An Education: Work Experience

Postby KP Presents » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:33 am

“Before you all head off to your classes today,” our form tutor said as we went to stand up, “I wish to discuss your work placements with you.”

School was breaking up for the Easter holiday, but for those of us in our year it wasn’t a holiday as such. We had to do two weeks work experience, and I had managed to get a placement at the same paper as Aunt Connie, who had just returned from her maternity leave.

One of the conditions of this, which I found a bit funny, was we were not meant to tell each other where we were going to be working. Partly I think it was meant to make sure we didn’t try and distract each other, but my own personal feeling was everyone was going to tell each other eventually.

Take us for example – Mary, Cathy, Alicia and I had already agreed we were going to meet up in town on the Monday to compare notes, so that was right out of the window.

“Now, remember this is an important part of your social development,” Miss Brown said as we looked at her. “Each of you will take one of these work diaries when you leave, and will ensure you fill it in each night. I look forward to seeing your completed books when you return in two weeks time. And one more thing, the most important thing of all.”

We all sat back and looked at her as she said “Have fun – right, get to your classes.”



“Have fun, she says? When did she have to do it anyway?”

Alicia looked at Mary over the table in the dining room. “She may not have had to – I was talking to Angela about it last night, and she said her year was the first that had to do this.”

“Where did she do her work placement?”

“She did a stint as a nursery assistant – which was a closed door to me, as the nursery had now shut up.”

“Tough luck,” Cathy said with a smile.

“I presume you’re going to spend the week at the florist’s?”

“You think wrong – Mum would not allow me to. Either of them, if truth be told. So I have… But that would be telling.”

“Speaking of Angela,” Mary said as she looked at Alicia, “Is she spending the holidays up at Warwick?”

“Nope – she’s going to visit her friends for a weekend, and then its revision all the way for her. Doubtless there will be the occasional night out, but I know what she’s like in the run-up to exams – nothing gets in her way, especially me.”

“So keep out of her way?”

“Precisely – the most I expect to get out of her over the next couple of months are a few grunts of encouragement and acknowledgement.”




The next day I had arranged to spend the day with Alicia at her grandparent’s place. Aunt Connie had already said one of the things she wanted me to do during my work placement was an interview with Lady Holderness, about her life and experiences in the area. I had had an initial chat with her, and knew that asking her about some of the work she and Lord Holderness had done in their younger days was strictly off limits, but I thought asking her about what we could talk about would be a good start.

As Dad dropped me off, however, we saw Mister Bridges taking a number of suitcases out of the car and into the manor house.

“Looks like they have someone staying,” he said as I got out of the car. “I’ll be back to pick you up at four, all right?”

“Got it,” I said as he drove off. I had literally put on what I could find this morning, which consisted of a grey long sleeved top under a blue short sleeved blouse, a knee length skirt and black shoes. It was cold, however, and I hadn’t brought a coat, so I went straight into the hall way.

“Hello, Miss Jenny,” Mrs Bridges said as I walked in, “Her Ladyship is in the library if you are looking for her.”

“Thanks, Mrs Bridges – can I go straight in?”

“I think so – I’ll bring you both a drink in a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” I said as I knocked on the door, and heard Lady Holderness call out “come in.”

“Good morning, your ladyship,” I said as I walked in, “Thank you for seeing me today.”

“Please, Jenny,” she said as she looked up and took off her glasses, “you don’t have to be so formal. I’ll let you call me Lucinda, and we’ll forget to tell your grandmother I agreed to it, all right?”

“All right, Lucinda,” I said as I sat down, “but thank you for agreeing to work on this project with me.”

“It’s a pleasure Jenny. I think it’s a good thing you have decided to see if following in your aunt’s footsteps is a good career move for you – in fact, she will join us here later to review our discussions.”

“Aunt Connie is coming here?”

“Well, to discuss another matter with Desmond and I, but it makes sense if the three of us have a little chat as well, wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded, more afraid to say no than anything, as Mrs Bridges brought in some coffee. “I think you will be allowed to have some as well,” Lady Holderness said as she poured two cups and handed me one. “So, what is the scope of this article you have been challenged to write?”

“well,” I said as I sipped my coffee, and then put my cup down, “I know that the time before Lord Holderness ascended to the title is out of bounds, but I wondered if it would be all right to talk about some of the things you have done since you became Lady Holderness – your charitable work, and so on. As an example, we could talk about your campaign to save the church hall when it was nearly destroyed by fire ten years ago.”

“Oh you have done your homework,” Lady Holderness said with a smile. “But yes, I think that would be a good approach. I have a number of stories I can share with you, which Connie I am sure will encourage you to research more fully. Are there any other areas you wish to include in your work?”

“Well, I want to avoid any personal issues involving other members of the family, so Sarah and Brian for example are out of scope for me. But I did wonder if it would be of interest to hear your views on the role the Holderness family have played in the local community, and how you could see that changing in the future?”

“I’m tempted to say that is a question for Alexander and Robert,” she said with a smile, “but we can consider that if we have time. I think you may have more than enough on your plate just talking about the work I have done.”

She took a sip from her coffee cup, and then said “Besides, to ask that question may potentially involve bringing your own family into the story, and the first rule of a reporter is never to be involved personally in the story – it can cloud the judgement.”

“Aunt Connie would say you have to be emotionally involved sometimes.”

“True – and Clare will disagree with her every time she says it.”

“Clare – Alicia’s great aunt?”

“That’s right – she was a photographer for a magazine you may have heard of – Time Magazine? She took pictures of war theatres in the Far East, and some of the things she depicted… At any rate, I think the truth is it depends on the story, and how much you need to protect those involved in them.”

I nodded at that – I guess it would be a little unfair to drag Bobby in, because by implication Cassie gets involved. If Cassie is mentioned, Patty starts teasing – and the more I thought about it, the more I realised that would be more trouble that it is worth.

“Very well then, let’s focus on your experiences, “I said with a smile. “When would you like to meet and talk?”

“We can discuss that with Connie when she gets here,” Lady Holderness said as she set her coffee down, and picked up an album that was on the seat next to her. “In the meantime, you may like to peruse this – a collection of photos for events I have attended over the last fifteen years. Look at them, see if any raise questions in your mind, and we will make a note to talk about them.”

I took the album as she crossed the room to sit next to me, and we spent the next couple of hours looking at the photos, while I took notes and she explained about one or two of them.

We both looked up as Mrs Bridges came in and said “Lunch is ready, Your Ladyship.”

“Thank you,” she said as we both stood up, and walked into the dining room. To my great surprise, a couple I knew very well were also sitting there. The man had a broad smile on his face as he stood up, dressed in a rugby shirt and jeans, but it was the woman I walked over and hugged first. She was wearing a light blue smock top with pink flowers printed on it, a pair of black leggings and trainers, the smock covering a quite sizable bump at her stomach.

“Hello Jenny,” Sarah said as she gave me a little kiss as well, “I hope you don’t mind if we join you for lunch.”

“Of course not,” I said as I sat down, “so it was you and Brian whose luggage I saw Mister Bridges carry in?”

“That’s right,” Brian said with a smile, “Lucinda and Desmond wanted us to be here for the birth, and although it’s still a few weeks away, we’re at the point that if we didn’t come now, our doctor would have banned us travelling.”

“I can see that,” I said as I smiled at Sarah. “Do the others know you are here yet?”

“Not yet,” Lady Holderness said, “We’ll break it to them as and when they come, but you may tell your parents and grandmother. Now, who would like some bread with their soup?”

“So how much did you enjoy Australia,” I asked as I accepted some bread.

“An interesting place, but I don’t think I could live there permanently – too hot for me,” Sarah said as she smiled at Brian.

“No problem – I have no intention of bringing our children up there anyway,” Brian said with a smile. “When we finally got back, we settled back down, did a few bits of business, and now we’re here for a few months.”

“The girls asked me to say hello,” Sarah said as she put her spoon back into the soup bowl. “In fact, they were very insistent on it.”

“So what are you going to be doing while you’re over here?”

“Resting, doing this and that for a few people,” Brian said with a smile. “Anne and Kayla will join us when the time comes, and then we see what we see.”

“Lucinda told us you’re going to be working with your Aunt Connie,” Sarah’s aid, “Looking forward to it?”

“I am and I’m not – it feels so scary!”

“Of course – but I’m sure you’ll do a great job,” Brian said with a smile as Mrs Bridges took the soup plates and brought out some salads. “Lucinda, would it be all right if Sarah and I took a walk down to the lake later?”

“Of course – will you need the boat?”

Brain nodded in reply – which meant they were going over to the island, and the mausoleum.

The rest of the meal passed with us talking, me bringing them up to date about recent events, including Valentine’s Day and Bobby taking Lisa out for a special afternoon – and his Shirt of Hurt trip. When Brian heard that, he laughed before saying “That reminds me – I wouldn’t mind taking a trip to Twickenham one day.”

“Talk to Desmond – he can help set that up,” Lady Holderness said as the door opened, and Mister Bridges showed Aunt Connie in.
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby vantran » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:45 am

nice start.

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:49 am

What fun!!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Tom Ford » Mon Mar 17, 2014 5:08 am

Ah, work experience! Something new for our 14 year old heroine!!

I wonder if Colin has his own work experience? Seeing as he’s a year older (school wise, since Bobby turned 14 the same year as Jenny, but has his birthday on July, so he’s a year ahead), would it be the police? If it has already happened the year before, maybe Colin could tell Jenny? If it happened on the same year, perhaps we could find out? And what about Bobby? Did his parents or grandparents help him find a job? I’m sure if Aunt Connie was willing to help her niece, perhaps Lord Holderness was willing to help his grandson. Anyway, I’m sure the mere mention of Bobby’s surname, and the fact that he will one day be the most prominent, richest, and perhaps, even the most powerful man in the little town would get him any job he likes! However, getting your dream job, and doing it well once you had it, are two different things.

So Cathy could not be part of the Florist job because her Mums won’t let her. I suppose that is wise, as she already works there lots of times, and it won’t be a new and unique experience to do what she already had been doing. Still, her parents know many people, and I’m sure that fact will help Cathy a lot.

So Brian and Sarah are there. I just hope Mr Williamson and Yvonne won’t have the misfortune of meeting them again. It would be very suspicious for Sarah and Brian to feel something strange about them again, and since it would be twice if that will happen, then they can’t just dismiss it. Hopefully, Mr Williamson’s are more the Craigs’ close friends than the Holderness, and to the Holdernesses, he is just their accountant, so he would probably see Alexander and Desmond in the office, rather than at home.

I’m looking forward to seeing the important contributions of Lord and Lady Holderness to the community! I’m glad they have established the boundaries of what is and is not permitted and avoid awkward questions. Hm, I wonder if Jenny is permitted to record the interviews in a tape recorder?

Hm, is it me, or is Aunt Connie unwittingly using her niece as a researcher for her future book?

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:49 am

Jenny is a newsgirl!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:00 am

Jenny is going to interview Lady Holderness. Hopefully, trouble won't find her, but knowing them, I'm not counting on it.

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:02 am

Great start!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:16 am

Great chapter!!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby William F Somebody » Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:24 am

A wonderful start! It’s nice to hear Jenny again! And all ready for her new job (well, work experience for two weeks!)

She is so lucky to have given a job at her Aunt’s newspaper. At least she will have someone whom she can talk to freely (at home at least) about her problems and such, and she can give frank advise on how to be better, than if she doesn’t have someone as close at work.

And it’s a stroke of genius to assign her to cover Lady Holderness. Jenny knows her very well, and Lady Holderness is someone who is very prominent, and a very newsworthy individual. Will Jenny write a piece summarizing the good things Lord and Lady Holderness has done during the past 25 years (since 1989, when Desmond became Lord Holderness)?

I hope we can get at least an excerpt of her article on Lady Holderness in this newspaper.

Sarah and Brian is here for the birth of their twin children! Wonder if Jenny’s work experience will be affected by that?

And I am curious on how tie ups would be incorporated. Jenny couldn’t be tied up at the newspaper office, but perhaps in her line of work? But that can only mean that this is a perilous tale?

Anyway, I hope Jenny would listen to her aunt, and not be too snoopy. She has the sense I guess, to avoid heedlessly marching into trouble unlike her younger sister, but the question, will trouble stay away from her?

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:58 am

Great update!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:52 pm

Please please update really really soon!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:07 am

Hope you update soon!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby KP Presents » Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:08 am

“Hello Sarah, Brian,” she said as she hugged the other two, “You managed to make it over safely then?”

“We did indeed – and I hear congratulations are in order for you as well!”

“Thanks,” Aunt Connie said, “but I haven’t told work yet. I’m going to keep going up to the birth, to satisfy the legal people, and then I think it may be full time motherhood for me.”

“A loss to the journalistic profession, I’m sure,” Lady Holderness said, “but in the meantime, you get to supervise young Jenny for two weeks.”

“I do indeed,” she said as she looked at me, “Good meeting with Lady Holderness today?”

“Yeah,” I said with a smile, “we established the scope, and I have some ideas of events to research as well.”

“Excellent – now, I understand you wished to see me, Lady Holderness.”

“I do indeed,” she said as she stood up, “I was most impressed by what you discovered concerning the plaque at Wissenden. Come into the library – I have a proposal to put to you. Jennifer, come with us please – this is relevant to your work as well.”

Well, I was intrigued, so I followed them into the library and sat down next to Aunt Connie. The door opened, and Lord Holderness came in, sitting next to his wife.

“Desmond and I were talking last week, about what Jenny will be doing, and it made us realise that the history of our family, and of this place, may be of interest to others.”

“All of it?” Aunt Connie had a raised eyebrow, which infuriated me a little – it usually meant she knew more about what was going on than I.

“No, not all of it – but the general history, what the family has done and achieved, the way the town and house has developed since the first Lord Holderness – we think it is time the record was laid down, and we would like you to do it for us.”

“Me,” Aunt Connie said, “I’m no historian, your ladyship, and I’m a journalist.”

“Indeed – and we do not want a cold history. We want a timeline, a story, a progression - so a journalist is eminently more suited to the task. Will you at least consider it?”

“I will consider it,” Aunt Connie said, “and thank you for thinking of me.”

“If nothing else, it will keep you busy after you leave your current post,” she said with a smile. “Now, let us discuss timelines for your project, Jenny.”





“Very nice,” Mum said as I came into the kitchen on the Monday morning. I had put on a blue linen jacket and knee length skirt, with a short sleeved blouse underneath, as well as a pair of sensible shoes.

“Will it be all right for work,” I said as I looked at her.

“It will be fine – always good to make an impression on the first day, and you can adapt your dress code for the environment after that.”

“Is she ready,” Aunt Connie said from the hallway, and I drained the glass of milk that Mum had handed me.

“There you are,” she said as she came in. Aunt Connie was wearing a grey suit with a white camisole under the jacket. “Perfect,” she said as she looked at me, “I had thought we would be in the office today, but we need to go and see a few people about a news story.”

“Anything interesting?”

“Might be something, might be nothing – ever hear of The Green Mask?”

Mum looked at Aunt Connie, before she said “You’re kidding – that was over twenty years ago.”

“I know,” Aunt Connie said with a smile, “come on Jenny – time for you to see how I earn my wage packet.”

“See you later Mum,” I said as I waved to her, and we went out to Aunt Connie’s car, me sitting in the front of her as she drove off.

“So who or what is The Green Mask,” I said as we headed into town.

“How can I put this…. The Green Mask was to the late eighties and early nineties what Jay Edwards is today. He used to break into houses when the family were home, and used the children to force the parents to give up their valuables before he would secure and gag them all, and then disappear into the night.”

I looked at Aunt Connie as she said this. “You say this was twenty years ago – when you were my age?”

“That’s right – a few of my school friends were visited by this guy. Unlike Mister Edwards, it was one man. One of my friends told me what happened – he was quiet, well spoken and ruthless.”

“So why mention him now?”

“Because either he is back, or we have a copycat on our hands. Anyway, we’re going to see the family in question – I want you to listen and make notes as well as me. With your experience, you may see or hear something I miss.”

We eventually stopped outside a semi-detached house in Dewcot, a small village outside town, and as we got out a uniformed police officer was at the door.

“Morning Mrs Brown – new cub reporter,” he said as we walked up the drive.

“Kind of – this is my niece, on work experience. Can we talk to them?”

“Yeah – you’re cleared,” he said as he knocked on the door. As it opened, we walked in and along to the front room. A woman in her early thirties was sitting on the couch, wearing a grey t-shirt and pants. Two girls were sat beside her, one on each side. The oldest had a white t-shirt and shorts on, the younger a yellow sun dress, but all three looked scared.

“Mrs Whitmore, I’m Connie Brown from the Herald – this is my assistant Jennifer Craig. Do you think you’re up to telling me what happened?”

“I already talked to the police – we just want to forget it.”

“I know – but what happened is very similar to something that happened years before, and I want to put your experience against that. If you’re willing?”

She nodded as Aunt Connie switched on a tape recorder. “When were you aware that something was wrong?”

“It was about two this morning – my husband is away on business, and I was asleep in my bed when I heard what sounded like a cat mewling. Well, I turned over to try to ignore it, but it got louder – and then the light went on.”

“Someone turned it on?”

Mrs Whitmore nodded as she said “There was this man – tall, well built, with a green balaclava mask on, and he had Tracie and Poppy with him.”

The two girls nodded and hugged their mother, as she put her arms round them. “They had their arms behind their back, and it took me a little while to realise they had some sort of tape over their mouths – the mewling sound had been them trying to talk to me.”

“I see,” Aunt Connie said as she looked at me. I leaned forward and said “Which of you is Tracie?”

The younger girl raised her hand as I said “I know it was scary, but can you tell me what happened?”

“I woke up to see this funny man looking over me in my bed,” she said quietly. “He put his finger to his lips, and then stuck this funny tape over my mouth, stopping me saying anything. He then told me to roll over, and taped my hands together behind my back before he made me get up and come with him.”

“I see,” I said quietly, “did he sound as if he was local?”

“I don’t know – he spoke very quietly.”

“All right – so he made you get out of bed, Tracie, and then he took you to your sister’s room?”

Poppy nodded as she said “I woke up to see him with his hand on Tracie’s shoulder. He told me to get up and turn round, and then I felt this tape on my wrists and hands. Then her turned me round, and stuck another piece over my mouth. It felt funny – pulling at my skin, and I could not move my lips or speak.”

“How would you describe him?”

“Big, scary – and then there was that green mask over his head.”

“Thanks,” I said as I looked back at Connie. She smiled and said “So he brought the children into your bedroom, Mrs Whitmore. What happened then?”

“He told me to do exactly what he said, or it would be the girls that got hurt. So I did what he asked – I got out of bed, took a bag from him, and put all my jewellery, my credit cards and money into the bag. I then watched as he made the girls lie on the bed, and he taped their ankles and their legs.”

The two girls nodded in agreement, before Mrs Whitmore continued “He then taped my wrists together behind my back, and covered my mouth with this tape. I then lay between them, and watched as he taped my ankles and my legs together.”

“And then he left?”

“And then he left – we were too scared to move, until I managed to get my wrists free, cut the girls loose, and call the police.”

“All right – we won’t disturb you any more, Mrs Whitmore. Thanks for agreeing to talk to us.”

As we walked out, Aunt Connie whispered to me “nicely handled – what do you think?”

“I don’t know – what happened to stop the robberies before?”

“They caught the man,” Aunt Connie said. “So as a journalist, where do you think our next stop should be?”

“Police station – see if they can share anything at all with us?”

“Good call, cub reporter,” she said with a smile. “Come on – let’s drop in and see who we can get to talk to us.”



As we walked into Holderness Police Station, the desk sergeant looked up and smiled. “Connie Brown – back on the local beat?”

“For the moment, Sergeant Clark,” Aunt Connie said with a smile. “Local story with possible national interest. This is my niece, Jennifer…”

“Jenny? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” I said as I saw Colin Hampton standing there. “Did you come in to see your father?”

“Not exactly,” Colin said as he handed the desk sergeant a pile of forms. “This is my work experience – filing clerk for two weeks. Me and someone else.”

“Who?”

“Time for chatter later,” Aunt Connie said quietly, “can we see Detective Superintendant Hampton?”

“I’ll call through and see if he’s free,” the sergeant said as he picked up the phone, Colin smiling at me as he walked off.

A few minutes later Barry Hampton came out, shaking Connie’s and my hand as he said “Come on through – we’ll talk in my office.”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:06 am

Nice!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Tom Ford » Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:29 am

So now we have the Green Mask. Sounds very much like Jay Edwards. I wonder if Jay Edwards himself knew about it? Or the thief in Mother and Daughter Moments? Of course, Mark Williamson will pretend to be ignorant if he knew about it, simply as there would be no reason for an accountant to know about him except for what he read in the papers. Perhaps Jay Edwards and Yvonne would “accidentally” take Connie and Jenny hostage and give them some clues once Mark finds out they are after a story?

The Green Mask certainly likes tape better than ropes. If he takes Patty or Cassie hostage, they would be intrigued by simply being taped up, but appalled by such a flimsy gag. Hm, perhaps Jenny could be a victim with them, and because of her experience, would have the presence of mind to interview him before she is gagged? How about Patty and Rachel have a sleepover, and the twins handed over to say, Jesse in exchange? It would be amusing to see the two young ones think that this is another game. Would the green mask oblige them?

An interview with the Green Mask himself would be a feather in Jenny's cap, and give her A+ once she gets back to school!

At least with Colin there to help, she might get better information from the police since they would be doing a big favor to the son of the DSupt Hampton! As long as they make it clear what kind of info shouldn’t be printed in the paper, I think it would turn out all right I guess.

Where is Mary, Bobby, Cathy and Alicia? I hope we get to see them!!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:54 am

So we have a new villain!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:38 am

So it's all about the Green Mask. Wonder how long before Jenny meets him?

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby William F Somebody » Wed Mar 19, 2014 1:30 pm

So the Green mask is the new burglar in town? With Sarah and Brian in town, he better watch it.

Jenny, or Cassie for that matter, won’t be terrorized by Green mask. If Jay Edwards didn’t terrorize them, then someone who only puts a piece of tape overt the mouths is nothing to worry about. After all, they can easily remove the gag one second after the Green Mask leaves, then use their teeth to remove the tape round their bodies. Perhaps, as was stated above, Jenny could interview him? In exchange for cooperating with tied up, and persuading the others to cooperate, he could let her get her pen and paper or recorder and get an interview?

Now that would be a great work experience! Interviews with Lady and Lord Holderness, and of course, the Green Mask? Who says it could be boring!

And Colin is there too! I wonder what the police would tell them? Did he escape? Was he released? Or like Charlie and Rachel to Mark Williamson and Yvonne, a copycat who knew him and his methods well?

What would be funny if he visits Patty and perhaps Cassie! They would complain about not being tied and gagged well enough!

And how does Alicia, Mary, and Cathy tie into this? The good thing about her job is that she could go many places with a valid excuse. After all, she has to go where the news is, and perhaps, the news is where Alicia, Mary, and Cathy are working?

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:05 pm

Great chapter!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:10 pm

Great update!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:12 pm

Please please update really really soon!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:35 am

Hope you update soon!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby KP Presents » Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:18 am

As we walked through, Colin whispered “I’ll come round and see you tonight.”

“Not tonight – tomorrow,” I said, smiling as I followed Aunt Connie.

“Have a seat,” Mr Hampton said as we went into his office. Sitting at the other side of the desk, he said “I’m not sure there’s a lot more that I can tell you, Connie, apart from what we’ve already released in the police statement.”

“I know – we’ve already spoken to the family,” Aunt Connie said with a smile. “We’re here to give my young assistant here a bit of background to the history of the Green Mask.”

“Your assistant,” he said with a raised eyebrow. “Well, there’s not really a lot to say. The original cases, as I’m sure your aunt has already told you Jenny, the name was given to a robber from about 1987 to 1992, mainly because the victims all mentioned the green balaclava mask he wore. His modus operandi was to enter the house in the early hours of the morning, rouse the children, bind and gag them, and then use them as leverage to get the parents to hand over their valuables.”

“That’s what Aunt Connie said – then he left the families all tied and gagged, and made his escape. Was it always the middle of the night when he struck?”

“It was his preferred time, certainly,” Mr Hampton said as he sat back, “I seem to recall one or two occasions when he broke in during the day, usually when the mother had left the older son or daughter in charge, but mostly during the night.”

“And he always used tape?”

“That’s right – I guess because however effective or ineffective you know it, it is quick, and if you’re woken in the middle of the night by a masked man, fear means you don’t resist too much.”

“So what happened in 1992 to make the robberies stop?”

“They stopped – that’s all. We never caught the perpetrator, and it became a matter of history rather than police investigation. Why they should start up again now, I have no idea.”

“Thanks, Barry,” Aunt Connie said as she stood up and shook his hand. “Jenny, part of your work this afternoon is going to be going through the archives at the office for those past reports. Dave in the computer department will help you use the index search.”

“I’m just hoping this is a one-off,” Mr Hampton said as he escorted us out. “Last thing we need is another thief using kids to get the parents to co-operate. We already have Jay Edwards and the Game Player.”

“Another thing for our hard working police to think over,” Aunt Connie said as we went back to the car. “I’m hungry – let’s grab a sandwich and then I’ll take you to the office. There’s a good place about ten minutes from here.”

We drove down to an arcade of shops, and parked outside a nice looking café. Leaving the car, we walked in and sat down at a table.

“Good afternoon, what can I get… Oh boy, guess my secret’s out now.”

“Mary?”

It was indeed Mary, in a black short sleeved dress with white cuffs and collar, and a white apron around her waist, hanging over her skirt.

“Yeah,” she said as she looked at me and Aunt Connie, “I got the catering business. I’ve already had all the jokes from Eddie, so spare me them.”

“Fair enough,” I said with a smile, “I’ll have a cheese and ham baguette, and a coke.”

“Croque Monsieur and mineral water,” Aunt Connie said with a smile, “and don’t worry – your secret is safe with me.”

“Hey could be worse – wait until you see Alicia,” Mary said with a smile as she scribbled on her pad. “I’ll bring your drinks over in a minute.”




I wish I could say the afternoon was as interesting as the morning, but it wasn’t. The archives were a vast array of bound volumes, but Dave was able to give me a list of reference numbers, so I took that and pulled the volumes out, leafing through and taking notes when I found the reports of the break-ins. I’d managed to find about a dozen before Aunt Connie found me.

“Knocking off time – want me to drop you anywhere?”

“Nah,” I said as I closed the leather bound volume, and looked at my notes, “I’m meeting the girls and going for a pizza with them. I’ve found a dozen reports – eleven night visits, one on a Sunday afternoon, but they all say the same thing.”

“Well, this is part of the job – sifting through the records. Come on – I’ll walk you out.”



Pizza Hut was fairly quiet when I arrived, but Alicia and Cathy were already there. Alicia was wearing a t-shirt and joggers, and Cathy had on a white blouse and knee length grey skirt.

“Hard day at the coal face,” Cathy said as I sat down.

“Different – I saw Colin at the police station, helping with filing and suck like. I thought we weren’t meant to work with our parents?”

“Different schools, different rules,” Alicia said as she stretched her arms out. “I don’t know about you two, but I am starving.”

“So am I,” Mary said as she joined us, “do you know what it’s like to be serving food all day? I just got hungrier and hungrier!”

“So where are you based,” I said as I looked at Cathy.

“You’re the reporter – see if you can find out,” Cathy said with a smile. “Ask Ali instead.”

“No – don’t,” Alicia said as she looked at me, “just don’t. Let’s order and eat.”

“Oh – secrecy,” Mary said, “but I already know, Alicia dear. What’s to stop me telling both of them right now?”

Alicia looked at Cathy and me, and then said “All right – but Cathy has to spill as well.”

“All right,” Cathy said as the waitress came over, and we gave our orders. Once she had left, she said “I’m working for Mark Williamson at his accountancy office, as a receptionist. Satisfied?”

“I am,” I said with a smile as our drinks came over. “And now, Alicia?”

“All right, all right,” she said as she sat back. “I’m working with Donald Parker.”

“The vet? You’re doing work experience at the vets?”

Alicia nodded, and said “I spent the whole day out at a farm, taking records as he carried out TB tests. Have you any idea what it feels like when a cow backs into you? The only reason I still have feet is because I had steel toe capped wellies on – but I ache all over.”

“Whose idea was that?”

“Grandfather – who else?”

We all had to giggle at that, as our starters arrived.




“Long day,” Dad said as I finally went into the house. I nodded as I slumped into the armchair, Mum bringing me through a drink.

“First day is always the worst,” she said as she handed me the glass, and then sat down. “Where did Connie take you?”

“To see the family who were robbed last night, then Colin’s dad, then the archives to see what I could find out about this masked intruder. I guess I start looking into Lady Holderness tomorrow.”

“Sounds good – Connie said she’ll pick you up at eight.”




The next day and a half I spent in the office, looking through old records and doing web searches about Lord and Lady Holderness between 1989 and today. I did find out a few interesting things – how on ascending to be Lord Holderness in 1989, he became the head of the board at the Red Ribbon Shipping Company. That was a name I recognised from the conversations we had at the time of the attack at Holderness Manor, so I allowed myself a little time to look at the company website.

Bobby’s father is the current chairman of the board, with Lord Holderness as the owner and – Emeritus Chairman, it said on the web site. I only spent a little time on their site, but what I saw was enough to show me just how wealthy the family was.

That was a diversion, however, and I started to look at some of the events Lady Holderness had pointed out to me the other day – in particular, the church hall fire. The blaze had been the result of an electrical fault, and left the building a shell, with the plan at the time to demolish it and not replace it. Lady Holderness had objected to that, and set up a series of charitable events to raise the funds that allowed them to rebuild the hall, keeping as much as the original structure as possible.

One of the things that really intrigued me was that she had organised something called an auction of promises – getting local people to commit to doing some sort of work or perform a duty, in return for a donation. The reason it caught my eye was one of the people making a promise was my late grandfather. He’d agreed to take whoever bid the most on a tour of the Ministry of Defence – and the highest bidder paid a fair amount for it.

Dad was also mentioned – he’d agreed to offer a weekend’s gardening. In fact, quite a few people I recognised had made similar promises – Cathy’s mothers had offered a complete floral display for an event, and a car as well, as one example.

I also started to look into another thing that Lady Holderness had done, back in 1991, in the early days of Comic Relief. It turned out that she had organised a comedy night at Holderness Manor that particular year, and when I looked at the list of acts she had persuaded to take part…

“Oh yes, I remember that night,” she said on the Wednesday evening as I sat with her in our front room, “Do you remember Miranda?”

“I do indeed – you’d somehow got Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson to do a five minute Blackadder sketch, using the characters from the third series. I remember, because after the show they spent hours with David discussing the end of the final series.”

“That must have been fascinating,” I said, the tape recorder still going as I said “But how did you manage to get so many world class acts to come and take part? Holderness is not the centre of the show business universe, after all.”

“Oh we had our ways – but mostly gentle persuasion,” Lady Holderness said with a smile. “The real coup was getting the Americans to come over.”

“So I saw – that was amazing.”

“It was,” Granny said, “the group from Saturday Night Live in particular.”

“Well, Lorne Michaels owed Desmond a favour,” Lady Holderness said with an enigmatic smile. “Still, quite a night and it did raise a most astounding amount of money – over ten thousand pounds.”

Smiling, I said “Well, I wonder if it would be possible to discuss another matter with you, Lady Holderness – one I need to switch the tape recorder off for.”

“Now that sounds mildly ominous,” Granny said as I reached down and switched off the recorder. “What is it you want to talk about you don’t want an aural record of?”

“Well, it’s personal, but it relates to another matter I am researching. You read about the break in in Dewcot on the early hours of Monday morning.

“I saw a mention of it in the paper, nothing more,” Lady Holderness said, “why should it concern me?”

“The thief was identified by the mask he was wearing – a green balaclava.”

I saw Granny and Lady Holderness exchange a look, before she said “and naturally, your aunt had you look into the earlier robberies by this person?”

“She did – I recognised a few names, but there was on I recognised that I did not tell her of – a robbery in late 1988, one of the first in fact.”

“Ah – well, I applaud your discretion in that case,” Lady Holderness said quietly, “but yes, that was a few months before we moved here, in our old house.”

She took a deep breath, and said “What would you like to know?”
Last edited by KP Presents on Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:49 am

Wow!!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:09 am

And so the plot thickens!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Tom Ford » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:33 am

So many new things to learn! I wonder when Lady Holderness would start to give pointers to Cassie what it is to be the next Lady of the Manor? When they get married? Or when they get engaged? Or even earlier when it will become clear that the two are destined to be together?

Oh my, Lord and Lady Holderness are really influential people! Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, the group from America from SNL! How much clout does the couple have? And do Alexander have as much clout as his parents? Hopefully, he and his son Bobby could live up to his ancestors’ accomplishments!!

It’s nice to see that they use their influence and power and wealth for the good of the town. No wonder they are so respected. And of course, that doesn’t count what they did before they became Lord and Lady Holderneess. I wonder, did they already finished their career in government by the time Desmond’s father died, or did his death force the couple to an early retirement, since they would still be young, in their late thirties or early forties.

So much information was given today. For example, there’s the Game Player, a thief which uses children as a leverage on their parents in his thefts, which, as mentioned, makes him the third one to use such tactics, after Jay Edwards and the Green Mask himself. I wonder when and where the Game Player started from? And Holderness, for such a small town, sure attracts a lot of thieves!

Then of course, there is the fact that Alicia is working on the farm—that is so funny, the haughty Alicia, who is so proud and ladylike, doing such a thing! Well, it would build character! Mary as a waitress, Cathy as Mark Williamson’s receptionist, and Colin for his father. I wonder what sort of job Bobby would have? Perhaps an early apprenticeship on Red Ribbon Company to prepare him for his future duties?

And Lady Holderness (she was merely Mrs Holderness in 1988) and Miranda seemed to have a run in with the Green Mask. I wonder if they would be visited again? I hope he doesn’t visit Holderness Manor. Not only would the security be extra tight, but with Sarah and Brian, it would end in disaster for the thief, and knowing him, he doesn’t deserve that fate.

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby Tom Ford » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:34 am

Oh and some quibbles.

KP Presents wrote: “Well, there’s not really a lot to say. The original cases, as I’m sure your aunt has already told you Jennie, the name was given to a robber from about 1987 to 1992, mainly because the victims all mentioned the green balaclava mask he wore. His modus operandi was to enter the house in the early hours of the morning, rouse the children, bind and gag them, and then use them as leverage to get the parents to hand over their valuables.”


That should be Jenny.




KP Presents wrote:Alicia was wearing a t-shirt and joggers, and Cindy had on a white blouse and knee length grey skirt.


Cindy isn’t there. That should be Cathy.

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:31 am

The Green Mask sounds cool!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Mar 21, 2014 2:26 am

Great chapter1!!

Re: An Education: Work Experience

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Mar 21, 2014 2:33 am

Great update!!!