Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE George and Timmy crossed the sands and started to weave their way back up the path to Kirrin Cottage. Once, George stopped to take a stone out of her shoe and she got the strangest feeling that they were being followed.

Finally they reached the gate to the little white-stoned house that was home. Roses climbed the walls and flowers filled the front garden. George walked up the path and in through the front door, dumping her shoes and

socks in the hallway. 'At last! There you are,' Aunt Fanny, George's mother, called out. 'We wondered where you had got to!' 'Look what I found.' George held out the box. 'It was washed up on the shore. All it needs is a bit of a clean. Then it will make the perfect present for Alf.'

'That's not the only thing that needs a bit of a clean!' Aunt Fanny scolded, looking down at George's sandy feet.

'I'm sorry, everyone,' George said, looking round at Julian, Dick and Anne who had come to join them. 'I really shouldn't have been so beastly earlier! 'Already forgotten,' said Julian.

'We got some wonderful presents for Alf this morning. We bought him a book of adventure stories,' said Anne.