"No! It cannot be..."

Christopher Awdry put his head in his hands, and he began to weep softly. Thomas was dead? How was it possible? He didn't know what to think at first, and he certainly didn't want to believe that such a famous engine was dead. According to the newspaper headlines, it read that Thomas had been killed in an accident at the Vicarstown Bridge, and that his funeral had been only two days before. He had been with his son at the time and he hadn't heard of the news until now.

Christopher knew that he was too late to attend the funeral, but he heard that there was going to be a special memorial service for him near the end of the month, which had no mention of him attending.

Well, he would have to change that, wouldn't he?

So he stood up, and went to find his best clothes to ensure that they were decent for the service. He would also make a telephone call to Sir Topham Hatt to let him know of his attendance.

...

Sometime after Thomas' funeral, much later in the month, the Fat Controller got his engines ready to prepare for the memorial service. Gordon was to take some passengers from the mainland, Edward was collecting the Sodor Choir and the Brass Band, and James and Emily were both working together to take the statue to Thomas' Branchline. There was a lot to be done, and the engines had to work hard in order to ensure that everything was ready.

That morning, he had a special announcement to make.

"The Thin Clergyman's son is attending the memorial service." He announced. "He told me that he couldn't make the funeral as he had been with his son when Thomas' funeral happened, so I want you to be respectful."

"Yes sir." They agreed sombrely.

"Good," The Fat Controller nodded, and he walked away. Things still hadn't gotten any easier following the number 1's death.

...

"He's a really useful engine, you know,

All the other engines they'll tell you so,

He huffs and puffs and whistles,

Rushing to and fro,

He's the really useful engine we adore!

He's the one, he's the one,

He's the really useful engine that we adore!

He's the one, he's the number one!

Thomas the Tank Engine!"

The choir were singing mournfully to commemorate Thomas musically. The guests for the memorial service were arriving and were sitting down on chairs set up for the event. Many sniffed and sobbed into handkerchiefs.

"He's a really useful engine, you know,

Cause the Fat Controller, he told him so,

Now he's got a branch line

To call his very own

He's the really useful engine we adore!"

...

Percy, James, Edward and Emily were allowed to stay behind if they wished to witness the service. Toby and Daisy the diesel railcar, who had worked on Thomas' Branchline were also there, and they all had tears in their eyes.

"Little blue train, he's always there

Whenever you need a hand,

If you need help with a situation

Who comes into mind?"

Christopher Awdry sat right at the front, his shoulders stiff. His heart was breaking. He could not believe this was happening- he remembered his father telling him magical stories about Thomas and his friends in the yard. Now that magic was gone- it could never be the same again. How could the lyrics, "...he's always there, whenever you need a hand" fit? Of course, his father was a reverend, so he knew about God. Perhaps Thomas was working up there, working on a golden railway?

"He's a really useful engine, you know,

Maybe little, but he's never slow

Stand back in amazement

Just you watch him go

He's the really useful engine we adore..."

...

The Fat Controller had thanked the choir and the brass band before he stood up to speak.

"I am aware that Thomas has become a symbol of hope and friendship when he was alive, and that he has been around for 100 years," He began, "which is always an impressive achievement. Thomas was also a hard and loyal worker, and always ready to help his fellow engines in their time of need. He was a devoted and caring engine, always looking out for the welfare of his passengers, and he was also, above all else, a Really Useful Engine."

Everyone nodded in agreement on hearing this.

"Now, I will like to welcome Christopher Awdry to the front to give a few words." He stepped aside, and waited as Christopher Awdry made his way to the stage.

"Thank you, Sir Topham," He said, in a broken voice. "I truly agree with your heartfelt sentiments. I shall also like to share mine. I first heard of Thomas and his friends when I was sick with the measles. He told all sorts of stories about them, and he wrote many books on Thomas, which I continued after his retirement. Thomas was a remarkable engine. I'm sure Edward will remember how Thomas had wanted to see the world when he first came here."

"I certainly do." Edward sniffed, thinking of his dear mentee.

"Thomas has meant a lot to us all over the years, and although I cannot say I valued him more than anyone else, he became someone that I valued very dearly- a friend always there to keep me smiling even when hope wasn't there."

"He has also made a lot of friends whom he values dearly, and who he wants them to keep smiling despite this sad time." He added. "I shall remember Thomas not just as an engine who changed many people's lives, but also as a friend who changed mine. Thank you."

Many people silently clapped at this speech. They could relate only too well.

...

Later, Christopher spoke to the engines.

"I really am very sorry about everything." He said sadly. "I know that Thomas meant a lot to you."

"Yes, and we are also sorry." Toby added. "You showed how much Thomas had meant to you."

"Indeed." Edward agreed. "It was very emotional."

"Thank you, Toby and Edward. I appreciate it." He then saw a Stirling Single locomotive, and frowned slightly. She was the only engine that his father had never mentioned.

"And who might you be, my dear?"

"Emily, sir- I was a friend of Thomas'."

"I see." He nodded. "Well, Emily, I do appreciate you being here, as well as the rest of you."

The engines were silent, as was Christopher.

"I can't believe that Thomas is dead," Daisy said in disbelief. "He was such a good engine. He didn't deserve his accident."

"Indeed." Christopher replied. He wiped his face with a white handkerchief.

"Thank you for all your effort," he added. "I've heard from Sir Topham Hatt that you all worked very hard, as did Gordon, to make today happen."

"Thank you, sir." He engines chorused dully.

"I really am very sorry about Thomas' death. He will be missed by everyone." Christopher continued, and he went on his way- except Percy stopped him.

"Excuse me, sir, would you like us to take you anywhere?"

Christopher was touched. Come to think of it, he wanted to see Gordon and Henry, so he knew he would have to go to Tidmouth.

"Actually, if you wouldn't mind, I would like a lift to Tidmouth Sheds. I wish to speak to Henry and Gordon."

Toby rang his bell. "I'll take you sir."

"How kind of you, Toby, thank you- it's just like old times."

As he climbed on board Toby, Christopher Awdry allowed his memories of Thomas and his father, the Reverend W. Awdry to wash over him.

Wherever they were, maybe now, they could reunite once again. Just like the old days.

The End