Laurie's New Friends

Another day in the Great Big Harbour. Right now, Theodore and Foduck were towing Cumberland into the harbour with Conrad Explorer next in line.

In a few minutes, Theodore and Foduck had docked Cumberland. "There you go," said Foduck. "Thanks," said Cumberland.

Next, they both brought Conrad Explorer into port. The two tugboats docked Conrad Explorer next to Cumberland's dock. "You're really good friends," said Conrad Explorer. "Thank you for your kind words," Laurie, who was on Theodore's deck, said. "Why it's our pleasure," said Conrad Explorer, "You should be grateful for yourself."

"Thank you for saying that," said Laurie. "Well," said Foduck, "Having fun, kid? Watching us do work?" "Yes," Laurie answered. "Well," said Petra, "The job has to get done." "Right," said Theodore. "Well, that's it for now," said Foduck, "No more ships." "Perhaps we could go exploring," suggested Theodore. "Ok," Laurie replied.

And so Theodore set off and Foduck turned to meet up with Constance and Nautilus. "Well," said Foduck, "Isn't it-" "Well," said Constance, "You were going to say that-" "Oh, you know," said Nautilus. "Right," said Foduck. "Well," said Nautilus, "Let's get started." "Ok," said Foduck. And they did.

Theodore had no more jobs for the day, so Laurie hopped off of Theodore's deck and onto a dock. Theodore then turned to see Laurie. "So," Theodore said to Laurie, "Where do you want to do?" "Well," said Laurie, "I would like to explore the place you called Ceilidh's Cove." "Oh good," said Theodore, "Truro and Dorothy lives there." "Yes," said Laurie, "I would like to meet them again." "Excellent," said Theodore and they headed off to Ceilidh's Cove.

At that moment, a ferry had arrived in the big harbour and Emily and Hank were chosen to bring it in. "No problem," said Emily. "Yeah!" Hank agreed. After Emily and Hank had docked the ferry, all the passenger had gotten off, ready to either live in the Great Big Harbour, or go to far away places.

Among the passengers were two girls. One girl had smooth hair and the other is wearing glasses. "Wow," one of the two girls said, "This place is amazing." "Yes," the other girl agreed, "I wonder what will happen for us here."

Hours later, Theodore and Laurie are resting at the Great Ocean Docks. "That was nice meeting Truro and Dorothy again," said Theodore. "Yeah," Laurie agreed. "Hold on," Theodore suddenly said, "I forgot something near Lunenburg. Long story. I'll be back." "Ok," Laurie replied as Theodore left. "Look after her, sir!" Theodore called to the Dispatcher. "All right, Theodore," the Dispatcher replied as Theodore hurried away.

And so, Laurie was left with Donald Dock. "You must be Donald the dock," Laurie said to the dock. "Uh huh," Donald replied. "You are funny," Laurie giggled. "Uh huh," Donald said in response. "So, how long have you known Theodore?" Laurie asked. "Uh huh," said Donald.

"Uh, I don't feel like saying it," said the Dispatcher. Some time later, Laurie was relaxing on the dock, just minding her own business. "Well," she thought, "I'm glad those two container ships are best friends."

That's when the two girls who had gotten off the ferry from earlier walked by the Great Ocean Docks. They were exploring the docks of the Great Big Harbour by themselves. But when they spotted Laurie, they were surprised. "What?" one girl exclaimed, "What?" "You said 'what' twice," other girl said.

"How can there be a child all alone there?" the first girl asked, "Come on!"

At that moment, Laurie was minding her own business when the two girls walked up to here. She was surprised. "Hello," she said. "Uh," one girl said, "Do you-" "Yes," said Laurie, "I live here with the tugboats. They're out right now. You they work hard."

"Oh," the girl with the glasses said, "Interesting. Oh, by the way. My name is Sally. And this is my best friend, Marina." "Yes," the other girl said, "My name is Marina." "That's what I said," the girl with the glasses, named Sally, said. "Hello," said Laurie, "My name is Laurie. It's nice to meet you, Sally and Marina."

"And it's nice to meet you too, Laurie," the girl, named Marina, said, "I really do mean it's nice!" "So, why do you live here?" Sally asked. "I used to be homeless," Laurie explained, "I was wandering all by myself and now, tugboats offered to take care of me. Now I live here with them."

"Well, that is nice of them," said Marina, "Things are going in an unusual direction these days." "We've came from Tennessee," explained Sally, "We've only arrived today, and now, we live here." "That's great," said Laurie. "So," said Sally, "Go right on ahead." "Ok," Marine replied. "What?" Laurie asked. "You want to be friends with us?" Marina asked Laurie, "You know. Just asking. No need to worry as it's not going to cost anything."

"Yes!" Laurie said excitedly. "Oh, thank you," Marina replied. "Oh, that's Marina for you," Sally said, "She likes to make wise cracks." "Yeah," Marina explained, "It's all part of the circle of humor!" This made Laurie laugh. "You're funny," she giggled. "Well, I try," Marina explained, "So come on!"

"With that?" Laurie asked. "Exchanging stories?" Sally suggested. "Ok," Laurie replied. "Well, the stories aren't going to exchange themselves!" Marina said. And they started telling stories. The Dispatcher had watched the whole thing. "Good," he said, "But-"

That's when Theodore had returned. "That's the last time I'm leaving my extra anchor chain at Shipwreck Rock," he said to himself, "And Laurie with others." Theodore immediately noticed that Laurie is now hanging out with two other girls. "Well," he thought to himself as he approached Laurie, Sally and Marina. "Look!" Laurie exclaimed, "There's the tugboat who found me! His name is Theodore!" Sally and Marina were amazed.

"Hello, kids," said Theodore, "I'm Theodore. I'm the caretaker of Laurie." "Nice to meet you, Theodore," Marina and Sally said together. "You're the guardian," Marina said, "Well, not the guardian of Neptune!" "That's true," said Theodore. "She's being funny," Laurie explained. "Yeah," the Dispatcher agreed.

"Uh-huh," Donald Dock replied. "I take it that docks don't have time for dictionaries," Marina said to herself. This made Laurie laugh. "Ok," the Dispatcher agreed, "That is kind of funny." "Uh-huh," Donald Dock replied. "Laurie," said Theodore, "I'm glad that you made new friends." "Thanks," Laurie replied. "Actually, we've found her!" Marina said. "True," Sally agreed. At once, the other tugboats had returned as well.

All except George. "That went all right," said Emily. "Yep," said Foduck, "Glad that I was working with Constance and Nautilus together." "And I'm glad Inverness had cheese!" Hank said. "Everyone," said Theodore, "Meet Laurie's friends." "Look," said Marina. "Hey," said Hank, "Haven't we seen them before?" "Maybe," said Emily, "Hey, where's George?"

George was towing Barrington to Dock Number 15 to load up some new pipes. "Why am I stuck with you?" George asked Barrington. "Who knows?" Barrington answered.

And so, Laurie introduced her new friends to her tugboat friends. 'Wow!" said Hank, "How super!" "Amazing," said Foduck, "Theodore, you must be proud of yourself." "Not just me," said Theodore, "I had help from all of you. And everyone agreed.

Everyone had a good time together until it was time for Marina and Sally to go home. "We must go home now," said Marina, "Well, actually, we are home!" "Ok," Laurie replied, "That's fine. We'll meet again tomorrow." "Deal," said Sally, "And we'll play together!" "Ok!" said Laurie. "Yep, play and meet new friend, too!" Marina added, "And not get into trouble! Like that will ever happen!" "Okay," Laurie chuckled at Marinas joke.

After that, the two girls had gone home. To their new homes. "Perhaps, I'll introduce them to Owan," Theodore suggested. "If they can take it," said Hank. "Well," said the Dispatcher, "Looks like this is a happy ending. Wait, that's not right."

Also, George returned home very late. "What have I missed?" George asked. By the end of the day, the tugboats were talking about their day and now, Laurie is happy to have made new friends. But there will be one more person for her to meet. And this one will be special.