Edward let out a tired sigh. Another beautiful day to spend stuck in the sheds. He watched with a mix of envy, fear and bittersweet happiness as James, Gordon and Henry puffed away happily to do their jobs. He'd gone back to a troubled sleep to pass the time.

Edward was old, and not as strong as the other engines. Being out and about, pulling freight and passengers was sadly uncommon for him. Even if Edward was called out of the shed, it was usually to be a back engine on Gordon's Hill, where he would help push other engines and their trains up the hill. After that, it was back to the sheds.

Edward wasn't one to cause a fuss, but he was lonely. It showed in his demeanor, in every forced smile, in every crease of his face, in the once beautiful paint which had become faded and almost pale. This loneliness spread to the sheds themselves.

The other engines began to notice.

James was first to bring it up. "Gordon, do you think Edward's lonely? I mean, he's always stuck in the shed...it's probably very boring and uncomfortable."

"Nonsense James. Edward is fine. He gets plenty of time outside, being a back engine for more important engines like us. Edward is small, and old. It's no wonder we're always chosen over him."

James, however, was not convinced, and tried Henry. Henry, too, was little comfort. "If he is lonely, I'm not quite sure how to help him. The long, heavy goods trains I take would be impossible for him to take. True, he spends little time outside, but I'm not able to help you on this one, James. Best to take it up with Sir Topham."

James was so preoccupied with thinking about Edward that he'd nearly hit Toby and Henrietta in Wellsworth. Toby was understandably annoyed. "What do you think you're doing, James? You could have caused a major accident!"

James had shot Toby a worried look. "Sorry Toby, you too Henrietta. I'm just worried about Edward." Toby was surprised by this, as James had never seemed to care whether Edward was happy or not. He'd actively teased him when they'd been younger, when he and Gordon had been bigger prats than they currently were. When they'd been more convinced of their superiority, before the Beeching cuts.

"What are you worried about particularly? Edward seems fine," Toby had questioned James cautiously. James had seemed distracted before he'd refocused on the question. "He's quieter than he used to be. He ... He's less cheerful. Sometimes he just looks like he's about to cry. The sheds feel ... colder. Emptier, despite his presence. It worries me."

Toby considered this for a moment. "He's an older engine, and doesn't seem to be able to do much anymore. I'd suggest talking to him and just checking in on him once in a while. The difference it makes is surprising."

James hummed thoughtfully, before starting at the sound of the guard's whistle. He was quiet that night, and waited until Gordon was asleep before enacting his plan.

He rolled slowly out of the sheds and onto the turntable, waking Edward. "What are you doing this late at night, James?" He'd asked sleepily. "Why not wait until morning?"

James let out a quiet sigh as he was turned to face Edward. "I'm worried, I guess. I needed to move, the walls felt too close. Reminded me of one of my nightmares." This wasn't a lie, but wasn't the whole truth. The nightmare hadn't mainly been about James.

Edward let James's words hang in the air for a moment, before gently inquiring about it. "What happened?"

"We were out on a special service, pulling a special for train enthusiasts along the mainline. We weren't exactly sure why we'd been chosen, but you were happy to be out and about."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Edward murmured, perplexed. Still half asleep and not remembering what a special service usually preceded on the mainland.

"Then we were left in a shed. Dark, damp and musty. Left to rust, never leaving its confines. I watched your empty husk get cut up for scrap."

Edward winced, now fully alert. "Ah. That's... Upsetting." He watched James carefully for a moment before speaking. "But I'm still here, and I'm unhurt. I'm okay, James."

James huffed in frustration. "That's just the point. I'm worried about you, Edward."

Edward's expression seemed to freeze. "Why are you worried James?" he'd asked in a tense voice. "There's nothing to be worried about."

"But there is! I'm worried because you seem so unhappy, because you seem so ... lonely." Edward looked up in surprise at James. He'd not thought the red engine aware enough to notice. He was shocked by the tears welling in James's eyes.

"I was a lowly goods engine on my previous railway. I know what it's like to be lonely and sad. To be neglected. I know how much that feeling hurts." James rolled forward slightly, glancing over at Gordon's berth. If the great blue sausage woke up, he'd say something and mess everything up.

Edward caught the movement and realized why James was being cautious. He rolled forward a little as well, so their buffers practically touched. He didn't notice the slight blush on James's cheeks.

James took a deep breath. "I just wanted to remind you that I appreciate you. The way you always seem calm and collected and wise … thank you for trying to keep me from messing up too often." He managed a weak smile.

Edward's face split with a tired grin, and he smiled brightly and genuinely at James. "I have admired your confidence for a long time. I … struggle with mine, due to my age and 'usefulness'. Thank you for speaking up, and for talking to me privately." His smile wavered slightly, before yawning tiredly. He immediately realized what he'd done and blushed in embarrassment.

James giggled at Edward's blush, and murmured to him quietly. "We should probably go to sleep then, shouldn't we, Old Iron?" Edward smiled mischievously at James. "Certainly, James. You'll bee busy tomorrow, I'm sure." James huffed in fake annoyance.

The two of them shared a look, before breaking into quiet laughter and backing into their berths. Both of them slept well that night, dreams pleasantly free of nightmares. Somehow, in the morning, the sheds felt less lonely.

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