Bertie's Bees

"Come this way, Your Majesty!"

- Jem Cole to the Queen Bee

Bertie's Bees is a magazine story.

Plot
Bertie is carrying passengers around the Island of Sodor. As he approaches the Orchard, Jem Cole wants to get off. Bertie smells a wonderful smell and Jem tells him it's the apple trees which are in blossom at the moment. Bertie wants to stay and watch the beautiful trees, but the driver insists they have work to do. As Bertie drives away from the Orchard, he hears a buzzing noise. Bertie is sure it is a loose nut or window when the passengers aboard the bus ring his bell to get him to stop. As soon as the door is opened, the passengers all run out shouting and screaming. There is a bee in the bus - the biggest bee Bertie has ever seen. Bertie's driver says that it must be the Queen Bee as he tries to usher out of his bus.

The Queen is still inside the bus when a fierce droning noise gets nearer and nearer. There are thousands of honey bees heading straight for them. Bertie's driver races into his cab and drives away, with the bees swarming behind. Turning a bend in the road, they find they are approaching the Orchard. Jem Cole runs out waving his arms and shouting for Bertie to stop. Bertie screeches to a stop and Jem opens the door and coaxes the Queen Bee out. The Queen buzzes across to a hive inside the Orchard. The honey bees all follow her. Jem Cole thanks Bertie for catching the Queen and bringing her back, so he fetches a jar of honey and gives it to Bertie's driver for his tea.

Characters

 * Bertie
 * Jem Cole
 * Trevor