Here is a Thomas story entitled "James and Edward" Enjoy and comment.

James can be rather vain. Sometimes he is bad tempered and boastful, but when push comes to shove he has proved that he can be a good friend to the other engines.

Of all the engines on the island, the one that James enjoys working with the most is Percy. Although he can be rude and sometimes teases the small green engine, deep down the two are very good friends and enjoy working together; when James isn't boasting about his paintwork, of course!

James and Percy often work together taking deliveries from Knapford to various destinations across the island. These are heavy trains, so Percy sometimes pulls them while James is his back engine, and other times they swap around. These deliveries separate from Percy's main mail trains.

On one of these mornings, Percy was running very late with the post train. He had been delayed by a signal failure, and wasn't ready to pull the train of morning deliveries with James.

Percy's driver had told the signalman to telephone Sir Topham Hatt He listened to what the signalman had to say, then hung up before making another telephone call to Wellsworth. Then he went out to speak to James, who was waiting impatiently at the platform.

"Where is Percy?" he complained to his driver. "He should have been here twenty minutes ago! This is causing confusion and delay!"

"Maybe Sir Topham Hatt can tell us," his driver replied. "Look, he's heading this way."

"Ah, James," Sir Topham Hatt said, "I'm afraid Percy is running late. He won't be able to be your back engine this morning."

"Bother Percy," James muttered. "Who's going to help me pull this heavy lot now?"

"I am coming to that, James." said Sir Topham Hatt sternly. "I've telephoned Wellsworth and Edward will be here to help you shortly."

James frowned.

"Thank you, sir." he said quietly.

When Sir Topham Hatt returned to his office, James snorted to himself as he waited for Edward.

"As if Edward will be of any use! He's too old to help pull this lot!"

"What was that, James?

Edward's soft voice rang out from behind him. James went very red, ashamed at being caught.

"Erm...nothing, it was nothing."

Edward smiled to himself. He'd heard what James had said really; he wondered how many times he'd have to prove himself before they finally believed that he was as useful as he ever was!

Edward sounded his whistle.

"Are you ready James?" he called cheerfully.

James whistled in return.

"I'm ready." He replied sulkily.

As the two engines made their deliveries, James began to feel better. It was a lovely sunny day, and the two of them made good time. Edward didn't slow James down at all, and despite their late start they finished the job only very slightly late.

"There you are, you see? This old engine didn't slow you down too much after all!" Edward teased gently.

James flushed bright red; so Edward had heard what he'd said earlier.

"I'm sorry, Edward," James replied. "I didn't mean to be rude. I was just upset that I wasn't going to be working with Percy today."

"I'm sure Percy will be flattered that you enjoy his company so much!" Edward laughed.

James went redder still!

"Don't tell him that!"

Edward suppressed another laugh. "I won't say a word! But remember James, even if Percy is busy, you've always got other friends who are ready to help you with your jobs."

James gave a genuine smile.

"Thank you Edward," he grinned, and the good friends puffed slowly home.