Gordon and Henry had followed the Diesel to Brendam Docks. As they pulled into the dock yard, they waited eagerly for James, anxious to see if their dirty plan was working-so far, at least.
At last, James pulled in, beaming. "It's working! You all should've seen Edward's face! He bolted out of there so quick I couldn't even see his shape!" He laughed.
"And here comes Bowler," Henry mused as the Diesel arrived with the cement truck, humming quietly to himself as he backed down into the siding.
"Hello fellow engines!" He greeted cheerfully. "So do I just wait for Edward to arrive before we can carry on?
"Oh, Edward's already on his way!" James reassured, throwing a quick snigger to his companions.
As the Diesel conceded to this, the three engines quickly moved out of the way, excited to see the drama that would soon unfold.
"So you told Edward the new plan right?" Gordon asked James.
"Of course! And I told Edward that if anything goes wrong, it was ol' Bowler's fault for mixing up the meeting time." The red engine told his friend.
Just then, a loud and familiar whistle pierced the late morning air, followed by some vigorous puffing.
Gordon, James and Henry were delighted to know Edward was arriving. If everything went according to plan, the Diesel would be framed for the mess-better yet, Edward would realize that he hadn't changed after all, and come crawling right back to them!
Edward sped into Brendam, red in the face, and screaming, "Sir! I'm so sorry I'm late!" Edward was in such a state that he didn't see the Diesel waiting for him on the same track that he was on. And he was going so fast that he couldn't stop in time!
Luckily, the Diesel knew what to do. But he had to act quickly.
He reversed from Edward as fast as he could, and blew a loud, long, horn. Then, radiator raring, he yelled to a workman, "NOW!"
Gordon, Henry, James, and entire the Docks gaped in awe as two workmen came running towards his track with a set of siding buffers, and with a dull, yet loud, THUD! they dropped the buffers on the track.
Edward, who had now realized what was happening, saw the Diesel up ahead, and slammed on his brakes as hard as he could. And with a soft but firm clank!, the buffers stopped the No. 2 engine. Edward let out a sigh of relief.
"That was close!" He said sadly. "And Diesel, my friend, thanks so much." He thanked wholeheartedly, to an enormous round of applause from many workmen.
"No problem, Edward!" The Diesel smiled. "Anything for a friend!"
…
The Fat Controller, who had arrived just in time with the inspector, had seen everything.
"You are to be commended, Diesel," The inspector began. "A true hero to us all. And I bet a speak for everyone when I say that," He beamed, to another round of applause from the docks workmen, making the Diesel blush.
The Fat Controller agreed. "A brave, and quick thinking diesel you are," He said, patting the Diesel's buffer. He changed countenance rather quickly as he turned to Edward.
"Edward, I'm very disappointed in you," He scolded sharply. "I thought you would know better than to come charging into the docks like a madman!"
Edward felt like shrinking into himself. "I'm sorry sir. I was running very late, and I just had to hurry so you wouldn't get cross with me."
The Fat Controller and the inspector exchanged a puzzled look. "Late?" The inspector said. "You're right on time!" He said surprised. Inspector Daman pulled out his pocket watch. "Yes indeed! Two o' clock!" He smiled.
"Whoever told you that you were late?" The Fat Controller asked.
"James told me it was it was past two," Edward started. "He said that the Diesel had messed up the time."
The Diesel was confused. "How so? I've been waiting here with James and his friends since 1:30," He replied, confused.
The Fat Controller rounded on the three tender engines crossly. "I specifically instructed you to listen carefully to my orders. You've not only scared Edward, but you could've caused a serious accident!" He scolded in an acidic tone.
The three engines were sheepish. At last, Henry broke their silence. "It's just that…sir, last time he was here, he caused nothing but trouble for all of us!" He burst out.
"Yes indeed! He called us names, and insulted all of the steam engines!" Gordon joined in.
"Not to mention he what he did to your hat, Inspector!" James pointed out, causing an embarrassed Inspector Daman to find cleaning his glasses more fascinating than usual.
The Diesel, remembering these events, felt horrible. He puffed over to the tender engines so only they could hear.
"I'm sorry. Truly sorry," He apologized softly. "After the whole fiasco last time I was here, I realized that I had to change my ways for the better. I was shut up in my sheds for the longest time, and during that time, I thought about all the people and engines that I had hurt. So I made a promise to change my ways, because I never know what people are going through in their own lives."
Hearing this apology seemingly broke Gordon, Henry, and James' hearts. This Diesel was compassionate. Intelligent. And above all…changed.
"I agree with that statement," Inspector Daman said after a while. "You never truly know a person until you actually get to know them. Revenge should never be given out unless you know for sure that the person, or engine, deserves it." He finished sternly.
"And I believe you all owe this Diesel an apology." The Fat Controller added, with a tone hard like iron.
"We're very sorry, Bowl-I mean, Diesel," Gordon said softly.
"I suppose you have changed after all. We're sorry too, Edward, for everything." Henry said to Edward.
"I agree. It was wrong of us to dish out revenge on you," James finished. "It wasn't our place to do so- not to mention cruel as well."
The Diesel and Edward exchanged looks, before smiling to their friends. "We forgive you." They said simultaneously.
Gordon, Henry and James were more than pleased to have their friendship with Edward back, and even happier to have made a new friend at the same time.
…
The three tender engines were, however, severely punished for the stunt they tried to pull on the Diesel, and were shut up in the sheds for months. But during that time, they patched up things with Thomas, Percy, Toby, and Emily too.
But no one despises the Diesel now-they wish they were just like him!
…
Finally done with the story! Thanks so much to everyone who left kind reviews or read the story! I had so much fun writing it, and I'm looking forward to doing some future stories here as well, now that I have the time! :D Thank you so much again!
Author's note- the near-accident that Edward has was partly inspired by the Canoe River train crash that happened in 1950.
