1. SUSIE JOINS THE SECRET SEVEN

Chapter 2 -GOODBYE PAM

A leaving party was arranged for Pam. Peter tried to contact Colin but got no reply to his messages. It was very odd, the others also tried to contact him with no luck. He also hadn't been seen at school for a few days. Peter, Colin, George, and Jack all went to the same, all-boys, school

''He'll miss Pam's goodbye party'' Janet told Peter ''He'll be sorry''

''He hasn't been at school for the last few days either'' Peter said concerned  ''I think I should pop round to his house and see if he is there''

''Oh, are you sure that's such a good idea?'' Janet wondered ''His mother will be ok I am sure but you know his stepfather is not very friendly towards us, he doesn't like Colin having friends over and he hates the secret seven''

This was true, Colin's rather unpleasant stepfather had never been very friendly to any of Colin's friends and didn't like them to visit the house. In fact, the stepfather didn't even like Colin much. Colin had two younger half-sisters who his mother had had with his stepfather and his real dad had left years ago. His stepfather had never liked Colin because he wasn't his child and Colin never liked his stepfather because he wished his real father was there. So the two of them had never got on and resented each other 

''Yeah but I'm only going around to see if he is ok that's all'' Peter said ''Surely old Bruno can't mind that? Well, I'll go to school tomorrow first and see if Colin shows up, if he doesn't then I'll call his house on the way home. Pam's party is tomorrow evening remember, if I can't talk to Colin tomorrow then it will be too late for him to come to the party''

The next day Peter went to school and there was no sign of Colin so he called by his house on the way home as planned and hoped his nice mother might open the door instead of his awful stepfather Bruno. But Bruno did  open the door, a face like thunder

''What do you want?'' he asked unpleasantly ''I told you before not to come around here, I want peace and quiet here, not loads of annoying kids here''

''Sorry, I just called to ask about Colin. We're all worried about him, he hasn't been at school, for a few days now. Is he ok?''

''Colin is fine, he is in bed with flu right now that is all. Now go away and don't come around here again boy!''

And with that, the awful Bruno went back inside and slammed the door in Peter's face

''What a horrible man'' Peter mumbled to himself as he cycled away. Oh well if Colin was in bed with flu then he would have to miss Pam's party, there was not much they could do about that, what a shame though

The party started at 7 pm at Peter and Janet's house, their parents insisted they must have a big party inside the house and Pam's parents and siblings and friends from school would also attend. The seven kids met in the shed first for one final meeting with Pam. The password had been changed to ''Party'' since Susie knew the old password

One by one the seven came along. Jack was last, walking in looking sad and handed over 1000 lines for Peter

''I completed my punishment on time as you can see'' he said

''I will check them later to make sure you haven't made any mistakes and that you kept your writing neat and tidy'' Peter said sternly ''If you made any mistakes or failed to keep it tidy you will write them again plus an extra 100 on top''

Jack looked horrified and cringed and grimaced in horror

''Man you're way too strict'' he whined

''Well if you don't like it you know where the door is!'' Peter barked at him    

''Pam we will all miss you so much'' Barbara said already in tears and that set Pam off too

''I will miss you all too'' Pam sobbed ''Such a shame I can't even say goodbye to Colin! I've had some of the best times of my life with you all. Peter, I know I got on your nerves at times, but I always tried my best, and thank you so much for letting me be a part of the secret seven! I will never forget any of you!''

Peter looked very sad and gave Pam a hug

''Pam I was harsh on you at times and I'm sorry'' he said sadly ''we will all miss you but you will always be our friend and when you come back to visit during the holidays you can be a guest member. You can't be a proper member because you won't be here all the time anymore but you can always be our friend and our guest''

''And I will visit every holiday and you can't keep me away even if you tried'' Pam said with a twinkle in her eyes

There was a knock at the shed door

''Password?'' Peter asked

''it's just me you silly boy'' his mother called in ''do I really need a password to come in?''

''Oh mum no, sorry mum!'' Peter said and let his mother in

''Come on inside now for the party'' she told them ''Pam your family has arrived and they are waiting inside and the food is ready now, I made a lovely spread and Jack your sister Susie is here too''

''Susie, why is she here?'' Peter demanded

''She wants to say goodbye to Pam'' Jack said with a shrug ''she isn't the only girl here, a bunch of girls from Pam's school have come to say goodbye''

''It's true'' Pam confirmed ''a lot of my friends at the school came and Susie wanted to come. We sat together in some of the same classes, you see Susie and I get on ok, she can be annoying I know but she isn't that bad all the time''  

They went inside and had a lovely party and even Susie behaved and gave Pam a goodbye present

''I'll miss you Pam'' she said ''maybe now you're going the secret seven will let me in to replace you!''

''Well I think they already let Scamper be a member Susie'' Pam said

''Oh..'' Susie was very disappointed to hear this, But she noticed Colin was missing and found this most interesting. Where was Colin? Maybe he had left the secret seven too? Maybe there would still be another vacancy for Susie? 

The party ended after much laughter, tears, presents, and food. Pam finally had to leave

''I will miss you all'' she said in tears again

''Goodbye Pam, we'll miss you too but remember to come back and see us!''