51. On the Way to Town

"It is a beautiful clear morning today," said Merlena Bear, " we should have an excellent view.  Are you all ready?  Let us walk to town today and see the new part where all the big houses are." Hernando was wearing his red bow and Theodore had a blue one.  "You both look very smart,” said Merlena, "just right for being in the smart part of town."  They all laughed at her idea.  The bears strolled along under the trees lining the street enjoying the sunshine and trying to figure out what people do with so many rooms in such big houses. "Many visitors?  Many children?" wondered Merlena, "I don't know."  Soon they were standing outside the tallest building.  Big letters spelt out the name TILLY TOWERS over the entrance. Theodore Bear felt so small.  He tipped his head right back and shaded his eyes with his paws to be able to see right to the top.  "Wow!" he said.

50. The Next Plan

That evening after supper the bears were relaxing in Merlena's lounge and it seemed to be so quiet without Ferdinand Bear.  They were all missing him.  "Ferdinand has a long way to go home and will be travelling all night.  I wonder if he is asleep on the train already but I am sure he has eaten all the cookies by now," said Merlena Bear with a smile and the others laughed.  Theodore Bear sat up a little straighter in his chair and asked, "What have you planned for tomorrow?  Could we all go to town together again and go to the very top of the tallest building to get a good view over the city?"  "Good idea," said Merlena and Hernando almost together.  "The tallest building here is only 14 storeys high but it has a public viewing area on the roof," said Merlena, "and the view is lovely." 

49. The Good-byes

The train should be arriving any minute now.  Ferdinand held out his paw to Merlena first and then gave her a big hug.  "Thank you, Merlena, so much for everything. I will never forget this visit and the wonderful day with Shelley.  Take care till we meet again."  "Come again soon, Ferdinand," said Merlena.  Then he shook paws with Hernando and Theodore.  He smiled and said in a deep growly voice, "I hope you will all visit me one day.  I have enough space and would really like to show you where I live."  The loudspeakers crackled again and a voice said, "Attention, Platform 24, train pulling in!"  The big engine with a long line of coaches slipped slowly to a halt and passengers disembarked first.  All the bears spoke together, "Good-bye, good-bye," they said and Ferdinand Bear climbed up the steps into the coach.  He quickly found an open window and reached out a paw to shake with the other bears before the train slowly moved away and picked up speed.  The bears waved and waved until they could not see the train any more.

48. Ferdinand gets organised

The ticket office at the station had a big sign saying TICKETS HERE above the counter window. An arrow with flashing lights pointed to the sign.  The lady was friendly and helpful and in no time Ferdinand Bear had his ticket.  Theodore was so impressed.  "This has been easy," he said and the other bears all nodded in agreement.  Merlena led the way to a large board where they could find out which platform to go to and they made their way to Platform 24.  They had to go down the stairs, along the tunnel under all the train lines and up other stairs where the sign pointed to Platform 24.  There were many other passengers already waiting there with friends and family who had come to say good-bye.  Excitement was in the air as everyone had an eye on the big clock hanging on a chain and listened to the announcements on the loudspeakers. The train would be coming in about ten minutes so Ferdinand would not have long to wait.

47. The Station

The bears walked quickly to the tram stop and had hardly arrived there when the tram came around the corner.  They boarded and each bear found a seat at a window.  Theodore enjoyed looking at the city as they went along and soon the first train lines and trains could be seen heading for the station.  "I had almost forgotten that a train is so long.  The engine has to be very big and strong to pull all those coaches," he thought.  Ferdinand Bear held the little bag of cookies tightly to make sure it did not slip off his lap.  Hernando and Merlena were sitting next to each other and did not say much.  Theodore guessed they were feeling rather sad that their cousin was leaving again.  The station was a beautiful big building with many arched entrances for the trains and another arched entrance for the travellers.  The bears got off the tram and Merlena Bear said, "I have been here often before and know my way to the ticket office.  Follow me and don't get lost.  It will be busy inside there."