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				GENESIS by Katie Oliver Chapter Three: School Days       And so time moved on. When Scott was seven years old Jeff Tracy realized that he would have to go to school. He was an intelligent boy, absorbing knowledge like a sponge, and his father delighted in teaching him. However he took his position as eldest seriously, watching over his brothers like another adult. Much of Rachel's time was spent looking after the two younger boys and the older three enjoyed a life of freedom amongst the beaches and rocks of Tracy Island. John, a serious careful boy caused him little trouble but the same could not be said of Virgil, only 10 months younger than John. The lively youngster seemed to have a knack of getting into scrapes and Scott had to watch him all the time. Scott needed space to be with other boys his own age.       After much time searching Jeff found a small private school that seemed suitable and two months after his seventh birthday Scott set off for school with his father. The boy had not often left the Island before and was delighted by the whole trip. A few tears were inevitably shed when the time came for his father to depart but Scott entered into his new life intending to enjoy everything.       School was a great success. After one fight, which Scott won with ease, he became a popular member of his class. His intelligence meant it was easy for him to stay at the top of the class with out troubling himself with too much work. He had a natural aptitude for sport of all kinds, and without the responsibility of younger siblings to care for, entered into the fun and games without a care in the world.       His presence was missed on Tracy Island, especially by John. After six months it became apparent to Jeff that it was time for John to join his brother. John therefore began school at the start of the new year. Although two school years behind him in age John was moved up a year. A natural student, he made great progress at school, and whilst not as popular as Scott soon made friends and became part of the school community. The two older boys successful start to school made it natural that Virgil would join them at the start of the next year.       Tracy Island was quiet without them and both Rachel and Jeff looked forward to the holidays when the boys arrival home would make it appear as if there were fifty boys living there, not five! The holidays were not just spent on the island. Jeff would take the boys hiking and camping on the mainland, leaving the younger ones at home with Rachel, and one exciting year the whole family, including Rachel, went to England to spend the summer with their mother's family. They met not only their cousins Lizzie and Diana, the children of their mother's brother, but also Lizzie and Diana's cousin Penelope Creighton-Ward.       When Gordon was six he begged to be allowed to join his brothers at school and Jeff relented, although the others had not left home until they were seven. Gordon settled quickly, and soon began to show a natural prowess for swimming. The school recommended a coach and Gordon made great strides, winning the junior school swimming gala the first year he was at school.       The other boys were also beginning to show their individual talents. Scott had become fascinated by space exploration and had decided by the age of nine to become an astronaut like his father. John was also fascinated by space, but his interests were the stars themselves. It was this that got him into serious trouble at school. One night, determined to watch a lunar eclipse, he climbed onto the roof of the dormatory with his telescope to get a better view. Unfortunately he found climbing up easier than climbing back down again. The cold dissuaded him from sitting it out until morning and he had to resort to shouting. His cries woke the sleeping boys below him and they quickly fetched the teachers. The school authorities took a dim view of this escapade, as did Jeff, to whom it was reported. The result was that, amongst other punishments, his beloved telescope was confiscated.       This left young Alan alone on Tracy Island. Only five years old when Gordon left for school, Jeff would not consider his going too. The little boy was lost without his playmates, and despite all Rachel's efforts was very lonely. Jeff decided, the term after Gordon had begun school, to visit Europe, and Alan's unhappiness without his brothers made him decide to take the boy with him. Rachel would take a long overdue holiday to visit her brother and meet his fiancée.       They flew to Italy, and then drove through the mountains to France. After two weeks of leisularly touring they arrived in Paris. Jeff booked rooms for them in the Paris Hilton, and discovered to his surprise that an old friend, Kyrano, was head chef at the hotel. That evening Jeff invited Kyrano to his rooms.       The two friends were delighted to meet again and spent a happy hour filling in on each other's news. Kyrano was saddened to hear of Elizabeth's death, but pleased to meet young Alan. Then Jeff had a proposal to make to Kyrano.       "I really need some more help on Tracy Island. With five boys to care for, Rachel and I are finding it difficult to manage all the domestic chores as well. What we need is a chef and housekeeper." Kyrano looked at his old friend.       "I would love to come but there is something you must know first. Come with me." Brimming with curiosity Alan followed his father and Kyrano to the part of the hotel where the domestic staff lived. They were led to a door on the second floor. Kyrano opened the door and led the way in. Alan looked around and saw a beautiful sitting room, decorated in eastern style and then he saw the little girl. A year or so older than him, she had long black hair and huge dark eyes.       "Hello, father. You're up early. Who are you?" This last was addressed to Alan, whom she had just caught sight of. Alan, for once, was lost for words.       "Er..I'm Alan," he stammered. Kyrano smiled at his daughter.       "Tin-Tin, this is my old friend Jeff Tracy, and his youngest son Alan."       "Hello Tin-Tin" smiled Jeff. The little girl put out her hand and Jeff shook it gravely.       "Hello Mr. Tracy" she replied.       Later, the children settled in bed, the two men discussed the situation.       "You see Mr. Tracy, my wife also died, leaving me with my beautiful Tin-Tin to care for. I cannot leave her to come and work for you." Jeff was shocked.       "Of course not. Tin-Tin must come too. It will do my boys good to have a girl around, and she can go to school with the older ones." So it was arranged. Kyrano would leave the Paris Hilton and go and live on Tracy Island with his daughter.       Jeff and Alan went on to England to spend time with Elizabeth's relations. Alan again met his cousins and their cousin Penelope, but he did not find the three little girls as much fun as he had the pretty dark haired Tin-Tin. His own cousins were rather silly, empty-headed children, and Penelope, four years older than him, treated him as a baby and beneath her notice.       Jeff and Alan's return to the island found the Kyrano's already installed, and the weary travelers benefited immediately from Kyrano's efficiency. Within a month Jeff could not imagine how they had ever managed without him. Rachel agreed with this opinion on her return, finding that she could concentrate on the children without having to worry about the domestic arrangements for the family. She took Tin-Tin under her wing and the little girl benefited at last from having a mother figure in her life.       Alan and Tin-Tin spent a glorious summer on the Island before the other boys came home for the summer holidays. They soon became firm friends and this was the basis of the close bond between then that was to last throughout their lives.       There are many stories from the six children's schooldays but these are not chronicled here. Suffice it to say that first Tin-Tin and then Alan joined the others at school. Alan caused Scott a few headaches as a junior when he, Scott, was head boy. Scott moved on in due course to Christ's College, and was succeeded as head boy by John. Virgil missed the honour due to an inspired fit of mischief, which resulted in himself, Gordon and two other boys having to be rescued by the local coastguard from the sea cliffs near the school. Eventually both John and Virgil joined Scott at Christ's College, leaving the two younger boys at Manor House.       It was in 2054, when Scott was nearly 16 and young Alan 10 that the next big change came to the Tracy family. The change that was to provide the catalyst for their lives work in International Rescue. On to Chapter Four: Lightning Strikes Twice.