A/N: A very short update, but I'm working on more stories now that my course is finished for the year! So expect an update burst! :) Than you so much for your support, you lovely people, and I apologise for my belated updates! Enjoy!
...
A few days pass (during which I am given a new coat of paint to make me feel 'welcome' according to Mr. French, and, although the paintwork makes me feel fabulous; I am still bearing a grudge for Duke; after all, he still gave me a harsh punishment; and then he tells me he doesn't want to end up like some fictional antagonist he created to scare me into submission.
Still, I find my curiosity piqued by what Duke had said, much to my annoyance. But I don't want to ask Duke about 'him', as he's probably not going to tell me. So, I decide to be subtler…
"Who's the 'him' that Duke was talking about?" I ask my driver, whilst he fills up my water tank. He pauses in thought.
"I don't rightly know, old boy. When did he mention 'him' exactly?"
I recount the exchange between Duke and myself shortly after my release from the sheds following my accident with the trucks.
"Hm, seems strange," Muses my driver. "If he tells you, then that's fair. But if he doesn't, you should drop the matter. You are still in his bad books, and we can't have that."
"I suppose not," I concede to his words with a growl of frustration.
"Besides," my driver adds, to try and make me feel better, "I have good news! We've been assigned to take a passenger train today!"
I cheer up at this. Finally! A chance to escape the trucks' merciless bullying!
"That's great!" I reply enthusiastically. "When do we pull the train?"
"This afternoon," he tells me, with a twinkle in his eye. "And if you behave and get your work done in good time, Falcon, we'll give you a good polish for your run."
I sizzle happily at this extra good news. Not only do I get to pull a passenger train; but I'll look extra smart doing it!
…..
However, my mood falls flat when I overhear a conversation between my driver and Mr. French an hour before I am due to take the train.
"I do appreciate Falcon's enthusiasm to take this train, Mr. Cooper, but he's simply too inexperienced to do this on his own right now." The manager says.
"Why? Falcon is determined- sometimes too much for his own good- but he has been eager to redeem himself, sir."
"I know. But the line Falcon is to take is very difficult and very dangerous- the track runs along the cliffs, and one minor mistake could result in many fatalities."
Before my driver can argue further, Mr. French holds up his hand. "Now, I know Falcon must learn the line eventually, and he will do this afternoon. But, he will double head the train with Duke to learn the ropes- or rather, the rails."
"Fiddlesticks!" I yell, inadvertently alerting them both to my presence. "I won't, sir!" I add with an angry wheesh, not caring how much of a scene I create.
"You won't what, Falcon?"
"I wont double head my train with that fuddy-duddy!" I retort, and Mr. French frowns at me.
"Now, Falcon, I know you and Duke don't get along; but he is very knowledgeable of the line, and he is excellent on that route. He will assist you until you know the line well enough to take trains on your own. However, I will not allow you out with the train at all if you refuse to comply with my orders."
A low blow, my friends; a low blow. Realising that I will lose either way, I decide to surrender to Mr. French's humiliating orders.
I'd rather pull the train myself, but if Mr. French remains adamant that Duke and I double head my train, I may as well get this run over and done with, and hopefully it'd be the last time I'd have to work with Duke on something like this.