Percy felt his cheeks go bright red. "I'm sorry for getting everything mixed up and forgetting everyone's jobs." He said sadly.
The engines all agree that Percy was forgiven, as no harm had been done, but Thomas just burst out laughing randomly.
Percy felt hurt that his best friend would laugh like that
"Thomas!" he huffed sulkily
The railway's number one calmed down on seeing the hurt look on Percy's face.
"Sorry Percy, but I wasn't laughing at you -I just thought it was funny that James wearing that ridiculous black and yellow livery in the first place!"
"Hey!" Snapped James crossly "That was not funny in the slightest, Thomas!
But they all took great amusement in the matter anyway.
"Well, it did provide a 'buzz' in the yard." Teased Henry.
"Indeed- though it must have been a 'stinging' blow for him to lose his red paint!" Chortled Gordon.
James was very cross as the others laughed.
"Well I'll pay them out!" he huffed to himself "And I know just how to do it...
That night, he sneaked out whilst the others were asleep and asked the late night workmen and his crew to help him with his plan...
...
A few days later, James puffed into the yard, his new paintwork gleaming in the sun.
Thomas was shunting trucks by Tidmouth Sheds.
He looked cross, but as soon as he saw James, he burst out laughing!
"Hello Percy! Have you come here to talk to me?"
James wheeshed steam crossly.
"My, you've been growing since I last saw you!" He teased. "What coal do you take? I want to get bigger than Gordon!"
James hissed angrily and left embarrassed.
"Well played James!" Thomas called after him, laughing hard. "But your red reputation's not gaining any favours here!"
...
"My word Percy, you could almost be my doppelganger engine!" Henry chuffed, as James entered Brendam Docks.
James scowled and blew steam at him. This wasn't the reaction he wanted!
"Who would be, Henry- no one could match your shape!"
"That's how good Crewe is!" Beamed Henry. "Where did you go to get so big, anyway?"
"I'm not Percy -I'm James!" He wheeshed crossly.
"I know. I just think you look a little too like him, that's all."
James scuttled away, very embarrassed.
He gave up.
...
"Oh what's the use?" Lamented James in Tidmouth Sheds that night. "Now I just made an even bigger fool of myself. I should have just let it slide."
Suddenly he heard puffing nearby.
"James?"
James looked up and saw the other engines heading into their sheds.
"We're sorry that we laughed at you last night James." Said Gordon.
"And I'm sorry for teasing you today." Added Thomas.
"As am I." Agreed Henry.
James felt a little better.
"Thank you. You're forgiven -all of you."
"Good news though!" Percy piped up. "I talked to the Fat Controller and he said you can be repainted tomorrow."
"Thanks Percy." Replied James, happy that in a few days he will go back to being Sodor's Red Engine.