Henry was not a happy engine. He hadn't been feeling well for days, and now even though he was feeling better, it seemed as if there was no work for him to do. Everyone seemed to have everything taken care of; so his driver suggested they visit the other stations and see if anyone needed assistance. But whenever he pulled into a station with the intention of helping, it always seemed to be "No thanks Henry!" or "Oh I already finished, why don't you ask Thomas?" Or James. Or Percy. Or Edward. It was evening by the time sir Topham Hatt found him sulking in the shed. Gordon and James were with him.
"How can I be a useful engine if there's nothing here for me to do?" He complained.
"Feh, as if you were to begin with- what engine can be useful when it keeps breaking down all the time." Gordon hissed, feeling a little snappy after having been the one to pick up the slack when Henry was ill.. But even still, he couldn't deny there was a little too much slack lately. But he dismissed the thought in favour of getting some rest, pulling back further into the shed and getting comfortable. Meanwhile, Henry was cross- it wasn't his fault that he sometimes felt unwell. If he had the choice, he'd rather never be sick. He didn't have much time to think on it though, as this was about the moment that sir Topham Hatt approached them.
"I need someone to pick up a very special visitor tomorrow morning. She's come all the way from across the sea, and I want us to make a good first impression." He announced, straightening his coat and surveying the three who were present, as if already deciding who was going to recieve the honor. Gordon wasn't sleepy anymore.
"Surely you want me to take this job- who better to make a good first impression than the finest engine on the island?" He smirked condescendingly as he pulled forward again just a bit, poking his nose just outside of the shed's doors.
"I'll tell you who; the /real/ finest engine on the island. Look at you, you're a disgrace. Dirt and soot everywhere. My shiny new coat of paint is clearly the winning selection." James interjected vainly and shot Gordon an arrogant glare.. To which Gordon's reply was a equally nasty glare. Henry, who was in the middle, felt even more uncomfortable and attempted to slink back into the shed so they could bicker without him being in the way. However he stopped when sir Topham Hatt spoke.
"With attitudes like that, I choose neither of you. Henry, be up early in the morning and get a good washdown, I think you will cut a fine figure to greet our visitor." He said. Henry beamed, glad to be useful at last! And this was an important job- surely if he did well this time, he would recieve more important jobs in the future.
"Y-yes sir! Thank you sir!" He replied. After sir Topham Hatt had left, Henry gave both Gordon and James, who were feeling quite sour indeed, a triumphant smile and backed into the shed to get some rest.
The following morning, Henry was up and about, even before the sun had risen. He was very excited for his important job and hoped everything would go as well as possible. He'd just crept out of the sheds and was on his way to get washed when he was joined by Percy. Percy and Thomas ran the mail delivery service on Sodor and were often up early before anyone else was.
"Hullo Henry, where are you off to so early?" He asked pleasantly, puttering along beside the larger engine. Henry looked over at him.
"Sir Topham Hatt has chosen me to greet a very important visitor, I don't have much time to talk though, I need to get washed and pick up the coaches." And he hurried on. A nice washing first thing in the morning was just what he needed to be awake and alert, and, feeling quite fine indeed, he puffed along to the station where his passenger was supposed to be waiting. By that time the sun was peeking over the horizon and the cool morning mist had begun to dissipate. When they arrived at the station, the visitor didn't seem to be there yet, so Henry took a few minutes to relax and enjoy the sunrise. After scooting around in the frosty air, the sunlight felt wonderful, and made his shiny green coat look even more wonderful to boot.
He had just closed his eyes, basking quite luxuriously in the warmth when,
"Oh my, what a /lovely/ green engine. Oh doesn't he just look splendid." It was a woman's voice. Henry opened his eyes.
"Th-thank you ma'am!" He managed to stutter, looking over in surprise and briefly studying the woman who had made the exclamation. He was surprised by what he saw. She looked to be rather young, with pale skin and short blonde hair tucked under a small black hat, which was festooned with feathers and beads. It matched her equally black dress and shawl.. And despite the fact that she appeared for all the world to be wheelchair bound, this didn't seem to limit her, as her green eyes were quick and clever.. And right now, they were locked on Henry, in a nearly predatory fashion. But even as that stood, her expression itself was that of absolute delight.
"I take it you're the one to be my escort? I'm to be meeting with a Mr. Hatt this morning." She said, wheeling a bit closer. Her informal nature surprised him. He was so used to Sir Topham Hatt being addressed with reverent tones and an excessive amount of "Sir" this and "Sir" that. It was almost a bit comical to hear him being called 'Mr. Hatt'.
"Oh yes, of course." Henry replied eagerly. "I'll have you from here to there in no time at all." The woman smiled brightly and thanked the two porters who had brought her luggage aboard and were now coming over to help her into the coach that hd been spifed up specifically for this occassion. When all seemed in order, Henry's driver gave him an appreciative pat.
"Alright Henry, let's show our guest who's the timliest engine on the island!" They then set off, chugging down the track at an excellent pace. Henry felt so fine, he was sure a morning had never been so splendid. He passed Gordon along his way, and let loose a cheerful whistle, to which Gordon whistled in return.
When they had reached their destination, Henry's passenger disembarked from the coach and wheeled up to talk to him again immediately.
"What a pleasant ride that was, Mr. Hatt is a very fortunate man to have such a wonderfully useful engine in his service. What's your name?" She asked. Henry posetively beamed with pride- if there was one thing any engine could never get enough of, it was praise for a job well done.
"Henry, sir-er, ma'am!" He corrected himself immediately, flushing in embarassment. The woman laughed aloud.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Charlotte." She looked him over once more with her sharp gaze.. And Henry, despite how pleased he was, couldn't help but feel vaguely uncomfortable. He forced himself to keep smiling, but it was truth that no one studied engines that closely unless they were either inspecting them for the scrapyard, or looking to buy.. And he didn't much care for either of those possibilities. Luckily, a familiar booming voice interrupted their exchange.
"Excellent timing, I had just arrived. I hope your ride was an agreeable one." Sir Topham Hatt had been waiting to greet his visitor, and her attention was drawn away as he approached. They shook hands amiably.
"Indeed it was, perhaps soon I might see if I can't take another ride around the island- after we've discussed what business I'm here for, of course." And the two of them moved away, chatting politely. Henry watched them go, then looked to his driver who was getting ready to hop back in.
"Come along Henry, we have other things to do today." He said, and they chuffed away.
