Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to HIT Entertainment. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter 4 – Acts of Kindness

Ian woke up early again the following morning. He'd slept at Knapford sheds that night, so that Percy could have his berth in Tidmouth sheds back. He looked around at the other engines that were sharing the shed with him. He'd met them all the evening before.

First, there was Donald and Douglas, the Scottish twin. After his run-in with Bill and Ben, Ian had been very cautious at first, but as he got to know them better, he relaxed. Thomas was right, Ian thought happily. Bill and Ben are the only twins I need to watch out for.

The other engines in the shed were Daisy and Toby. Daisy had immediately ignored Ian, so he'd returned the favour by ignoring her. However, Toby and Ian had quickly become friends. Their unusual designs meant that they had at least one thing in common, and they'd spent most of the evening discussing other unusual engines they'd seen.

Ian was ready to go by the time the sun had started to rise. It was only six o'clock, but Ian didn't care. He liked to be early, because that way he would never get into trouble for being late. He was a bit nervous about having to handle everything in the yard by himself that day, but he knew he could always ask someone for help if he wasn't sure about something.

The first thing Ian did was to collect Gordon's express coaches, and shunt them over to platform one. He then shunted Henry's coaches to platform five, and James' coaches over to platform six. Once he'd done that, he looked at the station clock. It was now twenty-past six.

Oh well… I'll just shunt Edward's trucks together, and then I'll go and refill my tender. I hope I'll have more to do later…

...

At a quarter to seven, Gordon steamed into Knapford Station. His jaw dropped when he saw not only his express coaches waiting for him, but also Henry's and James' trains ready and waiting.

Am I late? He glanced up at the clock. No… This is…very unusual… He reversed slowly onto his train. The passengers were delighted by the fact that they didn't have to wait to board their train.

The Fat Controller arrived at the station then. Even he was surprised to see that the express was pretty much all ready to go ten minutes early. He also checked his watch, just to make sure it was still working. It was, of course. He walked over to Gordon.

"It's nice to see that you're all ready to leave early, Gordon."

"Er… yes, sir…"

Glancing beyond Gordon, the Fat Controller's eyes nearly popped out of his head! He was shocked to see the other trains waiting for their engines. Glancing over at the yard, he saw Edward just pulling out with his trucks. Shaking his head in disbelief, he went into his office.

This has to be Ian's doing, he thought as he sat down at his desk. But I'm rather surprised. I knew Thomas would teach him the basics of what to do, but I wasn't expecting Ian to have everything ready on time on his first day, let alone early! I'll see how well he stays on top of things before I commend him. He may have panicked a little this morning, and as a result, he managed to have the trains ready early.

Meanwhile, Ian was getting himself a nice, big drink and a fresh load of coal. He took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. It was a little salty being so close to the sea, but he didn't mind that. Having spent most of his life in the Midlands, he'd rarely been given the opportunity to see the ocean.

Once Ian had had his fill, he went inside the station to check the time. Gordon had departed by then, but Henry was just arriving to take his train. He was equally surprised to find his coaches ready and waiting for him. Ian smiled contently. He then looked inside the Fat Controller's office.

The head of the railway was busy talking on the phone, so he didn't see Ian. Ian frowned a little when he saw how dark and drab the Fat Controller's office was. It needs something to brighten it up… His eyes settled on some wildflowers growing beside the line just outside the station. Of course!

"Driver?"

"Yes, Ian?"

"Is there a flower store around here?"

"Yes, there's one in the concourse. Why?"

"Don't you think Sir Topham Hatt's office needs a touch of colour?"

The driver looked, and then he smiled. "Now I'm thinking what you're thinking. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Ian's driver purchased a bunch of flowers in a vase from the stall, and then he headed towards the Fat Controller's office. Ian watched through the window as his driver placed the flowers on the Fat Controller's desk. He chuckled when he saw just how surprised the Fat Controller was by the unexpected gift.

Turning, the Fat Controller looked out of his office window at Ian. Ian smiled and winked. But then his smile faded when he saw the Fat Controller leave his office with his driver.

Uh, oh! I hope I didn't go too far…

But the Fat Controller was smiling as he approached. "Ian! I've come to thank you for the flowers. I didn't even realise just how dull my office was, but you're right. It does need a touch of colour. I'll try to remember that."

"I'm glad you like them, sir."

"I gather you were also responsible for ensuring the first trains left on time this morning?"

"Yes, sir. I wasn't too early, was I?"

"What? No, Ian! You weren't! I just hope you can keep it up."

"Oh, that's easy, sir. I'm an early riser, so I can get all of my early morning work done before the other engines even wake up."

The Fat Controller pondered this for a moment. "How early do you like to wake up?"

"Before sunrise, sir. I love watching it come up."

"Hmm… I wonder…"

"What, sir?"

"Let me think about that for a while, okay?"

The Fat Controller's phone rang then.

"Bother! Thank you, Ian. I'll stop by later and see how you're going." He hurried back into his office.

James steamed brashly into the station. "Where are they?" he demanded to know.

"Where are what?" Ian wondered.

"My coaches, of course, you silly engine!"

"You mean the ones over there on platform six?" Ian retorted dryly.

James stared at his coaches in surprise. "But, I… Thomas never… I've never had my first train prepared for me," he faltered.

"If you don't want my help, you can fetch your own coaches if you'd prefer."

"No, no! It's fine. I just never expected… I'd better get going."

Ian watched James back down onto his train. So far, the only ones who've thanked me are Edward and the Fat Controller.

Hearing Thomas whistle behind him, Ian hurried to get out of his way.

"Morning, Ian!" Thomas called.

"Morning, Thomas. How are you this morning?"

"I'm well, thank you. I'm just about to take my first train."

"Have fun then!" Ian returned to the yard to await his next task. He didn't have long to wait.

About fifteen minutes later, the Fat Controller strolled across the yard. "Ian? I have a special job for you."

Ian was surprised. "For me, sir?"

"Yes. I can't spare any other engine at the moment for this job. I need you to go to Toryreck on Thomas' branchline, and collect a very important shipment of uranium from the mine there. You must be extremely careful with it, because it can be hazardous if it's handled incorrectly. Once you've collected it, you're to take it to Brendam on Edward's branchline. Since your crew come from the Severn Valley as well, and they aren't familiar with the railway yet, I've arranged for an inspector to travel with you. This shipment is so important that I've decided to give you right-of-way priority until you arrive at Brendam. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Ian replied. "Can I ask, if this cargo is so hazardous, why does it have to go to Brendam?"

"It's going to a new chemical plant that's been built near the China clay pits," the Fat Controller replied. "Of course, it wouldn't have been built at all if I'd had my way…"

The inspector joined them then. He smiled when he saw Ian. "Why didn't you tell me the engine I was going to be on was an Ivatt Class 2, Sir Topham?" he asked. He began to examine Ian closely. "Beautiful machines, these Ivatts…" he mused. He looked up at Ian's crew. "I've heard that they handle better than any other engine ever made. Is that correct?"

"Well, sir, we certainly wouldn't want to be on any other engine," Ian's driver replied.

"He's a piece of cake to fire as well," Ian's fireman added. "Honestly, I think he could be managed by just one person on the footplate!"

The inspector looked delighted. "I can't wait to see that for myself!" He turned to the Fat Controller. "What about you, sir? Why don't you come with us?"

The Fat Controller hesitated. "Well, I hadn't planned on it, but now that you've aroused my curiosity, I suppose I could spare the time to join you. I didn't know Ivatts were easy to drive and fire. I've only heard that they were well-known for their versatility. I'll be back in ten minutes."

Ian groaned. As if being responsible for an important train wasn't enough, now he had to contend with two visitors on his footplate as well! His driver patted his side.

"Never mind, Ian. Just pretend that this is one of those enthusiast trips we used to do at the Severn Valley."

"That doesn't change the fact that one of the men riding on my footplate is the man who could send me home in disgrace!" Ian grumbled.

"He'll only do that if you do something completely unforgivable," his fireman said. "Cheer up. Sir Topham Hatt is very impressed with you right now. We'll just give them a decent run, and then we can get back to what we were doing."

Ten minutes later, having changed into overalls, the Fat Controller returned. Once he and the inspector were on board Ian's footplate, they set off.

Despite the visitors to his footplate, Ian made good time to Toryreck. He found his special train waiting in a siding for him. Some of the trucks had warning labels stuck on them. Ian carefully reversed onto his train. The trucks were already rather agitated.

"What's this?" one of the trucks asked rudely. "You're not a proper engine!"

"Really?" Ian responded mockingly. "And what makes you think you're proper trucks?"

The trucks were surprised! No engine had ever spoken to them like that before. Unable to come up with a response, they quietened down.

Once everything was ready, Ian set off. He struggled a bit at first, since the load was heavy, and he was unfit, but once he had the whole train moving nicely, it became easier.

Soon, Ian was steaming along the mainline towards Wellsworth. He kept up a steady pace; not too fast, and not too slow. The trucks tittered happily behind him. Ian smiled. That was a good sign. Happy trucks meant he'd have a smooth run. He knew full well from experience what could happen when trucks became cranky and annoyed. However, the good mood amongst them didn't last long.

"Faster, faster!" the silly trucks called.

"No," Ian told them firmly. "The cargo you're carrying is very important and dangerous, and it must get to its destination safely. That's why I'm not going to go fast. Maybe on our way back we can go a bit faster."

Surprisingly, the trucks seemed to settle for that.

Meanwhile, inside Ian's cab, the inspector and Ian's crew were explaining to the Fat Controller the reasons why Ivatts were so special. The Fat Controller was most amazed by just how little work Ian's fireman had to do.

"This is an easy load for Ian," the fireman explained from his seat. "Ivatts were specially designed to haul long, heavy trains slowly. They're like the draught horse of the railways. Of course, they can also manage fast passenger trains just as easily."

"We're not going to push Ian today, since he's still very unfit after sitting idle for five years," Ian's driver added. "Maybe in a few weeks, we could arrange for Ian to give you a proper demonstration of just what he's capable of."

The Fat Controller liked that idea! "I'll make the arrangements when you think he's ready."

As they approached Wellsworth, Ian was surprised to see Gordon waiting at the platform. His face was almost purple with rage. It took Ian a few seconds to understand why.

Gordon's been shunted! I can't believe it! The Fat Controller really wasn't kidding when he said I'd get a clear run the whole way. This cargo must be extremely important if the Fat Controller is prepared to stop the express…

Ian whistled loudly as he rumbled over the points that led onto Edward's barnchline. Gordon's rage changed to surprise when he saw the Fat Controller on Ian's footplate.

"Oohh! The indignity…!"

…

Ian made his delivery safely, and he returned to Knapford with his train of empty trucks, and the Fat Controller and inspector on board. He was very relieved to make it back to the yard safely.

"Well, I must say that I've been thoroughly enlightened!" the Fat Controller said as he climbed down from Ian's footplate. He patted Ian's running board. "We've certainly found a gem! Why didn't anyone tell me how good Ivatts were sooner?"

"Well, sir, there are only seven Class 2's left in England. And only five of them are in operation, including Ian," Ian's driver explained. He patted Ian's side. "I'm glad you're impressed with Ian, sir. He's a great engine."

"So I can see," the Fat Controller agreed. "Right, Ian, please get back to work now. It looks like James and Gordon haven't bothered to put their coaches away, so you've got some work to do."

"Yes, sir!" Ian replied eagerly.