"Of course you can! Come when you like and welcome - if you can find us! There's only Mother and me now though we're hoping to get some more help." He turned to Jon. "Are you interested in sheep? D'you know about 'em?"

Jon shook his head.

" 'Fraid not. But we'd like to see yours."

"Every penny we've got is in our sheep... We reckon Dad built up the finest flock for miles around and now 'tis my job to keep it so... Come and see us and bring your friends with you."

"What did you say your farm was called?" Penny asked.

"Bury Fields."

"Why? It's a peculiar name."

"I suppose 'tis... Dad told me once it must be because we're right near one of those burying places where you can dig up bones and ashes and the like if you've time."

"Thank you very much for making it all so exciting," Penny smiled. "I'd - we all would - like to come and see you and your mother and your sheep, and Lady too."

"Maybe we'll meet again then," Denton said as he reached for his luggage. "We're running into Shrewsbury now and I'll have to say Cheerio for I've to do something in the town and can't catch your connection... And many thanks for the lift in the taxi and for helping me to hide Lady."

Penny stroked the dog's head as the train glided alongside the long platform.

Alan opened the door.

"Just look after Lady for me till I'm out with my baggage... Right! Thank you... So long, kids, and I hope we'll meet again."

"So do I," Penny said, and then, under her breath, "I think he's absolutely smashing."

Jon looked at her coldly.

"Come on," he said. "We've got forty minutes if that clock is right, so we'll buy some chocolate."

But Penny was still gazing after Alan and Lady and did not seem to hear him.

3. The Caravan

Mist hung low in the Witchend valley long after the darkness of the winter night had fled. The stillness of the hills was broken only by the murmur of the little brook which ran so cheerfully down through the heather until it broadened into a pool before the front door of the house, dashed on again through a narrower channel under the stone wall, and then slid down the side of the lane that led to Ingles Farm.

As the front door of Witchend opened, Dickie and Mary came out. The twins were warmly dressed in trousers, sweaters and anoraks and Macbeth followed them a little way and then went back and sat in the porch. He knew that something was going to happen soon and did not want to be left behind. With his head on one side he watched the twins until they disappeared round the corner of the house in the direction of the shed where the bicycles were kept. Then David appeared, patted the little dog and said: