Chapter 4

The Famous Five were also enjoying a lavish supper at their aunt and uncle's home.

"George, dear, have some more ham. Another boiled egg, Dick?" Aunt Molly fussed about, ensuring everyone was well-fed.

"Yes, please!" replied Dick. "These really are the most super eggs."

"Well, we have our own chickens, you know," replied Aunt Molly. "And we do like to give them plenty of corn and things like that to eat. I do think it makes such a difference!"

"Rather!" agreed Dick, tucking into his third egg.

"What would you like to do tomorrow?" Uncle Charles asked his nieces and nephews. "It's baking day for your Aunt, and I will be working so you'll have to fend for yourselves, I'm afraid."

"I'm sure they don't mind that!" smiled Aunt Molly. "Why, the adventures these four have had on their own!"

"Five!" replied George. "Don't forget old Timmy. He's always as much involved in our adventures as any of us!"

"Wuff!" agreed Timmy from his place on the floor by George's seat.

"I think we'd like to explore Peterswood," replied Julian, spreading some potted meat onto a large chunk of fresh bread. "What do you suggest?"

"Well, now, there's the markets on Chelsea Common tomorrow," said Uncle Charles. "That might be interesting for you."

"Oh, yes, let's!" exclaimed Anne. "I do love markets."

"So do I," replied Dick. "All the different stalls and farm animals and food, of course!"

"Shall we need bicycles?" asked Julian. "Or do you think we could manage to walk everywhere?"

"Oh, you'll manage a walk to most places," replied Uncle Charles. "And if you wanted to go further afield, you could most likely hire some bicycles down near by the river. They've got a place there for the people who come along in the summer."

"Sounds smashing," said Julian.

"Mind how you go on the bicycles though," warned Aunt Molly. "I never saw such a stickler for the road rules as that PC Goon. You want to stay well away from him!"

"Gosh! This Goon character sounds a right piece of work!" whispered Dick to George. "I vote we hunt him out and see if he's as bad as Aunt Molly makes out!"

George giggled. Dick gently nudged her under the table and George turned her giggle into a cough. It would never do to let Aunt Molly think they would deliberately go against her advice. She would be horrified to think of her charges antagonising Upholders of the Law, even if it was a turnip-head like Goon!

After the meal, the children helped clear the table and Aunt Molly showed them their rooms.

"Oh, Aunt Molly, please do say I can have Timmy on my bed," begged George. "I simply can't bear it when he's not there and he pines most awfully and howls the place down."

"Of course you can, George," replied her aunt. "Why, I couldn't allow him to sleep outside with the chickens, poor mite!"

"You're such a brick, Aunt Molly!" George exclaimed, hugging her fiercely.

"Now then, you don't have to turn in right away," Aunt Molly said. "But your uncle and I have early starts tomorrow. Pop back down to the lounge room if you like and play a game. Don't worry about making any noise, we'll both be dead to the world in a few minutes!"

"Jolly decent of you, Aunt Molly," said Dick as they headed downstairs to the lounge room. "I'm so glad you asked us to stay."

"Dear boy, it's a pleasure!" beamed Aunt Molly. "Good night, then."

The children all bade her goodnight before making their way back downstairs.

"I say, this Goon fellow sounds a riot," said Julian. "We've usually only come across very fine policemen. I must say, I find it hard to believe there could be one that was so bad as Aunt Molly makes out."

"Dick votes we hunt him out and see for ourselves," said George mischeviously.

"Oh, don't let us go causing trouble," worried Anne. "I should hate for Mr Goon to have to come and talk to Aunt Molly and Uncle Charles about us when they've been so kind"

"Don't worry, Anne," said Dick "We won't be getting into any trouble. I'm just curious to see the fellow, that's all."

"I must say, I am too," admitted Julian.

"Me too," said George. "We may well see him when we're out tomorrow."

"So, the markets and Goon-hunting it is then," said Julian. "Jolly good! Now, who's for a game of Snap?"