Chapter 2 No Urinating

This was a camp on a whole different scale to what Brian had been used to.   Toby's mother drove Toby and Brian into the village, where Mr Brown was waiting to check them in. "He is rather dishy", said his mother to the boys, as she followed Mr Brown’s directions to park the car. They unpacked the boot and Toby's mother helped them to put up the hike tent that Uncle George had given them.  "You can camp anywhere in front of the youth centre building", said Mr Brown, pointing to a large grass area, surrounded on three sides by a high hedge. "The toilet block is in the far corner. I wouldn't put your tent up close to it." Toby chose a spot near the entrance, next to the high hedge. Once their tent was in place, Toby's mother told them to have a good time. "I'll collect you both at the end of the week."

It took them about twenty minutes to unpack their rucksacks and lay out their sleeping bags.   "It's a good place for the tent", said Toby. "If I need to go to the toilet in the night I'm not walking all the way to the block." "I heard that", said the voice of Mr Brown. "No urinating in the bushes." Looking out of the tent entrance, Brian could see Mr Brown walking Toby's mother back to her car. "That's a bad sign", said Brian. "Mr Brown likes to get to know the parents." "What does urinating mean?", asked Toby. Brian explained. Zipping the tent shut, both boys went exploring.

There were about forty or more tents being put up in the grassy area. There was an old church, with a tower, just beyond the camping ground.   The youth centre had a small cafe area and games hall on its ground floor. Climbing the stairs to the first floor, Brian and Toby could see views of the village, the river and the hills opposite the building. Claire, Abigail, Michael, John, Matthew and Paul were sitting beside the large window. At primary school they had all been in the same class and talked to each other every day in the playground. This was the first time they had all been together since starting the new school. "Once the tents are up we are all meeting with our tutors in the games hall", said Abigail. "I can see your ballerina", said Toby, pointing to a teacher who was wearing headphones and dancing in front of the toilet block. "Which reminds me, Mr Brown told us that we should not urinate. It could be a long week." "That's our secret agent tutor standing at the entrance talking to...." Paul went silent. His tutor was talking to Miss Smith and PC MacDowell.