“Home again! Back at Kirrin! Oh, I do hope Timmy will be at the station!” she said.

But there was no Timmy there. “He must have forgotten you were coming,” said Dick, with a grin, and at once got a scowl from George. Peters came up, smiling all over his face, and gave them his usual welcome. Everyone in Kirrin Village knew the Five — which, of course, included Timmy the dog.

Peters soon had the children’s luggage out, and wheeled it down the platform on his trolley. “I’ll send it along to Kirrin Cottage as soon as the van comes,” he said. “Had a good term?”

“Smashing!” said Dick. “But it seemed very long, as Easter is so late this year. My word — look at the primroses on the railway banks.”

But George had no eyes for anything just then. She was still looking out for Timmy. Where was he? WHY hadn’t he come to the station to meet them? He came last time and the time before! She turned a troubled face to Dick.

“Do you think he’s ill?” she asked. “Or has he forgotten me? Or…”

“Oh, don’t be an ass, George,” said Dick. “He is probably in the house somewhere and can’t get out. Look out — the trolley nearly ran you over then.”

George skipped out of the way, glaring. WHERE was Timmy? She was sure he was ill — or had had an accident — or was tied up and couldn’t get away. Perhaps Joan, the cook, had forgotten to let him loose.

“I’m going to take a taxi home, if I’ve enough money,” she said, taking out her purse. “You others can walk. I must see if anything’s happened to Timmy — he’s never missed meeting our train before.”

“But George, it’s such a lovely walk to Kirrin Cottage!” said Anne. “You know how you love to see your island — dear old Kirrin Island — as we walk to your mother’s house — and the bay — and hear the waves crashing on the rocks.”

“I’m taking the station taxi,” said George, obstinately, counting the money in her purse. “If you’d like to come with me, you can. It’s Timmy I want to see, not islands and waves and things! I’m sure he’s ill or has had an accident or something!”

“All right, George, do as you please,” said Julian. “Hope you find dear old Timmy is perfectly well — and has only forgotten the time of the train. See you later.”

The two brothers, and their sister Anne, set off together, looking forward to the walk to Kirrin Cottage. How lovely to see Kirrin Bay again, and George’s island!

“Isn’t she lucky to have a real island of her very own!” said Anne. “Fancy it belonging to her family for years and years — and then one day her mother suddenly gives it to George! I bet she worried and worried dear Aunt Fanny until she gave in to old George. I do so hope Timmy is all right; we shan’t enjoy our holidays with George’s mother if there’s anything wrong with Timmy.”