*Hides in corner to avoid accusing glares*

Chapter 14!

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It was a lot later he came round, to the sound of whispers from the doorway.

"Do you think he's alright?"

"Of course he's alright, tired, that's all."

"But it's nearly five o'clock!"

"And we didn't get much sleep last night."

"We got some. And we were in bed by eight this morning. That means he's been asleep nine hours, plus whatever sleep he got before they set off last night."

"Oh, stop worrying, Roger! He's fine!"

John tried not to laugh at Susan's slightly annoyed tone, and decided it was probably time to wake up.

"Roger, don't bother your sister, I'm fine!" He announced, deciding that there was no point trying to pretend he hadn't heard their conversation. He rolled over so he could see the two of them, and found Susan trying not to collapse into fits of laughter, while Roger glared at him, one hand over his heart.

"You scared me!" He exclaimed and John joined Susan in laughing.

...

Mrs Blackett insisted everyone was in bed by nine that night, ignoring any protests that they hadn't been up nearly long enough to go to bed, and, backed up by Mrs Walker, the GA and Susan, she succeeded. By ten the house was silent, even the most avid protesters realising they were more tired than they cared to admit. And Roger, waking the next morning to find that he'd slept right through till nine in the morning, declared the previous day had been 'a complete waste of a perfectly glorious day' and that 'if the others don't get a move on soon, today will be as well'. The sun still shone brightly, as though trying to make up for its disappearance over the past few days, and although it was still cold, if you found a spot sheltered from the wind it was nice outside. Once everyone was up and had eaten breakfast Mrs Walker suggested a quiet morning, a light lunch, and a long walk after, if they all wrapped up and took waterproofs, and wore waterproof boots. This was enthusiastically agreed on by all, apart from the GA, who said she'd wait at the house. Mrs Blackett instantly offered to stay with her, but was secretly greatly relieved when the GA insisted it was quite unnecessary.

At just gone three the procession set off, promising to be back in time for tea. Mrs Walker suggested that while they were on roads it was an idea to pair off, and the group willingly split as follows. Mrs Walker and Mrs Blackett took the lead, then Titty, Roger and Bridget, then John and Nancy, followed by Timothy and Captain Flint, and Susan and Peggy brought up the rear. All were overjoyed to be out in the fresh air again, and so spirits were high as they set off, and soon the triumphant cacophony of 'What shall we do with the drunken sailor?' was echoing over the hills.

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The GA, sitting in an armchair back at the house where they'd left her, shook her head in despair as their joyful tune drifted in through an open window. She could understand their eagerness to get some fresh air after being trapped inside for so long, but did they have to be so noisy about it? Rising, she made her way to the piano, and soon a look of concentration had wiped any trace of the faint smile (which one might have almost mistaken for amused fondness, had one not known who she was) off her features, as the sound of Mozart's Piano Sonata in Bb filled the room.

...

Soon the group was scrambling uphill, and realised that singing was impractical, if they wanted any breath for climbing. So instead they talked quietly, short broken sentences indicating their lack of breath. John turned to Nancy, the first time they'd been able to talk in relative privacy since that eventful night.

"Are you alright now?" He realised how rubbish that sounded, having said it, but couldn't take it back.

"Of course I'm alright, Commodore. You think I'd be here now if I wasn't?"

"Did you talk to your mother?"

"Yeah. She told me I was a galoot..."

"For not telling her? You were."

"But I didn't want to hurt her with painful recollections. He's been...gone years." She couldn't bring herself to say the word dead.

"Doesn't mean you have to forget him."

"I know. I see that now."

"I read a book once..."

"A book! Really! I'm shocked, Commodore."

"Let me finish! It was called... 'The Railway Children'. Have you read it?"

"No, should I have?"

"I'm not sure if you'd like it, or dismiss it as sentimental. But they... lose... their father, and they don't know where he went, or why. I can lend you it, if you like. It isn't really like your story, but it shows the importance of memory. I don't want to give too much away."

"I'd like to borrow it, if I may. Only, I know where father went. He went to France, to fight. He just never came home."

"Oh, Nance. I'm sorry..."

"Don't be. He did the right thing. He stood for truth and justice and freedom, and I'm proud. I just... Well, they never found the body, and we kept hoping... and hoping... but he never came home."

John took her hand, squeezing it gently, and they continued up the path in silence for a while.

It was Titty who broke the silence, turning round to demand they came up with some story to play. Nancy protested that it was Dot who was good for stories, but John, laughing, said as Dot wasn't here they'd have to make do with second rate, and come up with their own.

"But what?" Titty demanded.

John said that as it was muddy they should play at explorers in the jungle.

"Nancy and Bridget can be natives, and Roger too, if he wants. Titty and I shall be the explorers, stumbling across your tribe for the first time. And... I say, an Elephant!" He exclaimed, gesturing towards a rather large cow.

"It's not that fat." Nancy muttered, but she was quickly shaking off her gloomy mood, and a small smile graced her features. "Well, if we're to be natives in the jungle, we must have face paint." And covering her fingers in mud she drew brown lines across Roger's face.

"Hey!" He exclaimed indignantly, retaliating in turn.

Bridget watched eagerly, then exclaimed "Me too!"

Soon the three were covered in mud, and said they were ready to play.

...

The five had a wonderful time, the 'natives' gibbering in some unknown language while the explorers tried to make head or tail of it, and before they knew what was happening they had reached the top of the hill they'd been climbing. Mrs Blackett and Mrs Walker stopped for a moment to admire the view, turned round, and shrieked with horror.

They had been aware the children were playing a game of sorts, and had expected to find them not entirely neat, but nothing could have prepared either of them for the sight of Nancy, Bridget and Roger, complete in full tribal war paint, and dripping mud from head to foot. Roger in particular was a sight, for he had slipped over several times, once into a particularly nasty puddle.

The silence was broken by Mrs Blackett, who exclaimed:

"What on earth do I tell Aunt Maria?"

"Easy!" Nancy grinned, "It was muddier than we were expecting and as it was slippy the three of us linked arms. Roger slipped, and we all went down with him."

"I can't lie to her!"

"'Tisn't a lie. Or at least, not really. It did happen, once. Only, that was after we applied the war paint..."

"Nancy!" Her mother cried in exasperation, shaking her head. "Oh well, there's nothing for it. You'll have to go straight in the bath when we get back."

"What, all three of us? I don't think we'll all fit, mother!"

"Not at the same time, obviously. Those who haven't been in yet can wait outside."

"We could just dip in the lake."

"In December? Use your brain, darling, I know you've got one. It may be mild but it's not that warm, and besides, the temperature is dropping, now the clouds have cleared. We might have snow before the week is out."

"That seems... unlikely," Captain Flint observed.

"Likely or not, I forbid any of you to try swimming. Especially you, Nancy, after your collapse the other day. We don't want you stuck in bed for Christmas."

"Speaking of Christmas," Susan joined the conversation, "I rather wanted to pick up some last minute items in Rio, and I'm running out of time. It's the 21st now, so could we make a trip tomorrow?"

Mrs Blackett laughed. "Of course. If it isn't too cold you can sail, if not, I can drive some of you round."

"Thank you." Susan smiled.

Suddenly Mrs Walker checked her watch and gasped. "It's gone four! What time were we due back?"

"We were meant to be back for afternoon tea."

"At...?"

"Four."

"Oh."

"Quick March, everyone!" Nancy yelled, grabbing their attention. "It's gone time for tea, and if we don't get back soon the GA will eat it all!"

This was such a horrifying prospect that the group instantly formed back into their pairs (and trio), and galumphed down the slope as quickly as the slippery mud would let them.

All the same, it was gone six before they arrived at Beckfoot, hot, tired and rather muddy, to find the GA standing by the window, watching for them.

Mrs Blackett led them all round to the back door, and into the kitchen, for this did not have a carpet, and was therefore easier to clean. Everyone removed their coats and as many of their muddy garments as could be considered decent, and then those who were considered 'as close to mud free as they're going to get' were sent upstairs to change, and those who looked 'as though they've been rolling in the stuff' were handed cloths and told to wash off as best they could with the hot water cook provided, while Mrs B. went to fetch them some clean clothes.

...

Eventually they were declared 'clean enough', and allowed through into the dining room for a very late tea. Then they played charades and card games until bedtime.

Due to high water the GA had no chance of getting back over to the hotel that night, and so she was forced to stay, and the room rearrangements from the night before stuck.

...

As they prepared for bed, John slipped past Nancy in the corridor on the way to the bathroom. She met his eyes and mouthed 'later?' at him, to which he nodded.

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I can't apologise enough, and so I won't even try. But I do feel terrible.

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.

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Cockleshell394: Thanks for the support. I think Molly has probably worked it out, but I'm not entirely sure yet. If she has she isn't mentioning anything yet. (Does anyone have an opinion on when Molly should realise/comment?)

To Twiggy288, Jacynthe Bleue, Lottie T, huidinigirl, and constantlearner, thanks for all your support, your comments were greatly appreciated and encourage me to keep going (even if it is slowly...). This fandom is so friendly and it is really encouraging, especially when you see some of the hate and horrid things you can find in other fandoms.

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Also, would people rather I gave feedback like above, only responding to specific questions, or like I've been doing it before now, responding to everyone?

Thanks for reading,

G4E

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Edit: constantlearner: Thanks for your comment, you are very right, and I have altered the time!