Warnings for some swearing by Luke's crew. I didn't expect to put this chapter out so soon- just found some ideas scribbled down in a notepad. What will happen next? Read on...
...
A few days after, at Crovan's Gate Sheds, the engines were in for a shock when they found that their drivers had discovered something shocking in the front page of their morning newspapers.
'BLUE MOUNTAIN MYSTERY AT NEW QUARRY!' The headlines seemed to scream at them, making them dizzy and sick.
Underneath, read the words: 'Engine disappears mysteriously after arriving on Sodor. The engine was last seen at the Sodor Steamworks, in Crovan's Gate.'
Skarloey felt his firebox plummet at hearing the news. "But, the MP visit was ages ago- and that's the only time it came up!" He protested. "How could it have made the headlines?"
"I don't know." Rheneas answered, worriedly.
"What else does it say?" Rusty asked Sir Handel's driver, who had been one of the first to deliver the news. "When there are stories, there are sources it traces back to."
"Wise idea, Rusty," The driver agreed, looking somewhat anxious. He read on, until he found a name. "Well, it says that a Mr Geoffrey Pound had come forward with the story recently. He said he has heard that something happened at the Docks from a source, and then forwarded the story onto the press.
Of course, the name of the MP was lost on every engine in the shed- except Skarloey and Rheneas. They recognised him as being the man who had grumbled about having to take a train pulled by a steamie, and he had been dreadfully rude and inconsiderate when Skarloey's fire bars broke.
"This is bad, brother," Skarloey whispered in fear to Rheneas.
"I agree, Skarloey." The younger engine replied quietly. "Now what are we going to do?"
They had no idea how they could potentially save Luke from this new event- especially since this was out with their control.
...
"Hey, Luke old boy, you've made headlines!" Geoffrey said excitedly. "We're driving a star, Richard!"
"What- let me see that!" Richard snatched the paper off his friend, sending pages flying all over the tunnel floor, making Luke squeak with indignation at the mess. Geoffrey chuckled. He found it amusing that Luke hated mess. Dust on his boiler, he was fine with, but it turned out he hated clutter and general untidiness.
Geoffrey was just glad that Luke hadn't met his kids- two of them only tidied their rooms through bribes or threats of grounding, or confiscating technology.
"I'll pick it up," He assured his engine, stooping to scoop up newspaper pages from the dusty tunnel floor.
"How could Luke have made headlines?" Richard growled, punching the page.
"Mr Wilson, that's no way to treat Mr Heron's paper!" Luke said, horrified, causing Geoff to snigger behind a fist.
"What the hell does Mr Pound want with Luke's exposure?" the fireman continued. "It's just not cricket!"
"Alright, mate you better calm down," The driver decided, snatching the paper back- just as Richard's phone rang.
"You better get that, Mr Wilson," Luke supplied innocently. Richard just muttered a curse at his phone and held it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Oh, Richard! It's Silas. Did you hear about Luke?"
"Yes I bloody heard!"
"Whoa, language! You're in Luke's presence, stop cursing in front of the poor kid! He probably worried enough as it is!"
Richard's fist clenched. "Who else knows?"
"Well, everyone. I'm afraid Mr Percival read the paper and..."
Geoffrey attempted to tackle his friend down for daring to say the next few words. He didn't mind his friend swearing- he swore occasionally himself- but he didn't want Luke to end up doing it, and if he did, Richard would be dead meat for destroying what was left of Luke's innocence.
"Alright, I'll tell them. Thanks- bye." He hung up, and glanced at the other two seriously- at Geoffrey's livid face and Luke's pale one.
"Mr Percival wants to check the quarry tonight, with Sir Topham Hatt- and his new track inspection car."
This time Geoffrey, forgetting his honour, swore loudly.