Hi. If you spot any spelling mistakes or anything, please let me know. I was so excited with this, I wanted to post it ASAP.
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Once Nancy's tale was over, and everyone agreed she was an amazing storyteller, if some of her tales might have seemed a bit exaggerated, Mrs Blackett decided it was probably time to go inside now, and Mrs Walker backed her up, declaring that they didn't want Christmas to pass and to miss it because they were in bed with colds. At this they admitted defeat, some (Susan) more readily than others (Nancy), and soon all were lending a hand to carry the remains of their feast inside, and help with washing up. Then the Swallows were lead up a staircase and shown where they would be sleeping, Susan, Peggy, Nancy and Titty in one room, John, Rodger and possibly Captain Flint and Timothy (if the weather got too cold for the houseboat) in another room, and Mrs Walker and Bridgett in with Mrs Blackett. None of the rooms looked big enough to house such large numbers of people, but as Nancy said, 'Where there's a will there's a way, and besides, none of us mind sleeping on the floor. At least it'll be warmer than Wildcat. We can take turns with the beds.' And later, when John stood in the doorway to the girls room, peering anxiously into the crowded space, 'Don't say you'd rather be in London! Far better be here and crowded.' At which John had nodded, smiling, and admitted she was completely right and London was a horror too frightful to be contemplated.
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Once everyone had found the right room and sorted out their things as much as was possible, the group gathered in the small sitting room. Timothy and Captain Flint had retreated to the boat, so it was a slightly smaller group crammed in than it might otherwise had been. At a suggestion from the natives, who after a while found the rowdy conversation a little too loud to cope with, and were worried it might wake Bridgett, who had been sent to bed, a game of Rummy was set up, which, to accommodate for the numbers, involved two packs of cards and a slight adjustment to the rules. For example, if a player found himself with 2 hearts of the same number, (E.g., he had 2 lots of the five of hearts), he must place his cards carefully on his chair so no one could see them, and gallop round the room doing a horse impression. And if a player found himself with 2 clubs of the same number, he must sing a short solo from a nursery rhyme as emotionally as he could. With these sorts of silly rules, the game soon descended into almost complete chaos, and was enjoyed by all. Mrs Walker, keeping an eye on the clock, suggested at eleven that perhaps the game ought to be brought to a close, for Captain Flint had promised to take them Tree Hunting at seven the next morning, and they would have to be up and ready. So they trooped upstairs, and prepared for bed, laughing and chatting as they readied for the night.
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After lying in bed for what felt like hours, John realised he wasn't going to get to sleep that night, and, shrugging on a dressing gown, he slipped out the room, careful not to wake Rodger, and made his way downstairs to the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of water. Standing by the window, he gazed out at the garden, lost in his own thoughts. Someone slipped their arms around his waist and he jumped.
"It's alright" Nancy whispered, standing on tiptoe and resting her chin on his shoulder, "It's only me."
John twisted slightly, so that he could wrap his arms around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Shall we go outside," She suggested. "We can talk freely there, without being overheard."
"Lead the way," and Nancy unlocked the backdoor and let them out into the garden. They sat together on the porch steps, gazing up at the sky and talking, Nancy's head on John's shoulder, and John's arm around her waist.
"I've missed this most." He commented suddenly, and Nancy looked at him.
"What?"
"Slipping out late, and talking whilst watching the stars, not getting nearly enough sleep, then having to pretend we aren't tired the next day, then doing it all again the next night."
"I know what you mean. The schools ten o'clock bedtime always seem rather tame after we've stayed up till four in the morning most nights over the Hols. I wouldn't say that's what I missed most, though."
"What did you miss most then?
"This," and Nancy leant forwards and brushed Johns lips with her own. Gently, at first, he kissed her back, until they parted; desperate for air, and pleased no one else was awake to witness their momentary lack of control. Chuckling, Nancy resumed her previous position with her head on John's shoulder, and pointed out a star in the sky.
"What's that one called then, Commodore?" She asked, and soon the previous playful conversation had been resumed.
Suddenly the conversation was interrupted by a light flickering on in the kitchen, and the back door being flung open. Susan stuck her head round the door, and flushed red with embarrassment when she saw the two, wrapped in each other's arm on the step.
"I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I woke up feeling too hot in the room, and throwing open the window I heard voices down here, so I came to see who it was. I didn't mean..."
"It's fine, Su" John hurried to reassure his sister. "Come, sit here," and he patted the step next to him.
"Guys," she reprimanded, "it is nearly three o'clock in the morning. What on earth are you doing on the porch at this time?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Nancy replied seductively, wrapping an arm round John's neck in a suggestive gesture, and it would have been hard to tell who went redder, John or Susan. Then, catching John's eye and realising it was just Nancy being Nancy, and there was nothing in what she was implying, Susan rolled her eyes and commanded they go straight to bed.
"I feel like a child again," Observed Nancy as she rose from the step. "I haven't been ordered to bed in a long time."
"That's because you've always avoided being caught before." John retorted, and she laughed.
"You do have a point. In future we retreat further from the house."
Susan sighed. "In future you stay in bed!"
"Not happening. It's a terrible habit I know, but habits like these are hard to break."
"What do you mean? You've done this before?"
"All the time. It's easier on Wildcat. Neither of us shares a tent with you!" Nancy joked, but Susan could tell she was telling the truth about their having slipped out before.
"I can't believe none of us have noticed. Oh well, we won't quarrel over it, it's almost Christmas. Come on, I'd like a few hours sleep before we have to be up Christmas Tree Hunting. The natives want us up and breakfasting at six, and that's only 3 hours away."
And Susan led them upstairs as though they were a pair of troublesome children caught stealing biscuits from the tin, and watched to make sure John went into his room, before following Nancy into theirs and slipping under the covers to sleep.
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They were woken a few hours later by an excited looking Titty and Rodger, who demanded to know how they could sleep when they were going Tree Hunting that day. Soon Peggy was also up, and dressed, as were the natives and Bridget, but Nancy, Susan and John still slept. Eventually Bridget got too excited, and ran into the bedrooms, singing and jumping on top of each of the beds in turn. Peggy, Titty and Rodger, inspired by this, decided to join in the attack, and soon the three (Nancy, Susan, and John) stumbled down the stairs, still half asleep, to try and escape the noise. Mrs Blackett took pity on them, and sat them round the table, providing them with massive mugs of coffee to try and wake them up.
"Why on earth are you so tired?" She asked, not really expecting an answer. "You all look as if you were up all night, and got about three hours of sleep!"
Her precise guess was too accurate for Nancy, who, stifling a laugh, chocked on her coffee, and was coughing for the next ten minutes. In the ensuing chaos, as everyone rushed to thump her on the back, the question was forgotten, and it was hours later that Mrs Blackett realised she never had worked out what was going on.
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Once the coffee had been drunk and everyone was dressed, they set off into the garden, where they found Captain Flint waiting with his axe and a map, on which a route had been traced in red pen. Smiling at their eager faces he laughed and set about the plans for the day.
"I thought what we'd do is hike up to Gladys' Peak, find our tree in the pine forest on the other slope, and carry it to the top, where we will be greeted by your mothers, who have promised to be there at one o'clock with a picnic lunch. We will eat on the peak, then hike back down here in time to decorate the tree before dinner. Sound good?"
"Smashing!" Exclaimed Titty and Rodger.
"Uncle Jim, you've surpassed yourself again," called Nancy in delight.
"Perfect" Peggy joined in.
The Natives laughed at the babble of voices, for all answered at once, and promised lunch would be with them by one. Then they handed round rations of chocolate and a roll for everyone, in case they got hungry, and soon the explorers were on their way.
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Sorry if this is shorter, but I wanted to post something.
No one answered my last request. Ideas for things they can do this holidays, please. If I get a good idea from someone, I'll dedicate the chapter with their idea in to them.
TheThingThatHasNoName: If you liked the John/Nancy parts in the last chapter, what did you think of this one? Please continue leaving me long reviews, I love them. They make this story worth writing, without them it probably wouldn't have gotten this far!
woozle1975: I really am sorry for the mess about photocopiers. Many people have commented that Rodger would have made a handwritten copy, so I hope you can just pretend that is what he did instead. Sorry if that took away from the story. Thanks for adding this to alert!
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Thank you to everyone who is reading this. Ideas and reviews appreciated,
Bye,
G4E