Indeed, as James feared, the Fat Controller was very cross with him indeed.
"Well James, that was not very nice, losing your patience with Percy like that!" He scolded. "For that, you will not be working with him for a whole month and you will be working at the coal plant until then, too!"
James moaned under his breath.
"Now send Percy to me- I need to deal with him, too."
...
And so that is why you cannot tease other engines." The Fat Controller said to Percy sternly, an hour and ten minutes later. "Thomas' Branchline will be shut for maintenance tomorrow, and so you shall be helping him doing the maintenance of the line for a whole month."
Percy was horrified! "Sir, please!" He squeaked. "I'm still little- I didn't know that James will get in trouble!"
"That is precisely why you need to learn that actions have their consequences, Percy." The Fat Controller replied and he left.
Percy was cross. He hated maintenance work! It was long, tedious and boring, and engines wanted to be more productive than do maintenance.
...
"It's not fair!" He huffed to Edward later at Wellsworth. "I was only having a bit of fun!"
"Well you did bring it on yourself- and James too." His oldest brother pointed out.
"I hate maintenance though!"
"Just be thankful you're not working with Diesel at the Scrapyards- that's asking for trouble. And you're not stuck with Bill and Ben either-at least you can work with Thomas- he is your best friend, after all."
"I suppose that working with him is not so bad." Percy agreed.
...
Meanwhile, James was moaning about his punishment to Molly, their mother.
"It's not fair! I can't work with Percy for a whole month!"
"Percy might have teased you, but you did still insult your father's cousin." Molly scolded. "We don't insult family James."
"I know, but he was-"
"No buts. Look on the bright side James. You can still see Percy; you're just not allowed to work with him yet. Plus, you get to work with me more!"
"Yeah, that's good." James agreed.
So Thomas and Molly remained supportive to Percy and James for that entire month, and once it was finally over, the Fat Controller allowed them both to take the mail train together.