There had been quite the stirrings of many sorts on Sodor in recent days. After Emily had been officially declared Sodor's No. 12 Safety Engine, she was given the special gift and honour of having her navy blue Stirling Brother Bernard visit Sodor for the first time in his life, and to see his No. 12 sister all for himself. Such experiences had ensued from this very visit, including a most grim reality surrounding the fact that Bernard was the Stirling who was most unfortunately cursed to be the one who reversed into those coaches and ended up killing Seymour Murphy's father. It was indeed a rather tumultuous time to be faced with, especially with Seamus Holder the Grumpy Passenger not making things any easier for Bernard or Emily until David and the Fat Controller punished him most severely by having his assets confiscated completely until Bernard saved that little boy's father from the Ulfstead River, to which David transferred a piece of his fortune to Seamus so as to restore his former position, all while Bernard was now held in great dignity and honour.
Now Bernard's visit had come to an end, and he was back at York Station, working away with his steam and diesel acquaintances and was steadily glowing in his new glory as the Great Northern Railway's official safety engine just as his sister Emily was Sodor's No. 12 Safety Engine. He would never forget his visit to Sodor and he greatly anticipated the next chance he'd have to meet up with his sister again, whenever that day would come.
But as expected, ever since Bernard left Sodor some days ago, Emily had begun to feel the empty sense of not having her brother so close by anymore. For a few days, she didn't talk much and she wasn't in very high spirits. Neither she nor Bernard had any clear answer as to when they'd see each other again, whether it be a brief or long wait. While they knew that day would certainly come, moving past this sense of departure would require a fair sense of effort, especially on Emily's part. But as everyone knew too well, Thomas, Percy, David and Beatrice would all be there for her...and from Beatrice, Emily would soon be given a little gift to hold onto in light of Bernard's departure.
One morning, the sun rose over Tidmouth Sheds and the engines started to wake up. Thomas woke up first and began thinking about Bernard again. He too felt the sense of departure of his wife figure's brother and he wished he could do something to help Emily. For the past few days, he had decided to leave Emily to herself while she kept quiet, so as not to interrupt her thoughts and feelings surrounding Bernard...until his chance to help her would come.
At that moment, Thomas heard a sad sigh beside him. He looked beyond Percy and saw Emily huffing out of her berth and right across the turntable on her way to Knapford Station. Thomas watched as she disappeared around the bend, then realized he'd have to start his Branch Line run. As soon as the turntable lined up with his berth, he set off on his way.
Thomas made his way to Knapford Station to collect Annie and Clarabel. He was scarcely under the shed's roofs when he heard a melancholy sigh ahead of him. Thomas looked up and saw Emily idling at Platform 1 by herself, rather still and quiet. Thomas came alongside her and could see she was looking down to her buffers with a lowly look on her face. Then at that moment, David came by the station too and saw Emily standing right by the platform. Feeling the sense of Bernard's departure himself, it didn't take David long to see Emily's melancholy expression, and he didn't have to think twice to know just what she was thinking. He looked to Thomas with a blink, then looked back to Emily as she looked up and saw her star and her best friend right there with her. She sighed again and hummed lowly.
"Emily, dear?" David asked gently.
"You alright, my love?" Thomas asked lightly to his wife figure.
Emily looked up with a shimmer in her eyes and blinked once.
"I...I don't know, Thomas and David. For the past few days, I had everything with Bernard here...but as happy as I am with all he and I shared together, now that he's gone again, that piece of everything is empty for me until he comes back, and no one knows how long or brief this wait will be. My brother and I were separate for decades ever since I first moved to Sodor, then I saw him again, twice in fact on my first big adventure. Then he came and stayed here with us, unveiling so many experiences...until he had to leave again. Oh, David...if only Bernard could come and live here somehow, like you offered to him."
David walked to Emily and held her cheek. She looked and saw his silver charm glimmering in the sunlight.
"Well, Emily. Bernard certainly took my offer to heart," David answered. "But until that day may come, the best we can hope for is whenever his next visit may be. As for you, Emily, I do not believe your brother would want you to be missing him too much. He'd be wishing for you to be happy that his visit came to be. Don't be sad that it's over. Be happy it happened."
Emily kept her eye on David's silver charm, then sighed.
"I wish I could be happy, David, and I know I should be...it's only how to feel so that puzzles me...oh, he's such a lovely brother."
"We understand, Emily," said Thomas. "But remember. David, Beatrice, Percy and I are all here for you. Bernard would want to know you're happy."
"I know that in every way there can be, Thomas," said Emily. "I just hope something will present itself to raise my spirits again in light of saying goodbye to my perfect brother until we cross paths again."
"And so we'll see that it happens, Emily," David promised. "Perhaps Thomas, Percy, Mum or myself will think of something to bring your smile back to your lovely face. A smile fit for an angel, like mine on my charm...and like you, Emily."
And he kissed Emily's cheek, which was enough for her lips to perk up even a little bit. Emily then looked to Thomas again as David left to start his day's work, and Percy came whistling into the station.
"Morning, Emily," Percy peeped. "Are you feeling alright...about Bernard?"
"Morning, Percy," Emily sighed. "I'm sorry to say I don't feel absolutely optimal today. I miss Bernard."
"Hmm. Well, we all miss him, Emily," Percy peeped. "But chin up. You know he'd want you to be smiling away with joy that he was able to see his No. 12 sister."
"I know he would, Percy," said Emily. "I'm just caught in the barrier of departure from my brother until something may heal that barrier. I'll see you later."
And with that, Emily gathered her own train and was soon on her way to start another day. Thomas and Percy watched her leave, then they set off with Annie and Clarabel and the Mail Train. Neither tank engine was entirely sure, but they couldn't help but wonder if something would happen involving Emily that would indeed make her feel better and bring back her smile. It would all turn out in good time.
Soon, David returned to Arlesburgh to make ready for his day's work. As he approached his home, he saw Beatrice outside waiting for him. She too was of course feeling the departure of Emily's brother, as well as knowing just how Emily was surely feeling...but she had also been thinking about a few other things herself.
"Where were you just now, David? Visiting Emily?" Beatrice asked.
"Yes, Mum," said David. "It's just as I suspected. Ever since Bernard left to return to York Station, Emily has been missing him intently."
Beatrice nodded empathetically.
"Yes. Well, there is no shame in Emily feeling such a sense for her Stirling brother," she observed. "But all the same, it wouldn't do her well to go on missing him too much. It's been a few days now."
"That's what Thomas hopes too," said David. "And of course, Percy wouldn't want his mother figure to feel like this low much longer. Thomas really hopes that one of us can do something for Emily to help her through this barrier. But what could it be? The engines have their own jobs to do, and I'm busy with the fishermen throughout most of today. Emily needs to get through her barrier."
Beatrice nodded and stayed quiet for a while. Then she suddenly got a little glimmer in her eyes as she looked up.
"Don't worry about that too much, David. You go ahead and start your work," she said, almost inquisitively. "There is something I myself must do in the meantime."
David nodded and set off for work, looking back to his mother as he walked away. Beatrice watched until he was out of sight. Then she turned and walked out of Arlesburgh, right to the bus terminal where Bertie was just about to leave. Beatrice then rode Bertie along the road, thinking to herself even further. Neither Emily nor David knew it quite yet, but what was very prominent since Bernard's departure was a little secret Beatrice had been holding for a few days now...a little idea that Bernard himself had happened to bring forth to her just before he joined Emily in Knapford Sheds on their last evening together. Ever since Bernard left, Beatrice had been keeping this little thought in mind, and now she felt that the time had come.
Beatrice rode Bertie along the road until they came to Crosby. Beatrice looked about the small buildings until she saw a quaint little gift shop up ahead. Beatrice got off of Bertie and went right inside. This gift shop seemed to have plenty to offer. There were nifty little trinkets, gifts and novelties on all the shelves. Jewelry, antiques, flowers, storybooks of Thomas and plenty of other things too. Beatrice liked to tinker every now and then, but she didn't seem to see much that would suit Emily yet.
"Hmm...which of these would she really like, I wonder?" Beatrice pondered quietly.
Her eyes scanned the little gifts and trinkets along the shelves. She took a little look at flower chains, cards, picture frames and so forth...and then, less than five minutes later, Beatrice came amongst a certain line of jewelry-related chains...when she suddenly stopped right where she was, then slowly began to smile from ear to ear. What she saw seemed to click perfectly in every way she could imagine. In less than another minute, Beatrice took what she found and bought it at once. When she returned to Bertie, he could see she was carrying a small, decorative bag, and Beatrice was smiling most impressively with herself as she got back onboard Bertie and rode on, feeling most enthusiastic to see Emily again.
Meanwhile, Emily was huffing along the line, trying to keep up her spirits, but after such an unforgettable and truly amazing visit with Bernard, it just didn't feel the same without him. Emily knew she couldn't keep this feeling going on much longer and she continued to wonder just what could be done to help her get through this barrier. She couldn't shake the image of her Stirling Brother out of her funnel too easily, and she could only wonder if he was feeling the same about her.
"Oh, Bernard," Emily sighed to herself. "Wherever you are, please don't feel too lonely without me...and please forgive me for lamenting. It won't be much longer."
And so Emily huffed on through her day, with no idea of just what would come along for her very soon.
Thomas was still on his Branch Line run when he came to a red signal and stopped. He had been thinking how to rekindle Emily's low spirits over Bernard's departure, but he didn't know what he could do. There had been previous times he could bring Emily's smile back when she felt low, but saying goodbye to her only Stirling brother after such an unforgettable first visit to Sodor was another matter entirely.
"Don't worry, Bernard," Thomas said as he looked to the clouds. "Your sister will feel better soon enough. I promise you."
Thomas' signal then went green and he set off again, thinking a little more about how to cheer Emily up.
Later that afternoon, Beatrice came back to Arlesburgh after Bertie circled back and brought her home. As Beatrice left the terminal and walked through the village, she was feeling even more eager to see Emily. When she returned home, she looked and saw David making his way home too. He looked up and saw her right there waiting...and when he saw the white, decorative bag, he remembered what she had said before, and he began to wonder a little.
"Hello again, David," said Beatrice. "How have you been?"
"Hello, Mum," said David. "Another fair day's work for me...yet I still wonder about Emily. How have you been?"
"Well, David," Beatrice pondered. "I think you should come in and talk with me about something...concerning Emily."
David sighed. "Poor Emily. She still thinks about Bernard even now. Just what can we do to make her smile again?"
"That's why I took my little outing while you were away, David," Beatrice answered. "Are you interested in my little plan?"
"What's this about, Mum?" David asked. "And what's in that bag?"
Beatrice hushed David softly and gave him a little nod. Then she beckoned him into the house, so he followed her in. Beatrice led him to the living room and gestured him to sit on the sofa with her.
"Alright, David. Now that we're here together, I think we're just about ready," said Beatrice.
"Ready to do what?" David asked.
"To help Emily after she's had her time to miss her brother," said Beatrice. "It's been a few days now since Bernard returned to York after his first-ever visit to Sodor...and Emily has spent these few days missing him quite considerably. It was inevitable, and we've given her the time she needed to miss him...but now we have make her smile again."
"How, Mum?" David asked. "Thomas and Percy helping her feel better is one thing, but dealing with the departure of her only Stirling brother, that's much deeper for Emily to manage. I'd love to see her smile again, but what would help her do that now?"
Beatrice looked deeper into David's eyes. "Well, David...I'm glad you asked that question...you see, I took a glimpse in a gift shop at Crosby...and I think I actually have a little question for you. When you visited Emily this morning...did she, by any chance, eye your silver charm?"
David thought back for a moment. "I think she did, Mum. While I was talking with her, I saw her looking right at my charm. Why do you ask?"
Beatrice smiled and began to reach into her white bag. "Because...now that you've told me, my little outing has just become even more worthwhile. It just so happens...I have a special present for Emily."
David's eyes began to beam. "Do you? And what present would this be, Mum?"
Beatrice paused for a moment, letting the feeling build. Then, from the bag, David watched as her hand drew a most delightful and absolutely lovely little gift. A big, thick, shiny chain of silver, and on that chain was a bright red and shiny heart! David was certainly not expecting to see something like this, and he began to put together just what his mother had in mind when she spoke again.
"Well? What do you think, David? Surely Emily would love this."
"Mum...it...it's most divine," David answered, a little mesmerized by the heart. "Is this...?"
"Yes. It's a friendship chain, David," she explained. "I figured that perhaps Emily would like a little decoration to wear for herself. Much like your silver charm given to you by the Navy...now she can have her own charm to wear all to herself. And she should also learn why I'm giving this to her."
David looked up again. "Oh, Mum...it's perfect. Emily would love this...but where did you get this idea?"
"Well, David...initially, it's in light of Bernard's departure," said Beatrice. "Something to lift Emily's spirit. But after a few days of thinking, there's a little more to all of this. I've been thinking about something else myself."
"What's that, Mum?" David asked.
"Well, David, I haven't let myself dwell too much on missing Bernard. I've spent my own time thinking about how you and Emily found me and brought me here to be with you again. You and I have seen more than enough gratitude to be a family again...and now, both in light of Bernard's departure, and as a token of my gratitude for both of you bringing me here to Sodor...I'd like to give Emily this friendship chain for her to wear all herself. You have your silver charm, now Emily has a silver friendship chain of her own. A keepsake for her to hold onto and cherish."
David took the new friendship chain into his hands and admired it immensely. The silver chain was indeed thick and strong. Easily strong enough to put around Emily's buffer. And the red heart made it even more perfect. He felt for sure this would be just the ticket to return Emily's smile to her face.
"Oh, Mum...it's perfect," said David. "It's more than I would have expected...until now, right here, I can see it for myself. I can't wait to see Emily's face when she wears it! And Thomas and Percy, they'll be most surprised! I say we tell Sir Topham that Emily must make her way here as soon as she can."
"I fully agree, David," said Beatrice as she got up from the sofa and went to telephone the Fat Controller.
At Knapford Station, the Fat Controller was in his office when his phone began to ring. He answered at once.
"Hello? ...Oh, Beatrice. I see..." he said as he listened. "Yes, Emily has been missing Bernard a fair deal. Oh...that is most divine, Beatrice. I'll inform her as soon as she returns. I'll leave the details with you and David. Goodbye."
The Fat Controller hung up and looked out the office window for a moment...then his eyes turned to the portrait on his wall of the Black Loch Route with a Stirling Single that looked just like Emily right there.
"It looks like your sister will smile again, Bernard," the Fat Controller murmured to no one in particular as he waited for Emily to return.
The hours passed. Emily continued to work through her day, thinking more and more on how she could cheer up again and not miss Bernard too much. She knew she had taken her fair share of time to miss him and she had to get past this barrier, but how to do it continued to puzzle her.
"Oh, dear," she sighed to herself. "I do hope David, Beatrice, Thomas or Percy can do something to help once they have the time...and don't worry, Bernard. I'll be alright...soon enough."
Eventually, it was late afternoon as the Knapford Clock struck 5:00 p.m. Thomas and Percy came back from their day's work and left Annie and Clarabel and the empty trucks in their sidings. All through the day, they were both thinking to themselves on how to cheer Emily up after saying goodbye to Bernard, and now that their work was done, they wondered if they could do anything for Emily even now.
"Well, Percy..." said Thomas. "What's to do? Emily has had a few days now to miss her brother, and that's alright in its way...but what can we do to help her feel better? I don't think a visit to Black Loch or the Love Tree would change much for her."
"Nor would a mother-to-son night in Knapford Sheds," Percy replied. "Missing you while you're having adventures is one thing, but to say goodbye to her only Stirling brother for who knows how long? It's a great deal for her..."
"Well, maybe David and Beatrice will think of something," said Thomas. "We're all here for our No. 12 Safety Engine and angel."
Then at that moment, Thomas and Percy heard Emily's whistle up ahead. They looked and saw her huffing slowly into the yards with her trucks when she gave a melancholy sigh. It had been yet another bluesy day for her, but unlike her previous occasions when she felt inadequate or low-spirited, missing her only Stirling brother was a most prominent reason for her to feel the way she did. All she wanted was anything at all that would heal her current barrier.
"Hello, Emily," Thomas greeted. "Still feeling low, I see. Is there anything at all we can do to help you?"
"I really don't know, Thomas," Emily sighed. "Bernard is my most previous brother, and oh, the experiences we shared here together...until he left. I know I should be feeling happy, but I don't know if a visit to Black Loch, or even a night with you would help me very much this time, Percy."
"We suspected as much, Emily," said Percy. "But perhaps David or Beatrice have-"
But the engines' conversation was stopped when they heard the office door open. Emily looked up with a rush in her heart when she saw the Fat Controller looking notably at her. Thomas and Percy saw this too and began to wonder. Emily watched as the Fat Controller's gaze followed where she went with her trucks. She left them in a siding then came to the platform, while Thomas and Percy looked to each other.
"Well, Emily. You've done good work today," said the Fat Controller. "In spite of missing your brother ever since he left."
"Thank you, sir," said Emily. "But yes, it's very true. I miss Bernard quite a bit. I know I shouldn't go on like this much longer...and just how to do it?"
"Indeed, Emily," said Thomas. "There is no shame in missing your brother, Emily. I know I missed you immensely on my first big world adventure, and when you and David had your fist big adventure together...but as we've said before, Bernard would want you to be happy."
"Indeed, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "And it's interesting you mention him at this moment, Emily. Because I, meanwhile have some news for you. You've done a very good day's work from start to finish, but your day isn't quite done yet."
Thomas and Percy looked up with a little jump in their hearts. Emily felt a little tingle in her boiler.
"What do you mean, sir?" she asked.
"David and Beatrice wish to see you, Emily," said the Fat Controller. "I think they're onto something special, and they say they want to see you. Perhaps you should go and find out."
Emily suddenly felt a little tingle in her heart. What could this be about? And would it bring her smile back? Emily suddenly began to feel a tiny wave of hope warming her boiler as she thanked the Fat Controller then set off on her way. The Fat Controller looked on with a smile and returned to his office.
"Well," said Thomas. "Something special...what could it be, Percy?"
"Well, like you sometimes say, Thomas. We'll just have to wait and see," Percy said with a little wink.
Emily made her way along the line, considering in her mind just what David and Beatrice would want to see her for. She didn't have much idea of what it could be, but either way, she felt her tingle in her boiler slowly growing with wonder and curiosity. She soon made her way to Arlesburgh. Then sure enough, she saw David and Beatrice outside their house, ready to talk with their emerald friend. Emily still felt rather low not to have Bernard around anymore, but she held onto a sense of hope that perhaps her low spirits would be raised again somehow as she remembered what Thomas and Percy had said.
"Well, here she is. Hello, Emily," David greeted his engine and best friend.
"Hello, Emily," said Beatrice. "So lovely you could come."
"Ohh...hello, David...and Beatrice," Emily said lowly, looking at her buffers again.
"These past few days have been rather bluesy for you, haven't they, Emily?" said David.
"Considering the colour of Bernard's paintwork, it's almost ironic to call it bluesy...without him around," Emily gloomed. "Ever since he left, I've been missing him considerably. Oh, how I love my navy blue brother. Such a dear, sweet Stirling he is, and a most unforgettable visit here on Sodor he had too...now he's gone again, back at York Station, my first home. Such a visit he had here. Such experiences I shared with my brother...until we had to say goodbye again."
"I know, Emily," said Beatrice. "There is no shame in how you feel, missing your only Stirling brother. But it's not goodbye, Emily. Just until the next time."
"I know, Beatrice," said Emily. "I know he'll be back one day...but for now...oh, I don't know how to feel."
David stood up, climbed onto Emily's running plate and sat right there, holding her cheek.
"Cheer up and look around, Emily," said David. "I trust you know why you're here. Sir Topham Hatt sent you, I trust?"
Emily's glum look slowly ebbed away and she looked up again. "Yes...yes, David. He did. He told me you and Beatrice are...onto something special...are you?"
David turned to Beatrice and winked secretly. Beatrice nodded and gave a small smile.
"Indeed, Emily. That's exactly right," she remarked. "We've all been busy for the past few days...until now. And that is why we asked for you to come. Ever since Bernard left to return to York with his new honour as the Great Northern Railway's Safety Engine, you've been thinking quite a lot about him and missing him considerably, Emily."
"Yes, Beatrice. I have," said Emily.
"Missing your brother is inevitable, Emily," said David. "As inevitable as it was for me to miss my mother until you and I took our adventure together and found her."
"And that is actually another small reason we asked you to come, Emily," said Beatrice. "This isn't just about lifting your spirits over Bernard's departure...but it's also a little about something I've been thinking too."
"Oh? What do you mean, Beatrice?" Emily asked.
"Well...firstly, David says that when he visited you at Knapford this morning, you look a little look at his silver charm again. Did you?"
"I did, Beatrice," said Emily. "I took a look at it this morning. I just noticed it quietly while he talked with me."
"So you did," said Beatrice, slowly working their way into what they had to give Emily. "In the midst of missing Bernard...was it nice to see his silver charm?"
"Mmm...yes, Beatrice," Emily admitted gently. "I love your silver charm, David. You know...I never thought of it before, but now that I think about it...it symbolizes both of us in a way."
"How so, Emily?" David asked, glimpsing briefly to Beatrice and listening very carefully to Emily's words.
"Well, I think it's clear the angel could be me...and perhaps that sailboat means the Sea Emperor to you?" Emily suggested.
David looked down and turned the angel and sailboat in and out through his fingers, feeling his heart begin to beat faster. It was then that he decided to bring the purpose forth and present Emily with her little gift.
"A fair analogy Emily," he answered. "And in fact...what you just said regarding my silver charm is actually a most fitting coincidence. It's most interesting that you noticed my silver charm, Emily. If you can believe it...it's the main reason we asked you to come here. Something that we hope can heal your barrier of missing Bernard."
Emily's eyes perked up. "Oh? And why do you say that, David? Do...do you have something...to give me?"
David got down from Emily's running plate and raised an eyebrow to her. "There's something my mother would want you to have."
At that moment, Emily looked and saw Beatrice walking up with her hand in her pocket, signifying to Emily that she was hiding something to reveal.
"Beatrice...you want me to have something?" Emily asked, her voice beginning to sound warmer.
"Indeed I do, Emily," said Beatrice. "Bernard's visit here to Sodor has been quite an experience in so many ways, and I know it's not easy to take in that he's gone yet again until the next time you and him may meet...and one other thing I've noticed is that you probably deserve a little token of appreciation and friendship from me."
"What would that be, Beatrice?" Emily asked.
"Well, I've been busy thinking more to myself...about how you and David came for me and brought me back into my son's life. I've been here with you ever since you came and found me on your first big adventure with David. This is both to cheer you up in light of Bernard's departure, and in retrospect to my gratitude of you and David bringing me here to Sodor. Therefore, in light of your brother's most memorable first visit to Sodor, and in gratitude for bringing me here to be with my son again, and, I have a special present for you, Emily."
Emily watched as Beatrice reached further into her pocket. She was sure she could hear a little rustling sound coming from Beatrice's pocket. Emily watched with a jiggling heart as Beatrice's hand searched through her pocket...until her hand came out again...and drew something that made Emily's eyes twitch with unexpected surprise and curiosity. There in Beatrice's hand was a rather large silver chain...with a big, shining red heart. David and Beatrice watched as Emily's eyes fixed on the chain and heart with an enthralled and intrigued expression. She stayed silent for a few moments, then spoke again.
"Oh...goodness me...Beatrice...What is this decoration?" Emily asked.
"THIS is no ordinary decoration. It's countless times more than that," said David. "It's a friendship chain, Emily. Much like my silver charm."
"Yes, Emily," said Beatrice. "After you had your time to miss and acknowledge Bernard, I thought this would be a lovely way to bring your smile back."
"A...a Friendship Chain of my very own..." Emily breathed. "It's...it's so lovely...but Beatrice...when did you think to do this for me?"
Beatrice looked at Emily, then to David. There was even more to all of this than Emily and even David knew yet.
"Well, Emily...I've been holding onto this idea for longer than you think," said Beatrice. "You too, David."
"You...you have?" Emily asked. "Since when?"
"What do you mean?" said David. "When did you get this idea, Mum?"
Beatrice came closer and looked at David and Emily.
"Well, now I think it's time you both know. It was on Bernard's last full day here. Neither of you knew it yet, but this is actually in retrospect to something Bernard suggested to me...when we took him to see the Love Tree shortly after David restored Seamus' assets. Shortly after you, David and Thomas left the forest, Emily, Bernard told me that he wanted you to have a keepsake to hold onto, not just from him but from myself too. He suggested this idea to me and said that one day, it would come forth to the sister he loves beyond all else."
David and Emily suddenly thought back to that day and remembered a little more.
"I might have known," said David. "We took Bernard to see the Love Tree while he had the chance...and you stayed a little longer just with him, Mum."
"That's right," said Beatrice. "And perhaps I can now tell you what happened..."
So David and Emily thought back to that time until Beatrice began telling her part of the story...
It was early evening on Bernard's last full day on Sodor before he'd have to leave the next day, and David had recently helped to restore Seamus' assets and get his house back. Seamus was now well-fed and watered, and at Knapford Station, the other engines had gotten their chance to see Seamus Holder as a new, reasonable, practical and sensible man with a smart black necktie and a beaming smile. He had indeed learned for the better, and now the engines felt as if they could begin to trust him.
Soon, Seamus Holder went home and the other engines left too, all except Thomas, Percy, Emily, Bernard, David and Beatrice.
"Well...this is my last full day on Sodor," said Bernard. "And so much has happened here with all of us. I've come to really love Sodor...but before I leave tomorrow, is there anything we have not yet done? I still have this evening after all..."
The other engines and Riders thought for a moment. Indeed, so much had happened during Bernard's visit...until David suddenly remembered one little thing they had not done yet, and perhaps they'd have to do it now while Bernard still had the time.
"I think I know the very place, Bernard. Just one more thing we should do," said David. "I think you should see the Love Tree before you go."
Thomas and Percy suddenly remembered talking about that, and Emily immediately agreed.
"That's a truly lovely idea, David," said Emily. "We've been so caught up in everything, it's a very good thing you remembered! What do you think, Bernard? Would you like to at least see the Love Tree of Sodor?"
Bernard smiled. "I'd love to, Emily. After hearing about it, and after what I've just accomplished, I've got to see it while I still can."
So Thomas and Emily led Bernard all the way to Maithwaite Forest, with Bernard smiling with anticipation and an eager glimmer in his eyes all the way. And soon enough, they went right around that bend, and there it was for Bernard to see for himself. The Love Tree in all its lush, green glory. After hearing about this tree from his sister while he heard about all that happened on Sodor, it was even more than he ever expected it to be. He could now clearly see how all the couples on Sodor would choose this tree, and it was clear for him to believe that it was where the Fat Controller and Lady Hatt first ever met as children.
"Yes, Bernard. This is Sodor's Love Tree," said Emily. "Now that you see it yourself...what do you think?"
"Oh, Emily...it's beyond perfect," said Bernard. "And such a divine sight to behold after making such a revelation for myself just yesterday to save that boy's father!"
"Oh, yes, Bernard," Emily smiled. "I'm glad you got to see it in good enough time...while you still have the time...with me, of course."
Bernard nodded lightly to Emily as he could tell how she was beginning to feel underneath. Time passed and the four engines and the Riders stayed together at the Love Tree, all beginning to feel the pretences of saying goodbye to Emily's Stirling Brother. As Emily and Bernard kept glimpsing to each other, they began to feel like they'd want the night to themselves, brother to sister, so as to cherish each other's sibling bond all they could...and eventually, as the sun began to set, Percy spoke up.
"Well...we're glad you got to see the Love Tree, Bernard. I think I'm ready to return to Tidmouth Sheds," Percy peeped.
"Me too, Percy," said Thomas. "So happy you could see the tree, Bernard. What about you, Emily?"
Emily looked to Thomas, then to Bernard. "Y...yes, Thomas...but for tonight...hmm...I have to be with my brother tonight...in Knapford Sheds."
"Of course, Emily. And for the sake of my wife's brother, I'll leave the sheds all to yourselves," said Thomas.
"Thank you so much, Thomas," said Emily.
Bernard nodded as he was feeling just the same. Thomas and Percy peeped respectfully and went on their way. David understood what Emily and Bernard must have been thinking and got onboard her cab. When he and Emily looked again, they could see Bernard whispering to Beatrice for a moment or two before they both looked up again.
"Bernard? Mum? Aren't you coming?" David asked.
"Hmm...I think we'll stay a little longer, David," said Bernard. "Just so I can enjoy the Love Tree a little more. I'll catch up, Emily. I promise."
"Very well. Come along soon. Emily will be waiting," said David.
Then David and Emily went on their way while Bernard and Beatrice stayed a little while longer at the Love Tree...there was more to this extra visit than David and Emily knew for now.
"Such a divine tree this is, Beatrice," said Bernard. "I'm so glad to see it myself, and just in time too. I must return to York tomorrow evening...then I'll be saying goodbye to my dear sweet sister again. This has been such a wonder for me, seeing Sodor for the first time...and seeing my No. 12 sister."
"Well, your visit has been a true wonder, Bernard," said Beatrice. "And if you ever do come back, we will all welcome you infinitely."
"I know you will, Beatrice...and for my sister's sake, now that we're alone...I think I have a little proposition to make of you."
"Hmm. What would that be, Bernard?" Beatrice asked.
"I...I think it's clear we'll miss each other for a while once I leave...but perhaps after my sister takes her time to miss me a little...maybe you could help her?"
"How, Bernard?" Beatrice asked.
"When I leave tomorrow evening, we're going to miss each other for a while," said Bernard. "It's inevitable. Emily will of course need some time acknowledging me before she can feel better...which is why I'd like to ask you a favor, Beatrice."
"What's that, Bernard?" Beatrice asked.
"Well, David has a silver charm all of his own ever since the Navy gave it to him," said Bernard. "I think it would do Emily very nicely if she could be given a little keepsake of her own to hold onto. I'd like it to be a secret until she receives it...and once she does receive it, perhaps Percy could have a letter sent to York and I can hear about it?"
Beatrice thought this was a brilliant idea, and she would gladly carry this plan out however she needed to until the time was right.
"I'd be glad to, Bernard. You can count on me," Beatrice promised. "Your sister will miss you, but she'll also be happy."
"Thank you so very much, Beatrice," Bernard smiled as he looked ahead with a dreamlike smile. "Now...I think I'd best take you home...Emily and I need our own time now...brother to sister."
And with that, Bernard set off out of Maithwaite Forest. He soon dropped Beatrice off at Arlesburgh just as Emily dropped off David. Bernard then gave one look to Emily, who blinked and gave a cooing sigh to her brother. And as soon as David and Beatrice were inside their house, the Stirling brother and sister buffered up together and set off for Knapford Sheds as night began to fall. The last full night of Bernard's visit, which he would spend infinitely with his beautiful No. 12 sister before he'd have to leave. Whatever would happen between them tonight, they would cherish every moment they'd spend as perfect brother and sister...
"And there you have it, Emily," Beatrice said as the present moment dawned back. "That's what Bernard and I talked about...until you shared your night with him...brother and sister forever."
Emily stood there, deeply enthralled, as did David. Neither of them knew this until now, and it made them both feel very deeply about Emily's Friendship Chain.
"Oh, Beatrice...that is so special," Emily breathed as she looked to her Friendship Chain again. "He suggested the idea to you? My dear, sweet brother?"
"That's right, Emily. He did," said Beatrice. "Your navy mentor and best friend David carries his silver charm, and now, on Bernard's behalf to his beloved sister, and on my behalf of gratitude of you and David bringing me here to Sodor...your Friendship Chain is now bestowed to you."
All was now ready. This was it. Emily's moment of lifted spirits had now arrived. She looked right to Beatrice, who smiled dearly, then walked toward Emily, reaching the Friendship Chain out. Such a beautiful silver chain it was, and a big red heart right there glimmering brightly in the sun. Emily felt her heart jiggle and swell so delightfully as Beatrice gently placed the friendship chain around her left buffer. Emily held her gaze on her new keepsake with such a spell of delight. No other engine she knew was ever given a friendship chain or anything of the sort to wear for themselves, with the exception of when David would let her wear his silver charm around her funnel...until now with her very own keepsake.
"There you are, Emily. Your very own friendship chain," said Beatrice. "Now we must know...do you like it? Does this bring back your lovely smile for you, and for Bernard?"
Emily took a few moments gazing with a dreamlike glimmer in her eyes at her friendship chain as it hung perfectly on her buffer, taking it all in and loving it more and more...until she looked up and gleamed from buffer to buffer. And then, after a fair number of days of feeling lowly without Bernard, David and Beatrice saw Emily's lips curl upward and bring back her smile. Emily's cheeks began to turn just a little pink as she began to breathe quickly and try not to laugh. Then she tittered with joy, smooched her lips and blew a kiss to Beatrice.
"Oh...oh, Beatrice! I love it! I love it so much! Thank you! Thank you!" Emily chortled so happily. "This is such a perfect present for me...from you and Bernard! Oh, Beatrice! I've no other words except thank you!"
"And you are infinitely welcome, Emily," Beatrice smiled as she held Emily's buffer beam. "You deserve this keepsake with all your heart, and it's so very lovely to see you smile again."
"Thank you so very much, Beatrice and David," Emily smiled. "This is more than I expected and more than I ever thought I would need to feel better. And now...I think I'd better show Thomas and Percy, and see if they'll be as surprised as I am."
"Of course, Emily. I know they'll be happy to see you happy again," said David. "Your friendship chain is something to wear with joy."
Emily whistled with bubbly delight and set off on her way back to Knapford, all while she kept looking at her friendship chain as it rode elegantly on her buffer. She was now feeling much better to have such a special present from Beatrice and to some effect, Bernard, and she now felt as though she could move past her barrier of missing her brother.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Percy were still waiting at Knapford Station for Emily to come back and see what David and Beatrice had for her.
"Hmm. I wonder what Emily could be doing with David and Beatrice," said Thomas. "What special thing would they have had in mind for her?"
"Perhaps Emily will tell us, Thomas," Percy peeped. "She seemed hopeful as she left the station. Perhaps she's-"
Just then, Emily's whistle sounded through the air. Thomas and Percy could tell there was a rush of joy and enthusiasm in that whistle and it immediately made them look to each other. Then they turned to hear Emily titter and giggle as she puffed happily into the station. Thomas and Percy watched her approach them...with such a cheery, lovely smile which made both tank engines feel so much better for her.
"Well, someone looks much happier since this morning," Thomas observed. "What brings your perfect smile back, Emily?"
"Oh...oh, Thomas! Thomas and Percy!" Emily bubbled gleefully. "Do you like my new decoration?"
Thomas and Percy took a look...and then their eyes caught just what was on her buffer. Thomas and Percy immediately began to wonder what this was all about.
"Oh...E...Emily...you have a friendship chain!" Thomas exclaimed.
"Mm-hm," Emily hummed happily. "Lovely, isn't it?"
"But...how, Emily?" Percy asked. "Did David and Beatrice give it to you?"
"Indeed she did, Thomas and Percy," Emily gleamed. "It's the perfect present for me after missing Bernard after he had to go. Beatrice gave this to me...and in some ways, Bernard did too."
Thomas and Percy suddenly felt puzzled.
"What do you mean, Emily?" Thomas asked.
"Well...remember when we took Bernard to see the Love Tree on his final evening before he had to leave the next day?" Emily asked.
"Yes...then Bernard and Beatrice stayed a while longer while we went home," said Percy.
"Exactly," said Emily. "Beatrice had been holding onto this idea of giving me a keepsake ever since that evening."
Emily went on to tell Thomas and Percy about what Bernard and Beatrice talked about, leaving out no details. Thomas and Percy had wondered before as to why Bernard and Beatrice stayed a little longer...and now they understood completely as to what Beatrice had in mind...and she most certainly succeeded. Emily then told Thomas and Percy all about David and Beatrice, and just what they had done to bring this forth to her.
"Wow, Emily," said Thomas. "That is all such a joy to hear. A gift from David's mother and your brother too! You look so lovely with that friendship chain...it's perfect for you!"
"Indeed, Emily," Percy peeped. "It looks like your buffer has a necklace of its own. David's silver charm, now your friendship chain."
"I know, Thomas and Percy!" Emily gleamed from buffer to buffer. "I knew I needed something to lift my spirits again, but I didn't think it'd be something like this. Oh, I don't think I'll want to take this chain off for quite a while!"
And Emily didn't. She continued to wear her friendship chain through the rest of the evening, all while Thomas and Percy beamed with admiration and pride with Emily's own piece of jewelry as it were, and even when she returned to Tidmouth Sheds, she was still wearing her chain as she settled into her berth. Thomas and Percy thought she looked quite adorable with that silver chain and heart hanging elegantly around her buffer. The other engines soon came along and eyed Emily curiously as they noticed her friendship chain. Emily explained how David and Beatrice gave it to her, and the engines in turn all smiled and agreed together.
"Very nice, Emily. A lovely little chain," Rebecca complimented.
"Impressive, to put it lightly," said Gordon.
"Admirable, admittedly for me," said James.
"Oh, Emily. It's perfect for you," Nia smiled. "And may we all bless your friendship chain, with our friendship too."
"Thanks, Nia," Emily smiled. "Thank you, all. Thanks to David and Beatrice's little gift, I feel so much better."
"I'm so glad just to see your smile on your beautiful face again, Emily," Thomas chimed dearly.
"So am I, Tommy," Emily blushed. "Well...goodnight to all of you...and Bernard too, for bringing this little idea forth to Beatrice, then such joy to me."
The other engines agreed in every way and bade goodnight to each other. And Emily backed right into her berth and sighed delightfully as she fell asleep with her friendship chain right there with her. It was indeed such an uplift for Emily to be given such a keepsake to hold onto ever since Bernard left. But Emily still had yet a little more experience to be had with this Friendship Chain when the next day would come. David and Beatrice had played their part in this keepsake, and soon it would be Thomas and Percy's turn to play a part in Emily's Friendship Chain, with or without it.
When the sun rose the next morning, the engines all set about to start work. Thomas and Percy then woke up and looked to Emily's berth. When she came out, she was still wearing her friendship chain and smiling away.
"Good morning, Emily...your buffer is looking especially lovely today," Thomas winked.
"Yes, Emily. Your friendship chain is such a lovely image on your buffer," Percy peeped.
"Hm-hm! Good morning, Thomas and Percy," Emily gleamed. "Yes, my friendship chain is indeed lovely, isn't it?"
"Still not taking it off, are you?" Thomas smiled.
"I don't think so, Thomas," Emily bubbled. "As long as I'm careful, I'm gonna keep it on for a fair while yet."
And she set off on her way to Knapford Station, while Thomas and Percy waited for the turntable and were soon on their way too.
When Emily arrived at Knapford Station, she saw the Fat Controller, David and Beatrice at Platform 1 to see how she was doing. David and Beatrice saw Emily's beaming smile and her friendship chain still on her buffer. Then Thomas and Percy came along Platforms 2 and 3.
"Good morning, sir. Good morning, David and Beatrice," Emily greeted.
"Good morning, Emily," said the Fat Controller. "David and Beatrice here told me what they did for you yesterday...and now I can see just what they had in mind...right there on your buffer. So our safety engine now has a friendship chain, does she?"
"Indeed she does, Sir Topham," said Beatrice. "So...how's the friendship chain, Emily? And what do the other engines think?"
"Oh, Beatrice. They all adore it. Especially Thomas and Percy," Emily gleamed.
"She told us everything, Beatrice," said Thomas. "And it's so lovely to see my angel and wife figure smile again. She deserves it infinitely."
"It's like she has her own necklace now, Beatrice," Percy remarked. "A buffer necklace, as it were."
"Well, we're all happy that you're feeling better, Emily," said Beatrice. "And one more thing David and I were thinking of. Once the time is right, perhaps we could gather you, Thomas and Percy together for a little photograph...with you wearing your friendship chain."
"I would really love that, Beatrice," Emily smiled. "All of this is more than I expected and more than I thought I would need to feel better."
"A photograph with the three of us?" Thomas observed. "That would be very nice."
"Indeed, Thomas and Emily," Percy agreed.
"Well, we'll see you later, Emily," said David. "With my short work schedule today, I'll see if a photographer will be willing to give us a good photograph together."
And so David and Beatrice went about their day, while Thomas, Percy and Emily went about theirs. Thomas and Percy set off on the Branch Line Run again while Emily gathered a small goods train to take to Maron Station. But once again, Emily had little idea of just what would befall her today...and what Thomas and Percy would end up doing for her quite soon.
Out on the Main Line, as she went on her way to Maron, Emily was absolutely delighted to be carrying a friendship chain all of her own, and it was all the better for her to have two charms to wear. David's silver charm whenever he let her wear it, and now she had her very own friendship chain. No other engine had ever carried a keepsake like this, except Percy when he borrowed Stephen's lucky horseshoe for better luck, only for it to fall off as soon as he left, and yet still have very good luck that day. For Emily, this was more than just a lucky horseshoe. Emily didn't need a lucky charm to carry. Her friendship chain was countless times more special than that, and she couldn't stop feeling so very pleased with her little keepsake.
"Oh, it's so lovely right there on my buffer," she beamed to herself as she looked to the silver chain. "My own friendship chain..."
Emily was so taken in by her friendship chain that she was admittedly surprised to see how she got to Maron in what felt like no time at all. It was then when she began to think more about what sort of photograph would be taken with her, Thomas and Percy if David could find a photographer. She left her goods train in one of the station sidings, then found a wye line to start her way back to Knapford.
Thomas and Percy, meanwhile had done a fair amount of work together along the Branch Line through the morning. They too were thinking about having their photograph taken with Emily with her friendship chain and they both hoped David could find a photographer in good time.
"Well, we've done a good share of work this morning, Thomas," said Percy. "I wonder how Emily's doing with her friendship chain."
"Me too, Percy," said Thomas. "Perhaps we should go find her and see. And maybe David will find a photographer in time for us to meet up again."
So Thomas and Percy set off on their way to check Emily...with very little idea of what they would be doing in very short time.
Emily was still making her way along the line with her friendship chain, endorsing every moment she looked at it. Then she found herself looking up toward the sky as she began thinking about the possible photograph she'd get to have with it...then even more so, she began thinking of sending a letter to Bernard for him to hear all about her new gift, and just what he would surely think.
But then, as Emily huffed around the bend and came to a fair stretch of straight track, that was when it happened. Emily felt a few little bounces on the line, for this section of the line was becoming buckled in the hot sun, and it had not yet been checked over. It made Emily bump and jostle and exclaim a little.
"Oh! Buckled tracks! I'd better slow down," she checked.
Her driver carefully checked her speed so that nothing would happen...but what Emily didn't see yet was just what happened on those little bounces...and as it turned out, she lost something on her little bump along the line.
Soon the rails felt smooth again and Emily could carry on smoothly again. She continued to smile gently over her friendship chain and she kept thinking about that photograph and maybe sending Bernard a letter. Her eyes then trailed to the line beside her and she could see twenty trucks all lined up after the other. She took little notice of this and kept on her way, when suddenly, her eyes trailed down to her buffer to look at her present again...but that's when she saw just what her eyes befell. There was no friendship chain on her buffer! Gone! Emily became much alarmed and most uncomfortable.
"Oh, no! Stop! Stop!" she suddenly yelped with worry.
"What's the panic, Emily?" her driver asked. "Of course we're stopping. The signal is red."
Emily looked up and saw that she had indeed come to a red signal, but that mattered nothing to her.
"It's not like that, sir!" she yelped. "My friendship chain is gone!"
"Gone?" her driver asked.
"Yes!" Emily blurted. "I've lost it! What could have happened?"
At that moment, Bertie came riding along the road until he stopped beside Emily. David came out of Bertie and Emily shot her eyes to him at once as she began to pant with concern.
"Hello again, Emily. I asked Bertie to stop," said David. "I've managed to find a photographer who'd be glad to take our photograph and...Emily? Are you alright? What's wrong? Why are you looking so frightened?"
"Oh...oh, no! We can't have a photograph now, David! It...it's my friendship chain, David!" she exclaimed urgently. "It's gone!"
David looked to Emily's buffer with initial disbelief, but he saw no friendship chain. "What?! Great Scott, Emily! Where is it?"
"That's what I don't know! I must have lost it! How could it have come off?" Emily worried. "It was right...over...oh, dear. I must have lost it while bumping along the buckled track back there...and I didn't notice until now! What do I do, David? It could have fallen anywhere."
"Oh, no," David sighed. "This isn't good. We can't let it be lost, Emily. A Friendship Chain is one trinket that can never be replaced. Much like my silver charm. But don't worry, we won't let it disappear. Not like Gordon's dome disappeared after he tried to do a City of Truro. If Thomas and Percy come along, maybe they can help. I'll see if I can find them."
And David returned to Bertie and took off. Emily was now worried, jumpy and disappointed. After being given such a lovely and meaningful keepsake, she had lost it already. She had lost a few things before, such as the brake coach on her very first express run and her giant globe, but to lose her friendship chain was most awful indeed. What had started as an absolute joy and uplift since Bernard's departure was now an uncertain and unsettling wave of fear and disappointment to lose something so dear so soon.
Thomas and Percy were huffing along the Main Line, looking around to see if they could find Emily, until they heard Bertie honk with alert along the road. Thomas and Percy stopped just as Bertie stopped too.
"Bertie?" Thomas asked. "What's the rush? We haven't time for a race today."
"Not at all, Thomas!" beeped Bertie. "Emily needs your help! David and I came along to tell her that a photographer is coming to take their photograph, and it seems she has a little problem...with her friendship chain."
Thomas and Percy were puzzled. They looked through Bertie's window and saw David pointing down the line, ushering them to hurry to Emily.
"Her friendship chain? Let's hope nothing bad happened to it. Let's go see what this is all about, Percy," said Thomas.
"Indeed, Thomas!" Percy whistled.
So Thomas and Percy set off down the line. Bertie rolled on down the road while David looked back through the window to Thomas and Percy, hoping things would turn out for the best.
Back at the signal, Emily was still waiting for help to come. She couldn't move ahead to seek help with a red signal, and she couldn't go back either. Being the safety engine, she had to abide by the rules of safety, even with a lost friendship chain. She now felt silly and worried that Beatrice would be disappointed in her for losing such a special gift so soon...but then Emily looked up when she heard Thomas and Percy's whistles. When she saw them coming, she started to gather herself together and feel assured that perhaps they could help her.
"Look, Percy. It's Emily," said Thomas. "Hello, Emily. How are you?"
Emily wasted no time in bringing forth her concerns so her friends could help her. "Not good, Thomas. I've lost my Friendship Chain."
Thomas and Percy suddenly noticed Bertie was right. They both looked to Emily's buffer and saw there was no friendship chain to be seen. Both tank engines felt a sense of worry and concern and felt so very sorry for Emily. But they also began to feel a sense that they would play a part in her friendship chain for themselves, just as David and Beatrice had done at the beginning.
"That's awful," Percy mourned.
"Percy and I would be happy to help you look for it," Thomas pledged.
"That's wonderful!" Emily smiled, knowing she could easily count on her cobalt star and her beloved son figure too.
"Now...whereabouts did you lose it?" Percy asked.
"I'm not quite sure," said Emily. "But I passed twenty trucks since I last remember having it."
"So if we head back the way you came, and count twenty trucks as we go," said Thomas. "We should be able to find your Friendship Chain, no problem."
"Well, Emily's Friendship Chain is very, very precious, Thomas," said Percy. "And we should count the trucks very carefully, so we won't miss her chain under our noses."
"I'll help you, Percy," Thomas assured as he winked to Emily too.
"Really? Let's try it," Percy remarked.
"Be careful, you two," Emily reminded. "There's a set of buckled tracks down there."
"Thank you, Emily," Thomas and Percy replied.
So the two tank engines set off down the line while Emily waited, hoping her friendship chain would be retrieved. She thought back to when she almost lost David's silver charm at Loch Eil just before they reunited and battled Diesel 10 near the end of their adventure. But while David was able to catch his silver charm in the air, Emily's friendship chain was now on the loose and she could only hope it wouldn't be lost for good.
Thomas and Percy worked their way back along the line and soon saw the first ten trucks on the line beside them. Percy counted them all one through ten while Thomas' eyes kept scanning the tracks as they went along slowly, but surely.
"There are ten trucks at least, Thomas," said Percy. "I do hope this is the right line."
"Of course it is, Percy," said Thomas. "Emily said so herself. And look, there are ten more trucks. Keep count, Percy."
Once again, Percy took close care counting the trucks, making sure he didn't miscount any trucks. Thomas kept his eyes open along the line. Then in the moment that followed, Percy counted the twentieth truck.
"There," said Thomas. "Twenty trucks...so Emily's friendship chain must be right along here somewhere. And look. I see the tracks up ahead are a little buckled, and bumpy too. Emily's friendship chain must have jostled off her buffer."
"I think you're right, Thomas," agreed Percy.
Thomas and Percy slowed down as they came to the buckled tracks. They rode carefully and with a few bumps as possible...then sure enough, Percy looked down...and just as they had hoped, there was Emily's Friendship Chain lying right on the line.
"And look!" Percy announced. "Thomas, we did it! We found Emily's Friendship Chain!"
Thomas looked, and indeed, there it was. Safe on the line and completely undamaged. Any worries Emily would have had would now be dissolved in no time. Thomas was very proud to see that his angel's friendship chain was safe.
"Well done on finding Emily's Friendship Chain!" said Thomas.
"Oh, Emily will be so pleased to have her chain back!" Percy peeped.
Percy's driver retrieved the friendship chain and placed it around his buffer, just like Emily did before she lost it. Now she could have it back. Thomas and Percy went further down the line until they found a wye line and turned around. Then they worked their way back up the line, counting the trucks once more until they saw Emily up ahead, waiting for any word of her lost friendship chain. She could hear Thomas and Percy coming back alongside her and she looked back. When she saw Percy come alongside her, she took one look...then felt her heart flutter with relief and swelling delight. There was her friendship chain, safe around Percy's right buffer.
"Here is your friendship chain, Emily!" Percy announced.
"Thank you so much, Thomas and Percy," Emily chimed happily as her driver placed her chain back around her buffer, where it belonged.
"You are very welcome," said Thomas.
"You're welcome," Percy peeped.
Emily gaped with joy at her friendship chain, then smiled to Thomas and Percy as they set off down the line together. Emily felt much better once again. She hadn't lost her present after all, and with David finding a photographer, she now knew the photograph would turn out beautifully. She then decided she wanted to join Thomas and Percy right along their way. It would only be appropriate since they were the ones who saved her friendship chain. Emily whistled delightfully and followed them along, and this time, her friendship chain stayed safe and secure around her buffer.
Back at Knapford Station, David and Beatrice were waiting anxiously and abruptly for Thomas, Percy or Emily to come back. David had told Beatrice everything and now she was rather concerned and worried for Emily. To hear of her friendship chain being lost so soon was most disheartening indeed and she could only hope that someone had found that friendship chain and would bring it back safely. The photographer was due to come along any minute, and if Emily didn't have her friendship chain, it would not work out as planned.
David kept pacing a little up and down the platform, waiting anxiously for any sign or sound from Thomas, Percy or Emily.
"Oh, dear. This will not do at all," Beatrice said, shaking her head. "Emily shouldn't have to lose such a special present so soon...and with the photographer coming along at any given moment. This puts a bad wrinkle in the plan."
"Well, I did see Thomas and Percy go by along Emily's line," said David. "They may yet find it...I hope. The photographer is due any time now."
Just then, Thomas and Percy's whistles blew excitedly in the distance. David and Beatrice looked up with alert as both tank engines hurried right to the platform. David and Beatrice looked up alertly and saw Thomas and Percy both smiling eagerly at Platforms 2 and 3.
"Thomas and Percy?" Beatrice asked. "Please, did you find Emily's friendship chain?"
"Any sign at all?" David asked. "I see you're both looking very eager."
"Smooth as silk, David," said Thomas. "Percy and I found her friendship chain after counting twenty trucks that Emily happened to pass. Now it's right back with her, around her buffer where it belongs."
David and Beatrice looked to each other and began to smile with great relief and gratitude. Then Emily whistled in, right to Platform 1. David and Beatrice looked, and there was her friendship chain, right there on her buffer.
"Emily! Thank goodness you haven't lost your friendship chain!" Beatrice rejoiced.
"It's alright now, Beatrice," said Emily. "My friendship chain is safe...thanks to my cobalt star and my little son figure too."
"Well...what happened out there, Emily? Do you know how you might have lost it?" Beatrice asked.
"Hmm...well, I took my goods train to Maron, then started making my way back here," said Emily. "All I could think about was my new keepsake, the possibility of having a photograph taken with me wearing it...and what Bernard would think if I sent him a letter all about it...then I came along a section of buckled tracks that made me bump and jostle about until the track became smooth again. Then I passed a line of twenty trucks beside me. That's when I looked down and saw it was gone. I begged to stop, which was actually quite relevant since I came to a red signal. I told my driver my chain was gone. Then Bertie came along with David. He told me he found a photographer. But then he too saw my chain was missing. I thought back to how it might have happened...then I remembered the buckled tracks and I figured my chain bounced off my buffer."
"Of course," said Percy. "Quite like when I lost Stephen's lucky horseshoe right at Ulfstead Castle when my wheels were sticky after running into those pumpkins...only for me to still have very good luck and even help Bill and Ben out of a little scrape."
"A fair point, Percy," said Thomas.
"I was frightened and worried, Beatrice," said Emily. "I felt awful to lose such a special present so soon, and I was sure you'd be disappointed. Bernard would have been disappointed too, and I even thought back to when I almost lost your silver charm, David. When I saw you coming for me at Loch Eil and I thought I was dreaming...then you caught your charm right out of the air. Except my friendship chain was already lost. Luckily, Thomas and Percy went back along the way I came and found it no problem, and here it is right here, where it belongs."
"Your friendship chain, Emily!" David remarked. "It means so very much to you and all of us after saying goodbye to Bernard! Thank you, Thomas and Percy, for finding this keepsake!"
Thomas and Percy smiled in turn. And at that moment, someone else came into the station. The engines and Riders looked and saw that the photographer had arrived with his camera. He looked and could see everyone and everything was present and accounted for.
"There you are, sir," said David. "Thank goodness everything turned out just in time for your arrival."
"Worked out?" asked the photographer. "What do you mean, Mr. Rider?"
"Well...some complications arose, ensued, and were overcome," said David. "No worries now. Everything seems to be in order. Right, Emily?"
"They are now," Emily answered with a smile. "Oh, Thomas and Percy. I'm so very happy you both found my Friendship Chain. I would have been most upset to have lost it. Perhaps I should let my driver hold onto it while I take trains, and maybe I can wear it during more quiet times. But the best thing of all is that I have my very own chain to wear, just like David does. Thank you, Thomas and Percy."
"It's our pleasure, my love. And you look adorable with that friendship chain, Emily," Thomas said proudly.
"Lovely too, mother," Percy chimed sweetly.
"Indeed you are, Emily," Beatrice smiled. "I'm glad you love it so much, and I'm proud to have given it to you as a token of friendship."
"Aww, thanks, Thomas, Percy and Beatrice. Perfect, isn't it, David?" Emily bubbled happily.
"Only the best, for my emerald best friend," David smiled as he held her cheek. "And in fact, now that you have your chain back, Emily, and now that the photographer is here...there's just one more little feature to this chain. The real reason I asked the photographer to come."
"What's that?" Emily asked. "What more could there be to my friendship chain?"
"I noticed it earlier myself...but look," said David as he reached for the heart...then found a little nodule he could press...and the heart clicked open.
"Oh...what's this, David?" Emily asked.
"It's not just a friendship chain, Emily," he answered. "It's a locket. It opens up...and you can fit a photograph right inside it."
Emily saw what the friendship chain could do and suddenly gleamed. "Oh, David! That makes my chain even more special! A photograph of you, me, Beatrice, Thomas and Percy would be most delightful to have right in my friendship chain!"
So Thomas, Percy and Emily gathered together just outside the station, while David and Beatrice sat on both sides of Emily's running plate and her friendship chain gleaming nicely in the sun. Then the photographer came along. They were now ready.
"Well, shall we, Emily?" Beatrice asked.
"Oh, yes, Beatrice!" Emily gleamed. "I think we're ready."
"This will be a most endearing photograph indeed," Thomas remarked.
The photographer looked into the camera and gestured the engines and Riders. "Look this way, everybody. Closer."
Thomas, Percy and Emily all looked together and David and Beatrice sat on Emily's running plate as the photographer looked into the camera.
"Smile!" he announced.
The camera flashed...and soon, that photograph was placed right inside Emily's friendship chain. In the photograph, Emily was smiling from buffer to buffer, as were Thomas and Percy, and right on Emily's running plate, David and Beatrice were smiling away too. David then held Emily's friendship chain in his hands, with everyone gazing into the photograph.
"That's a very good picture of all of us, David," Emily gleamed happily.
"Absolutely perfect for my emerald angel and Percy's best mother ever to be," Thomas smiled.
"Your friendship chain, Emily," Percy peeped.
"It's perfect...for my emerald best friend," David answered.
And with that, he clicked the heart shut and placed the chain on Emily's buffer once again. Thomas, Percy and Beatrice all smiled harmoniously.
"Now...there's just one more thing to do," said Emily. "I still need to think of a letter to give to Bernard."
"Of course, Emily," said Beatrice. "Just like he asked of me at the Love Tree. I think that's a most thoughtful thing to do, Emily. Just think your letter together and Percy can send it on its way."
"I'll be glad to send the word to my perfect mother figure's brother," Percy pledged cutely.
"Thank you, my adorable Percy," Emily chimed and blew him a kiss.
The rest of the day passed. David and Beatrice returned to Arlesburgh, Thomas and Percy got back to work, and Emily took great care of her friendship chain, letting her driver keep it safe while she worked through the rest of her day. Now that her photograph had been taken, she could now spend her time thinking about what letter to send Bernard...and once evening came along, the time had come.
Emily returned to Knapford Station once more. Percy came by to collect his mail wagons and get started with the nighttime mail run. Thomas came along too and could see that Emily was now ready to put her letter together. Both tank engines watched as her driver stepped down with a pen, paper and envelope and Emily spoke everything she wanted written in the letter to her brother, all while Thomas and Percy listened and smiled dearly.
Emily's letter was soon done and sealed in the envelope. Percy's driver kept it safe with him and Percy was now ready to start his mail run.
"I'm ready now, Emily. Bernard will be so happy to have a letter from his sister," Percy winked.
"I know he will, Percy," Emily smiled. "Thank you so very much."
And Percy set off on his way while Thomas and Emily returned to Tidmouth Sheds to wait for Percy to return and inform Emily of the delivery. Percy worked through the coming night with his mail run, right until he reached the Sodor Airport and sent Emily's letter on its way on an express plane due for the Great Northern Railway's neighbouring airport...
Way out on the Mainland at York Station, the stars were beginning to appear in the sky, and Bernard had been busy all day, thinking every once in a while about Emily, as he had done ever since he returned from his Sodor visit. By now, he had gotten over most of the sense of departure from his sister until they'd meet again, and he began to wonder if she might have been presented with the very idea he expressed to Beatrice. He was just about to make his way to his shed and turn in for the night when he saw the stationmaster coming toward him.
"Evening, Bernard. You've done good work today, but just before you return to your shed...I have something here for you," he said.
"Really? Whoever from?" Bernard asked. "And why at this time of night?"
"Well...it so happens someone sent you a letter," said the stationmaster. "It comes from Sodor."
Bernard suddenly gasped and felt his instincts flowing to his funnel. He was very sure of who it was. "You mean it's from...?"
"Emily? Indeed it is, Bernard," said his driver. "Would you care to hear what she sent you?"
Bernard couldn't let this wait. He had to hear just what his sister had sent to him as he began to remember a few things from that night at the forest.
"I will not pass up any chance now," said Bernard. "Let's see what my sister has for me to hear."
The stationmaster nodded and opened the letter. As he read, Bernard could hear Emily's voice sounding clear through his smokebox.
"Dear Bernard,
I'm sure you've been feeling a little blue since you left Sodor, as have I. I've been
thinking a lot about you and all that we've done together, but now, I have something
most important for you to know. It's my delightful pleasure to have you know that my
smile has indeed come back after a few days of missing my perfect brother, and that I
have been given a most special present which I hear you inspired Beatrice to give me.
I now have my very own friendship chain made of silver with a red heart locket which
now has a photograph of myself, Thomas, Percy, David and Beatrice all there together.
Beatrice told me about your little talk with her at the Love Tree just before you and I
shared our last night together...and I am very touched by your thoughtfulness.
Now that I have my friendship chain, I can never thank you enough for encouraging
my navy mentor's mother for thinking to give me such a lovely present. And in return,
I show my thanks and love for your budded idea through this letter to my perfect
brother. May we meet again in good time, and may the Stirling Duo work together
on Sodor again, brother to sister. I love you, Bernard.
Love now and always,
your No. 12 sister, Emily."
Bernard's heart swelled with absolute pride. He had been waiting for this day to come ever since he brought the idea forth to Beatrice. He sighed deeply and proudly as he looked to the coming stars in the sky.
"Oh, Emily. I miss you too...but I'm very happy for you now. Thank you for finding her such a joyous keepsake, Beatrice. I love you too, Emily, my dear sister."
And Bernard returned to his shed and fell asleep at once, smiling away for his sister's keepsake and new little joy...
Meanwhile, at Tidmouth Sheds, the other engines were asleep, but Emily was resting in her berth, looking at the stars with Thomas with her friendship chain hanging gently on her buffer again. Neither engine felt the need to talk as they kept an open ear for Percy to come back. Every few minutes, Thomas looked to Emily and could see her gentle smile never leaving her face. He felt happy that she was feeling better, and with her new friendship chain, she indeed looked pretty. Then Thomas watched as Emily took a deep breath and sighed dreamily.
"What are you thinking, Emily?" Thomas asked quietly. "Is it Bernard again? He will get your letter, Emily."
"Mmm...I know. I can almost see it in my head, Thomas," Emily whispered as she looked at Thomas with glimmering eyes. "I can almost feel Bernard reading my letter and smiling away. I know we're waiting for Percy to come back and tell us...but somehow, I just know Bernard has read my letter and he is very happy indeed."
"Well, as he is your brother, perhaps you may be right, Emily," Thomas nodded.
And just a few minutes later, Percy came back to the sheds. Emily looked up and saw him buffer up to her with a sleepy smile.
"Your letter was sent on its way, Emily," Percy whispered. "If Bernard has received your letter tonight, I'm sure he's very happy now."
Emily smiled and kissed Percy's nose. "I know he is, Percy. As his sister, I just know he read my letter tonight. Thank you so much, and sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams, Emily," Percy yawned as he turned to his berth and fell asleep at once.
Emily then looked to Thomas, who was looking right at her with a beaming smile.
"My emerald intuition tells me it's true, Thomas," she whispered happily. "Bernard has read my letter...and he's happy."
"You know, Emily...I believe you're right," Thomas whispered as he came onto the turntable, turned to Emily's berth and softly buffered up to her.
"I love your friendship chain, Emily," he murmured. "It's such a precious gift for you to have, and it is indeed the best for David's best friend...and for my beautiful emerald angel and wife."
"Th...thank you, Thomas," Emily whispered wistfully. "You're so sweet."
And Thomas leaned in and kissed Emily's lips very lightly. Emily hummed happily and kissed Thomas' lips just as softly for about a minute until they let go.
"I love you, Emily," Thomas whispered. "Sweet dreams, my emerald angel."
"I love you too, Thomas," Emily whispered. "Sweet dreams, my cobalt star."
And Thomas and Emily fell asleep together with a happy smile and a warm nuzzle to each other's faces. This had indeed been a cheerful uplift for Emily, and she now had a personal keepsake all of her own to hold onto whenever she pleased, and she couldn't be more thankful to David and Beatrice for giving this keepsake to her, and to Thomas and Percy for retrieving it when it got lost. Emily was very pleased to have a friendship chain all of her own. But there was more to come about in due course. Thomas would eventually be due for another visit to Italy and see Gina and Lorenzo again...and in his absence, there was more to be experienced between Belle and Flynn. A time would come for one of them to douse the flames...in more ways than one.
After a well needed break, we're back, with this story being based on the "Thomas & Percy Learn to Count to 20" video from the "Learning with Thomas" YouTube shorts, not something I would've thought we'd pull from, but there you go. As for the flashback with Bernard and Beatrice, that was something that was meant to be included in "The Brother's Grimm", but considering how long that story already was, I don't think it's a big deal. As for the next story, Belle and Flynn fans can rejoice because we're finally giving them another story, and it'll be a be a steamy one for the two fire engines. Until then, tell us what you thought of this story, and as always, stay safe.