Driver and Fireman lever me back to the rails using an iron bar, and their sheer strength.

"Hey, it's okay, Falcon," My driver says, in a flimsy but heartfelt attempt to be reassuring. "It could have happened to any engine; even Duke."

I appreciate him trying to be kind to me, I really do; but I just really want to be left alone to my own thoughts; especially since I was already feeling awful about the accident.

It was minor, and no one got hurt; but I regardless find myself in the mortifying position of fighting back tears of shame and humiliation.

I'd messed up, again! Just when I thought I was going so well, too! Why does Fate always pick on me?

….

I wasn't too badly damaged, from what my crew could see; but they suggested a check-up, just to make absolute certain that I hadn't damaged anything.

And so, I say nothing to my crew on my way into the workshops; which is very small, but very cosy, and I instantly feel a little better. The workmen here are very nice and are fond of us little engines, and do very well to look after us, regardless of the situation.

Considering the recently discovered state of the tracks, I can safely say I appreciate these men a lot more than I did before.

"Hello, Falcon!" The Chief calls out, interrupting me from my thoughts. "How can I help?"

"Well, I… um…" I fluster, for once words failing me. I like to think that I'm normally very gifted with words, but for once, my gifts failed, and I was left standing there like a gaping, metal blue whale.

(That might have been funny if I wasn't describing myself)

Fortunately, my driver explains my situation to the Chief, who only emits a belly laugh.

"Oh, well, why didn't you say so?" HE exclaims delightedly. "It is my pleasure to serve! Just park him there, my good man, and the lads and I will look him over, from funnel to fender!"

"Please, that won't be"-

But the Chief doesn't hear me. Sighing, I allow my driver to reverse me into the spot where he wanted me to sit.

"How long is this going to take?" I hiss to my driver, as he and my fireman exit my cab. He merely shrugs in reply.

I sigh.

"Well, hello there, comrade!"

"GAH!" I yelp, glancing to my right. There stood a grey tank engine, whom I did not know, nor recognize. I was so startled that I temporarily forgot about Granpuff and Mr. French.

"For God's sake, don't say that!" I hiss, "you sound like one of those wannabe Communists!"

"I apologize, old chap," the engine replies cheerfully. "I didn't mean to offend you- I'm as British as you are. Freddie's the name, by the way; but some of the chaps here call me 'Fearless Freddie.'"

"Well, pleased to meet you, Freddie," I answer warily, looking at this engine. He happens to look very young;

'perhaps even around my age!' I think giddily.

"I'm Falcon," I answer, managing a small smile at Freddie.

"Please to meet you, Falcon." He says, a boyish gleam in his eyes. "Say, haven't seen you here before."

"I work for the MSR- but I don't remember seeing you." I reply. "Do you know Duke?"

Freddie looks blank. "I'm afraid I don't recall anyone called Duke." He replies. "As for me, I usually work on the Skarloey Railway."

'Wait, what?! There's another narrow- gauge railway here?!' I wonder in bafflement. My expression must have mirrored my thoughts, for Freddie started laughing at me.

"Oh, yes! I mostly run there at night, taking ammunition and weapons delivered from the Wharf." He tells me, his eyes wide with excitement. "There isn't a

Entranced, I allow myself to settle in and listen to Freddie narrate tales of derring-do and starlit journeys across the little- known lines of the Skarloey Railway.

"Driver says that I might know the line even better than the engines that work there!" Freddie says proudly.

"Wow," I remark, without a hint of sarcasm. "That's pretty neat, Freddie; must be handy, huh?"

"Oh yes!" my new friend beams at me. "It is! I needn't ever worry about getting lost, except when it's daylight!"

I laugh. I like Freddie. I wish he was helping me and Duke on our line; something tells me he'd be a useful addition. And, I kid you not, I could have sat there for hours listening to Freddie's tales of sterling bravery and daring stints in the dark!

…

By the time Chief informed me I could leave, about an hour and a half later, I was most disgruntled to leave my new friend; as well as afraid as to what Duke might say if he found out about my accident.

"You're free to leave, Falcon; just come back if there is any problems, okay?" He asks me, tipping his hat with his thumb.

"Uh, yeah, will do, thanks, sir," I mumble weakly. He just smiles at me, and gently waves me out of the workshop, leaving me to set off for home.

Alone.

…..

When I finally reach the Yard, I'm most surprised to see Duke arguing with Mr. French.

"Sir, I don't understand why Falcon was late with his train, but"-

"Duke, I get you're upset, but we'll do what we can. I'll see if the- Falcon!" He exclaims in shock, seeing me enter the yard. "There you are? What the devil happened on your run?"

"Hello, Sir. Hello Duke," I answer. "Looks like inconspicuous entries are a huge weakness I need to improve on, am I right?"

To my surprise, Duke relaxes. "Thank Proteus you're safe, young Falcon." he says sincerely. "I was worried when we didn't hear any word of you arriving at your destination. I feared the worst had happened to you and your crew."

"No, I just… I just derailed on some broken line…" I answer sheepishly, trying hard not to show how upset and scared I was. I didn't want to be sent away! "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be, Falcon." Duke says gently. "It was just an accident. And a minor one at that, I'm relieved to know," he adds, smiling at me. "I'm just glad you're back in one piece."

"So, what happened?" Mr. French asks.

I recount my adventure of derailing, my crew helping me, and then ending up in the workshop.

"Funny how you never heard word from the Chief about it, sir." Duke says solemnly to Mr. French, who nods.

"Agreed, Duke. But if Falcon says he was in there just to be checked over, I suppose it wasn't of major consequences… still, I'd rather he had informed me… he'd have spared us the worry."

"I'd agree, sir," Adds Duke. "But young Falcon here is rather plucky and resilient. He may be a grumbler at times, but he hasn't given up, not even after suffering so many mishaps since he's arrived." He smiles at me. "That, sir, is the mark of A Really Useful Engine."

I beam broadly.