beth's cubicle was neat and tidy. Seeing that all was as it should be, she instructed the new girl to swing the cubicle curtains up over the rods which held them, in order to allow the air to circulate around the room, and air the bedding properly.
The bell rang again, and Felicity hustled all the occupants of the dormitory into an orderly line at the door and, when they were all ready, gave the order to tail on behind the queue of girls from Rosebud dormitory, next door, and march down to the Speisesaal for Fruhstuck.
As they entered the Speisesaal, Beth's eyes were, again, avidly scanning the room, hunting for her sisters. Finding them each immersed in conversations with their respective sheepdogs, she relaxed and made inroads into the milky coffee, rolls and butter, and delicious black cherry jam, which comprised breakfast at the Chalet School. Being accustomed to a bowl of cornflakes at home, Beth found the continental style breakfast to be something of a novelty.
The meal was eaten in a jolly atmosphere, full of friendly chatter, which never rose above an acceptable level. When everyone had finished their meal, the Head rose, and touched the delicate silver bell which sat at her place. As the peal of the bell cut across the merry chatter, the girls fell silent and turned attentive faces to their beloved headmistress.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:01am
As a respectful hush fell over the room, Miss Annersley spoke, in her clear, well modulated voice, which reached every corner of the large room easily,
"Well girls, you should know the routine well enough by now. When I dismiss you, each of you is to place your crocklery and cutlery neatly on the trolleys at the side of the room, and fold your table napkins, and the tablecloths, and put them away in the dresser. Once that is done, you may go quietly to your common rooms, and wait for the bell for prayers."
As she turned to lead the staff from the room, Miss Dene leaned close and murmured something to the Head which caused her to stop, turn back, and address the girls again.
"Miss Dene has just reminded me to ask our six new girls to see me briefly in my study before prayers. Those girls who are acting as sheepdogs will bring their charges along to the Annexe as soon as their share of the clearing up is completed. Thank you girls, you are dismissed." With this, she turned again, and led the rest of the staff from the room.
Once they had fulfilled their share of the table clearing, Felicity and the other five sheepdogs led their somewhat apprehensive charges through the rabbit warren of corridors, and along to the Head's annexe. As they trooped through the corridors, Beth, unaware that she was breaking a strict rule, turned to Felicity and asked in a panic,
"What have we done wrong? Why are we being summoned to the Head like this?"
Felicity looked around quickly, checking that there was no-one in authority around to overhear and scold them, and said calmly, in a low voice,
"Don't panic, the Abbess probably just wants to see you so she can tell you what your people want you to do about prayers! Oh, and while I think of it, you mustn't speak in the corridors. If any of the staff or the prees catch you, you'll have to pay a fine, and I'm sure you don't want to end up penniless!"
As she finished speaking, they reached the study door, but the first part of her speech had relieved the minds of all six Jacobsons.
Felicity tapped on the door, and they waited until the Head called,
"Come in girls."
Felicity led the group into the room, and the Jacobsons were surprised to see that the six old girls bobbed dainty curtseys, which obviously came as second nature to them, as they entered the room. Beth realised that this must be some kind of school tradition, and promptly followed suit, albeit with a much less expert example, nudging her sisters to do the same.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:02am
The study was totally different to the way Beth would have expected a head's study to be. It was a light, airy room, with curtains of a pretty floral fabric at the window, and toning rugs scatered on the polished boards of the floor. There were assorted pictures around the walls, and the head sat at an antique desk of old oak.
Beth couldn't help comparing it to the rather stark office which had been the preserve of the headmistress at the high school the girls had attended in England.
As she closed the door behind Amy and Claire, the last to enter the room, a thought suddenly occurred to Felicity, and she stepped forward,
"Miss Annersley, should we six wait outside?" indicating her sisters and cousins (Claire was counted as a sister, and Marie was a kind of honourary cousin) "I mean, if it's a private matter or something?"
The Head smiled at the girls and said, "That's very thoughtful of you Felicity, but really Beth and her sisters should make that descision. How do you feel girls? Would you rather the others waited outside?" As she asked the question, the Head turned an inquiring gaze towards the Jacobsons.
Glances were exchanged, and then Beth spoke,
"Thank you Miss Annersley," she said quietly, "but if it's about what I think, then I don't mind the others staying, I know they won't gossip!" She paused to smile at the others, "It is that you've spoken to Mother and Daddy to find out what we should do about prayers, isn't it?" She asked anxiously.
"You're quite right my dear, it is!" Replied the Head, with a merry laugh.
"Well, actually, it was Felicity who guessed it!" Admitted Beth, a little sheepishly. "We were all panicking about what we could have done wrong to merit being summoned to the Head's study so early in the term!"
The Head laughed gently, a soft, musical laugh, and said "It never ceases to amaze me how a summons to my study always seems to arouse such feelings of apprehension in you girls! Anyone would think you all had perpetually guilty consciences!"

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:03am
All twelve girls flushed bright red at this comment, and shuffled their feet uncomfortably.
Miss Annersley took pity on them, and returned her attention to the matter in hand.
"Well, to return to the reason I asked you to come and see me," she said, smiling understandingly, "I spoke to your parents on the telephone, earlier this morning, and explained the situation. Unfortunately, due to a problem at our printers, it seems that some of our prospectuses are missing a page, it seems that your parents recieved one of these misprinted prospectuses, and were unaware of the importance which religion plays in our everyday lives here. Had they realised this, they would, your mother assured me, have apraised both myself, and you girls, of the situation, and their wishes as to which branch of prayers they would rather you attended. This would have saved you all from the embarrassment and awkwardness which I know you must have felt last night." She paused here, and smiled sympathetically at the girls. "Anyway, I had a long discussion with your parents, and we came to the conclusion that the best solution would be for you girls to continue attending the protestant prayers and church services. You see, if you don't attend either set of prayers, it would arouse the curiosity of the other girls, and might give rise to wild gossip, which could make things uncomfortable for you, and none of us want that, do we?" Miss Annersley paused here, and took a sip from the glass of water on her desk.
Beth ventured to use this pause to say, "But Felicity and the others understood. Wouldn't the others?"

Title: Miss AnnerslRe: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:04am
Miss Annersley said gently, "Well, we do try to teach all of our girls to  be tolerant and understanding of other people's beliefs, and in the majority of cases we succeed in this, particularly with girls whose mothers, or aunts, or elder sisters, are Old Girls, (and that category includes Felicity, Daphne, Cecil, Marie, Phil and Claire) but there are always a few girls whose home training has raised them to have very strong feelings about these things, and left them either unwilling, or unable, to see other points of view. With this in mind, it seemed best not to run the risk. We had a girl here several years ago whose family were pagans, and some of the girls made poor Lulie very unhappy before we were able to sort things out. None of us want a repeat of that situation. Now, I'm straying off track here, where was I? Oh yes, about prayers, your parents felt that the Catholic services would be a bit too much for you to deal with, they have a much more structured format. Our Protestant services are  good deal more elastic, we have girls from several branches of protestantism, including Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and others, we even have one girl who is Russian Orthodox. We have to cater for everyone, which means our services have more flexibility." She paused again here, before deciding to confide a piece of news to the girls.  
"Now," continued Miss Annersley, "I'm going to tell you about a change we are introducing to our curriculum, which I think will interest you, and that includes you six as well!" She said, looking at the six old girls. "We did try something like this on a temporary basis a couple of years ago, when we had the trouble with Lulie, and it was successful, so we have been discussing since then, whether to introduce it permanantly. We came to the conclusion, just before Christmas,that we should do so. So, from this term, we will introduce a new subject, to run in conjunction with our usual Scripture classes. It will be known as Religious Education, and will hopefully provide you girls with some knowledge of many different religions from around the world. We hope that this will benefit you, later in life, and help you to achieve a better understanding of other people!" The Head paused here, and smiled, for the girls (in particular the six old girls) all looked positively pussystruck!!
"Now, girls," she continued, "I must just ask you all not to mention this to the rest of the school at the moment. I will announce the new arrangements to the school at large within the next few days." She paused, and nodded approvingly, as they chorused
"Yes Miss Annersley!"
"Now, just one last thing! Are you girls happy with the descision your parents have made for you on this matter?" She asked the Jacobsons.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:05am
Beth and her sisters exchanged glances in the unspoken communication they had perfected as small children, and then Beth spoke on behalf of them all.
"Yes Miss Annersley," she said, "I'm actually really looking forward to learning more about all the different religions, and finding out why it means so much to so many people! And I think the others are as well?" She looked questioningly at her sisters, who nodded eagerly.
"Well, I'm very glad to hear that." Said the Head, "Now, suppose you all run along to your common rooms? The bell for prayers will be ringing very soon, so I will see you then."
The girls trooped out of the study, each curtseying to the Head as she reached the door, and when they were all in the hallway, they parted to go and join their own forms in the common rooms. The Jacobsons all felt greatly relieved that the matter had been sorted so easily.
Beth and Felicity had just stepped through the door of their common room, and closed it gently behind them, when the bell for morning prayers pealed out. The other girls in the room dropped their merry chatter at once, and began to move to the door, where they formed two neat lines. Felicity caught Lucy Peters by the arm, and said,              "Luce, will you look after Beth during prayers for me? She'll be attending your prayers and will probably need a bit of a helping hand. If you could sort out a hymnbook, and prayer book, etc. for her, you'd really be doing me a favour."
"Of course I will!" Said Lucy, smiling at Beth in a chummy fashion, as Felicity shoved her gently into line between Lucy, and Jean Morrison, who, like both Lucy and Felicity, was the daughter of one of the doctors at the Sanatorium.
Felicity led the Catholic members of the form along the corridor to the gym, while Lucy, who was sub-prefect of Va, headed the line of Protestant girls as they marched along to Hall.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:09am
Phew! Got it all back up!
And it only took about half an hour!
Now I just have to write more!
And Lisa and Lesley, at least I'm in good company with you guys!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:18am
*snickers* Catherine, it must have worked. Alternatively, she didn't see it. Vikki- have you looked carefully at the first page of this thread?

BTW, I'm impressed all over again and I hope you DO continue. I love your description of the study.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:40am
I hadn't seen your post Lisa, or I'd have shaken you for calling me Victoria, you ratbag!!!!

I will try and get more written as soon as possible, providing my plot bunny stops being a SLSIC soon!!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 2:20am
If you don't post more, and soon, you will be in serious trouble and we will ALL be calling you Victoria! :P

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 17th, 2003, 2:43am
Thanks for doing that again Vikki,  but please hurry up with the next part....

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 2:45am
*patiently tries to explain to KB that it is impossible to post something before it's written*

*shouts very loudly*
DON'T CALL ME VICTORIA!!


*whispers*
please

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 17th, 2003, 2:48am
*shocked voice* Well, I'm really not sure we can allow you to have you own way, Vic- kki, when you can shout in such a fashion! Even if you *did* tack 'please' on at the end..

Mooore pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease? Or we'll all make it You Know What! ;D ;D ;D


BTW, Vikki, you'd better be a very good girl. What will you say to the Head if you get sent to her and *she* decides to give you all your syllables? somehow I don't think yelling would go down very well there.....

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 3:01am
The Head wouldn't be that mean!!
I'll try and post more tomorrow, I'm too tired at the moment and I really need to go to bed soon or I'll be fit for nothing at work tomorrow! :(

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Kat on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:25am
I think that was justified Vikki, seeing as it was 3:01 am!!!  Naughty girl, go to bed!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lesley on Oct 17th, 2003, 3:56pm

on 10/17/03 at 03:01:31, Vikki wrote:
The Head wouldn't be that mean!! :(


*Oh I think she would Vikki! In fact if you like I'm sure I can write the scene for you!*

More please when you have time!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 9:57pm
Thanks Lesley!!
Since you asked nicely, and on condition that you don't write that scene, here you go!!




After prayers were over, Felicity reclaimed her lamb, and led her upstairs to the dormitory, where she proceeded to instruct her, efficiently, in the one way of making a bed which would meet with Matey's approval. Twenty minutes later, having been introduced to the mysteries of hospital corners and the like, Beth thought she might possibly have grasped the method. Which was lucky, as the bell rang just then, signifying that it was time for the girls to file downstairs and into their form rooms.
When they reached Va's form room, Felicity settled Beth at the desk next to her own, and introduced her properly to the rest of the form, most of whom she had not really had a chance to meet so far. Felicity had just completed the introductions, when the door opened, and Miss Ferrars, who was form mistress to Va this year, entered the room and stood beside the mistress's desk at the front of the room. The girls all rose to their feet, and stood behind their desks, as they chorused, "Good morning, Miss Ferrars!"
"Good morning, girls!" Replied the mistress, with a jolly smile. "You may sit down now. I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas holidays?"
They all beamed at her as they agreed that they had, and Felicity, as form prefect, ventured to ask how 'Ferry's' own holidays had been.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:03pm
Oh Lesley, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease write that scene. It could be part of KB's explanations for Venables, given some of Vikki's contributions. In fact, I don';t even mind sacrificing myself and getting told off too if you will only write it!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:26pm
Doesn't the writing of that scene depend on whether we (I) are (am) going to be faced with the Head(s) as well as Daisy?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:31pm
I hope you are, KB! It wouldn't be as funny with just Daisy. What have you got to explain to her? Apart from being killed, of course! ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:46pm
*gibbers wildly at the mere thought of having to explain more than that, her head filled with images of Derek the Dalek, two James Bonds and other assorted nightmares*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:04pm
*observes KB's gibberings and decides that those James Bonds and Daleks must have had a profound effect on her sub-conscious given the number of mentions they've had lately*

I'm going- I'm going NOW!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:07pm
*ponders that perhaps it's a good job the original Dr Venables thread disappeared!!!*

(never thought I'd say that!)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:21pm

on 10/17/03 at 23:04:15, Lisa_T wrote:
*observes KB's gibberings and decides that those James Bonds and Daleks must have had a profound effect on her sub-conscious given the number of mentions they've had lately*

I'm going- I'm going NOW!


*innocently wonders what Lisa seems so afraid of*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:28pm

on 10/17/03 at 23:21:02, KB wrote:
*innocently wonders what Lisa seems so afraid of*



I think it might be you, KB!! ;) ::)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:38pm

on 10/17/03 at 23:28:15, Vikki wrote:
I think it might be you, KB!! ;) ::)


*shocked and horrified at the mere suggestion*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:48pm
*not convinced by KB's feigned shock and horror!!*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lesley on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:54pm
Sorry all but I didn't specifically mean in Real CS - after all it's not yet known who will escape, is it?

KB - how about facing, Daisy, Joey, Nancy and assorted others?

Vikki - thank you for the last post!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 17th, 2003, 11:57pm
You'r welcome, Lesley!!
And you do realise that none of us will forgive you if Real CS doesn't end happily, don't you??

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 18th, 2003, 12:18am

on 10/17/03 at 23:54:17, Lesley wrote:
KB - how about facing, Daisy, Joey, Nancy and assorted others?


Will any of them temper justice with mercy?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 18th, 2003, 12:29am
I do hope not!! ;D ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lesley on Oct 18th, 2003, 12:41am

on 10/18/03 at 00:18:28, KB wrote:
Will any of them temper justice with mercy?


No, KB, none of them is known for that - more likely just the justice! ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 18th, 2003, 12:47am
Thanks Lesley!! You just confirmed my suspiscion!!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 18th, 2003, 1:04am
Aw! Really wanted Hilda to be one of the explainees?!. Mind you, I suppose Lesley can't tell us if she is or not, since she hasnt told us whether Hilda and Co will escape in time....

*still hoping they will!*

As for KB and Vikki, I wasn't scared of either of you. I was simply deflecting any potential nagging!

*on that note, how about more, Vikki? Consider you've been nagged!*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 18th, 2003, 1:43am
It's far too late to type it up now!
I'll try and get it done sometime tomorrow night. :-/

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 18th, 2003, 2:45am
Vikki - it's already tomorrow so I hope to see some more tonight! ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 18th, 2003, 6:27am
*slightly concerned now about what she might suffer because of a story to which she contributed only TWICE!!!!*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 18th, 2003, 8:25pm

on 10/18/03 at 06:27:22, KB wrote:
*slightly concerned now about what she might suffer because of a story to which she contributed only TWICE!!!!*



Ah, but can you prove that!? ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 18th, 2003, 11:08pm
*smirk* Especially since it was eaten. Besides, KB, given the amount of times you told us that you were reacting in terms of shock and horror, I would have thought you'd be the ideal person to do it. Nice and distant, you know! ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 18th, 2003, 11:37pm
;DAn admirable example of buck-passing there Lisa!! ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 18th, 2003, 11:42pm
No buck passing. I'm not HG. It's not *my* job to explain to various enraged people why all these strange things have happened to them. Besides, everything you and I said to KB is perfectly true! ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 12:00am
'tis true I suppose!! ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 2:27am
Well, here's the next bit......



"Quite jolly, thank you!" The mistress said, "Now, we have a new member of the form.  Welcome Beth! I hope you will be very happy here with us. Has Felicity introduced you to the rest of the form?"
"Yes, Miss Ferrars. Felicity's been really great, she's looked after me really, really well, and she's been explaining all kinds of things to me." Said Beth eagerly.
"I'm very glad to hear it," said Miss Ferrars, "although, I would expect no less  from Felicity!" She grinned teasingly at the girl, whom she had known for thirteen of her sixteen years.
"Now,"she continued, "we'll just call the register, and then it will be time for you girls to go up to the trunk room and unpack." She called the roll swiftly, in a brisk, businesslike manner, and when each girl had answered "present", she despatched Jean Morrison to the office to hand over the slim, paper bound book, to Miss Dene, the school secretary. As soon as Jean returned, 'Ferry' instructed the girls to form a neat line at the door, and march upstairs to the trunk room.
When they arrived at the trunk room, (A long, low room, tucked under the eaves of the main school building.) Matron paired them off and presented each pair with a light, but strong, spacious wicker tray. As they unpacked their trunks, they would place their belongings on this, ready to be carried down to their dormitories. Beth was paired with Felicity, and the pair chattered amiably in low tones, as they emptied their trunks and filled their tray. Both girls worked swiftly and efficiently, and they soon had all their belongings loaded onto the tray. Once they had reached this point, Felicity rose and crossed to Matron, a small, wiry looking lady, wearing a crisply starched nurses uniform, to request permission for the two of them to carry their tray down to Freesia dormitory, and begin to transfer their things into their drawers.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 19th, 2003, 6:36am
*mutters about pathetic cowards who get others to take the blame for their own misdeeds*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 19th, 2003, 4:48pm
Lovely Vikki- even if it took it's time in coming. Now lots and lots and lots more

SOON!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 19th, 2003, 7:08pm
*Thanks Vikki for latest instalment

*Asks Vikki for next instalment asap.



Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Elisabeth on Oct 19th, 2003, 8:39pm
Love this. This is just exactly the way I love CS to be. All descriptions of huge families and new girls' dilemmas.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 9:41pm
Thank you Elisabeth, Esmeralda and Lisa!
I was going to post more, but due to KB saying this:

on 10/19/03 at 06:36:26, KB wrote:
*mutters about pathetic cowards who get others to take the blame for their own misdeeds*

:'( :'(
I'm not sure if I'm going to now.......

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lesley on Oct 19th, 2003, 9:49pm
Oh please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please post some more Vikki!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 19th, 2003, 9:53pm
But Vikki - we didn't say that, surely you're not going to make us innocent little lambs suffer too?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 10:26pm
We-ell...
....Okay then, since  you both asked so nicely, here you go, but KB's not allowed to read it!! :P




Matron consented to this readily, she was glad to have at least one pair off her hands, and as Seniors they could be trusted to get on with the job in hand and not mess about, unlike some of the Juniors and Middles!! Felicity returned to Beth, and the tray, and said, "Matey says we can go down now, thank goodness!! Hup she comes!" This last as she gripped the handle at her end of the tray, and lifted. Luckily, Beth had a firm grip on her own handle, and lifted at the same time. Had her reactions been slower, Felicity's enthusiastic heave would have upended the tray and tumbled its entire contents into an untidy heap on the floor! 'Matey's' eagle eye had spotted the narrowly averted disaster, and she called across the room, "Felicity Maynard! You're as heedless as your mother was at your age!! Be a little more careful please, and remember, if you drop those things on the floor and crease them, you'll be ironing the lot yourself!! I'll not have you making extra work for the maids, they have more than enough to do as it is, without your carelessness adding to their workload!!"
Felicity flushed scarlet and looked exceedingly sheepish. "I'm sorry Matron!" She said, humbly, "I'll be more careful, I promise."
"You see that you are!" Said Matron grimly. (The beginning of term was a very stressful time for her, and her temper was always shorter than usual around then) "Now, off you go, the pair of you, and for heaven's sake be careful!"
"Yes Matron!" Said the two girls, and set off down the stairs with their burden. They traversed the stairs and corridors silently, in obedience to the rules, and soon arrived at the door to 'Freesia'. As soon as they were inside, and had set the tray down on Felicity's bed, that damsel breathed a sigh of relief and, turning to the new girl, said, "Phew! Thank goodness you were on the ball there Beth!! I got a bit carried away, and if you hadn't reacted as quickly as you did I'd really have been in Matey's bad books! And her temper's none too sweet at the start of term."                                           "She did seem a little sharp." Said Beth nervously, "Is  she always like that?"          "She's always sharper than usual at unpacking time." Said Felicity, with a grimace, "I'm usually lucky and miss that though!"                                                             "What do you mean?" Asked Beth.                                                                                "Well, usually we come and unpack before the start of term. All the girls who live up here do. But we spent Christmas at our house on the Tiernsee. That's the lake in Tirol where the school first started." She added in parentheses, "Anyway, we were late coming back, and only got home the day before term began, so there was no time for us to unpack before the rest of you as we usually would have done."

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by catherine on Oct 19th, 2003, 10:52pm
Very good, Vikki!  Really like your new posts.

I'm not quite sure how you intend to stop KB from reading your latest one, though!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 11:17pm
Thanks Catherine!!
And about KB, naturally she's on her honour not to read it!!! ;D ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 19th, 2003, 11:28pm
*didn't intentionally read it but couldn't help glimpsing the odd word as she scrolled past*

Gee, and I had a bit of TOG all ready to send Vikki, too...

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by catherine on Oct 19th, 2003, 11:29pm
You'd better hope she doesn't scroll too far down, then!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 11:39pm

on 10/19/03 at 23:28:34, KB wrote:
*didn't intentionally read it but couldn't help glimpsing the odd word as she scrolled past*

Gee, and I had a bit of TOG all ready to send Vikki, too...



Okay KB, you may read it!!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 19th, 2003, 11:48pm
Aw, gee, thanks, Vikki. That's so nice of you. And I'm glad you let me, as it was a great part! Any chance of more soon?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 19th, 2003, 11:55pm
Well if I had a bit of TOG to read it might stimulate my plot bunny!! ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:03am
I've given you a bit - the title!!!!!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:13am
That's not what I meant, and you know it!! ::)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:19am
*innocently* Oh, really?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:31am
*fumes quietly*
*mentions that she could always finish the story first, and THEN post it......*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:34am
*innocently again* You mean it's not finished?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:51am
Just to clarify, I meant my story, not yours!! Not having read yours I wouldn't know if it's finished or not! :P

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by crashbb on Oct 20th, 2003, 12:56am

on 10/20/03 at 00:03:08, KB wrote:
I've given you a bit - the title!!!!!


WHERE???  I didn't see it!!!

Chelsea *off in search of the meaning behind TOG*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 1:03am
It's not on the board Chelsea!
After I PMed her about twenty gradually more absurd guesses, KB took pity on me and told me, but my lips are sealed!! (I'm still hoping she might let me read it if I keep stum about the title!!) ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 20th, 2003, 1:11am
Will someone please tell me what this TOG thing is???? IO'm not asking for specifics you understand, just a general idea of what it *is*...

More please, Vikki!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 1:16am
Have a look on the Half Term Plans for Victorian Residents Thread in completely off topic. That will explain a weeny bit!! ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 1:59am
Lisa, TOG is a fill-in book I wrote prior to writing "Peace". And, which will be an acronym unknown to all but one other person on the list, I have also begun another called DFTCS.  ;)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:13am
KB, does DFTCS stand for Dora F*cks The Chalet School?
(sorry, couldn't resist lowering the tone!)

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:16am
*suggests that Vikki report herself to the Head for doing so*

And no, it doesn't.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:17am
KB, I don't care if you are HG or not. You're mean mean mean! Mind you, I'll certainly swop SA with you for either Peace or this TOG one. And I'll probab ly start a EBD style fill in once I've done SA. When I'll do my uni work is another matter though!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by crashbb on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:19am

on 10/20/03 at 01:03:39, Vikki wrote:
It's not on the board Chelsea!
After I PMed her about twenty gradually more absurd guesses, KB took pity on me and told me, but my lips are sealed!! (I'm still hoping she might let me read it if I keep stum about the title!!) ;)


*starts PMing guesses to KB*
*suggests that KB might just want to tell me now to save the bother*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:33am
*has sudden thought!* KB, how about if I stop posting New Family, write lots on it and let you read it first, would that be exchangable for Peace?
*ducks potential recriminations from everyone else!*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:37am
*oblivious to threats and insults*

Lisa, sounds like a good deal. Let me know which one you would prefer. TOG is set.....





















.....the term after "Prefects".

And Vikki, as I have no wish to murdered more than I am being already, I don't think you had better do that.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:44am
But then I don't get to read either TOG or Peace, and as I nearly guessed the title of TOG, (And I did have all the right words, just in 2 different guesses) that's very frustrating!!! :'( :'(

*begs shamelessly*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:46am
Well I think I'd prefer TOG. Do you want me to email you the latest draft of SA or do you want to wait? ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:51am
I'll wait until it's done, Lisa, and then I can enjoy that while you enjoy TOG.

And Vikki, check Real CS.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:54am
Mean to say you wont send me TOG til I've finished SA? Oh I suppose that's an incentive, alright! is TOG finished, BTW?

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:57am
Yes, it is, and no, I won't.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Lisa_T on Oct 20th, 2003, 2:58am
LOL. Fair enough!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 3:01am
Great! Looking forward to it!

Title: *Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 20th, 2003, 9:48am
*Thanks Vikki for story.

*Was impressed enough at KB finishing one book - is now even more impressed at the revelation she has written TWO books!

*Can think of something which TOG might stand for but it's probably a bit too obvious.

*Sulks that she has nothing to offer in exchange - unless KB would like to read her dissertation which (briefly) mentions the CS.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 9:56am
My offer from above still stands, Esmeralda. If you can figure out what the title might be, you get to read it! However, I will pass on the dissertation as my own MA thesis is enough - thanks for offering, though.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 20th, 2003, 10:15am

on 10/20/03 at 09:56:43, KB wrote:
However, I will pass on the dissertation as my own MA thesis is enough - thanks for offering, though.


Actually - I think that's a wise decision.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 1:55pm
*lol* Glad you think so. Of course, if you feel like helping me with mine...

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 20th, 2003, 3:01pm
Errrm No.  An MA sounds far too advanced for me!  And it probably doesn't offer any scope for mentioning the CS. ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 5:29pm
Well, fascinating as our diversions have been ::) ::), back to the story.....





"Oh," said Beth, with a slightly bewildered look, "I see, I think!"
"Sorry, I know I'm getting a bit garbled, but I honestly don't mean to confuse you." Said Felicity apologetically. "Now, we'd better get this lot away. If Matey comes to check on us and we're stood here chatting, she'll kill us!!"
"Well, I have no wish to be killed," grinned Beth, "so let's get started. Do certain things have to go in certain drawers, or can we please ourselves as long as it's tidy?"
"I'm afraid Matey's a great believer in the adage, 'A place for everything, and everything in its place', as I know to my cost!" Admitted Felicity somewhat ruefully. "Your ski suit and games kit go in the bottom drawer, pyjamas  in the next one, your blouses go in the last big drawer, and then your undies, stockings and handkerchiefs go in these two smaller ones. Your hair things go in this compartment under the mirror, and you can keep your watch and anything else there too. There's a hook here for your towel and spongebag, one over here for your dressing gown," as she had been reeling this list off, and Beth obediently placing her belongings in their designated spots, Felicity had rapidly filled her own drawers with the ease of long experience, and now appeared back in Beth's cubicle, laden with an armful of frocks. "And if you come with me," she said, "I'll show you where your frocks and things go!"

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 5:42pm
Next bit....

Beth obediently gathered up her two velveteen evening dresses, a couple of pretty frocks for tea parties, a white muslin, her best coat and skirt, and her spare school skirt, and followed Felicity over to a big cupboard at the far end of the room, which contained groups of half a dozen hangers, all neatly labelled with their owners names. Felicity found her own, and Beth's, and the pair hung their clothes away neatly and closed the doors.
They returned to their cubicles, and settled down to arranging their books, pictures and other nick-nacks on the shelves allocated for that purpose. Beth had just settled her teddy bear, Horatio, on her pillow, and picked up the new book she had bought with some of her Christmas money, to place it with the others in the little bookcase, when Felicity popped her head in, through the dividing curtain. "Are you nearly done?" She asked.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 5:43pm
And the next......


"Just putting this on the shelf," Beth said, moving to do just that with the copy of  'The School by the Lake' the latest offering of her favourite author, Josephine M Bettany.
Felicity intercepted her, "May I see?" She asked.
"Of course!" Beth said with a grin.
"Ooh, 'The School by the Lake'," said Felicity, "Have you read it yet?"
"No, I've been saving it! She's my favourite author, you see. I have all her books!" Admitted Beth. "Have you read it?"
"Oh yes, ages ago!" Felicity said, offhandedly.
"But, it only came out just before Christmas..." Beth was confused.
Felicity looked a little self conscious as she replied, "Well, you see, we always get to read Mamma's books in manuscript. She likes to use us as guinea-pigs, for the younger perspective, she says!"
Beth stared at her new friend with dropped jaw. "B-bu-but, do you mean - you can't mean - is Josephine M Bettany your mother?" She gasped in disbelief.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Oct 20th, 2003, 6:13pm
More please Vikki- soon.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Oct 20th, 2003, 6:29pm
Sorry! Just going out and won't be back until about 1.30!! ;D ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Oct 20th, 2003, 10:07pm
Then there's nothing to stop you posting at 1:31am (giving time for your computer to boot up and your connection to start up). *sets the alarm clock*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Today at 1:23am
Well there is the little matter of writing it!!! ::) ::)

Hey, I've got a new comment, I'm reading out the report from last term!!!!!
Thank you Liss!!! *beams happily* ;D ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Today at 2:38am
Oh, picky, picky, picky. And well done on your new job!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Today at 2:46am
Thank you! I guess this means I'm officially second pree now!! ;D ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Today at 2:47am
Guess so! It's always nice to be official, isn't it? *g*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Today at 3:12am
Do we get badges? ;D

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by KB on Today at 4:18am
Hmm, not that I've heard, unless someone feels like making one up...

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Today at 5:21pm
Vikki, you'll only geyt a badge if you post more of this story - SOON.

*Goes off to read TOG while she's waiting!

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Today at 6:01pm
And how did you get hold of TOG young lady? :o :o
*is obviously going to have to speak to KB about this!!*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Today at 6:27pm
Have you not yet received a copy, Vikki?

I must say, Chapter One is excellent, not only does it introduce us to the characters, it also unobtrusively covers all the CS history, and is very much in the CS tradition.

I would throroughly recommend it to any CS lover.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Today at 6:28pm
Now, even though you don't deserve it, here's the next bit..........

Felicity flushed scarlet, and said, "Well, yes, she is! I forgot you wouldn't know. It's common knowledge here, of course, the school is very proud of it's first pupil. And with Mamma living next door, it would be impossible to keep it quiet. You'll get to meet her soon, she'll have her new girls' tea party in the next few weeks. (She likes to get to know all the new girls as soon as possible."
Beth looked a little uneasy at this. "I've never met anyone famous before," she said, "I'll probably go all shy and make a total idiot of myself!"
"You needn't worry about that!" Grinned Felicity, "You can't be shy with Mamma, she just won't allow it! You'll see what I mean when you meet her."
Beth didn't look convinced, but luckily, just then, the door opened and the rest of the dormitory came in with their trays, followed by Matron, who had come to check that Beth and Felicity had been doing what they were supposed to be doing, and not just chatting. She checked their cubicles and approved them, then despatched the pair back to their formroom, to wait for the rest.

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Vikki on Today at 6:31pm

on 10/21/03 at 18:27:16, Esmeralda wrote:
Have you not yet received a copy, Vikki?

I must say, Chapter One is excellent, not only does it introduce us to the characters, it also unobtrusively covers all the CS history, and is very much in the CS tradition.

I would throroughly recommend it to any CS lover.


*shakes Esmeralda for being a tantalising ratbag*

Title: Re: New Family - Back from the dead!!!
Post by Esmeralda on Today at 6:36pm
But it's such fun being tantalising Vikki!
But seriously, it really is excellent.








ps  more story please



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