Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO Supper-time came all too soon that night. When the bell rang to tell the Five that the meal was ready, they groaned. 'Have to finish afterwards,' said Dick, looking round at the mess of parcels, paper, string, ribbon and labels. 'Supper, Timmy, supper!'

Timmy shot downstairs at top speed, bumping heavily into Mr Kirrin, who was just coming out of his study. Timmy gave him a quick lick of apology, and ran into the dining room, putting his front feet on the table to see what was there. 'Down, Timmy- what manners! said Julian. 'Hello, Uncle Quentin- done up all your parcels yet?' His uncle grunted. Aunt Fanny laughed. 'He's going to be Father Christmas tomorrow morning and hand out all the presents,' she said. 'Don't scowl like that, Quentin dear- you look just like George when I tell her to fetch something!' 'I do NOT scowl,' said George, scowling immediately, of course. Everyone roared at her, and she had to smile.

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'Christmas Day tomorrow,' said Anne happily. 'Aunt Fanny, it's lovely of you to have us all here for Christmas. We'll never finish opening our parcels tomorrow morning! I've got at least one for everybody, and so has everyone else.' 'A nice little bit of arithmetic, said Julian. 'That means we've about forty or more presents to undo- counting in those for Joanna and Timmy.'

'What a waste of time!' That remark came from Uncle Quentin, of course! 'It's a good thing you're not as horrible as you pretend to be, Dad, said George, and grinned at him. 'You always look so fierce- and yet I bet you've been round the shops buying all kinds of things. Hasn't he, Mum? I bet he's bought Timmy something, too.

'Stop saying "I bet",' said her father. 'And don't put ideas in Timmy's head. Why on earth should I go shopping for him?' 'Woof!' said Timmy, from under the table, delighted to hear his name. He wagged his tail violently and Mr Kirrin leapt to his feet with a yell. Take that dog out! Slapping me with his tail like that! Why can't he have a short tail? I'll...' 'Sit down, Quentin,' said his wife. 'Timmy, come out. Sit over there. Now- let's change the subject!' The four cousins looked at one another and grinned. It was lovely to be at Kirrin Cottage again, with dear kind Aunt Fanny, and quick-tempered Uncle Quentin. He was now beaming round at them, offering them a second helping.