The sun was shining on the Island of Sodor, and all the engines were going about their usual routines. Gordon was pulling the Express, Henry was taking passengers on tours round the grand and majestic forest and Edward was shunting at the yards by his station.
At Tidmouth Sheds however, Thomas and James were waiting for their jobs.
Soon the Fat Controller came in his car to see them.
"Ah there you are! Thomas, you are required to go to the flour mills, and James, you will be working with him."
"Yes sir!" chorused the engines.
So they set off to the flour mills, but Thomas was surprised that James of all engines was working with him.
"So James, are you looking forward to working at the mills?" He asked as they arrived.
But before James could answer his friend, the manager came up to them.
"Thomas," he addressed. "I need you to take some flour to the bakery. And James, you can start by filling up those flour trucks from the flour chute."
James turned pale. He remembered an old story that Thomas had told him once, long ago, about being covered in flour.
"Pooh!" snorted James. "Couldn't Thomas do that when he gets back?"
"Really Useful Engines should always do as they're told." The manager replied coldly.
James sighed. He wished his friend Sophie was here, but she had got a bad stomach bug and had to stay at home.
With a long groan, he set to work.
...
Meanwhile, Thomas delivered a long train of trucks to the bakery. They all contained sacks of flour ready to be made into bread and cakes.
Today however, they had a special job to do, so they required more flour.
"Thanks Thomas!" Called the workers as he chuffed away back to the flour mill. Remember to come back later and help us take this to Knapford, will you?"
Thomas responded with an affirmative 'Peep! Peep!'
...
Back at the flour mill, James was seething. He hated flour now- he hated the word as well. It got everywhere, and made him sneeze. Why it was worse than pepper!
However, as he shunted trucks under the flour chute and the flour went in the trucks, he soon began to relax. Well at least nothing wrong was happening.
Until the worker operating the chute- a young lad- forgot to turn off the flour chute.
The trucks gleefully pulled James under the chute, leaving the red engine's whistle shrieking and piercing all who was within hearing radius.
...
As soon as Thomas returned to the flour mills, he saw James positively coated in flour.
"Oh dear me James -whatever happened to you?" Thomas dared to ask, trying valiantly to restrain his giggles.
"Be quiet!" Snapped James. "I blame you all! I blame you all for my wretched misfortunes!"
"Don't be upset James- flour is really useful- like us, only it has different purposes." Thomas told him, managing to calm down.
"Really?"
"Yes! The bakers told me they're working on a big cake. I'm going back there to pick it up once we're finished here! Do you want to help me?"
"Well, alright." the red engine conceded.
After they completed their jobs, and got James nice and clean at the wash-down the two engines collected the cake and took it to Knapford.
"Excellent work at the flour mills today, you two!" praised the Fat Controller.
"And look at that cake!" Added Lady Hatt. "It looks good too to eat!"
Thomas and James blew their whistles to wish a happy birthday as the people clapped and cheered- for Lady Hatt's birthday.