1. SUSIE JOINS THE SECRET SEVEN

Chapter 8 - TICKET TO RYDE

The secret seven wanted something to do but everything was quiet. Then Janet spoke to Colin's younger sister, Abigail, at school one day. Abigail was very sad and told Janet that her mother and Bruno had sent Colin away to live with his aunt on the isle of wight and that she wasn't allowed to see him or contact him

''They've banished him for good'' she wept ''Because he was too disruptive at home they disowned him and sent him away forever as a punishment and they told me I cannot see him again, it's rotten'' 

Janet was shocked and upset ''Oh that's awful'' she said ''I can't believe your mother would do that''

''It's because daddy and Colin hate each other! If only they hadn't had that fight''

''They had a fight?''

''Oh yes, it was very violent, they both punched each other, it was so awful. Colin and daddy really hate each other''

''Yeah, I know...''

Janet was very upset and worried so she asked Abigail if she knew her aunt's address on the isle of wight

''I don't know it but I bet it's written down in mummy and daddy's address book!'' she said ''Aunt Fanny lives in Ryde on the isle of wight that's all I know!''

''Abi try and find an address or even a phone number for Aunt Fanny please'' Janet told her

''Oh but I will not be allowed to phone or visit, mummy and daddy will skin me alive!''

''Just give it to me that's all, I won't tell anyone that you gave me the address I promise. Colin was my friend and a member of the secret seven. We just want to talk to him and make sure he is ok that's all Abi''

''Ok I will try and find their address book and find Aunt Fanny's address''   

That night, Abigail looked for the address book and found Aunt Fanny's address and phone number, and gave them to Janet the next day. Janet phoned Aunt Fanny's number and a woman answered 

''Hello Fanny Kirrin speaking?'' the  woman said

''Hi, can I speak to Colin, please?'' Janet asked ''I am a friend of his''

''There is no Colin at this address'' the woman said tersely

''But I was told that there is a Colin there, living there with his Aunt Fanny''

''You must have made a mistake, you have the wrong number, sorry I can't help you''

And the woman put the phone down. Janet found this very odd indeed so she called a meeting of the secret seven and explained it all to them

''Hmm I agree this is very odd'' Peter said ''Janet you did the right thing to call a meeting about this''

''I am so worried I really am'' Janet said ''I am not surprised Bruno banished him but I can't believe his mother did that too. And now he is with his aunt and she won't even let us talk to him. We have to go to Ryde and see him, we have to make sure he is ok''     

''I agree'' Peter said ''The six of us will go, scamper will have to stay here''

Scamper whined and his tail went down to the floor in sadness

''Sorry scamp my boy, you can't come all that way on the train and the boat with us''  

''Do we have enough money for the tickets?'' Barbara asked ''it will not be cheap''

Peter went online and checked prices for a day trip to Ryde. Then they worked out how much it would be for 6 tickets. It was too much money, they would not be able to afford it but they could afford two tickets