Five Go Back to Kirrin Island

©2006 Enid Blyton Yahoo Group

Every once in a while, regular members of the Enid Blyton Yahoo Group join forces and write a Round Robin. If you've never heard of a Round Robin, well, in this case it's a brand new story written by a group of fans, with each member writing a chapter and making it up as they go along. Nobody knows where the story will lead; there's no plot to follow, and the direction of the next chapter is decided by the end of the last one. It's a lot of fun, and the result is either a wonderful new story—or a complete mess!

What follows is the Famous Five in a brand new exciting adventure. There are over 20 members uniting to write this story, so this section will grow one chapter at a time over the next few months...

Chapter 12: Revelations
by Nigel Rowe (March 23, 2006)

Back | Index | Next

The five children pressed themselves back as far as they could, in their hiding place in the adjoining room. Timothy sensed the urgency of the situation, and kept closely to George. He knew he had to stay extremely quiet, but nonetheless, he was fully prepared to protect his beloved mistress if needed.

George kept her hand on Tim's collar, willing him to stay quiet. Anne was the most scared. "Why oh why" she said to herself, "couldn't we be as normal children, and have holidays where nothing dangerous ever happened." Although she was the most easily scared of the four, she would never wish to be excluded from an adventure. She really was a brave girl. In fact, on a camping holiday once, she got so fierce, the others thought that she had turned into a tiger! She had plenty of pluck and although scared, would never desert her cousins.

Pottersham had now settled himself down in the room, which the children could just make out through the hole in the wall.

"Harper Chapman is not best pleased," he said. "It appears there might be an enemy in the camp."

"What do you mean?" asked Alf, in a surly manner.

"He seems to think someone's been messing about, interfering with things in the tunnel. The copies we had of Kirrin's notes have gone. None of us would have taken them, so there must be someone else about."

"That's impossible," said Alf. "Who on earth could know we're onto the treasure, let alone know of our activities at the Hall and in the tunnel?"

"Well, the fact of the matter is, Chapman's got the wind up and he wants us to be extra careful. I must say, I can't see how anyone could be on to us; all our messages have been in code, I don't see what more care we could have taken. Anyway," continued Pottersham, "take good care of this package. Chapman will go berserk if this goes missing. Read through the contents and keep it safe."

He handed Alf the package. The children couldn't really make out what size it was—it was too dark to see much. They were listening to all of this in awe. So they were after the treasure. Harper Chapman was one of the names on the paper. Did that mean that he was the ring-leader, not Pottersham? How they hoped they wouldn't be discovered.

"At least they've stopped the boat-loads of trippers going over to the island for the moment," said Pottersham. "Okay, the police may be about, but they know nothing about the Hall or the undersea passages, so we should be left alone to get on with our work."

"Anyway, we need you to keep a strict eye on things this end. That woman rides her horse around here, and those Kirrin kids are on holiday now—I know what they can be like. Whatever you do, don't let anyone suspect anything , if there's anything we need to know, it's up to you to tell us; don't get any fathead ideas of sorting it out yourself. You are the go-between and lookout; let us do the worrying. I'll be in touch when I need to meet with you again, if you need me, do the same—in the usual way. I've finished below for now, so let's get out of this stinking place, I'll be sick if I have to breathe in this foul stench any longer."

The two men left the building and headed off down the drive together.

The children kept quiet for a few minutes.

Julian whispered, "I'm going to creep outside, and make sure the coast is clear."

He went to the front door and looked outside. The moon was up again, painting the garden a lovely silvery colour. He caught its reflection in the old pond. It reminded him of the old 'moonraker' legend', where old time smugglers were caught getting their hidden contraband out of the village pond, and escaped capture by telling the police that they were trying to rake out a large cheese—the reflection of the moon!

There didn't appear to be anyone about. He jumped as he felt fur brush against his leg, then smiled; it was only old Tim, come to see that Julian was all right.

"Hello, old fellow," said Julian. "Checking up on me, then?"

Timmy wagged his tail, and gave Julian's arm a big, wet lick. He was such a friend and guard of the children. They certainly wouldn't have been allowed so much freedom if it wasn't for him!

They went back inside.

"It's all right," said Julian. "They have both gone. Well, we didn't learn much from that meeting, did we? I wonder what was in that package?"

"We really need to see it," said Sooty. "There may be a map of the Hall or tunnels; there certainly could be more information that could help us."

"Well, I don't see that we can do anything about it at the moment," said Julian. "It's getting late; I think we had better get back to Kirrin Cottage. Aunt Fanny told us to be back early, so we are probably going to be in trouble, anyway.

#

When they got back, Mr Lenoir and Uncle Quentin had returned. It was now nearly nine o'clock. Uncle Quentin was rather cross.

"What time do you call this?" he asked. "Your mother, George, told you not too be out too long. I don't know what's happened to discipline in this house; you all seem to do exactly as you please!"

"Now, now, Quentin," said Aunt Fanny, "it's not that late, and it is a long time since George and Anne have seen Sooty, so they probably have a lot to catch up on. By the way, Sooty, how is your mother keeping?"

"Very well, thank you, Mrs Kirrin," replied the dark-haired boy. "She really does like Smuggler's Top now that all the danger has gone, and there is a regular bus service over the new road to the nearest town."

"Yes," said Mr Lenoir, "I was so glad that we decided to stay on there. We did look at some other places, you know, after that terrible business with Barling and Block. I did promise everyone that we would leave Smuggler's Top and live somewhere else, but my dear wife knew what it would do to me if we moved, so she was more than happy to agree to stay on at Castaway."

"Right, children," said Aunt Fanny, "Joan has left out some newly baked bread, home-cured ham, lettuces and tomatoes for you in the dining room. Go and have some supper, then it will be bed-time. You have had a long day."

She was right, it had been a long day. It had been an exciting day, but of course, Aunt Fanny didn't know that!

"Gosh!" said Dick, his mouth watering at the sight of so much food. "I forgot how hungry I was, let's tuck in!"

After the five children had gorged themselves on the lovely food that Joan had prepared for them, they thought they should make some kind of plan for tomorrow.

"I think it would be best if we had a good look round Arden Hall and explored the tunnel that Pottersham came up from," said Julian.

"That's a spiffing idea," said Dick. "We will have to be very careful though, we don't want to run into Alf—especially as he's going to be keeping a look-out."

"Why don't we split up?" asked George. "Say three of us explore the tunnel and two of us look round the Hall and grounds?"

That's a good idea," said Julian. "I'll tell you what: Dick and I will go down the hole into the tunnel, and you, George, can have a good scout round Arden Hall and its grounds, with Sooty and Anne."

"Okay," said George. "Only you must take Tim down with you. You don't know what danger you might face in those undersea passages. We can let him down by rope if it's a long way down!"

That was extremely generous and kind of George. At one time she wouldn't have dreamed of being separated from her beloved dog. She realised now that Timmy should go where it was most dangerous and where he was needed the most.

"Gosh, George," said Julian, "that's really sporting of you, old thing!" He gave her a friendly punch on the arm; he knew what it meant to George, to give up Tim for even half a day. "You really do act more and more like a boy, the older you get!"

George blushed. "Oh no, Ju," she replied. "We shall be safer above ground anyway. And I do realise now, that you don't have to be a boy to be really brave and generous and strong. I've been having some queer feelings lately. I hate being treated as a girl, but I don't really want to be a boy. I just want to do the things that boys do, and not be told, "You can't do that, you're a girl!"—why shouldn't girls go out in the dark and cold and wet? I'm sure girls aren't as weak as parents make out."

"My word!" said Anne. "Can this really be the George that we know and love saying it's okay to be a girl—she'll be wearing make-up and dresses soon, and wanting to be called Georgina!"

"No I won't!" said George, getting redder by the minute. "I don't mean I am going all feminine and silly, I just think, as I get older, it's not what gender you are that really matters, but how you do things and treat others, and how you get treated back in return—oh, I know what I mean, but it's so hard to put into words! Anyway, I'm still going to wear shorts and beat boys at everything!"

Julian knew exactly what George meant. He had a great admiration for his cousin. He knew how difficult it had been for her when they first met; she was an only child and had found it difficult to make friends. In fact, she had avoided the children from Kirrin Bay, being fiercely protective of her precious island and dog. Gosh, that seemed an eternity ago. What exciting times they had had, what dangers they had been in.

George had learned to share things with her cousins. Her generosity and selflessness had grown beyond all recognition. She still had a temper, but she never bore malice, never held a grudge, and now... here she was, developing into a sensible young girl who was beginning to realise that being female wasn't as bad as she used to imagine, knowing that she couldn't pretend to be a boy for ever! Yes, Julian was very, very proud of George.

Mr Lenoir looked into the room.

"By the way, Pierre," he said, "I will need you tomorrow, to come into the next town with me. I have arranged a meeting with Mr Swayne. He's the tutor that I have engaged. He can start at Castaway in a week, but wants to interview you first."

"Oh no, Father," said Sooty anxiously, "I couldn't possibly meet him tomorrow. Can't you arrange it for the next day?"

The tip of Mr Lenoir's nose turned white. Anne nudged Dick.

"Certainly not!" he exploded. "It's down to you that you need this extra tuition... You always have to play the fool instead of getting down to your schoolwork. If you play around at school, you will have to have extra coaching in the holidays. Any more of you flippancy and bad behaviour, and I will give you a sound beating!"

With that, he stormed out of the room.

The children climbed sheepishly upstairs to their bedrooms. Somehow, Mr Lenoir's outburst had taken the edge off their day.

After they had got undressed and changed into their pyjamas, the boys went along to the girls' room.

"That's torn it!" exclaimed Sooty. "I won't be able to come along tomorrow. I say, I really am sorry. It is so beastly of my step-father to act like this, there are times when I hate him and wish he'd never married my mother."

"Now, now," said Julian. "We don't talk about our parents like that, Sooty—even if he is only your step-father. You must still respect him and do as he says. It's not a great catastrophe, anyway. Anne and I will explore the tunnels and Dick and George can take on the Hall."

"Woof!" said Timmy.

"Sorry, old thing!" said Julian. "Anne, I and you will explore the tunnels!"

Timmy thumped his tail on the floor.

"Oh dear, I really would rather search round the Hall and grounds," said Anne, timidly.

"Very well, then, Anne. You shall explore the Hall with Dick, and George and I will go into the tunnels."

George was pleased. She was to be with Timmy after all. It's funny, she thought; if you do the right thing, you often get rewarded!

In spite of having an exciting day, all five children's minds were racing! Anne was the first to fall asleep; she most of all of the children still got very frightened when they were in the middle of an adventure.

Sooty was angry that his step-father had made plans for tomorrow. Julian was trying to make some sense from Pottersham's meeting. He would like to know what was in that package.

Dick was thinking about George. What a funny old thing she was. Like Julian did earlier, he thought of their past adventures. He too realised that they were all growing up. This may well be their last adventure together. Ju would be going to university, he himself was to take his 'A' levels next year, and even old Anne was only a year behind. Funny that; she always seemed so much younger!

George was slightly regretting making her feelings known earlier. She really did feel exactly the same as she always had. She hated being treated differently just because she was a girl. It was so unfair! She still wanted to wear shorts and do all the things that boys did—but why couldn't she do this as a girl? She was growing up. She knew that she couldn't pretend to be a boy for ever!

Sleep finally came to her.

Julian was the last to go to sleep. He had always borne the majority of responsibility of the four. Being the oldest, he always felt he had to look after them all. He was puzzled about this adventure. There were still mysteries to resolve. Was Pottersham after Uncle Quentin's plans or was he only interested in finding the treasure? Who were those queer people they saw floating near the Hall the other night? What was Penny King really up to? And dear old George. What a queer old thing she was! Fiercely independent, loyal to the hilt, and a really good, trustworthy friend.

Tim, of course, never completely went to sleep. He always had one ear cocked just in case danger loomed. His ears pricked when he heard two hedgehogs grunting in the lawn below. He heard an owl hoot in the distance. He stretched, warm and comfortable, lying beside his beloved mistress.

The Five slept. They dreamed of people floating, strange shimmerings, villains with bushy eyebrows. All of them were totally unaware of what was going to happen tomorrow.

Back | Index | Next