I'm Back! And here's the next chapter. It was written late at night, so there may be spelling errors, I apologise if there are. Don't hesitate to point them out.
...
The group paired off as they climbed, finding it easier to ascend the slope in pairs and threes, rather than as a large group. Captain Flint led the way, with John and Nancy, discussing the route and reciting embarrassing stories of Nancy and Peggy to John. Nancy, usually not fazed by anything, spent an uncomfortable amount of time flushed red as a tomato, more aware of John's criticism than anyone else's. Behind walked Titty and Roger, and the back was brought up by Susan and Peggy, as Susan wanted to make sure no one got lost or wandered off. Bridget wandered between the groups, spending most time with Titty and Roger, as their playful conversation held more appeal to her more childish sense of humour. Titty, it seemed, was once more using her imagination to fuel the conversation, and the pair were Vikings, tramping across the snowy hills of Norway to collect firewood for their families. This sort of game intrigued Bridget, and she joined in eagerly, taking on the role of scout and running on ahead, or hanging back, to ensure they weren't being followed.
As the trek dragged on Captain Flint ran out of embarrassing stories and the slope increased, so the trio at the front descended into silence. After a short while the Mates also gave up on conversation and stuck to concentrating on the path. The Vikings, out to collect firewood, kept a flowing stream of conversation going, but if asked what they were talking about, none would have had a clue. The climb was hard work, and the explorers all too pleased when C. Flint suggested a short break, announcing they were more than three quarters of the way up. Chocolate rations were eaten eagerly, Roger grumbling on Susan's insistence that they leave half for later. Then, when they had caught their breath, the party set off once more up the slope.
It wasn't long till they reached the summit, and were looking over onto the downward slope. Gladys' Peak, observed John, was a strange name for the mountain, and C. Flint promised them there was a splendid tale, and it would be told over lunch.
After a short break at the summit, the hunt for the perfect tree began. The group spread out, in the same groups as previously, and commenced their search. Roger was the one who found the perfect tree, just the right height to fit through the front door, but not too small. Once the others had approved it, and C. Flint had cut it down, Nancy gave a cry of 'All hands on deck', and the tree was carried up the slope to the summit, where the natives were waiting, as promised, with lunch.
"Did you find it, then?" Questioned Mrs Blackett.
"Find what?"
"The perfect tree. The one you set off on search of."
"No... This ridiculously heavy thing we just dragged up here is a buffalo in disguise! Of course we found the tree, mother, we always do."
"A little less cheek from you, Nancy." Scolded her mother, but everyone could tell she was struggling not to laugh.
Before long every last scrap of food had been devoured, and there were only crumbs left. The explorers, tired from their search, lay back on the rugs and watched the clouds. Titty, finding she couldn't keep up with Bridget's constant chatter, shuffled over near John, and glanced at him.
"Hey."
"Hey," he responded, rolling onto his side so he could see her.
"Are you alright? You've been avoiding me since we got here."
"No I haven't!" He replied, confused and upset she'd got that impression. "I..." He suddenly remembered all the times he'd slipped away, or chosen Nancy's company over hers. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. And it's not 'cause there's something wrong. Well, aside from the fact I'm completely exhausted, anyway."
"You were just excited to be back here, and your little baby sister slipped your memory." She observed, "You didn't even join in our game of Vikings."
"I didn't think you'd want the nearly-grown-ups playing. I'll join in on the descent, if you want."
"You mean it?" Her eyes sparkled. "The more the merrier, even if they are half asleep..." She dodged John's half hearted attempt to punch her arm in protest, and sat up laughing. "That was lame, and even you know it. You're too tired to even try and get me."
"Is that a challenge, able seaman? For your sake, I hope it wasn't." But Titty was already on her feet and running. Forcing himself to stand, John took off after her, whilst the others sat and watched the provided entertainment. Eventually both grew tired, and a truce was called. Both collapsed back on the rug in fits of laughter.
It was nearly four when Mrs Blackett called the party to order, distributing jobs between members till she was sure nothing was being left behind.
John and C. Flint were given the role of carrying the all important tree, the news of which resulted in Titty looking rather crestfallen. Laughing John informed her that when they'd come all this way for firewood, they could hardly leave it behind, and the game had better continue to revolve around the tree. This cheered her up considerably, and she was heard seconds later informing Roger was a 'native of the forest, who's offered to carry the firewood for us, and must be treated with respect and thanks and included where possible.' Nancy, trying to talk to John several times on the way down, found him to be so eagerly pretending to be a Norwegian native of the forest, that she couldn't get a word of sense out of him, and deciding everyone seemed to be having fun, promptly joined in as well, delighting Titty and Bridget.
Suddenly Mrs Blackett, glancing at the sky, ordered everyone to hurry up at once, for she feared there was going to be a storm. This horrified the Vikings, as soggy firewood was no good for anyone, 'and neither was a soggy Christmas tree' observed Roger, abandoning his character for a moment to think. Susan too was worried, knowing that if one of them caught a cold, everyone would come down with it, when they were staying in such confined quarters. So the procession 'quick marched' down the hill, and had just tumbled into the house when the heavens opened.
The rain poured. It didn't start gentle and work up to it; it came down heavy, and stayed heavy. The group were trapped inside for the rest of the day. Tea and supper passed peacefully, and everyone was happy to spend the evening playing card games, exhausted after their late night and busy day. The natives packed everyone off to bed at half past eight, much to their disgust. And though nobody would have admitted it, they were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows. Well, nearly.
...
When they awoke next morning, the rain was still pouring down, and it looked like being a gloomy day. However, their spirits rose with the prospect of decorating the tree, and helping in the backing of lots of cakes for the Christmas period. Whilst Mrs Blackett found the ladder and scrambled into the loft to try and find the tree decorations, the Swallows and Amazons sat in the kitchen and watched the rain.
"If it goes on like this," Nancy observed, "It'll mean a flood. We haven't had one of them in years. Because of the flood plains and things, our house isn't at risk, but it would be fascinating to watch the waters rise. Some of the smaller islands were nearly covered last time."
"A flood!" Titty gasped, "Oh, I hope so. Rain is dull, but a flood would make it worth it. I'm pleased we're not camping in this weather."
"So am I. I hate to admit it, but there was some sense in mother's saying no."
"Unfortunately," John observed, "That is often the way. Natives know more than one would like them too."
"They just jabber it at you too fast in a way you can't understand, so you get annoyed and want to rebel," Peggy joined in. "What? What are you all laughing at?"
Just then Mrs Walker appeared at the door to say that the decorations had been located, and there was a letter for 'Ruth'.
"Sugar," exclaimed Nancy. "Only one person calls me that."
The letter was short and to the point.
Dear Ruth,
I write to tell you that due to a friend cancelling on me at the last minute, I find myself alone this Christmas. I know your mother mentioned having guests to stay, but I'm sure there's space for one more. There is no point you're replying to this note, for I shall have already left when you receive it. I become one of your party on the 18th of December, and I shall stay until the 27th.
Your loving Aunt Maria.
Glancing up horror struck, Nancy counted the days in her head. She had just reached her terrible conclusion as the doorbell rang.
...
So, there you go. The GA. I was expecting her arrival about as much as you were... Which is, not much, but she suddenly appeared in my writing...
tic tac toe 03: Thank You, your support is appreciated.
TTTHNN: I had a really nice holiday, it was good to get away, but I missed the internet. I kept having ideas for this story and not being able to type them up. I also feel like I know you, tho we've probably never met. If you want to know me more, I have a blog at www dot tproaaa dot blogspot dot co dot uk (sorry about the strange format for that link, I hope it comes out ok...). The floods on it's way, so you'll see what I do with that soon...
SkyeBlue: Thank You, I really appreciate that you reviewed. If you have any critisisms, don't hesitate to point them out.
Elennare: Thank you for your review. I love reading boarding school books, my favourites are the Enid Blyton ones and the Elinor M. Brent-Dyer ones. I also have read a few Angela Brazil ones which I really enjoyed. Why did nobody point out my spelling error before? The mistake with Roger's name... Well, I don't have an excuse. I just spelt it wrong. From now on I will change that. Thank you for feeling you can critize me, I will try to move authors notes out from now on.
Dracones: The idea about Yeti is really good, and I will keep it in mind. Thank you for your support.
Everyone else, who is reading this but didn't review. Thank you for staying with this story. I appreciate that often it takes time to review or you can't be bothered, I don't review other peoples stories enough either, but thank you for being there, for reading it and for sticking with it.
I'll post again soon, I hope,
G4E