Enid Blyton - Five Go to Billycock Hill (Famous Five)

Chapter One

Wheres the map? said Julian. Is that it, George? Good! Now - where shall we spread it?

On the floor, said Anne. A map is always easiest to read on the floor. Ill push the table out of the way.

Well, be careful, for goodness sake, said George. Fathers in his study, and you know what happened before when someone pushed the table right over!

Everyone laughed. Georges father so often came pouncing out of his study if any sudden noise was made when he was working.

The table was pushed out of the way and the big map unfolded and spread out over the floor. Timmy was surprised to see the four children kneeling down around it, and barked, imagining this was some kind of new game.

Be quiet, Timmy! said Dick. Youve got into trouble once this morning already for making a row. And stop brushing my face with your tail.

Wuff, said Timmy and lay down heavily on the map.

Get up, idiot, said Dick. Dont you know were in a hurry? We want to trace our route to Billycock Hill...

Billycock Hill - what a lovely name! said Anne. Is that where were going?

Yes, said Julian, poring over the map. Its near some caves we want to see - and theres a Butterfly Farm not far off, and...

A Butterfly Farm! said George, surprised. Whatevers that?

Just what it sounds like! said Dick. A farm for butterflies! Toby, a friend of ours at school, told me about it. He lives quite near it and he says its a most interesting place - they breed butterflies - and moths, too - from eggs, and sell them to collectors.

Do they really? said Anne. Well, I must say I used to enjoy keeping caterpillars and seeing what they turned into - it was like magic to see a lovely butterfly or moth creep out of the chrysalis. But a farm for them - can we really go and see it?

Oh, yes - Toby says the men who run it are very decent about showing anyone round, said Julian. Apparently Billycock Hill is a good place for rare butterflies, too - thats why theyve got their farm there. They rush about with nets half the time - and at night they go moth-hunting,

It sounds exciting, said Dick. Well, what with caves to see, and a butterfly farm, and Toby to visit, and...

And just Five together again on a sunny weeks holiday! said George, giving Timmy a sudden thump of joy. Hurrah for Whitsun - and thank goodness our two schools had a weeks holiday at the same time!

The four cousins sprawled on the floor, looking with great interest at the map, following out a route with their fingers. As they traced out the way, there came an angry noise from the study, where Georges father was at work.

Whos been tidying my desk? Where are those papers I left here? Fanny, Fanny - come here!

He wants Mother - Ill get her, said George. No, I cant - shes gone shopping,

Why cant people leave my papers alone? came her fathers voice again. Fanny! FANNY!

Then the study door was flung open and Mr Kirrin came striding out, muttering to himself. He didnt see the four children on the floor, and fell right over them. Timmy barked in delight and leapt at him, thinking that for once in a way Georges father was actually having a game with them!

Oooh! said George, as her fathers hand came over her face. Dont! What are you doing, Father?

Uncle Quentin - sorry you fell over us! said Julian. Shut up, Timmy - this isnt a game!

He helped his uncle up and waited for the explosion. His uncle brushed himself down and glared at Julian. Have you got to lie on the floor? Get down, will you, Timmy? Wheres your mother, George? Get up, for goodness sake! Wheres Joan? If shes been tidying my desk again Ill give her notice!

Joan the cook appeared at the doorway, wiping her floury hands on her apron. Whatevers all this noise about? she began. Oh, sorry, sir - I didnt know it was you. I...

Joan - have you been tidying my desk again? almost shouted Georges father.

No, sir. Have you lost something? Never you mind, sir, Ill come along and find it, said Joan, who was used to Mr Kirrins ways. Pick up that map, you four - and put the table back. Stop barking, Timmy. George, take him out for goodness sake, or your father will go mad.

Hes only excited because were all together again, said George, and took Timmy into the garden. The others followed, Julian folding up the map, grinning.

We ought to put Uncle Quentin into a play, said Dick. Hed bring the house down! Well - do we know the way, Julian? And when do we start?

Heres Mother, said George as someone came to the front gate with a basket.

Julian ran to open it. He was very fond of his kindly, pleasant-faced aunt. She smiled round at them all.

Well - have you decided where to go - and what to take with you? Youll be able to camp out this beautiful weather - what a lovely Whitsun its going to be!

Yes, said Julian, taking his aunts basket from her and carrying it indoors. Were going to Billycock Hill, and as our friend Toby lives at the bottom of it, at Billycock Farm, hes going to lend us all the camping gear we need.

So we shant need to load our bikes with tents and mattresses and things, said Dick.

Oh - good! said his aunt. What about food? You can get it at Tobys farm, I suppose?

Rather! We shant feed there, of course, said Julian. But we shall buy any eggs or milk or bread we need - and Toby says the strawberries are already ripening!

Aunt Fanny smiled. Well, I neednt worry about your meals, then. And youll have Timmy with you, too, so hell look after you all. Wont you, Timmy? You wont let them get into any trouble, will you?

Woof, said Timmy, in his deepest voice, and wagged his tail. Woof.

Good old Tim, said George, patting him. If it wasnt for you wed never be allowed to go off so much on our own, I bet!

Uncle Quentins a bit on the war-path, Aunt Fanny, said Dick. He wants to know whos been tidying his desk. He came rushing out of the study, didnt see us lying on the floor round our map - and fell right over us.

Oh dear - Id better go and find out what papers hes lost now, said his aunt. I expect he forgot that he had a tidying fit on last night, and tidied his desk himself. Hes probably put a lot of his most precious papers into the waste-paper basket!

Everyone laughed as Mrs Kirrin hurried into the study.

Well, lets get ready, said Julian. We wont need to take much, as old Tobys going to help us. Macs, of course - and dont forget yours, Timmy! And jerseys.' And one or two maps.

And torches, said Anne, because we want to explore those caves. Oh, and lets take our swimsuits in case we find somewhere to bathe. Its warm enough!

And candles and matches, said George, slapping the pocket of her shorts. Ive got those. I got Joan to give me three boxes. And lets take some sweets.

Yes. That tin of humbugs, said Julian. And I vote we take our little portable radio!

Oh, yes - thats a good idea, said Anne, pleased. We can hear our favourite programmes then - and the news. I dont suppose we shall be able to buy newspapers.

Ill get out the bikes from the shed, said Julian. Dick, get the sandwiches from Joan - she said shed make us some, because we shant get to Tobys farm till after our dinner-time - and I bet well be hungry!

Wuff, said Timmy, who knew that word very well.

He says remember biscuits for him, said Anne with a laugh. Ill go and get some now, Tim - though I expect you can share meals with the dogs at Billycock Farm.