The key players

Julian

De facto leader. Terribly mature and responsible, verging on patronising at times. Always has something clever to say to silence the villains

Dick

Resourceful, likeable and laidback. Suffers from perpetual hunger and probably eats the most

George

Brave, bolshy, honest and boyish (won’t answer to Georgina). Blyton admitted to her agent that she based George on herself

Anne

The baby of the group. Prone to playing with dolls, keeping house and crying, but wields considerable domestic power

Timmy

In character, a border collie, but actually a large brown mongrel found as a stray puppy by George. Can sniff out a bad hat at several hundred yards. Uncanny ability to know exactly what’s being said, interjecting a ‘Woof!’ when necessary

Uncle Quentin

George’s mad-scientist father, who has an unfortunate propensity for being kidnapped. Irascible and unpredictable, probably as a result of all the being stuffed away indoors on Top Secret Work rather than healthy bathing and cycling

Food

Plentiful and delicious, often procured from a jolly farmer’s wife. Always tastes better outdoors and accompanied by ginger beer—it was Blyton’s daughter Gillian’s favourite drink. Poor food denotes poor character (for example, Mrs Stick’s stale sandwiches)