Enid Blyton - Five Have Plenty of Fun

I feel as if weve been at Kirrin for about a month already! said Anne, stretching herself out on the warm sand, and digging her toes in. And weve only just come!

Yesits funny how we settle down at Kirrin so quickly, said Dick. We only came yesterday, and I agree with you, Anneit seems as if weve been here ages. I love Kirrin.

I hope this weather lasts out the three weeks weve got left of the holiday, said Julian, rolling away from Timmy, who was pawing at him, trying to make him play. Go away, Timmy. Youre too energetic. Weve bathed, had a run, played balland thats quite enough for a little while. Go and play with the crabs!

Woof! said Timmy, disgusted. Then he pricked up his ears as he heard a tinkling noise from the promenade. He barked again.

Trust old Timmy to hear the ice-cream man, said Dick. Anyone want an ice-cream?

Everyone did, so Anne collected the money and went off to get the ice-creams, Timmy close at her heels. She came back with five cartons of ice-cream, Timmy jumping up at her all the way.

I cant think of anything nicer than lying down on hot sand with the sun on every part of my body, eating an ice-cream, and knowing there are still three weeks holiday in front of usat Kirrin too! said Dick.

Yes. Its heaven, said Anne. Its a pity your father has visitors today, George. Who are they? Have we got to dress up for them?

I dont think so, said George. Timmy, youve eaten your ice-cream in one gulp. What a frightful waste!

When are these people coming? asked Dick.

About half past twelve, said George. Theyre coming to lunchbut thank goodness Father told Mother he didnt want a pack of children gobbling all round him and his friends at lunch, so Mother said we could go in at half past twelve, say how-do-you-do and then clear off again with a picnic basket.

I must say I think your father has some good ideas at times, said Dick. I suppose they are some scientist friends of his?

Yes. Fathers working on some great scheme with these two men, said George. One of thems a genius, apparently, and has hit on an idea thats too wonderful for words.

What kind of modern idea is it? said Julian, lazily, holding out his finger-tips for Timmy to lick off smears of ice-cream. Some space-ship to take us on day-trips to the moonor some new bomb to set offor

No, I think its something that will give us heat, light and power for almost nothing! said George. I heard Father say that its the simplest and best idea anyone had ever worked out, and hes awfully excited about it. He called it a gift to mankind and said he was proud to have anything to do with it.

Uncle Quentin is very clever, isnt he? said Anne. Georges father was the uncle of Julian, Dick and Anne, and they were cousins to Georgeshort for Georgina. Once more they had all come down to Kirrin for part of their holiday, the last three weeks.

Georges father was certainly clever. All the same, George sometimes wished that he was a more ordinary parent, one who would play cricket or tennis with children, and not be so horrified at shouting and laughter and silly jokes. He always made a fuss when Georges mother insisted that George should have her cousins to stay.

Noisy, rowdy, yelling kids! he said. I shall lock myself in my study and stay there!

All right, dear, said his wife. You do that. But you know perfectly well that they will be out practically all day long. George must have other children to stay sometimes, and her three cousins are the nicest ones I know. George loves having them here.

The four cousins were very careful not to upset Georges father. He had a very hot temper and shouted at the top of his voice when he was angry. Still, as Julian said, he really couldnt help being a genius, and geniuses werent ordinary people.

Especially scientific geniuses who might easily blow up the whole world in a fit of temper, said Julian, solemnly.

Well, I wish he wouldnt keep blowing me up if I let a door bang, or set Timmy barking, said George.

Thats only to keep his hand in, said Dick. Just a bit of practice at blowing up!

Dont be an ass, said George. Does anyone feel like another bathe?

No. But I dont mind going and lying in the very edge of the sea, and letting the waves there just curl over me, said Dick. Im absolutely baked lying here.

It sounds lovely, said Anne. But the hotter you are the colder the water feels.

Come on! said Dick, getting up. I shall hang my tongue out and pant like Timmy soon.

They all went down to the edge of the water and lay down flat in the tiny curling waves there. Anne gave a little shriek.

It feels icy! I knew it would. I cant lie down in it yetI can only sit up!

However they were soon all lying full-length in the shallow waves at the edge of the sea, sliding down the sand a little every now and again as the tide ebbed farther from them. It was lovely to feel the cool fingers of the sea on every part of them.

Suddenly Timmy barked. He was not in the water with them, but was just at the edge. He thought that lying down in the sea was quite unnecessary! George raised her head.

Whats the matter? she said. Theres nobody coming.

But Dick had heard something too. He sat up hurriedly. Gosh, I believe thats someone ringing a bell for us. It sounds like the bell from Kirrin Cottage!

But it cant be dinner-time yet! said Anne in dismay.

It must be, said Julian, leaping up. Blow! This is what comes of leaving my watch in my blazer pocket! I ought to have remembered that time at Kirrin goes more quickly than anywhere else!

He ran up the beach to his blazer and took his wristwatch from the pocket. Its one oclock! he yelled. In fact, its a minute past. Buck up, well be awfully late!

Blow! said George. Mother wont be at all pleased with us, because those two scientist people will be there!

They collected their blazers and tore up the beach. It was not very far to Kirrin Cottage, fortunately, and they were soon running in at the front gate. There was a very large car outside, one of the latest American models. But there was no time to examine it!

They trailed in quietly at the garden door. Georges mother met them, looking rather cross.

Sorry, Aunt Fanny, said Julian. Please forgive us. It was my fault entirely. Im the only one with a watch.

Are we awfully late? asked Anne. Have you begun lunch yet? Would you like us just to take our picnic basket and slip off without interrupting?

No, said her aunt. Fortunately your uncle is still shut up in his study with his friends. Ive sounded the gong once but I dont expect theyve even heard it! I rang the bell for you because I thought that any moment they might come out, and your uncle would be cross if you werent there just to say how-do-you-do!

But Fathers friends dont usually want to see us, said George, surprised.

Well, one of them has a girl a bit younger than you, Georgeyounger than Anne too, I think, said her mother. And he specially asked to see you all, because his daughter is going to your school next term.

Wed better buck up and have a bit of a wash then, said Julianbut at that very moment the study door opened, and his Uncle Quentin came out with two men.

Halloare these your kids? said one of the men, stopping.

Theyve just come in from the beach, said Aunt Fanny hurriedly. Im afraid they are not really fit to be seen. I