"You'll be leaving tomorrow, the both of you," The Thin Controller continues. "I shall make arrangements with Sir Topham Hatt for you both to get there."
"Thank you sir," Duke answers politely.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." The Thin Controller continues, and he leaves in a somewhat agitated fashion.
..
"Oh this is so exciting! I can't believe we're going to London! Thank you so much for inviting me to come with you, Granpuff!" Luke whooshes with excitement- he thought Peter Sam might have been invited, but he was chosen instead!
Duke disapproves of Luke's excessive wheeshing, but keeps quiet to spare Luke's feelings. "It's nothing, young 'un." He replies, though he is secretly pleased his young friend is excited.
"We'll miss you, Granpuff," Peter Sam tells him, "and Luke."
"Pah- it'll only be a couple of days, Peter Sam. I'll be back after that." Duke replies. "Besides, you'll be too busy working to miss me." He adds wryly.
Peter Sam grins. "Never liked fuss, did you Granpuff?"
"Never have, never will- fuss will never suit his Grace, you know!" Duke reprimands, causing Peter Sam to chuckle.
"I know," Smiles the green engine shyly, "but the yard will be different without you and Luke here."
...
Later, Luke is dreaming of London again, when Rheneas rolls alongside him. "Hello, Luke- do you fancy a run today?" He asks casually.
"Why- where am I going?" Luke asks innocently.
"Skarloey's taking some more gravel to Ulfstead Castle for the grounds, and he thought you'd like to come as a back engine," Explains Rheneas. "Seeing as he's got our more troublesome trucks today."
"Oh, I'd like to, Rheneas!" Luke beams, his buck teeth and dimples prominent in his smile, and the older engine chuckles at the endearing sight. But then Luke frowns. "Didn't Skarloey invite you...?"
"Thought you'd be up for it, Luke- I'll go and tell him. And don't worry about it- I'm not the only engine he's friends with. Besides, you can tell Millie about London while you're there."
"Yes, I could..." Luke realises. "Thanks Rheneas!"
With a toot, he rushes off to find Skarloey, leaving Rheneas on his own. "That engine doesn't stop to listen half the time," Mutters Rheneas affectionately. "Oh well, at least it saves me rushing about to find him."
...
"You're going where, mon amour?" Millie asks in disbelief.
"King's Cross, with Duke." Luke puffs proudly. "I'll only be gone a couple of days."
"Going to London, eh? Sounds like a grand adventure!" Stephen wheeshes excitedly, on hearing this from his young friend.
"Yes-I also get to meet Duke's brother, Palmerston." Luke adds with awe. "This'll be exciting!"
"Going to London, are you, Luke? Marvellous!"
"Hello sir!" Luke wheeshes, surprised at Sir Robert Norramby's sudden entrance, flanked by Glynn the Coffeepot Engine and Skarloey.
"Skarloey told me about your adventure." The Earl explains. "As a former traveller, I can assure there will be a great deal to learn whilst on your adventure!"
Luke beams. "Yes sir!"
"I hope you have a good time in London, Luke- and do tell us about it when you can, eh?" Glynn requests politely.
"I will!" The Wren says excitedly. "Mr Heron told me he'll take pictures and we can show you them afterwards!"
"Splendid!" Cries Sir Robert, gleefully. "Now, I do hope you and Duke enjoy yourselves in London."
"Thank you, sir," Luke smiles graciously.
"And good luck to you both, gentlemen!" Sir Robert adds to Luke's crew.
"Thank you," They reply politely, shaking hands with the eccentric Earl, before Skarloey starts sizzling with impatience.
"Well, we'd best be heading back. We still have a lot of work to do." The old engine reminds them, and Luke feels all excitement rush out from his smokebox, but he agrees, albeit reluctantly.
After saying goodbye to their friends, (with Luke giving a special one to his beloved Millie) the duo head off back to the quarry, where they remained busy and hard working until the end of the day- hauling stone trucks, moving workmen, lending each other a helping buffer.
...
Luke says goodbye to Merrick and Owen, for he is going to stay in Crovan's Gate with his friends.
"Well, this will be a trip of a lifetime, young 'un." Duke reminds him.
"Agreed," But Luke now feels nervous about leaving Sodor- he hasn't done so since he arrived on the island and that brings back unpleasant memories.
"Is there something bothering you, Luke?" The older engine asks, though not unkindly.
"Um, nothing, Granpuff- I'm fine!" Luke blurts out in response, but the old engine is not convinced.
"Lying would never suit his Grace," Duke reproaches mildly. "You can tell me."
The little engine deflates. "Okay, I am feeling nervous about this trip." He admits sadly as they chuff along behind the other engines. "I haven't been away from Sodor since I arrived, and I was afraid of being sent away...and...It's just silly, Duke."
But Duke only tuts disapprovingly upon hearing this statement, and fixes a stern but kindly look at his young companion. "Nonsense- every engine has their fears. It's understandable you might be nervous about leaving- but this isn't exile, it's an adventure. Besides, I'm leaving the Island too, and we'll both be home before long."
At this, some of the tension dissipates in Luke's boiler. "So, what's your brother like?" He asks.
"He's a very fine engine." Duke replies. "A very grand and diplomatic fellow, who's also quite the problem solver- and that's no surprise, for he was named after a Prime Minister, as it so happens."
Luke gulps. This engine sounds equally grand as Duke, but for some reason, he's much more nervous at meeting him than he had been when he met his friend.
"Palmerston's also a bit of a...ahem, radical, so you and he will get along just fine." Duke assures, as though he's read Luke's mind.
Luke had no idea what a radical is, but he feels much better for the reassurance.
...
"Well, stir with the lark tomorrow, gentle colleagues," Geoffrey Heron announces boldly, much to the annoyance of Richard Wilson.
"Geoff, why are you paraphrasing Richard III?"
"I felt like it," Grins the driver.
"Why haven't I run off to Barbados yet?" Richard questions.
"You'd be leaving me, for one thing!" Luke objects. "I don't like the idea of getting a new fireman, you know."
"Oh, that's right- I'd be leaving you to Geoffrey's mercy!" Richard continues, glaring at his colleague.
The trio dissolve into laughter. "You guys never tire of using me for amusement, do you?" the older man asks his friends.
"Well, it's admirable how you can just shake off any comment with humour, Mr Heron." Luke comments loyally.
"That's sweet of you to say, Luke. That served me well in school- couldn't do very well in my subjects." Geoffrey confesses. "You'll need to be up early tomorrow, though, Luke- so don't stay up too late."
"I wouldn't, Mr Heron." Luke promises, failing to stifle a loud yawn.
"Night Luke," The crew chorus, as each man pats their engine's buffer gently before heading off together for the night to catch some sleep and be ready for their early rise the next day.