Chapter 1: A Sudden Goodbye

The house was big, beautiful, and full of light. It stood in a quiet London street, with red bricks and white windows. In this house lived a happy family: a kind and clever father, a warm and gentle mother, and three children — Roberta (Bobbie), Peter, and Phyllis.
Life was full of laughter. The children had books, toys, and games. There were evening stories by the fire, and kisses before bed. Their father had an important job at a government office, and their mother wrote poems and told funny stories. They never thought anything would change.
But one night, it did.
It was winter. Snowflakes touched the window as the children played a quiet game in the sitting room. The fire burned softly, and the clock ticked gently. Suddenly, they heard the sound of the front door opening — quickly and loudly.
Two strange men in dark coats walked in. Their faces were serious. The children stood still. Then their father came into the room. He looked at them with soft eyes, kissed their foreheads, and whispered to their mother. She turned pale but said nothing. In a few minutes, the two men and Father were gone.
“Where is Daddy going?” asked Phyllis.
“He’s going away on business,” said Mother softly, “but he’ll write to us soon.”
But days passed. No letters came.
The house became quiet. The mother stopped smiling. She sat alone in her room, writing stories all day. Bobbie tried to help her, bringing tea and lighting the fire. Peter asked questions, but she said, “Later, dear.” Phyllis cried at night.
One morning, Mother said they were moving to the countryside.
“We must be brave,” she said. “Things are different now. We’ll live a simpler life. And we’ll be happy again.”
The next day, they packed their things. A few clothes, books, and toys. A small train took them far from London, through green fields and hills, until they reached a quiet village with only a few houses and a small railway station.
A man with a kind face and a brown coat met them at the station.
“Name’s Perks. I work here. You must be the new family.”
He carried their bags and showed them the way to their new home — a little white house near the railway tracks. It was old and cold, but it had a garden and a view of the trains.
“You’ll hear the 9:15 every morning,” said Perks with a smile.
That night, Bobbie sat by the window and watched the stars. She could hear a train far away.
“Daddy,” she whispered, “Where are you?”
She didn’t know it yet, but the railway would soon change their lives forever.

Chapter 2: The New House by the Railway

The little white house was not like their old home in London. There were no servants, no warm carpets, and no big fireplace. But Mother smiled and said,
“Let’s make it beautiful — with love.”
The children worked hard. Bobbie cleaned the windows, Peter chopped wood, and Phyllis unpacked the dishes. They found joy in the smallest things: a wild rose in the garden, the birds on the fence, or the soft sound of the wind in the trees.
At first, they felt sad. But slowly, they began to laugh again.
Each morning, they woke to the sound of the 9:15 train. It rushed past their house like a metal dragon, whistling as it went. Peter loved it.
“Trains are the best machines ever made!” he said.
They soon discovered the railway line behind their garden led to the small country station, where Mr. Perks, the porter, worked. He was always cheerful and full of stories.
“Morning, young ones!” he’d say. “Want to help me carry some boxes?”
They did. The children loved to visit the station. They watched the trains, counted the wheels, and waved to the passengers. Sometimes people waved back.
One day, Bobbie had an idea.
“Let’s wave to the train every day — at the same time.”
They did. And it became a game. Bobbie, Peter, and Phyllis stood on the hill near the tracks and waved their handkerchiefs as the train passed. Soon, the passengers on the train began to look out for them. Some waved, others smiled. A few even threw sweets wrapped in paper out of the window!
One man always waved with a newspaper in his hand. He wore a big hat and a kind smile.
“He’s our special friend,” said Bobbie. “Let’s call him The Old Gentleman.”
Another morning, they found a dog near the railway. It had a hurt leg and looked cold and hungry. Bobbie gently touched its fur.
“You’re safe now,” she whispered.
They named him “Jim” and took him home. Mother smiled but said,
“No dogs inside, please.”
So the children built a small house for him in the garden using wood and an old blanket.
Later that week, a strong wind blew open the back door, and the cold got inside. Peter tried to close the window, but it was stuck. They shivered, but they didn’t complain.
“Let’s be brave,” said Bobbie. “Like Mother.”
That night, Bobbie heard her mother coughing. She went to the kitchen to make tea and found her sitting alone, crying silently.
“I’m sorry, darling,” said Mother. “I’m just tired.”
Bobbie hugged her tightly.

Chapter 3: Danger on the Railway

It was a bright summer day. The children were playing near the railway line when they heard a strange, loud noise — CRACK! It came from the rocks above.
Peter looked up.
“The hillside is falling!” he shouted.
Big stones rolled down the hill, crashing onto the tracks. In just a few seconds, the line was covered with rocks and dirt.
“A train is coming soon!” Bobbie cried. “It will crash!”
They knew they had to act fast. There was no time to run to the station.
Phyllis looked at her red petticoat.
“Let’s wave something red! That means danger,” she said.
The children quickly took off their petticoats and tied them to sticks. They stood near the bend in the track — where the driver could see them — and began to wave.
“Stop! Stop the train!” they shouted, waving with all their strength.
The 11:29 train came closer and closer. The driver blew his whistle — he had seen them! Sparks flew from the wheels as the train screeched to a stop, just meters before the rocks.
The driver jumped out.
“What’s going on?” he asked angrily.
Bobbie pointed to the hillside.
“The rocks fell. We wanted to warn you.”
The driver looked at the blocked tracks. His face changed.
“You… you children saved us,” he said. “You saved the train!”
Everyone praised them. The fireman patted Peter’s back. The passengers came to see what had happened. One old lady gave Bobbie a sweet. A man in a suit smiled kindly — it was The Old Gentleman.
“Very brave,” he said. “I’ll make sure the railway knows about this.”
Later that day, Mr. Perks brought them a letter. It had a big red stamp.
“From the railway company!” he said, excited.
Inside was a message of thanks and three green leather books with gold writing. Each book had a name inside: Roberta, Peter, Phyllis – For Courage and Intelligence.
Mother read the letter out loud. Her voice was proud but soft.
“To three brave children who showed quick thinking and helped prevent a terrible accident. With deepest thanks…”
Bobbie felt her heart grow warm.
That night, they looked at the stars from their garden. Peter held his book tightly.
“We really did something important today,” he said.
“Yes,” said Bobbie. “We helped people. Like Father would do…”

Chapter 4: The Paper Chase

One sunny afternoon, Peter, Bobbie, and Phyllis went walking in the woods near the railway. The air was fresh, and the leaves made soft rustling sounds in the wind.
Suddenly, they heard loud voices. A group of boys from the village school ran past them. One boy shouted:
“We’re doing a paper chase!”
Peter explained,
“It’s a game. One boy runs ahead, leaving a trail of paper. The others chase him and try to catch him.”
Bobbie was curious.
“Let’s follow and watch!”
They walked further and saw little white pieces of paper leading into a tunnel — a very dark, long tunnel.
Peter stopped.
“He went through the tunnel?”
Bobbie nodded.
“But that’s dangerous! What if a train comes?”
The children looked at each other. They knew they had to help.
“We can’t go in,” Phyllis said, frightened.
“But we must warn him,” Bobbie said firmly. “We can’t just leave him there!”
Peter ran to the other side of the tunnel, while Bobbie and Phyllis stayed near the entrance. Inside, it was cold and black. The air smelled of smoke and damp stones. Bobbie’s voice echoed:
“Hello? Are you there?”
A small voice answered,
“Yes… I hurt my leg.”
It was the boy! He had slipped and couldn’t walk. Bobbie held his hand.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get help.”
She stayed with him while Peter went to the station for the porter. Soon, Mr. Perks and Peter arrived with a lamp and a blanket. They carefully carried the boy out.
The schoolboys, who had been looking for their friend, finally appeared.
“What happened?” one asked.
Peter explained everything. The boys thanked them and promised never to go into tunnels again.
Later, the injured boy’s parents came to visit. They were very grateful. His father, a kind man in a black coat, shook each child’s hand.
“You were brave and wise,” he said. “Thank you.”
That evening, Mother kissed them all goodnight.
“Helping others, even strangers, is the greatest kind of kindness,” she said.
Bobbie smiled as she fell asleep, her heart full of quiet joy.

Chapter 5: Secrets and Surprises

Summer was coming. The days grew longer and warmer, and the countryside around the railway became green and bright. The children loved spending time outside—playing, exploring, and watching the trains go by.
One afternoon, while Bobbie was walking near the railway cutting, she noticed a man hiding behind a bush. He looked tired and frightened. His clothes were dirty, and he was trying not to be seen.
Bobbie stepped closer and asked softly,
“Are you all right?”
The man looked up quickly.
“Please… I haven’t eaten in two days,” he said. “I’ve just escaped from prison. But I’m not a bad man.”
Bobbie was afraid—but she also felt sorry for him.
“Wait here,” she said. “I’ll come back.”
She ran home and quietly found some food—bread, cheese, and cold meat. She also brought a bottle of milk and a blanket.
“Here. Eat this,” she said kindly when she returned. “And rest for a while.”
The man smiled weakly.
“Thank you, young lady. You are very kind. I promise, I did not do what they said I did. I was wrongly accused.”
Bobbie believed him. She didn’t tell anyone—not even Peter and Phyllis.
“He’s scared,” she thought. “If he tells the truth, he should be free.”
Later that evening, Bobbie told Mother everything.
Mother listened carefully.
“You did the right thing to help him,” she said. “But now it’s time for adults to step in. I’ll write a letter to someone who can help.”
She wrote to a famous lawyer in London, a friend of their family. Days passed.
Finally, one morning, a letter came. Bobbie read it eagerly. The lawyer had investigated the case—and the man had told the truth! He was now free and safe.
“He wanted you to know he’s grateful,” the letter said. “And he will always remember your kindness.”
Bobbie’s heart lifted. She had kept a secret to protect someone—and now, justice was done.
That evening, as the train passed by, Bobbie waved with joy.
“Sometimes,” she thought, “the smallest kindness can change a person’s life.”

Chapter 6: Mr. Perks Has a Birthday

It was a bright, sunny morning. Peter, Phyllis, and Bobbie were standing near the railway station, waiting for their friend Mr. Perks, the porter. He was always cheerful and kind to them, and they loved talking with him.
“Did you know it’s Mr. Perks’s birthday tomorrow?” Peter asked.
“Really?” Bobbie smiled. “Then we must do something special.”
They decided to make a surprise birthday celebration.
“Let’s ask the people in the village if they can give small gifts,” said Phyllis. “Not expensive things—just useful ones.”
The children visited every house near the station. They explained that Mr. Perks was kind to everyone and that he didn’t have much money. The villagers were happy to help. Some gave jam, others gave apples, books, a pipe, or warm socks.
“This is going to be the best birthday he’s ever had!” said Peter.
The next day, the children carried all the gifts to Mr. Perks’s little house. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see them.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Happy Birthday, Mr. Perks!” they all shouted. “These gifts are from the village—to thank you for being such a good friend.”
At first, Mr. Perks looked serious.
“I don’t like charity,” he said quietly. “I’ve always worked hard.”
Bobbie stepped forward.
“It’s not charity. It’s friendship. Everyone gave because they respect you.”
Mr. Perks looked at the gifts again—small things, but full of care.
“Well,” he smiled, “when you put it like that—I’m proud to accept them.”
They spent the afternoon drinking lemonade, eating cake, and telling stories. Mr. Perks’s face glowed with happiness.
Later, he said,
“This is the first birthday party I’ve had in twenty years.”
Bobbie felt proud.
“It’s not always the biggest gift that matters. It’s the heart behind it.”

Chapter 7: The Terrible Secret

One afternoon, the children were playing near the railway when Peter found a piece of old newspaper in the grass. As he looked at it, something caught his eye.
“Look at this!” he said, pointing to a small article. “It says Father is in prison!”
Bobbie snatched the paper from his hand and read the headline. Her heart dropped.
“It’s true. Father has been arrested for something he didn’t do.”
For a moment, no one spoke. The sky seemed darker.
“That’s why Mother never talks about him,” Bobbie whispered. “She’s been trying to protect us.”
Peter looked confused.
“But Father isn’t a bad man! There must be a mistake.”
“Exactly,” said Bobbie. “He’s innocent. We have to believe that.”
They didn’t know what to do. Mother had always acted strong, but now they understood how much she had been hiding. That night, Bobbie couldn’t sleep. She lay in bed thinking about her father behind cold, prison bars.
The next morning, Bobbie made a decision.
“I’m going to do something,” she told herself. “I’ll find help.”
Without telling anyone, she wrote a long letter to the Old Gentleman—the kind man they had waved to on the train many times. She explained everything. She told him about their life, the sadness, and how they believed in their father’s innocence.
“Please,” she wrote, “you’re the only person who might help us.”
She posted the letter and waited.
Days passed. Bobbie tried to act normal, but her heart beat faster every time the postman came. Finally, a letter arrived.
It said:

Dear Roberta,
Thank you for your brave letter. I will look into the matter at once.
Yours sincerely,
The Old Gentleman.

Bobbie smiled through her tears.
“He believes us. Maybe now something will change.”
She didn’t tell Peter or Phyllis about the letter.
“Not yet,” she thought. “Not until there’s good news.”

Chapter 8: The Truth Comes Out

A week had passed since Bobbie sent her letter to the Old Gentleman. Each day felt long. She checked the post every morning and watched the trains, hoping for a sign.
Then, one afternoon, everything changed.
Mother was sitting in the garden with some sewing when a telegram arrived. She read it and went pale.
“Children,” she said softly, “go and play inside, please.”
But Bobbie didn’t move.
“Is it about Father?” she asked.
Mother looked at her daughter. There was sadness in her eyes—but also something new. Hope.
“Yes. It says someone is helping. A lawyer is reopening the case.”
Bobbie knew then that her letter had worked.
That evening, Mother called them all to the sitting room.
“Children, I have something to tell you. I should have told you earlier—but I wanted to protect you.”
She took a deep breath.
“Your father is in prison. He was accused of spying. But he’s innocent. We believe someone at his work gave false evidence.”
Phyllis gasped. Peter stood up quickly.
“But that’s not fair!”
“No,” said Mother. “It’s not. But someone is helping us now.”
Bobbie wanted to hug her mother.
“It’s going to be all right,” she said.
A few days later, a letter arrived from the Old Gentleman. He wrote that he had spoken with powerful people. New evidence had been found. A second trial was coming soon.
“If all goes well,” the letter said, “your father may be released in a few weeks.”
That night, Bobbie shared everything with Peter and Phyllis. They listened in silence, then hugged her tightly.
“You were brave,” said Peter.
“You saved us,” said Phyllis.
Every day after that, they waited and hoped. They visited the station more often. They waved to the Old Gentleman’s train with grateful hearts.
Then one warm summer morning, the stationmaster gave Bobbie a message.
“There’s a visitor for you—on the 3:15 train.”
Bobbie rushed to the platform. The train came around the bend. It stopped, and the doors opened.
A tall man stepped down. He wore a dark suit and held a hat in his hands.
Bobbie’s heart stopped.
“Daddy!” she cried.
He opened his arms.
“My little girl.”
They hugged tightly. Tears rolled down both their faces. The other children came running, and Mother too. The family was whole again.
The truth had come out. Justice had won.

Chapter 9: A New Beginning

The house felt different now. Father was home. His presence changed everything.
He smiled more than ever, though his face looked tired. He had spent a year away from his family—but now he was free.
Mother cooked a special dinner that evening. The children sat around the table, watching Father with shining eyes.
“Tell us everything!” said Peter.
“Yes, please,” said Phyllis. “Was it awful?”
Father smiled gently.
“It was difficult. But I always believed in truth—and in all of you.”
They talked late into the night. Bobbie sat quietly, just listening. She felt full of joy, but also something deeper—pride.
The next morning, Bobbie took Father to the station. She wanted him to meet the man who had helped them: the Old Gentleman.
When the train arrived, the gentleman stepped out, smiling.
“You must be Mr. Waterbury,” he said, shaking Father’s hand. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Father replied. “You gave me back my life.”
The Old Gentleman smiled kindly.
“Your daughter is brave. She wrote me a letter that changed everything.”
Bobbie blushed. Father put his arm around her.
“That’s my girl,” he said.
The village soon heard the news. Everyone was happy for the Waterbury family. Mr. Perks brought cakes, and the stationmaster gave the children free rides on the train for a whole week.
Life slowly returned to normal—but it also felt better.
Peter built a new engine from old parts he found in the shed. He said he wanted to work with trains when he grew up.
Phyllis helped Mother in the garden, singing softly. She smiled more now, and her questions became even more curious.
Bobbie began writing in a little notebook. She wrote about her family, the train, the hills, and the sky. She dreamed of becoming a writer one day.
One afternoon, they walked to the top of the hill. The sun was setting, and the countryside glowed in golden light.
They sat together—Mother, Father, Peter, Phyllis, and Bobbie—looking down at the railway line below.
A train passed, its steam rising like a silver ribbon.
“We’ve had many adventures,” said Bobbie softly.
“Yes,” said Father. “But the greatest adventure is still ahead.”
They all smiled. The worst was behind them, and the best was still to come.
Their new life had begun.