"Gosh, we're off again!" cried Adam, settling into his corner of the train as it pulled out of Aldershot station. "How I do love the beginnings of a hike, getting ready, looking at maps, planning how to get there, and then at last setting off!""Woof!" said Ros, wagging her tail.
"On a lovely fine day like this!" said Amy. "Leonie, how did you hear of the South Downs Way?"
"Well it was Uncle Thomas who heard about it, really," said Leonie. "You know how he's got all those coach-spotter friends who like to go off to lonely places and work out all kinds of ideas in peace and quiet. Well, one of them mentioned it to me, and I thought we might take a picnic along and have a nice day in the country. I've made so much lovely cake, and there's lashings and lashings of chardonnay to go round."
"She's right!" said Adam. "I feel a bit skin-and-bonish after slaving at work for months. I could do with fattening up."
They all laughed. Ros thumped her tail against Adam's knees and opened her mouth to let her tongue hang out. She looked exactly as if she were laughing.
"That's right, grin at my jokes," said Adam. "I'm glad you're coming, Ros, it wouldn't be the same without you."
"She always has to come with us," said Amy. "And she's shared in every single adventure we've had."
"Good old Ros," said Ryan. "Well, she may share in one this time, too. You never know."
"I'm not going to have any more adventures this time," said Leonie in a firm voice. "I just want a hike, a picnic and a piss-up, nothing more. Let's have a jolly good time, and not go looking for anything strange or mysterious or adventurous."
"Right," said Ryan. "Adventures are off this time. Definitely off. And if anything does turn up, we pooh-pooh it and walk off. Is that agreed?"
"Yes," said Leonie.
"Alright," said Amy doubtfully.
"Fine," said Adam.
"Woof!" said Ros.
At that moment, the train gave a most unearthly shriek and pulled into Farnham Station. And once the doors had opened, the five were off!
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