Thomas felt cross, it wasn't because he and Daisy had gotten into a fight over a passenger special the night before. It wasn't because Percy and his crew pretended a fish got into his tank or Toby joining in. The reason was there was a line of trucks in the yard that had yet to be arranged.

In front of him a silver diesel looked sheepishly at the tank engine, his name was Dennis. "My engine gave out. I forgot to monitor the amount of fuel I had left. When I'm refueled I'll help." He had been brought in to help the Ffarquhar Line engines during a very busy summer. Thomas had begun to wonder if he had been sent here to get him out of the Other Railways hair.

The yard master said "I'm afraid not. Dennis, you'll take Annie and Clarabel once you refuel. Thomas, the trucks must reach the station before the boat leaves. Be a good engine and take his train. Don't worry, once his original driver arrives from the mainland we should be able to avoid this happening."

Thomas didn't complain but he glared at Dennis who looked down at his buffers nervously. Then the tank engine stormed off to arrange the trucks of stone, ale, and vegetables.

Dennis was a fast shunter compared to most engines like Thomas, Diesel and Percy. He did work very hard when shunting, pulling coaches and hauling fitted trains. However, whenever trucks were involved, unfitted trucks at least, he seemed to be always able to worm himself out of work. Thomas was certain he was faking it. That night he complained to the other engines in the shed on his line.

"I always have to do his work. It's uncanny how easily he dodges working with trucks. Right now I'm afraid to tell James because he'll be asking for tips by the end of the week!" He complained.

Percy rolled his eyes and said, "He does his work from what I see. If anything, your just complaining because you have to take trucks for once." Toby spoke then, "Normally I would take your side Percy but given your complaints about Daisy in the past, being the pot that called the kettle black does not suit. However Thomas, Percy does have a point."

Thomas looked betrayed and said "The cheek! Alright then, I'll prove it. Tomorrow I'll take over for one of your duties for a week. See if you can handle Dennis."

Percy and Toby looked at each other, neither had been expecting that response. However the former said "I'll do it. It'll be nice to get out of the harbor for a while and pull coaches."

Thomas said "Very well. I suggest getting sleep then. It'll be an early day." Percy, delighted fell asleep quickly while Toby looked over concerned. "Is he really that bad?"

Thomas sighed and said "Just wait a week, see how Percy is."

Over the next few days, Thomas's prediction and complaints seemed groundless. However by the middle of the week, Percy too was grumbling about Dennis. By the end of the week, the saddle tank was furious.

"He left me his trains of stone! That pile of rusty iron knows how to weasel his way out of anything!" Percy exclaimed, "I'm sorry I doubted you, Thomas." The blue tank engine replied, "Don't worry yourself, It took me a while to realize the same thing." Thomas's eyes were not on the tank engine but the tram who looked astonished.

"Well, since we have proof. What do we do?" Toby asked.

"We confront him." Thomas said.

"And what?" Percy said.

"We do it in front of the yard workers and trucks." Thomas added.

"Ah, so the Fat Controller has multiple witnesses. Good thinking Thomas." Toby exclaimed. Thomas grinned at this and said "Now I have to go and collect the mail vans. Ta Ta!"

Percy and Toby said goodbye to him and Thomas rushed to grab the mail.

At the docks, Thomas had finished shunting the vans when he heard a pair of familiar voices. It was Dennis and his original driver who had just arrived from the mainland. Since he had some time until the boat arrived he asked his driver if he could listen. The driver had been quite irritated by Dennis's behavior so he agreed.

Dennis said "Im sorry Ichabod."

"I know you were dealt a poor card in life but the tank engines on this line don't deserve I know for a fact your avoiding the trucks." The driver scolded. Then he sighed and said "This is your last chance, if you don't get a good report on Sodor then it's over old friend."

Thomas's face dropped and without realizing it puffed forward. Dennis and his driver looked over, then then Ichabod asked "How much did you hear?"

Thomas's driver replied, "Enough to know he's on his last legs."

"It's not an excuse for laziness though." Thomas said trying to not let the revelation affect him. Dennis looked down and said "At least your brakes work."

"Come again?" Thomas asked surprised. The diesels driver replied "Dennis is in good condition but he can't handle the trucks like you can."

"Why not?" Thomas's driver asked.

"Its my brakes. They're weak." Dennis explained. Thomas raised an eyebrow and said "Tell the inspector then."

"He wouldn't see an issue, the brakes work fine." The driver explained, "Are you aware of a builder called Bulleid?"

Thomas's face fell and he groaned, "Don't tell me he's one of those engines. No wonder you're terrified of our trucks!"

Thomas's driver explained, "During the war years, an engine called Neville was brought in for freight duties. His tender brakes were rather poor which caused several runaways, since then we've had a wariness about engines built under your designers watch. Then there was poor Rebecca before her rebuild, caught on fire the poor lass did."

Dennis sighed, "Should've guessed that you met some of my cousins*." Thomas looked at him and said "So, now I know why your doing this. How do we go from here? We can't proceed like we have been."

Thomas's driver agreed while his fireman, keeping warm in the cab, let out a vocal agreement. Dennis said "I don't know. Perhaps I could do passenger, lighter goods and farm trains until the fall. Then at the works I could get stronger brake discs and an air brake system."

Thomas then said "Will you actually do any work given to you and do it well?"

Ichabod said "I'll make sure. He didn't cause trouble on the mainland while under my care."

Thomas then said "Alright then. I'll talk to the stationmaster tomorrow but don't cause any issues. As it is, Percy will have to be calmed as he was hoping to call you out publicly. And even with all I know, I'm still tempted to let him." Dennis sheepishly looked down and his driver answered "He won't be an issue. I'm sorry you and your friend had to deal with this. I'll find a way to make it up to you two after Dennis redeems himself."

Thomas was satisfied and left to collect the mail train. As he left, the tank engine began to wonder how Percy and Toby would take the new arrangement.

-Fin-

*-I figured engines built by the same designer but not of the same class would be cousins.