"Where are you lot headed then?" Hoisting my satchel up on my shoulder, I watch the insecurity flit across all of them before the oldest squares his shoulders and responds. "We are - we have come to stay with the Professor." The blonde, clearly in charge, looked as nervous as the rest - was I really that threatening? I softened my stance from a military parade rest to a bit of a slouch. My mother would be horrified - if she ever cared to look. The boy's eyes brokered no opportunity for questions, as though I hadn't just seen the unsurety in his eyes for that one moment. Of course, I decide to play with him - poor boy.
"Which professor? Theres three who live here; there's the mathematician, the historian, and the languages tutor. If you now a name, I could direct you - I know these parts well."
"What's it to you then?" A veritable snarl from the younger boy; I only just catch the gasp from the taller - and so elder - girl..."ED!"
"Now Eddy," he bristles, and I catch a glimmer of a grin from the elder at the nickname. This one will be fun to bait! "Eddy dear, what have I said to upset you so? I was only trying to be polite." Goodness, the fury in those eyes! Poor sod. If only he knew I was only taking the mickey from him. His glares can no more harm me than a mayfly - though he may be the larger of the two irritants. It's only because I can hear the Macready's cart coming up the road that I take pity on the four kids - the eldest of them cant be much more than my own age, and me only 15 at that. They must've been sent here in the evac from the cities, with no clue where or to whom they were being entrusted.
"I did perhaps forget to mention that only the historian is in any way welcoming to others - not to mention the only one in permanent residence here. The other two generally dont hold residence until August, and then only for a month or so - and they're both such boring sods that don't really care about the people around them! If you've been sent here to get out of London or the like, you'll be staying with the historian - Professor Kirke, that is. I'm headed that way myself. Come on then! Hello Mrs. Macready."

I bound past them all down the platform steps and back up onto the cart bench next to Uncle's head of the household - she loves me really, she just doesn't ever show it! - which only earns me a scoff before I am summarily ignored as she addresses the four still in shock on the platform. "Well then - is this all of you? Haven't ya brought anything else?"
I tune out Macready's scottish brusque-ness and lean forward to cross my eyes around her at the youngest girl, earning a giggle from her - she couldn't be more than 8, really! Their stupors finally shaken off, they finally are settled into the cart, and away we go up to the old manor once more!
When Uncle wrote to invite me back to the manor this summer, he hadn't mentioned anything about other guests, but I suppose he might'nt've had time fore a letter to reach me before I arrived. In any case, this summer already seemed to be surpassing my expectations as far as entertainment was concerned - though it remained to be seen if it would be fun.