There were four tugs greeting Stephanie this time. The fifth, the one she'd been hoping to see, was conspicuously absent. The little blue tug, Hank, looked at her knowingly. "Theodore's busy with other jobs today." He told her before she could ask. Stephanie sighed and nodded. It wasn't lie it was entirely unexpected. After all, she wasn't the only ship entering the harbor today. "Let's get a move on!" George called as he took up position in front. Stephanie felt slightly resentful. She had nothing against George but she would've preferred Theodore. She sounded her whistle once to signal to the tugs she was ready for them to move her. And their whistles sounded in return. Stephanie found she missed that cheerful sound that was Theodore's whistle.
Once she was in her dock, Stephanie took the opportunity to converse with the tugs. She had already established a penchant for breaking the rules around here. And while the other tugs were a bit more insistent on maintaining protocol, they were just as conversive as Theodore was. She happily bid farewell to them when they left. Hank lingered behind, earning himself a nuzzle in the process. "I'll send Theodore over." He whispered. "Hank, thank you." Stephanie replied. The youngster grinned and raced off after his friends.
"It was nearing nightfall when Theodore finally showed up. Stephanie was admiring the city, thinking how beautiful it was all lit up when she heard a soft gasp beside her. It was Theodore and he was staring, openly staring at her. He'd never seen her up close at night before. What a sight she must've been for him. Her lights reflected in the water and she swayed slightly in the nighttime tide so that she seemed suspended in the sky itself. She looked exactly like what she was designed to be. A great floating palace. Stephanie was tempted to tease him but she refrained for the moment. There were questions she wanted answered first.
"Theodore," She said. "I'm very glad to see you. I missed you today." Theodore looked down at that, appearing almost ashamed. "I'm sorry I couldn't help bring you in." He said. He hesitated for a moment but Stephanie was anything but patient. "But, well, see... I wore out my whistle." He said at last. "Wore out your whistle?" Stephanie repeated, surprised. "Oh that really is too bad." She said. "Your whistle is so bright and cheerful. Just like you are." "It is? I mean, I am?" Theodore sounded surprised and Stephanie felt the need to convince him. Did he truly not know how much joy his whistle gave to everyone? "I didn't even think you noticed my whistle." "Oh I most certainly do!" She exclaimed. "Even when I can't see tugboats way beneath me I can always here their whistles. And tell exactly who they are by their sound. Oh, every tugboat has their own special whistle." Well, that certainly explained a few of the questions Theodore had. He'd been wondering about Stephanie's uncanny ability to distinguish him from the rest of the tugboats. "Even, me?" Theodore asked hesitantly. "Oh I should say so!" Stephanie said with a bit of a laugh. "Your whistle is the most special thing about you." "My whistle?" Of all the things she could've said that were 'special' about him this was the least he was expecting. Stephanie was grateful to Mauretania for instilling her with so much patience because if she was a lesser ship she might've gotten annoyed by now. Theodore would take even more convincing it seemed. Who knew a tug could have such low self esteem. Not that she had any room to talk either. That's what being the runt of the litter earned you. She broke free of her thoughts to refocus on her current task. "Oh but of course!" She grinned. In a softer voice she added "Your whistle always makes me smile." Theodore was silent and it was clear he was thinking hard. "Good." Stephanie thought. "Maybe now he'll get it." Seeing that she had his attention, Stephanie continued. "I'm sure you'll get your whistle back soon." She said. "It probably needs a rest." She looked back out across the city again. "And so do I." She finished with a yawn. She hadn't slept since she left Southampton and as beautiful as this city was, she could admire it tomorrow night when she wasn't so tired. "It's getting late, goodnight Theodore." "Goodnight, Stephanie." Theodore practically whispered her name, still well aware of how many rules he was breaking.
As he headed home, Theodore thought about what Stephanie had said. The queen really was the nicest ship. Did she really think his whistle was cheerful? The night was clear and starry and there was a gentle smell of salt in the air. As Stephanie settled in to rest, he took breath and let out a small, sweet whistle. His good old Theodore whistle. Stephanie was well within hearing range and she just had to smile.