Enid Blyton - Five fall into adventure

Contents

Chapter One

AT KIRRIN COTTAGE AGAIN

Georgina was at the station to meet her three cousins. Timmy her dog was with her, his long tail wagging eagerly. He knew quite well they had come to meet Julian, Dick and Anne, and he was glad. It was much more fun when the Five were all together.

Here comes the train, Timmy! said George. Nobody called her Georgina, because she wouldnt answer if they did. She looked like a boy with her short curly hair and her shorts and open-necked shirt. Her face was covered with freckles, and her legs and arms were as brown as a gipsys.

There was the far-off rumble of a train, and as it came nearer, a short warning hoot. Timmy whined and wagged his tail. He didnt like trains, but he wanted this one to come.

Nearer and nearer it came, slowing down as it reached Kirrin station. Long before it came to the little platform three heads appeared out of one of the windows, and three hands waved wildly. George waved back, her face one big smile.

The door swung open almost before the train stopped. Out came a big boy, and helped down a small girl. Then came another boy, not quite so tall as the first one, with a bag in each hand. He dragged a third bag out, and then George and Timmy were on him.

Julian! Dick! Anne! Your trains late; we thought you were never coming!

Hallo, George! Here we are at last. Get down, Timmy, dont eat me.

Hallo, George! Oh, Timmy, you darling - youre just as licky as ever!

Woof, said Timmy joyfully, and bounded all round like a mad thing, getting into everybodys way.

Any trunk or anything? asked George. Only those three bags?

Well, we havent come for long this time, worse luck, said Dick. Only a fortnight! Still, its better than nothing.

You shouldnt have gone off to France all those six weeks, said George, half-jealously. I suppose youve gone all French now.

Dick laughed, waved his hands in the air and went off into a stream of quick French that sounded just like gibberish to George. French was not one of her strong subjects.

Shut up, she said, giving him a friendly shove. Youre just the same old idiot. Oh, Im so glad youve come. Its been lonely and dull at Kirrin without you.

A porter came up with a barrow. Dick turned to him, waved his hands again, and addressed the astonished man in fluent French. But the porter knew Dick quite well.

Go on with you, he said. Argy-bargying in double-Dutch like that. Do you want me to wheel these up to Kirrin Cottage for you?

Yes, please, said Anne. Stop it, Dick. It isnt funny when you go on so long.

Oh, let him go on, said George, and she linked her arms in Annes and Dicks. Its lovely to have you again. Mothers looking forward to seeing you all.

I bet Uncle Quentin isnt, said Julian, as they went along the little platform, Timmy capering round them.

Fathers in quite a good temper, said George. You know hes been to America with Mother, lecturing and hearing other scientists lecturing too. Mother says everyone made a great fuss of him, and he liked it.

Georges father was a brilliant scientist, well-known all over the world. But he was rather a difficult man at home, impatient, hot-tempered and forgetful. The children were fond of him, but held him in great respect. They all heaved a sigh of relief when he went away for a few days, for then they could make as much noise as they liked, tear up and down the stairs, play silly jokes and generally be as mad as they pleased.

Will Uncle Quentin be at home all the time were staying with you? asked Anne. She was really rather afraid of her hot-tempered uncle.

No, said George. Mother and Father are going away for a tour in Spain - so well be on our own.

Wizard! said Dick. We can wear our bathing costumes all day long then if we want to.

And Timmy can come in at meal-times without being sent out whenever he moves, said George. Hes been sent out every single meal-time this week, just because he snapped at the flies that came near him. Father goes absolutely mad if Timmy suddenly snaps at a fly.

Shame! said Anne, and patted Timmys rough-haired back. You can snap at every single fly you like, Timmy, when were on our own.

Woof, said Timmy, gratefully.

There wont be time for any adventure these hols, said Dick, regretfully, as they walked down the lane to Kirrin Cottage. Red poppies danced along the way, and in the distance the sea shone as blue as cornflowers. Only two weeks - and back we go to school! Well, lets hope the weather keeps fine. I want to bathe six times a day!

Soon they were all sitting round the tea-table at Kirrin Cottage, and their Aunt Fanny was handing round plates of her nicest scones and tea-cake. She was very pleased to see her nephews and niece again.

Now George will be happy, she said, smiling at the hungry four. Shes been going about like a bear with a sore head the last week or two. Have another scone, Dick? Take two while youre about it.

Good idea, said Dick, and helped himself. Nobody makes scones and cakes like you do, Aunt Fanny. Wheres Uncle Quentin?

In his study, said his aunt. He knows its tea-time, and hes heard the bell, but I expect hes buried in something or other. Ill have to fetch him in a minute. I honestly believe hed go without food all day long if I didnt go and drag him into the dining-room!

Here he is, said Julian, hearing the familiar impatient footsteps coming down the hall to the dining-room. The door was flung open. Uncle Quentin stood there, a newspaper in his hand, scowling. He didnt appear to see the children at all.

Look here, Fanny! he shouted. See what theyve put in this paper - the very thing I gave orders was NOT to be put in! The dolts! The idiots! The...

Quentin! Whatevers the matter? said his wife. Look - here are the children - theyve just arrived.

But Uncle Quentin simply didnt see any of the four children at all. He went on glaring at the paper. He rapped at it with his hand.

Now well get the place full of reporters wanting to see me, and wanting to know all about my new ideas! he said, beginning to shout. See what theyve said! This eminent scientist conducts all his experiments and works out all his ideas at his home, Kirrin Cottage. Here are his stack of notebooks, to which are now added two more - fruits of his visit to America, and here at his cottage are his amazing diagrams, and so on and so on.

I tell you, Fanny, well have hordes of reporters down.

No, we shant, dear, said his wife. And, anyway, we are soon off to Spain. Do sit down and have some tea. And look, cant you say a word to welcome Julian, Dick and Anne?

Uncle Quentin grunted and sat down. I didnt know they were coming, he said, and helped himself to a scone. You might have told me, Fanny.

I told you three times yesterday and twice today, said his wife.

Anne suddenly squeezed her uncles arm. She was sitting next to him. Youre just the same as ever, Uncle Quentin, she said. You never, never remember were coming! Shall we go away again?

Her uncle looked down at her and smiled. His temper never lasted very long. He grinned at Julian and Dick. Well, here you are again! he said. Do you think you can hold the fort for me while Im away with your aunt?

Rather! said all three together.

Well keep everyone at bay! said Julian. With Timmys help. Ill put up a notice: Beware, very fierce dog.