I thought perhaps a new drabble for the new board - and this one has been a long time coming, even though I promised it last year. What will Hilda do to show Nell how much she *appreciated* all the fuss the latter organised for Hilda's Coming of Age as Head?
BTW, I think I may have shaved a year or two off Nell's age. This takes place in 1958 if it is Hilda's 21st birthday.
In the silence of the room, two women worked quietly, one sitting at her huge desk answering letters, the other sitting on a nearby settee surrounded by books and science equipment, lists on a small table in front of her. The tall figure seated at the desk raised her head, and her keen blue-grey eyes watched as the white-haired woman on the settee counted books and ticked the lists.
“Nell,” the keen-eyed woman eventually said softly. No answer. She cleared her throat and spoke a little more loudly. “Nell? Are you listening?”
Nell Wilson did not raise her head from her papers, but a hand was held up as she answered absently, “In a moment, Hilda. Let me just get these sums to come out right or Rosalie will be after me.”
Hilda Annersley laced her slender fingers and rested her chin on them, regarding her friend and co-Head fondly. It was the second week of the Autumn term and they were both looking tanned and fit after a five week round-the-world cruise, a present to Hilda on the occasion of her Coming of Age as Headmistress.
Hilda’s eyes grew soft as she remembered the love her friend had shown her that day. She was still moved to tears every time she thought of that intense moment when Nell had told her, “You are my joy, Hilda.” The cruise itself had been wonderful and had brought them even closer together, if that were possible. There had been such fun and laughter, such gentleness and beauty, so many moments of quiet and ease.
She came abruptly back to reality as Nell threw the pen on the table, gathered her papers together and sighed with relief. “Done! Everything accounted for! Everything adds up!” She stretched mightily and yawned, then looked up and smiled across at Hilda. “Now, my dear, what did you want to say?”
Hilda glanced down at her watch and rose from her seat. “Ready for coffee?” When Nell nodded, Hilda went through to her secretary’s office, returning moments later to sit in the armchair across from Nell. Without speaking, she looked at her speculatively and Nell began to feel uncomfortable under the blast from those X-ray eyes.
She wriggled. “What’s the matter? Smudge on my nose? Ink on my fingers? Hair untidy?”
Hilda laughed softly. “All of those actually, my dear. You do tend to unravel when you’re concentrating.” Silenced at such home truths, Nell glared at her a moment, then grinned and nodded. One could always rely on Hilda to tell it like it was! Nell sat back and folded her arms, waiting for whatever was coming. Silence was the best way of getting anything out of Hilda.
Hilda shrugged, seeing she was going to get no coaxing, and her eyes wandered to the window, through which the sun was still shining brightly. “Maybe it’s the cruise. I just feel....flat,” she said lightly, her eyes narrowed somewhat. Then she turned back to Nell and said slowly, “It’s your birthday shortly. As it’s a rather special one, you being fifty, I was wondering whether you’d like to go away somewhere to celebrate. We're both free that weekend – and I think I could be persuaded to take some time off, seeing as a certain person is always willing to help...” and she grinned suddenly as Nell glared at her once more.
Nell stopped glaring and frowned, her cool grey eyes growing intent. “You’re not thinking of turning the tables, and spoiling me, by any chance?” she asked acidly.
Hilda smiled innocently. “You did give me permission, remember. And anyway, I thought I had turned the tables,” and she smiled provokingly at this reminder of her turning round the celebrations to include Nell in the thanksgiving and celebration. Nell ignored the provocation and sat staring at Hilda fixedly, gnawing at her bottom lip as she did so. But Hilda had herself well in hand – her face was calm and impassive, giving away nothing at all.
At that moment Rosalie entered with the coffee, but seeing the anxious look on Nell’s face and hearing the silence, assumed they were having a serious discussion about something relating to the school and glided away as smoothly as she had entered. Hilda leaned forward to pour just as Nell asked abruptly, “Just the two of us? Not the whole school?”
Hilda looked solemnly at her across the coffee pot and said severely, “You did it to me!”
“Yes, but I didn’t cart them half way round the world!” answered Nell, somewhat sarcastically.
“Who said anything about going halfway round the world, may I ask? Here, take your coffee before I throw it at you! What’s sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander! You put me through hoops that day!” She smiled mischievously as Nell bared her teeth at her. “Anyway, why would I do that, when I know you want to keep your fiftieth birthday a secret? Or to put it another way, how could I do it? Far too many to bus them all anywhere!”
“Oh, knowing you, you’d manage it! I’d swear you’re omnipotent!” Nell fingered her unruly white hair as she added musingly, “I don’t want anyone to know, though that seems somewhat pointless as I’ve looked old for the last twenty years or more, since this happened....” and she tugged the white curls.
“You have never looked old, Nell,” replied Hilda softly. “Your white hair is lovely and only emphasizes the youthfulness of your beautifully strong face.” She paused. “After all, my dear, to many people your white hair is your badge of courage.” Her voice was now very gentle, her eyes warm with her affection for the woman sitting opposite her.
Nell blushed fierily at this tender accolade, for these two women were not given to making pretty compliments to each other, but she had recognised the sincerity that rang in Hilda’s beautiful voice.
She changed the subject quickly.....
(Of course, I know a doctor who refers to all motorbike drivers as "organ donors"....)
