---------Ch - 1: Summer Holidays !! ------

The summer holidays had begun and the children were already dreaming of the summer pleasures. Jo, the youngest was ten, Laurie was a year elder to her was eleven and James the eldest was twelve. James and Laurie shared a room whilst Jo had the room next to theirs.

In the morning, as the sun shined brightly Jo woke up first and then woke her siblings. The delicious smell of a usual English breakfast filled the air. They all went and had a bath and got ready before going to breakfast.

"Good Morning Darlings, did you sleep well? Oh, James, you look tired to death.....were you doing your homework late till night ?" their Mom asked.

"Good Morning Mom, yep I was completing my holiday homework so that later I don't have to...and I can enjoy....by the way, where's dad ?" James replied.

"Oh, mom ...can you please pass those toasts?" Laurie chimed in.

Their mom laughed " Sure Honey, here you go...and James your dad is just coming...he went to water the plants."

"Marmee, in these holidays when will we visit Polzeath beach....it will be cold...wouldn't it...and what all shall we pack? " Jo asked.

"Morning all, oh Jo, this time sadly we won't be going to Polzeath as your mom and I are going to Australia....but you three can go somewhere else." Her father replied giving all a small kiss.

"And your father urges me to go with him to Australia.....But love, can we send the children to Fanny's? I am sure they will like some company and she also has a child a girl of your age Laurie ...Ummm what's her name ....something funny !!" Their mother continued.

"Ah, I guess it was Georgina or something...I am not so sure...Anyways...I am going to arrange for the kids to stay with Fanny.." their father said as he left.

"Yes...Georgina...don't look at me like that all 3 of you....you will enjoy your stay there darlings...I am sure....but just know that the cottage is thousands of years old so there might be some mysteries.....cheer up !!!" their mom continued " All right... let's wait till your dad comes bac...."

"Love, I am back....well kids you all can go and your Aunt Fanny is really happy to have you all...And I have decided that tomorrow you can leave for Kirrin and then I and your mom will have ample time for packing for our trip. Are you comfortable with this arrangement Honey ?" their father asked.

"oh yes...all good...I will just go and help the children do their homework and then later they can pack..." their mom replied.

"Right....well off you all go...Till then I will wash the car and get it ready.....by the way, I want all the things to be completed by 8:00 pm in the evening, it means that we even put all your trunks in the car till then and in the morning after breakfast, we straight away leave....ok ?"

"Okay love, all good !!"

By evening all their trunks were packed into the car and by 9:30 am the next morning they were only on their way to the Kirrin !!

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