There were nothing about the mysterious to begin with it .But it begin with a family who was living a happy life in London.There were six of them. Mr Andrew ,the grand father,Mr Michael ,the son of Mr Andrew ,and his wife Mrs Michael and three children. In children first came Roberta .She was the eldest . Of course ,mothers never have favourite ,but if their mother had a favourite ,it might have been Roberta . She was 14 years old .Next came James ,who wished to be an astronomer when he grew up ; and the youngest was Amber ,who was the cutest and naughty girl in whole family . Their Grand Father was a retired commander of military. The children's father Mr: Michael was a famous scientist and was researching on Islands .He was working on any mission that was secret and he didn't tell anyone till yet ,except Grandpa . Their mother was an active lady .She was not like as all the other rich women,who used to sit dully at home all the day and paying dull calls to dull ladies .She usually used to do all the work by herself( but she also had some servents ) .She was very kind to her mads .She help children to complete their home lessons and always
ready to play with them .Beside this she used to write stories and poems while the children were at school,and read them aloud after tea time . She also like painting . Their Grand Father also tell them stories about his and his military friends . They were living in an ordinary red - brick fronted Villa with a modern design on roof and floors,a huge tiled hall and so many rooms with expensive furniture, decoration pieces and paintings in big frames hanging on wall (that were all made by children's mother ),the bathrooms with hot and cold water,the doors with electric bells , french windows and "every modern convenience " as the house agents says . The three lucky children always had everything they needed : pretty clothes,good fires and a lovely nursery with heaps of toys .They had a kind and merry nursemaid ,and a lovely white cat who was called Elsa ,and who was their very own .The children father was also very close to them ,he always ready for a game to play with children - at least,if at any time he was not ready ,he always had an excellent reason for it ,and explained the reason to the the children so interestingly and funnily that the children felt sure he couldn't help himself . you will think they ought to been very happy .And so they were ,but they did not know how happy till the pretty life in Edgecombe Villa was over and done with ,and they had to live a very different life indeed .
The dreadful change came quite suddenly.
James had a birthday - his eleventh . The cermony of James birthday was celebrated with full of joy . Everyone was invited . The party was arranged in their garden. The garden of their house was decorated with lots of banners , colorful ribbons,and all the colorful types of flowers (that James had brought from different places in very high cost , because he was fond of flowers).The invitation cards were made by Roberta especially for James birthday party .In the middle of Garden there was a giant table covered with white cloth , there was a giant white and pink cake with brown chocolate telescope on it ,and lots of snacks , juices , and lots of sweets ,on table .When everyone arrived, James enter in the garden by a path covered with flowers .He was wearing a slash with 'Birthday boy' written on it .He came with a great pride like a king . Everyone was clapping for him. When he stand on a small stool behind the table( because he was a short hieghted boy, and can not reach till cake without a stool) Roberta and her mom pull the rope hanging by two trees at the top of table ,and the flowers petals came down like a rain .
"Oh! The Rose petals rain " a little girl shouted from the crowd of children.When James cut the cake , everyone clapped for him and wished him .
"Happy birthday dear" said an old lady . Roberta ,Amber , Mother ,Father and Grandpa hugged him one by one and gave him his birthday presents .Among all the people and children shake the hand with James and gave him the gifts that they brought .Then they enjoyed a lot . Suddenly a little girl ( she was James aunt daughter ) said to James:"Oh dear Jami bro ! will you not open your presents ? to see what people had brought for you ",
"Of course " said James with lots of excitement. First he opened the Grandpa's gift box , when he opened it there was a gun ,(not bigger than my palm ) .
"Oh ,' Thanks Grandpa ' I always wished to have your gun by which you killed your enemies "
" Oh yes James ,it s your from now ,but it is empty " said Grandpa .
"so,where are bullets ?" said James .
"I will give you bullets of this gun when you will be a man ," but now ,you are a child ,I think just gun is enough for you " said Grandpa with a lovely smile .
"Ok , Grandpa , Once again thanks ,very very thanks ". said James happily.
Then James opened all the gift one by one .Then in last, one gift was left ,it was not packed properly , the gift wrapper in which the gift was packed was not a shiny ,it was like an old dirty paper .
"What could be inside it " said James by himself . When he opened the gift box he
shocked .
"What's inside it " said Amber .
"Oh ! it -tt - its ,it's what I can't believe." said James very happily .
"Oh! James show me what's inside it , you are making me jumpy ." said Amber .
He sat down and put the box on grass ,and when he take out something and put it onto his laps , everyone leaned toward to see what was it . Then James screamed suddenly : , it's the model of space shippp ! . "I can't believe that I have got it " It's the best gift ever I received ".
"But Jimi ! From whom this gift is " said his Aunt .
Oh ' sorry ,I forgot to check the name ' said James .
He take the box and turned it upside down , their was written his father's name . When he looked up ,his father was smiling .He run and hugged his father tightly and said : "Thanks Daddy ! you gave me such a great gift , I am so happy today , You are the best father ". His father hold his face with both hands and kissed him .
" Yes dear ,I have made it especially for you ." Then all the children started dancing with James . That day was very special for James .At that night, James was very happy.He received so many gifts on that day . Among his other presents was a model spaceship more perfect than you could ever have dreamed of .The other presents and Grandpa's present were full of charm , but the spaceship was fuller of charm than any of others were .
"The dinner is ready " . said the nursemaid ".Ok Clara we are coming" said grandfather . They came into dinning room for dinner .There was Apple pie ,Roasted chicken , Fruit and vegetable salad and lots of other meals .
" Clara ! come and have a dinner with us " mother said with a lovely smile .
" Oh , Thank you ." Clara said and sit with them . The whole family was very kind ,they behave like a family with servants . Suddenly, the door bell rang .Clara drop her spoon and run to open the door .
After a while ,She came and said nervously that three gentlemen wanted to see the master.
"I've shown them into the library,Sir ", said she.
"All right ,I am coming " said father .
"Uhh! I wish we had got a Villa with moats and drawbridge", said Roberta .then when we didn't want people ,we could just pull up the drawbridge and no one else could get in".
Then the Library bell rang ,and every one heaved a breath of relief .
"They're going now", said Amber ;" he's rung to have them shown out ".
But instead of showing anybody out, Clara showed herself in , and he looked queer , the children thought.
"Please mam ", she said ,"the master wants you to see in library ".
Then mother went into library. After sometime she came again and ran into father's room ,she brought father briefcase and went into library again.
"That briefcase ,there is father's important documents ,and he didn't allow anyone to touch it ,but now he had brought it , it's mean something awful happened ,what could it be ". Roberta spoke to herself silently ,when she looked to Grandfather ,he was busy in a very deep thought , because he was holding the spoon very differently ,that he didn't held the spoon like this before .
Clara came again and said to grandfather: "Sir, can you please come into library ,Master wants to see you too ". Just then grandfather drop his spoon and went into library .Then there were more talkings . Then the bell rang again, and Clara fetched a cab .The children heard boots go out and down the steps .The cab drove away , and the front door shut .Then Grandfather and mother came in .Their dear faces was now looking so dim .
"It's bedtime ", she said. " Clara will put you to bed ."
"But you promised we should sit up late tonight because after a long time father came home " said Amber. ( Their father was a busy person who always stayed in her researching lab ,and come to home once a month ).
"Father is been called away- urgently for business ", said mother ."Come darlings ,go at once "
They kissed her and went .
Clara brushed the girl's hair and helped them to undress .(Mother almost always did this herself ).
When they came down to breakfast the next morning , Mother and Grandfather had already gone out .
"To London" Clara said , and left them to their breakfast .
"There's something awful the matter , isn't it Clara ", said James gently to Clara .
"Don't ask me no questions and I won't tell you no lies ", Clara replied ." You'll know soon enough ".
"James ! I don't think we ought to ask the servants things mother doesn't tell us ", said Roberta ."
That's right , Queen Roberta ", said James breaking his egg .
Hey ! James I think Roberta is right this time ", said Amber.
"Of course .She always is . In her own opinion", said James angrily.
"Oh don't !" , cried Roberta , putting down her egg spoon ; don't let's be horrid to each other .
" I am sure some dire calamity is happening . Don't let's make it worse !".
"Who begin ,I should like to know?" said James .
Roberta made an effort, and answered :
" I did ,I suppose but -"
"Well ,it's ok . said James . But he went to school he thumped his sisters between the shoulders and told her to cheer up .
The children came home to one o ' clock lunch, but mother and grandfather were not there .And they were not there at tea- time .
It was nearly eight when they come in ,looking so ill and tired that the children felt they could not ask them any questions .
Mother and grandfather sank into sofa . Phyllis took out mother's hat and her gloves while James took out grandfather's boots and fetched him soft slippers .Then Roberta brought tea for them .After that mother said :
" Now , my darlings ,I want to tell you something .Those men came last night did bring very bad news for father ,and father will be away for some time .I am very worried about it, and I want you all to help me,and not to make things harder for me ",
"yes, but -, said James ,just then mother said: " and I want you not to ask me any questions about this trouble ". after saying this mother closed her eyes , her expressions were telling clearly that she don't want to talk to anybody more .
Roberta came to grandfather and sit close to him , ( who was still thinking about something ) and said , "Grandpa ,why are you so worried ? plz don't be upset , I can't see your shiny faces dimmer , (after a while) "Please Grandpa ,speak ,why are you not answering me . said Roberta crying silently .
Grandfather held her hand and said : "My dear , I am not worried , see I am not upset . and you are elder ,you are a brave girl , don't cry like this because if you will cry, Amber and James will also become upset , are you want to see them upset ".
"No . said Roberta .
Then you have to be brave and Happy ,do you understand ? ".
"yes, Grandpa , said Roberta smiling .
She kissed Grandpa's hand and ran upstairs to her room. Then she decided to be brave , and support her mother in this situation.
Mother and Grandfather were nearly always out .Meals were dull and dirty .The between maid was sent away .Then came the bad time when mother came home and went to bed and stayed there for four days and the Doctor came , and the children crept wretchedly about the house and wondered if the world was coming to an end . Mother and grandfather came down one morning to breakfast ,very pale and with lines on their faces that used not to be there ,and they smiled as well as they could ,and then mother said:
"Now,my pets , everything is settled. We're going to leave this house, and go and live in the country. Such a ducky dear little house.I know you'll love it .
A whirling week of packing followed - not just packing clothes ,like when you go on a picnic ,but packing chairs and tables, covering their tops with sacking and their legs with straw.
All sort of things were packed that you don't pack when you go for picnic. Blankets ,beds carpets, emergency lights ,brooms ,sauce pans,Dishes and all the Kitchen tools etc.
The house was like a furniture warehouse . I think the children enjoyed very much. Mother was very busy , but not too busy now to talk to them ,and read stories for them .
Aren't" you going to pack this , mother?" .said Roberta , pointing to the beautiful blue vase with the beautiful golden pattern on it .
"We can't take everything " said Mother.
"But we seem to be taking all the ugly things", said Roberta.
"We're taking the useful ones ", said mother.
When all the ugly useful things had been packed up and taken away in a van by men in green - baize aprons,the two girls and Mother and Clara slept in the two spare rooms where furniture was all pretty .All their beds had gone .A bed was made up for James on the drawing room sofa .
"It's so interesting " said James joyously,as mother tucked him up ." I do like moving! I wish we moved once a month" .
"oh ! Jimi " said mother gently.
" It is like an adventure for James , but he don't know how our pretty life is going to change ." mother said to Grandpa as she close the door of James room .
"He is a young boy ,he didn't Know the truth , but we have to be quite and calm ".
" Yes ,they will know soon when they will grow up " .said mother very slowly to Grandfather .
"Huhh !" Grandfather heaved a long breath and turn off the light .