This is a work of fiction. It is a sequel to the other stories, beginning with "A Letter from America" that have appeared in adult/youth, young pals, and no sex. Not one single character is , or is based on, a real person. I have borrowed the names of places, and even of some buildings and institutions in those places, but their personnel remain fictitious. They do not represent real people. Not all characters were created by me. There are some that were created by another author -- Jacob Lion. I am grateful to Jacob for permission to use his characters. I hope you enjoy this story. I'm grateful to Nifty for publishing it. Nifty makes no charge, neither for me to publish, nor for you to read these stories, but it does cost money to publish them. If you enjoy the stories, please consider making a donation to Nifty at http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html so that he can continue to bring these stories to you.
Howard Chapter 10 By Jonah
Now, whatever Jake thought about Howard's ability to climb stairs, I was in no doubt whatsoever about the dog's ever-increasing capabilities. That he could leap onto the sofa so readily suggested that stairs didn't pose so big a problem for him. It was also becoming more difficult to place things out of his reach. Items placed on kitchen surfaces offended Howard. We should, he thought, put things where he could reach them, so he had no compunction about relocating them on the floor. The first dish he broke like that frightened him, but that didn't stop him doing it again.
The truth is that Howard was no longer a little puppy. We had always known that he would grow into a fairly large dog, but he seemed to be doing it quickly.
First thing on Thursday morning, I rang our local animal health centre and made an appointment for him. I then rang Dave Webber to see if he would be prepared to drive us to the vet's. This is, of course, Dave that we are talking about, so there was no question of needing to ask twice.
Miriam came round to spend the morning with Jake, Kori, Simon and Ben (and Jacob of course), while Joe took the remainder on an exploration of Euston, Kings Cross and Saint Pancras stations.
As Dave, Howard and I drove round the streets of Harrow I broached the subject that concerned me.
"So, how's Ben's education coming now that you can talk to him normally?" I asked.
"The question is Jonah," he replied," how long I can continue with Ben's education. Now that his hearing is normal there is no real excuse for him not to be in mainstream schooling. That is, of course, if that is the best thing for him. I need to have a meeting with Rob about that."
"Do we know what Ben's preferences are?"
"Oh, he'd like to go to school with Simon - there's no doubt about that. My own feeling is that it'd be a good thing if he did. I'd have to find another income, of course, but that wouldn't be hard."
"Plenty of demand for private tutoring?"
"Not that much demand, but even less supply," he said, smiling. "Besides, I'm known to be one of the best - though I say it as shouldn't."
"Proper self-respect, nothing more," I responded, smiling. "Your position as a top man is a very exalted one."
We arrived at the vets at that moment, so I took a very subdued Howard in.
Dave stayed with us for dinner, when we got back. Joe had returned with the trainspotting faction and was preparing beef stew with dumplings. He did this, as he did everything, unilaterally. There was never any question of holding a referendum but, on the other hand, nobody ever dissented either. Whatever Joe produced invariably met with universal acclaim. In this instance, for once, even Howard was treated to some, probably as compensation for the sacrifice he had just made. Dinner over I opened my mail.
Riverside Cottage
Carrbridge
INVERNESS
Dear Jonah 22 September 2020
Of course, you must come to see us next month. As before, Janet and I will be happy to pay for your tickets and, I understand from Luke, that will include a dog ticket. It is with some trepidation that I look forward to the canine world presenting a united front against us. I jest. Lady has always got on well with other dogs and, will, I'm sure, enjoy the company. Howard will be alright on the train provided he does not occupy a seat and does not eat either passengers or traincrew. Simon wrote a very long letter singing the praises of Monica. I expect that you realise that Simon is a caring and sensitive young man and needs to find outlets for that. I felt honoured, and humbled, that he chose to write to me as one of those outlets. I feel that I know Monica, after reading Simon's letter, and I also feel sure that you haven't lost her. She'll never be far away.
We have to thank you Jonah, because now Janet and I have something to look forward to. Until then
Ever yours
Fergus.
Well, that was alright then.
The next thing to do was to sort out our afternoon. Since their plane didn't leave until 1845 hours, there was not such a great rush to get them to Heathrow, but it would be nice to take them up the west end, or somewhere, before they went. They had come more lightly loaded this time, since their departure from the States had been somewhat hurried, but that gave the advantage that we could use the trains more easily. We took the tube from Rayners Lane and travelled to Saint Pancras. There we dropped downstairs to the station undercroft.
Perhaps I should explain. Apart from Sir Giles Gilbert-Scott's classic "Midland Hotel" which gives St Pancras the appearance of an ornate palace, the trainshed behind this frontage is also a record breaker. The huge arched steel and glass roof, manufactured by the Butterley Company, in Derbyshire is the second largest single span in the world, coming second only to Amsterdam Central, and differing from that station in one important respect. It is quite usual for a large roof like that to be supported on top of the walls, but, if one examines this one closely, the roof can be seen to be supported on the platforms. Yes, the massive streel arch beams come right down to ground level. There is a reason for this. To get into their termini, both the Great Northern Railway, at Kings Cross, and the Midland, at St Pancras, had to somehow get past the Regent's canal. The Great Northern tunneled under it, leaving themselves with a steep climb into their terminus, and a tunnel that was inclined to flood in the middle. The Midland, learning from their neighbour's mistakes, chose to go over it, meaning that the railway came in at roof level. The solution was to put the railway in the roof and use the building underneath for something else. It was used for the storage of one of the Midland's most popular freight traffics - beer from Burton-upon-Trent. The unit of measurement used to position the steel columns that supported the floor of the train-shed was the beer barrel. Since the opening of the Channel Tunnel the trainshed is used by Eurostar trains. The Midland trains, as well as the South-Eastern trains that share the Eurostar route, are banished to two new stations that have been built on either side of the mouth of the great train shed. The undercroft is no longer used for storing beer, but, apart from housing the London Underground and another station, contains a huge shopping mall. This we set Kori and Liam to explore. Fascinating things had to be purchased.
With their minds thus occupied, it was soon four o'clock and Jake and I set ourselves to getting the boys on board the Circle Line train to Paddington.
Paddington Station was enough to occupy the minds of the trainspotters, and it was only with difficulty that we calmed them enough to get them on board the Heathrow Express. Our fast, electric train afforded views of the former Great Western Railway's line out of London right up to Airport Junction where we swung off to enter the terminus.
Booking in happened. Farewelling happened. Kissing and cuddling happened. Exploring the airport facilities took place, followed by more farewelling and more kissing and cuddling. In spite of all this, their flight was called too soon. Too soon they went where we could not follow. We watched the huge Airbus Industries machine soar into the air, and we knew that our friends were bound for home. and in no time at all, so were we.
It is strange how life fills itself with so many incidents which ensure that life can never be the same again. I only know that life is always an adventure. That I have three wonderful boys, and a lot of wonderful friends to share it with is just another blessing.
THE END (for now)