Corky was back once more in his cottage rocking backwards and forwards' and forwards and backwards. He glanced round the room. What he treasured most was his Mum's picture. As he stared at it he suddenly felt guilty like the old crocodile. He realised that you could feel guilty for something you hadn't done but should have done. 'I 'aven't forgotten you. Mum, but there's been so many fings to see and do 'ere' he said.
He had a great longing to see her again, and the family. Thoughts began to buzz round in his head like they did when he first arrived in THINK LAND. How were they all at home? How long had he been here? How could he get back, for get back he must. He badly needed someone to talk to as he felt frightened and lonely. Much as he admired Geraldine and Miss Wise, it wasn't clever people he wanted. It was someone who could FEEL things, not just say things, and who would understand how he was feeling.
Suddenly, he was aware of a movement in the room. It was Amy. He rushed into her arms and hugged her. "There, there dear' she said comfortingly. 'I THOUGHT you needed me. Come and sit down and we'll have a chat'. Corky felt better already just having her there.
'Corky' she went on, 'I've two big surprises for you! The first is, you're going back to YOUR world I '
'WOT! When? 'Ow? Who wiff?'
'One question at a time', and she smiled. He was so excited. 'You're going NOW! It's all arranged. A boat is waiting at the harbour and all you have to do is to step aboard and say the magic word 'HOME' and you'll be there before you can even say COR!
'But you 'aven't said who wiff Corky replied.
'You're going by yourself but you'll never be alone. Our thoughts will be following you all the way. You'll come back one day and you'll stay forever. We'll welcome you back and then you'll be able to visit the Grown-ups Kingdom'.
'Wiff all them loverly buildings. It's a Jewel City isn't it?'
'Indeed, and now I'm going to tell you the second secret and it's a wonderful one. Your Dad is there and he helped to plan some of those buildings, as he always wanted to be an architect when he worked in your world, and not a bricklayer'.
'WOT! My DAD!!' Corky exploded. He couldn't believe it.
Amy smiled at his utter astonishment. 'Yes, and he's very happy. So you see, Corky, when you get home you'll be able to tell your Mum and that will make her very happy too'.
Corky's thoughts were in such a muddle, he was laughing and crying at the same time. To think that his Dad was THERE. So he must be alive!
'Of course he's alive' Amy said, reading his thoughts. 'You'll see him when you return'. Then, before he had time to reply, she went on, 'Now you won't need to take anything with you for the journey.
Corky felt in his pocket and brought out his pebble. 'Not even this? I promised Cubby I'd keep it for ever'.
'I'll look after it and the other presents and your picture. You won't need that, for your Mum will be WITH you. Now come along, dear'.
With a last lingering look round the room Corky followed her out of the doorway. 'Goodbye cottage' he said sadly. 'Goodbye rocking-chair'.
At the quayside everyone had gathered to see him off and they were all laughing and cheering. 'Sounds as if they WANT me to go' he said to Amy.
'Nonsense. They're happy because they know YOU'LL be happy. Remember, they're no tears in THINK LAND'.
Everyone made a great fuss of him and wished him well. 'PURRfect landing' meowed Priscilla.
'Here's to the NECKS time you come' chortled Geraldine, 'and don't forget to wash yours! '
Corky stood on the deck of the little sailing boat. As soon as he said the magic word 'HOME' it began to move gently across the calm blue water. In the distance he could see the Magic Rock shimmering in the bright light. He even thought he could make out the bean stalk.
'Goodbye Jack' he shouted. 'Goodbye everybody'.
Gradually the waving figures on the shore receded further and further until they became tiny specks, with one taller one at the back.
'Goodbye Geraldine' he shouted. 'I shan't 'arf miss you all"
For one terrible moment fear gripped him. He felt as if he were in the arms of some dreadful monster. Then suddenly Amy's words rang in his ears - 'You'll NEVER be alone'. He looked up. High above him in the golden sky was a flock of the most beautifully coloured birds he'd ever seen.
'It's their THOUGHTS!' Corky realised with intense delight and wonder. 'They're coming wiff me all the way! '
'COR..KY - COR...KY', they seemed to be crying.
As he sailed on and on they continued to hover over him. Then he began to feel drowsy, so very drowsy and their cries got fainter and fainter - 'COR..KY - COR . . . . KY'. Now it was only one voice he could hear and it wasn't a bird's. He seemed to recognise it but there was a gentleness in the tone he'd never heard before. It got nearer and nearer. Then another voice, a strange man's voice and it was saying, 'He's coming round. Plucky little chap. He's going to be all right!'
