Five Go Mad on Flat Holm Island

Chapter Two: Barry Island

"So Gwen nearly scuppered it?" asked Owen astounded. "After all your mum did?"

"That's what Tosh said. She popped over before breakfast." Jack was sitting on the garden bench, looking up at Owen and Ianto who had just arrived.

"I can understand that," said Ianto, sitting beside Jack. "Gwen's always been very responsible, taking charge. She'd see it as letting her mother down."

"Right. Anyway, her parents eventually persuaded her that a nurse was the right thing to do. And with our daily help going in too, they're sorted." Jack paused, thinking. "I was wondering … Maybe I should go and speak to her? To Gwen. Might smooth things over a bit and help mend fences."

"Not a bad idea. I can't do it, not after yesterday!" replied Ianto with a wry smile. "What are we going to do today anyway?"

Jack shrugged. "I'm easy. I'll go and talk to Gwen then, bring the girls back over here. The nurse arrived an hour ago so they should be free to leave." He stood up and ambled off round the side of the house.

Owen looked after him, reminded once again that Jack was as bossy as Gwen. The Londoner couldn't make up his mind whether he liked the older boy or not. He had many admirable traits – his bravery in rescuing them from the minotaur the most obvious – but he was also irritatingly smug and always telling them what to do. Looking up at the house, a solid Edwardian villa, Owen also resented Jack's happy home life and loving family. In a moment of insight, Owen realised Jack had and was everything Owen would like to be. Cross with himself, Owen plonked himself down beside Ianto and started talking about where the friends could go that day.

At the Coopers' house, Jack walked round to the back door and was lucky in finding Gwen and Toshiko alone there washing up the breakfast pots. He waved at them through the window, pulling funny faces until Toshiko, laughing, opened the door for him.

"Hi," he said, leaning against the doorjamb and watching them. Toshiko was happy, relaxed and smiling, but Gwen was stiff and her face impassive as she washed the last of the crockery. "Got a minute, Gwen?"

"You can see I'm busy," she replied, not meeting his gaze. She made a great fuss of emptying the suds from the washing-up bowl.

"I'll finish off here," offered Toshiko.

Looking from one to the other, Gwen sighed heavily and dried her hands. "Seems you've got this planned too." She stalked past Jack into the garden, ending up sitting on the old swing. "What's this about?"

"Oh, Gwen," he sighed, sinking to his knees in front of her and taking both her hands in his. "Is it so hard?"

Fighting down a sudden lump in her throat, she asked, "What?"

"Accepting help. No one liked seeing you slaving away all day when you should be out having fun. I know," he said quickly before she could interrupt, "that you want to help your mom and that's great. But the way I hear it, she wanted you to be free to enjoy yourself too."

Gwen looked away, fixing on a bluetit in the apple tree, and blinking back tears. Over the past ten days her emotions had been all mixed up and the only way she had been able cope was by focussing on the work of looking after her mother and keeping house. It was her duty and she was determined to show everyone that she was a devoted daughter and could manage. But in her heart she had wanted to be out and about with the others and had resented being stuck indoors. Unable to admit this, she had taken out her frustrations on Toshiko and been angry when her parents had told her about employing a nurse and daily help. Gwen did not want to look after her mother but she did not want anyone else to either! But now it was decided and Gwen did not know how to let go of all her resentments and find her natural enjoyment with life.

"Gwen, it's okay," said Jack softly. "Please say you'll join us today 'cos we missed you. It wasn't the same without you."

"I'm not sure Tosh will want me along." Gwen's voice was husky with unshed tears. "I've been horrid to her. And Ianto."

"They both want you, silly." He put his arms round her and hugged her tightly. "And I need your expert local knowledge to find us some special place to visit. But no more castles. I'm all castled out."

She laughed, couldn't help herself, and suddenly a weight lifted off her shoulders. Perhaps this wouldn't be so hard after all. "Okay, no castles." She pulled out of his embrace and dabbed at her eyes. "We did talk about Barry Island. Weather's good enough. But perhaps you … perhaps you went without me."

"Nope, it was all castles," said Jack with a grimace. "Barry's a brilliant idea. There, that's why we need you." He grinned at her and pushed back a lock of hair that had fallen over her face. "Let's go try it out on the others." He stood and pulled her off the swing.

"I'll just tell Mam. Won't be a minute." She ran off and Jack strolled after her, pleased to see her returning to the fun-loving girl he knew.

Ten minutes later, Jack and the girls had joined Ianto and Owen in the Harkness back garden. There had been a few tense moments as they got used to being together again but they were recovering their easy familiarity, helped by Gray playing an elaborate game involving his soldiers which required Toshiko to dole them out to him one at a time.

"Go away, Midget!" cried Jack eventually when Gray had made yet another visit to Toshiko. "Thought you were going into town with Mom."

"Want to be with you. Can I come to the beach?" Gray had been listening to the conversation. "Please!"

"No. Now scram!" Jack gave him a push in the right direction and Gray slouched off, dragging his feet. "Kids!"

"I think he's cute," said Toshiko, looking after the little boy who reminded her of Bunmei, her younger brother. "Couldn't we take him?"

"No. Today's for us, a chance to get to know one another again." He was sitting beside Gwen on the grass and gave her hand a surreptitious squeeze. "Can't be bothered with little kids."

"So we're going to this island then?" asked Owen, sitting on the bench with Toshiko. "On a boat?"

Gwen burst out laughing, a happy sound that made the others join in. "Idiot! Barry's not an island."

"Then why'd you call it one?"

"It's like the Isle of Dogs," said Ianto placidly, intent on keeping the peace. He was on the other side of Jack, their upper arms occasionally touching. "We going to take a picnic?"

"Let's get fish and chips again," said Gwen. "Like we did at New Quay. There's a good place." The others nodded enthusiastic agreement except Owen who saw another drain on his limited finances. "And we can go to the Pleasure Park too. You'll like that, Owen, lots of rides and stuff."

"Right." Owen knew for sure that his money would not run to fairground rides.

"Gray, go and wash your face and hands please. We'll be going out in a minute," said Mrs Harkness coming out onto the patio. She waited until her youngest child obeyed then turned to Jack and the others. "Have you decided what you're going to do?"

"We're going to the beach, Mom," said Jack, jumping up and grabbing her around the waist for an impromptu dance.

"Let me go," she laughed, fending him off. "Will you want lunch?"

"We're going to get fish and chips and eat them out of the paper. Everyone will say 'there's that common lot from Penarth'," Jack joked in a bad Welsh accent.

"Being led astray by an American," put in Ianto dryly. He stood up. "Come on, Owen, we'd better go and get our swimming things."

"The bus is nearer to your house," said Gwen, also standing. "We'll meet there. Ten minutes?" she suggested, looking round at the others.

"Make it fifteen. Perfection like mine takes longer," replied Jack to hoots of derision.

-ooOoo-

The bus was on time and quite full with a mixture of shoppers and others, like themselves, heading to the beach for a day out. They had to sit separately, only Jack and Gwen managing to sit together. He was glad of the opportunity to chat to her alone again, encouraging her efforts to be one of the group once more. The journey took them south out of Penarth through Cosmeston and other villages, in sight of the Bristol Channel most of the way. They arrived at the Barry waterfront shortly before eleven and walked in a gaggle through streets thronged with holiday-makers. The good weather had drawn a lot of local families out for the day as well as other holiday-makers from further afield who were staying in the area. Jack and Ianto led the way with Owen, Toshiko and Gwen close behind, all chatting easily once more. It was as if the past ten days had not happened.

"The best beach is down that way," said Ianto, stopping at a railing on a raised promenade. "And the Pleasure Park is just here." It was impossible to miss. A huge roller coaster that took up at least half the total area soared up dwarfing the carousels and swingboats and other smaller rides.

"What is that thing?" asked Toshiko.

"The scenic railway. Been here for years but it's good fun. Got scenery and everything." Gwen was enthusiastic and grinned at them all. "Shall we do it now?"

"I don't know, sea looks tempting," commented Jack, looking over to the bright yellow sand dotted with people and beyond to the blue of the Bristol Channel.

"Before we decide anything," said Ianto, "lunch is on me today." The others looked at him in surprise. "As I was away for my birthday, Mam said it's her treat."

"That's good of her. Thanks, Ianto," said Jack, briefly wrapping an arm round his friend's shoulders. "I think we should let you decide then, ride or beach?" His pleading eyes made it clear what he wanted.

"What do the rest of you want?" asked Ianto, refusing to fall for Jack's piteous look. "Majority has it."

"Beach," said Owen. "Need to cool off for a bit. Besides, it's getting busy, won't be room to swim soon."

"Ride for me," said Toshiko. She wanted a close look at the engineering involved.

Gwen hesitated then said, "Ride. It's ages since I did it last."

Jack grinned, moving to lean against the railing and face Ianto. "You know what I want. So, Ianto, you have the deciding vote. What's it to be?"

The Welsh boy groaned. "I really don't mind." He looked at all their expectant faces and couldn't decide; whatever he said would disappoint someone. "Let's toss for it." He fished out a shilling and tossed it, caught it and put it on the back of his hand. "Heads the beach, tails the ride." They all crowded round to see him reveal the coin … heads.

"Great, come on!" cried Owen. He ran off down the slope to the beach, a bag containing towels and other essentials banging against his legs. Jack was hot on his heels.

"Sorry, girls," said Ianto, pocketing the coin.

"I don't mind," said Gwen, linking arms with him and Toshiko. "It's just good to be out in the sunshine with you. All of you." They walked down the slope and over to the spot Owen had picked.

For the next hour and a half, they swam and sunbathed and larked about. All had been wearing their costumes under shorts and shirts so were ready quickly. The water was relatively warm – it was late August and the weather had been good that summer – and the children ran in and out and swam around contentedly. At first, one or two of them stayed to guard their belongings but then Ianto recognised a neighbour who was not swimming who was happy to look after the bags leaving them all free to frolic together. Ianto tried to have a leisurely swim, leaving the others to mess around, until he was pulled under the water by Owen. He surfaced spluttering to everyone else's amusement. Once they got the idea, Ianto was dunked repeatedly and finally surrendered and joined in the games. Jack ran back to the bags and produced a Frisbee, a device not available in the UK, and they had a great time learning how to throw it in the brisk sea breeze, drawing in other people who also wanted to have a go. All went well until, while showing off, Jack and another lad called Terry collided. Terry landed awkwardly and bent back the little finger of his left hand.

"Let me see," said Owen, running over. He manipulated the digit. "Don't think it's broken but you ought to get it checked out."

"No need to bother with that," said Terry in a broad Welsh accent. "It'll be all right." He refused any treatment and went on playing for a while until he had to give in and admit it was hurting a lot.

Owen went with him to the St John Ambulance station, keen to see how this branch worked, and the others decided to take a break until he got back. They sat or lay on towels on the sand, Toshiko taking a couple of photographs and Gwen digging out a bag of sticky butterscotch and handing it round.

"What are we going to do tomorrow?" asked Gwen as she unwrapped her sweet.

"No castles!" said Jack immediately.

"We could go to the museum," suggested Toshiko. "If the weather's no good."

"Which one? The National or St Fagans?" queried Ianto.

Jack rolled over on his stomach and, between sucks on his sweet, asked, "Is St Fagan's the open-air one?" Ianto nodded. "I'd like to go there."

"Actually, I was thinking of the National Museum," admitted Toshiko. "They've got an exhibition of Roman finds."

"We could do that too." Jack was agreeable to any suggestion today, too pleased to have the gang back together again to argue.

"Isn't it a bit like school?" said Gwen. It was the first time she had felt brave enough to disagree with any of the others' suggestions, still not quite sure of her place in the group. "Sorry, Tosh."

Toshiko was not offended and smiled at her. "That's okay. I can go on my own sometime. When it's pouring with rain and there's nothing better to do."

"It's a pity we can't go somewhere away from here," said Ianto, leaning back on his elbows and staring out to sea. "Somewhere without parents."

They continued to bat around ideas until Owen eventually returned having left Terry at the station to have his hand bandaged; he would be all right but had to keep his finger immobile. They talked a bit more then, having dried off sufficiently, dressed and went in search of lunch. Contrary to Jack's earlier prediction, they ate their fish and chips in the restaurant. As it was a treat, Ianto included ices for dessert and fizzy drinks paying for the lot. Emerging back into the sunshine, they strolled along the promenade towards the Pleasure Park.

"I really think we should wait a bit before doing the ride," said Ianto. "We've had a big meal."

"There's plenty of other stuff," said Gwen, in the lead but walking backwards so she could see them all. "Anyone for the Dodgems?"

"Me!" cried Jack. They ran off through the crowd.

"How about it, Owen?" asked Toshiko shyly, surprised that he had not shown more enthusiasm for the rides.

"Ah, yeah, all right." Hands in his pockets, he fingered the few coins there, hoping they would be enough.

"Give me the bags. I'll hold them while you battle it out," said Ianto, holding out his hands.

When Owen passed his bag over, he found a ten shilling note pressed into his hand. Surprised, he muttered, "Thanks, mate."

"Go and enjoy yourselves."

Standing to one side, Ianto watched his friends get into cars, one each, and wait for the ride to start. Then they were off, Toshiko trying to steer a course around without being bumped but the others ramming one another maniacally. Gwen was a demon, spinning Jack's car round and then bouncing Owen into the side rail. The boys gritted their teeth and made a concerted attack, getting their own back. Owen left Gwen and Jack battling it out and found Toshiko, driving alongside her sedately with just an occasional, gentle bump.

Gwen and Jack's competitive spirit was aroused and once the Dodgem ride finished, they raced off to the swingboats, standing in line until they got a boat and then swinging it higher and higher. Ianto, Owen and Toshiko took a boat too, but they contented themselves with a much more gentle ride. It was the same story at the various sideshows, both Gwen and Jack determined to outdo the other and spending a lot of money to win tacky prizes.

"I'm going on the Ferris wheel," said Ianto, looking at the slowly moving seats swaying above them.

An arm snaked round his waist and pulled him forward. "Thought you'd never suggest it," said Jack quietly, letting him go.

The two boys got into the queue, Toshiko and Owen behind them. Gwen decided not to bother and stood with the bags to watch. The wheel slowed and Jack and Ianto got into a seat, the bar was secured across their laps and they were wafted up a short way until it stopped again for other passengers to get on.

"If you look over there, you'll be able to see right across to England," said Ianto, pointing to the left.

"I'm enjoying the view I've got, thanks very much." Ianto turned and saw Jack leaning back, arm along the back of the seat, gazing at him. "It's a very nice view."

"Idiot." Ianto blushed a little. "Sure you wouldn't have preferred Gwen to be here?"

"Absolutely not, and you know it." Jack smiled lazily as the wheel jerked into life again. "Enjoy the ride."

The rest of the ride, three full revolutions as well as some stopping and starting, passed in sporadic conversation as the two boys held hands discreetly, enjoying being alone. In the seat behind them, Toshiko and Owen chattered a lot, admiring the view out to sea and marvelling about how small the people on the ground looked. They were surprised when the wheel stopped and they had to get off.

"We have got to go on the Scenic Railway now," said Gwen when the others joined her. "This way."

After queuing for a few minutes, they were allowed into a carriage. There were three seats, each for two people to sit side by side: Jack and Gwen went up front with Tosh and Ianto behind them and Owen at the rear on his own. The carriage started slowly, clattering over the wooden rails and then they were into the first drop, racing down over seventy feet screaming in delight. The ride continued, twisting and turning and rising and falling for over a mile among a mountainous landscape. All too soon for Jack and Gwen, the ride was over and they decided to ride it again, re-joining the queue. The others had had enough and stood off to one side, Toshiko looking critically at the construction and working out the physics involved in controlling the centrifugal and other forces that made the ride so enjoyable.

"That was brilliant!" declared Jack when he and Gwen had completed their second ride. "Though I can't understand why the scenery is turquoise."

"Is it? Didn't notice," said Gwen. "Where now?"

"I fancy another swim," said Owen, hefting the bag further onto his shoulder.

"Yes, good idea," agreed Toshiko, linking an arm through his and walking in that direction. With Gwen in the middle, the others followed, glancing at the sideshows as they passed.

"Candy floss?" asked Jack, nudging Gwen.

"It does look good," she said, looking over at the kiosk where the sugary confection was being whipped up. "Why not?"

They called to Owen and Toshiko but neither of them wanted any. Nor did Ianto so it was just Jack and Gwen who resumed the walk eating large clouds of the pink sticky stuff. Back at the beach, they found a small patch of sand between the many family groups already there and put down the bags. Jack stayed with them, still eating, while the others ran into the sea. The next couple of hours passed quickly until finally it was time to make for home. The bus was crowded and they had to stand all the way to Penarth, arriving at around half past five.

"This has been a lovely day," said Gwen, a silly grin on her face. They were standing outside Ianto's house, unwilling to end the day but knowing they all had to go to their own homes.

"We could do it again tomorrow," suggested Owen, leaning on the gatepost.

"Maybe but who knows –" Ianto broke off when he heard the front door open behind him and his mother appeared. "We were just coming in, Mam," he said with a smile.

"No rush, love. Had a good day, have you? Yes, I can see you have. Got something to tell you." Mrs Jones was tall and slim with a wealth of dark hair caught up in a loose bun at the back of her head.

"What's that?" asked Ianto.

"How would you like to go camping this weekend? Mr Harkness suggested it. Seems he's doing some geological work on Flat Holm Island and thought you all might like to help."

"Camping! Wow, that'd be great!" cried Jack.

"Is this a real island or another funny one?" asked Owen warily. He wasn't sure about camping - his one outing with the Scouts had been a disappointment - but would go if everyone else was.

Gwen laughed, resting a hand on his shoulder. "It's a real one. In the Bristol Channel. Quite small, I think." She turned to the Mrs Jones, frowning. "I'm not sure I should leave Mam and Dad for a whole weekend."

"They are quite happy for you to go, if you want to," Mrs Jones reassured her.

"Come on, Gwen, you have to come too," said Jack. "We won't go without you."

Looking round, she said, "In that case, I don't seem to have any choice." She grinned at them, showing how much she really wanted to go on the trip.

"Good." Ianto clapped her on the back. "What about equipment, Mam?"

"It's all being arranged by Mr Harkness. You're to go round there after supper tonight to hear all the details." She smiled at them. Her sister, Nerys, had given good reports of all the children during their stay on the farm and she could see that they were well-founded; these were well-behaved and well-brought up young people. She was delighted they were going to get a chance to have another trip away.

"So, I'll see you all later," said Jack, grinning in anticipation. If he knew what adventures the weekend would bring, he would have been less happy.


The adventure begins to unfold in the next chapter ...