Meanwhile, Beatrice was pleased when Lexi didn't pass unkind comments about how she smelled or that she was the lowest 'rank' of the five; she felt pleased, so feeling confident to try and talk to her, she told the teen about some her adventures with the engines, and all about the picturesque little line; it certainly made a pleasant change from Agnes making classist comments in their direction.

"… and then of course Lady Ilksworth, who had invited so many guests for her birthday trip, had no room for herself, two other guests or for her poodle!" Exclaimed Beatrice, and Lexi started howling with laughter at the image of a well-dressed lady on a station platform, confused as to where she was supposed to go, whilst many passengers scuttled past her barking dog.

"So, what happened next, Bea?" She asked eagerly, when she quieted a little, before resuming polishing Beatrice's buffers.

"She, her best friend, and her sister all ended up in me!" Beatrice continued, her face shining. "Oh, my dear, it was surreal! I thought my frames would collapse; they wouldn't stop shaking!" She laughed. "I am used to occasionally receiving passengers if the others are full, but never someone as wealthy or as respectable as Lady Ilksworth or her unfortunate poodle! And yet, there we were trundling and bumping along the line! I never saw Agnes so cross before! She was complaining about the birthday lady riding in me instead of her; and yet, the good woman never gave a hoot, and told Agnes exactly that."

Lexi laughed and laughed; she laughed so much, in fact, that tears were streaming down her face. "That was a good story, Beatrice," She admitted in between giggles.

"Thank you, darling- it still makes me laugh to this day," She admitted. "I enjoy telling it to others though; they never tire of it. So, tell me about yourself, Lexi, dear." The elderly brakevan said.

"Well, I live by Crovan's Gate Station, with my parents, my two little brothers, Jack and Nathaniel, our two Rottweilers, Andreas, and Misty- and our Dalmatian, Bella." Lexi began, wiping her moist hands across her jeans. She went to tell Beatrice more about her family and her home; as well as her school, which was Crovan's Gate Academy. She refrained from talking about the worst of it, of course, because some of the things that she witnessed/heard would shock a respectable Victorian to death. But she mentioned her favourite teachers, her interests (drama and hockey) and her closest friends. She managed a few amusing anecdotes of her own, such as the time she and her best friend Matthew Chiron had to help round up some sheep who escaped a lorry which crashed into a lamp post near the school using only their skills in animal impersonations.

This story in particular made the old guard's van chuckle.

"…. Well, thank you dear," said Beatrice, giving Lexi a warm, broad smile. "You've certainly helped me feel new and young again; and at my age, that's very hard to feel these days!"

"Happy to help, Beatrice," Grinned Lexi. She liked Beatrice and was very glad to have her as a friend. She just hoped the other coaches would warm to her soon enough.

….

Fortunately for her, Ruth, Jemima and Lucy, though they still grumbled a bit, lowered their vehemence. They all conceded that she needed to learn how to come in quietly; but agreed that she did a good job of cleaning them up and making them feel spic and span.

But Agnes…. Oh, how she wanted to wipe the smug smirk off Agnes's face so badly! Agnes was nothing short of rude and disrespectful to Lexi; which she tried to ignore. It was tough, though, as she was sorely tempted to shout back at her; but she refrained from retorting to Agnes's classist comments.

"Well, I better go. But I'll be back soon." She said, as she was getting ready to leave the shed.

"Thank you," said Lucy, Beatrice and Ruth. Jemima was unable to hear.

"What's that, dearie?"

"She said, she'd be back soon!" Ruth said loudly, trying to get her deaf sister's attention. Lexi watched on with bafflement; despite being aware that Jemima was deaf.

"What?!" Yelled Jemima, a little louder this time.

"My dad will be back in the yard soon, hopefully," Lexi continued with a wry grin, before the other coaches could shout at Jemima again… "I'm going to go and greet him right now!"

"And what does your father do?" Asked Lucy curiously. She, Jemima, Ruth and Agnes hadn't been told about Lexi's dad. Lexi didn't want to give Agnes yet more bait, and Jemima was deafer than a post. Ruth and Lucy were alright; but she only really felt comfortable sharing details of her personal life with Beatrice; to a degree, of course. She wasn't telling Beatrice everything!

"He's Luke's driver," replied Lexi, reluctantly. "I haven't actually met Luke himself yet, so this will certainly be an experience for me." She glanced over at Agnes; and immediately wished that she hadn't. Agnes had turned puce and gave her a look of such wide-eyed horror that Lexi wondered if someone had just died.

"You mean," gasped the elderly first-class coach, in horror, "…that I have just been polished by the daughter of a quarry engine driver?! I… I will not stand for this!"

"What's the problem with that, Agnes?" Piped up Beatrice. "It's not like we get polished by dukes."

"Don't be stupid! I'm a first-class coach, Beatrice! After over 150 years of us working together, you should know that by now! And yet, here I am being cleaned by a quarry engine driver's daughter like I am nobody's business!" Lexi bristled at this statement, but Agnes continued, clearly rattled by the teen's revelation.

"I don't approve! Simply don't approve at all! Me, a first-class coach- being polished by some quarry engine driver's daughter! And, what's more, I don't approve of her ideas of treating you all like first class coaches!"

"So what? Would you rather I treated you like a third-class coach instead?" Lexi answered innocently, without missing a beat. The other four coaches started chuckling quietly at hearing the teen's retort; but they didn't want to risk end up on the wrong side of Agnes's wrath, so they tried hard to keep their laughter quiet.

Extremely disgruntled, Agnes unleashed her ultimate weapon, "All quarrymen are vulgar; as are quarry engines and their crews! I certainly hope they stay up there, too! They can keep their cursing and uncouth manners there- so long as none of them go near me, I shall be quite satisfied. I do hope your poor mother knows what she's gotten herself into!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Lexi shouted, finally unable to hold back her anger any longer. Her roar caused the other coaches to shake and tremble, but she ploughed on. "Agnes, I don't care what you've said, or are saying about me, to my face. I can live with it. But how dare you bring my family into this! My parents love each other very much, and you have no right to comment on my father's occupation; or on Luke's, or on my Uncle Richard's! Now I strongly suggest you shut it, or I will not be held responsible for my actions."

"How dare you to speak to me like that, child!" Gasped Agnes, her face cast into an expression of horror. "You shouldn't be working on this railway if you're going to treat us like this! Get out of my sight, you brat, and don't come back!"

Shaken, hurt and angry, Lexi quickly turned around on her heel, and stormed out of the carriage sheds; only to run into Skarloey hovering around outside, getting to collect the coaches for his train.

His expression was unreadable. Lexi felt her heart beating in her chest, uncertain of what he would say to this development.

"I'll speak to Agnes." Was all he said to her, in as neutral a tone as he could manage.

Lexi only nodded once, too ashamed and embarrassed about losing her temper and having Skarloey possibly witness this loss of control…