Children's Book: The Mystery of the Bucket and Spade (Cozy Mystery)

Chapter 1: "Looking Forward To The Summer Holidays"

The Robinsons' house at number twenty-one Victoria Gardens was under attack from the inclement weather. It was an awful day! Nevertheless, the Fabulous Four remained optimistic. Julian, Lucy, Anne, and Stan were looking forward to their forthcoming summer holiday at Rockaway Village, with their Aunt Alice and Uncle John.

"Look! - There's only today and tomorrow left - before we go away on holiday," exclaimed twelve-year-old Julian, gleefully crossing-out another day on the kitchen calendar. "I can't wait!"

"Are you sure?" asked seven-year-old Stan, sounding doubtful.

"Yes, of course, I am!" confirmed Julian, with his eyes shining.

"Hurray!" cried out seven-year-old Anne, with a lovely smile appearing on her cute face. "We had a marvellous holiday at Rockaway Village last summer - it was a lot better than I expected!" she added, while looking at her golden-blonde hair in the mirror.

Lucy pushed Anne, in pure excitement. "I can't believe it!" she exclaimed, with a little hop, skip, and jump! "I'm looking forward to seeing Aunt Alice and Uncle John again – and I've really missed Jezebel. She's a beautiful cat!"

"Me too!" agreed Anne, pushing her fun-loving sister, for fun.

Just at that moment, Tom and Barbara returned home from their shopping trip. "Put the kettle on!" called out Barbara, while clambering through the kitchen door with a bag of shopping. "It's really miserable out there! - I can feel some water, running down the back of my neck!"

One moment later, Tom came trotting into the kitchen carrying another shopping bag!

"What a miserable day!" he groaned, while taking off his raincoat. "I hope the weather's better than this on Saturday."

Lucy, a charming eleven-year-old girl, made Tom and Barbara a cup of tea. Julian helped by unpacking the largest shopping bag!

"Mother! - Have you bought anything for us?" asked Stan, dancing cheerfully around the kitchen, like an excited bumble-bee!

"No! - Not really - only your comics!" responded Barbara.

Tom and Barbara sat down at the table and enjoyed their cup of tea. It wasn't very long before they started chatting about the preparation of their meal.

"Julian! - Have you seen our comics?" asked Stan.

"Yes! - Here they are!" he answered joyfully, before taking them out of the shopping bag.

Suddenly, Lucy and Anne approached Julian. Just like Stan, they wanted to read their comics. It was often the highlight of the week!

"Thanks, Mother!" called out Stan, Lucy, and Anne, sounding excited - as their brother gave them their comics.

"I can't wait to find out what's happened!" yelled out Stan, before he disappeared into the living-room. He loved reading his 'Rover and Wizard' comic.

"Wow! - Just look at Kitty Hawke!" cried out Lucy, while staring at the impressive front cover of her 'Girl' comic. "She's really glamorous, this week!"

"'Wonder Woman'!" bellowed out Anne, cheerfully, before going into the living-room, to join Stan and Lucy.

Tom smiled and looked at his wife. "I remember getting excited... just like that... when reading my 'Beano' comic!" he confessed.

Tom and Barbara were feeling pleased. They liked listening to the excitement of their four children. Occasionally, 'comic day' was the highlight of the week; even for them!

"Thanks, Julian!" cried out Barbara, smiling and feeling grateful. "You've been a great help - unpacking my shopping!"

Julian smiled and nodded to his mother, before making his way into the living-room. He was looking forward to reading his 'Eagle and Swift' comic.

It was truly amazing! The four children were totally engrossed with their comics. It was a sight to behold!

"I always look forward to Thursday's," said Tom, with a wide-smile on his handsome face. "The sound of silence – pure bliss!"

"No! - It's far too quiet in here!" exclaimed Barbara, as she started preparing the vegetables. "I'm going to listen to the radio!"

Tom crept over to the living-room and he peeped through the half-open door. The four children were quietly reading their comics. They didn't know that their father was spying on them! Tom smiled broadly when he heard Stan giggling!

"What a great sea-battle!" muttered Stan, before turning over to another page in his 'Rover and Wizard' comic.

"Tom! - Please give me a hand," bellowed out Barbara. "Leave them in peace and make yourself useful. Please peel the potatoes!"

Tom strolled back into the kitchen and smiled gleefully at his wife. "Right, okay! - Where's my apron?" he joked.

"Never mind your apron!" cried out Barbara. "Just peel the potatoes – or else!" she joked, with a lovely smile on her face.

It wasn't long before the Robinson family were sitting around the table, enjoying a roast dinner together. The atmosphere in the room was very good.

"Great potatoes!" cried out Julian, winking astutely at his father.

"Yes, and beautifully cooked!" declared Tom, smiling at his wife.

Despite the heavy rain - the family was chattering away together in a very positive manner. The four children talked about their holiday at Rockaway Village - the previous summer. They laughed and joked about their exciting mystery and surprising adventure!

"I'm hoping we'll discover another mystery!" cried out Stan.

"Yes, that would be great, Stan," agreed Julian, smirking.

"I love your enthusiasm, Stan!" exclaimed Barbara. "But, don't forget that Rockaway Village is a quiet and uneventful place - at the best of times!"

"If there's a mystery to discover – we'll find it!" cried out Stan, sounding undeterred. "Remember... we're the Fabulous Four, now!"

Tom smiled broadly and glanced over to Julian and Stan. "I missed all the fun, last summer - but nevertheless, I liked hearing all about your incredible adventures. Astonishing at times!"

Lucy and Anne listened to the conversation, intently. They looked very positive. Then suddenly, Anne cried out, "Bring-it-on!"

For the rest of the evening, the four children amused themselves by playing with their card and board games. The living-room was a very cheerful place to be, with lots of excitement, fun, and laughter!

Tom and Barbara were reading. Tom was reading about his favourite golf player – Tom Watson. Barbara liked nothing better than reading a romantic novel.

Suddenly, the clock in the living-room chimed nine o'clock. Barbara strolled into the kitchen to prepare drinks for everyone.

The four children liked a nice cup of hot chocolate and a biscuit, before bedtime.

"Mother, I'm not ready for bed, yet!" gestured Stan. "How can I possibly sleep? – My mind's too active!"

"Easy... try counting sheep!" suggested Barbara, with a wise look on her attractive face.

Stan often made a fuss at bedtime!

"Come on, children!" yelled out Tom, in a loud tone of voice. "It's time for bed... now!"

Without any further discussion, the four children disappeared out of the living-room. They soon went clambering up the staircase!

"Thanks, darling," said Barbara, with a lovely smile on her face. "For some reason - they take more notice of you!"

It wasn't long before the children went to sleep.

I wonder how many sheep, Stan managed to count!