Out of a wardrobe

by cathy.bulfin

A Chalet School/Narnia crossover. I wrote this between 2003 and 2005 and recently found my old files, so re-posted it here. This story was first published on the CBB. Some day I may re-write bits of it, but having read it all through again the last few days, I'm still reasonably happy with it. Probably all I'd do is maybe add a bit at the end. We'll see.

19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Further along the corridor Susan was standing in Stacie's pretty bedroom, gazing at her friend. Stacie was lying completely flat, but her eyes were open, and she was gazing eagerly at the door, for she had heard the footsteps approaching. A cry of delight broke from her, for Madge had not told her that Susan and her sister would be coming up for the weekend.

Susan stood in the doorway somewhat shyly, but a gentle prod from behind recalled her to her senses and she moved forward to the invalid's couch.

"Hello Stacie," she said quietly. "I'm so glad to see you."

Behind her, Madge nodded, satisfied that this new girl would not upset Stacie, and left quietly. Susan sat down on a chair next to the bed and gently laid her bundle in Stacie's hands.

"We all miss you," she said. "I've brought up heaps of things for you. I think almost everyone has written you a note, and there are some presents too, boxes of chocs and things like that"

"Really?" cried Stacie, flushing, for she had not expected this.

"Oh yes," said Susan, "we've all been most frightfully upset about you. You know Stacie, I never got the chance to say this before. I'm really really sorry about the accident. Can you forgive me?"

"Of course," replied Stacie gently. "I know you didn't mean to grab me like that. And really, I suppose it all comes back to my stupid pride, which caused my original injuries. So, it isn't really your fault at all, silly."

Susan could have cried with relief. She had blamed herself bitterly for Stacie's condition and even Mademoiselle's gentle counsel, the night she had unburdened herself, had not helped ease her guilt. Stacie's calm sense seemed to have suddenly lifted an enormous burden she had been carrying around with her. The sudden relief made her suddenly want to howl, but she remembered her promise to Mrs Russell, and she choked back the tears, although her eyes were suspiciously bright. Stacie, understanding very well how she was feeling, patted her friend's hand.

"I vote we have some of those chocolates," she said with a grin. "It's your duty to help me eat them, you know, otherwise I shall be sick."

"And no Matron Besley to dose you with castor oil," giggled Susan, the tension gone from her face, as Stacie had intended. They opened the first box of chocolates and settled down for a companiable chat.