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        Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >>  Tensions Again
        
(Message started by: Carolyn P on Nov 4^th, 2003, 11:23pm)

Title: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 4^th, 2003, 11:23pm

I've archived this thread and re started it as per your request Esmerelda.

May we have some more story now please? ;D

Links to follow, unless one of you does it first.

Part 1 http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/TENSIO~1[1].DOC

Part two http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/tension2.htm

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 4^th, 2003, 11:37pm

And I though I'd get a days grace with that one!

Thinks again.

Oh yes, Jack is too exhausted from spending the night with KB to continue at the moment. ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 4^th, 2003, 11:39pm

I don't know why he should be. He had a bee-yoo-tiful night's sleep!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 4^th, 2003, 11:50pm

That's not what he told me. he said the two of you spent all night...

.....playing scrabble!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 4^th, 2003, 11:59pm

Rotten liar!

It was Monopoly!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:13am

Surely Dr Jack would never lie :o

Thanks for re-starting this Carolyn - I'll get on with it in a minute, just one thing though, Jack & Jo haven't split up (yet)
Jack over reacted in the morning when he read Fay's letter, and he was supposed to realise that and apologise, the trouble is, he's been thinking too much and he seems to have discovered 'issues' with his marriage that he had previously ignored, which is why they ended up arguing again later in the day (just before Jenny had a dizzy spell). Yes, it is still the same day in CS land, have I been waffling too much?
I don't want J & J to split up, but I suppose that will have to be their decision.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:21am

Okay, fine, I'll give him back then! *shoves Jack out of the room and locks the door behind him* *reopens the door to throw his shirt at him* *locks it again*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Nicolette on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:26am

*mesmerised at sight of half-naked Jack* Oh, erm, sorry, what was I going to say? Ah yes, really want to read more of this Esmeralda and as much as I don't want J&J to split up, I can't help feeling its inevitable at this point :o

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:34am

* Wonders why Jack felt it necessary to remove his shirt to play board games - perhaps he was lying after all ;D

In the last segment Jack told Jo about Con's illness, this led to another squabble between them and Jo stormed off, as Jack was wondering whether to go after her, one of the pupils stumbled against him, he discovered she had been having quite a few dizzy spells and took her to the school san. He then discovered that the new nurse was an ex pupil with no qualifications, he resolved to speak to Matey, who arranged her appointment after he had examined the girl...

*****************
This is the last paragraph of the last post on the last thread

“I think Jenny, will feel better if she wakes up in a nice comfortable freshly made bed, and if sponge her face…” He noticed the stricken look on the students own countenance, “That’s certainly not the worst thing you’ll see if you carry on nursing you know.” He continued in more kindly tones, “Though I’ll admit it was a bit frightening. I think she’ll be peaceful enough now, for a while at least. I need to try to get through to the San, do you think you can manage here for a while? I’ll ask one of the staff to come up in case you need to send for me.”
The girl nodded, “Can you ask Miss Ferrars please?”

*******************
And this is the new bit, it's quite short, sorry, but it takes so long to catch up with the other drabbles - hopefully I'll be getting a new computer in about four weeks time so reading won't be quite so time consuming....

Jack had every intention of acceding to this request as soon as possible, but barely had walked ten paces away from the door when he met Matey heading towards the san with a determined expression on her face. “What are you doing here Gwyneth?” He deliberately stood in the middle of the corridor, making it awkward for Matey to walk around him.
Matey frowned, perplexed at this strange behaviour, “I’ve come to see the patient, naturally.”
“The patient, my patient, is being looked after at the moment.”
Matron’s eyebrows rose with surprise, “I wouldn’t have expected you, of all people, Jack, to start arguing about who’s responsibility the girl is. Surely it is her needs which come first at the moment.”
“Her needs should have come first a long time ago. It’s a pity no-one thought to take responsibility for her before.” Jack’s words cut through the air like the crack of a whip.
The effect on Matey was the same as if he had physically assaulted her, not only because the words came from Jack Maynard, the husband of her long time favourite, and the man who had treated her with such kindness and understanding when her sister died, but because she, the woman with whom no-one ever argued, could scarcely believe this direct challenge to her authority.
However, she was not known as a martinet for no reason, which she set about proving once she had recovered from the shock.
“And what gives you the right to come into this school and tell me, when, if I may point out, I have many years more experience than you, how I should do my job. You may have forgotten Dr Maynard, but I have been looking after the girls in this school, including your own wife and daughters, for several decades. You may be the great white chief in the Sanatorium, but that gives you no authority here. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a patient to look after.”
“Your nurse is coping admirably at the moment, under the circumstances.”
And as you have already discovered, Isabel has no formal qualifications. I presume that was what you wanted to speak to me about.”
“I should damn well say so. But we are not going to discuss it here, matron. I will not risk having the girl disturbed. We can talk in your sitting room, or in Miss Annersley’s office if you’d rather, but not here.”
For once Matey had met her match, the cold rage in Jack’s words forced her to succumb to his wishes, and she allowed herself to be guided back to her own domain, her short legs moving rapidly as she attempted to keep up with the man’s long strides.

*I think that 1000.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:42am

Hey, I can't help it that the heater in my room was working overtime! *whistles innocently*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:55am

Does your heater not have an 'off' switch, KB?

Posted by: Nicolette Posted on: Today at 12:26am
*mesmerised at sight of half-naked Jack* Oh, erm, sorry, what was I going to say? Ah yes, really want to read more of this Esmeralda and as much as I don't want J&J to split up, I can't help feeling its inevitable at this point

Noooooo. I hope not.

*Wonders how on earth this story is going to end if that really is the case.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:57am

It did. *wrestles with the switch* Hey, who broke it?!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Nicolette on Nov 5^th, 2003, 12:58am

With us all running to the communal tissue box at this rate!
Someone best make sure its stocked up in preparation.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 5^th, 2003, 1:02am

AW come on Esmeralda! Giveus more! Never mind what state Jack was in. Girls, I'm shocked at you! Allowing a little distraction like that to get in the way of a perfectly good story!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 5^th, 2003, 1:04am

*impressed by how much Lisa sounds like the Abbess*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Nicolette on Nov 5^th, 2003, 1:05am

*lowers head in shame*
You're quite right Lisa. We should be putting all our efforts into hounding Esmeralda for more story.
So:
Come on E. I'm hooked on this now. I MUST know what happens to J&J, Con, and poor Eugen who as far as I'm aware is still mid-flight. Pweety please.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 5^th, 2003, 2:10am

Esmeralda? Where are you? C'mon, we need more story, or we'll end up doing cold turkey like Con!!! ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 5^th, 2003, 2:13am

*LOL!* Thank you, KB. That's a compliment! Consider that all these drabbles and stories and wotsits are affecting me. Speaking of which, Vikki, I hope to have something to send you shortly!! ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 5^th, 2003, 2:19am

Yay! You've been writing? Excellent!!!
I'll be looking forward to it!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 5^th, 2003, 6:01pm

Any more Esmerelda.

Love seeing Matey put in her place. Please don't let her get away with anything.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 5^th, 2003, 9:45pm

Jack did not spare her any of his rage once they were in the sitting room, “What the hell did you think you were doing, Matron? You brought up the question of responsibility a few moments ago, but you have shown no sign of even knowing what the word means. At the very best you’ve acted totally irresponsibly, and frankly, I dread to think what the worst case scenario must be. Have you totally taken leave of your senses? If so there may be some excuse for your actions, but otherwise….
“I will not be spoken to like this. You have no right….”
“I have every right, Matron, and I only regret that I haven’t spoken to you before, You have been allowed to get away with things for far to long. You have set yourself up as, as some sort of despot, no-one is allowed to argue with you, you even have the heads twisted around your little finger, but you still took advantage of Hilda at a time when she was extremely vulnerable, I suppose that even you expected some opposition when you proposed taking on an unqualified nurse, that earthquake must have been a Godsend to you, mustn’t it? What I don’t understand is why you did it? Who is this girl? What is she to you, that you would go to such lengths to get her a job? Did you have no thoughts at all about all the other girls in this school? Did you not have any concerns about their health? I cannot believe that you not only allowed, but condoned, encouraged even, this girl to hand out medicines and tablets to the girls as if they were sweets. Did you have no idea of the harm she could do?”
“She did no such thing!”
“That’s all you know. Why do you think that girl is ill in the first place? I don’t know if she’s fooling you, Matron, or if you are, for some reason fooling yourself, but…..”
“Isabel did not give her anything. Do you really think that I would let her loose in the medicine cupboard? Do you really think that I would be stupid enough to allow her to prescribe? She had no access to anything stronger than an aspirin.” Matron was forced to above Jack’s relentless diatribe to make herself heard, but if she thought she had offered any sort of defence, she was very wrong.
“You have been totally responsible for medicating the girls?
“Of course I have. I may as well let them help their selves as let Isabel do that. Despite your opinion, I am not totally irresponsible.”
“If that’s the truth, you’re far worse. What the hell have you been giving the girls? Answer me that?”
Matey may have so far held her own against Jack’s anger, but his fury had reached another level altogether, she cringed fearfully way from the stinging power of his retort.
He stepped forward, standing intimidatingly close, “What have you been giving them? What have you been giving my Con?”
Matey utter a small squeak of terror and collapsed into her armchair. “Don’t hurt me, please Jack, don’t.”
He looked at her with contempt, “I want an answer. And I’m not leaving until I get one.”

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 5^th, 2003, 9:53pm

Oh nasty! What has Matey been doing? Could she be responsible for Con being a junkie?

Tune in tomorrow folks!!

Well maybe later today? Pretty please Esmeralda?

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Catherine_B on Nov 5^th, 2003, 9:53pm

Wow! The sparks are almost flying off my computer screen :)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by alicosten on Nov 5^th, 2003, 9:54pm

ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh! Not matey!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 5^th, 2003, 10:16pm

Isn't it funny how different characters appear in the various stories? We're all up in arms over Matey in this one, and in the Real CS, but (I hope) feeling desperately sorry for her in Matey's Secret. I wonder what would happen if all these different Mateys met up somewhere...

Sorry, just yibbling. Please, Esmeralda, don't leave us hanging! This is a great scene and I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 5^th, 2003, 10:50pm

Nice one Esmerelda, I hadn't expected that. I'm playing Oliver Twist all over the board tonight, here as well.
'Please madame, may I have some more' *Holds out hands and looks ingratiatingly Esmerelda*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 5^th, 2003, 11:44pm

Thanks for the compliments - this is definitely the last bit for tonight - I should be in bed already.....

Matey shrank further back into the embrace of the armchair, wishing she could become part of the very fabric. “Nothing. I’ve given them nothing, no one’s been ill this term, not until now. I haven’t had to give them anything, only…
“Only what?”
“Some of them were upset at the beginning of term, they would be, they all kept going, we all did, but some of them had trouble sleeping.”
“What did you give them?”
“Just the usual. I’ve been giving them that draught for years, and for you to turn round and say that is making anyone ill, is beyond belief.”
“I’ll be the judge of that. What is in this draught of yours Matron? And do you usually hand it out for weeks on end?”
“Of course not.”
“But you did this time. Doesn’t that tell you something? “What is it?”
“I make it myself, you know that. I told you years ago that it was something I learned from my grandmother. She used it all the time.”
“I don’t care if you learned it from the queen. I want to know what it is, and I told you before, I’m not leaving this room until I find out.”
Defeated, Matey lowered her head, “Alcohol,” she said in a voice which was little ore than a whisper, “But only a little, certainly not enough to harm anyone. I only put a little in to take away the bitterness. I put in much more sugar than alcohol.
“And what is that is so bitter that it needs all these additions to make it palatble?”
“Poppies.”
“What?”
“Poppies, an extract of poppies, you drop them into a glazed pot and let them sweat after you….”
“I don’t believe this.” Jack dropped down heavily onto a small stool, “I rather I do believe it, having seen the effect it has had on Con, and the girl in the san. How many more are there matron?
How many more girls have you been feeding this mixture to? How on earth, in this day and age could anyone be so stupid?”
“But….”
“I hope it was stupidity, because if I can prove that you knew what you were doing, you won’t just find yourself out of a job, and unemployable, you’ll find yourself behind bars.”
“But my grandmother swore by it, how can I have done anything wrong?” Matey wailed, suddenly less sure of her herself than she had been, but still not convinced that she was to blame.
“Did your grandmother never tell you what she called this, this potion?”
Matey shook her head, “I don’t remember, it was a long time ago.”
Jack stood up again, “This is going to have to go to Hilda after all. You may come along and try to defend yourself, but I would advise you to remain here and begin packing.”
Matey gasped, “No, Jack, please….I won’t use it again, not if it really is bad, but please don’t say that, it’s not just a job, you know that, it’s my whole life, it’s my home.”
Jack paused, giving matey faint hope that he might relent, a hope which was soon dashed, “Just out of interest, where did you get these poppies? They’re not the type you find growing at the roadside.”
“I grew them. I got the seeds from a chemist in Salt, years ago, he sends them to me each year, he must be an old man by now.”
“Did he know why you wanted them? Did you tell him what you wanted them for?”
“Why shouldn’t I? He didn’t think it was a problem…..”
“Well, he will shortly be finding out otherwise.” The grim look on Jack’s face intensified as he digested that bit of information.
“Jack, please, don’t go to Miss Annersley, please, I couldn’t bear it,” Matey fought valiently ahainst the tears which threatened to overwhelm her, but the quaver in her voice betrayed how close to the surface her emotions lay.
“I’m sorry,” Jack’s expression softened for a moment, but only for a moment, “You have done sterling work here matron, and I’m grateful for the care you have given my girls, but it isn’t enough. No responsible man, never mind a doctor, could possibly sanction a matron who haphazardly dopes the girls in her care with laudenum.”

Couple of points, first a prize to Vikki as she guessed it was matron weeks ago (not that I told her she was right)
Secondly, I doubt if anyone here would be stupid enough to try and copy Matey's recipe, but just in case, don't bother, coz I missed bits out.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Nicolette on Nov 5^th, 2003, 11:45pm

Please please more Esmeralda! I'm a junkie like con...when it comes to this story! Pleeeeaaasssseeee.

And I knew it was down to Matey, not that other girl. Oh dear. Matron!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 6^th, 2003, 1:28am

*accepts prize*
*curtseys gracefully*
*looks smug*
*asks for more story please!!!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 6^th, 2003, 4:38am

*tells Vikki to stop being smug, as I also guessed it but just didn't bother trying out my guess on Esmeralda*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 6^th, 2003, 5:00am

Wonderful Esmeralda - and I didn't even try to guess - please ensure it's not a behind closed doors interview with Hilda.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Jennie on Nov 7^th, 2003, 8:34am

Wonderful turn to this story, Esmeralda, I had a sneaky suspicion that it was one of Matey's potions causing the trouble. I echo the plea for an open interview with Hilda. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:07pm

*wonders where Esmeralda might be?*
*wants more story!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:16pm

Oh Es-me-ralllllllllllllllllllllll-da!

Come back and write some more purleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by LauraT on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:17pm

More please! And for the benefit of my unknowledgable self - what on earth is laudenum??! Congrats to Vikki, and I SO didn't connect Matey with it! :o :o

*Edited to add -- after a while (when no-one replied!!) it struck me to look it up in the dictionary. And alas, alack, tis not there! Which has led me to conclude either
a) You made it up (unlikely) or
b) I have a small measly useless dictionary which doesn't include herbal poisons. I'm going with the second option!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:28pm

I think it's a form of herion.

Esmerelda, where have you disappeared to?

When do we get more of this?

Begging again, PPPPPpppppplease.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by LauraT on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:31pm

Thank you!

And woohoo! This is my hundredth post! Isn't life exciting?!
Can I have a commemerative *laura got her hundredth post* bit of drabble? Pretty please?! :-*

;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Catherine_B on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:44pm

Congratulations, Laura! May there be many hundreds more :)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 7^th, 2003, 10:51pm

[quote author=LauraT link=board=drabbles;num=1067988214;start=20#34 date=11/07/03 at 22:17:12]More please! And for the benefit of my unknowledgable self - what on earth is laudenum??! quote]

It's spelt laudanum and is a solution made from opium!

Esmeralda - MORE!!!!! Please.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 7^th, 2003, 11:07pm

Sorry if everyone thinks this is more story - it isn't ;D Twoo reasons:
1] I'm afraid my pb gets a bit sleepy when I work 10+ hour shifts, not to mention the two or three phone calls when I get home "What should I do about---------" (Wouldn't mind if it wasn't the same questions every night) but, I'm only working for four hours tomorrow, so I should be able to write a little bit more then.
2] I had a night of RL last night and it's taking forever to catch up - I started at the least recent and kept hitting the previous topic button, then I suddenly realised that some threads had been yibbled to the top of the board and my attempts to catch up had got all out of order.
Do I really have to go into all the gory details re Matey, she wasn't doing it on purpose, after all, don't you think she's had enough with Jack giving her a piece of his mind?

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 7^th, 2003, 11:10pm

on 11/07/03 at 23:07:14, Esmeralda wrote:

Do I really have to go into all the gory details re Matey, she wasn't doing it on purpose, after all, don't you think she's had enough with Jack giving her a piece of his mind?

Of course you have to go into details!

And is it ever possible for Matey to have enough? Think of it as payback time from the other drabbles if you like, but please write the scene!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 8^th, 2003, 12:06am

Sympathy on the 10+ hour shifts Esmeralda!
I know what that's like!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Jennie on Nov 8^th, 2003, 11:43am

Esmeralda, you knoww that we all want to see Matey really getting it in the neck, after all, she's dished enough out, so it's only fair that she gets some back, so please, pander to our very natural wishes to see Matey suffering.

PS Laudanum was a favourite way of getting to sleep in Victorian times, slight accidental overdose, & goodbye.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 9^th, 2003, 12:47am

Apparently, Cocaine parties were also considered the height of fashion amongst the upper class ladies!

And I am NOT recommending that to anyone!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Susan on Nov 9^th, 2003, 1:22am

Wow Esmeralda I never saw this coming, mind you my drabble reading is a bit disjointed at the moment. What with archives and issues in RL it is taking ages. I'm quite glad when I see my name as last poster as that means one I have caught up with.

Sue - not adding to chant to give self more time to catch up!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 9^th, 2003, 2:21am

*Thanks Vikki for sympathy and reciprocates same.
*Apologises to Sue - for giving her more to catch up on, understands the feeling of frustration of trying to catch up when people post more quickly than you can read.

The laudanum came from the French Lieutenants Woman, that and Dante Gabrielle Rossetti are about only things I remember from that book - the middle is just blank - I didn't know about the Cocaine parties though - totally amazed at the depths of Victorian hypocracy.

I felt a bit better about giving Matey a taste of her own medicine (not literally) after the way she spoke to to Kathie in Alternative Romance, then I started feeling sorry for again after reading more of her secret. I think her fate will depend on Hilda, I don't know what is going to happen to her.

Anyway - tonights only instalment.....

Matey shook as Jack’s anger propelled him through the door, and along the corridors, now thankfully empty of girls. Even when he had gone, the room, her immaculately ordered sanctuary, vibrated with the echoes of his fury, but the only visible sign of the devastation he had wrought was in the figure of Matey, shrivelled into her armchair, silent tears running down her face, dripping off her chin onto her once pristine starched uniform.
Frightened and bewildered, Matey was rendered as insensible as if she had been buffeted around by a tornado, her greatest fear, more terrifying than the thought of being cast adrift from the school, was the slight niggling worm of an idea that Jack might be right, but still, she rebelled against this treacherous thought. No doubt Laudanum had been replaced by my modern medicines, and people of Jack’s generation were apt to eagerly embrace the new, and discard the old, trusted methods, even when the efficacy of those methods had been proven by the generations of girls in her care. The flow of tears was renewed as she was overwhelmed by a bitter rush of self pity, she had devoted every waking moment to the care of those girls, she would not, could not, cause harm to befall even the most tiresome middle, despite her reputation her brusque manner concealed an achingly tender heart, a heart that was now shattered. Was this to be her reward? Was this how the years of willing self sacrifice were to end? With an ignominious departure under the shadow of darkness, her vital role in the schools history airbrushed from the book of legends? The silent tears turned into great gulping sobs, the mucus from her nose intermingling with acrid salty water pouring from her eyes, as she gave way to her grief at the injustice of life, and the pain of her loneliness.

Jack’s speedy march through the corridors to Hilda Annersley’s office was broken only by the need to ask Kathie Ferrars to go to the sick room, he was uncomfortably aware that too much time had passed since he had made that promise to Isabel whoever, and he was anxious to discharge his duties in that direction without further delay. Thankfully Miss Ferrars had been in the staff room and she had unquestioningly followed his directives, although inwardly she was consumed by a burning curiosity as to what had happened to cause that expression to appear on the doctors face.
When he reached the study he was confronted by two small girls. They too, were labouring under their feelings, a mixture of guilt and apprehension, and if they had less reason to reproach themselves than some of their elders, their crime was certainly bad enough in the eyes of their head mistress.
The final confirmation that life among the Chalet School juniors had returned to normal had come some three hours previously when a chance remark by Laurence Martin, a small vivid French girls who was an ornament of UIII, about one of her countries writers had almost led to a stand up fight between her and one of her compatriots. Antoinette Pessalier was remotely related to the writer in question, and had always been unaccountably proud of the fact, therefore she felt honour bound to stand up for his reputation.
During the ensuing altercation the exchange of insults had quickly degenerated into an exchange of missiles, which, more by luck than judgement, had caused injury to nothing more animate than a window, but that was enough. The wrath of the authorities had descended upon them forthwith, and they were most decidedly not looking forward to the forthcoming interview with the head.
Hilda had decided to be merciful and speak to them the same day, rather than leaving them to stew in their own juices overnight, but her plans had been compromised when Joey, in a highly fragile state of mind, had unceremoniously burst into her office just before the arrival of the two French girls.
They were left wondering if the unnaturally long wait was part of their punishment, Hilda was faced with the more pressing problem of what to do with Joey, a dilemma which was not helped by that lady’s inability to discuss her troubles.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 9^th, 2003, 8:26am

Thank you Esmeralda - they'll all need to form an orderly queue! Poor Hilda having to sort that lot out ! (And poor you!)

More please!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 9^th, 2003, 10:02am

Esmeralda, this is wonderful and the repercussions are going to be very interesting! Can't wait to see them!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 9^th, 2003, 2:12pm

Come on Esmeralda - it's time for the next installment surely?

Mooooooooooooore!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 9^th, 2003, 4:38pm

Esmerelda, that is going to be very interesting for you. What a situation for you to resolve, or rahter for Hilda to tell you how she resolved.

Looking forward to reading more of this later tomight.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 9^th, 2003, 5:23pm

Great installment Esmeralda!! More soon please!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 10^th, 2003, 3:31am

*Thanks everyone for their interest, but points out that it's a bit futile to ask for more while I'm at work, for one thing there are usually too many people interupting to even think about story never mind writing it, and secondly, people have 'decided to pursue their career outside the company' before after being seen to use the internet for their own use.
So a bit late, but still tonight as I haven't been to bed yet......

She had walked into the study, her face blank of any emotion, and stood looking around her as if unsure as to where she was.
“Joey,” Hilda had jumped up in alarm and guided her to the settle, “Whatever’s wrong?” Knowing nothing of Jack’s presence in the school, her first thought was that something had gone badly wrong with Con. The last time she had seen Joey in such a state was the time when Jack had been reported missing, believed drowned, during the war.
“Con? Con’s in the San, Jack says she’ll be all right.” Jo replied drearily, “He just seems to think that I’m incapable of looking after her myself.”
“Joey,” Hilda gasped again, “I’m sure Jack never said any such thing.”
“Didn’t he? I don’t know. I don’t understand what’s happening. If you don’t mind,” she moved away from Hilda’s touch, “I need to think. Please leave me alone.” She turned away, signalling that the conversation was over.
Hilda was not to be diverted quite that easily, “You know that I have no wish to pry into your private business, Jo, but if there is anything I can do to help you, you must ask.”
“There is nothing you can do,” Jo continued to speak in the same harsh monotone which alarmed Hilda so much, “There’s nothing anyone can do.”
Hilda looked at her helplessly, knowing that she could not force Joey to confide in her, but aware that the highly sensitive woman would easily make herself ill if nothing could be done to penetrate the cocoon she had built around herself before too many hours had passed.
At that moment she heartily wished she had stuck to her first instincts and squashed Joey when she had first proposed taking over Con’s classes for the day. “She should have stayed at home and been on hand for Con,” she thought, “Jack would have had no reason to criticise in that case. I suppose that’s what all this is about. And she’s probably feeling guilty about not being there too. It’s just a pity that she let’s things like this hit her so hard.”
Hilda was not without sympathy for her friend, but she was also a little irritated by her tendency to indulge her misery, a feeling she tried to fight down, believing it to be disloyal and knowing that it had partly arisen due to the imminent interview with the miscreants from form III.
She sighed, it was inconceivable that she could deliver a lecture with Joey in the room, but Joey was showing no signs of leaving, and Hilda was reluctant, and truth be told, slightly afraid of trying to persuade her to do so. At the same time, she knew that she would be treating the French girls unfairly if she delayed delivering judgement, having already announced that she would do so immediately. Torn between her concern for her friend and her duty to her pupils, she sat down at her desk and glared at the clock on the wall, as trying to force time to stop moving on.
“I suppose I can deliver my lecture anywhere,” She thought, “In Rosalie’s office, or one of the class rooms, of course it won’t have quite the same effect, but I think what I’ve got to say will help them curb their tempers, but is it safe to leave Joey? I don’t want her taking into her head to go to the San to see Con. This isn’t the weather for anyone to be wandering around on the Platz. If only Rosalie hadn’t chosen to fetch the new stationary supplies today, but I suppose there’s little of chance of her returning any time soon.”
Realising that quite a few minutes had already passed while she had been considering what to do for the best, she threw a glance in Joey’s direction. What she saw offered her no reassurance, Jo still sat, unnaturally still, with the same blank expression on her face as she looked at, at what?
“I suppose I’d better call Jack,” she decided, “Or one of the other doctors, I suppose the phone’s still dead though. Yes, I thought so, I’ll have to send Gaudenz with a message.” She had just reached out to ring the bell which she used to summon the domestic staff when Jack himself strode into the office.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 10^th, 2003, 3:39am

Esmeralda, I know you need little bits to fill in between the big and important bits, but I (and possibly others) am/are hanging out to find out what Jack is going to say to Hilda about Matey. Would you PLEASE get to that soon?!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 10^th, 2003, 3:54am

Didn't you want to know what Jo was doing?

Don't fret - Jack is poised to begin talking, you'll find out what he says tomorrow, possibly even tomorrow morning if my Bunny is feeling as frisky as he is at the moment. It's a pity I'm half asleep and too tired to type.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 10^th, 2003, 4:04am

I have to admit that I find the Jack and Matey argument more interesting that Joey, although I'm sure that will also become a major part of the story.

*offers a tape recorder for the bunny and a bed for Esmeralda*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 10^th, 2003, 9:14am

** Sitting nibbling finger ends in anticipation of the forthcoming scene **

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 10^th, 2003, 12:06pm

*Worried in case I've promised more than I can deliver

This is the first bit, I don't have time to write more at the moment as I have to go to work early, but there will be more later.

He had dealt with the two children blocking his way in short order, “Waiting to see Hil, Miss Annersley? She’s a bit busy at the moment, run along and join your friends.” The two had looked at one another, wanting to follow his instructions, but afraid of causing more trouble for themselves if they did so.
“Jack, thank goodness you’re here,” Hilda greeted him with some relief, “Joey-“
“Not now Hilda. That bloody woman, she’s got to go, Hilda. I don’t care what she’s done in the past, nothing can excuse this.”
“Jack,” Hilda threw an appalled glance at Joey, thinking for one moment that she was the object of her sentence, but he who had scarcely registered his wife’s presence in the room, brushed aside her interjection.
“You need to find out just exactly how many girls have been receiving doses from her, Hilda, but for heavens sake be discreet. I don’t know how much of a school you’ll have left if this gets out.”
“That’s enough.” Hilda spoke in her sternest tones, “I haven’t the foggiest idea what you’re talking about Jack Maynard, and I suggest you take a few moments to calm down while I deal with two of my pupils.”
Her tones, guaranteed to make the most defiant schoolgirl feel like a slug had some effect on the man in front of her, he realised that so far, he had said little that would make sense to the head, a situation which he set about rectifying forthwith.
“I’m sorry, Hilda, but this is more important than dealing with a couple of naughty children. I sent them away.”
The head gaped, never before having been in the position of having her authority so casually usurped by an outsider, “Then I suggest you begin to explain yourself,” she said coldly.
“Do you know what Laudanum is Hilda?”
“Of course,” she felt her stomach twist with a sick horror as she began to piece together his disjointed comments, “You can’t mean….”
“I’m afraid so. Matron has seen fit to dispense it to the girls, when they are having trouble sleeping. And the staff, including you yourself I should imagine, and definitely to my Con, who is being cared for in the San while she goes through the trauma of withdrawal. You also have another girl upstairs in the school san, she hasn’t reached that stage yet, but she is suffering from the effects of the drug. She is being cared for by your new nurse, who I might add, has no qualifications for the role whatsoever, another of Matey’s bright ideas, though I’m hardly surprised that she wanted someone who wouldn’t realise what she was up to.”
“No Jack, you must be wrong. I can’t believe that Matey would do any such thing.”

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 10^th, 2003, 1:23pm

ooooooooooooh, what's Hilda going to do now?

Why do people have to keep going to work when I want them to write drabbles?

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Jennie on Nov 10^th, 2003, 1:36pm

I agree Rachel. Why can't Esmeralsda's boss realise that he ought to pay her for writing this drabble? :'(

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 10^th, 2003, 1:45pm

I can see that abolishing work for all drabblers will have to be a key part of my manifesto ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Ally on Nov 10^th, 2003, 2:03pm

on 11/10/03 at 12:06:02, Esmeralda wrote:

Her tones, guaranteed to make the most defiant schoolgirl feel like a slug

What a fabulous line!

More please ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 10^th, 2003, 3:15pm

on 11/10/03 at 13:45:13, Rachel wrote:

I can see that abolishing work for all drabblers will have to be a key part of my manifesto ;)

If you can do that and pay off my mortgage I'll vote for you Rachel! ;)

Esmeralda - wonderful last post - Matey would have been dosing everyone - even Hilda - can't see Matey keeping her job!

More please!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Jennie on Nov 10^th, 2003, 3:28pm

I've already promised you my vote, Rachel. But, just make it for drabblers, otherwise no-one would do anything, and I'm rather partial to 3 meals a day. (WITH snacks) of course.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 10^th, 2003, 6:17pm

Of course it's only drabblers who get to quit work! But only when they reach the magic number of six hundred and sixty six posts ;)

Anyone else, with either fewer posts, or no posts at all, will still have to work and will be taxed at a rate of 99%. I think this is fair as it will a) encourage faster postings and b) give me lots of money to play with ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Jennie on Nov 10^th, 2003, 8:35pm

Everyone else off the board please, so I can achieve the magic number of posts. There's no way I'm going to work for a living if I can tell everyone else how & what to do!
Would love to be in that position, just fancy being able to write all day if we wanted to!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 10^th, 2003, 9:14pm

I'm sorry, Jennie, but I need to tell Esmeralda what I think about her latest part, so I can't stop posting.

Esmeralda, this was very interesting. I'm thinking Hilda will defend Matey, in spite of her better judgement, and this will result in a split between the school and Freudesheim. I could be wrong, of course, and probably am, but it's fun to speculate.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by PatW on Nov 10^th, 2003, 9:41pm

on 11/10/03 at 18:17:19, Rachel wrote:

Of course it's only drabblers who get to quit work! But only when they reach the magic number of six hundred and sixty six posts ;)

I take it that the sign of the Devil was deliberate?! :o

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 11^th, 2003, 1:06am

on 11/10/03 at 21:41:56, PatW wrote:

I take it that the sign of the Devil was deliberate?! :o

Pat, this is Rachel, of course it was deliberate!!! ::)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 11^th, 2003, 2:54am

on 11/10/03 at 21:14:37, KB wrote:

'm thinking Hilda will defend Matey, in spite of her better judgement, and this will result in a split between the school and Freudesheim. I could be wrong, of course, and probably am, but it's fun to speculate.

*would just like to point out that any similarities to KB's speculation are purely coincidental ;D
(Which doesn't necessarily mean that KB is totally right)

A strangled noise from the other side of the room made them both turn their heads, Jo, thouroughly shaken out of her apathetic attitude by what she had heard, rose to her feet, “Is it true Jack?”
“Jo.” The shocked look on Jack’s face echoed that of his wife’s. In his temper he had forgotten that she was sitting on the settle.”
“Is it true?”
“Yes Jo, it is.”
Joey took a second to digest the situation, then without warning, her long legs covered the short distance between them and she slapped him, hard, across the face. “You b******,”
“What the….”
“You weren’t going to tell me were you? You think it’s quite all right to discuss Con’s illness with Hilda, and goodness knows who else, but keep it from me, her own mother. I’m sick of it, of you, the pair of you. How many other things happen that I know nothing about? You’re just as bad as he is,” she rounded on Miss Annersley, “And I thought you were my friend. I named my daughter after you, you and that, that woman! That’s one thing in which I’m in complete agreement with Jack, Hilda, you have got to get rid of her, if not, I shall remove all my girls from this school. I’m not sure that I won’t do that anyway. What sort of headmistress would allow something like this to go on under her nose without noticing? What do you think Madge will have to say?”
“There’s no reason why Madge need ever know, not if we deal with this immediately.” Jack interjected, massaging his face gently, Jo had put all her force into that blow, and that, added to the fact she had delivered it all, had knocked Jack off balance in more ways than one.
“A cover up?” Jo looked at the two of them contemptuously, “Yes, that is the Chalet School way isn’t it? To sweep everything under the carpet.”
“And how do you think it would benefit Madge if this became generally known? You have already threatened to take the girls away if Matey remains, in which incidentally, you have my full support, but how many other parents would come to the same decision?”
“All of them, if they’re any sort of parent at all, but Madge has the right to know about this.” Jo glared at her husband. “It’s wrong to keep something like this from her, it’s downright deceitful.”
Jack tried to return her glare, but in this at least, he knew that she was right. He gave Hilda a quick look of mute apology, before he admitted as much. “Very well, Madge must be told. But we do not want an international scandal, Jo, for goodness sake mind what you say to anyone else.”
“I think you’ll find that I can be just as secretive as you, if necessary.”
“That I don’t doubt.”
Hilda felt it incumbent upon herself to intervene. She heard the bitterness behind the Maynard’s words to one another, a terrible contrast to the bantering, teasing squabbles which she had come to expect when in their company, and she realised that something was badly wrong, more than Con’s indisposition, more than Jack’s intent to shield Joey from the truth. If two of her closest friends were intent on tearing their marriage apart, she understood that she could do little about it, but she was not going to sit there and watch it happen in front of her eyes. Once again she felt called upon to adopt her iciest, most severe, headmistress mode. “This behaviour is, sadly, something which one often encounters in the kindergarten, it is not the behaviour one expects from two people who are, supposedly, adults. From what you say, it appears we may have a serious problem, I suggest we try to discuss the matter rationally.”
“We may have a serious problem,” Joey, refusing to be subdued quoted back at her, “That is something of an understatement, Hilda.”
“So far, all I have heard are some rather wild allegations from Jack. What I haven’t heard is any evidence to back them up.”
“No doubt he want’s to spare me all the details,” Jo snapped, “But that won’t wash this time, I want to know exactly what has been happening.”
“Very well.” Jack drew up one of the chairs and sat down, motioning for Joey to do the same, and related for the two women’s benefit, the day’s events, sparing them only the story of his confrontation with Eugen Courvoisier.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 11^th, 2003, 2:57am

Sorry - it was too long!

They listened with mounting horror as the tale damned Matey. But while Joey struggled to keep a lid on her temper, Hilda’s emotions were more complex. She unconciously played with the seal ring bequeathed to her by Bill, certain that her friend would watch over her, help her choose the right path, but longing fiercely for her physical presence, for the support that presence would give her.
“I think we should hear Matron’s side of the story,” she pronounced finally. “I believe that under British law there is a presumption of innocence, until one has been proven guilty. And even the most vile murderer is entitled to a fair and just trial. So far, Matron has not been given the opportunity to defend herself, she shall have that opportunity before I make any decision.” She rang for one of the maids and asked for Matron to be sent to the study as soon as possible, then she arose from her seat and walked towards the door, “In the meantime, I have two juniors who are also waiting for me to administer justice, please excuse me for a few moments."

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 11^th, 2003, 3:10am

*waiting with bated breath to hear Matey's defence, and Hilda's verdict*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Kathryn on Nov 11^th, 2003, 3:26am

Are you breathing yet or slowly going purple?? ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 11^th, 2003, 3:42am

*watches Vikki turn from purple to blue and fall of her chair before summoning Matey and her laudanum*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Kathryn on Nov 11^th, 2003, 3:53am

Laundanum sends people to sleep. You want smelling salts to wake her up and get her breathing again. Though keep the laudanum on hand for the resulting hysteria if new bits aren't posted soon!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 11^th, 2003, 4:15am

*lets go of nose, opens mouth and begins breathing again, slowly regaining normal colouring!!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 11^th, 2003, 4:59am

Wow, Jack and Jo trying to tear each other apart in Hilda's study! Hilda the only sense of reason! Esmeralda this is wonderful and, incidentally, your title is extremely apt!

More please!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Ally on Nov 11^th, 2003, 1:26pm

Ooohh, I'm glad Hilda was able to remain her clam self in face of all these revelations and arguments, but will Matey have an excuse?

*Still worried about Eugen*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 11^th, 2003, 1:33pm

** Jumps up and down doing the "oooooh! oooooh! me too!" squeak **

In case you missed that, I would also like to know how Matey is going to attempt to defend herself. :D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by LauraT on Nov 11^th, 2003, 8:10pm

OMG! Esmeralda, you've almost got me feeling sorry for Matey! :o :o :o

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 11^th, 2003, 8:29pm

Quick! Somebody get Laura a dose! She must be ill poor thing!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 11^th, 2003, 9:09pm

Miss a night and all kinds of things happen!! :o

Good for Hilda, but I can't see what type of defence matey will have manged to concoct in such a short time.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 11^th, 2003, 10:30pm

Esmeralda, where are you?! You do realise that it's your duty to keep going, don't you? Now that Fights is finished and Real CS starting to wind up, you're our only hope for the daily dose of epic we've all come to expect!!

*wants to give everyone in this scene (apart from Hilda) a good slapping*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 12^th, 2003, 3:48am

on 11/11/03 at 22:30:16, Lisa_T wrote:

*Screams in horror :o Oh no - I'm not going to take on that kind of responsibility - appeals to other drabbler to begin long term projects.

Hilda dealt with the two miscreants swiftly, forgoing most of the lecture she had prepared, and although the two girls were rather gloomy when they realised they would be virtually penniless for the remainder of term, there would only be enough pocket money left for church collections by the time they had paid for the damage, and that they would be barred from taking any part in the Nativity celebrations, they considered that on the whole they had got off fairly lightly. The punishment they had been dreading most of all, spending Saturday evenings in Matey’s room sewing sheets sides to middle, was not mentioned, much to their delight, although both of them were rather suspicious about this, fearing that it would be added to the list of punishments later.
Her duty done, the head returned to the inner office, wondering if she would be called upon to intervene in another argument, but those fears proved groundless. Joey and Jack were sitting silently, worlds apart. The sight did nothing to lighten her heart, her only relief being that Joey appeared to have been completely jolted out of her earlier dreary numbness.
She thought it rather a pity, in a way, that she couldn’t treat the two of them to the lecture she had intended delivering earlier, but she was wise enough to take no such action, knowing that she had no real understanding of the complexities of married life, no knowledge of the secret relationship between man and wife.
Unable to think of a fitting comment to break the silence, she spread some of her paperwork over her desk, and the proceeded to sort it back into the order from which it had come.
The only sound in the room, save the rustling of Hilda’s paperwork, was the ticking of the clock, and even that regular, rhythmic sound seemed to to occur at longer intervals than ever before. Hilda had a sudden insight into how it must feel to be a schoolgirl standing on the carpet in front of her. She began to feel that she herself would want to scream if the heavy silence lasted much longer.
It was a relief to all three of them when a sharp rap on the door heralded the return of Eva, the maid despatched to fetch Matey, but Eva had returned alone.
Although the domestic staff were encouraged, expected even, to become as linguistically proficient as the pupils, Miss Annersley allowed the maid to explain the situation in her own language. Eva had had no success in her mission, indeed she had failed to even persuade the matron to open her door, the matron was indisposed and could not see anyone. The maid finished with a shrug, she had carries out the ladies instructions, it was not her fault if the other lady had refused the invitation.
“Of course not Eva. No–one is blaming you. You may go and continue with your work now.”
“Well, I hope that convinces you, Hilda,” Joey exclaimed harshly once the maid had gone, “She’s got nothing whatsoever to say for herself. If that doesn’t prove her guilt nothing will.”
“Joey,” Hilda admonished her gently, “This is Matey we are talking about, not only did she set you on the right path to becoming the highly successful writer you are now, how many illnesses has she nursed you through? And who did she turn to when her beloved sister died? I cannot believe that she would ever deliberately set out to harm either you or any of your family. Are you really prepared to condemn her out of hand?”
Joey glared back at her, “You don’t know what you’re talking about Hilda. You don’t have a child of your own, a child who is suffering terribly because of that woman. If you knew what that felt like you would be ready to condemn her all right.”
Hilda flushed slightly, were she to have her life again she would follow exactly the same path, her vocation had, for the most part, brought her nothing but happness and fulfilment, but she felt the occasional twinge of regret for those joys she would never experience and Joey’s comment had wounded her a little.
“Jack?” she turned to Joey’s husband, “How would you say Matron was when you left her? Was she upset, would you say?”
“She damn well deserves to be upset.” Jack growled back.
“I’ll take that as an affirmative then. And I think that may have as much to do with her reluctance to come to the study as her supposed guilt. She’s hardly likely to want to parade through the school looking somewhat worse for wear. I think, that if we want to speak to her, we are going to have to go to her, rather than waiting for her to come to us.”
“Frankly, I think you’re making rather too many excuses for the woman, but if you insist on hearing what she has to say for herself, we had best get on with it.” Joey rose to her feet.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 12^th, 2003, 3:51am

Hilda had rather more success than Eva when she demanded that Matey open the door, the same strict tones which had worked on Jack earlier proved to be more than Matey could withstand. When the three of them gained admittance to the sitting room the Head could see that her surmise had been correct. Matey’s reddened eyes and blotchy skin told their own tale, but there was enough residual pride in her manner to prevent her from making a show of herself. “Gwynneth, Jack has been to me with some rather serious allegations about your conduct. He tells me that you have been drugging the girls with an opiate solution, and that you have in fact admitted to doing this. Is this true?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong Hilda.”
Joey gasped, but Miss Annersley silenced her, “Be quiet Joey, it’s my place to deal with this Are you denying these allegations Matey?”
“I have been using the same dose ever since I started at this school. There have been many occasions when it has been necessary to give the girls something to help them sleep after some upset. You would have had many upset, and fractious, children to deal with if I hadn’t. And staff too, you didn’t argue about taking it yourself, not so long ago, and I don’t believe that you have suffered from doing so.”
Hilda shudderd slightly as she was forced to remember those dreadful days immediately after the confirmation of Nell Wilson’s fate, it was still too recent for her to be comfortable with the thought, and she privately doubted that anything could have added to her suffering. “For a few days, Matey, I believe that Con Maynard has been using it for rather longer than that. I notice that you are not denying the use of opiates, you are merely protesting that they could not hurt anyone. Is it true that that you have been dosing people with Laudanum?”
“My Grandmother swore by it. Everyone used to use it at one time. You know for yourself how effective it is.”
“Did you never wonder, Gwynneth, why something which worked so well was not generally available? Didn’t you ever wonder why ‘everyone’ had stopped using it? If, for some reason, you ran out of supplies, would you give the girls Morphine to help them through their troubles?”
“Of course not.” Matey was genuinely shocked by the very suggestion.
“Why were you so keen for me to employ Isabel Barber? “Was it a genuine wish to help her in her career, or was it the fact that she was unqualified, and unlikely to realise what you were doing? And unlikely to oppose you if she did?”
“I wanted to help her, Hilda. She was interested in my work, she asked intelligent questions and I believe she has the makings of a very good nurse. We have had plenty of girls here with fancy ideas about becoming doctors,” she glanced at Jack, unable to prevent an ugly sneer appearing on her face, “And they never thought they could possibly learn anything from me, a mere matron. Isabel was different, she didn’t think that nursing was a second class career.”
Hilda nodded, satisfied that Matey had engineered Isabel’s appointment with the best of intentions, but as for the other matter, “I think this is too serious for me to deal with. It must, I think, be referred to Lady Russell. In the meantime Matey, I am going to have to ask you to relinquish your duties. I’m sure that a nurse can be spared from the San to help us out until a decision is made one way or another. In the meantime, you may, if you wish, remain in the school, but I absolutely forbid you to dispense any medicine, even an aspirin, to any girl in this establishment, or if you would prefer, you may take a short break away from here. I will telephone Lady Russell in the morning, the decision is in her hands now, but I’m certain she will not wish to judge you without giving you the opportunity to have your say. One last thing, I need to know the names of all the girls who have been taking this drug reguarly, and also. I think, the name and address of your supplier.”
“No.” Matey protested despairingly, “Please Hilda, don’t do this, you can’t take the school away from me. Don’t let Jack Maynard poison you against me like this, I’ve never hurt anyone, I couldn’t. Joey, you’ll put a stop to this won’t you? You’ll tell Madge that I haven’t done anything wrong, please Joey?” She turned to the woman who had always been her secret delight, “Joey, speak to Madge for me, please?”
“I shall do no such thing.”
Matron stepped back in confusion at Joey’s hard words, “But, but Joey….”
“What you have done is evil, I shall certainly recomment to Madge that she gets rid of you straight away.”
“That’s enough Josephine,” Hilda interjected, as she saw Matey’s eye fill with pain. “I think we have finished here.” She shepherded the Maynards out of the room in short order, taking a few moments utter a few words of comfort to Matey before she herself followed them, “I’m sorry Matey, I really am, but I have to think of the girls. And Matey, don’t pay too much heed to Joey, she’s upset about Con.”
“She meant every word,” Matey seemed to visibly crumple before Hilda’s eyes. “She meant every word of it.” Her despairing wail followed Hilda as she walked away down the corridor.

*Has to admit to quite enjoying her current status, even though it isn't really true!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 12^th, 2003, 4:29am

I'm not surprised you're enjoying it, Esmeralda, although you've presumably been enjoying torturing us with snippets of this story for a while, so you should be quite used to it by now! ;)

Hmm, what to say about this part? The emotions you conveyed in it were excellent, and I could easily understand both Jack and Jo's anger, as well as Matey's remorse and defensive attitude and Hilda's feeling that this was too much for her to handle. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here, as I don't believe Madge hired Matey (whose first appearance was "Head Girl") and so may not have a great deal of sympathy for her.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Rachel on Nov 12^th, 2003, 9:19am

Esmeralda, that was amazing. You certainly have the knack for tweaking my emotions! The way you wrote those last couple of scenes, I could understand exactly what each character was feeling, and my sympathies were swinging around all over the place - but I think I shall let Hilda have most of them! Poor Hilda, having to sort out this mess and deal with everybody else's hurt feelings too!

When's the next bit coming??

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa on Nov 12^th, 2003, 9:20am

Have spent the last two days reading the whole story through for the first time - this is so fantastic, Esmeralda! I know I will get this confused with the real CS books now! Do you know how many words you've written? This is all very intimidating to a newcomer like me! I've got so much admiration for you to do all this & work!

It's great! Carry on!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 12^th, 2003, 4:50pm

This gets better and better Esmeralda!! Please carry on, and post lots more!!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Nicolette on Nov 12^th, 2003, 6:02pm

Hilda is just wonderful in this!
More please!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 12^th, 2003, 8:07pm

Thanks once again Esmerelda. You have me feeling sorry for everyone, even Matey!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 12^th, 2003, 9:43pm

Excellent Esmeralda - really loving this -BTW has Eugene starved to death yet? ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 12^th, 2003, 10:03pm

Isn't Eugen still poised, mid leap on the mountain side? ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 12^th, 2003, 10:19pm

on 11/12/03 at 21:43:58, Lesley wrote:

Excellent Esmeralda - really loving this -BTW has Eugene starved to death yet? ;)

As incredible as it may seem, Lesley & Vikki and anyone else who is worrying about Eugen - it's only about two or three hours since we last saw him massaging his leg after he got cramp. I don't think he has starved to death just yet ;D

I guess I must be waffling too much!

Just in case anyone misunderstood - when I said I was enjoying my present 'status' I meant 'Title' There were quite a few 'Best Writers on here the other day, but most of you have moved on and left me in the minority

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Susan on Nov 13^th, 2003, 2:17am

Esmeralda this is great. Each character is portrayed so well. Poor Matey the end of the world as she knows it. Yes I do feel sorry for her she is so cloistered in her small world she didn't really realise it was wrong. Love the continuation of problems between Jo and Jack it would have been so easy to gloss over it. Poor, poor Hilda so many horrible problems to deal with and missing Bill so much. I feel so sorry for her. Would Con have needed so much Laudanum if Jo had looked after her better?

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 14^th, 2003, 2:20am

I feel sorriest for Hilda, myself. And Con. And the kid in the San. Come on, Esmeralda. I want to go to bed and I want to read more of this!!!!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 14^th, 2003, 2:55am

*Advises Lisa to go to bed if she hasn't already.

I know whats going to happen next, or rather what I want to happen, which may not turn out to be the same thing, but I'm having a problem working out how to connect the two bits - the 'bringing storylines together' Bunnyette has gone awol.
(Unless he's locked up in KB's kitchen)

Lisa-who-wanted-to-knowhow-many-words-I'd-written, It's just under sixty thousand, which makes this the second longest thing I've ever written, but it has taken just over three calender months so far.
*Wishes she could be as prolific as some drabblers

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 14^th, 2003, 3:15am

*checks in the kitchen and comes back to report that he's not there*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 14^th, 2003, 3:33am

That's a pity - I was hoping you would find him and despatch back post haste, oh well, I suppose I'll just have to wait until the little blighter decides to come back of his own accord.
Assuming he ever does decide to come back.....

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 14^th, 2003, 3:35am

Sorry! *goes off and bakes a delectable carrot cake to tempt the little ~~blighter~~ darling back with*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 14^th, 2003, 8:17pm

*wonders if Esmeralda's bunny has come home yet?*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 15^th, 2003, 2:24am

*wonders if one of those humane cage traps would do the job?*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 15^th, 2003, 4:17am

Why on earth are we being humane to PBs all of a sudden? ???

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 15^th, 2003, 8:14am

I'm not bothered. But we don;'t want Esmeralda (or anyone else, hint Vikki!) wailing about cruelty to animals and usiing it as an excuse for not posting more story!
I must be sleepy- had to get up early- i wrote 'posting more cruelty' first tiime round! *g*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 15^th, 2003, 9:29am

You must indeed. What are you doing up that early?

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 15^th, 2003, 10:28am

cos i need to work at my dad's shop! :'( and i slept very heavily after several nights of not sleeping well!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 15^th, 2003, 10:48am

Aw! *gives Lisa big huggles and hopes she has a good day*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 15^th, 2003, 3:15pm

Sorry, the tying-two-bits-of-the-story-together-pb did indeed come home, but when he saw me eating the last few crumbs of the carrot cake (thanks KB - it was delicious) he stormed off again.
After having an 'interesting' time at work, a Donner in a bun, and a small drop of beer I came home, read the last part of Real CS, babbled incoherently and, for for some strange reason, fell asleep. But, while I was sleeping, the going-off-at-a-very-slight-tangent bunnyette came to my rescue.......

Jenny’s friends had been enduring an anxious wait since she had been taken to the school san, and it was doubtful how much benefit they had gained from their education during the remaining lessons.
Cora, was quite capable of absorbing information whilst only giving the lesson half her attention. She had the distinction of being one of the brightest girls to have ever graced the Chalet School although more than one member of staff had lamented the fact that her common sense was sadly under developed in comparison to her intellect, but even she found that she was speculating more upon Jenny’s illness than the environmental changes wrought by mankind, although, sad to say, she was rather more concerned with finding out which of her diagnoses had been correct than with Jenny’s well being. Regrettably, her parents pride in her academic prowess had allowed them to overlook other factors in her upbringing, and having decided that her development was being hold back my slower children, they had, initially insisted on her being moved up through her various schools with great rapidity before finally deciding to remove her from formal education completely and hire private tutors for her. It was only a change in their circumstances which had resulted in her being sent to the Chalet School. Her mother’s widowed sister had found herself virtually penniless after her husbands death, and having no other family, she had been forced to appeal to the Collinges for help. They had agreed, reluctantly, to take her and her family in on a temporary basis, but it had begin obvious within a matter of days that the two twin boys, who came as part of the package, would be too disruptive to Cora’s studies, so she had been despatched, after a great deal of discussion, to Switzerland, where her lack of social skills had as much to do with her solitary state as her rapid advancement through the forms. It wasn’t until Hilary, feeling rather sorry for her at their first meeting, had approached her, that Cora had an experience of friendship, and frankly, she had no real idea what to do with it.
Hilary, Stella and Flaurette were also inclined to dwell somewhat on Cora’s words of doom. They all were still inclined to be awed by her intelligence, and thus gave the words greater import than would normally be the case. Stella, who had known Jenny longest, and who was still mourning her friend Mahala, was the most susceptible to these thoughts and her returned prep, covered with red ink, was testament to the fact that she scarcely heard, much less understood, a word of her lessons.
Hilary, was more inclined to treat Cora’s words with some scepticism, but, even so, she was unable to dismiss them completely, and spent most of the next few hours veering between deep gloom and wild optimism.
Flaurette, who’s delicate appearance belied a fierce determination, was the most successful at banishing her worries to the back of her mind whilst she concentrated on her lessons, and she gained her reward when she found herself heading the form lists for once, rather than taking second place behind Cora, but once lessons and prep were over she also found herself fretting over Jenny’s welfare.
No-one had expected to be called from their work to be informed of the patients progress, but they had hoped to glean some information later in the day, but after Kaffee und Kuchen had passed by with no comment, it became clear that they would have to wait until at least Abendessen before any of the authorities deigned to put them out of their misery. As they filed into the Speissasaal for that meal, it was with some horror that they noticed that both Miss Annersley and Matey were missing.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 15^th, 2003, 3:21pm

*very happy Esmeralda's bunnies have come home*
*wondering if said bunnies are alcohol fuelled and trying very hard to resist making the logical suggestion*

Come on Esmeralda- MORE!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 15^th, 2003, 3:21pm

“It doesn’t have to mean anything,” Hilary pondered as she pushed her food around her plate, “There could be any number of reasons why they’re not here. Perhaps Miss Annersley is ill again.”
“Hilary Francis, will you stop playing with your food and start eating,” Lucy Peter’s, who was precocious enough herself to have ascended to a position beyond her years was at the head of the table, and she, unfortunately had had a down on Hilary since their first meeting. Hence, she ignored the fact that Flaurette’s appetite was equally as poor and that Stella had eaten virtually nothing whilst she made the most of her opportunity to find fault with Hilary. “The whole of this table will sit here until you have eaten every last morsel, so I suggest you get on with it and stop talking such feeble minded nonsense.”
Hilary flushed slightly, and averted her gaze from the sub-prefect while she struggled to contain her feelings. When she finally spoke it was to apologise meekly to the older girl, but the vicious manner with which she stabbed a portion of potato with her fork betrayed her true feelings. Luckily, that little incident went unnoticed by Lucy. Flaurette had seen it though, and she was outraged on her friends behalf. She opened her mouth to speak, but Hilary, noticing the mutinous look on her face, delivered a swift, and none too gentle, kick under the table, ensuring her silence for the present moment at least.
At last the meal was over and the girls were dismissed to their common rooms. Lindsey Martin, noticing that the very worst of the storm seemed to over, wandered over to the window to get a better look, and thus it was that she noticed the ambulance drawing into the drive. “An amulance,” she exclaimed, “Who’s ill?”
“Jenny wasn’t at Abendesson, perhaps it’s for her.” Someone speculated as the main body of girls rushed to the window to get a better view.
“Of course it’s for Jenny,” Cora asserted herself loudly and confidently, “I told her she needed to see a doctor ages ago. If she’d listened to me….”
None of the other girls listened to Cora very much either and they continued to discuss the matter among themselves. “Miss Annersley wasn’t there either, perhaps it’s for her. Hilary said she might be ill again, I heard her.”
“Don’t be such an ass, if Jenny, or any of us, were ill, the head would want to be on the spot, but I cannot imagine that she would want any us around if she was ill.”
The pointless argument continued with a vigour which would have been worthy of a better cause, “And how would Hilary know if Miss Annersley was ill anyway?” Melissa enquired.
“Well, that’s what she said, ask her.”
The group turned away from the windows to do just that but by then Hilary was no where to be seen.
She, Stella and Flaurette had exchanged brief looks of horror, before Stella rather shakily proclaimed her intention of seeking out Miss Annersley. The other two had followed her as she slipped out of the room.

I'm going out now, but hopefully should be able to get back to this later, and I don't have to go back to work until Thursday!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 15^th, 2003, 3:26pm

*wails* Do you have to go out? Can't you do more of this first?

*reminds Esmeralda of her duties unless she wants a crowd of comatose CBBers after her* ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 15^th, 2003, 4:00pm

Wonderful Esmeralda - as always!

Lots more please! :)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 15^th, 2003, 8:06pm

Yay! That was great Esmeralda! Enjoy your time off work, and please write lots!! ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 15^th, 2003, 8:43pm

Hmm, very, very interesting Esmeralda. I'm glad you've given the friends such three-dimensional characters, as it makes them so much more interesting. And isn't Lucy Peters turning out to be an unlikeable individual, picking on people?

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 15^th, 2003, 11:57pm

Thank you. I just thought, that as this story was really supposed to be about Hilary and her friends when I first started it, before it got hi-jacked by the 'grown ups', I ought to mention her occasionally - and this bit does have some relevance to what I think is going to happen later.
I was hoping to write some more tonight, but it just isn't going to happen, I think all the late night, I mean early morning bedtimes are catching up with me, and I really do need to be up fairly early tomorrow so that I can take the dog for a walk before the rugby starts, so I'm going to bed soon.
*Congrats to Australia for making the final - so far it's all working out as per Lesley's sneak preview into the future.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 16^th, 2003, 12:49am

*gives Esmeralda a good-night hug and sends her off to bed*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 16^th, 2003, 8:39pm

Thanks KB, I really was tired last night.....

Miss Annersley had insisted on visiting Jenny in the sick room after her confrontation with Matey, “I need to see the results of Matey’s actions before I speak to Madge,” she said.
Jack had agreed, pointing out that the younger patient was not suffering from the same symptoms as Con, “She still has the drug in her body,” he pointed out, “And in her case this is what is causing the other effects, although hopefully she has calmed down now. Con is suffering because her body is craving more of the drug.”
He ushered Hilda up the second flight of stairs. Joey followed behind them. “What are you doing Joey?” Jack dropped behind to ask, “There’s no need for you to see the girl. She isn’t an exhibit in the zoo, and she isn’t going to get better if you sing to her.”
Jo flinched, “Why……” she shook her head, “I’ll wait down stairs.” She could think of only one reason for Jack’s attitude, Roger must have confessed. But she wasn’t ready to hear him say so, yet.

As Jack had predicted, Jenny was calmer, but she was still somewhat restless, complaining of feeling tired, but finding herself unable to sleep. Miss Annersley said a few soothing words to her, which seemed to help a little, but she did not extend her visit.
“I need to have a talk with you too, later, dear,” She murmured to Isabel as she moved past her, causing the putative nurse to flush painfully.
Jack gave her a sympathetic glance, “Don’t worry, Isabel, no-one thinks that any of this is your fault, although I’ll admit that I did think so at first, and I’m sorry about that. You’ve done a fine job under the circumstances, as I’m sure Miss Ferrars will agree.” He looked across at the teacher for confirmation, which was rapidly forthcoming.
“Definitely.”
Hilda nodded and led the way out of the room.
Immediately they arrived on the ground floor, Jack jiggled with the telephone in Rosalie’s office. He had no great faith in the lines being restored, but he was anxious to get the girl taken to the San as soon as possible, and he judged that the storm had lessened enough for him to make the journey in his car if necessary, but he would still rather summon an ambulance if possible.
It was with both surprise and relief that he found the phone was operational and he lost no time in arranging for Jenny to be taken to the San, before he followed Hilda into the inner office.
She sat behind her desk, lines of worry etched onto her face, “I’m getting too old for all this, Jack.” She said softly, “When Nell was here…..” she left the rest of the thought unsaid.
“You’ve had a shock, Hilda, it’s a messy business, and you’ve just found out that the woman who you would normally look to for support in this situation, the woman who, if I dare say so, would normally ‘mother’ you, is actually the cause of the whole problem. Of course you’re feeling tired, but you’ll get over this. You’ve come back from worse.”
“She gave me some of that stuff,” Hilda grimaced. “I suppose I should be thankful that I’m not in the same condition as that poor girl. How could she think it was harmless?”

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 16^th, 2003, 8:42pm

“It was a very popular drug in her grandmothers day, possibly even in her mothers day too, although she didn’t mention her. And to be honest, Matey isn’t very up to date with her methods. Up until now, we’ve just let her get on with it. Anna still uses some remedies passed down from her grandmother, though nothing this dangerous I’m glad to say. She swears that they work as well, if not better than some of our modern drugs, and I’m not sure that she isn’t right, some of the time. But no-one could have imagined that Matey was dishing out a form of opium, not in this day and age. She knew the dangers of morphine all right, when you mentioned it.”
“I do have some sympathy for her,” Hilda admitted, “No Jack, it isn’t all her fault. I’m responsible for everthing that happens in this school, I should have arranged for Matey to have regular refresher courses. As you said, we have just let her get on with it. We, I shouldn’t have. I’m quite prepared to admit to my own culpability, and I shall say as much to Lady Russell. In the mean time, what on earth am I going to say to Jenny’s parents? They’ll have to be told that she is ill, and to be honest I don’t think that we can really cover this up.”
“We will just have to hope they don’t enquire too deeply. If they ask, they’ll have to be told, but I can see no point in answering questions that they don’t ask. Particularly if the answer is likely to cause needless panic, but to be honest, I think that she should be prepared for them to remove Jenny from the school, at the very least. And I would expect them to want some sort of compensation too. Then you’ll just have to hope that they will be satisfied enough not to want to spread it around.”
“Pay them off you mean?” Hilda glared, “That doesn’t seem very, honourable.”
“No.” Jack had the grace to look uncomfortable, “But it is the most pragmatic course of action. I’m sure that is what Jem will suggest.”
Hilda sighed. “I suppose that is something else I should discuss with Madge first. I just hope that Jenny and Con are the only two girls to be affected. Do you think I’ll be able to persuade Matey to tell me if there are any others?”
“Only if you promise to reinstate her. I would suggest you leave young Kathie Ferrars and young Isabel on guard, then if any of the girls go looking for Matey they can intercept them. I wouldn’t suddenly make an announcement to the whole school asking for any one who has been taking a dose each night to come to you. I think you’ll find that quite a few of them will put two and two together quite easily.”
“Yes, I can quite imagine what sort of speculation that would cause!” Hilda face showed the barest shadow of a smile as she envisaged such a scenario, but it was quickly banished by the gravity of the situation. “I wonder where Jo is?”
“Gone home, probably.” Jack glanced out of the window to see that the rain had all but stopped. “I think I can hear the ambulance coming, I’d better go and meet them.”
“And Jennie will need some of her things with her, which no-one has given a thought to. I’ll go and see to that.”

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 16^th, 2003, 9:21pm

Thank you Esmeralda!!
*wonders how Con is doing?*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 16^th, 2003, 10:14pm

*also wonders how Con is*
*even sorrier for Hilda, having to sort all this out!*

Hey here's a suggestion. Now that Real Cs is over I vote we camp here now and make sure we get plenty more of this from Esmeralda! ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Sarah_L on Nov 16^th, 2003, 10:21pm

*setting up tent*

*giving up trying to set up tent by self, and asking for help*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 16^th, 2003, 10:31pm

I'll join the camp. Do we have a campfire, and nice little bit of chanting too?

Since I hope to have most of my part of the Christmas drabbles done before we start posting, I'm free from chanting at the moment and can indulge myself.

I have a large 6-9 berth tent if anyone needs to share, with three separate bedrooms.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 16^th, 2003, 10:59pm

Oh yes, that's just the thing. Can I share, Carolyn? Or maybe that should be 'may I'- grrr. I'm sure we can have a campfire if you can light it! ;D

*starts chanting*
*hopes Esmeralda can hear it!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 16^th, 2003, 11:00pm

Esmeralda - this is getting even better! Really interested in how this is all going to be resolved. More please!

*My sincere condolences for the chanters now camped on your thread!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 16^th, 2003, 11:08pm

*arrives with sleeping bag to join the camp*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:06am

*Points out that this story is built on extremely rocky foundations, therefore it will be difficult, nay, impossible to find anywhere to knock the tent pegs in. ;)

It was unfortunate that Hilda and Jack vacated the office just before Jenny’s friends arrived, as a result, the three girls were still waiting around in the hall when Jenny was brought down the stairs on a stretcher.
“Jenny!” Stella flew across the hallway before any one could stop her, and wriggled her way passed the stretcher bearers to her friends side. “Jenny, what’s wrong with you? Where are they taking you? What’s wrong?”
“Steady on.” Jack grabbed her arm, “It’s not helping anyone if you start to have hysterics, and what’s more you’re upsetting your friend.”
“But what’s wrong with her” Stella cried, “Cora said….”
“I heard what Cora said, and she was talking complete and utter nonsense. Someone needs to have a quite word with that young lady. I can’t tell you exactly what is wrong with your friend, but I can assure you that it’s nothing so dramatic. Now calm down, for everyone’s sake. The one thing Jenny does need at the moment is a bit of peace and quiet, which is one reason we are taking her to the San.”
“I’m going with her.”
Hilary pulled her friend back, “Don’t be silly, Stella, you would only be in the way. She’s going to the best place to be looked after. And I’m sure you’ll be allowed to go and visit her soon.”
It was at this point that Hilda arrived carrying a small suitcase filled with some of Jenny’s personal belongings. She took in the situation at a glance, and drew the girls into her study where she spoke words of comfort and dosed them with nothing more sinister than hot chocolate, before sending them to bed.
The three girls left her study feeling much happier than when they had entered it, but the events of the night led to a slight rift between them. Stella vowed that she was never going to speak to Cora again, or at least, not until she had learned not to be such an ‘insensitive pig,’, an attitude in which she was amply backed by Flaurette, who had hitherto said very little. “But you’ve been happy enough with her company,” Hilary protested, “You’re always slipping off with her.”
“Only so she could help me with my languages,” Flaurette snapped, “I don’t need her for that any more, and even if I do I’ll manage without her.”
It was in vain that Hilary protested that it was thanks to Cora that the doctor had examined Jenny at all, “After all, none of us would have said anything.”
“No, because Jenny didn’t want us to, but Cora wasn’t thinking of Jenny, she just wanted to show Dr Jack how clever she was. Didn’t you see her when the ambulance turned up? She was practically salivating.” Flaurette argued.
“That’s right. You can be friends with her if you want, but don’t expect to be friends with us as well. She’s downright wicked and I want nothing to do with her.” Stella linked her arm through Flaurette’s and marched along the corridor with her, leaving Hilary to follow or not.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:37am

*produces special tent pegs that can pierce solid rock!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:56am

*provides a very large drill and also smooths the nearest cliff to a gentle slope* Esmeralda, this is great. I'm glad to see that we have more focus on the girls (although I will admit to a little concern over Eugen) and I'm looking foward to seeing what happens to Matey as a result of it.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Kathryn on Nov 17^th, 2003, 10:09am

*brings the bottle of Baileys to add to the campers' supplies...and some firelighters to get it started*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Katarzyna on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:09pm

*Brings the caravan and awning - well I have it so i might as well make use of it* :)

Esmerelda - brilliant story (please can we have some more soon)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Jennie on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:09pm

Bringing along my camping stove and gas bottle so we can have a good fry-up.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 17^th, 2003, 2:41pm

*Points out that there are far more interesting spots to pitch a camp.

Joey had discovered a good few minutes before Jack, that the telephone was working, and seeing that the earlier deluge had turned into little more than heavy drizzle, she had seized her chance to dash back to Fruedesheim.
Roger had noticed her flight across the lawns, and had promptly taken to hos own room, locking the door behind him. He acknowledged to himself that it wasn’t the bravest thing he had ever done in his life, but, it had been a long day, much of it had been spent worrying about Con, the few hours childminding had proved to be exhaustingly demanding, mentally if not physically, he had been totally taken aback by some of Jack’s actions, and although he had long ago given up trying to make any sense of some of the day’s events, he still believed that much of what had happened was his fault. All in all, he was not willing to be party to any more drama.
In fact, Joey hadn’t given a thought to the fact that he may still be in the house. As far as she was concerned Roger had been due to fly back to England that afternoon, and it had never occurred to her that he might do anything else. In fact Roger was one of the subjects which she was anxious not to think about, and she was accomplishing that aim by focussing exclusively on Matey’s evilness.
To her mind, Hilda had been showing signs of trying to find excuses for the woman’s actions, or if not excuses, mitigating circumstances which would provide an excuse for allowing her to continue working at the school.
Joey was not prepared to let that happen, and she determined to ring her sister with the bare ugly facts before Hilda had the opportunity to make them more palatable. She picked up the receiver the minute she entered the hallway, until her common sense reasserted herself, and she reluctantly dragged herself away until she had changed from her damp clothes. Once she was dry, and feeling slightly more comfortable she availed herself of the coffee which Anna had prepared for her the moment she had walked back into the house and settled herself down for a long chat.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 17^th, 2003, 6:08pm

*starting to seriously dislike Joey*
come on Esmeralda!

*and there's post 2000! Where's the fireworks? ;D*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 17^th, 2003, 7:40pm

*Sends Lisa a celebratory glass of champagne but points out that fireworks are forbidden on the campsite due to the adverse effect on the animals.

As it happened, it wasn’t too much longer before Jack arrived back to Freudesheim himself. He could see no real reason for accompanying Jenny to the San – the other doctors knew what to expect and were more than capable of looking after her without his help, thus after discussing a few more details with Hilda he made his own way home. As soon as Joey heard him begin to open the door she cut short her phone call and fled to her own study. If he wanted to speak to her he could come looking for her, she was not in the mood for a resumption of hostilities. In fact that was an understatement, she was frankly terrified as to what Jack might have to say now they were in the privacy of their own home.
Jack noted her discarded shoes as he walked through the hall way, and Anna provided further confirmation, had he needed it, that her mistress was home. It wasn’t too difficult for him to deduce Joey’s whereabouts but on the whole he was grateful that she had chosen to hide away.
The day had brought nothing but one unpleasant surprise after another, and he was uncomfortably aware that he hadn’t always reacted as he ought. Moreover, he had found his thoughts wandering along previously un-travelled paths, and some of the things he had discovered had been so completely unexpected and unfamiliar that they needed further examination.

Hilda had spoken to both Isabel and Kathie Ferrars. With the former she had discussed both her appointment and her position within the school. Having satisfied herself that there had been no deception intended on the young girls part, and that she intended to return to England at the end of the present term, she could see no reason why she should not be allowed to continue her employment, although in the future she could expect to be more closely supervised than had hitherto been the case.
Her talk with Kathie Ferrars was briefer, she merely explained what was required of her when it was time for the girls to go to bed. Both of the younger women were told only that Matron was indisposed, but since Kathie had already heard part of Isabel’s garbled story, they were both aware that there was rather more behind this indisposition than they had been told, but neither of them were as imprudent as to ask for a fuller explanation.

It was a long and difficult evening for Hilda, several times she stretched out her arm to the telephone, only to change her mind, deciding it would be better by far to delay her call to Madge Russell until she had all the facts to hand, including how many girls had been affected by Matey’s actions.
It was with some trepidation that she awaited the results of Kathie and Isabel’s surveillance. At her lowest moments she fully imagined that quite half the school would prove to be regular consumers of Matey’s potion. At other times she was convinced that it was only Con and Jenny who had fallen victim to the drug.
By the time the last senior had been dismissed to bed, Kathie and Isabel had collected five girls, and one member of staff.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Nov 17^th, 2003, 7:46pm

*thanks Esmeralda for the reminder, although in fact my little puppy doesn't appear to be all bothered by fireworks. Hardly surprising when the local brats insisted on letting them off outside my kitchen window- on a daily basis for three months!*

Now.........................get rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrready for the next chant!

*a little dizzy from all that champagne!*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lesley on Nov 17^th, 2003, 8:20pm

Thank you Esmeralda for all your hard work - would really, really, really like some more please when you have the time! ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 17^th, 2003, 10:24pm

Ooh, now it's getting rather dirty! And I wonder which girls (any we know?) and who is the staff member?! I don't much like Joey's actions, but I can understand them. Please, Esmeralda, don't make us wait too long!!!

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Carolyn P on Nov 17^th, 2003, 11:06pm

Gody, nice long installments. The camp is obviously working. I've brought my little pieces of carpet so we don't get cold feet walking on the ground sheet and I've borrowed my parents comfy camping chairs with foot supports.

Glad you brought the Bailey's Vikki, may I share it please, and here is some Asda/Thornton's caramel shortbread to go with it.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 17^th, 2003, 11:14pm

Ooh, yummy. *takes a caramel offered by Carolyn and sits back with a beatific expression on my face*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Nov 17^th, 2003, 11:40pm

*Notices that she hasn't been offered any caramel shortbread, or even more importantly, any Bailey's. Considers wandering off to the M & T forum.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Trish on Nov 17^th, 2003, 11:48pm

*immediately provides Esmeralda with caramel shortbread and her own bottle of Baileys*

*pitches her own tent so that the entrance faces the east*

*adores camping*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Nov 17^th, 2003, 11:49pm

*tells Esmeralda not to bother being polite and just to take what she wants* ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Esmeralda on Today at 12:17am

*Accepts bottle from Trish with thanks.
*Begins drinking and points out that she was brought up to be polite.
*Carries on drinking.
*Finishes the bottle and wonders what she was going to do next.

Oh, yes, I was going to start a new thread for the next part - this one is awfully slow tonight.

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Lisa_T on Today at 12:20am

*drums fingers impatiently and hopes Esmeralda will start new thread soon*
*wonders if there's any Bailey's left? I could do with some Irish coffee. Kill alcohol and caffeine cravings in one go. With lashings of cream. Hey, maybe Baileys was the ingredient that made Jeanne's coffee so special....*

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Vikki on Today at 2:51am

on 11/17/03 at 23:06:44, Carolyn P wrote:

Erm, just thought I'd better point out that it wasn't me who brought the baileys, it was Kathryn! (Although, I do have a bottle here, if supplies are running short!)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Kathryn on Today at 3:21am

Who cares who brought it, the more of it the merrier the crowd will be! ;D

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by KB on Today at 5:00am

Perhaps it matters so that we know whose turn it is to get the next bottle. ;)

Title: Re: Tensions Again
Post by Ally on Today at 9:49am

Help! Please be kind to us and Eugen and put him out of his misery!!!