If there was one thing that kept the engines awake at night- and subsequently annoyed them- was that Gordon always snored when he was fast asleep at Tidmouth Sheds, and it was very, very loud. But when the other engines tried to complain to Gordon about it, and politely asked him to try and stop snoring so they could sleep better, he merely sniffed, and just said "I am an important engine! I am entitled to such a privilege, you know!"
The other engines just rolled their eyes.
He always said that, but they were fed up of that excuse. They were in urgent need of a goodnight's sleep.
...
One morning in the Sheds, however, Gordon and Henry were absent.
"Where are they sir?" Edward asked in concern.
"It appears that Gordon's got bad boiler ache. Henry's taken him there, and should be back before long, but you'll have to meet him at the quarry, Edward."
"Yes sir."
"And James, you will be taking the Express at its usual times." The Fat Controller added.
"Yes sir!" Exclaimed James happily. He loved pulling the Express, as he always got a chance to show off his red paint.
"Everyone else will be doing their usual jobs so I expect you all to be Really Useful, as always." He finished.
"Yes sir!" They chorused, and they set off to work.
...
The day was progressive and enterprising for all. They had pulled their coaches, shunted their trucks and did other jobs in between. With sore buffers and weary eyes they returned to the shed.
Only something was missing.
"It's so... quiet." Emily said in awe.
"I agree-it's too quiet!" Grumbled Thomas. He liked hustle and bustle.
"If it wasn't for the fact we were in the shed, I'd have thought we were in the forest." Henry added.
"Pah-not much different from when Dad was here, he was sawing logs nightly!" James complained. He was speaking, of course, of Gordon.
The engines couldn't sleep that night- even if Gordon's snoring had driven them up the wall; they found the quiet far too unsettling for them
...
So the next morning, they asked the Fat Controller about Gordon's return just before he gave them their jobs.
"Hm, well, Gordon will be in there a few days," The Fat Controller admitted. "But I have an idea that might help you. Wait until tonight and I'll tell you what it is."
That night, the engines were astonished as he placed a small and rather unusual white cordless machine by the side of the sheds.
"It's to help you sleep. I had this back when I was affected by insomnia before I got married." He admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't need to use it after then though, so I'll let you have it tonight and see how it works. Goodnight engines."
"Goodnight sir." They responded.
He switched it on for them and left the sheds.
Soon, all the engines were asleep peacefully.