"Could you move the box over there a bit please?" Goldie asked, indicating to one awkwardly placed in front of a door.
"It's a bit heavy!" Sunny replied, as she resorted to pushing it. "Are you sure it needs to be over there?"
"Where is there?" Argyle asked, currently preoccupied with the mantelpiece. "Whomever knew we had so many knives and forks?"
"I'd been wondering that myself, actually," Sunny noted, as she pushed the box out of the way, and then went to help her dad with the cutlery mountain that had developed. "It must be a special visitor if we're doing all of this."
"That's from our wedding," Goldie explained, as she finished adjusting the glasses on the table. "Several people decided to get us several cutlery sets for some reason. Not to worry. Gives us plenty of flexibility!"
Sunny decided to speak up. "I'm confused. I know that's not much of a change from normal, but nontheless I'm a bit surprised by all this. Why are we putting all of this stuff into place for what is a family visit?"
Goldie stopped what she was doing and turned around to address her. "I apologise in advance for the infodump, but this is information I would prefer to disseminate only once. So listen carefully, for I shall say this only once." She breathed in, and then started with her speech.
"As you probably know, the person coming to visit is your uncle, Moondust. He's my older brother, and he doesn't come to this part of the world very often given that he lives in British Columbia, which is in Canada."
"As opposed to British Columbia, South Korea," Argyle said. "Most people know where British Columbia is."
"Just making sure!" Goldie smiled awkwardly, before walking over to a cupboard to remove some plates. "As I say, he doesn't visit this part of the world very often, and seeing as I'm the furthest away member of the Skylight family him coming all this way across the ocean is rather important."
"Skylight?" Sunny queried, then remembered. "Oh. That's his name."
"And mine as well, before I married your father," Goldie replied, having found what she was looking for. "Aha! Blue plates and bowls. Perfect. These will go nicely with the glasses." She picked them up, then stopped before seeing what Argyle had in his hand. "Argyle. What is that?"
"Bought some maple syrup on my way home from the university," Argyle explained, with a smile on his face. "I thought it'd make him feel at home, seeing as he's come a long way. Canadians, eh?"
Goldie facepalmed. "Argyle, people usually go to another country to experience their food, not eat stuff they can get at home." She put the plates down. "Honestly, this is like that business trip to Hamburg all over again."
"Fry up?" Argyle suggested.
"I thought the plan was to go to the Fisherman's Arms tonight," Sunny replied, who then went back to sorting chairs. "At least we're not washing the doors like the last time Lady Haven popped over for tea."
"Funny how we went from being just a normal family to being one with so many connections," Argyle laughed. "If you'd told me two years ago that we'd be friends with aristocracy I'd have laughed!"
"You are now," Sunny pointed out.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Goldie, as she was closest to the door, walked over and checked the eye hole, a habit she'd developed many years ago, before her face lit up. "He's arrived!" she said, before unlocking and opening the door.
On the other side stood a man with light blue skin, greyish hair, and yellowy eyes. He had the look of a man who had been travelling a long time, as his coat had quite a few creases in it, and his eyes had the distinctive look of a person who has been flying a long time. Nontheless, his face broke into a smile. "Afternoon," he said, before shutting the door behind him (he had stepped in during the interval between it opening and him speaking). "How's my little sister?"
"There's only two years between us," Goldie pointed out. "Then again, keeping track of all the relatives is quite difficult, seeing as mom and dad maintained the old tradition of many children. How was the journey?"
"Flight from Vancouver was pretty good. Hopped down to LA to visit Penny and Blackjack, then across to Boston to visit mom and dad, then down to New York to see Vicky." He paused. "You know, living out here has clearly rubbed off on you. You wouldn't sound out of place in Canada with your accent."
"I've lived here a long time, which is why I sound vaguely Mid-Atlantic. And I hope she didn't give you too much trouble," Goldie said. "You know what she's like."
"What is she like?" Argyle asked, innocently.
"We were at her wedding, remember?" Goldie replied. "The way she acted that day is not too far removed from when she was a child."
Argyle shuddered at the memory, as did Moondust.
"Luckily she wasn't too bad this time," Moondust smiled. "Then across to Blighty itself. Even got in early." He took his coat off and hung it up, before stepping further into the room. "Hello, Sunny. I don't know if you remember me- I last visited when you were about three, after all."
"It's been that long?" Sunny said in surprise. "Would you like a drink?"
"Yes please," Moonlight said. "Coffee, as strong as you can make it."
"That I can do!" Sunny smiled. "I've recently developed a sideline in selling coffee in addition to milkshakes and smoothies, and it seems to be working."
Argyle laughed. "She really takes after her mom. My little entrepeneur."
"Well, it never hurts to meet public needs," Moondust added. "So, you guys still doing all the railroad stuff?"
"We can show you round the sheds and meet the engines later, if you'd like," Argyle noted. "My study recently got an update so I could exhibit more of my Sodor memorabilia."
"We even have a crane tank!" Goldie added, indicating to a seat. "Shall we sit and talk?"
"Good to see that time on the dockyard payed off." Moondust took a seat as Sunny popped a mug out of a machine. "Milk, one sugar."
"How have things been in Canada?" Goldie ventured.
"Well, I do have quite a special story to tell from my days working for Canadian Pacific's steam program. It concerns ghosts, mountains, and a lot of steam engines...."