21. From Garonne - School books

John Watson pressed his nose eagerly against the train window as it began to slow. This was it- his stop! He grabbed the handle of his trunk and his school bag and began to make his way to the platform, where his parents would be waiting.

A conductor helped him lift his trunk off the train and onto the platform, and John paused and scanned the crowd for his parents.

"Johnny! Johnny!" He heard his mother's voice behind him, and turned to be enveloped in a ferocious hug.

"Oh, my boy! Let me look at you!" His mother beamed at him. "Oh, have you grown again? What are they feeding you at school?"

"Let me hug my son, Charlotte," his father laughed, wrapping his arms around him. "Ay, you have grown! You'll end up taller than I am, John."

"Hello, Father," John grinned. "Hello, Mother."

"Do you have your bags? Excellent. Let's get these loaded, James- where's the carriage?"

"Hamish is already home, he'll be happy to see you- maybe he'll tell you why he failed his History examination," his father said. "He refuses t say anything to either of us, no matter how your mother coaxes."

His mother shrugged, smiling because she couldn't deny it. "I've made Floating Island pudding for dessert tonight, dear," she said. "Your favorite."

John thought his heart would burst. It was so good to be back with family after months at school, drudging away at Latin and Mathematics. His parents filled him on neighborhood gossip and news of their extended cousins as they traveled home, occasionally asking about rugby and exams. Finally, he was back at his childhood home, and the Watson bulldogs rushed him the moment he stepped out of the carriage, barking and jumping excitedly.

"They gave Hamish the same treatment," his mother said, shaking her head. " Gladstone's been stuck to him, practically. Your father doesn't play with them like you two do."

"Start unpacking before dinner," his father suggested when they deposited his trunk in his old room. John groaned, but dutifully began unfolding his socks.

Hamish stuck his head in as he was stacking his school books on his desk.

"Hello, little brother," he said, grinning. "C'mon, stop with that and come sneak some cookies with me."

John threw his school books aside and chased after his brother's laugh and Gladstone's barks.