Distractingly heavy clouds gathered over the yard as the lone pannier tank was attempting to sort and shunt the arrival of a long mixed goods train. Anticipating the oncoming rain, Edward and Duck were working against the clock to put every car in its place so they could retreat to the station building before the downpour.
Edward had a hand steadying himself against the cab wall. The long water tanks of the engine sloshed it's contents on every switch of the points. The resulting motion had given the little Pannier a slight waddle as it bustled to and fro collecting stock. Duck, currently at the controls, was in his element.
"It really does make a difference having been used to these types of engines already." Edward chuckled as they biffed a chain of wagons against the buffers.
"You're doing really well though! First day back in action and you're still standing! Color me impressed!" Duck smiled apologetically back at the older gentleman. He knew the adjustment period had to be rough.
"That's kind of you. But I'll be happy once we've finished. I could go for a pick-me-up."
Duck retained his attention and whistled for a point switch as he retrieved the last of the wallowing rollingstock. Flecks of raindrops beginning to drizzle dully on the hood of the cab.
"So you're the Driver of the passenger services. What an important weight to bare."
Lightning illuminated the sky over the canopy of Knapford station. On platform one, Diesel walked along the length of Number 4 as Gordon and James eyed him from the cab door. Gordon, taking full advantage of his position, pronounced his chest as his pompousness inflated.
"There's no one other than I that Sir Topham would trust with such a responsibility."
James rolled his eyes and looked across the track beds at Number 5.
"You're not the only one who's able to take the express." He mumbled to himself.
Diesel honed in and turned his attention away from the engine.
"But of course your engine, James, is just so versatile. Able to handle any job without incident I'm certain."
Every word he spoke dripped with oily precision, greasing their egos as Diesel attended to their fragile dispositions. James perked up and felt his own pride blossom.
"A spotless record for special trains. That's me." Gordon let out a small "pfft." As Diesel meandered his way back to the group.
"Come to think of it, there isn't anyone else I'd rather be around. I've so much to learn. I hope you won't mind helping me."
Thunder was felt through the reverberations of the station supports as the two men fell easily to the charm of the newcomer.
"Have a toffee. My uncle swears by them whenever he gets a headache."
Duck pulled a handful of the wrapped sweets from his pocket as Edward held his blue handkerchief, soaked from being dipped in warm water, to his head. A kettle just off from the sitting area softly began to whistle as Duck stood to go attend it. Edward closed his eyes and held his head delicately. As grateful as he was to be back at work, the light atrophy from being bed-ridden for weeks had left him weaker than he'd anticipated.
"Thank's Duck. I genuinely appreciate it."
He took the piping cup and gave a light blow before taking a sip.
"You handle that Pannier like a pro. You'd said you worked with one on the Great Western?"
"I did." Duck smiled fondly. "It's a wonderful engine once you get your feet beneath you. Very responsive and carries a lot of grit."
Another crack of lighting briefly brightened their space. Edward replaced his compress and closed his eyes briefly.
"Is there anything I can get for you? Anything I can help with?" Duck looked worriedly at his new friend.
"Oh I'm alright. It's just finding my groove again."
Edward opened his eyes and scanned the room for a change in conversation as Duck was wrestling a toffee from it's wrapper. A headline on the paper at their table caught his eye.
"Have you seen this?" Edward retrieved it from under the sugar dispenser Duck had brought over.
"A string of local robberies in Southern Sodor. Scary that."
Duck solemnly shook his head.
"It's a shame. All small businesses too from the looks of it. The worst of it is they aren't taking anything of credible value."
"Safes, registers, and cash boxes remained at the scenes." Edward read aloud. "'Missing items were described as pedestrian or home and garden essentials' said one owner from lower suddery. That is unusual. I wonder why?"
"I don't even want to think about it. It's almost psychological, the damage they've caused."
Another ominous boom preceded another burst of light searing momentarily across the sky.
Number 6 coughed sooty ash into the air as the shed vent above it's chimney dripped awkward rivers of rain water around the engine. Percy thumped his head against the controls and sighed as the fire he'd been attempting to light continued to flicker out.
Number 1 rolled across the turntable and backed eagerly into the birth next door as Thomas braked it to an easy stop. He poked his head out the cab and whistled low toward his friend.
"It's nasty out there Perce'. Did you bring a coat?"
Percy defeatedly held up a thin green nylon windbreaker giving Thomas the largest frown he could muster.
"I can't seem to win today Thomas." He whimpered. "The radio this morning said clear skies all evening!"
Thomas smiled sympathetically at his friend.
"It's impossible to trust the weather. I have an old poncho in my kit if you want it?"
"It's better than being damp all night." Percy shrugged as he made his way down the cabs steps.
As Thomas dug the compact garment from his emergency kit in the cab, Number 12 creeped in on the other side of Number 1. The rain tarp bridging the cab to the tender sagged threateningly from the pool it had collected throughout the day.
"Well isn't this just perfect?" Emily spouted as she aggressively jumped down from the cab.
She was drenched from head to toe.
"The wind was horrid coming through the valley. It blew every. Single. Raindrop inside my cab." She pulled out her dark green handkerchief and dredged it with a twist letting the water shower to the ground.
Percy and Thomas both came over appalled.
"I just got my fire going if you want to come in and dry off. I'm going to be late all evening regardless." Percy offered, gesturing at his stocky little tank engine.
"Oh I'll be fine. Just making a fuss." Emily grumbled as she attempted to wipe her face with the soaked handkerchief.
"Here's mine" Thomas offered.
"Mine too!" Percy extended.
"You're sweet boys. Thank you." She took them gratefully and the three watched the heavy storm rage across the yard.
"Rain or shine, hail or snow, Sodor's mail.." Thomas started
"Can be late by one day." Percy said indignantly as the three laughed over the cackle of another dark cloud's thunder.
Ah, I love a good storm. Thanks y'all for the positive reception to both my experimental chapter and my one shots. I've been having a real blast while I have some brief time off to write.
I love having Edward back. Putting him with Duck was reminiscent of Duck's time at Wellsworth during Diesel's initial introduction and it felt appropriate lol.
Welcome to the second half! I'm excited to keep the chapters rolling out.
As always, thank you so much for reading! -REN