The crows squawked and the sparrows flew from their perches on fences and trees as Sir Handel raced by trees with red gold and orange leaves raining down around him like confetti.
"WOO HOO!" He cheered "I feel free!"
"Slow down!" His driver called out, holding onto his hat whilst the fireman checked the pressure and fuel gauges.
But Sir Handel didn't want to, and he sped into Crovan's Gate Station grinning like an arrogant idiot.
"Sir Handel!" A Scottish burr exclaimed from alongside him. Sir Handel immediately remembered what had happened before his accident.
"Duncan?"
"Ye have tae help me!" Pleaded Duncan. "How could ye stand working with Duke for sae lang? I canna cope anymore!"
"Well, Granpuff's not bad Duncan. I'm sure you'll get along better if you just allow yourself to get into his good side. I have to get back to the quarry. Goodbye!" Sir Handel replied sweetly, and started to head off.
"Wait!" Duncan cried, suddenly remembering something important to tell Sir Handel. He figured he might as well at least warn him about Luke's illness before Sir Handel returned to the quarry.
"No Duncan, you can't come with me." His friend replied. "You're working with Granpuff, remember?"
"No, it's nae that- Luke's been struck doon by a fever!"
"A fever-what happened?" Sir Handel asked in concern.
"It was something tae dae wi' the damp o' the tunnels there, according to Mr Heron. Luke's got a really bad fever- I heard from Ivo Hugh."
"So Ivo Hugh knows about Luke now?"
"Aye- Skarloey telt me this morning that they agreed to let him in tae make things easier for them, ye ken?"
"Right-I better go and see for myself. Bye Duncan! Thanks for the news!"
"You're welcome!" Duncan replied; then winced when he heard a voice scold behind him.
"You better not be slacking young engine! That will never suit his Grace!"
"No, I'm nae slacking." Duncan replied, wondering if the Thin Controller would just get him into even more trouble for doing his infamous 'rock and roll' just to annoy Duke.
...
Sir Handel arrived back at the quarry- and met with Paxton heading down to the docks with a load of stone.
"Hello Sir Handel, are you feeling better?" The diesel asked politely.
"Sorry Paxton, but I can't stop to talk- bye!"
He darted into the quarry.
"Strange." Paxton muttered as he oiled out of the Blue Mountain Quarry. "Wonder what's gotten into him?" With that, Paxton tooted his horn as he left for Brendam Docks.