the coast,’ said Julian. ‘Its light will keep every ship away from that wicked stretch of rocks. Look, Anne, you would like to come, wouldn’t you? If not, Aunt Fanny wouldn’t mind just you staying here -
you’re a little mouse, you wouldn’t bother Uncle Quentin or the Professor at all!’
‘I shouldn’t DREAM of not coming with you,’ said Anne, indignantly. ‘Julian - you don’t think there are still wreckers about do you? I should hate that.’
‘They belong to years gone by,’ said Julian. ‘Cheer up, Anne - this is just a little visit we’re going to pay to Tinker’s seaside house! He is kindly taking in visitors this spring!’
‘Well, let’s get on with our plans,’ said Dick. ‘We go there by car - er, what was that you just said, Tinker?’
‘I said I’ll drive you, if you like,’ said Tinker. ‘I could dr...’
‘You haven’t a driving licence, so don’t talk nonsense,’ said George, crossly.
‘I know I haven’t - but all the same I can drive!’ said Tinker. ‘I’ve driven my father’s car round and round our garden, see? And...’
‘Oh do shut up,’ said Dick. ‘You and your pretend cars! Julian, when shall we go to his light-house?’
‘Well, why not tomorrow morning?’ said Julian. ‘I’m sure everyone would be glad if we left as soon as possible! It’s hard on Aunt Fanny and Joan to have so many here. We’ll see about a car and someone to drive us, and then we’ll pack and make our getaway!’
‘Hurray’ said George in delight, and pounded on the table, making Mischief leap up to the top of a bookcase in fright. ‘Oh, sorry, Mischief - did I scare you? Timmy tell him I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. He probably understands your doggy language.’
Timmy looked up at Mischief, gave two little whines and a comforting wuff. Mischief listened with his head on one side, and then leapt down, landing neatly on Timmy’s back.
‘Thanks for giving him my messsage, Tim,’ said George, and everyone laughed. Good old Timmy! He wagged his long tail and put his head on George’s knee, looking up at her beseechingly.
‘All right old thing - I understand your language, whether you talk with your voice or your eyes,’ said George, patting him. ‘You want a walk, don’t you?’
‘Woof!’ said Timmy joyfully, and tore to the door.
“Famous Five 19 - Five Go To Demon's Rock” By Enid Blyton 18
‘Let’s walk down to the garage and see if they have a car or a van to hire out to us,’ said Julian. ‘We’ll have to have a driver too, because someone has to take back the car.
Come on, Timmy-dog!’
They all set off to the garage in the village. The rain held off for a while, and the sun came out, making Kirrin Bay sparkle and shine.
‘I wish we could have gone to stay on my island,’ said George. ‘But it really is too damp to camp out. Anyway, a light-house will be nice for a change!’
The man at the garage listened to Julian’s tale of wanting a car to go to the light-house.
‘It’s the old light-house at Demon’s Rocks, not the new one at High Cliffs,’ he said.
‘We’re going to stay there.’
‘Stay at a light-house!’ said the man. ‘This isn’t a joke is it!’
‘No. It happens to belong to one of us,’ said Julian. ‘We have a few things to take there, of course, and we hoped you’d have a car and a driver tomorrow for us. We’d let you know somehow when we are ready to come back from the light-house, and you can send the same car for us then.’
‘Right,’ said the man. ‘And you’re staying at Kirrin Cottage now, you say? Oh - your uncle is Mr Kirrin? Well, I know Master George here, of course - but I wasn’t certain who you were. Some queer people order cars, you know!’
George was pleased to be called Master George. It was nice to be thought a boy. She dug her hands deep down in the pockets of her jeans.
‘We’d better take a few rugs and cushions,’ said Julian. ‘And some sweaters and wind-cheaters. I