Back at the Depot, the other engines were up bright and early. Once Firelighter had lit their fires and had built up enough steam, they chuffed to the Blue Mountain Quarry, where they started on their jobs at once: Rusty worked with Owen, as usual; Peter Sam took up his post underneath Merrick and Skarloey, Duncan and Sir Handel rushed round the quarry with both full and empty trucks clattering behind them.
As poor Rheneas was now raging with fever and rendered unable to help with work until he had recovered, the others had no choice but to amp up their speed to deal with their already heavy workloads.
"It's a pity Melody couldn't help us." Peter Sam mentioned to Skarloey, as they struggled with their load. "She would have handled some of our heavier trains with ease."
"Yes. But she betrayed you, Peter Sam, at a time when you were already vulnerable." Skarloey pointed out, incensed at the bitter memory.
"I know she wasn't the best, Skarloey- but she was our friend. She deserves a second chance, and you never know- she might be sorry for what she did."
"I guess..." Skarloey sighed. He loved Peter Sam dearly- but feared that his innocent and forgiving heart would one day lead him to further grief and suffering than what he had already suffered. He and Sir Handel in particular had yet to forgive Melody for what she had done.
Speaking of which, he hadn't actually heard from her in a while, and he didn't recall hearing anything else from the others. He was about to ask Peter Sam if he'd heard about Melody at all when a familiar voice chirped behind them, "Hey there, Skarloey! Hello Peter Sam! What are you guys talking about?"
Skarloey and Peter Sam jumped forwards in shock at being so rudely interrupted.
"Paxton!" Skarloey gasped, trying to recover his breath. "Don't do that, please!"
"Yeah- Skarloey's too old for this!" Peter Sam blurted out.
"Was that necessary?" Skarloey asked his friend in a deadpan tone.
"No- sorry Skarloey." Apologised Peter Sam.
"Oh, sorry- I didn't mean to scare you guys!" Paxton gasped in alarm. "Are you alright?"
"We're fine, Paxton," Peter Sam answered kindly. "Don't worry about it- just… just be careful next time, ok? We can't have any accidents?"
"Okay," The young diesel sighed, and then he took on a bemused expression. "Hang on...who is Melody?"
"She's – or was- an old friend of ours from Callathain Yards." Skarloey answered. "She's a crane engine, you see."
"I see...what happened to her?" Paxton asked curiously, wondering why he hadn't heard of this engine before.
"We have no idea, boyo. She took advantage of Peter Sam here at one point, and we all fell out over it. But we never saw her since."
"Yes- and we haven't been able to reach the yard, either- the connecting line's all overgrown," Sighed Peter Sam. "You'd require a free week, Rusty, and a lot of workmen to get through it!"
"Oh my- that's a shame." Paxton said. "You and she should rebuild bridges!" He added brightly, as though that was the greatest idea in the world.
"It's a nice idea, Paxton," Began Peter Sam uneasily, wondering where to go with this "but she's not exactly the easiest engine to get along with. She's..."
"Rude, arrogant, stubborn violent and selfish," Skarloey added.
"But there must be something good about her!" The diesel shunter protested.
"Well...she was very imaginative, and hard working," The old engine relented. "She is also rather loyal to her friends in times of crisis."
"And she's also quite smart- not brainy smart, but tough and practical." Peter Sam added. "She didn't approve of brainy people or engines anyway." He sighed… "She was so pretty as well…"
Suddenly, Skarloey realised that Sir Handel was frenziedly mouthing something to him, all whilst his eyes were gesturing towards the tunnel.
"Oh, hello Sir Handel- is everything all right?" Peter Sam called, catching Paxton's attention as well. Sir Handel just glared, before mouthing at Skarloey again.
"Ah, if you'll excuse me- I think this might be news about Rheneas!" Skarloey excused himself, and then hurried over to his blue friend. "What is it, boyo?" He asked in alarm, dropping his voice to a near whisper.
"Have you seen Luke this morning?" Sir Handel asked worriedly.
"No... Why are you asking me, Sir Handel? Has something happened?"
Just then, Geoffrey Heron and Richard Wilson stepped from the cab. Their boots crushed the stones on the ground, and they both gave Skarloey a solemn look, but the terror in their eyes was hard to hide.
At once, Skarloey put two and two together, and his face paled in fright.
'No...'
"We don't know where he is, either." Richard confessed, his hand on Geoffrey's shoulder. "We just got here early this morning, as usual, and… he was gone."
Geoffrey swore. "Dammit, Luke! Where in Sodor are you?" He asked.
Skarloey swallowed. He couldn't help but agree with Geoffrey's sentiments.
"Mr. Heron, you don't think…"
"I don't think he has…" Sighed Geoffrey, striking his fist against Sir Handel's cab furiously. "I know he's made another attempt!"
