Hello! Thank TheThingThatHasNoName For the relatively quick update. His/Her 3 very enthusiastic reviews last night encouraged me to post this one. I'm sorry that it is shorter than the others, but I wanted to post it, and to let him/her know I love his/her rambling reviews, and I would love it if she continued to write long reviews to my fic. Also, I have to thank NAYLEV for his/her review, and I am pleased so many people seem to be responding positively to this story.
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It was a week or so later, and the last day of term had finally arrived. Lessons were over, homework set, and the building in chaos. Everywhere boys were panicking, searching dorms for forgotten items which had somehow disappeared, although they'd been safe the week before. Presents were dug out of boxes where they'd been hidden, and presented to friends, neatly wrapped, only to be packed in a different case and taken home for unwrapping on Christmas day. From all around came cheerful calls of 'Goodbye, Jim', 'See you next term, Larry', and 'Have a merry Christmas, Philip'. John finished packing his trunk and sat on it hard, trying to do up the clasp. One of his roommates, struggling over the same task, suggested cooperation, and John willingly agreed.
Finally all the bags had been sorted, and carried down to the drive, where they were being collected and shipped off to appropriate places. This arrangement meant that the boys didn't have to manage them on the trains, for which John was grateful. Digging in his pocket he found the letter from his mother and sought ought the section on travelling.
You are to catch the 12:07 train to (Insert appropriate place here) where you will find Susan and Titty waiting on the platform under the large clock, their train having arrived about half an hour before yours. If they are not there, it may be there was a delay and you are to wait, under the clock, until they arrive or someone brings news. Then you are to make your way to platform 4, where you will catch either the 13:45 or the 14:02 train to the north. When you arrive at the usual station, the Blackett girls, who break up the day before you do, will meet you, having sailed across in Swallow and Amazon, or rowed, depending on the wind. You are to go with them, some in Swallow, some in Amazon, however you feel it is best to split it. You will sail/row to Beckfoot, where Mrs Blackett and I will be waiting to greet you. Once there we shall unpack your belongings as best we can, and then I am assured there will be a splendid feast.
John was suddenly dragged from his reading by a coughing sound, and looking up he saw Rodger standing in front of him, and a group of boys standing round behind him. Rodger was offering a small wrapped parcel.
Looking round confused he realised that the boys present were all the ones who had been involved in the incident with the magnifying glass, and his heart sank. What could they want now? He looked to Rodger for an explanation, as he had obviously been appointed spokesperson.
"Yes?"
"We... Well... As..." And Rodger looked pleadingly at a boy standing behind him.
The boy stepped forwards, seeming to gain courage.
"After you were so good as to not report us the other day..."
"You weren't doing anything wrong, as such."
"But we were. We checked. Lighting fires in any way shape or form is breaking the rules, it says so in the guide we were given at the beginning of the year."
"You read that? Nobody reads them." John looked amused.
"Only to see if we had broken the rules. When we realised we had... Well, we thought we'd not only put ourselves at risk, but you as well, by telling you and following your advice. So we bought you a small present, it's being Christmas and everything. The season of goodwill. Please take it, as a token of our thanks."
He saw the pleading in their eyes and sighed.
"Very well," He smiled at them. "I will take it, though it wasn't necessary. Goodness knows we broke the rules an awful lot when I was your age, and never thought about the consequences. Thank you very much. It's good to know you fellows have kind hearts. You will do well next year, when we leave, at upholding the schools honour." He saw the boys glow with pride at his words, and held back a laugh. "However," He continued, and saw doubt come into their eyes, "Remember to have fun. Above all things, if you don't enjoy something, then you have to find a way to liven it up. Though perhaps setting fire to it isn't the best way." And he smiled at them all. "Have a very merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all back next term."
"Merry Christmas, John." They all chorused cheerfully, and he laughed.
"Come on Rodger, our train leaves in 10 minutes."
And the boys grabbed the small bags they were taking with them on the train and ran like crazy towards the station.
...
It was a little later, once they were safe on the train and had caught their breath, that Rodger next broached the subject.
"Thanks most awfully for accepting the gift. For a minute I thought you wouldn't. We meant well."
"I know you did. I was just... shocked that you thought of doing something like that, when all I did was directed you to the boathouse."
"They all see you as a hero."
"I'd figured... Do you?"
"Nah... Just an annoying older brother."
John reached out and pretended to whack him over the head, Rodger ducked, hit a pile of books which they had stacked on the seat, and everything ended up on the floor, including Rodger and John. By the time they had sorted themselves out the subject was felt to be exhausted, and conversation moved onto the Christmas hols, and whether they'd be allowed to sail to Wildcat, even if they couldn't camp there. Before long they had arrived at their stop, and were climbing off the train and scrambling to find the clock mentioned in Mrs Walker's letter. To John's relief the girls were both there, waiting. The next five minutes were spent in greeting everyone and catching up quickly on main news. Then they set off in search of platform four, and settled themselves in a carriage. Soon Titty and Rodger were gripped in a discussion about Polly's latest antics, and the chaos she had caused over the past term, and Susan was able to talk to John.
"How've you been, this last term?"
"Alright. It's dragged a little, I must admit."
"Anybody else stumbled across your little secret?"
"Not so far as I am aware. You don't...mind, do you?"
"Mind? No! I was expecting it. I always knew you were perfect for each other."
"It's good to have your support."
"I'll stick by you, John. You know that, right?"
"Of course. It's good to hear you say it all the same."
Glancing at Titty and Rodger to check they were still absorbed, Susan commented,
"I wrote to Nancy, she wasn't much more communicative than you."
"She said she'd heard from you. Told me I was a nitwit."
"For what?"
"Reading Rodge one of her letters."
Susan burst out laughing. "You are, especially if she writes... adult... stuff in them."
"Who writes adult stuff?" Asked Titty, curiously, having heard Susan's loud laugh and become intrigued
"No one important." Titty didn't look convinced. "A Friend of a friend's second cousin twice removed." John lied, hoping to stop the questioning.
"What sort of adult stuff?" Persisted Titty.
"The sort you aren't reading." Susan broke in to save John.
"Oh... Like that book Mum found you reading... When she nearly had a heart attack."
Susan blushed and John laughed.
"I remember. Yes, that sort of book. Only Susan didn't realise what was in the book, and some people read it on purpose. Now, that conversation is closed, and we are going to play a game to pass the time. Any suggestions?"
So they passed the time playing the animal game, and I Spy, and then John produced a pack of cards and they played Rummy and other card games, until Susan told them to pack up, as they were nearly at their stop.
...
So, another pointless chapter with no plot... This fic doesn't really have a plot, so if you wanted something with a gripping storyline, you are reading the wrong story. This is more an insight into their lives, though it might possibly develop a plot later, depending on what I feel like doing...
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G4E