As the five walked back along the cliff-top path, Timmy bounding along joyfully in front, they met with a young couple. They looked to be a lot older than the cousins and were wearing the typical clothes of holidaymakers, no doubt tourists from the village. The woman smiled as the two groups approached each other, no doubt approving of the area’s youth.

“Good evening,” she called to the four.

“Hello,” Julian replied politely. He may have only recently turned fourteen but he stood several inches taller than the woman and wasn’t much smaller than her partner.

Dick, now barely lagging behind his year-older brother in height, touched the rim of his cap in greeting. Anne smiled, dwarfed between her two brothers, but George merely nodded and looked away. Her thoughts were solely focused on her beloved island.

“Would that be Kirrin Island over there?” the man asked. He was dark-haired and rugged, with the sort of build Dick seemed destined to have now he was beginning to develop, well built and strong with a broad chest and shoulders.

Julian nodded. “Yes, that’s right, sir.” Dick and Anne both hid smiles. They always found it funny when their elder brother called adult men ‘sir’, for he spoke just as maturely as the men themselves.

“We’ve heard so much about it and it looks so beautiful,” the woman said. “We were hoping to have a hike around it. Do you know a local fisherman or someone who might take us there?”

“You can’t,” George said shortly. “It’s private property.”

The woman looked surprised. “Really? No-one can visit?”

“Not without the owner’s permission.” George’s reply was equally short.

“Do you know the owner? Would we be able to ask permission?”

“Yes, George is…” Anne started eagerly. “Ow!”

George removed her elbow from Anne’s ribs. “We don’t know the owner,” she said quickly. “We’re away at school most of the time so we aren’t very close to the local people.”

“Oh well, never mind,” the woman smiled. “We’ll just have to content ourselves with looking over from the cliffs. Thank you for your help anyway, young man.”

Normally, George would have been delighted at being mistaken for a boy. Even at thirteen, she was still determined to prove herself as capable and strong-minded as the boys. But that day she didn’t seem to care.

“Enjoy your walk,” Julian politely told the couple. “I would be aware of the evening drawing in, though. The cliff edges can be treacherous in the dark if you don’t know them well.”

The man nodded. “We’ll bear that mind, thanks.”

The five walked on and the couple continued up the path.

“Why is everyone suddenly interested in my island?” George asked agitatedly once they were out of earshot.

“No doubt we shall find out tomorrow,” Dick said, throwing a stick for Timmy to chase. The dog didn’t seem to have noticed his mistress’s troubled mood.

“I can’t wait until tomorrow!” George stopped abruptly. “I shall get my boat and row over. There must be some sort of clue.”

“George, be sensible,” Julian said. “You can’t possibly go now. It’s getting dark and your mother is expecting us back for dinner any moment. You know how difficult the currents can be during the day, let alone at night. You could easily strike a rock and capsize.”

“Ju, I learnt to swim in those waters and I can swim them better than you and Dick. What does it matter if I capsize?”

“Aunt Fanny would be beside herself, that’s what matters. I simply can’t allow you to go, George.”

George’s brown eyes flashed with anger. “You have no right to tell me what to do, Julian.”

“I’m the eldest and therefore I’m responsible for you. And I say we go back to the cottage and get changed for dinner.” Julian began walking down the hill again. “Let’s hope Uncle Quentin’s found his papers or there’ll be high dudgeon all night!”

Dick and Anne quickly followed him down the path. George cast a furious gaze at the back of her cousin’s neck before running after the three.

“There you all are!” Aunt Fanny exclaimed as they traipsed through the front door. “I was terribly afraid you had got lost!”

“Get lost on my own cliffs?” George asked scornfully. “What a ridiculous idea!”

“Joanna is nearly finished cooking so you’ll all have to change quickly before the food goes cold.” Aunt was already ushering the four towards the stairs.

“But Mother, I have to ask you something!” George protested.

“Ask me at dinner, George. Do hurry upstairs.”

George thumped off upstairs with Anne running behind. Julian and Dick exchanged smiles and set off up to their own room at a calmer pace. After throwing open the windows to let the sea air drift in, they set about changing.

“Ju, have you seen my blue blazer?” Dick asked, turning his suitcase upside down in his attempts to find it.

“No. Just borrow my second one,” Julian said, quietly amused that his younger brother was now practically the same size as him.

The brothers had been separated for a year when Julian had moved to his senior public school, leaving Dick behind to finish his last year at their prep school. They had been reunited when Dick had turned thirteen but even now they could see the changes that had emerged in each other during their time apart.

Julian seemed to have grown up overnight. He was the tallest in his form and he was developing lean and strong. His golden-blond hair and bright blue eyes added to his handsome face, which had gradually begun to change from a boy’s to that of a good-looking young man. People liked and trusted Julian. He came across as what he was – a good role model to look up to; well-mannered, reliable and willing and able to take responsibility.

Dick, on the other hand, had become the exact opposite to his brother in terms of looks. His hair seemed to get only darker, which could have left his skin appearing pale and sickly if it wasn’t for the deep brown the sun kept him tanned all year round. He seemed destined to be shorter than Julian, but his build was already stronger and would eventually develop a powerful stature. Dick was less of an all-rounder than Julian. He did well enough in school and was showing excellent development on the rugger field, but he had adopted the role as his form’s joker and he enjoyed living up to his reputation for tricks and foolery.

“Ju, Dick!” George’s voice yelled from the hallway. “Are you coming or not?”

Dick hurriedly dragged a comb through his hair, tidying it, as Julian finished knotting his tie. Finally presentable, they joined the girls. George, as usual, had refused to wear a dress and was still in her shorts, but she’d changed her ragged pullover for a neat jersey. Anne was demure and tidy in a blue dress. Julian was now considered old enough to wear trousers to dinner and had chosen a grey pair to go with his blazer and school tie, whilst Dick remained in his shorts, the collar of his white shirt open at the neck.

Suddenly ravenous, the cousins headed downstairs. Their aunt and uncle were already seated around the dining table, which was piled high with all manner of dishes. Joanna, the Kirrin’s good-natured cook, had done them proud once again.

“Sorry we’re late,” Julian apologised as the four slipped into their places.

Uncle Quentin waved the apology away with a dismissive hand and began serving himself. The cousins quickly piled their plates with food as Joanna poured out ginger beer and wine for the adults.

“Did you find your papers, sir?” Dick asked Uncle Quentin.

His uncle glared at him. “What are you talking of, boy? Which papers?”

“The ones you lost this afternoon, sir.” Dick was used to Quentin and wasn’t scared.

“I did no such thing! Such nonsense, as if I would lose anything. Ridiculous notion…” Muttering to himself, Uncle Quentin returned his attention to his dinner.

The four exchanged knowing smiles and continued eating.

“George, dear, did you wish to ask me something earlier?” Aunt Fanny asked after a few moments of quiet.

George immediately laid down her fork, all interest in the food forgotten.

“Yes, Mother. It’s important.”

“What is it, then?”

George folded her arms firmly, stubbornness beginning to glimmer in her eyes.

“I want to know what’s happening on my island…”