James became very conceited about pulling the Express. He liked to show off his smart red paint, and was determined to be as fast as Gordon. He pulled into Elsbridge just as Toby arrived with Henrietta.

Toby: Hello, James.

James: Hello, Toby.

Toby: You look splendid this morning.

James: I should look splendid. I'm pulling the Express. Everybody knows that means I'm an important engine. People come in crowds to see my flash by. I'm as regular as clockwork. Never late, always on time.

Toby: (chuckles) Says the engines that needed a bootlace to mend one of his coaches.

James: (groans) Everyone's going to make sure I never forget the time a bootlace had to be used to mend a hole in one of my coaches, aren't they?

Henrietta: Maybe if you stopped being so conceited and boasting, we wouldn't have to remind you about it just to get you to be quiet. (Guard blows his whistle, James blows his whistle and angrily puffs away) Don't listen to him, Toby. He's just trying to be like Gordon.

Toby: (chuckles) I know, Henrietta. (Guard blows his whistle, Toby rings his bell and puffs away)

The next morning, The Fat Controller came to the Sheds to see Toby.

STH: Morning, Toby. Your parts are worn so you need to go to the Steamworks to be mended.

Toby: But, Sir? Who will do my work?

Thomas: I'll take care of Henrietta until you get back. With her, I'll be able to carry more passengers. I'll also do your work at the quarry.

STH: That's very kind of you, Thomas.

Toby: Yes. Thank you, Thomas. (puffs away)

Soon, Toby was out on the Main Line. He was enjoying his journey, but clanked as he trundled along. He's a little engine with small wheels, so he can't go very fast. His tanks also don't hold much water, so he often has to stop for a drink.

Toby: I'm starting to feel thirsty again, Driver.

Driver: When we get to the next station, you'll have a drink and then we'll wait in the sidings until James has passed by with the Express.

Soon they reached Killdane, and Toby happily filled up with water. As he did, he couldn't help but be worried about Henrietta.

Toby: (to himself) I know Thomas promised to look after Henrietta, but he doesn't know her like I do.

Soon the Signalman came up to Toby. Toby and his crew knew most of the Signalmen, but they had never seen this one before.

Signalman: What are you all doing here, blocking the line?

Driver: Toby needs more water, but we'll-

Signalman: There's no time for that. We must clear the line for the Express.

Driver: Right then. We'll wait in the sidings until James passes by.

Signalman: Sorry, but all of the sidings are filled with trucks. You'll just have to hurry to the next station. They've got plenty of room for you there.

Driver: (sighs) Fine. Let's go, Toby.

Toby: (panting) I must hurry! I must hurry!

But hurrying used a lot of water, and his tanks were soon empty.

Toby: (starts slowing down) Why am I slowing down?

Fireman: Hurrying used up all your water. We're stranded now. Nowhere near the next station too.

Driver: What are we going to do about James?

Fireman: I'll put detonators on the line to warn James and his crew. Then I'll run back to the station as fast as I can to warn them. If I'm too late, the detonators will stop them from crashing into you. (grimly) I'll also tell that Signalman something!

Back at the station, James was just about ready to leave. (Guard puts the whistle on his lips when...)

Toby's Fireman: (running and panting) Stop! Stop! We've got trouble!

Guard: What's wrong?

Toby's Fireman: Toby ran out of water and is stranded down the line.

James: Why didn't you just fill up on water here?

Toby's Fireman: (looking at the Signalman as he ran towards them) Someone wouldn't listen when we were trying to explain that Toby has small tanks so he can't hold much water.

James: (groans) Now I'm going to be late!

Signalman: I'm sorry, Fireman. I didn't understand about Toby, or want the Express to be held up.

Driver: Looks like you'll have to push Toby to the nearest water tower, James.

James: What, me? ME, push Toby and pull my train too?!

Driver: Yes, you.

James: I won't! It's not my fault Toby's stuck on the Main Line!

Guard: Well, that's it then. I'm afraid this Express isn't going anywhere.

Passengers: We're already late! I thought you were really useful, but I guess not! Come on, James! You're a very strong engine! You say that yourself all the time!

James: All right, all right! Fine. I'll do it. (The passengers get back into the coaches, Guard blows his whistle, James whistles and puffs away, muttering) Stupid tram making me late.

When James came up behind Toby, the crew explained everything to his Driver. Then his Fireman got back into Toby, and James gave Toby a bump.

James: Get on you!

Toby: (chuckles) Thanks, James.

Soon, they reached a water tower.

Toby: James, there's a water tower right here.

James: Great! Now you can fill up with water, and I'll be on my way.

James' Driver: Actually, James, because you caused that whole argument back at the station, we want you to push Toby all the way to Crovans Gate.

James: What?! (groans) Now I'm going to be even more late!

James' Fireman: It serves you right for being cross.

James had to work very hard. Sir Handel was waiting impatiently at the station.

Sir Handel: (scoffs) Where is James? (hears his whistle) About time! (sees Toby in front of him and gasps)

James: (panting) I made it! Finally! (Peter Sam puffs up beside Sir Handel)

Sir Handel: Hey, Peter Sam, look at this. The Express is late, and it's a Double Header.

Peter Sam: I guess James couldn't pull it on his own, so Toby had to help him.

Toby: Never mind them, James. They're only teasing.

James: (sarcastically) HA HA! Now will you please fill up with water so I can be on my way?

Toby: (chuckles) All right, James. I will. Thanks for saving me.

James: (sighs, grumbling) You're welcome.

That night, The Fat Controller spoke to James.

STH: James, I was not pleased to hear about the delays you caused because you refused to help Toby.

James: (sigh) Yes, Sir. I'm sorry.

STH: But you did help Toby in the end, and that makes up for it. I'm proud of you for that.

James: Thank you, Sir!

STH: Now, get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day for you. Then, Gordon will go back to pulling the Express the following day.

James & Gordon: Yes, Sir!

And that was the whole story of Double Header. I had fun doing this chapter. I changed Henrietta being looked after by Percy to Thomas looking after her, because I just it made more sense. Thomas is going to do Toby's work as well as his own so it makes sense, right? I also thought it'd be more funny if I replaced the boys with Sir Handel and Peter Sam. If this was originally going to be the final RWS book, shouldn't they have gotten a cameo? I also added Toby making a joke about the bootlace, because I thought it'd be more in character of him to say that, especially after their first interaction in Dirty Objects. With all that said, I'll see you all in hopefully the final chapter of this story.