A Posh Girls Posh Boarding School Somewhere in a Posh Part of England (I.P.) Part Two

A Posh Girls Posh Boarding School Somewhere in a Posh Part of England (I.P.) - Part Two

Come the day all the parents were there except Lucinda’s but she knew it must be because the weather was not so good and she knew how unhappy her parents would be at being prevented from coming up because of the inclement Northern weather. They were probably doing their best to avoid their disappointment by going to the South of France for the summer otherwise she felt sure Mummy would want to run in what the school called The Mums Race and Daddy would really love the Three Legged Race and possibly even The Sack Race. Though she didn’t think the egg and spoon race would appeal unless it was Eggs Benedict on the spoon.

When it was time for Lucinda and the others to start their cross country run they all set off at a fair old lick but they hadn’t crossed the first field before Lucinda was way ahead of the others and increasing her lead almost with every stride. She whizzed up hill and down dale, splashing through ditches with the spray soaking her vest and shorts, the cold water making her teeth chatter.

However the route ran alongside a river that was already quite swollen from the aforementioned inclement weather and as Lucinda ran along the towpath she heard a voice that sounded vaguely familiar.

“Help! Help! Somebody, please help me!”

Lucinda looked out over the river and could just see a girl clinging to a branch as she was being swept along by the current. Lucinda had always been afraid of swimming anywhere other than in the pool in Daddy’s office but she hesitated just for a moment before diving in and small as she was she somehow found the strength to get to the girl clinging to the branch. Imagine her surprise when she saw it was the Thusty who had made her life a misery ever since she had come to St Margaret’s. Just for one fleeting moment she thought she might just say,

“Oh sorry I’m not supposed to get in any Thusty’s way.” And then just leave her but she knew she couldn’t do that so she too took hold of the branch and said,

“Come on don’t just cling on start swimming or we’ll both drown.”

With that they both started kicking their legs furiously as they battled the current that threatened to sweep them away. Two or three times it looked as if it would succeed before they finally reached the bank and by this time there were people standing ready with towels and something that looked like what cook used in the kitchen at home. Lucinda thought it was something called foil.

News of the dramatic rescue and Lucinda’s bravery made the national and international papers and brought Mummy and Daddy scurrying back as it looked like there could be some reflected glory in being the parents of the brave girl and they were determined not to miss such a heaven sent opportunity. On reaching the school they learned that a photo shoot was to take place that afternoon and Lucinda’s mother was so glad she had thought to bring her entire wardrobe with her as she wanted to look her best when she was photographed with her beloved, brave daughter. Her only concern was would she recognise the dear child.

Come the afternoon and the photographers are all lined up ready when Petunia, Lucinda’s mother, stepped forward to have her photo taken and called to Gabs, who you may remember is a very, very, very, tall girl,

“Come here dear and have your photo taken with Mummy.

But Lucinda steps forward saying,

“No, Mummy, I’m your daughter, it’s me you want.”

“Is it dear? Are you sure? You look terribly insignificant to be my daughter. What do you think Clive? Is this the one?”

“One’s very much like another, Petunia, dear. I should just go along with it.”

“Very well, come here child but if you could stand to one side as I do want them to catch the fall of the dress as I promised Coco if I wore one of her dresses then I would do my best to get it featured on the front page of Hello.”

However, once the photographers had left Lucinda’s parents thought it was high time they left too. They were almost out the door when Lucinda came running up to kiss them good bye. Looking alarmed at this imminent show of affection they both blew her an air kiss before they made their escape. Lucinda turned back disappointed and made towards the First Year Common Room. On reaching it the door was flung open and Lucinda saw all the Fusties were gathered there for what looked like some sort of celebration. Gabs came over and took hold of her hand and led her to the front of the crowd. Lucinda looked totally bemused but then the door opened again and three older girls entered smiling and the tallest girl, though not as tall as Gabs, was holding what looked like some kind of Scroll.

“What’s going on?” said Lucinda.

“Just wait you’ll soon find out,” said Gabs, smiling indulgently.

The tallest girl, the one with The Scroll said,

“We are here to present you with this Scroll and to enrol you into the FT Club which will now have to be re-named the FF Club.” Then the girl went on to say,

“Lucinda Lucket I hereby enrol you into the newly formed FF Club in honour of your bravery and we look forward to working with you to maintain the high standards of justice, fairness and loyalty which have always been the ideals of the FT Club. Therefore the FT Club, proper name the Fantastic Three Club , is now defunct and is re-named the Fantastic Four Club and by the power invested in me I hereby claim you as a fully paid up member of the FF Club.

“But I thought the FT Club was a secret society and that no one knew who you were.”

“That is true but we feel the time is now right for us to be known by our real names.”

“Oh, really, what are your real names?”

The shortest of the three girls stepped forward,

“My name is Honour.”

The second girl stepped forward,

“I am Mattie”

And finally the girl with the Scroll stepped forward,

“And I am Pia!”

END