Chapter 14

The Famous Five hurried away as soon as they realised they had been spotted.

"Blow! They'll know something is up now," said Julian in dismay. "We really should have been less conspicuous!"

"What does cons – conspi – conspitious mean, Ju?" asked Anne.

"It means we stood out like sore thumbs!" said Dick, shaking his head. "I vote we lie low for a moment. Who fancies a lemonade?"

"Yes, come on, everyone," said Julian, ushering them towards a little shop. "Let's hole up in here for a moment and enjoy a cool drink."

"But what about Timmy?" asked George, plantively.

"She's right, Ju," said Anne. "They might spot Timmy sitting outside and come into the shop." Anne was anxious to avoid any kind of confrontation.

Dick sighed. "Come on, let's go and leave this next clue and then head home. I already know where to put it."

"I believe I know too," grinned George.

"Then you show us, Brains," replied Dick, grinning back.

"My pleasure!" replied George and led them to the Peterswood Town Hall where a handsome Roman sundial stood out the front. "An ancient measure that makes no sound!"

"Measuring time!" said Anne, clapping her hands. "Oh, you are both so very clever!"

"I saw this sundial when we were walking around looking for keys and roses and had it in mind when I was writing the next clue," Dick explained, tucking the note under the dial. "I'm sure they won't take long to figure it out so we had better . . ."

"That's right," said a voice. "You really ought to have given us a challenge!"

Anne gave a little squeal as the Famous Five turned to find the Five Find-Outers And Dog behind them, arms folded.

"Who are you?" demanded Fatty.

"And why have you been following us?" asked Pip.

George scoffed. "Why would we want to follow children like you around? Don't you know how many mysteries we've solved?"

"See, Fatty!" whispered Bets. "I told you he was horrid!"

"I'll show you horrid!" sang George, dancing about and sticking out her tongue. "Yah! Sucks to you!"

Pip clenched his fists. "You had better stop that or I'll box your ears!"

"You can't hit George," wailed Anne.

"Why? He's my size," said Pip fiercely. "And he jolly deserves it! Horrid thing!"

"Come on, then!" cried George, still dancing about maddeningly. "I'll show you!"

"You can't hit George," said Dick. "She's a girl!"

The Find-Outers were taken aback. This scruffy thing in jersey and jeans with a boy's cropped haircut was a girl?

"He's right, Pip," said Fatty in a low voice. "Boys can't hit girls. It's just not sporting."

"Well, Pip may not be able to hit you," said a small voice. "But I jolly well can and you're bigger than me!"

Everyone turned in surprise to see Bets standing with her fists raised. Even George stopped her taunting.

"Bets!" said Pip in surprise.

George looked at Anne who shrank behind Julian.

"Gah!" she said in disgust.

"Nobody will be hitting anyone," said Julian smoothly.

"Who are you?" asked Fatty again.

"My name is Julian Barnard. This is Dick and Anne, my brother and sister and that fiery thing is George, short for Georgina, our cousin. And you're Frederick Trotteville."

Fatty looked surprised. "How did you know that?"

"We're staying with the Barnards for our hols," replied Julian. "And we passed you in the car when we arrived at the station."

Fatty thought. Of course! Aunt Molly had mentioned the Barnards had children staying with them but at the time he had thought it was three boys and a girl!

"I'm Pip Hilton," said Pip. "And this is my sister, Bets."

"I'm Daisy Daykin."

"And I'm Larry Daykin."

"Gosh, George. It looks like you and I are the two only childs here!" said Fatty warmly.

George smiled back. She did often feel left out sometimes without siblings.

"And that's a marvellous dog you have," continued Fatty. "That's another thing we have in common. You're rather marvellous too, aren't you, Buster?"

"Wuff!" said the little Scottie proudly.

"He is rather a dear," said George. "Do you think he would come to me?"

"Of course," replied Fatty. "He knows dog people."

"Buster!" called George. Buster capered over to her and licked her hand. Timmy watched for a moment before dashing in to play with the smaller dog.

"Well!" said Dick. "I don't know about anyone else but I'm rather famished. Why don't we all go back to the little cake shop and get to know each other over some eclairs?"

"Rather!"

A/N: Enid Blyton never seemed to make up her mind on what side George and the other children were related. In some books, they're all Kirrins and in others Julian, Dick and Anne are Barnards whose mother and Aunt Fanny are sisters. I've gone with that line for no real reason.