And so it came to pass that early in Spring Elinor Valentine had to leave us. It had been decided that she would be adopted by a friend who would train her to become a beautician and take care of her. She was the first of the Tumbling Twinns to leave us and everybody was sad to see her go. She broke the news to Amanda, her fellow Kelsey Mold.

"But Elinor, if you leave I will be all alone again." "No you wont Amanda, I will be just down the road and you can come and visit me as often as you like. Besides, I will be able to do your hair and your makeup and we can prove to everybody that Kelsey's are the prettiest Twinns there are." "I know, I know, but I am still sad to see you go Elinor. You are the first to leave us." "Amanda, please don't be sad. If you are sad then I will be sad and then everybody will be sad." Caitlyn arrived at that point, just in time to prevent Amanda and Elinor from bursting into tears. "Hi girls," she said cheerfully, trying to put on a brave face.

"I have arranged the paperwork for your transfer Elinor. All that is left is to see you into your box and wrapped up." "Thank you Caitlyn, I knew that you would get the paperwork organised and everything sorted out. Thanks for being a great Alpha Twinn." "The pleasure is all mine Elinor. Don't you worry about a thing. And, we want you to come visit us when you can. Justyn has dropped off your box and some of the girls are gathering goodies for you to take with, but remember you can wear any of our clothes whenever you need a change of wardrobe." Caitlyn helped Elinor into the box and fastened her ribbon. "Not too tight?" she asked.

Jeanette was next to arrive, bringing the first pile of clothing that had to go with Elinor on her journey. 'Hi Elinor. I brought along some of the goodies that must go with you." "Thanks Jeanette. I am glad to see the sock dress isnt amongst it." "The sock dress? Oh yes, I ended up saddled with it. Actually I kind of like it, its very fetching you know." "Well, if I make a socksess of this transfer maybe you will let me wear it?" "It's a done deal Elinor. Now, I have to go chase up the other girls. They are all moping around and there are many sniffles happening. I even saw Dawn with her big hankie." "Wow. I never realised how this would affect everybody."

After Jeanette had left Sarah Willow arrived. "So Elinor Valentine, you are on your way. I will miss you." "And I will miss you Sarah. I will miss your wisdom and those big chocolate pills you always give me when I have a headache." "Oh those? I dispense them to everybody, and I know where you can get a stash. Just drop me an email and I will write you a prescription. Oh, and don't forget you are due for your annual physical one of these days so you have no excuse to not come visit." "I was hoping you would forget about it." "I wish I could Elinor, but Kelseys are rare Twinns and we have to make sure that you always stay healthy. I will see you again, take care of yourself, and dont forget to write." Sarah Willow administered a sleeping potion to Elinor to tide her over while she was in her box. Then left as Dawn arrived.

"Elinor, I am glad I caught you before you went to sleep. I brought you a crunchy health bar to nibble on if you get peckish. I was going to bring you some biscuits but Skye has locked the tin again and Sarah is insisting I eat only healthy food." Elinor chuckled. "Don't worry Dawn, I am sure they know what they are doing. You must keep healthy though, remember that you are one of the older Twinns here and have to look after your health."

"That the same excuse they all use on me. I am going to miss your radio show Elinor. Who is going to do it from now on?" "Nicole has been given the job. She will do a fine radio show." "I have to agree there, she is a super serious Twinn, but it will be very difficult for her to follow in your footsteps." "I am confident she will do it. Just you make sure she stays on the straight and narrow Dawn." Elinor said sleepily. "I will. And you make sure that you write often and that you come to visit us when you can". But Elinor had slipped away into sleep, and Dawn closed the lid of her box. "Farewell Elinor Valentine. Remember, you are a Twinn. You are part of the whole, and we are all a part of you and you are a part of us. Travel safely and take care. I will look out for your star in the sky."

And so Elinor was sealed up in her box and that was wrapped and put by the door for delivery. Caitlyn and Chandler did the checking. "This is a sad moment Cait, its the first time one of the Tumbling Twinns has left here." "I know Chandler. I am very sad to see her go. I never realised that saying goodbye would be this difficult. But I know that Elinor will be in good hands and who knows what her future may bring." "Cait, don't you go all wishy washy on me." Chandler joked. "I will try not to, but I think tonight I will be going to bed early and tomorrow there is going to be an empty space on our table and I am not too sure how I will deal with it." "You are not alone there Cait, there will be 21 of us who will be asking the same thing."

© DR Walker. September 2008.