Mrs. Branch- the Station Mistress - Lexi, Sir Handel and Rheneas were very confused when Peter Sam turned up with his coal trucks in the wrong place. And by 'wrong place' he had mistakenly turned up at Crovan's Gate Station with several coal trucks behind him.
"Erm, not sure where you're meant to be heading, but you coal is not needed here, Peter Sam." Said Rheneas, frowning in concern at the younger engine, who blushed furiously at his mistake.
"Oh, wait… I must have rushed past the signalbox without realizing," confessed Peter Sam sheepishly. "Sorry! So sorry, Mrs. Branch!" He added to the kindly Station Mistress.
"It's alright, dearie," Replied Mrs. Branch, blinking behind her glasses. "It was just a little mishap, nothing to be ashamed of."
"She's right- and little mishaps are easily taken care of." Rheneas pointed out sensibly.
"Though why you made that mishap in the first place is what's worrying us," Added Lexi, though Rheneas glared at her, hoping she'd quiet down; but she missed the hint. "You're usually so careful with where you're going."
Sir Handel let out a grunt. "Hey, buddy, where are you heading?" He asked suddenly.
"Callathain," Peter Sam answered, uncertainly.
"You better be, or I'll biff you," Sir Handel answered casually
"Where even is that, anyway?" Asked Lexi, curiously, as she paused in her sweeping and regarded the three little engines with wonder.
"It's by Cros-ny-Cuirn." Rheneas replied. "It's actually behind the village square."
"Weird," Commented the teen. "I've been to Cros-ny-Cuirn many a time before, and I've never seen this yard." she frowned at Rheneas, hoping for some kind of explanation. Fortunately for her, he had one; albeit a very vague one.
"It's relatively isolated." The old engine explained. "It's also very small; it's only got four engines working there, at most."
"Neat! What are they like?"
….
Meanwhile, the little blue engine continued, reluctantly, "I'll help you there, if it means you'll get your job done properly and on time."
...
Though he was normally relieved to accept help when he needed it, Peter Sam was unwilling- on this occasion- to have any engine- especially Sir Handel, his own brother- accompany him to his destination; especially if Melody was going to be there.
He loved Sir Handel, really, but his big brother could be such a pain in the smokebox sometimes, and Peter Sam felt rather shy about revealing the cause of his strange mood. But any other thoughts about the matter were quickly interrupted by a clang behind him; and the dreaded noise of a coupling.
"Right, ready when you are!" Sir Handel called out.
Peter Sam, feeling sheepish at not hearing his older brother move into position, hesitated before sounding a short and snappy blast with his whistle. Sir Handel whistled back, and the two engines set off, leaving a confused Rheneas behind.
"Well, hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this soon," he murmured. "I hope you manage to get the key, Sir Handel…"
….
Peter Sam was a tad tense throughout the journey, feeling that Sir Handel might seize onto the object of his thoughts… the very one that kept him awake at night and singing through the day.
"Hey, Peter Sam, loosen up, will ya?" Sir Handel called impatiently from the rear. "I'm having a hard time trying to keep to your pace!"
"Oh, sorry, Sir Handel!" Peter Sam peeped back, slowing down just a fraction so the two engines were chuffing along at similar speeds. He didn't know if it was safe to relax though; Sir Handel was a very clever engine and could pick up on things very quickly.
Lexi once commented that the Skarloey Railway's No. 3 was like a bloodhound, in a sense; quick to get a whiff of what was going on, and difficult to deter. Remembering the comment made Peter Sam's smokebox sink.
"Alright, I'm not holding out any longer. Who is she?"
And there it was. The ambush he had anticipated.
"Why is it your concern!" Peter Sam replied snappishly, not in the mood for teasing.
"Peter Sam, you've been acting moony all day; you've messed up your jobs and got us all worried sick about you." Sir Handel said bluntly. "Granpuff thought Victor might be needed, but I got clued in on what lovesick behaviour's like, and you're definitely got it really bad, little brother. Who is it?"
Peter Sam gulped, still reluctant to talk.
"Peter Sam, aren't you going to tell me?" Asked Sir Handel, his voice softening a bit. "I know I've hardly been an ideal friend, brother… just unideal to be around in general, in all honesty, but I care about you, and I want to help, if I can."
Peter Sam could hear the stiff tone and almost felt the high levels of embarrassment radiating off Sir Handel, and he felt both touched and sympathetic.
"Thank you, Sir Handel." He replied gratefully. "As your brother, I'm glad to hear that." He took a deep breath, building up the rapport needed to tell Sir Handel the truth at long last. "Truth is, Sir Handel, I…
"I have a crush on Melody."
….
Sir Handel had to remind himself not to brake suddenly, lest he accidentally snap a coupling. He felt shocked, as though a silent implosion ripped through his boiler.
"Really?" He asked in disbelief, once he could find the words to speak, "She was a jerk to you before, Peter Sam! I don't understand why you still like her."
"I know she hurt me last time, Sir Handel," replied Peter Sam, matter-of-factly, "But she's changed now. Or at least, I'm sure she has." He added uncertainly, gnawing his lip in fear.
"If I were you, I'd tread with caution." Sir Handel warned. "I don't want her breaking your heart again… if she does, she pays the price." But, realising that he should show his brother some support, he added, "Just remember, no matter what happens, you'll have my support."
"You promise?" Peter Sam asked trustingly.
"Promise."
"Thank you."
But before Sir Handel could manage a reply, the black wrought-iron gates to Callathain emerged out of a blur of blue-grey and green. From in front of him, he heard Peter Sam gulp audibly.
….
As the two engines proceeded, they saw Smudger, who was the first engine to greet them. "Hey, hey, you guys!" He said cheerfully, chuffing up beside them before applying his brakes. "What's up?"
"Hello, Smudge," Said Sir Handel. "My brother and I brought you guys your coal."
Smudger's eyes lit up. "Got any Welsh?"
"Find your own Welsh coal, you creep!" Sir Handel snapped. Smudger just laughed.
"Nah, I'm messing with ya, kid." Smudger grinned and gave them a cheeky wink. "Hey, ladies, we got more coal!"
"Hooray!" cheered a voice that suddenly made Peter Sam weak at the wheels.
"There she is, Peter Sam," Said Sir Handel, sagely. "Come on, talk to her."
"Why me?"
"Have you gone soft in the funnel" Sir Handel sighed in exasperation. "No, wait, you've always been like that. It's because I'm not the one running around the yard like a lovesick willy-nilly!"
Peter Sam felt cross hearing that; but this quickly dissolved into fear as Melody drew up to the group.
"Hey, you two," She said with a broad, cheeky smile that made Peter Sam melt. "It's surprising seeing you both here. But not unpleasant." She winked at the Skarloey Railway's No. 4, causing him to swoon just a little.
