Enid Blyton - Five on Finniston Farm

Phew! said Julian, mopping his wet forehead; What a day! Lets go and live at the Equatorit would be cool compared to this!

He stood leaning on his bicycle, out of breath with a long steep ride up a hill. Dick grinned at him. Youre out of training, Ju! he said. Lets sit down for a bit and look at the view. Were pretty high up!

They leaned their bicycles against a nearby gate and sat down, their backs against the lower bars. Below them spread the Dorset countryside, shimmering in the heat of the day, the distance almost lost in a blue haze. A small breeze came wandering round, and Julian sighed in relief.

Id never have come on this biking trip if Id guessed it was going to be as hot as this! he said. Good thing Anne didnt comeshed have given up the first day.

George wouldnt have minded, said Dick. Shes game enough for anything.

Good old Georgina, said Julian, shutting his eyes. Ill be glad to see the girls again. Fun to be on our own, of coursebut things always seem to happen when the four of us are together.

Five, you mean, said Dick, tipping his hat over his eyes. Dont forget old Timmy. What a dog! Never knew one that had such a wet lick as Tim. I saywont it be fun to meet them all! Dont lets forget the time, Julian. Hey, wake up, ass! If we go to sleep now, well not be in time to meet the girls bus.

Julian was almost asleep. Dick looked at him and laughed. Then he looked at his watch, and did a little calculating. It was half past two.

Lets see nowAnne and George will be on the bus that stops at Finniston Church at five past three, he thought. Finniston is about a mile away, down this hill. Ill give Julian fifteen minutes to have a napand hope to goodness I dont fall asleep myself!

He felt his own eyes closing after a minute, and got up at once to walk about. The two girls and Tim must be met, because they would have suitcases with them, which the boys planned to wheel along on their bicycles.

The Five were going to stay at a place called Finniston Farm, set on a hill above the little village of Finniston. None of them had been there before, nor even heard of it. It had all come about because Georges mother had heard from an old school friend, who had told her that she was taking paying guests at her farm-houseand had asked her to recommend visitors to her. George had promptly said she would like to go there with her cousins in the summer holidays.

Hope its a decent place! thought Dick, gazing down into the valley, where corn-fields waved in the little breeze. Anyway, we shall only be there for two weeksand it will be fun to be together again.

He looked at his watch. Time to go! He gave Julian a push. Heywake up!

Nother ten minutes, muttered Julian, trying to turn over, as if he were in bed. He rolled against the gate-bars and fell on to the hard dry earth below. He sat up in surprise. GoshI thought I was in bed! he said. My word, I could have gone on sleeping for hours.

Well, its time to go and meet that bus, said Dick. Ive had to walk about all the time you were asleep, I was so afraid Id go off myself. Come on, Julianwe really must go!

They rode down the hill, going cautiously round the sharp corners, remembering how many times they had met herds of cows, wide farm-carts, tractors and the like, on their way through this great farming county. Ahthere was the village, at the bottom of the hill. It looked old and peaceful and half-asleep.

Thank goodness it sells ginger-beer and ice-creams! said Dick, seeing a small shop with a big sign in the window. I feel as if I want to hang out my tongue, like Timmy does, Im so thirsty!

Lets find the church and the bus-stop, said Julian. I saw a spire as we rode down the hill, but it disappeared when we got near the bottom.

Theres the bus! said Dick, as he heard the noise of wheels rumbling along in the distance. Look, here it comes. Well follow it.

Theres Anne in itand George, look! shouted Julian. Were here exactly on time! Whoo-hoo, George!

The bus came to a stop by the old church, and out jumped Anne and George, each with a suitcaseand out leapt old Timmy too, his tongue hanging down, very glad to be out of the hot, jerky, smelly bus.

There are the boys! shouted George, and waved wildly as the bus went off again. Julian! Dick! Im so glad youre here to meet us!

The two boys rode up, and jumped off their bikes, while Timmy leapt round them, baring madly. They thumped the girls on their backs, and grinned at them. Just the same old couple! said Dick. Youve got a spot on your chin, George, and why on earth have you tied your hair into a pony-tail, Anne?

Youre not very polite, Dick, said George, bumping him with her suitcase. I cant think why Anne and I looked forward so much to seeing you again. Here, take my suitcasehavent you any manners?

Plenty, said Dick, and grabbed the case. I just cant get over Annes new hair-do. I dont like it, Annedo you, Ju? Pony-tail! A donkey-tail would suit you better Anne!

Its all rightits just because the back of my neck was so hot, said Anne, shaking her hair free in a hurry. She hated her brothers to find fault with her. Julian gave her arm a squeeze.

Nice to see you both, he said. What about some ginger-beer and ice-cream? Theres a shop over there that sells them. And Ive a sudden longing for nice juicy plums!

You havent said a word to Timmy yet, said George, half-offended. Hes been trotting round you and licking your handsand hes so dreadfully hot and thirsty!

Shake paws, Tim, said Dick, and Timmy politely put up his right paw. He shook hands with Julian too and then promptly went mad, careering about and almost knocking over a small boy on a bicycle.

Come on, Timwant an ice-cream? said Dick, laying his hand on the big dogs head. Hark at him panting, GeorgeI bet he wishes he could unzip his hairy coat and take it off! Dont you, Tim?

Woof! said Tim, and slapped his tail against Dicks bare legs.

They all trooped into the ice-cream shop. It was half dairy, half bakers. A small girl of about ten came to serve them.

Mums lying down, she said. What can I get you? Ice-creams, I suppose? Thats what everyone wants today.

You supposed right, said Julian. A large one each, pleasefive in alland four bottles of ginger pop as well.

Five ice-creamsdo you want one for that dog, then? said the girl in surprise, looking at Timmy.

Woof, he said at once.

There you are, said Dick, he said yes!

Soon the Five were eating their cold ice-creams, Timmy licking his from a saucer. Before he had had many licks, the ice-cream slid from the saucer, and Timmy chased it all the way round the shop, as it slid away from his vigorous licks. The little girl watched him, fascinated.

I must apologise for his manners, said Julian, solemnly. He hasnt been very well brought up. He at once had a glare from George, and grinned. He opened his bottle of ginger-beer. Nice and cold, he said.

Heres a happy fortnight to us all! He drank half the glass at top speed, and set it down with a great sigh.

Well, blessings on the person who invented ice-cream, ginger-pop and the rest! he said. Id rather invent things like that any day than rockets and bombs, HaI feel better now. What about you others? Do you feel like going to find the farm?

Whose farm? asked the little girl, coming out from behind the counter to pick up Timmys saucer. Timmy gave her a large, wet and loving lick as she bent down.