This follows on from Five Go Mad in the Brecon Beacons. It is not essential to have read that first, but it will provide some background. The story is set in 1963 when children (which includes teenagers) have a lot of freedom and, these five in particular, get involved in lots of adventures.

Five Go Mad on Flat Holm Island

Chapter One: Annoyances and Grievances

It was amazing how quickly the routine and demands of everyday life wiped out memories of the holiday at Trecastle Farm for the five young friends.

A week of walks and lazy days helping out on the farm had soothed their jangled nerves and removed immediate memories of the dangers they had faced together. Happy to return to Cardiff, they had anticipated trips to the swimming baths and cinema and possibly a day at the beach on Barry Island but in the ten days they had been back none of this had happened for a variety of reasons. And today, a sunny Tuesday, tempers frayed. Things might not have got quite so bad if Jack had been around, but he was in London with his family attending a concert at the Royal Albert Hall and staying overnight.

The first to lose her temper was Gwen Cooper. On her return to Cardiff she had thrown herself into preparing the Cooper house for her mother's homecoming from hospital. Everywhere had to be spick and span, every surface gleaming, so that the invalid would feel welcome. The study had been turned into a downstairs bedroom creating more work as the furniture was moved and stored. When Mrs Cooper had come home, Gwen insisted on seeing to all her personal needs as well as continuing to keep house, determined to show everyone that she could cope. Mrs Cooper had her leg in heavy plaster of Paris from above the knee and found it very difficult to get about on the cumbersome wooden crutches and Gwen ran round after her, spending as much time as she could keeping her mother company.

Toshiko Sato, who was staying with the Coopers, had helped her friend, assisting with all the housekeeping tasks. She was quite happy to do so but as the days passed she found Gwen less appreciative of her efforts, expecting Toshiko to do more and more. Gwen had been annoyed when Toshiko had accompanied the boys on a day trip to Caerphilly Castle and her silent reproaches in the days after had made Toshiko sad then angry. She had continued to help out but she now resented doing so.

For his part, Ianto Jones spent his days with his cousin, Owen Harper, who was staying with him for the school holidays, taking him out and about. The two boys visited Cardiff Castle, explored Tiger Bay and the Docks and took the bus to other nearby sights. Unfortunately, once back in the city, Owen reverted to how he had been at first and made unflattering comparisons with London. Mostly Ianto was able to ignore them, helped by the comforting presence of his good friend, Jack Harkness, who had joined them on some of the trips often bringing along his young brother, Gray. This day, with Jack in London, Ianto lost his temper and had a fierce argument with Owen, telling him in no uncertain terms what he thought of him. They barely spoke all evening.

On Wednesday Ianto was still upset with Owen and rather rudely refused his mother's suggestion that the two boys go out and stayed in his room catching up on holiday schoolwork. It was early-afternoon when he left the house, avoiding Owen who was in the garden kicking a ball around, and walked slowly along familiar streets to Victoria Road in the hope that Jack was back. Ianto needed to get away from Owen for a while and to talk to someone. Unfortunately, he was too early and the Harkness family had not yet returned. Unwilling to go home, he sat on the front doorstep to wait, looking across the road to the Cooper house. It was a warm day and the windows were open but no one was about. He thought about going across and seeing if Gwen or Toshiko were free but decided they would be too busy to be interrupted. He was surprised, therefore, when he heard his name being called. Looking round he saw Gwen leaning out of an upstairs window gesturing to him.

"Hello," she called when he had crossed the road. "Jack went away yesterday. The whole family did."

"I know. They went to London but they're due back today." Ianto raised a hand to shield his eyes against the glare of the sun. "How are you?"

"Fine. Why shouldn't I be?" she replied sharply. "Look, stay there. I'll come down."

She disappeared and a few minutes later opened the front door. "Come in. Tosh is making lemonade."

"Thanks." Her manner did not surprise him. He knew Gwen well, from their time at junior school together, and had seen her bossy and out of sorts many times. In some ways it matched his own mood of righteous indignation at Owen coupled with remorse for having been rude to his mother.

The two went inside and through to the kitchen at the back of the house. It was a large, sunny room with cupboards on three sides and a door, which was open, out into the garden. A pine table and four chairs were in the centre of the room. Toshiko was standing at the counter beside the sink, cutting up and squeezing lemons.

"Ianto's here," said Gwen. "Will there be enough for him?"

"Of course. Hello, Ianto, how are you? Is Owen with you?" She looked hopefully into the hall but there was no sign of his cousin. She had come to like the Londoner during their stay on the farm and missed him.

"Just me, I'm afraid. Owen and I have had a row." Ianto grinned sheepishly and sat at the table.

"What's he done this time?" asked Gwen. She was getting out glasses for the lemonade and a cake tin.

Toshiko looked at her sharply. "Who said he'd done anything?" she demanded.

"Well, you know what he's like!" retorted Gwen.

"Yes, I do! He's a brave boy who looked after me when we were at Trecastle." With that, she left the room, her footsteps heavy on the stairs. Her bedroom door closing was loud in the silence.

Gwen stood looking after her for a moment, then brought the glasses and a cake tin to the table. "She's besotted with him," she announced disgustedly. "What did Owen do?"

"Nothing really," said Ianto warily. He sympathised with Toshiko who had been stuck indoors for days doing housework when she could have been out enjoying the glorious weather and having a proper holiday. Of course, he realised, Gwen should have been doing that too. No wonder they were short with one another. "Just keeps saying nothing in Wales is as good as London. It got me down, that's all."

"Not surprised. He can be pretty thoughtless," said Gwen blithely, cutting generous slices of a Victoria sponge before finishing making the lemonade. She laid a tray with a pretty cloth and placed some cake and a glass of lemonade on it. "I'll just take this through to Mam."

When she had gone, Ianto sat sipping his drink and looking out into the garden. After about five minutes, quiet footsteps made him look up and he saw Toshiko enter the room. She was embarrassed by her earlier outburst and sat down at the table without a word.

"Not been much of a holiday for you lately, has it, Tosh?" he said kindly. "Have a drink, though it is a bit sweet."

"Gwen always puts in too much sugar," she replied, pouring herself some.

"Oh I do, do I?" said an angry Gwen, standing in the doorway. "Perhaps you should have finished making it instead of leaving it to me then!"

"That's unfair, Gwen," began Ianto, standing up and attempting to mediate between the two girls.

"That's right, take her side!" she retorted. "I think you'd better leave. And you can take Tosh with you!" Gwen angrily took her cake and glass and went back to join her mother.

Dismissed, Ianto and Toshiko slunk out of the house, closing the front door quietly behind them. They crossed the road and, after hesitating for a minute, opened the gate and went into the Harknesses' back garden; they did not want to be in sight of the Cooper house in case that made Gwen even angrier. The garden was long and thin, with a lawn and patio closest to the house. Trees, shrubs and flowers, all in glorious bloom, filling up the middle with a path meandering to a vegetable patch at the very end.

Toshiko sat on a bench and sighed. "I shouldn't have upset Gwen," she said slowly. "She's been good to me and she's only bossy because … Oh, just because."

"You don't have to explain, Tosh. I've known her for years, remember?" Ianto sat down beside her. "She hates being stuck indoors, right?" Toshiko nodded. "And you've been stuck there with her. Being together all the time can't be easy."

"We were fine at Trecastle," she pointed out.

"So were Owen and I!" Ianto chuckled. "Guess we're all better in a group."

"I suppose. Strange, isn't it? Mrs Cooper's broken leg meant we all went to Trecastle and had a lovely time –"

"Except for the minotaur!" he reminded her with a wry smile.

"Okay, except for that. But now, her being stuck at home means we're all grumpy with one another."

"Yeah. Doesn't seem right, does it?"

"Hi. I'm hot and sticky and I'm going to run!" said a young boy, bounding into the garden and circling the lawn, arms outstretched like wings on an aeroplane. "I've been in the car for ages and ages," he went on, coming closer. "and I had to wear this." He gestured to his short flannel trousers and white shirt.

"Hello, Gray," said Toshiko, with a smile. "I think you look very smart. Very grown-up."

He stopped running and beamed at her. At ten years old he was an irrepressible ball of energy who had developed a huge crush on the Japanese girl. When she deigned to speak to him let alone compliment him, he was tongue-tied and speechless.

"Gray, where are you? Come in and get changed." Jack's lazy tone floated round the corner before the boy himself came into sight. "Hey, what's this? Has your girlfriend come to call?"

Gray turned bright red and glared furiously at his brother. Normally he idolised Jack, his elder by seven years, but not right then. "You!" he hissed and launched himself at the taller boy, fists flailing. Jack held him off easily, laughing at Gray's efforts which made him even more annoyed.

"Slow down, Midget," said Jack, pinning the boy's arms to his sides. "If you want to fight, go change out of those clothes otherwise Mom'll have a fit and ground you." With a final glare at his brother, Gray shrugged free and raced round the side of the house. "Sorry about that," said Jack, brushing himself off. He was wearing smart dark blue trousers and shirt with a silver and blue waistcoat.

"You shouldn't tease him," remonstrated Toshiko, as he walked over to join them. "Why are you all dressed up?" She thought he looked like a movie star.

"We stopped at some friends of Pop's for lunch. Mom wanted to make an impression." He thrust his hands into his trouser pockets. "You waiting for me?"

Ianto found his voice. No matter that he had known for Jack for over a year, seeing him dressed up always made his heart skip a beat. "Uh-huh, we need sanctuary. Gwen kicked us out and I'm in the doghouse at home."

Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I've only been away a day and all hell breaks loose. Seems you've got lots to tell me. I'd better go change then we can get comfortable."

"Hi, Ianto," said Mr Harkness from the, now open, French windows. He was a tall, dark-haired man with friendly features and a ready smile; pleasant to look at but not as handsome as his eldest son. With a small head bow and hands placed together, he said, "Kon'nichiwa, Toshiko-chan."

"Kon'nichiwa, Harkness-sama," she replied with a similar but deeper bow of the head as was fitting from a young girl to an older man.

"Don't, Tosh, he's only showing off," complained Jack with a laugh. "Look after them, Pop, while I get out of this finery." He clapped his father on the shoulder as he slipped into the house.

Half an hour later, the Harkness family was gathered on the patio with Ianto and Toshiko. The children were drinking Frostie's Root Beer - an American favourite that Mrs Harkness had shipped in specially - out of the can. She was sipping a glass of chardonnay, looking carelessly elegant, and Mr Harkness was slurping from a chilled can of Budweiser beer. Ianto thought it exotic to drink straight from a can and for adults to drink alcohol in the afternoon and loved the feeling of participating in something normally forbidden. The Harknesses were younger than his own parents and much more relaxed which made them natural confidants for the children's troubles. The conversation had covered Ianto's problems with Owen and got onto the recent upset with Gwen.

"I think it's a great shame," said Mrs Harkness, a strikingly attractive woman. "That poor girl shouldn't be cooped in that house all day long. They should get in a nurse."

"That's not for us to say, honey," counselled Mr Harkness. "They do things differently over here."

"Not that different. Maybe someone needs to speak to Mrs Cooper, point out what –"

"No! You're not to get involved." Mr Harkness was stern. "This has nothing to do with us."

"I think it would be a good thing if Mom did," said Jack. He was now in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt sitting on the ground between Ianto and Toshiko. "We could get some days out then."

"We're the newcomers here," replied Mr Harkness, "and it's not for us to interfere."

"You could talk to Mam," suggested Ianto tentatively. "She's known the Coopers for years."

Mrs Harkness beamed at him. "Of course! You are a very clever young man." She stood up. "I'll call her now, see what she says." She went into the house.

Mr Harkness groaned but did not stop her. "I hope this doesn't make it worse."

"I don't think it could be any worse," said Jack with a smile. "Tosh has had a row with Gwen and Ianto's not talking to Owen. Good job I'm such a likeable guy and you can all talk to me."

Ianto clouted him good-naturedly and Jack fell backwards onto the grass as if mortally wounded clutching at his chest. Gray, who had been waiting his opportunity, pounced on him and the two began wrestling with Ianto joining in. Toshiko egged on Gray and eventually Jack was fending off all four of them, laughing all the while. Mr Harkness looked on, pleased to see Jack had made such good friends.

"When you've finished killing Jack, want to play some ball?" he asked, gathering up the cans.

"Yeah!" cried Gray, scrambling to his feet. "I'll get the ball."

"Do you know where it is?" asked his father as Gray hurried off.

"It's in my room," called Jack after him. Standing up, he was the first to see the new arrival appear at the French windows. "Hey, Owen, come on in."

Owen hesitated, looking across at Ianto, biting his lip. He had come round to see Jack to talk about the row. A day of being blanked by Ianto had given Owen ample time to consider his behaviour and he had concluded that it was his fault. Being palmed off onto relatives every holiday was not easy. He knew he was unwelcome most of the time and a burden to everyone, especially as his mother never offered to contribute toward his keep or gave him enough spending money. If Owen had his way, he'd stay in London and make the best of his time but that was never an option; his mother wanted rid of him. Resenting his position, Owen used his sarcastic tongue against anyone who pitied him or who tried to give him a good time making him appear ungrateful. He wasn't, but found it hard to apologise. He regretted upsetting Ianto, he liked his cousin, especially the way he never made a fuss about having to pay for everything, but didn't know to make things right again.

Ianto, in a good mood after spending time with Jack, smiled and walked across to meet Owen. "I'm sorry I lost my temper," he said, holding out a hand.

"I shouldn't have said them things," admitted Owen, shaking the extended hand. "Sorry."

"And now we're all friends again," beamed Jack, putting an arm round each of the boys and pulling them onto the lawn. "We're going to play ball and now you're here to even up the sides."

"Hello, Owen," said Toshiko with a smile. She was feeling better too, refusing to think about returning to the Cooper house and facing Gwen.

"Tosh." He smiled shyly and, not having seen the wrestling, wondered why her hair was messy and her blouse untucked. She was normally so neat and tidy. "You playing?"

"Seems so."

"Right, kids, lets get teams," said Mr Harkness with an evil grin. "Jack and I'll be captain of each and share you limeys between us."

"Right. I bags Owen and the Midget for Captain Jack's All-Stars," he said, grinning at Gray who had just returned. He noticed Ianto's hurt expression and grinned even more.

"I want to be with Tosh," protested Gray.

Jack put his hands on the boy's shoulders and leant down to whisper, "If she's on the other team, you'll have to tackle her to get the ball."

Gray thought about this, frowning, then his face brightened. "Cool!"

"What this about tackling?" asked Owen, taking off his jersey. "Thought it was football."

"It is, American style. Lots of physical contact." Jack took the ball from Gray while looking at Ianto who realised what that meant and blushed. "Come on, guys, let's huddle." He took Owen and Gray to one side and began muttering to them.

"Okay, Harkness Hornets," said Mr Harkness, "we have to employ special tactics if we're going to win." He began explaining his plan.

The football game went on for the next hour. Balls were thrown from one end of the 'pitch' to the other, some with great accuracy and others not. As soon as one team had the ball, it was heads down and charge through the opposition to score, the one holding the ball defended by his team mates. It was played in good fun but it soon became clear that Jack and his father were both determined to win and they encouraged their teams to greater efforts. Gray was the stand out for the All-Stars, small enough to slip through gaps while Jack and Owen blocked for him. That was the part Jack enjoyed the most as he always went for Ianto, bringing him down and pinning him to the grass. Owen took on Mr Harkness and soon learnt to give it his all if he wanted to delay him. Toshiko was usually left unmarked but as she didn't want to hurt Gray, her tackles on him were rarely effective. When it was the Hornets' turn, Mr Harkness usually ran with the ball and Gray insisted on challenging Toshiko. Jack was torn, wanting to stop his father but also loving any excuse to wrestle with Ianto. Owen took whichever Jack did not. The scores were level when they made their last play. The Hornets had the ball and Mr Harkness waited until Jack was committed to the challenge before passing to Toshiko. Owen was tied up stopping Ianto so it was all up to Gray. He tackled her around the waist, slowing but not stopping her then, to the watching Jack's disgust, let her go on to score.

"We win! We win!" chanted Toshiko, jumping up and down. She was engulfed in a group hug by Ianto and Mr Harkness who joined in the chant.

"What is wrong with you, Gray?" asked Jack, sitting on the grass. "You let her score."

"I know." The boy looked pleased with himself. "She promised me a kiss if I did."

"Cheating! That is so underhand, Miss Sato!" complained Jack.

"All's fair in love and football," she answered, still breathless from the game and the Hornets' success.

"Yeah, don't be a sore loser, Jack," chided his father. "That was fun. Think I need another drink." He went off towards the kitchen.

"You're not really sore, are you?" asked Ianto, holding out a hand to help pull Jack to his feet. He had enjoyed the game a lot, especially all the tackling.

"No. Well, other than from the knocks you gave me." He inspected the grazes on his right forearm and elbow.

"Want me to have a look at those?" offered Owen. "They ought to be cleaned."

"Okay. There's some stuff in the downstairs bathroom. I'll show you." The two boys walked off accompanied by Ianto who thought the wounds might need kissing better if he could get a moment alone with Jack.

"I suppose you want your kiss," said Toshiko to Gray.

"Uh-huh." He grinned up at her, eyes wide with anticipation and ears turning pink.

-ooOoo-

At eight o'clock that Wednesday evening, Jack stood in the hallway of his house, talking on the telephone to Ianto and Owen. The front door was open so he had a clear view of the house opposite.

"Anything?" asked Ianto.

"Nope. The powwow is still going on. They've put a lamp on in Mrs Cooper's room and I can see your mam's hat. Mom and Pop are there too. Can't see your dad or Mr Cooper."

"I wish I knew what they were saying."

"Tosh promised to give me a signal soon as she heard anything. She's sitting on the stairs just outside the study."

There was a clatter as the telephone receiver was handed over. "You think your mum's going to be able to persuade the Coopers?" asked Owen.

"Don't know. She's pretty tough when she wants to be."

During the afternoon, Mrs Harkness had marshalled her forces and her arguments. A visit to Mrs Jones had got her on side and they had worked out a strategy for approaching Mrs Cooper about relieving Gwen – and therefore Toshiko – of the housekeeping. It was Mrs Jones who suggested involving their husbands as she knew Mr Cooper carried a lot of weight with his wife and he would be more easily persuaded by the men. So it was that at seven thirty, Mr and Mrs Jones had called for the Harknesses and they gone together to see the Coopers. It had now been thirty minutes and still there was no sign of a decision one way or the other.

"Oh, the hat's moved," said Jack. "Your mam's getting up." He had forgotten he was talking to Owen.

"What about the rest?" asked Owen, after passing on the news to Ianto.

"They're moving too. Oh." Jack had spotted movement at one of the upstairs windows.

"What is it?" demanded Ianto. He was listening too, the receiver held between him and Owen.

"Tosh. She's … I'm not sure what she's doing." They had arranged a set of signals earlier but this wasn't any of them. "Hang on, the parents are still in the room and … Gwen's in with them!"

"Gwen? Why?"

"Search me. Damn!"

"Now what?" asked Owen.

"They've drawn the curtains. I can't see in any more." Jack looked up at the window but Toshiko had disappeared.

"We're just going to have to wait," said Ianto with a sigh. "We'd better get off the line."

"I suppose. No, one minute." Jack peered through the gathering darkness to the bedroom window which had just blazed with light. "Tosh is back. And she's giving the … Success! Mom won!" he cried, waving at Toshiko to show he had seen her. Closing the front door, he retreated into the hall.

"That's great!" said Ianto as Owen made whooping noises in the background. "Let's meet up tomorrow. Nine thirty?"

"Yeah. See you then." Jack hung up the telephone and whistled as he went into the drawing room. The rest of the holiday was looking much brighter.

Next time, the kids have a day out ...