TIME MACHINE CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
A/N: I'm moving Robyn's diary on a little as it could become tedious. The sections after this one are likely to become much darker, and this will move us forward to the end of the story, but unfortunately there's still a lot left, so you're stuck with me for a while!
FRIDAY THE 5TH DECEMBER
Oh that wicked young stable lad Lloyd! I cannot begin to tell you the havoc he has wreaked. Ethan and the other male teachers went to an inn for a meal last night, as is traditional before a wedding. Jessica went with the ladies to see an excellent Gilbert and Sullivan production – we know it was excellent because they told us about it afterwards – I know it was splendid because Jess was kind enough to tell us about it. She also handed round a huge box of sweets – Vinegar Wright refused to have one and very rudely told Jess that she did not condone a wedding that was obviously shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted. Jess just said quietly:
"What an unhappy life you must lead, Miss Wright". Honey turned round and said he hoped it rained all day for the wedding. What a little bag of venom she is.
But I digress: back to Lloyd.
He slipped something into Ethan's drink during the meal and poor Ethan became inebriated very quickly. Not only did he dance upon the table and declare that he was a Pirate King, but he referred to his little 'Jessy-Woos' all night. He finally collapsed to the ground and Mr Chalker and Doctor Keogh carried him back to the school between them. (I have heard this from lovely Jamie Collier, the Innkeeper's son, who loves a good gossip.) Poor Ethan was heard coming and going across the landing all night. I fear he will be in a sorry state for his wedding.
SATURDAY THE 6TH OF DECEMBER
My set and I passed Ethan this morning, and he looked quite dreadful. My set and I took drastic action and dragged him to the pump in the school yard. We held his head under it for several moments and sent him in the direction of the staff dining room. Miss Bateman would not let him enter! At first we thought that she was angry with him but then it turned out that he was to be served breakfast in his room because of the occasion. A maid came in with a plateful of sausage, egg and tomatoes, and Ethan took one look at it and bolted across the landing again.
I was bold enough to say to Miss Bateman "Please do not blame him, he is naïve and was no doubt led into last night's adventure by a prankster." She agreed and came back with a fizzing liquid that she ordered Ethan to drink at once. He obeyed without question.
Hooray, Miss Bateman's cure and several glasses of water later, our Ethan walked out to the pony-and-trap that was to take him to the church, as if he were completely sober. He looked pale and handsome like a Byronic hero and Louise gave a little sob, then controlled herself. Caleb also looked wonderful; he was the Best Man. Ethan was completely scandalised when that rogue Lloyd mentioned 'Jessy-Woos' and declared he would never call Miss Harrison such a stupid name. The poor man had obviously forgotten everything from the previous night!
The wedding went without a hitch, not a cloud in the sky – tee hee, Honey Wright! – and the ceremony was so beautiful. Ethan said "I do" so beautifully, his eyes shining, and Jess responded in the same vein. Several of us wept for joy. Afterwards we repaired to the Church Hall, where, incidentally we shall be performing 'Goody' later this month. But for this occasion the chairs and tables were moved back against the walls, except the ones left out for the more elderly guests, and there were speeches and then dancing. Oh joy! Dylan, Benjamin, Ethan and my adorable Caleb danced with each one of my set. What a wonderful evening it was.
SUNDAY THE 7TH OF DECEMBER
Ethan has taken Jessica away to a cottage on the coast for two nights for their honeymoon. He will be back tomorrow in time for classes and rehearsals but Lou says it's as if part of the school is missing when he's not there. We overheard Jamie and Lloyd discussing some contraption they have found; they believe it to be a new form of transport and have been prattling away about how they will try to open it up and make it work, but my set and I were too busy imagining the delightful things Ethan and Jessica are doing. We were all sitting on the garden swing together and alas, it broke in the end because we became so excited.
MONDAY THE 8TH OF DECEMBER
'The Gorgeous One' as Loulou calls him, is back and rehearsals are going with a swing! Today we rehearsed the scene where Squire Grabitall terrorises Granny Mollie, and is stopped by Goody. Lily was wonderfully frosty with Caleb! I can see what he means about it being more unnerving when a character with a handsome face has a foul heart. He had to pretend to slap poor Luckless across the head for trying to protect the dear old lady, which made Luckless fall over, and I was quite afraid of Caleb at times. Until the end of rehearsals when he gave me the loveliest smile.
"How is it going, do you think, Robyn?" he asked.
I refrained from saying how wonderful he was and discussed the whole production. We are all quite confident that it will be a success.
Miss Bateman wishes to know who has broken the garden swing. We all rather wickedly blamed Lloyd and Jamie for it.
SATURDAY THE 20TH OF DECEMBER
It is not only the last day of term but also the day of the pantomime! Our parents and guardians are all coming to see it and they will be taking us home in their automobiles or by train, after a high tea in the Church hall.
Honey Vinegar said she would not lower herself to watch such evil entertainment.
"Good" said Miss Bateman, on overhearing her, "For you are not invited. You shall sit in a classroom until the High Tea and write out 'I must not be a prig' one hundred times." Tee hee hee hee.
I feared I should ruin the show! I became more and more nervous as the afternoon wore on and five minutes before my cue, I found I could not go on! Lily and Alicia sent Caleb to talk to me. He came over with such a kind smile and said:
"Robyn, you must not think of this as a chore or a test, but a chance to sing and dance and act, and have a splendid time. The audience aren't here to be unkind to you, they have come in party spirit." And then, Dear Journal, he – kissed – my – forehead. I fairly bounded on to the stage at my cue!
They loved our performance. They went 'aaaah' when poor Grannie Mollie complained of the bitter cold, they sighed in genuine wonder at the fairy, somebody wolf-whistled at Lily in the grand finale when she married Prince David of Cardiff – Alicia was almost swashbuckling in the role! –and they booed poor Caleb loudly. Lucius was in the front row and was laughing and singing away! When Ben ran on as Luckless to get everybody to join in a comic song before the Grand Finale, Lucius all but sang his little lungs out. Oh the love on Ben's face! I'm sure the good Doctor Keogh felt much the same but he was hidden by the piano, which he played very well. Our darling little shire pony, Bonnie, had a role too, she carried Lily on stage for her wedding and was so quiet and patient. But then Lily's so tiny and slim. I said this somewhat dejectedly to Benjamin after the performance, when he wanted to know why I was hardly eating during the High Tea, and he told me that I had the most wonderful coloured hair and the prettiest face.
"Everybody has a beauty of their own" he told me.
I said to him: "Oh Mr Chiltern, it's been such a wonderful year; I hope next year will excel it."
He looked at me so sadly, and said "Oh, Robyn". I hope this does not mean he and his friends plan to leave.
As Mama and Papa drove us home – Alicia and Lily are to stay with me for the holidays – we saw a strange edifice which looks like the one described by Lloyd and Jamie. I hope the people who own it do not have too much trouble repairing it after Christmas.
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