Chapter 5

"Pleased to see you too!" responded Jason with a glare. "You know that it wasn't my idea to come here?" He looked at Ana who shook her head.

"Don't look at me. I'm as surprised to see you as you are to be here." She said looking puzzled. "Good to see you again though. It's been quite a while."

"My room still available?" he asked Alex whilst picking up his suitcase.

"Always," replied Alex. "We'll talk later, when you are settled in. Find out why you're here." Jason snorted and entered the house.

"Right, Jack, Sue, ready for the house tour and a little history?" Alex gestured for them to enter. "Coming Ana?"

"Thanks Alex but I think that I can hear Will. Maybe later? Enjoy the tour!" Ana smiled at Jack and Sue then moved quickly towards the gatehouse.

They spent an hour or so looking around the house and hearing about its history before Alex was called away again. He apologised to them before striding off leaving Jack and Sue to amuse themselves. As the weather was still good they decided to go into the garden again and explore the top path. Just as they were approaching the rear of a wooden shelter Jack stopped and listened carefully.

"That isn't how to do it," a female voice exclaimed. "You'll hurt my fingers if you continue to do that!"

"Then how would you do it?" exclaimed a male voice, in obvious frustration. "Seeing as how you must be the expert."

"Try it this way. There see, it went in so much more easily." The woman replied. Jack was just about to suggest to a puzzled Sue that they should turn around and go in the opposite direction when the mystery female voice addressed them.

"Hello there! Don't go, you may be able to help. We're having a bit of bother." A young woman emerged from inside the shelter and came towards them. "Hi, I'm Hazel, you must Alex's friends from America. Mike! Come on out and leave that for the moment." Mike grumbled under breath and something was heard falling to the floor with a thud. Jack moved towards the door and peered inside.

"A telescope!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, it's supposed to be clear tonight so we decided to do a little star gazing," explained Hazel. "Unfortunately we don't seem to be able to put the parts together. Perhaps you could try?"

"My brothers had a telescope, I could have a look. My name is Sue by the way and this is Levi." Levi held up his paw to shake which Mike and Hazel did with glee, then Jack introduced himself whilst Sue managed to set up the telescope with little difficulty.

"Thank you! You made that look so easy. Now, if it stays dry, we just have to bring it outside once it starts to go dark." Hazel said eagerly. They continued to chatter about everyday things whilst making their way back to the house.

As they turned the corner towards the front door Alex came out. "Jack, could I have a word please?" Jack looked surprised at the serious tone to Alex's voice. "Sure," He replied as he followed Alex into his study leaving Sue in the company of Mike and Hazel.