"I see sir." Gordon said solemnly at Knapford Station one dull morning.
"Good. I'll have Henry take over your work until you return from London."
"Yes sir." Gordon was concerned. His brother, the Flying Scotsman, had had a nasty accident on a run, and he was feeling pretty down following it, so Gordon was informed of the misfortune, and the Fat Controller granted him permission to go and see his brother in London.
Percy heard about the trip from James, who had in turn overheard the discussion between Gordon and his wife, Molly.
"I want to go with him!" He exclaimed.
"You can't, Percy." James replied, trying to make his little brother see sense. "You're to stay with us. He'll only be gone for a few days."
But Percy wasn't interested. He wanted to go to London with Gordon and be there for him when he saw his brother.
...
It was hard, for the family saw that Oercy was feeling a bit more despondant as the date of Gordon's departure drew nigh, but no one could get much out of him about it.
"Hm, this is getting worrying." Edward noted. "He's fallen into a quiet downheartedness."
"Indeed." Henry added. "The poor fellow."
"He's taking Dad's departure hard." Emily said sadly.
They knew how to help, but they couldn't force it on their youngest sibling for fear of losing his trust.
...
So Edward told Thomas about it at Wellsworth the afternoon before Gordon was due into London.
Thomas was sad to hear that his best friend was feeling down, and he promised to try and talk to him, as the two were to work together anyway.
...
Later, at the Scrapyards, the blue tank engine was alarmed to note that his friend was losing focus and not paying attention.
It came to a head when one of the cranes overhead went bust, and dropped a large piece of scrap metal from it.
Percy was standing directly under the metal, unaware of what was happening.
It wasn't until Thomas shoved him out of the way just in time when he snapped out of it.
"Sorry Thomas- I just allowed your trucks to get squashed." He said sadly.
"You jolly well did!" Huffed Thomas, before remembering the dilemma Percy was facing. He softened slightly.
"I'm sorry Percy. I know things aren't easy right now, but I know that Gordon is doing it for someone who is as much loved and a part of your family as you, James, Molly and the others."
Percy sniffed a little.
"Don't you think he's finding it as hard as you are?" Thomas continued.
"I know Thomas - I'm sorry..."
"Don't be, Percy - I didn't mean..." He trailed off when his companion began to sob.
"Percy..."
"I'm a selfish engine! I never even thought-!"
"You're not selfish Percy! You're just an engine who likes seeing his loved ones together. That isn't wrong, you know. I think you should go and talk to your family about this." He urged.
As he looked at Thomas' gentle smile, and remembered his kind words, Percy knew that Thomas had a point.
"You know, I'll go and talk to my family." He decided.
"Good for you Percy!"
The two engines smiled, and continued working until a whistle blew. Then, Thomas finished off whilst Percy went to find Molly and his siblings.
...
Soon, he found them all, and explained what he told Thomas.
"Sweetie, this is hard on all of us. Molly said gently. I know you'll miss your dad, but we all will."
"Besides, he's not going forever." Edward reminded his youngest sibling.
"Just for a few days at most." Added Henry earnestly.
Percy finally felt much better.
"Thank you." He whispered.
...
The next morning, a few tears were shed as Gordon set off for London to see Flying Scotsman.
The engines related to Gordon and Thomas all had some time to say goodbye as he pulled away and headed out towards the Mainland by the Vicarstown Bridge.
Percy was the saddest on seeing him go, but the knowledge that he will be back in a few days made him smile too.
...
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