An Education - The Storyteller

Postby KP Presents » Tue May 28, 2013 1:51 am

To say it has been an interesting few weeks would be the understatement of the century. On the one hand, I have felt as if I was on top of the world and nothing could bring me down to earth again. And then it did.

I guess it started when Colin took me to his school disco. Cassie had gone off to spend the night at a friend’s house after her pool party - and wouldn’t you know it, she somehow managed to get herself involved in another robbery. Mind you, as it turned out she was a real hero that night, and we were all so proud of her when we heard what had happened. But I only got the full story of that after Mum and Dad - after all, I was having my own great adventure at the time.

Where was I - oh yeah. Colin - he picked me up at six and his father drove us to his school. I’d never been to St Swithin’s Public School, but it turned out to be a big concrete and glass place on the far side of town.

His dad dropped us off, we went in - and I had a great time. Colin looked after me, introduced me to some of his friends, and Bobby was there as well. I didn’t really notice him, however - it was Colin that took my attention.

I have to admit, despite the fact I knew him as Bobby’s friend, he still took me by surprise when he asked me if I wanted to come - and as the night wore on, I got the feeling he liked me a little more than I had realised.

I also realised something else - I liked him a bit more than I had thought I would as well. By the end of the evening, I was beginning to fall for him big time - and the kiss he gave me when his dad brought me home just seemed to seal the deal. It was the first time I’d been kissed by anyone other than Dad or the rest of the family, and it felt - nice.

Oh who am I kidding - it felt wonderful. As I walked up the path and turned to wave to him, the first thing on my mind was when we were going to do that again.

Then there was the project we had to do - interview someone who was a local celebrity and find something out about their life. When we heard that in our PHSE class, the three of us just turned and looked at Angela, who at least had the grace to say to us “All right - I could see this one coming. I’ll ask Grandfather and see what he says.”

And while all this was going on, there were new babies arriving right, left and centre. First there was Alicia’s new baby brother Andrew - totally out of the blue on Mother’s Day. Then when Cassie was given her award for what she did during the sleepover, Aunt Connie gave birth to Daniel.

Alicia got an agreement with her grandfather that we could talk to him on the Saturday, in return for Alicia showing him what we had done with what he told us on the Sunday. That suited us fine, as the assignment had to be in on Monday morning - she told us this on the Monday morning before, which was the day that Aunt Jessica and Patty moved in a few streets away from us.

Now, I love my sister, but she can be a bit of a trouble maker at times. Compared to Patty, however, Cassie has already proved herself to be a saint in waiting. She wants to know everything we get up to, and I’ve already had to take steps a few tines to keep her out of my way.

The thing is, she loves every second of being tied up - and after the weekend up at the Manor House, where she met up with Suzie, Pippa and the twins, she seems to have developed a love for being tied up and gagged that is almost as great as Cassie’s.

Mind you, the shock of that was nothing compared to coming down one morning, and finding out that your family had just doubled in size! When Dad showed us the photographs at the breakfast table, my jaw almost hit the floor, I was so surprised.

Surprised to find out I had been right when I heard two sets of heartbeats in Mum’s tummy that day. Still, when we saw David and June later that day, I knew only one thing - that I wanted to look after them no matter what.

So there we were - I suddenly had a new cousin, baby brother and baby sister, another cousin that was almost as annoying as Cassie, and a big assignment. I was almost looking forward to a nice quiet Saturday after that.

Almost - after all, a group of like minded girls at the Manor House? We were there as well, trying to keep out of the way of them as we did our interview with Lord Holderness, but once that was out of the way we felt as if we needed a break - so Alicia got Mrs Bridges to tie us all up and gag us.

That, of course, is how they found us as Angela showed them round, much to their enjoyment and our embarrassment Mind you, when Cassie, told me later what else had happened that weekend - how Patty had tricked them all, and then the picnic on the island.

I’ve never been on the island in the lake, so I felt kind of jealous, but it sounded like a wonderful place. Maybe one day I can persuade Alicia to take me over - in the sunset it looked breathtaking...

Ach - getting ahead of myself again. Cassie came back on the Sunday - and on the Monday Colin called me to ask if I was free the following Saturday. He said he and Bobby wanted to spend the day with me and Cassie, so of course I agreed.

Now, I probably need to confess something here - I had seen for some time the way that Robert Desmond Holderness had looked at my sister, and I had guessed he liked her, but I never for one moment thought her would ask her to spend some time with him, never mind ask her out. She’s only eleven after all - but then when Cassie said Bobby had asked her over that weekend, and Dad agreed, I wondered just what the boys had cooked up.

Well, it turned out to be a day to remember - from the moment they picked us up, then put those handcuffs on and blindfolded us, to the trip home with the ponchos over our upper bodies and the tight gags over our mouths, it was a non-stop rollercoaster ride. The most unexpected part was when we stopped at the cinema, and they both kissed us before gagging us and smoothing clear tape over our mouths.

Colin had kissed me before, so I welcomed it, but I could see the wide eyed look on Cassie’s face when Bobby kissed her - I think for the first time as well. That look stayed in her eyes all day until the dance on the walkway - a dance I was not expecting, nor the look in Alicia’s eyes when she stood there watching us.

But still - the dinner, the ride in the barrows to the clearing and then just sitting by the lakeside as the sun went down, and talking. All right - the boys talking and us listening. But still - there was something magical about it which I wanted to experience again and again. Even when Bobby started talking about Alicia.

Ah yes, Alicia - and Martin. There’s something I only recently understood about Alicia - she is one of the most outgoing girls I know when she is with her friends, but put her in the same room as a bunch of boys and she becomes the quietest little church mouse I had ever seen.

So when Bobby told us about what he had seen, it took me a while to put things together, and remember who Martin was. Tall lad, short brown hair, freckles, sings Tenor in the school choir. I wouldn’t say I knew him that well, but I talked to him from time to time.

In many ways I guess he is the sort of lad Alicia would be attracted to - but I decided not to say anything to her the next day. She was more interested in Cassie and Bobby anyway - but I didn’t say anything.

Except, that is, to say congratulations to all of us for the A we got on the project.

Anyway, last Saturday was Granny’s 65th birthday, and she dropped in on us Saturday morning to say hello. We knew she, Mum and Aunts Connie and Cassie were joining up with Lady Holderness, Alicia’s mum and sister and Bobby’s mum that afternoon, so if we were going to give her any presents it had to be that morning.

Which is why we held a little birthday party for her when she arrived. Dad had been out early, and brought some smoked salmon and eggs, which he scrambled up and served to Granny with fresh croissants. We had scrambled egg on toast, and drank orange juice and lemonade with Mum while Dad and Granny had champagne.

Then we gave her our presents - Cassie and I had bought her (with the help of Mum and Dad) a new silver locket, while they had got her a matching brooch with a big blue stone in the middle. She thanked us and hugged us and kissed us, and then had to go - she had to pick up Aunt Cassie, while Aunt Connie was brining Daniel round to spend the night here with Dad and Uncle Dave.

As for us - we were going to Aunt Jessie’s to spend the night with Patty. We got there about six, and we had a fun night - especially when Aunt Jessie agreed to play robbers with Patty. They were the mum and daughter who walked in on their house been robbed, and Cassie and I had to be the ones that stopped them raising the alarm.

That led to an - interesting conversation between the four of us, where we found out what happened when Mum first told Aunt Jessie about what had happened to us last year, and how it brought back a few memories for her. The upshot was that she said she did not mind us playing the games, so long as a responsible adult was nearby - and she included herself in that. She especially said she could see - and I remember this clearly - how playing the games had helped us cope with some very frightening things that had happened to us.


Which, given what else was happening that night, turned out to be a very good thing indeed.

The first we knew that something had happened was the next morning, when we came down to breakfast to see Aunt Jessie on the telephone. When she put it down, she looked away from us for a few minutes, then turned round and said we would be staying for the day with her and Patty, and going to church with them.

Nothing very unusual in that - but when I asked if Mum and Granny would be joining us, Aunt Jessie just shook her head and turned away again for a minute. Cassie and I looked at each other, and wondered what was going on.

We went to church, had Sunday lunch there, then we walked back home to find Dad sitting with Uncle Dave and April. We had not seen April for some time - she had been away at college - so she gave us a great big hug and told us that she had agreed to come and keep an eye on all of us for the rest of the day and the night.

That was when Cassie asked the killer question - “Dad, where’s Mum?”

I could see Dad looking at Uncle Dave, and then he began to tell us that the night before, there had been a robbery at Holderness Manor. Mum, Granny, all of the women had been there, and they had been bound and gagged and held hostage by a group of bad men.

“Sounds like it was fun,” Cassie said, but there was something in Dad’s eye that told me we were not getting the full story. He smiled and ruffled Cassie’s head, then said that it had been a very scary time for all of them, and they had been to hospital to check nothing was wrong.

“I’m going with Uncle Dave to get them in a few minutes,” he said a she stood up. “Listen Girls - they are going to be a little bit upset for a while, so you’ll need to be patient and give them time to think over what happened. I’ll tell you all more later, but for now just be patient and if they start crying, leave them alone and come and tell me or Uncle Dave, all right?”

We all nodded, and a few hours later they all came back to the house. I could see Mum and Granny were very tired - the first thing Mum did when she came in was to take the babies from April and just sit there, cuddling them and holding them on her lap, crying softly as she kissed them, and then us as we sat with our heads on her lap.

Granny sat with Aunt Cassie, while Uncle Dave had Aunt Connie and Daniel. We wanted to ask what had happened, but we also knew Dad had said to wait, so we did.

Next day at school, I asked Alicia what she had been told. She knew a little more - that our side of the family and hers had been separated, and they had been threatened with guns.

“Mum and Angela are still shaking,” she told me at morning break, “Whatever it was that happened affected them deeply - I had to take a letter to the headmaster today, asking him to let me take tomorrow off.”

When I got home that night, Dad told me that Cassie and I were taking the day off school tomorrow, and going to the manor house. We didn’t ask why, but the next morning we all drove there.

When we got out, we were told to go the playroom by Mrs Bridges, who looked tired as well. We found Suzie, Bobby and Alicia up there as well, and we all looked at each other. Bobby and Suzie said their mother had not stopped crying since Sunday, but beyond that they knew as much as we did.

We knew a bit more a few minutes later, when Lord Holderness came in and sat down. Very gently, very carefully, he told us a little more about what had happened - enough for me to know this was more serious as the time we were held hostage at Aunt Cassie’s house.

He did not tell us exactly what happened, but Alicia and I looked at each other, and we knew it was a good thing we were not present. Lord Holderness also said that the robbers had been interrupted by a couple of special people, and they would be visiting today,

It was at lunchtime that Alicia came up and said she had just met Anne Duncombe, a friend of Heidi’s in the library, and we were all to go down to lunch. When we went in, we saw her and a red haired girl called Chloe - and other friend of Heidi’s who said hello in her French accent as we came in.

There were two other people there - a tall, thin, blonde haired woman in a grey jacket and skirt and a pink blouse, and next to her a tall, big man. They were introduced to us as Sara and Brian, but they did not say too much.

After lunch, we went back up to the playroom - and being us, we started to play the usual games when Suzie brought Chloe in. We asked her why she was here, but all she said was she was visiting with a friend.

Here’s the thing that caught the attention of both me and Alicia, however - we knew what Anne did for a living, so why was an FBI agent just visiting?

Anyway, that was Tuesday. On Friday we were asked by Dad if we would go to Aunt Jessie’s for the evening, as he had to take Mum somewhere and April was watching the twins.

When we got round there, we found that Alicia had also come round, with Bobby and Suzie.

“I think our mums are meeting with your mum,” Alicia said as we took our coats off and hung them up, “so we’re all meeting up here for some reason.”

“Has she said anything more to you,” I asked Alicia as we went into Aunt Jessie’s front room.

“Only that she and Angela were scared out of their wits, and that the Shadow appeared more clearly than before.”

“The Holderness Shadow?”

Alicia nodded as we came in to see Patty and Suzie talking, and Bobby on his mobile phone.

“My friend Colin is going to be dropped off by his dad,” he said to Aunt Jessie. “But why are we all here?”

“I am responsible for that,” we heard a voice say in a familiar French accent; “There is someone I want you to meet.”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue May 28, 2013 2:36 am

Wow! Very big WOW!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Tue May 28, 2013 2:56 am

I wonder who that woman is, and what happened to the adult women to have them in that kind of state? Must be really scary.

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Tom Ford » Tue May 28, 2013 3:32 am

Glad to hear Jenny’s voice again. It was a lot of fun having Cassie tell the story, but Jenny has that little bit more of maturity that I think, would be needed for this kind of story. That was evidenced by Cassie’s “Sounds like it was fun” comment, but based on her experiences with robbers, I wouldn’t blame her. I don’t think she ever experienced any kind of terror in any robbery or hostage taking. And I wouldn’t exaggerate that she personally had fun with friends. The same goes for Suzie too. As for Jenny? Aside from the moment with the knife on her neck, I don’t know any time she was traumatised or terrorized. And like Cassie, I think, she had fun too. In fact, only Alicia of the original four could have anything like the terror that the women experienced.

Perhaps it was Alicia who would understand the most.

That was a lot to take in—not only the past events, but also, since the events of Double Date. Poor Mums. They really are shaken up. And based on what happens in the Widow’s Shadow, Susan was the one most affected. Crying non stop. Poor thing. If they only knew how close they were to dying—but I don’t think the kids—especially Cassie, Suzie, and Patty, are ready to know that.

And I am so glad that Aunt Jessie wasn’t invited to that get together at Granny’s birthday. She needed to be the rock of stability when the other women are all distraught.

I wonder how much Lord Holderness told Jenny and the others?

Sara is the Storyteller—that is obvious. I wonder what she’ll tell them? Probably the history of her family. And she won’t tell her about her powers, obviously. Alicia, Suzie, and Bobby would probably be the most interested in her tale, but the others would probably want a good story—and would want to know what is happening the past few days.

I wonder what name she’ll use? Is it Sara Smite, or Sarah Holderness? Did she already know that she has been given that name yet? Or was it the first time in the epilogue of Widow’s Shadow.

Would they wait for Colin to arrive?

More importantly, when will the girls be tied up and gagged and in detail? And probably the only thing I’m sure is in Sara’s story, lots of girls or women would wind up getting tied up.

And will this story be covered by the Craig Compact?

KP Presents wrote: I've said it before, and I've said it again - Patty is a wild card. I look forward to explaining how she is kept in line...


And this is probably unrelated to this story, but will you tell how Patty would be kept in line?

Thanks for this story, KP!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue May 28, 2013 3:48 am

Great great start!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue May 28, 2013 6:04 am

Great chapter too!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby William F Somebody » Tue May 28, 2013 6:31 am

What a roller coaster ride for Jenny. To have gone from such a high of her date with Colin, to what happened after Granny’s birthday—I don’t know any other such change in mood. To go from being kissed by Colin, to see her mother and aunts in their current state, well, that is such a drop.

I wonder too what Lord Holderness told them exactly. And if Sara (I agree that she’s the one Chloe’s going to introduce) will add to the story of that night? Or will she tell a totally different story? We’ll see, I guess. Will we find out about her history, and maybe we can fill the gap on the previous Holderness baronets.

I wonder how the meeting will go? With Cassie, Suzie, and Patty there, it would be a lively one, I guess. I’m sure they’ll ask so many questions, some silly, some serious. After all, if you get a bunch of 9-13 year olds in a room, eventually, it would be a noisy, boisterous, and fun filled atmosphere. Guess it’s a good thing all the little ones like to be tied up—you could resort to that if things get too out of hand.

I wonder what Jenny will do when Colin arrives? Probably would blush and would have to try not to look at him all the time. I’m sure Cassie is stealing glances at Bobby all this time. After all, after that double date, I guess the mere fact that they’re in the same room would bring both of them into a high—not as high as in a date of course, but higher than if they’re not in the room. Perhaps they’ll be more confident, assertive, and at the same time, weak kneed and swoony, if that is possible.

IF the girls would ever get tied up at that time, perhaps they could request, or someone could request for them, that Bobby and Colin be the one to tie up Cassie and Jenny? I’m sure the mere touch of them while they are tying them will send tingles up their spine.

After all, Jenny had admitted she likes Colin, and so did Cassie. Will Bobby and Colin steal kisses when no one is looking?

Not much more to tell, as this was just an introduction. Good start, KP!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue May 28, 2013 8:09 am

Great update also!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue May 28, 2013 9:09 am

And please, update really really soon!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby hafnermg » Tue May 28, 2013 12:07 pm

and we have the start of another great epic tale!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue May 28, 2013 8:47 pm

Hope you update soon!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby William F Somebody » Thu May 30, 2013 7:08 am

Congratulations, KP, for writing this series for a year now.

Anyway, forgive me for posting this again, but I feel I have to to remind readers of this fact.

Happy one year anniversary for the An Education series!

One year ago, May 30, 2012, part one of Learning the Ropes was posted. Back then there wasn’t any Learning the Ropes, but it was just plain An Education.

“So we’re sitting here, Mum, Cassie, and me…”

Going through the story, the one thing that hooked me was the age of the characters, meaning that it would probably be innocent and fun. I was surprised at the robber, but then was pleased at the turn it took. There are many other stories in the fiction section, but only quite a few where the characters are this young—most are teen-agers.

Reading through the past years, seeing them grow up yet still retain that what made them appealing, learning more tricks about ropes and gags, and eventually telling their parents and relatives, going through adventure upon adventure, and making new friends—it has been a pleasure.

Seeing Cassie and Jenny back then, and comparing them as characters, you wouldn’t believe how much they’ve grown as characters, and how many people they’ve encountered that they befriend and got involved in their favourite hobby.

And of course, you combine their innocence, and youthful precociousness, with ropes and gags very inescapable and complex that you’d find in stories about adults, and you’ve got a perfect combination. Seeing how much a loving family they have, and how it helped them through a lot of things—I hope that their parents would get through the latest crisis so they can resume raising them with a healthy mental make-
up.

Who would’ve thought a year ago that it would last this long, have eighteen stories, added two more primary characters, loads more supporting ones and tons of minor characters, two ebooks, stories set in the future, stories set in the past, and in another continent, and more? Plus with a more mature spinoff about the adults? Not me! But I’m glad of it! The best childhood/early teen TUG stories in the web, I reckon.

Thank you for the wonderful year.

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby KP Presents » Fri May 31, 2013 5:51 am

We turned and looked to the doorway, four of us smiling as Bobby said “It’s Chloe, isn’t it? You were at our grandparent’s house the other day.”

Chloe smiled as she came in and sat down. The young French girl was dressed in the way we remembered seeing her last year - a blue v-necked jumper with a red and black tartan scarf around her neck, a faded blue denim skirt over a pair of black leggings, striped socks and high Doc Marten boots.

“I was, and it is a pleasure to see you all again,” she said as she looked at us. “My friend was most intrigued by the tales I told her of the children of the Holderness family and their friends, and she asked if it would be possible to meet with you before we return to the United States. As you parents are busy tonight, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for that to happen, and with the kind help of Madame Pickering she will be here shortly.”

Patty nudged me and said “Why is she talking in such a funny way - and who is Madame Pickering?”

“She is French,” I said quietly, “and that is her accent. As to Madame Pickering, that is what she is very politely calling your mother.”

“So why doesn’t she call her Jessica or Aunt Jessie like you do?”

I rolled my eyes and said “Because...”

“Because, little one, I was brought up to be respectful and formal with people I do not know well.” Chloe said with a smile as she looked at Patty. My little cousin was wearing a pair of light blue leggings with a little daisy on the bottom of the legs on the outside, white sandals and a white sun dress. “I know you like to play their games as well, do you not?”

Patty nodded eagerly, which was just the excuse Cassie needed to pull her hands behind her back and cross her wrists, binding them tightly together with some rope that she took from a bag we had brought with us, before she wrapped some rope around her waist to fix her arms to her back.

“I can get out of this,” Patty said very confidently before she felt her fingers being taped together. “Or maybe not,” she continued as I crossed her ankles and tied them tightly together, then her legs below her knees, making sure I cinched the rope coils between her legs.

“I see you have lost none of your skill,” Chloe said as Cassie tied Patty’s arms to her side, and I folded up a small square of silk. “Open wide,” I said, and Patty nodded as I pushed the cloth in, and then covered her mouth with the special white tape, wrapping it round her head as I did so.

Aunt Jessie chose this moment to look in, saying “Playing robbers again,” as she saw Patty sitting there. “I see you have come across this before, Miss Badelaine.”

“Please, call me Chloe,” our friend said with a smile, “And yes, I have seen the girls play these games before. Be assured I will make sure no harm comes to them.”

Aunt Jessie nodded as the bell rang. “I’ll see who that is,” she said as Alicia motioned with her finger to Suzie. “Yes,” she said with an innocent and trusting face, with the biggest of grins plastered over it.

“You’re next,” Alicia said as she stood up, walked to the bag and pulled out a length of rope. Suzie was wearing a pair of green shorts and a Hello Kitty grey t-shirt, so she took a pair of socks from the bag and pulled them over her hands, then crossed her wrists behind her back as Colin came in.

He smiled when he looked at me, and I felt my cheeks getting redder as he said “Hey girls - I’ve got some news for you.”

“Hey Colin,” Alicia said as she lashed her cousin’s crossed wrists tightly together, and then looked at Chloe. “So how come you’re visiting here with Anne, Chloe.”

“Ah - I had to return home for a week, and Anne offered to accompany me, as did Sara and her boyfriend. She mentioned that her family had some connection with this beautiful town, and I had the pleasure of meeting Lady Holderness last year, so we arranged to visit before heading for home.”

“Did you hear what happened last Saturday Grandma and the others,” Suzie said as she stood there, allowing Alicia to bind her arms tightly to her sides with a longer length of rope.

“I did, and I am very sorry,” Chloe said, and for just a moment I thought there was a flash of sadness in her eyes. It must have been my imagination, though, as she turned and said “I do not believe I have had the pleasure?”

“Oh sorry,” Bobby said as he stood up. “Chloe, this is Colin Hampton. Colin’s dad heads up the detectives at the local police station.”

“Ah,” Chloe said as she shook Colin’s hand, “It is a great pleasure to see you. I have not met your father, but I have heard many good things about him.”

Colin looked at Chloe as she shook his hand. “Thanks,” he said, “He’s not saying much about what happened this week, but apparently he spent most of Tuesday in the Chief Constable’s office, and he’s getting promoted.”

“Well, say congratulations for me,” Alicia said as she sat Suzie down and tied her ankles together, Patty poking me in the sides with her body as she sidled over to me.

“Patty,” I muttered under my breath as I looked at Suzie and Alicia, “Don’t do that or I’ll make sure you can’t move.”

“Prmsss prmsss” she muttered under her breath, so I said to Cassie “Bring me a dining chair, will you?” She ran off and brought one in, while I picked up Patty and placed her on the seat, before wrapping some rope around her waist to hold her against the chair.

“Hey Bobby,” Cassie said as I was tying the rope off, “What would happen if I was to try and come over and tickle you?”

“You could try,” Bobby said as he looked at my sister, “but I guarantee you would not get very far.”

I smiled to myself, and I could see Colin had seen me smiling, as Cassie got up and walked slowly over, her long white tiered skirt rustling as the hem went round her white sock covered ankles. Bobby was quicker, jumping up and hand gagging her as he held her with his arm over her white blouse.

“Ltmggufnd,” Cassie mumbled under her breath, making Chloe laugh as Bobby said to Colin “Pass me a length of rope will you?”

“Tell me,” Chloe said as Alicia wound the tape round her cousin’s head, “How are your mothers and grandmothers?”

“Sad,” Alicia said as she checked Suzie, then turned towards our French friend. “They don’t want to talk too much about what happened last Saturday - Mum doesn’t want to seem to let go of Andrew.”

“Same with the twins,” I said as I watched Bobby pull Cassie’s wrists behind her back, and I presume cross them before he started to tie them together, “and Aunt Cassie has had a really strange look in her eyes all week.”

Suzie nodded to confirm that. “She teaches Suzie’s class at school,” I said as Chloe looked at her, and I saw her nod.

“So who else is coming,” Alicia said as she walked over to join us. Bobby had started to wrap some rope around Cassie’s arms and tummy, and as I glanced over I could see him whisper something in her ear, making her giggle and blush.

Chloe had heard the giggle as well, and raised an eyebrow in response. I rubbed my hands up the sleeves of my grey top, and said “Sorry, Bobby does seem to get under Cassie’s skin.”

“Indeed,” Alicia said as she raised an eyebrow at me. Alicia was wearing a brown checked blouse and a pair of skinny jeans, with her feet in blue socks, while I had a black t-shirt and skirt on with my grey top, and a pair of light brown tights.

“It is all right,” Chloe said as Bobby stuffed a piece of cloth into Cassie’s mouth, “I understand.”

As we stood there talking, Colin walked behind me, and I let out a little sigh as I felt him pulling my wrists behind my own back. “I guess we’re all going to be tied up,” Alicia said with a sigh, “But who is going to take care of me?”

“Perhaps I can take care of that - if you will let me?”

We all turned and looked at the door, to see a tall, thin, blonde haired woman standing there. She was wearing a grey tracksuit with a pink trim, and a pink t-shirt visible under the sip of the top. A pair of trainers was on her feet, and she smiled as she said “Hi - I’m Sara. I met you the other day at Holderness Manor with Anne - it’s Alicia, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Alicia said with a smile. “I remember you. How are you?”

“I’m very well, thank you,” Sara said as she came in, and I saw the watch on her wrists with the glowing green dial at the same time as I felt the ropes pulling my arms into my sides.

“Do me a favour, Colin,” I said as I looked over my shoulder, “Don’t gag me just yet. I’d like to talk to Sara for a while if that’s all right.”

“Anything for you,” Colin whispered into my ear as he pulled the rope tighter and tied it off, then helped me to sit down.

“So, why don’t you introduce me to everyone, Alicia,” Sara said as she looked round the room. “I recognise your cousin, but none of the others.”

“Well, you know Suzie,” Alicia said as she turned and waved at her, Suzie nodding back as she bounced on the couch. “That’s her brother Bobby taking care of Jenny’s sister Cassie, and the little tornado trying to free herself from her chair is their cousin Patty.”

“Hlltthr,” Patty said as Bobby walked over and started to tickle her ribs, making her squeal and twist round in the chair, making Cassie giggle through the tape that had been wrapped round her mouth and swing her legs up and down, the hem of her skirt rising and falling as she did so.

“Time for you to sit down,” Colin said as he helped me to sit on the couch, while Alicia said “So why did you come to Holderness, Sara?”

“Well, my ancestors moved to America from here a long time ago, and when I got the chance to come with Chloe to visit the UK I asked if I could come here.”

“So where do you know Chloe from,” I asked as Colin put my ankles together and wrapped the rope around my tights.

“We have a mutual friend,” Chloe said with a smile, “Someone a little older than Heidi, whom I am - how do you say - dating.”

“Ooooo,” Alicia said, “I’m glad you have someone. So, Sara, do you want to do the honours for me?”

“I would be delighted to,” Sara said as I watched Alicia turn and cross her wrists behind her back, watching as she wrapped some rope around them and pull them together.

“Oh - that’s tight,” Alicia said as she watched.

“Is that a problem?”

“Not at all - I like it tight. So your family came from Holderness?”

“Originally, yes - but as I say, they emigrated to America a long time ago. And you know us Americans - we always like to find out where we came from in the mother country.”

“Is this an American thing?” Alicia said as Sara tried some rope around her waist,.

“I don’t know - but then, I’m an American,” Sara said with a smile. “Comfortable?”

“Very much so,” Alicia said as she twirled round. “So why did you want to come and be with us instead of Grandma and the others?”

“Well,” Sara said as she helped Alicia sit next to me, “I was told that you had seen me around, and had asked who I was, so I felt it was better if I came over and answered your questions - well, the ones that you older ones are going to be able to ask.”

“Yeah,” I said as I looked at the gagged Suzie, Cassie and Patty, “that might be a little difficult for them. So what do you think of our town?”

“I like it,” Sara said as she sat back, “a nice, quiet little place. For some reason, I really feel at home here.”

As she knelt down and crossed Alicia’s ankles, Alicia asked “So what’s your second name?”

“It’s Sara Sidle,” Sara said without looking up while tying Alicia’s ankles together.

“What - like that character on the TV show?”

Chloe nodded and said “It is amazing, oui? Except of course Jorja Fox is smaller and has dark hair...”

I laughed at that, as Alicia said “You’re very good at this - do you play these games as well?”

“From time to time,” Sara said as she tied Alicia’s legs together.

“Grandpa said two special people were coming the other day - I think Anne was one of them, but was the man the other?”

Chloe looked at Alicia and said “You mean Brian? He is a very special man to Sara, but how do you mean special?”

“He said it about Saturday - tow special people helped out, and they were going to visit on Tuesday.”

“ah,” Sara said as she sat down, “Well, I may have been one of them. You see, I had a dream about something happening at the house, and I called the police.”

“So that’s how Dad knew to go there on Saturday,” Colin said as he looked properly at Sara for the first time. “What sort of dream was it?”

“Well,” Sara said as she looked at us, “My family has a history of having dreams that say if someone is in trouble, and doing something about it.”

“Wow,” Alicia said as she sat forward, “Can you tell us about one of them?”
Last edited by KP Presents on Fri May 31, 2013 11:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri May 31, 2013 6:25 am

Nice, so nice!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Fri May 31, 2013 7:30 am

That was very good!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Tom Ford » Fri May 31, 2013 7:54 am

An excellent update, as usual, KP!

KP Presents wrote: “Ah,” Chloe said as she shook Colin’s hand, “It is a great pleasure to see you. I have not met your father, but I have heard many good things about him.”


First off, did Chloe just tell Colin that he has not met DCI Hampton? But she did! With Anne and Sara at the police station! However, it did occur to me that their participation was supposed to be a secret, so I guess it’s understandable. However, Sara did tell them she called the police, and that’s how Colin figured out how his Dad knew of the incident. Which meant that Barry didn’t tell Colin about the secret alarm that Lady Holderness sent him. Which would make sense that only the police would know about it.

So that’s the power that she got to tell them about. I completely forgot about the dreams, and focused more on the more “memorable” powers instead and fussed about how they would be told considering their young minds. A dream and telling the police would certainly be appropriate, and give her credit for saving the older women.

I see they didn’t waste time to tie up all of them for a truly “captive audience” and gagged the little ones. Though I think Cassie might have something sensible to say, the danger of them telling something completely nonsensical was I think, great enough as to justify them being gagged.

I wonder, how much Alicia and Bobby might ask? She as the granddaughter of Lady Holderness and some who is proud of her heritage, and he as the heir to the Manor, they might be the most curious about their heritage (Suzie too, but she won’t be able to ask questions). And I wonder what questions will they ask about her green glowing watch? I’m sure curiosity would lead them ask it, but I’m not sure how will she answer it.

Still, in the future (a few weeks), she’ll become Sarah Holderness. But why did she introduce herself as Sara Sidle when she was introduced to the adults as Sara Smite? Was it because they knew her from the locket, and Alicia and the kids didn’t see the image yet? And maybe Alicia knew the name Sara Smite from the stories Lady Holderness told her at the beginning of the Widow’s Shadow?

Will she tell them her real name is Sara Smite and she was the descendant of the girl who Lady Holderness?

Oh and congratulations for the one year anniversary for the An Education tales!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri May 31, 2013 8:05 am

Such a nice sory tellng setting!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Tom Ford » Fri May 31, 2013 8:26 am

Oh and I noticed this.

KP Presents wrote:Suzie was wearing a pair of green shorts and a Hello Kitty grey t-shirt, so she took a pair of socks from the bag and pulled them over her hands, then crossed her wrists behind her back as Colin came in.


So Suzie was wearing shorts. But later, Bobby started to tickle Patty which made Suzie giggle through her mouth and …

KP Presents wrote: “Hlltthr,” Patty said as Bobby walked over and started to tickle her ribs, making her squeal and twist round in the chair, making Suzie giggle through the tape that had been wrapped round her mouth and swing her legs up and down, the hem of her skirt rising and falling as she did so.


But her swinging her legs up and down caused the hem of her skirt to rise up and down. But Suzie was supposed to be wearing shorts.

Looking through who was gagged at that point, I Cassie was wearing a long white ankle length skirt, so she should be the one who giggled at Patty being tickled.

I think it should be…

“…making Cassie giggle through the tape that had been wrapped round her mouth and swing her legs up and down, the hem of her skirt rising and falling as she did so.”

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri May 31, 2013 8:33 am

Great chapter!1

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby William F Somebody » Fri May 31, 2013 9:30 am

“So why doesn’t she call her Jessica or Aunt Jessie like you do?”

Oh Patty! She’s still quite innocent, and quite a handful! No wonder Cassie wasted no time in getting her tied up!! I guess that’s what big sisters (or cousins) are for! (Or beaus!)

Cassie practically told Bobby that he should tie her up with that gesture, while Colin, I think, did it naturally, I think, to Jenny.

Alicia is sure rubbing off on Jenny now that they’re friends. Jenny isn’t this mature, this self composed, before, but now that she’s 13, I’m guessing she’s trying to “act her age”, and that meant imitating the formidable Alicia Bowden, who always acted older than 12 or 13, even when playing. Hope Suzie doesn’t grow up too fast, but with Cassie as a friend, she won’t have too. And of course, Jenny wanted to take care of her new brother and sister, casting her more of a Mom rather than a big sister to them.

I wonder what questions the will ask her? Does Sara know Heidi and Amy and the rest of them? Or only Chloe? And when did Sara had that dream? She told them she went to England with Chloe to check her ancestry, or did she go to England because of the dream, or was it all coincidence (we know the real answer, of course, but I think that’s still unclear to Jenny and Alicia).

I wonder if Sara will tell them she actually saw the Holderness Shadow? Of course, that would beg the question of what she was doing that particular night at the Manor, but maybe she could tell them about the ghost she saw on the grave with her ancestor? And does she know more tales about the Shadow and Holderness Manor?

And when did her family start having the dreams about someone being in trouble?

And will Aunt Jessica come in with a tray of food to facilitate the storytelling? She will of course! What kind of a host is she if she won’t give cookies, or sandwiches to her guests Chloe and Sara? Guess Bobby would have to feed Alicia and Colin Jenny, but how about the younger kids? Well, they have to learn there’s a price for liking to play these games! The others will simply have to reserve food for them!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:02 pm

Great update!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:25 am

Please please update really really soon!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Jun 03, 2013 12:31 am

Hope you update soon!!!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby KP Presents » Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:56 am

Sara smiled and said “All right - let me tell you a story about my great grandmother.”

Before she got a chance to begin, I saw the door opening and Aunt Jessica backing in, carrying a tray of drinks and cakes in her hands.

“I thought you girls might like a snack while you talk to...” She stopped as she saw Patty sitting in the chair, swinging her legs and saying “Hmmm” through her gag.

“That’s not going to hurt her hair is it,” Aunt Jessica said as she looked at me, and I saw there was a real look of concern in her eyes.

“It’s all right,” I said quietly, “that tape does not stick to hair. Cassie and Suzie are already wearing it around their heads as well.”

She shook her head and looked at Chloe, saying “I suppose this is all new to you as well?”

“Actually, Madame Pickering,” Chloe said quietly, “I have seen this quite a few times. Alicia’s friend, Heidi, is also a friend of mine, and there have been several occasions when I have seen her and all her friends bound and gagged as well. It has done them no harm - in fact, it has helped them to cope with some of the same sort of situations these girls have faced.”

This time I knew I had seen it - there was a real look of worry in my aunt’s eyes, and I was beginning to wonder if she knew more than we did about last Saturday.

“Don’t worry, Mrs Pickering,” Sara eventually said, “I will keep an eye on them and make sure they come to no harm. Although, they may have to wait a little while before they have a drink.”

Cassie looked at me, and Suzie at Alicia, but Bobby just said “Well, you should have waited a little while, or told us not to put the tape around your heads right?” Cassie glared at Bobby, but then nodded and turned to look at Sara.

“You were going to tell us about your ancestor, Sara?”

She nodded, and put her hands together, the green glow from her watch shining as she began.

“My great grandmother was a nurse for a shipping line, and she regularly travelled across the Atlantic. This is how she met my great grandfather Jeremy Smith, who was a British seaman. They soon fell in love and they planned to marry in Southampton in a civil wedding ceremony and have a honeymoon of a week in England. It was on Saturday 6th April when they were wed and they were hoping to spend the week together in Portsmouth, but fate was to intervene.

“On the 8th of April, a seaman and a nurse had fallen ill with flu, and they needed Sara and her husband to make up the numbers, and in return they could have two weeks off in New York. Sara and Jeremy dutifully obeyed and left their lodgings to board the ship, and the vessel left Southampton on Wednesday, the tenth of April.”

“That sounds so romantic,” Alicia said with her eyes half closed, as Bobby put a glass of squash to her lips. After she took a drink, she said “It must have been so special, to sail across rather than fly.”

“A different era,” Sara said quietly. “Anyway, after a stopover at France and another in Ireland, the boat started to make its way over the Atlantic Ocean.

“It was a pleasant journey, and the nurses found themselves with very little to do, so they decided to enjoy the journey as well. For some reason though, Sara seemed to be a little seasick on this journey, which was unusual as she had never been ill before on any sea voyage, no matter how rough the crossing. She did feel a little tired on the Sunday, so she decided to retire early.

“It was then that my great grandmother had the most horrific dream of her life, and she awoke with a scream at eleven thirty five in the evening, which woke up all of the other nurses. Sara was already getting dressed into her nurses’ uniform as the other girls rose from their slumber. They asked her what was wrong, and she told them that the ship was going to hit an iceberg and sink. They laughed at her, until a minute or later there was a heavy thud and grinding sound from the starboard side of the ship.”

When she said this, I almost spat out the piece of sponge cake that Colin had been helping me to eat.

“Oh my goodness,” I said quietly, “Her dream came true? The ship was hit by something?”

Sara nodded and continued “From then on they took her seriously, especially when she told them that the ship was going to sink in two and a half hours, so they made their way to the lifeboat decks. The nurses were shocked when nobody else had turned up, and it was explained that the passengers didn’t take the threat of the ship sinking seriously.

“Sara decided on a plan which she quickly explained to the nurses. They were to go to cabins, and see if there was a small child in there. If so, the nurse was to grab the child and run for the lifeboat decks, in the hope that the others would chase after them. If other people see these running for the lifeboats, other people might follow them, and be saved.

“This plan proved to be successful, mainly because of the hue and cry when the nurses abducted the children, and soon there were groups of people at the lifeboats.”

“I can imagine,” Colin said as he put the glass of juice I had been drinking from down. “What I don’t understand is why they thought the ship would not sink in the first place - unless...”

Colin looked at Bobby, and I looked at Alicia. Patty, Cassie and Suzie were all looking at Chloe, who was making funny shapes with her hands, which was probably just as well.

I had figured out what boat they were on.

Sara sat back and continued “Sara’s husband was working on lowering the boats, and soon most of the boats had left the ship.

“’You must go in one of the boats,’ her husband said as she shivered in the cold April air.

“’Nonsense, my love. My place is with you, even until death.’ Sara replied.

“’Sara, how many times have you been sick this week?’ Jeremy asked.

“’Every morning since we set out on this voyage. Why do you ask, it is only seasickness.’ Sara answered.

“’Seasickness doesn’t work like that, and there is only one type of sickness that does work like that. As a nurse, you should know. Plus we were close long before we wed.’ Jeremy said, as Sara looked up at him.”

“Oh my goodness,” Alicia said, and if she had been able to she would have put her hands to her mouth, “You mean she was...”

Sara nodded and continued with her story.

“’Your responsibility isn’t to me, it’s for our baby. You first duty is to the protection of the child.’ Jeremy answered.

“Sara shook her head, and exclaimed ‘I can’t ask anyone to give up their space for me on this lifeboat. That is as good as murder.’”

“’Then you will take my place, young lady.’ Sara watched as an elderly woman, dressed in black silk gown with a high collar and full skirt that came to the deck floor, stood up and left the lifeboat. She looked at Sara and said ‘I am old, frail, very ill and not likely to survive the night anyway. You will take my place as the others need a nurse to take care of them.’

“As the lady left the lifeboat, she handed Sara a small jewellery case saying ‘Make sure that my husband receives this in New York, as he will have to take it back to England with him. When you see him, tell him I am only sleeping, and will see him soon.’

“Sara looked up unable to speak. ‘Now go, lady, and raise your child well,’ the woman said as Jeremy helped her into the lifeboat.

“Sara looked up and said ‘Thank you, you have our gratitude,’ as the already overloaded boat was lowered down to the ocean. She sobbed as she knew that she would never see her husband again, or the lady that had given up her life for her and her unborn child.”

I looked at Alicia as Sara stopped for a moment, and I could feel the tear running down my cheek. That a dream could have come true, and on that boat - but there was something else I could see in her face, a strange expression, and as I glanced at Bobby I could see it in his eyes too.

Looking over at Suzie, I could see she had seen the expression too, as she mumbled “bbbwrullrt?”

Bobby shook his head and said “Yeah - yeah sorry. What happened, Sara?”

“The lifeboat was rowed away from the doomed vessel which eventually sank at twenty past two in the morning. She knew that the people who were in the water would only have a short time to live, and that the lifeboat would probably capsize if they tried to rescue anyone, so she concentrated on saving the living, and keeping them as warm as possible.

“It was around half past three when the lights of a ship were spotted, and Sara knew that they would be rescued. She told everyone to huddle together closely, so that their body heat would be more effective. They were picked up at 6 o’clock in the morning, and she organised the nurses in taking care of the survivors.

“It was three days later when the rescue ship sailed into New York and the nurses were exhausted from their efforts, as they had taken very little time to rest. As they disembarked, one of the ladies who had been in the same boat as Sara, spoke to a fine gentleman who then looked very sad.

“He walked up to Sara and said. ‘My friend tells me that you kept hold of a jewellery box that belonged to my wife.’”

“Sara opened the bag that had been handed to her, took out the small green jewellery box, and handed it to the gentleman. ‘Your wife saved my life, and that of my unborn child, and I and eternally grateful. She said to tell you she is only sleeping, and she will see you soon.’”

“The man smiled at Sara, even as his eyes misted over, and said ‘That is the kind of person that my wife was, always kind and generous. I wish to excuse myself from your presence, as I have some grieving to do.’ She watched as he turned and walked away with the other lady, and then made her way to temporary accommodation. Seven months later she gave birth to my grandmother - but that’s another story”

Sara stopped and looked round the room, and at the faces staring back at her.

“My god,” Bobby finally said as he looked at Alicia. “You don’t think...”

“Don’t think what?” I was really worried now as I looked at both him and Alicia.

She swallowed and then looked at me. “A lot of families lost relatives on the Titanic - including our own. Alicia, the wife of the Third Baron Holderness, was travelling on the boat to meet her husband, but was not one of the survivors.”

She turned and looked directly at Sara and Chloe. “The only thing of hers that was ever recovered was a green jewellery case - I saw it a few weeks ago at the Manor house.”

This time I saw Chloe and Sara exchange a look, before Chloe said “It must be a coincidence, no? Life is strange that way sometimes.”

I nodded, but I could not help noticing Sara was swallowing a little as she sat back. It was almost as if she was realising something for the first time as well.

“Sara,” Alicia said quietly.

“Hmmm? Oh sorry, what is it my dear?”

“The dream you had about the house last weekend - what was it like?”

“Very real and very vivid,” Sara said quietly. “Forgive me, I will be back in a moment.” She stood up and walked quickly out, as Chloe said “So, my friends, What would you like to do until she comes back?”
Last edited by KP Presents on Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:31 am, edited 3 times in total.
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:20 am

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Tom Ford » Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:26 am

That’s the Titanic of course! April 15, 1912. Alicia’s ancestor saved Sara’s ancestor, and now, her descendant repaid the favour to her descendants. She must have felt a debt of gratitude—Sara saved the women from being killed, but Alicia the wife of the baron Holderness gave her life so she may live, and her unborn baby would live.

Unwittingly, Lady Alicia Holderness saved her descendants by her act.

Though what is tragic was despite her dream, Sara’s great grandmother wasn’t able to save all—but at least she saved some—that made her a true hero. And Jeremy died a few weeks after her wedding—that is so sad.

I wonder if all of them knew what ship it was? I mean, even if they haven’t read about it, they might have watched some documentary, or watched the 1997 Titanic movie.

I wonder what story she’ll tell next? Is it before or after the events of 1912?


What will they do they do until she comes back? Probably not much, since they’re all tied up. Poor Cassie, Suzie, and Patty, unable to eat. Maybe Alicia or Bobby could tell some tales too of the Holderness family? Jenny has probably many tales she could tell that is covered in the Craig Compact, but it’s a secret I suppose, so she can’t tell.

Probably catch up on old times. Tell Chloe what they have been up to all this time since they last saw each other, tease Cassie and Bobby about their date, and the boys would probably tickle the girls. Chloe could probably tell about news about Heidi and friends, and update Cassie about her friend Cindy etc. Oh maybe Alicia would give some info about this July Ball, and maybe they all could give some of their summer plans.

Oh they should tell Sara that Cassie is also a real heroine. That would make two of them. And Cassie did that without any dreams or special powers!!

It would be funny if Alicia and Bobby would tell Sara about the Holderness Shadow. They would think she would not know about it, but …

Did Sara just find out that it was Lady Alicia who saved her great grandmother’s life? I imagine she was trying to compose herself after that revelation.

Looking forward to more stories from Sara. Will the kids find out about Sara’s connection to the murder of Horatio?

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Tom Ford » Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:28 am

Oh and I noticed this.

KP Presents wrote: Sara and Andrew dutifully obeyed and left their lodgings to board the ship, and the vessel left Southampton on Wednesday, the tenth of April.”


Shouldn't that be "Sara and Jeremy dutifully obeyed..."

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby KP Presents » Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:44 am

Tom Ford wrote:I wonder if all of them knew what ship it was? I mean, even if they haven’t read about it, they might have watched some documentary, or watched the 1997 Titanic movie.


Sidebar - I HATE that film with a vengeance! If you can, and you don't have a bias against black and white movies, watch A Night to Remember

Tom Ford wrote:I wonder what story she’ll tell next? Is it before or after the events of 1912?


I'm saying nothing...

Tom Ford wrote:Did Sara just find out that it was Lady Alicia who saved her great grandmother’s life? I imagine she was trying to compose herself after that revelation.


Could be...

also, error caught and fixed - and I thank Skybird for his first contribution to this tale...
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby Tom Ford » Mon Jun 03, 2013 4:18 am

KP Presents wrote:
Sidebar - I HATE that film with a vengeance! If you can, and you don't have a bias against black and white movies, watch A Night to Remember


I'm not too fond of that movie myself. But my family loved it, and I had to watch through it. Didn't like the romance bit, but I thought the sinking itself was good. But I never watched it again.

I'll see if I could see that movie. Thanks.

Re: An Education - The Storyteller

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:12 am

What a coincidence!!