Meanwhile, Skarloey and Rheneas were taking the MPs for their tour. Although they weren't in the sheds enjoying Christmas Day off, they were enjoying the feel of the fresh, icy air whip round their pistons and smell the world of the Skarloey Railway; even though it was buried under thick blankets of snow.

The MPs murmured in approval about the beautiful and scenic railway, and they complimented the little engines.

"What fine little engines you have, Mr Percival!" They tittered to the railway's controller. "They are very smooth riding; not to mention how magnificent and majestic they are."

"I'm glad you think so, ladies and gentlemen," Mr Percival replied. "These two are actually my oldest engines in my fleet. They've met all my predecessors who owned this railway before it came into my management."

"How old are they, Mr Percival?" A middle aged, balding man asked him curiously.

"Well, Skarloey is 152 years old, and Rheneas is 151 years old." The Thin Controller informed. "They have been very useful and reliable over the years they have been here. They are also tenacious and hardworking, and they remain in good service thanks to Victor, Sir Topham Hatt's works engine, and his team based at Crovan's Gate."

"That is impressive, Mr Percival." A plump female MP with a beehive hairstyle spoke in a Yorkshire accent. "Do they happen to be from Fletcher Jennings and Co. by any chance?"

"Yes they are, Ms Illume." Mr Percival responded. "In fact, they have famous twins over in Wales. Talyllyn and Dolgoch."

"Oh yes, I thought I recognized their designs!" Exclaimed Ms. Illume, delightedly clapping her hands. "I remember my father took me and my brother to the Talyllyn in our childhood… oh, happy days, happy days!" She sang, collapsing in her seat with an exhalation of joy and nostalgia.

This caused an excited ripple over the passengers, and it also piqued their curiosity about the history of the Skarloey Railway. They asked the Thin Controller about the rest of his fleet, to which he told them that many were at the Blue Mountain Quarry, though he had some working here as well to maintain railway operation; as well as answering some other questions about the history, the turbulence, the engines…

…..

At Rheneas Station, they stopped the train, and everyone disembarked from the coaches to stretch their legs; as well as take a break and grab a cup of tea or coffee, as well as refreshments.

"Does anyone else have any questions?" Mr Percival asked, wearily but politely, adjusting his bowler hat before dusting off his sleeves.

"Yes, sir, I have one." It was the bald gentleman again. "Considering the change in times and industry your railway has seen sir, particularly with the new quarry, have you ever considered expanding your fleet?"

This was an innocent question, but Skarloey and Rheneas felt a cold fear wash over their smokeboxes on hearing this. They both exchanged worried glances. They were right to be cautious. They watched as Mr Percival's face distorted into a frown.

"Actually, my good sir, I did order a steam engine from a small railway in Ireland. It was closing down, and the controller informed me that the engine was a young one, eager to learn, plucky and very hardworking. He was supposed to come many months ago, but he's disappeared, and there hasn't been any word of what happened to him. I wrote a letter, and they insisted he was sent to the right place, but if that is so, then why didn't he turn up?"

No one had any idea, but they were thrilled at the idea of such an enticing mystery; little aware, however, were they of the mysterious engine's tragedy that he faced.

"A disappearing engine!" The lady from Yorkshire trilled. "How exciting! Of course, it must be hard on your engines not getting extra help." She added in a concerned tone, blinking her heavily caked eyes at Mr. Percival.

"It is a worry, yes, but my fleet are very industrious, Ms Illume." Mr Percival replied reassuringly. "I have no worry of my railway collapsing just because one engine hasn't arrived. After all, had it not been for these two pushing through when the railway was so close to being shut down due to lack of finance, I would not be in this job right now."

Of course, the engines were squirming by now, and hadn't even registered that Mr. Percival was warmly addressing their heroic acts. They knew the answers to the mystery these MPs were sticking their noses into; but they didn't dare breathe a word about it.

"Are your engines all right? They're looking very pale." The bald man spoke, looking down his long, pointed nose at the two little engines.

"It's just the cold atmosphere, sir." Rheneas spoke up, thinking quickly. It was true, in a sense, as the moment Mr Percival had mentioned Luke's disappearance, it had chilled them both.

"You can both warm up in the sheds whilst the visitors and I have some tea." Mr Percival told them kindly, as he began ushering his visitors into the station building and out of the cold. "We'll continue to Skarloey Station from there."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Skarloey replied gratefully.

...

Once in the sheds, the two engines began talking about Luke again.

"You certainly know how to come up with good excuses." Skarloey told his brother, who just looked away from his elder sibling.

"Well, it's nothing, really." Rheneas replied, nonchalantly. "I just picked up a trick or two from Sir Handel and Duncan. I'm just glad none of them knew the details about Luke's case beside what they heard."

"Indeed." His driver agreed. "But to warn you both, not all those people on your trains were MPs. We had journalists there as well."

But that means..." Rheneas tailed off with a new sense of horror swelling in his firebox.

"Yes. Luke's disappearance may well make the news. Not the front page necessarily, but there is a possibility it will hit Sodor headlines." His driver replied worriedly.

"But that will make it harder to protect him!" Skarloey protested.

"We know, but there's nothing we can do. To us, it's the secret we'll carry to our graves if need be. To them, it's just another story to entertain the public."

The two engines were embittered by this revelation.

"People just aren't fair." Skarloey muttered sulkily. Rheneas realised that his brother had afoul of a bad mood, and he knew that they must be optimistic.

"We mustn't give up Skarloey. Luke's counting on us, and we can't let him down. I know this is a threat to his secret, but we do have friends that can help ensure that his secret doesn't get out. I mean, Luke is Peter Sam's cousin, and he's unwilling to compromise that relationship. Come on, Skarloey. We've fought to keep our railway open despite the odds. Don't you remember when your front spring snapped and you had to take your passengers home tilted on one side? That took courage and tenacity."

Remembering this brought a bittersweet smile to the old engine's face. He looked at his brother, smiling broadly.

"Are you ready to take life on, Old Faithful?" Rheneas asked hopefully, though he knew what that answer would be.

"Of course, Gallant Old Engine!" Skarloey retorted, putting on a brave smile. "Thank you Rheneas. You've brought me out of my mood."

"Well, it's just a special touch." Rheneas smirked, and the two old engines laughed together, something they didn't do much now since Luke had come to the Quarry.

Memories of Skarloey getting stuck in the landslide and the aftermath came back as they laughed, causing them to increase their mirth still further until they were literally crying with laughter.

Ms. Illume, as well as being one for outrageous hairstyles, was also a tad forgetful and she realised she had left her handbag in Agnes. As she hurried out to retrieve it, she heard the two engines laughing in their sheds.

"Those two have gone bally." She muttered to herself. "But I suppose one does to find any amusement these days. At least these two still have life in them yet." She added, as she boarded the coach to find her handbag.

...

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this update. Thank you to all who have reviewed so far, I appreciate it! Disclaimer: Only Ms. Illume and the other MPs belong to me.