Two Are On The Case

This was a mystery straight out of the pages of an Enid Blyton story – literally!

IT reminded me of an Enid Blyton adventure. Especially when the characters found the secret passage leading to the smugglers’ cave.” Philip wrinkled his nose as if the book was a bad smell.

Susanna frowned.

“I love Enid Blyton books. The “Famous Five” are responsible for my love of reading and the reason I’m in this book club.”

“Me, too.” The newest member, Luke, smiled and raised his teacup to Susanna. “But I was more of a “Secret Seven” fan.”

“I’m sure we all loved Enid Blyton when we were seven, but I would have hoped our tastes had matured by now.” Philip rolled his eyes. “Susanna, it’s your turn to suggest next month’s book.”

“Go for something light-hearted,” Marlene whispered to Susanna.

Philip tapped his teaspoon on his saucer.

“Marlene, all comments must be addressed through the chair.”

Susanna felt a naughty urge to burst his pompous bubble.

“I think we should read the first “Famous Five” book Enid Blyton wrote: ‘Five On A Treasure Island’, she said, picking up one of Marlene’s cupcakes.

Philip spluttered into his tea.

“You cannot be serious.” “That’s a great idea.” Luke gave Susanna a conspiratorial wink.

“I’d like that, too,” Marlene agreed, and the other members murmured their approval.

Susanna was relieved they hadn’t laughed at her. Philip gave an exaggerated sigh.

“All right. As a one-off, I will allow it. But no more children’s books after that.”

“Not even classics such as ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’ or ‘The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe’?” Luke said, with another wink at Susanna.

“Absolutely not! I declare this meeting over.” Philip put on his jacket and stomped off.

“I’ll give you a hand with the dishes, Marlene,” Susanna offered.

“This is the best book club I’ve ever joined!” Luke pulled his hoodie over his head.

“How many have you joined?” Susanna asked.

“This is only my second, I’ll grant you.” He smiled. “I’ve just moved into the area, so I thought it’d be a good way to meet people.”

Susanna nodded as she collected the dirty mugs.

“See you next month. Enjoy reading the book.” Luke looked disappointed at this sudden end to their conversation. Susanna felt guilty, but closed her heart.

She didn’t want to get to know any man better. Not after being dumped by Shaun by text, the coward!

She’d only joined this book group after she’d finally had enough of sitting in the house crying.

She’d hoped the club would give her something to focus on, even if only for a little while.

****

Susanna decided to see if she could find “Five On A Treasure Island” in her local charity shop.

Browsing the shelves, she became lost in memories.

As a child, she’d often curled up on a deckchair on sunny days, or an armchair on rainy ones, enthralled by the world of books. “Aha!”

There was a whole shelf of “Famous Five” books and “Five On A Treasure Island” was there.

Returning home, she thought how horrified Philip would be if he knew she’d also bought “Ballet Shoes” by Noel Streatfeild and “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Well, she spent most nights at home.

Shaun’s desertion had coincided with her best friend, Milly, moving away.

She might as well take a trip back to the happier, simpler days of childhood.

Susanna settled down and opened the book, loving the musty smell. Something fell out, fluttering on to the carpet.

She picked up a photo of a couple, both wearing Armed Forces uniforms from World War II.

It must have been taken on their wedding day, as they had flowers in their buttonholes.

They were smiling, obviously in love. The girl’s hair was in the victory roll hairstyle of the time.

Susanna wondered what had happened to this happy couple.

Had they survived the horrors of war and lived happily ever after?

She hoped so.

She put the photo aside and turned the pages of the book, enjoying spending time with Julian, Dick, George, Anne and Timmy.

The magic was still there for a thirty-year-old, despite Philip’s scepticism.

Halfway through the fabulous tale of shipwrecks and lost gold, Susanna turned a page and found a letter folded within it.

She blinked as she opened it. This book was yielding treasure in more ways than the ripping yarn contained

between its covers!

Dear Howard, I have the most fabulous news! We have a gorgeous baby daughter. I have called her Anna-ruth after our mothers. I can’t wait until you can see her. Until then, the only thing that keeps me going is the memory of you holding me in your arms.

The letter continued as a heartfelt love letter from Alice, full of her longing to be reunited with Howard.

Susanna’s heart beat a little faster.

She was just as eager to find out what had happened to Howard and Alice as she was to rediscover how the Famous Five’s adventure on the island ended.

****

At the book club, when Susanna passed around the photo, there was as much discussion about the mystery couple as there was the book.

“We must try to trace who donated the book to the charity shop,” Luke stated.

“I thought the same thing.” Susanna placed the letter back in its envelope.

“Can I remind everyone that this is a book club, and our purpose is to discuss this month’s book?” Philip tapped his teaspoon on his saucer insistently.

“What did you think of the book?” Susanna asked Philip, narrowing her eyes.

“I enjoyed it, I must admit.” Philip pursed his lips. “But I must insist: no more children’s books.”

“That’s a shame,” Luke said with a cheeky glint in his eye, “I was going to propose ‘Secret Seven On The Trail’.”

“The ‘Famous Five’ are better than the ‘Secret Seven’,” Susanna countered, reaching for a custard cream.

“OK. I challenge you to read that particular classic and come back to me on that.”

“Deal!”

Susanna shook Luke’s outstretched hand.

“You’re bickering like children. This is a book club, for goodness’ sake!” Philip’s eyebrows almost disappeared into his receding hairline.

****

“I propose we form a splinter book club,” Luke suggested as they made their way to the charity shop.

He’d insisted on accompanying Susanna.

“You mean one specifically for Enid Blyton books?” Susanna held her face up to the sun.

She didn’t need to worry about getting freckles now she was no longer with Shaun.

He’d once told her that he didn’t like it when she got too many across her nose.

“Absolutely. Let’s see if we can buy more in the shop. We might even find more mysteries to solve, like this one.”

Susanna sneaked a peek at him. He was as different from Shaun as it was possible to be.

Dark, curly hair instead of Shaun’s close-cropped blond hair; jeans and a plain white T-shirt, whereas Shaun favoured designer polo shirts and chinos.

She took her sunglasses from her handbag.

Shaun wouldn’t have volunteered to reunite the photo and letter with the family, either.

In fact, he hated her books, calling them clutter.

She admired the beautiful purple and yellow pansies in the hanging baskets outside the charity shop and smiled.

It was the first time she’d thought of Shaun without a stab of pain at missing him.

The assistant’s eyes widened as she listened to their story about the photo and letter.

“I know it’s a long shot, but do you remember who handed in the book?” Susanna asked, holding her breath.

The girl shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t.” Neither did the other sales assistant.

“Let’s take a stroll by the lake whilst we plot our next move.

“We’ll be just like the Famous Five on Kirrin Island,” Luke suggested with a wry chuckle.

“OK. Does this make you Julian?” Susanna nudged him with her elbow. He considered this. “No, I’m more like Dick, I think. Julian was always a little too serious for me.”

She nodded. That made sense, as Luke always had a twinkle in his blue eyes.

“I always thought I’d be George,” Susanna admitted. “I liked Anne, but George was feistier and braver.” Luke laughed. “You’re certainly feisty. I like how you put Philip firmly in his place when he’s being too pompous.”

They sat on a bench, both smiling at a family of ducks waddling their way back into the water.

“Philip’s bark’s worse than his bite,” Susanna said, not wanting to be disloyal.

“He can be Timmy, then,” Luke suggested, and they laughed.

They planned their next strategy.

They would put a search out on as many social media platforms as possible, as well as contacting the local newspaper.

When they posed for the photo in the newspaper, holding up the book, the photo of the couple and the letter, Susanna found herself wondering if Shaun would see the article.

He would have told her not to be silly by trying to trace the family and just to forget about it.

****

“We’ve found the family!” Susanna jumped up and down in excitement as she told Luke.

“I’ve set up a meeting with Mrs Jones at one p.m. today. Can you come along?”

“Try to stop me.”

At one o’clock, Mrs Jones wiped tears from her eyes with an old-fashioned lacy handkerchief.

“I’m the baby, Anna-ruth. Alice was my mum. I can’t thank you enough for finding me.”

“Have you seen them before?” Susanna asked.

Mrs Jones shook her head.

“No. I’ve kept those books since I was a girl. My own children read them, and no-one ever found a letter or a photo in them.” Luke stroked his stubble. “I wonder when they were put in there.”

Mrs Jones sipped her coffee.

“Mum must have put them there when she came to live with us.

“They were in her bedroom. I cleared them out recently.”

“There might be more in the other books,” Susanna suggested.

After coffee, they went back to the charity shop to search the books Mrs Jones had donated.

Sure enough, there were more letters and photos, including one of Mrs Jones as a baby.

Mrs Jones clutched them to her with one hand and pulled Susanna and Luke into a hug with the other.

“I can’t thank you enough. I feel closer to Mum now I have these.”

****

“Another case solved!” Luke and Susanna gave each other a high five as they walked home.

“Have you started reading the dreary book Philip recommended yet?” Susanna asked.

Luke laughed.

“It is pretty dreary. Why don’t we hold a separate meeting of the Enid Blyton book club to discuss the ‘Secret Seven’ book I proposed to give us some light relief?”

Susanna smiled at a girl being taught to ride a pink bike.

She shrieked with delight as she managed to pedal by herself.

“I’d like that,” she said. Maybe it was time for her to start her own adventure with Luke and let go of the fear of being hurt again.

Time to be brave, just like the little girl.

As Luke shyly took her hand, she looked up at the sky and gave thanks to Enid Blyton for her books.

“Why don’t we start tonight?” she suggested and Luke’s kiss told her that she’d made the right decision. ■