One frosty morning, Jack and Ms. Jenny paid a visit to Ted's Garage. When they arrived, she went to go talk to Ted and Charles. Jack went over to the repair shed and pulled up next to Emmett and Butch, who were both staring at a large crate.
Jack: What's in the crate?
Emmett: I have no idea. But whatever it is has been on my mind ever since it was brought down from Brendam Docks last night.
Butch: I heard it was a surprise for someone.
Emmett: Ugh, now you've made it more interesting…
Butch: Oop. Sorry.
Jack: Shush, Ted's coming...
Ted, along with Charles and Ms. Jenny, walked towards the vehicles with grins on their faces.
Ted: Good morning, you three! I bet you're all wondering what's inside that large crate.
Emmett: Well...yeah...
Ted: Well, the wait is over!
Ted used the crowbar in his hand to open the crate. And inside was…
Charles: A snowplough? No offense, Dad, but I thought this "surprise" would be a bit more exciting. Although, it still beats that surprise those harbor workers had for us back when we worked on the mainland.
Emmett: You don't mean the harbor workers that had a surprise crate for us on New Year's Day a couple of years ago...only for us to discover there was just a piece of paper inside? Yeah, it was stupid of them to build up excitement for that. It wouldn't be the first time they did something ridiculous, either...
Ted: Ahem…!
Emmett: Oops. Sorry, Ted. Carry on...
Ted: Anyway, Charles...yes; I may have exaggerated a bit by calling the snowplough a surprise. But me and Ms. Jenny consider it as such because we're giving it to Jack!
Jack: Wait, it's for me?
Ms. Jenny: Yes, Jack! I saw you and Alfie trying to clear the road that led into our yard last week and it seemed pretty difficult. So, I thought giving you a snowplough would make the job of clearing snow in the future much easier.
Jack: Oh, wow. Thanks, Ms. Jenny! Thanks, Ted! Can I try it on now?
Emmett: Yeah; let's see how Jack looks with his snowplough on!
Ted: Haha, ok, ok. There's not much snow on the ground, but we should definitely make sure that the plough fits Jack properly.
Charles: C'mon, Jack. Let's head into the repair shed and I'll attach that thing onto you.
Charles guided Jack into the repair shed. With a few twists and turns of a wrench, Jack's bucket was taken off and moved to the side. And in its place was the new, bright red snowplough.
Charles: Ok, then, Jack. How do you feel?
Jack: Very awkward. It's kind of like that dream I had where I was a backhoe loader instead of a front loader. The only difference is...this snowplough is very much real...and bulky. Eh, at least we know that it fits.
Charles: All the same, I'd suggest driving around the garage yard a couple of times so you can get your bearings while wearing that thing.
Jack: Good idea, Charles.
So Charles and Jack made their way outside. Although, in terms of Jack getting his bearings, it was easier said than done. Because the snowplough was longer and heavier than his bucket, Jack found it difficult to manage. He kept bumping into everything from oil drums to a stack of tires, the latter of which were soon rolling all over the garage.
Jack: Oops…
Butch: You ok, Jack?
Jack: Yes, I'm fine, Butch. Erm, sorry about the mess, Charles...
Charles: Never mind, Jack. Me and Dad were going to move all those tires into the supply shed anyway. Why don't you go back to your yard and continue getting your bearings? I'll keep your bucket safe in the repair shed for now.
Jack: Ok, then. Thanks, Charles.
Jack tried to drive smoothly away, but he was still having difficulties. And by the time he pulled into his shed at The Pack's Yard, he felt quite sore. Luckily, some of the other machines were there to console him.
Alfie: Hello, Jack! Wow, is that a new snowplough?
Jack: Yep. Having a bit of trouble driving with it, though.
Oliver: Give it some time, Jack. You'll be an expert in driving with that thing before you know it.
Jack: Do you really think so, Oliver?
Oliver: Jack, l have more attachments than the rest of the team combined; I think I'd know a thing or two when it comes to getting used to things like this.
Jack: Fair enough. Wait, unless you count me with this snowplough, you're literally the only machine on the team with attachments!
Oliver chuckled.
Oliver: Case in point!
Jack rolled his eyes and exited the yard. He stopped just outside the entrance and resumed trying to drive with his snowplough on while, at the same time, trying to avoid bumping into anything. And he was doing quite well...until his wheels slipped furiously and he spun right into the side of Ms. Jenny's house.
Jack: Oh! I'm never going to get the hang of this!
He was about to go back into his shed when he saw Bertie The Bus passing by.
Bertie: Hello, Jack. Oh, I like the new plough.
Jack: Certainly wish I could say the same. Anyway, what brings you here, Bertie? You're a long way from your usual route.
Bertie: I'm taking Sir Topham Hatt and his family to Tidmouth Town Square to see a special Christmas performance later today. But the fuel pumps at the bus depot have frozen solid, so I'm going to see if I could use the ones at the garage.
Jack: Well, let's go together. I have to get something removed, surely you know what I'm talking about...
As Jack and Bertie drove to the garage, the snowplough continued to bump and bash into things along the side of the road. Jack could feel workmen and other machines staring at him as he passed them.
Bertie: That plough is giving you trouble, huh?
Jack: Yeah; I've been bumping into things all day and my arms are starting to hurt.
Bertie: Now don't be like that. These things just take a bit of time to get used to.
Jack: Says the bus that's never worn a snowplough...
Bertie: True, but my point still stands.
Jack: Whatever. I'm going to ask Charles to take it off; there's no point in wearing this when there's barely any snow on the ground...
Soon, Jack and Bertie pulled into Ted's Garage. Bertie was being refueled and cleaned up by Ted while Charles began to remove Jack's snowplough.
Jack: Thanks, Charles. That thing was an absolute nuisance.
Charles: Still haven't gotten used to driving with it?
Jack: Not even close. And, to be honest, I felt a bit silly bumping into things when I was wearing it. I don't think I want it anymore…
Charles: Heh, well, don't tell Ms. Jenny that. Apparently, she and Dad spent a lot of money having it made specially for you.
Jack watched as his bucket was being reattached. He was amazed at how quickly Charles could do the work, especially for someone his age.
Jack: Y'know, I think it's amazing how quickly you can do this kind of work, Charles.
Charles: Thank you, Jack. But I wasn't always this good.
Jack: Really?
Chad: Of course not! I started helping Dad repair and fix everything from small cars to huge lorries. But I kept making mistakes and it was a bit frustrating. I even wanted to quit a couple of times.
Jack: So...what pushed you to continue?
Charles: I guess it was back when Emmett was completely built and Dad took me with him on a trial run. Sometime into the journey, Emmett broke down and Dad was devastated. Emmett was his passion project; the first vehicle he built from the ground up.
Jack: Yep, I always hear Ted talk about how much Emmett means to him. So what happened next?
Charles: Emmett was towed back into his shed and Dad had gone to sleep. I didn't like seeing him and Emmett all upset. So I spent all night working on Emmett. I flipped through all the notes, documents and blueprints I could find so I would be able to find the problem. By morning, Emmett was fully repaired and ran without any mishaps. Dad was so proud of me. And after that, I knew this was the kind of job I wanted to do.
Jack: Wow.
Charles: So, you see, Jack, I didn't give up after those first few mishaps. I kept trying and trying and when it came to time to show off what I learned, it made all the difference. Speaking of which, look! Your bucket's back on.
Jack: Oh...so it is.
Charles: It's a good thing you came back when you did. Ms. Jenny wants you and Alfie to help Nelson spread salt grit from the garage to your yard to stop the roads from being slippery.
Jack's bucket was soon filled with salt grit.
Jack: Sure thing.
Charles: And I better get to attaching these snow chains to Emmett and Butch's tires. They help prevent their wheels from slipping, even if they won't admit it. See you later, Jack. Remember what I said!
Jack: Thanks, Charles. I will!
As Jack made his way back to his yard, sprinkling the salt grit as he went, he saw Bertie exiting the garage and making his way to Wellsworth.
Jack: Looking good, Bertie! Have fun with your special job!
Bertie: I sure will, Jack! It's going to be a wonderful evening.
Jack, Alfie and Nelson were soon working together, spreading the salt grit onto the road. Jack even told them Charles' story as they worked.
Nelson: So that's why Charles decided to follow in his father's footsteps. How inspiring!
Alfie: And it really changed your views on wearing that snowplough?
Jack: It sure did. It may be a bit difficult at first, but if I keep trying and focus on the task at hand, it'll be so much easier. Can't wait to show that plough who's boss.
Nelson: But first, we better show this ice who's boss by spreading the grit over it.
Alfie: Why, yes, of course, Nelson.
At last, Nelson, Jack and Alfie had finished. And just in time too, as it was starting to snow.
Ms. Jenny: Splendid job, you three! You deserve a rest after all that hard work.
The three vehicles reversed into their shed, happy to be out of the snow.
Nelson: Ahh...now that's better.
Jack: You said it. Although, I wonder how Bertie's getting on with his special job...
As it turns out, Bertie hadn't even started his special job yet! He was in Wellsworth waiting for BoCo to bring the train that Sir Topham Hatt and his family were riding in, but the big green diesel hadn't arrived. To make matters worse, the snow was beginning to fall harder.
Bertie: This is ridiculous! BoCo should've been here ages ago! Probably delayed due to frozen points or something…
At last, an exhausted BoCo pulled into the station.
BoCo: Sorry, I'm late, Bertie. One of the passengers was being extremely difficult.
Bertie: The nerve of some passengers! We work so hard to transport them around the island and this is the thanks we get. What happened, BoCo?
Bertie soon found out. A door in the second coach opened and out stepped Sir Topham Hatt, Lady Hatt, Stephen, Bridget and a very rowdy Dowager Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt: Mother, how many times do I have to tell you? Just because your cake didn't come out the way you expected to isn't an excuse to pull the emergency cable!
Dowager Hatt: Topham, don't talk to your mother like that! Anyways, what does an incident on the railway have to do with you?
Sir Topham Hatt: Because I run the railway? Now, settle down so we can get to the town square.
Dowager Hatt: Fine. But you should probably invest in getting better workers instead of wasting money on those engines that fade into the background.
Sir Topham Hatt: Mother, please. If you're done pointing out all the flaws my railway has, we have a concert to get to!
The Hatt family climbed into Bertie and they were finally on their way to the town hall.
Sir Topham Hatt: Sorry about the delay, Bertie...
Bertie: That's ok, sir. It certainly seemed like something out of your control...
Sir Topham Hatt: It certainly was...
Bertie hurried along the road, trying to make up for lost time. But the road he was traveling on hadn't been covered with salt grit and the freshly fallen snow had caused it to become icy and slippery.
Bertie: Woah, woah, woah!
Bertie's driver fought for control, but the bus was still going too fast. To make matters worse, they saw George The Steamroller coming towards them!
Bertie: George, look out!
George: Huh?
Bertie skidded off the road to avoid hitting George. The bus then broke through the fence placed on the side of the road and ran headlights first into a pile of soft snow!
Bertie: How embarrassing…
George: Heh, I'll say...
Stephen: Come on, Bertie!
Bridget: You can get out of this drift!
Bertie tried time after time, but no words of encouragement could free him from his frigid blanket.
Bertie: Oh, dear. I'm well and truly stuck…
Bertie's driver quickly got out of the bus and hopped onto George, who reluctantly took him to a nearby cottage to use the telephone. Then he quickly made a call to Ted's Garage. Ted and Charles were in their apartment, having warm cups of hot cocoa. They were about to have a few extra marshmallows when they heard the phone ring.
Ted: The phone's ringing…
Charles: Who cares? This is good cocoa!
Ted: Charles, go answer it. I did it last time.
Charles: Ugh, fine...
Charles hurried towards the phone and answered it. He returned with a pale expression on his face and clutching the phone in his hands.
Ted: What's up, son?
Charles: Dad, it's Bertie. He and the Hatt family ran off the road and they're stuck somewhere between Wellsworth and Tidmouth. We have to rescue them!
Ted: So we shall!
Ted and Charles put on their jackets and winter boots, ran outside and loaded Butch and Emmett with all the towing chains and bags of salt grit they could find. Ms. Jenny had even permitted them to use Alfie to help dig Bertie out. But as they looked up at the falling snow, they knew they were going to need something else.
Emmett: We need a snowplough! Goodness knows the drifts are only going to get worse on the open road.
Charles: What about Terence?
Butch: Terence is too slow to get here in time. We need another plan!
Ted: Wait, I have an idea: grab Jack's snowplough and put it on the flatbed I made from the old caravan's chassis. We're gonna have another member in this rescue party...
Once that had been done, The Garage Crew hurried over to The Pack's Yard to meet up with Alfie. Jack was surprised to see his friend exit so quickly. He was also surprised to see Ted, Charles, Butch and Emmett pull up.
Jack: What's going on?
Emmett: Bertie's stuck in a drift, but we need a plough to get onto the open road. Jack, we need you to put yours on.
Jack: But I might slip and bump into things!
Ted: Do you hear yourself? Bertie and the Hatts are in trouble and you're the only vehicle that snowplough can attach to. C'mon, Jack!
Jack was about to argue, but stopped himself. He knew Ted was right and he allowed the snowplough to be reattached to him. And before anyone could say "blistering buckets", Jack was leading the rescue party through the snowstorm.
Jack: Come on, everyone! We have to keep going!
Jack's wheels slipped and slid furiously and he was sure he felt the plough brush up against fences and bushes, but he didn't care. All he cared about was getting everyone to Bertie. Thankfully, it had stopped snowing and Ms. Jenny, who was riding in Jack's cab, could see some red amongst the white snow up ahead. She knew who it was.
Ms. Jenny: It's Bertie! Well done, Jack, you found him and the Hatts!
Sir Topham Hatt, who was standing near Bertie, looked back and cheered.
Sir Topham Hatt: Help has arrived!
Dowager Hatt: Oh, thank goodness! I thought we were going to be stuck here forever.
The rescue party stopped and set to work.
Ted: Don't worry, everyone. Bertie will be free in no time. Just step back and let us handle the situation.
The Hatts stepped back and watched the rescue operation take place. Jack and Alfie cleared the snow around Bertie. Ted and Charles attached chains to Bertie and Emmett and Butch, pulling hard, hauled Bertie free from the snowdrift and back onto the road. Once this was done, Ms. Jenny and Ted set to work on repairing the fence that Bertie had broken when he ran off the road.
Bertie: I'm sure I would've turned into a red icicle if I was in there any longer. Thank you all so much...
Butch: You're welcome, Bertie. But I think we should all be thanking Jack. Without his snowplough, it would've taken us much longer to get here.
Emmett: Yeah, and Jack didn't bump into anything the whole way here. I was driving behind him and saw everything.
Jack: I didn't?
Emmett: Nope, not that I can remember. I guess you were so focused on getting us to Bertie that the thought of bumping and slipping didn't cross your mind. It seems you finally mastered how to control that plough and rid yourself of the fears that came with it.
Jack: But...surely, I must've slipped and slid…
Ted: Even if you did, that could happen to any vehicle when the roads are like this. And once you keep using the plough more often, it should become less tedious and uncomfortable for you over time.
Bertie: You, Jack, are a hero. Three cheers for Jack, everyone!
And everyone cheered and cheered for Jack all the way to the town square. And after watching the beautiful performance there, they all headed back to The Pack's Yard, where the other machines congratulated Jack on his brave efforts.
Nelson: I knew he could do it!
Oliver: What a brave machine you are!
Max: Heh, not bad for a little guy.
Kelly: So, Jack, what caused your fears to subside that quickly?
Jack: Well, of course, it was partly because the Hatt family and Bertie were in trouble, so we had to get to them as quickly as possible. But it was also partly due to Charles' story about perseverance that pushed me to...well, persevere.
Kelly: Charles' story?
Jack: Yep. I think it'd be better if Charles told it, though. Tell it, Charles.
So as Ted and Ms. Jenny looked over Bertie to make sure he hadn't been damaged, the machines gathered around Charles as he told the story he told Jack earlier in the day.
Well, almost all the machines. Jack had reversed into his shed and had fallen asleep because he was so tired from all the hard work he did that day. But everyone understood and let Jack sleep. It was clear that he had earned a break and knew he would never feel nervous about wearing the snowplough ever again...