Hello everyone.
Here is the third chapter of Reunited. Thank you to Ayushee Dixit, who gave me a review. Comments and reviews are usually part of the thing that keep my writing spirit up. It would be great if you all might be able to give some constructive criticism or your opinion on the chapter. I hope you like it.
Enjoy!
-Estelle
"And then, you wouldn't believe it, but the little monkey gave me a piece of trick chalk to write with!" Pam exclaimed, shaking her head in amusement, "I spotted the trick immediately, and called them out."
Everyone laughed, looking at June and Freddie.
Pam had just been retelling an incident that had occurred earlier in the term, in which a second former named Marianne had tried to trick Pam into using a piece of disappearing chalk.
"It seems your tricks have done Pam a world of good." Alice chuckled, "But didn't they ask you, Pam, how you knew it was a trick?"
"Oh, they did, alright." Pam said, "I told them that back when I studied in Malory Towers, I had to great friends, who tried - and succeeded, multiple times- tricking teachers using a similar stick of chalk." Pam grinned, "And I also happened to mention that if they were to play that trick on anyone, poor Mam'zelle Dupont could never really tell when she was being fooled with, no matter how many times it happened."
"Pam, you beast!" Lucy laughed, "And as a teacher, too! Well, you must be popular with your pupils."
"I hope so." the girl replied with her warm smile, "I'm doing my best, and I'm having a good time. All my students do well in their studies, and seem to enjoy their English lessons, as do I, so I suppose that is all that matters."
"You're right." Gillian agreed, "As long as you like what you're doing, everything will be fine. If your passion turns into a chore, that's when you know it's going to far. I learnt it the hard way, but thanks to Malory Towers, and all of you, I was able to rectify my mistake. Never shall I make it again."
"Especially if I have a say in it." Delia added.
Everyone laughed again, before Bonnie launched into a tale that had recently happened at the store she ran with Amy.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, a sixth former named Ivy walked up to a group of her friends, who were lying in the shade.
"I say, girls!" she called out, "Do get up! I've just heard the most unusual thing."
"Why?" Daffy Hope groaned, sitting up, "I was having a nice little rest. Get up, Katie. Stop leaning on me."
The other girls present, Faith, Violet, Katie, Edith, Maggie and Jenny, also got up, looking at Ivy expectantly.
"Haven't the fourth-formers gone out camping?" Ivy asked the group.
"Yes, unfortunately." Daffy said, ever the games captain, "I wanted to organize a lacrosse practice for them, but they're all gone."
"It's not unfortunate for them." Violet shrugged.
"Are you trying to tell me they don't enjoy lacrosse?" Daffy's eyes narrowed slightly, "Because I can tell you they seem pleased as punch whenever I call a round of practice."
"That's not what I meant, Daffy. Not everything is about you, you know." Violet replied.
"Girls." Faith said sharply, "We are in the sixth form. Stop bickering like second former."
"Yes, listen to our Head Girl." Ivy said, "I have quite a story to tell."
"Well, then. Hurry up." Jenny yawned, "I want to get a bit more rest out here before it gets dark."
"I walked past the fourth form common room, and I could hear so much noise. I'm not mistaken, I assure you, I heard voices, plain as day! Laughter and chatter, as if the fourth formers had never gone camping!" Ivy said.
Edith frowned, "That is odd. I'm positive they're not here. Since I am Faith's deputy, I went to their common room to put up a notice yesterday, so they could see it immediately after their return. Not a noise was heard then."
"Are you quite sure you're not mistaken, my dear Ivy?" Maggie asked.
"Quite sure. Absolutely positive." Ivy said, with such conviction that Daffy actually got up.
"Hey, where are you off to?" Jenny said, "I'm not getting up, I'm far to lazy at the moment. It's such beautiful weather."
"I'm going to go check this out. Katie, Edith, are you both coming?" Daffy said.
The two girls in question nodded, also standing up. Katie adjusted the Games Vice-Captain badge on her shirt, "Blow! This pin always breaks. I'll have to stop by my study and get a new one later."
"Hurry up!" Daffy called impatiently.
Edith and Katie exchanged amused glances, before catching up with Daffy and making their way inside the school.
"That is queer." Katie said, looking bemused as they reached the fourth form common room, "Ivy was right. I hear a group chatting up a storm."
"I'm absolutely positive they've gone camping, though." Edith insisted.
"My dear Edith, nobody disagreed, but that doesn't explain why we can hear noise and laughter coming from this room, plain as day!" Daffy said, eyeing the door.
As a louder burst of laughter echoed, Daffy said decidedly, "I can't take it anymore. I'm going inside."
Katie nodded and pushed the door open.
Then what a shock the three girls had!
Sitting there in the common room were the old girls who had been in the sixth when they were in the first!
Felicity, Susan- and June! She had always remained their favorite games captain. But what a surprise to see them sitting there! The whole form was present!
"Oh, hello, girls!" Felicity called merrily, "Are we making to much of a racket? You'd think we really were fourth fomers, not grown women!"
Lizzie got up and strode across the room, enveloping Edith in a hug, "So sorry I didn't mention I was coming, Edith, but I thought you would rather like a surprise."
"I certainly am surprised!" Edith answered, glancing around the room at friendly, smiling faces, "And delighted! What's going on here?"
"A little reunion." Julie said airily, "My word, Daffy, how you've grown. I still remember an untidy, unruly, first-former."
Daffy laughed, "I can't believe that over my schooling here, I've been surprised by two reunions! We'll have to come back and do this someday as well."
"Too right, we should." Katie agrees, "Oh my goodness, June! I hardly recognized you! Congratulations on the lacrosse match, you were fabulous!"
June laughed, "Thank you. And I could hardly recognize you three. Or, well, I could recognize Edith, you take after Lizzie, but Daffy and Katie, my word, how you've changed."
"Did I tell you the position these three hold in our school?" Felicity grinned, "Edith might take after Lizzie, but somehow, Daffy takes after you, June."
"Is that so? How is that?" Freddie questioned.
"Well, Daffy is the Games Captain, and Katie is her Vice-Captain. Do you remember Violet's friend, Faith? She is Head Girl, while Edith is deputy."
"Excellent!" June said, looking delighted, "That's wonderful, girls."
"Isn't it, though? Neither Mum nor Sally could believe it, but they were ever so proud." Daffy smiled.
"Well, girls." Nora checked her watch, "Don't think we are sending you out, but we are all to meet Miss Grayling now. We shall see you soon, for we are here for three days."
"I look forward to it. Perhaps June could help me coach the youngsters later on?" Daffy said.
"My pleasure." June answered, "Now, off you go!"
As Edith, Daffy and Katie left to find their friends and tell them the news, the old girls made their way to Miss Grayling's room.
"I feel rather nervous." Delia said, "But excited, all the same."
"I've learnt so much from Miss Grayling herself, that seeing her now, after we've all begun forging our own paths in life, will be quite thrilling." Felicity said.
June and Freddie kept a little behind the rest, discussing something in low voices.
"I'm terrified to announce this, believe it or not." June said.
"Don't be. It's wonderful news, June, and our friends will be so happy for you." Freddie assured her.
"Hey, hurry up, you two!" Amy called, "We're nearly there!"
June and Freddie quickened their pace, catching up with the others in no time.
"All that sports practice, I suppose." Alice said teasingly.
June chuckled, "I suppose you are right."
Felicity took a deep breath, "Well, here we are." she raised a fist to knock on the Head's door.
Miss Grayling opened the door after the first knock.
"My dears!" she exclaimed, "Do come in. How marvelous to see you together again. And as young women."
The girls entered the study and made themselves comfortable.
"Well, I suppose we should start with each of you." Miss Grayling said, smiling proudly at the women in front of her. They had all joined the school with potential, but also with grave faults. They had overcome obstacles, worked hard, and here they were, successful and happy, in front of her.
"First of all, June, I must congratulate you." the Head said, "I was so happy and proud when I Watched you lead our country to victory in lacrosse. I knew you had it in you from day one, that even under the circumstances, you would make me proud. And you did."
June blushed, feeling warm at the Head's words, "Thank you, Miss Grayling. It was an honor to be chosen for the team, so I'm glad I made the most of it. And, of course, whenever I felt low, I had both Alicia and Freddie right there to spur me on."
"Yes, I noticed Winifred in the audience." Miss Grayling nodded, "A true friendship. How have you been, dear?"
"I've been studying architecture in London, living only 10 minutes away from June, and I recently got a job as an architect for a huge company."
"That's wonderful!" Miss Grayling said, "Well done. You deserve all the success. Pam- or, as you are now, Miss Boardman- I know you teach here, and are doing a very good job indeed. Julie and Lucy, you recently organized the riding competition here with Bill and Clarissa. And Amy and Bonnie, how is your shop?"
"Oh, it's doing fabulous, Miss Grayling." Amy said, "I truly am enjoying running the store, especially along with Bonnie."
"Yes, I do so love stitching and designing, and as we found out, Amy has quite the flair for business!" Bonnie said, "We're coming along beautifully."
"I am glad to hear it, and proud as well." Miss Grayling said, noting with satisfaction how Amy had become more respectful, and Bonnie more thick-skinned, "Nora, I watched a tape of your dance, and I was amazed. Well done. What about you, Gillian, and Delia?"
Delia and Gillian each told Miss Grayling about their chosen paths, and then so did Felicity and Susan.
"I am glad you both have found your vocations, and I am sure you will shine." Miss Grayling said.
As Alice and Lizzie told Miss Grayling about their careers, as a secretary and a swimming coach respectively, June exchanged an anxious glance with Freddie.
"I am so pleased that you have all done so well after leaving school." Miss Grayling said, after everyone had told her about what they were doing now, "And, of course, I couldn't be prouder."
"Miss- Miss Grayling." Freddie said hesitantly, "I believe...I believe that June as an announcement to make, isn't that right, old girl?"
June said nothing, looking nervous.
"I'm the only one, other than her family, to whom she's told so far, but she's spent her childhood with all of you here, and we've decided it's only appropriate to tell you all together." Freddie finished, looking at June pointedly.
"Come on, June. You know we shall support you in whatever ou choose to do." Susan said encouragingly.
"She's right. We're your friends." Lucy said, "It must be big news, for you to get so tongue-tied and nervous. Do tell."
June, looking slightly more confident, nodded, "Well...Felicity, Susan, Pam, do you remember my friend from University, Josh Rayson? He was two years older than us."
The girls, looking puzzled, nodded.
"As you must have gathered." June looked at the rest of the form, and Miss Grayling, "I was very close friends with a student named Josh Rayson. He's twenty-five years old, and was in his third year of University when I joined. He was in the National Rugby Games, where his team won."
"Oh, that Josh Rayson!" Bonnie exclaimed, "The dashing man with the blue eyes and dark hair, am I right."
Freddie smirked and June nodded, "Yes, he's the one. He's tained for sports throughout University, and is to play professionally now."
"Well, what about him, June?" Susan asked curiously, "I remember that he was a wonderful person, and he's doing very well now, but I'm not sure that I understand why you've brought him up."
"I spent a few weeks with him this summer." June flushed, "And...do you remember that ring you complimented? He gave it to me."
"That's sweet of him." Amy still looked confused.
Felicity, Susan, Bonnie and Alice, however, put the pieces together immediately. Miss Grayling, too, beamed.
Alice covered her mouth in shock, "Oh my goodness...do you mean...?"
"Yes." June smiled, "He's asked me to marry him, and I said yes. We're engaged, and are planning to get married in the spring."
A shocked silence descended over the room.
Bonnie broke it by squealing, "June! Oh, June! How absolutely...how absolutely wonderful!"
"You're getting married." Julie whispered, a smile spreading over her face, "This is too marvelous for words!'
The form came to life, hugging June, congratulating her, Bonnie even getting teary-eyed.
"My dear, this is wonderful news." Miss Grayling said warmly, "You deserve a happy life and more."
"Thank you." June said, her eyes sparkling with happiness and relief.
"I can't believe you are getting married." Lucy shook her head, "Wonders never cease! Bold, brazen June in a wedding gown, settling down in a house with a garden, making tea for her husband every morning."
"As mad as it sounds, I'm looking forward to it." June laughed, "He's understanding of my career, as well, of course. After a few more years of both of us playing sports professionally, I shall settle down and teach games at a school, and he'll continue playing for England."
"Oh, June, do say that I can make your dress!" Bonnie said suddenly, her eyes shining, "I shall make it the most magnificent, beautiful wedding gown you've ever seen!"
"Free of charge." Amy added hastily.
"That would be superb." June agreed.
The form left Miss Grayling's office and made their way back to the common room, still chattering excitedly.
"I'm so, so, so pleased for you, June!" Lizzie shook her head in amazement, "This is unbelievable."
"I'll say." Susan beamed, "What a bit of news!"