Although Rebecca likes giving people compliments on things that she finds interesting about them; may that be about their appearance, an unusual interest, or a great character trait, she often felt that she had yet to find anything interesting about herself.
…
One warm, sunny afternoon, Rebecca was talking to Edward at Wellsworth Station. The smell of flowers from the hanging baskets wafted in the breeze.
"I presume you're enjoying yourself here on Sodor, Rebecca," Edward said politely. Although he had talked to the other newcomer, Nia, a couple of times; even rescuing her from Bill and Ben's games; he finally found the chance to greet the large, yellow engine from England.
"Oh, yes, Edward! There's always a new friend to meet around every corner!" Rebecca replied eagerly.
"I'm glad of that, my dear," he smiled kindly. "That's one of the best things about Sodor; no matter where you go, you always find someone interesting to talk to. From Ulfstead Castle and the stations, to the quarries and the Waste Dump, you'll always find a friendly face or two."
"Only thing is, Edward, I feel that everyone has interesting stories to tell, except me." She continued, biting her lip.
"Now surely that's not true!" Edward exclaimed, concerned as to how she came to such a sad conclusion.
"Oh, but it is!" Replied Rebecca. "I just feel that I find something interesting in everyone else and yet I have nothing to offer in return. Why, I only met Duck the other day, and he was telling me all about the Great Western Railway, and how they were safety pioneers!"
Edward chuckled. That sounded like Duck, all right!
But Rebecca clammed up on hearing the older engine laugh; though she didn't realize that he wasn't laughing at her. Realizing that she had gone silent, and wanting to encourage conversation, Edward had an idea.
"What I've always been interested to know, Rebecca, if you don't mind me asking, of course, is what class of locomotive you are." He said, and he had been truthful; for he'd learned that an engine's class could reveal a lot about their working history, and whether they were related to famous engines. Gordon and Spencer both had such claims to fame, being related to Flying Scotsman and Mallard; even Skarloey and his brother, Rheneas, had famous twins on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales!
Plus, knowing more about her heritage could help Rebecca with her confidence in who she was as an engine.
"… I'm a Southern Railway "West Country" locomotive. I was designed by Oliver V.S. Bulleid." She answered reluctantly, uncertain as to why he wanted to know such a mundane detail as that.
"… well, your class is quite well known for pulling famous expresses, like the Golden Arrow," Edward said, quirking an eyebrow. He didn't know much about famous expresses, but Flying Scotsman sure did; it even sparked an interest in Hiro, as well, for he hardly heard of much Mainland expresses during his time on Sodor before he broke down.
"And you have a brother on the Bluebell Railway, I believe." He added, remembering that he had heard mention of an engine of the same class as Rebecca living there. He saw some photographs of the engines too, so he knew.
Rebecca was surprised at the sudden news. "I do? I…. I never met him. And what is the Bluebell Railway?" She added curiously.
Edward was shocked at how Rebecca knew so little of her heritage, or of her family; for a lot of older engines knew of the Bluebell Railway.
"You have a lot to learn, child," he said, firmly. "The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line on the Mainland, with a lot of preserved engines running it. They live there without fear of being scrapped or sold to other companies." He explained.
Rebecca, amazed and yet perplexed at Edward's knowledge, then inquired as to how he knew of her brother, and of his home on the Bluebell Railway.
"You see, my dear Rebecca, we have an old friend living on the Bluebell Railway. He's called Stepney, and he's told us about some of his fellow engines on the line; I just happen to remember that he mentioned his friend, Blackmore Vale, to be of the same class as you."
"Wow!" Exclaimed Rebecca in surprise. "That is interesting! I… I never knew that before."
"You see? You do have something interesting to share with others. Sometimes you just need a little help in realising that."
Rebecca giggled. "I guess. Thank you, Edward. You've been very helpful. I can't wait to tell people I have a brother on the Bluebell Railway!" She gasped as an idea came to her, "Do you think I'll ever get to meet him, Edward?" She asked her friend, hopefully.
"I think it could be arranged." The old engine answered, smiling. "I'll ask the Fat Controller if he can come and visit. In fact, I can ask if Blackmore Vale and Stepney can both come and visit Sodor; then you can meet both!"
"Oh, that'd be wonderful! Thank you, Edward!"
Edward beamed modestly, happy to do a good turn to a new friend, as well as excited at the prospect of introducing her to her brother, and Stepney, and of course reuniting with the latter.
And then, something Rebecca mentioned to him earlier sprung back to his funnel.
"My goodness! Rebecca, didn't you mention your designer was Oliver V.S. Bulleid?" he asked, his thoughts catching up to him.
"Yes, I did. Why?" Asked Rebecca, curiously.
Excitement bubbled in Edward's boiler. "I do have one more surprise for you, my dear… are you free just now?"
"Yes..."
"I need to head to the quarry now. Come with me, I want you to meet someone." Edward said excitedly, and he chuffed away, leaving a confused Rebecca to follow.
…
The first thing Rebecca saw when the two friends finally arrived at the quarry was a queer shaped engine, painted in black livery, already hard at work in the quarry.
Edward tooted on his whistle when he saw the engine working. "Hullo, Neville!" He called out cheerfully, making his way over to him. "How are you?"
The engine was startled, but he beamed as he saw Edward chuffing towards him. "Hello, Edward," he said happily. "I'm alright, thanks. It's nice to have you working here today."
"It makes a nice change from dealing with Bill and Ben's games. I only just stopped their most recent creation 'Hunt the Truck'" replied Edward, with a grin. "Is Mavis here, perchance?"
"Sorry, Edward; but Mavis wasn't feeling well, so she's been taken to the Dieselworks." Neville replied sadly. "So, we're an engine short, I'm afraid."
The old engine felt sorry to hear that Mavis was poorly, but he also had a solution.
"Well, Neville, I may be able to help," he announced, "but first, I want you to meet a new friend of mine. Neville, this here is Rebecca," he said, gesturing to the yellow engine behind him. "Rebecca, this is Neville. He is an old friend of ours, and your cousin as well, I believe."
Neville and Rebecca were shocked.
"We're... cousins?" They asked, both feeling a mixture of confusion and wonder at this sudden revelation. They stared, boggled, at each other for a few moments before looking away, as they both suddenly felt rather shy.
"You see, Rebecca, it was after you told me your class and designer that I suddenly remembered that Neville shared the same designer as you had, and it occurred to me that that you were related; but your classes are not close enough to for you two to be siblings." He explained.
"I see. This… this is wonderful!" Rebecca exclaimed, smiling at Neville. "I like your livery, Neville; you look like a true gentleman." She complimented.
"Thank you," Beamed Neville proudly. "And you have a lovely name," he added, politely. He became quite shy, for it wasn't very often an engine like him got to meet a beautiful cousin.
Rebecca uttered a soft 'thank you.' And the two continued to make shy, small talk as Edward inquired as to whether the Quarry manager could ask the Fat Controller if Rebecca could join him and Neville in Mavis's place.
….
And so, Rebecca spent an entire afternoon shunting and pulling trucks of stone. It was different from taking passengers on the Main Line, but she found it easier, as pulling trucks didn't require as much stops as passengers.
The trucks took a shine to Rebecca too, as she surprisingly didn't mind their singing so much; she even told them it was 'lively and catchy' and encouraged them to sing.
And, best of all, not only did Rebecca meet her cousin Neville for the first time, but they soon became firm friends and they liked talking and working together. Neville was pleased with her findings on Blackmore Vale; and he asked if he could meet the Bluebell Railway engine too, should he ever come to Sodor.
Now she proudly mentions her brother, Blackmore, and her cousin Neville. Many engines are surprised when they find that Rebecca and Neville are related, which amuses them.
And she had her friend Edward to thank.