Back at the Blue Mountain Quarry, the other engines, Luke's crew and Owen were concerned for their friend; and conversed this worry for the little Irish engine on their break. They also expressed concern at Skarloey pulling off such a daring feat to find him. They didn't want him to get into trouble from Mr. Percival and sent back to the Skarloey Railway

"Skarloey had some nerve going out like this," Muttered Richard darkly.

"C'mon, Rich- we're all worried about Luke. I'll never forgive myself if anything happened to the little guy." Geoffrey answered solemnly. "If you ask me, he's brave to go and seek the truth." Richard could then tell how worried his friend was- he was usually optimistic and light-hearted.

"Yeah...Mr. Percival wants us to put in the extra effort until Rheneas returns," Sir Handel grumbled.

The engines began to wonder if this new development was the end of their façade. Tears and arguments aplenty had arisen from this dangerous gamble of keeping Luke's secret- and even with nearly everyone in the Quarry looking out for Luke and protecting his secret, they all feared that this would end -badly -sooner or later.

They had no means to redeem Luke from his past, and they feared that without any proof of innocence, Luke's secret would be found out by the Thin Controller- and then Luke would be exiled- or worse, Luke would be driven to a new suicide attempt. He was becoming quieter, but sniffles in the tunnel could not be ignored.

What disturbed and terrified them was that Geoffrey was beating himself up mentally about Luke's disappearance- he suspected a third attempt would be made

"Oh God, Rich, if Luke's succeeded, I...oh, I don't want to think about it..." Geoffrey said quietly. "In hindsight, he wanted to die... he was going to make this attempt- I just wish I noticed sooner."

"I know, Geoff- I feel the same..." Richard replied, putting a comforting hand on his driver's shoulder.

Peter Sam felt awful- he was terrified that it could have been prevented, and all warning signs had been missed, yes, but he was sorry for Geoffrey and Richard.

"With all due respect, Mr Heron and Mr Wilson, sirs- there is still hope that Luke may be alive." He pointed out.

"All the same, Peter Sam- the fact that he's tried again- even if he hasn't succeeded- shows that we failed Luke. You know, maybe I wasn't cut out to be his driver..." Geoffrey decided.

"And I'm not much better as his fireman." Richard added.

"Och, shut up!" Duncan snapped, much to the surprise of the two men, and the other engines. "Ye think that's it? He's yer engine, and I ken for a fact that he cares aboot the both o' ye! Ye're his best friends...if he hasnae got ye both helpin' him through a' this, fit does he hae? Sure, he'll hae us, but we canna provide the same help and support ye both can! Ye're wi' him the most, and if ye leave him noo, this will break his heart!"

Everyone was stunned by Duncan's passionate speech- even Geoffrey and Richard were both at a loss of words.

"I know you both feel like you have failed Luke right now, but Duncan's right- you've a better understanding of him than we do, and he does need you more than ever. Please, just because Luke's tried again doesn't mean you're a bad crew- it just means you made a mistake. We all did- and we regret that. I know you both do, too." Peter Sam said gently.

"Big time," Geoffrey agreed. "It's just... I don't know anymore! I don't want to leave Luke- but how could I look at his innocent face and not beat myself up about not saving that innocence from self- destruction?"

"I agree with Geoff- for once." Richard added. "But... Duncan, Peter Sam- you're right. We can't leave him- not like this. I left him the last time it happened, and I regretted every moment from then until we reconciled."

...

Meanwhile, on the line, Skarloey and Luke were heading back to the quarry. Skarloey was relieved that Luke was alive and safe- and he also got to see Rheneas for a little while as well. He was happy to note that Rheneas was doing better- hopefully he would be well enough to come back to work soon.

"I'm so sorry that about all of this, Skarloey." Luke said quietly. "I made you come all the way out here- and without permission."

"I'm just glad you're alive, Luke- and the others will be, too." The old engine replied warmly. "As for the rule breaking...well, someone had to take the risk. I can face punishment from the Thin Controller but not from my conscience."

"Thank you." Luke said, and he smiled, even though he was behind Skarloey, and then he sighed.

"What's wrong, Luke?" the old engine asked.

"I'm just...I'm just scared at the prospect of facing my crew and the others back at the Quarry." The little Irish engine answered sadly. "I just feel so awful for just leaving them."

Skarloey was aware that Rheneas was better attuned to Luke's feelings than he was- his brother had become Luke's closest confidant after his crew. But Luke needed someone to listen, and that was what he would do.

"I didn't actually want to do it," Continued Luke. "It's just...I decided I had enough and just ending my life would be easier."

Skarloey honestly didn't know what to say, and he cringed at the thought of making Luke retreat into his shell- especially after what had transpired earlier that morning. According to Rheneas, Luke had been rescued by a tractor named Jessica and Smudger, who was in working order again after his trip to the Steamworks.

"So, Luke, is there a particular reason why you considered the second attempt?" Skarloey asked.

No answer.

This made Old Faithful uneasy- he wasn't used to dealing with suicidal engines, Rheneas was back at Crovan's Gate and the others at the quarry. He hoped he hadn't just made a mistake already!

"...Luke?"

Quiet sniffles and sobs answered him, and he felt a tidal wave of sympathy and guilt roar in his firebox. The old engine wanted to console his poor friend so much- Luke was hurting more than before and he was scared of his friends leaving him- Owen, Merrick, the other engines and his crew were all he had. And if Luke lost them, he would either make another attempt on his life and succeed or return to Ireland for good. Neither of those options were enviable.

But Skarloey didn't know what to say to him to reassure him of those horrid thoughts. The old engine tried to reason to himself that his companion was feeling scared, overwhelmed and was unwilling- or unable- to confide his thoughts and feelings. But Skarloey was so distracted by how to help his friend that he forgot to plan on how to sneak the both of them back in without getting noticed by Mr. Bailey.

He only realised too late when he heard Paxton's horn echo round the quarry.