The 'tag' game participants played for a solid half hour before all of them, including the children, collapsed exhausted on the sandy beach to catch their breath.
It happened that both Sidney and Mr Stringer ended up sitting next to each other. Sidney looked at the young man and said, 'Well, Mr Stringer, you are certainly a very good tag player. You have outrun us all. Well done!'
Mr Stringer looked up at his employer and grinned, 'Thank you Mr Parker. You are not too bad a tag player yourself. How are you finding being back in Sanditon?'
Sidney responded, 'I am very happy to be here, Mr Stringer. I prefer the quiet life near the seaside versus the madness of London. Being in London is good for a short time, but it does get too much after a while. Anyway, I have already finished all the things that could be accomplished there which means that I do have to go back in that mad place for a good while. By the way, I never had the chance to personally thank you for sorting out the workers for the rebuilding of the apartments. Thank you for getting that done so promptly.'
Mr Stringer looked really pleased with this praise, 'Thank you sir. It was a pleasure to do so. The workers were delighted to be back at work and they asked me to pass on their thanks and their good wishes to you. You see, sir, their families were going through a rough financial patch after the fire. Therefore, your offer of employment was received like an early Christmas present! It has certainly relieved many worried families who wondered where the next meal would come from.'
Sidney commented, 'Glad to hear that it has worked out so well. Which reminds me that we need to get their salaries paid. Would Sunday afternoon suit them to come and pick up their wages? I could meet them with you at your house and give them their salary for the week then.'
Mr Stringer nodded delightedly, 'Yes, Mr Parker. That would do admirably. I will ask them to meet us both at my house on Sunday afternoon.'
Sidney nodded at that and continued, 'We also need to speak about another issue on Sunday and that does need to be communicated to the workers before Monday morning. I will tell you more details about it when we meet, but please be informed that my brother Tom will help you rebuild the apartments. He does not know yet- he will be informed of this on Saturday morning.
Shall we meet at your house at one in the afternoon and then have the workers meet us there at three in the afternoon? This will give us time to discuss things and me to have a look at the architectural designs for the new apartments.'
Mr Stringer looked at his employer and then at the sight of Mr Tom Parker talking animatedly to his children without a care in the world a few steps away. He blinked, looked back at Sidney as if he had two heads and whispered, 'Mr Tom Parker, sir, joining us? Are you sure?'
Sidney found Mr Stringer's surprise fully justified. He explained, 'I cannot say more here, but, yes, I am very sure. I promise that everything will be explained to you on Sunday. Shall we go to the ladies who are sitting down at the rug? I believe the phaeton is to come to pick us up shortly and the children seem to be tired.'
Mr Stringer understood from the short explanation and the change of topic that he would not get any further information from his employer today. It is only until Sunday- he could wait. Aloud he said, 'Yes, that sounds like a good idea.'
Both of them stood up, helped Diana, Mary and Alison to their feet whilst Tom and Arthur did the same for the children. Then the whole group started walking towards the place where Lady Susan, Mrs Heywood and Charlotte were sitting.
