Meanwhile, back on the Skarloey Railway, the engines were finally authorised to leave the sheds, due to the snow dying down; but now, it was too late to do any work; save for the mail train, which Duke was assigned to take.

"Bother! I was hoping to get back to the Quarry!" Rheneas huffed, as they watched the little tender engine rumble out of the sheds.

"Hopefully we can go back tomorrow," Rusty told his friend reassuringly. "We could do with some work- and checking up on Luke." He added in a whisper.

Just then, the Thin Controller arrived, having just come from the Wharf after checking on the other engines.

"I'm pleased to hear you are able to leave your sheds now, and I promise that your work will resume first thing in the morning. But first, I need Duncan to take some empty trucks down to the quarry."

"Why do we always hae empty trucks lying aboot?" Asked Duncan, grumpily.

"Well, we need to get stone to the Wharf somehow, Duncan." Peter Sam pointed out. "Freddie, Bertram, Ivo Hugh and Mighty Mac can't shift the stone for transportation without trucks. You know that."

"I ken!" Duncan snapped, feeling very embarrassed now.

"Oh, perhaps you'd like to try and learn how to levitate the stone, Duncan- it would certainly save us all a lot of work!" Rusty teased, and the others all burst out laughing- even Rheneas, who was still sullen over not getting out to the quarry.

"That's enough," Said the Thin Controller firmly but not unkindly. "Those trucks need to be in place for tomorrow- and it saves one of you taking it the next day." He reminded them. "Duncan, I would like you to be as prompt as possible, understood?"

"You better go, Duncan, whilst the clovers are still dormant in the Earth!" Skarloey called. He tried to say it as playfully as possible, but the Scottish engine quickly caught on what his friend was telling him.

With that, he left to collect the rucks, grumbling as he went.

"It's no fair! Why do I have dae it? Peter Sam loves extra work!"

"DUNCAN!" Skarloey, Rusty and Mr Percival chorused in exasperation.

"Alright I'm going!" Duncan said peevishly.

"Why does everyone say that about me?" Asked Peter Sam.

"Because it's true, and you know it, Peter Sam," Sir Handel said firmly to his younger brother; who just pulled a face in response.

...

Later that night, Luke was aroused from his slumber by a strange smell. He had to blink a couple of times, due to the bright light in front of him.

Wait a moment, bright light? That couldn't be right.

There wasn't any lights here; and his crew and the workmen had all gone home. So…. What was it?

As his eyes finally adjusted to the waking world, he realised he was surrounded by bright orange flames, clawing and slicing at the air in front of him.

"Help- fire, fire- Owen, Merrick, please help me!" He cried. He couldn't move, as he had no steam, nor did he have a crew to move him.

"Help me, please!" He cried out. He hoped there was some divine intervention from above - although he knew he hardly deserved it.

Nevertheless, he squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the worst of the fire to swallow him.

From the Upper Terrace of the quarry, able to see all but do nothing; Smudger saw his friend's plight and he began pleading with all his heart that someone could rescue Luke from the flames.

….

Meanwhile, from outside the quarry, Duncan could see a faint light glowing and flickering in the distance-it was orange, and it seemed to be coming from the edge of the quarry.

As he chuffed in, he saw the light was indeed illuminating a tunnel entrance. What was it?

"Fit's a licht doing on by that tunnel?" He asked his crew curiously. He had a feeling he knew what it was; but he hoped his crew would prove him wrong. He could smell what smelled suspiciously familiar; but he didn't want to admit he recognised the smell.

"It's a fire, Duncan!" His driver exclaimed, as he saw clouds of smoke billowing from near the mouth, like a fiery, angry dragon.

"Someone help me, please!" A voice called out from inside. It sounded weak, but Duncan knew who it was.

"That's Luke- he's trapped by the flames!" Duncan realised in horror, as a sick feeling washed over him. He knew that he had to act fast- otherwise, Luke could die.

"We need to call for help!" The fireman exclaimed. "Call the fire brigade!" he ordered the driver.

"Fit aboot Luke?" Duncan argued. "His life's at stake here! Besides, no one else can find oot aboot him!"

But Duncan's driver was already running for the foreman's office to call for help, leaving Duncan and his fireman.

"I'm nae leaving Luke tae perish!" Duncan insisted stubbornly.

He didn't usually find fire frightening, because he needed it to move, but the thought of Luke, of all engines, trapped in the flames terrified him beyond belief. He had to get his friend out of there-and fast.

So, his fireman ended up single-handedly operating the stubborn Scot; which was very dangerous indeed, as the fireman wasn't trained in driving his own engine, plus trying to keep an eye on Duncan's gauges and keep his fire lit was a very strenuous juggle.

"Luke, it's me, I've come tae rescue you!" The yellow engine called out, thick black smoke engulfing him.

With a low yelp, Duncan suddenly felt sparks fly into his eyes, burning them shut. Now he was unable to see anything, but he didn't want his fireman hindering his rescue mission out of concern for his safety and wellbeing; so, he said nothing.

However, as he couldn't see, he had to wait for Luke to say something in order to hear him; fortunately, he didn't have to wait long; a relieved exclamation of "Duncan!" soon greeted him.

"Are you alright, Luke?" Duncan asked.

"Yes, I...Duncan, why are you going round with your eyes closed?" Luke asked curiously.

"Never mind that, Luke- I'm getting you oot o' here richt noo before-"

He was interrupted by a spark landing on his nose, singing it slightly.

"Oh awa and bile your heid!" Duncan exclaimed. "I canna see, you stupid fire! Isnae that enough for ye, ye"- Luke winced as Duncan emitted a particularly violent curse.

Meanwhile, his fireman use a shunter's pole to couple the two engines up as quickly as possible. He found it difficult as his hands were shaking very badly, but he managed to hook Luke onto Duncan.

After re-boarding his locomotive, he let off a long, loud whistle, and Duncan responded with a will; he began heaving the young Irish engine away from the inferno and into the starlit night, where the cool air brushed their faces like a gentle balm.

"Luke!" Owen shouted desperately. "Are you alright, boyo!" even in the darkness of the quarry, the two little engines could see Owen's face was marked with fear and worry for his little best friend.

"He's alright!" Merrick shouted with joy. "Duncan saved him!"

The Scottish engine merely coughed, suddenly feeling his wheels go weak beneath his frames. He hated not being able to see, but hearing Luke's 'thank you', spoken with his familiar Irish softness, made Duncan so, so bloody grateful that Luke was alive.

He could have wept in sheer relief; but he remained silent and stoic.

….

Duncan was very shaken at how close his friend had been to death, and decided to stay at the Quarry, guarding a different tunnel in which Luke slept.

He had hoped that by morning, his eyes would be better enough to see; but unfortunately, Duncan still could not open his eyes by the time the Thin Controller came to speak to Mr. Bailey and the engines about the fire.

"Duncan! Will you kindly open your eyes?" The Thin Controller asked him as he stood there addressing the engines.

"I canna, sir." Duncan replied quietly and truthfully. Those wretched sparks must have done more damage than he realised, he thought in dismay.

…..

Skarloey frowned in concern at the sight of the black marks on Duncan's livery. The Scottish engine was a very proud sort, and liked to look presentable; plus, he looked as though he hadn't slept a wink either.

This, combined with Peter Sam's concerns about Duncan never returning to the shed, set alarm bells ringing in Skarloey's funnel.

"Would it be alright if I spoke to Duncan alone, sir?" the old engine queried politely.

"Very well, my dear Skarloey, but please don't be too long." The Thin Controller replied, and turned back to the others, who all looked aggrieved for the Skarloey Railway's Number 6- particularly Peter Sam and Rusty.

….

Skarloey led the younger engine away from the group, as well as avoiding the fire site; as cautioned by the Thin Controller. "Hey, Duncan, are you alright, boyo?" he asked gently.

"Fit do ye think ye're doing, asking me that?" Duncan asked snappishly. "If I looked 'alright' I'd be able to open my eyes, wouldn't I?"

"What happened last night?" Skarloey asked him firmly but gently. "Peter Sam said you never came back last night; despite vowing to get dibs on the 'spot' in the shed before I did. And… well, you just look downright awful today."

"Charming." Muttered Duncan sarcastically.

His companion sighed. "You really could do with looking in a mirror, Duncan."

"Really?"

"Can we not fight about this, please?" Skarloey puffed wearily. "We woke up to hear there was a fire here and we were to proceed with caution to the quarry. The police have been called and are due here for an investigation. The fire brigade are saying the fire was started deliberately. We know nothing about what's going on. No one has told us anything."

"So how did ye hear aboot a' that?"

"Your driver and fireman told our crew and they told us," Said Skarloey.

"So why do ye need to hear the story frae me? Ye heard it already!" Duncan complained.

"Not from your view, Duncan." The older engine said. "History can never be made of singular accounts- it takes many to put the pieces together. Besides, talking about it might help you." He said gently, puffing up to Duncan and pressing his buffers against his friend's.

"I don't want tae talk aboot it, Skarloey!"

"Please, Duncan? For your wellbeing."

"Give me one example of how talking helped anybody." Duncan challenged, before he realised his mistake. He knew Skarloey was wise and clever; and he wished at once he'd made it more specific to him instead. That might have stumped him.

"It's helped Duke, after he was rescued from his shed. It's helped Peter Sam after his accidents. It's helped Luke; even with everything that he's been through." He paused, allowing it to sink in.

Upon hearing the Irish engine's name, Duncan winced and pursed his lips. He knew that the red engine had cornered him now- he had reacted.

...

Skarloey hadn't missed his friend wince. All at once, the realisation of what he had potentially done hit him like a falling water tower, and he felt guilty. "Duncan?" he asked quietly. "Are… you okay?"

"Skarloey, I..."

"Yes, Duncan?"

"Luke was trapped in the tunnel... I heard him cry out for help." he mumbled, almost inaudibly.

Skarloey felt the water in his pipes turn to ice at those words. He went numb with shock- yes; he had expected that Luke was somehow involved, but hearing Duncan confirm his fears was terrifying to a whole new level.

How was he to respond to that?