Once upon a time there were two little bears, one named Toby and the other Tara.

Home was a big house surrounded with a large beautiful garden, containing a pond, water fall, many steps, rockers and plants. The bears were very happy, their owner a young girl with the name of Eva, loved her bears and took wonderful care of them.

Since Eva was a baby, the little bears had been part of her life. Although she could not remember it, they arrived shortly after her birth and had taken up residence close to Eva’s cot in the nursery.

In time the nursery had become a play room, next to her own bedroom, and the bears took pride of place on their own shelf. Over the years others toys and bears had arrived, but Toby and Tara remained firm favourites.

Teenage years saw the playroom become a sitting room for Eva, where she could study for her exams, enjoy listening to music, watch television and have friends to visit. Many of the toys of earlier years had moved on, not having any brothers or sisters, most were given or sadly thrown away.

The two little bears remained there over the years, happy and contented.

Summer a number of years later ended early, it also marked the beginning of a great many changes in their lives. Eva was clearly excited about something, a great deal going on during the previous weeks, now cases and boxes were being packed. Certainly more than for a holiday ……

Dressed in a very fashionable new outfit, Eva roamed around her rooms for awhile, looking at things on shelves, picking some up and gently replacing them. Just as she reached Toby and Tara her mother called asking if she was ready, Eva walked to the door, then turned, going back to the two bears.

"How could I go without you?" she said, placing the small bears in her bag "you are coming with me!"

Toby and Tara felt a bit uncertain as they peeped out of the bag. They had been on holiday with Eva before, but this cold frosty Autumn day was different from any of those occasions.

There followed a long drive, during which Eva became a bit subdued. Her mother started chatting to her, telling her daughter she would soon settle in and make new friends. Arriving at their destination Eva’s belongings were soon transferred to her room, after saying their farewells her parents departed and Eva found herself alone and a little apprehensive.

Remembering the little bears she removed them from her bag, placed them on a bookcase and stood back whispering "welcome to your new home!"

The start of a new era in her life had begun, university.

During the next few years the little bears were still well cared for, and they enjoyed some interesting adventures with Eva often being put in her bag and taken out. One or two of Eva’s new found friends teased her about them, Toby and Tara had even been kidnapped on one occasion, but returned in pristine condition on payment of a small ransom.

The ransom actually being a date with the young man who eventually was going to become Eva’s husband.

Every vacation Eva took the two bears home with her, only on a couple of occasions were they left by themselves when she had been away. The time flew by, suddenly one beautiful summers day Eva was preparing for graduation.

Following the ceremony and celebrations Eva found herself standing alone in her room, carefully she picked up the two little bears, stroking them as she so often did but this time adding a big thank you for being there all through her college career. Most had been highly enjoyable, but there had been a couple of sad times.

Next day Eva started to pack, since arriving at university she had amassed many more belongings, thus a removal company had been organised to take her things home.

Eva was on holiday with her boyfriend first, thus it was not until a few weeks later she realised the little bears were missing. Enquiries were made, but neither the College or the transport company could locate the bears.

Although very upset about the loss of the bears, Eva had been launched into another world, another era of her life, her first job, and a forthcoming engagement to a very wealthy young man.

The two little bears, Toby and Tara were lost and forgotten, or were they?

© Susan Hopgood

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