A BROKEN FAMILY?

Loosely inspired from "Bye George!" by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

Down on the Skarloey Railway, things had gotten much busier since the quarry had been accidentally discovered by a certain Western engine on his post train. The engines would go up in pairs - one from the North Western Railway and one from the Skarloey Railway - each day to deliver supplies to help the Pack restore the railway lines leading up to the main area of the quarry. Today, it was Duck and Rheneas' turn.

"A quarry where both our gauges run side by side," Duck said curiously. "Before Oliver found this quarry, I didn't think this was possible."

"The engines of the pre-grouping railways would come here to collect rock all the time," said Rheneas. He sighed and glanced down at his buffers. "That was before…"

"Before what?" asked Duck.

"It's… a long story," Rheneas said quietly. "It's not exactly one Skarloey and I like to talk about."

The two engines' conversation was unfortunately interrupted. Max and Monty, the newest members of the Pack, hadn't been paying attention to what they were doing, and some large slabs of stone had spilled out onto the road. Buster hadn't realized this.

"Okay, so where is the concrete that needs to be flattened out?" he was saying to his operator.

"Buster!" cried Isobella. "Watch out!"

But it was already too late; Buster had hit the slabs of stone and it left a dent in his boiler.

"Ouch!" exclaimed Buster. "What was that?"

"It was Max and Monty!" Isobella muttered. "I saw them."

"Max and Monty!" snapped Mr. Packard. "You two have caused a massive accident. Now work will be halted until Buster can be fixed."

"Sorry, sir…" the two dump trucks said, abashed. Duck and Rheneas both observed the scene.

"Well, there's only one other steamroller that we know about," the narrow gauge engine said, "and unfortunately, he's far from friendly…"

"Oh no…" groaned Duck and the Pack.

A couple of days later, Donald was bringing over the steamroller in question, along with the rails and other materials needed to restore the old rails.

"Bumpy ride on rotten rails!" growled George. "I'm glad it's over!"

"Sae am Ah!" grunted Donald. "Yer aboot as muckle nuisance as that auld spiteful brake van."

Sir Handel came in with his own train of supplies.

"Oh, hello, Donald… Oh, not you again!" he grunted.

"Well, if it ain't my old pal Sir Handel," sneered George. "It's been a while."

"Not long enough," snapped Sir Handel.

"Why haes he bin kept oan th' island fur this lang?" asked Donald.

"Your guess is as good as mine," sighed the blue tank engine.

Sir Handel and Donald went off to shunt their trucks accordingly, and Sir Handel stared daggers at the green steamroller.

"Don't think I've forgotten what you've said all those years back!" he growled.

"Pah!" said George as he got on with his work. "Given what's happened on the island, I guess I can understand why you and yer 'little brother' reacted the way ya did."

"That wasn't our choice!" Sir Handel retorted. "Mr. Hockings wasn't considering our feelings at all."

"That might have not been yer choice, but…" George paused dramatically. "You two speakin' up about the ol' Granpuff certainly was."

"And we did speak up about Duke," said Sir Handel. "He's with us now, along with our new friends."

"As numba eight," George put in. "If ya spoke up sooner, Dukie would have been numba five, wouldn't he? You and yer 'little brother' didn't care enough to speak up about him right away, did ya?"

Sir Handel froze at George's words. He and Peter Sam had been intending to tell everyone about Duke when they were on the Skarloey Railway right from the start. But many projects kept holding them back; be it new engines, new upgrades for the two of them, new coaches and even the lakeside extension. Money didn't grow on trees, after all.

But Sir Handel thought again. Mr. Percival had been very willing to assist with finding Duke so quickly, and this was after the centenary celebration where a lot of funding had been put into the festivities. Did he and Peter Sam seriously leave Duke alone for that long all because they thought Mr. Percival wouldn't agree to it?

His eyes seemed to burn like flames when he glared back at George.

"Just shut up, you oversized rolling pin!" he growled, and without thinking twice, he shot forward. Unfortunately, he moved forward too quickly, and some old rails hadn't been replaced yet. He bumped right off them, and the impact knocked his firebars out.

"Oh, that's gone and torn it," groaned his driver. "No more work for you today, old boy."

"That's fine by me!" grunted Sir Handel. "Anything to get away from that clumsy roadhog!"

It wasn't long before Duke came over with the breakdown train. The blue tank engine was still shaking with a mixture of fury and upset.

"What's happened this time, Falcon?" asked Duke when the older engine helped the younger engine onto a flatbed.

"I… I got into a confrontation with George," Sir Handel explained. "He… hit a real nerve."

"A nerve?" Duke raised a concerned eyebrow at this. "I know your history hasn't been a good one, but this is the first time I've heard of something like this."

"He's not one to swallow a fact," George remarked. "He and that flat funneled tin kettle couldn't be bothered to speak up about ya when they were here for the first three years or so."

Duke's eyes widened for a second, but he shot daggers at the steamroller. "My grandchuffs would never do anything like that. It would have taken a lot of time and effort to find my shed which had been buried, and I missed them as much as they missed me!"

"Fine, have it yer way," grunted George as he chuffed off. "These little engines, I swear…"

"Don't listen to that rotten roller, Falcon," Duke said soothingly. "I'm very grateful you and Stuart got the word out about me."

Sir Handel just looked down at his buffers, trying to hold back tears. Granpuff has so much faith in Peter Sam and I… if only that were indeed the case from the start.

In the sheds that evening, Sir Handel's firebars had been replaced, and Rusty was the last engine to come into the sheds, having taken Sir Handel's place at the quarry.

"I swear, that George gets even the most level-headed of us riled up," he muttered.

"You're telling me, young Rusty," said Duke. "He told a flat out lie today."

"What did he say?" asked Rheneas. Duke recounted what Sir Handel had told him about George, and the steamroller's subsequent remark. By the time he'd finished, there was an uncomfortable silence with the other six engines - Flyer was at the sheds on the other end of the railway.

"Er… Duke," said Rheneas. "That's not a complete lie. We didn't hear about you for three years following Sir Handel and Peter Sam's arrival."

"W-what?" Duke stammered, looking at Sir Handel and Peter Sam in disbelief. "N-neither of you…"

"It wasn't what it appeared to be, Granpuff!" protested Peter Sam. "We wanted to tell the others about you, but the railway was under financial troubles when we first got here."

"We missed you more than anything," added Sir Handel. "The railway didn't feel the same without you."

"They were lost and confused in their first few months," put in Rheneas, "and considering what they've told us about Peel Godred, that's quite understandable."

"The only clue that we got that something was missing was when Sir Handel called me Granpuff by mistake…"

That seemed to be the last straw.

"So you decided to replace me with Skarloey, is that it?!" snapped Duke. There was an awkward silence upon that remark; even Duncan didn't dare to speak up.

"Granpuff…" Sir Handel whispered. "You don't really think that…"

Duke just pretended he was asleep.

"Me and my slip of the tongue," the blue tank engine sighed.

"You were in a tough situation," Rusty soothed. "And it was an accident."

"I just hope Granpuff sees that too," Sir Handel said quietly.

"So do I," agreed Peter Sam.

"Rusty's right; that steamroller does rile up everyone," Duncan said under his breath.

The next few days were rather hard for the former Mid Sodor trio.

"Granpuff, please," Peter Sam said quietly. "I don't want to see us all fight."

"Three years, Peter Sam," Duke scoffed. The green tank engine winced. While Peter Sam and Sir Handel only referred to each other by their Mid Sodor names if they were being serious or in the context of talking about their Mid Sodor and Peel Godred days, Duke did the opposite with their current names. "How could you withhold information about me for that long?"

"We were afraid," said Peter Sam. "Not only was the railway under financial troubles when we got here, we were worried that-"

Unfortunately for Peter Sam, Duke was not paying attention to him, and he was off when the guard's whistle blew.

Later that day, Peter Sam met up with Skarloey at the old slate quarry, which was still in operation. The red tank engine looked rather guilty over what had transpired.

"Hello, Skarloey," Peter Sam greeted solemnly.

"I'm sorry about what happened last night, Peter Sam," said Skarloey. "I should never have said what I said."

"I think someone had to speak up," said Sir Handel when he was coming in the other direction. "It was most likely going to be me or you. I was the one who slipped up - both literally and figuratively. You were just helping me with the passengers that day."

"If I might ask," said Skarloey, "what exactly made you call me that by mistake?"

"Well…" Sir Handel thought back. "It's… kind of silly, really. I was so used to being taken under Duke's wing back on the Mid Sodor Railway, and it felt like you and Rheneas were ready to do the same for Peter Sam and I. I felt… safe for the first time since I left the Mid Sodor line."

"After a few years at Peel Godred," added Peter Sam, "this line felt like the Great Railway above in comparison."

"That does paint a better picture of what happened," Skarloey noted. "If only we could get Duke to understand it too."

Meanwhile, Duke was getting some trucks loaded with vegetables, and Rheneas had come with the old coaches to Lakeside.

"Duke," Rheneas said calmly, "this anger you've had over the past couple of days isn't healthy."

"Why is everyone taking Sir Handel and Peter Sam's side of this argument?" Duke retorted. "You don't know what it's like to have spent years in an abandoned shed!"

"I'm not taking sides," Rheneas replied. "I'm just saying the three of you need to talk this out in a responsible manner. You and Sir Handel shouldn't have let George's words get to you."

Duke was about to say something else, when he heard his guard's whistle. "Mustn't be late," he muttered under his breath.

"I don't like seeing a broken family," whispered Lucy.

"You're right there, Lucy," sighed Rheneas.

Unfortunately, Duke was so caught up in his anger, he didn't notice he had been diverted the wrong way to the new quarry where George was working.

"What should we do with this part of the road?" asked a new workman when he got to an intersection.

"Tear up the rails! Tarmac 'em!" said George. And so they did, but they didn't do a proper job, and George knew this.

Rusty, who was working at the quarry at the time, became anxious.

"We'd better warn anyone who might cross this," he said. "Driver, could you raise the alarm?"

"I'm on it," the little diesel's driver confirmed. However, when Rusty was left stationary at a siding, he heard a whistle.

"Oh, bust my radiator!" he cried. "Duke, slow down!"

"Rusty?!" exclaimed Duke as he began to slow down. "I wasn't expecting to see yooouuuu…!" As he finished his sentence, Duke began to feel his wheels leave the rails and onto the road, with his vans following behind him.

Duke was more startled than hurt, and he didn't get very far when he derailed, but he couldn't fully grasp what had just happened. It was fortunate, however, that his crew had jumped clear.

"Duke!" called Rusty. "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay," replied the old engine. "But I can't move."

"I think the breakdown crane is down at the middle station," Rusty said. "We'll see who's the closest to bring it down."

It wasn't long before the message was sent up.

"Granpuff's off the line?!" cried Sir Handel in shock; exchanging a look with Peter Sam.

"It wouldn't suit His Grace to leave him in that field," the green engine said. "Come on."

The two left their trains and rushed to the rescue.

"Granpuff, are you okay?" asked Peter Sam anxiously.

"No damage to you or your crew?" added Sir Handel.

"I think I got a few minor scratches," Duke admitted, "but otherwise, I'm fine. As for my crew, they jumped clear."

"How did you manage to come off the rails like that?" asked Peter Sam. "You weren't meant to go to the quarry today."

"I think a signalman diverted me here by mistake," Duke sighed. "And… I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings."

"That doesn't explain how you came off," Sir Handel put in.

"Think about it, you three," chimed Rusty. "Duke came off on a poorly tarmacked section of road."

"Oh, that rotten rolling pin!" snapped Sir Handel. "Where is he?"

"Never mind that right now, Falcon," said Duke. "We've got to have a serious talk." The old engine paused as Sir Handel collected himself and Peter Sam turned his attention to him. "What kind of financial difficulties were you talking about when you first got here?"

"Well, Granpuff," Peter Sam began, "Skarloey and Rheneas can explain in more detail than we can, but the short version is… the Skarloey Railway had some issues that resulted in Skarloey breaking down a lot and Rheneas being pushed to his limits."

"This railway, like the Mid Sodor Railway, was in danger of closing," added Sir Handel. "But Rheneas managed to get his passengers to a station one day when he felt poorly, and we figured that might have been enough to get the railway stabilized until Peter Sam and I could be purchased."

"I see," said Duke. "And what happened after you came?"

"We were still very shaken from the abuse we received at Peel Godred," Peter Sam went on. "I wanted to be optimistic about it, and in the long run, I was right to be that way."

"But I was emotionally closed off from everyone except Peter Sam," sighed Sir Handel. "After being separated from you and most of the other Mid Sodor engines, and then Bertram, Freddie and Colin all dying, not to mention Alfred's death before that… I was afraid Peter Sam and I would get hurt again. But as time went by, Skarloey and Rheneas were able to help break down my walls. Then when Skarloey came to collect my passengers… I finally was able to let my guard down."

Duke was stunned by that last piece of information.

"But I realized my guard was let down too much by calling him by your nickname by mistake." Sir Handel had tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Granpuff…"

"And we're both sorry for not speaking up sooner," sighed Peter Sam. "With every new project springing up thereafter; Skarloey and Rheneas' overhauls, new engines, new coaches, the Lakeside extension, you name it, we were worried Mr. Percival wouldn't be able to give you the overhaul that you needed."

Without realizing it, Duke had tears spilling down his face too. "I'm sorry too," he sighed. "I suppose several years of isolation can make someone not think clearly. My behavior in the last few days would have never suited His Grace."

"Now that's the bond I'm used to seeing," smiled Rusty. "Glad to see you three have made up."

The four engines were so focused on the amending fences with the Mid Sodor trio that they didn't realize there was a chuffing sound behind them.

"Stupid railway engines," George muttered. "Always chattin' away, wastin' time for us road vehicles."

"George!" cried Alfie. "Watch out for that…"

CRASH!

"…truck."

"Ouch…"

"Oh, bother!" snapped Rusty. "We'll need another truck for the supplies for tomorrow."

"Wasn't my fault you left that truck in my way!" snapped George.

"His train was on a siding," retorted Peter Sam. "You should have watched what you were doing."

"And you should know better than to spread half-truths!" growled Duke. "While Falcon and Stuart did withhold information about me for a few years, they did have their reasons to do that."

"Indeed," snarled Sir Handel. "We would never leave Granpuff in a shed for all eternity like you falsely told Peter Sam all those years ago."

"What?!" gasped Duke. "When did he say this?"

Peter Sam and Sir Handel quickly summarized that exchange from years ago.

"How dare you scar my grandchuffs like that!" snapped Duke. "For that, I'll see to it you're never seen around here again!"

Duke was as good as his word, as he reported this to Mr. Packard, Jenny and Mr. Percival. When the Sodor Island Council got word of this, George was shunted onto a flatbed ready to be taken away by Donald.

"Now we'll get some peace," sighed Duncan.

"Thirty days!" snapped George. "Thirty days before I'm rolling again!"

"And then you'll be just as rude as ever," chuckled Peter Sam. "Eh, George?"

"Rollers are rubbish!" added Sir Handel. "So good riddance."

I hope that George sees sense after his punishment; don't you?

THE END

Author's Comments

Here's the third to last story of Series 5 Redux, being a very loose rewrite of Bye George!, and that was very much unintentional! How it ended up becoming a story about Sir Handel, Peter Sam and Duke having a falling out, I'm not sure, but I think this rewrite turned out better for it. And George's antagonism is going to lead to a bigger role for him when the Magic Railroad rewrite comes around.

Upcoming stories:

- Duncan Gets Spooked

- Rusty and the Boulder