"What- why did you quit?"
"Sorry James but I feel bad for scaring you with the whole Jack Frost incident."
"I said you were forgiven!"
"I'm sorry, James, but the answer's still no."
James was disappointed – and a bit hurt – as he chuffs away to the Coaling Plant to collect his trucks, ready to take the coal trucks as usual.
...
But presently, when he arrived at the Coaling Plant, Diesel was waiting
"About time!" He huffed. "I still don't see why the Fat Controller keeps you on."
"What's he doing here?" James asked the manager, Oliver Swan.
"I'm sorry James but Diesel is replacing Percy for the coal run. You know it's too much for one engine alone."
"Well, why Diesel?"
"He's the only engine available. Now the both of you should get on with the coal run."
...
James hated his run that night.
Thankfully, the two engines had separate routes, but James still hated the fact that he had had to work with Diesel.
"This is not fun." James growled.
"Sorry James, but life's about working with people you don't get along with." His driver sympathized.
James sighed as he approached the junction.
Then there was trouble.
The points had become jammed earlier, and a workman was meant to put out the warning- but he forgot about it before long.
James passed a green signal and ghosted along the line quietly as he could when a loud opera solo of distress and danger took place.
...
James had come off by the points, and was stuck where he was.
"Don't worry James I'll get help!" The driver ran to the nearest signal box to phone for help.
The fireman stayed behind with James to keep him company.
...
It turned out the only help available was Diesel.
James was not happy about it, but he had no choice-except stay here, and it was too cold for him to do so.
Soon, Diesel arrived with Rocky.
"Honestly, trust you to have an accident." He sneered.
But James was too thankful to Diesel to complain.
...
"Thanks Diesel you were really helpful back there."
"You... you think so? I'd thought you'd hate working with me James." Replied Diesel.
"That was before. Now I think maybe you might not be so bad on a coal run."
