DOUBLE DAIRY TROUBLES

With Toby back and Duck having been drafted in from the mainline, Percy felt a lot happier that he would have a lot less work to do in the approaching weeks. He was also glad that he would no longer be alone in the sheds, but above all, the Inspector's words had made him feel very pleased with himself.

"Now that we have more help with the construction", the Inspector had said, "You can now concentrate on proper branch line work. But you must still be aware that it will not be easy. You are to do Thomas' work as well as your own"

Percy didn't mind this at all. But be begun to wonder what Thomas would say if he found out that he was doing his work, and running his branch line for him. All the same, excitement continued to bubble within him.

The morning after Toby and Duck's arrival, the Inspector came to see Percy as his driver and fireman set to work stoking his fire - "Annie and Clarabel must be looked after", he explained, "You must take Thomas' morning and afternoon trains to Knapford from Elsbridge".

"Don't worry sir", Percy squeezed excitedly, "I can do it without fuss".

*

Annie and Clarabel were waiting in the carriage shed when Percy arrived. They were surprised to see him, having not heard of Thomas' accident. "I'll be taking you for the meantime", Percy explained having filled them in on the situation, "Until Thomas comes back". Annie and Clarabel were sad to learn of Thomas' accident and Percy knew that they would miss him.

"Don't worry", he added, as they steamed away towards Elsbridge station, "I'll look after you. I'll make sure that this branch line is run like clockwork". The two coaches smiled. They knew that they could trust Percy, as he had taken good care of them in the past whilst Thomas had been away.

Before long, they had glided smoothly into Elsbridge station, just in time to see Toby and Henrietta with the heavy train of tools as they set off for the construction site. Upon exchanging friendly whistles, Toby called out - "Don't forget the milk!". But Percy didn't hear. He was far too excited about his first run. It was a rare case in which he pulled passenger trains like Thomas. The passengers were equally glad to see him as he came to a stop. It was market day, and they were eager to get to Knapford in time.

"There's no need for haste", smiled Percy as they climbed in, "I'll get you there with minutes to spare!"

Little did he know that this was highly ironic. And when he discovered why, he felt very silly indeed. Everything was going like clockwork, just as Percy had intended until the station master came running frantically out of his office with a telegram in his hand, a look of panic on his face - "You can't leave yet!", he cried, "The milk van hasn't arrived!"

Percy looked back and gasped in horror, as all the passengers leaned out of Annie and Clarabel towards the back of the train. Indeed, the milk van was nowhere to be seen. Percy had forgotten entirely in his excitement, that every Wednesday, Market Day, Thomas takes a special train to Knapford, along with the milk van sent from Elsbridge Dairy Farm. It was crucial that the milk got to Knapford in time, and without it, they couldn't start.

"Botheration!", Percy cursed loudly, realizing his mistake, "Why hasn't Toby brought the milk?"

"What are you saying?", cried the stationmaster, "That's your job!"

Percy blushed brighter then his stripes. He had also forgotten that it was he who collected the milk van from Elsbridge Dairy Farm every Wednesday morning before Thomas arrived. He remembered the Inspector's words, that he would need to do Thomas' work as well as his own. He was beginning to wonder whether this would be an easier then he expected. The shunter hastily uncoupled him from the train as the passengers filed out nosily, complaining loudly, making Percy feel much worse. He off like a jackrabbit in no time.

The Elsbridge Dairy Farm sat off a junction not far from the station, which made Percy feel slightly less anxious. But all the while, he couldn't help but curse himself - "Oh dear! Oh dear! What would Thomas say?".

"We've no time to worry about that!", called his fireman, "Just don't over- heat". But Percy's fire was blazing frantically, as he slipped worriedly into the dairy yard.

The milk van sat on the siding beside the loading bay. It had been loaded since early that morning, and Mr. Ernie, the dairy farmer, had just left his office, having telephoned Elsbridge. It was most odd for Percy not to arrive on time he did usually on a Wednesday. He emerged from his office and walked over to the loading bay, peering up the line to try and see if he could spot any sign of Percy.

"Very strange", he said thoughtfully, "The dairy at Knapford won't be too pleased if Percy gets here any later"

A shrill whistle burst the silent air of the yard as with smoke pouring from his funnel, Percy bustled into view, speeding towards the loading bay - "Sorry Mr. Ernie!", he panted, "There was some confusion at the..."

But Percy had been going far too fast, leaving him little time to brake. There was a loud CRASH and the snap of broken wood as Percy's front end smashed directly into the milk van. Mr. Ernie, and both Percy's driver and fireman, jumped clear of the loading bay as milk churns burst open, spraying Percy with it's sticky contents. Mr. Ernie was in too shocked to speak. Edward arrived in time to pull Percy from the wreckage and left to take the Market Day train to Knapford fifteen minutes behind timetable. Mr. Ernie tried to salvage some of the milk churns, but they were either battered far beyond repair, or had burst open, leaving large puddles of sticky fresh milk all over the place, and all down Percy's front.

"Now what'll I do?", he cried, examining the mess with a pained expression on his face, "That was a week's supply of milk!"

"I'm so sorry Mr. Ernie sir!", mumbled Percy from behind the remaining planks of wood that stuck to his front, "I forgot all about ..."

"Clumsiness is the word Percy", snapped the dairy farmer, pointing a shaking finger at Percy, "Clumsiness! If you were more like Thomas, reliable and useful, this kind of thing wouldn't happen!"

Percy fell silent, as his driver and fireman silently climbed aboard and backed him out the yard. Sadness came over him once again - "Maybe he's right. Maybe things would work out if I were more like Thomas..."

*

Night fell earlier then expected as Percy set off home. He has spent the rest of the day working at the construction site, but he couldn't help thinking about the accident that morning. His driver and fireman gave him a warm scrub down during the afternoon break to try and cheer him up, but Percy couldn't turn his glum expression upside down - "Cheer up old fellow", they soothed, "Accidents like that happen all the time"

"But you heard what he said", Percy had replied, sounding close to tears, "Nobody seems to think I'm good enough to be a branch line engine. They all say I need to be more like Thomas"

"Nonsense!", answered his driver, "Percy is Percy, and we wouldn't change him for the world"

Percy had felt slightly better, but Mr. Ernie had been a close friend of his ever since he had been drafted as the milk pilot. Now, their friendship was wrecked over one small mistake. He began to wonder whether there was anything he could to make it up to the kindly dairy farmer when a red lamp appeared in through the darkness up ahead. Upon closer inspection, Percy could just make out the figure of the Ffarqhar signalman.

"Whatever could the matter be?", he thought, as his driver brought him to a stop beside the signal box. The signalman wasted no time in running up beside the cab, clutching a telegram in his gloved hand - "We're having a bit of a predicament", he spoke swiftly to Percy's crew, "The Elsbridge Dairy has reported five of their cows missing"

"That's awful", muttered the fireman, "I wonder why that could have happened" "It's a very odd mystery", continued the signalman, "But according to some villagers, the cows have been spotted somewhere near here. If you could find them and bring them to Elsbridge, Toby is waiting with a cattle truck. I'm sure Ernie will be very grateful"

"I suppose we'll have to postpone that mug of tea", laughed the driver, "Come along Percy. Lets get going before it gets too dark to see" - But Percy had gone coldly silent. The fireman tapped his boiler, but he still remained silent, as if in thought. His expression told otherwise - "Oh dear!", he murmured, "I remember now!"

The three railway men exchanged confused looks - "What are you talking about Percy?"

"The cows!", Percy squeaked, "They must have run away out of fright! The crash this morning must have scared them away!" - His voice begun to break - "It's my fault! I was the one who scared them away!"

"In that case", said the fireman after a moment's thought, "There's no time to be sitting around. I'm sure Ernie will be very pleased with you if you can return his cows. You can prove yourself just as useful as Thomas".

And with these words, Percy forgot to be sad, as determination burned within his firebox. Bidding a farewell to the signalman, he set off with his lamp shining brightly into the night. It was surprisingly cold for Autumn and all the while, Percy couldn't help but worry about the poor cows, lost in the bitter cold of the night. He soon arrived at Elsbridge, which was lit by spotlights. Toby was waiting with Henrietta and a cattle truck.

"Good evening Percy", said Toby warmly, "I suppose your going out to look for the missing cows"

"I must", said Percy bluntly, "I must prove to everyone that I am useful, and to make up the accident this morning to Mr. Ernie".

"Good luck", said the wise tram engine kindly, "But I must warn you, without cowcatchers, you may have a difficult time marshaling those cows back here, what with the cold weather and the darkness. Be gentle on them and don't rush, or you may scare them. I would go with you..."

"That's alright Toby", smiled Percy swiftly. And with a brave note of confidence on his shrill whistle, he set off back into the darkness, heading backwards towards Ffarqhar.

The line ahead was almost pitch black as Percy charged at the hill that ascended towards the final stretch towards the quarry. His two front lamps shine weakly, making only the track visible for a short way. Without the weight of a train, Percy managed the climb with ease and came to rest at the top. The junction lead towards the construction site lay ahead.

"You don't think they could have gone to the building site do you?", asked Percy worriedly, looking out into the darkness surrounding him, "That would be dangerous"

"Not in these conditions", mumbled his driver, wrapping a scarp tightly around his neck, "It's far too cold for them to go further. If anything, we should go searching"

"Wait a moment!", called the fireman, who had retraced his steps back along the line. He shone a torch down towards the ground. The driver quickly ran to his side - "Hoof tracks. They've been here alright". They both turned to Percy, who was still trying to squint into the dark fields on either side of the track - "We'll go looking in nearby. If you hear anything, whistle for us".

Percy agreed, but he wasn't fond of being left alone in the cold darkness that blanketed Ffarqhar every night, especially around this time of year. He didn't mind it when he was in full steam, his lamps shining brightly and signals lighting the way. But this short stretch of line was almost ghost- like at this unsociable hour. The sun had disappeared beyond the hillside of the quarry, and the distant rattle of noise told him that the construction crew were on their way home.

"I don't like this at all", he thought, trying not to let the cold get to him, "But I can't even begin to imagine how those poor cows must feel".

Suddenly, a cold blast of wind took him by surprise, whistling over his boiler and curling around his dome. He whistled loudly with discomfort - "PIP...PIP....PEEP!!!" - the sound echoing all around him. Before long, the familiar sounds of his crew running towards him could be heard.

"What is it Percy?", they asked, leaning against his buffers to catch their breath, "What was all that noise for?"

"I don't want to stay here!", whimpered Percy, "It too cold and dark! I want to go home!"

But before any of them could speak, a distant sound echoed out towards them, as if in response to Percy's shrill whistles of fright. It was the soft chime of a bell, accompanied by the soft and shaken grunt that sounded clearly like an animal in some form of distress. Percy's driver and fireman grabbed their torches and disappeared once again into the darkness, whistling and calling out to the unseen source of the sound. Percy took a deep breath to hold back the chilling batter of the wind against his boiler, and wishing that he could be back in the shed.

Before long, the beams of torches came into view, and Percy's driver and fireman arrived, slowly ushering five shaken cows along through the muddy field. Percy was so relieved that he let off a loud blast of his whistle - "PIP...PEEEP!!!". But this made the cows frightened, and they frantically tried to turn away - "Sorry", whispered Percy, as his fireman ran back after one of the cows.

Eventually, all five cows were together, but without a cattle truck, Percy would have to usher them to the station on his own - "I don't have cowcatchers", he said, "But I must try". And so, with his driver taking control at the cab and his fireman coaxing the cows along in front, Percy slowly 'shooed' them gentle back down the quarry hill towards Elsbridge. It was a slow process, and Percy had to hold back the discomfort of the cold winds.

"Where did you find them?", he asked his driver, as they reached the final stretch of track, leading to the station.

"They were stranded on the side of the hill", the driver replied, "They must have been there for some time, the poor things. It's far too dangerous for them out here. The sooner we get them home, the better".

"It was your whistle that allowed us to find them though", added the, "If you hadn't sounded it, we would have never been able to find them so easily". This made Percy feel much better.

*

Toby's crew and the Elsbridge station-master were enjoying hot tea in Henrietta when the familiar tones of Percy's puffing and the shining beam of his front headlamps filled the station, accompanied by the shivered clang of cow bells. They cheered as Percy finally came to a stop beside Toby.

"You did very well Percy", smiled Toby, "Even without cowcatchers! I'm sure that Mr. Ernie will be more then pleased"

Percy certainly hoped so. The station-master instantly fled to his office to inform Mr. Ernie of the news whilst both drivers and fireman slowly ushered the five cows into the cattle truck. Once they were all warmly nestled inside, they locked the wooden door and Toby set off for the dairy.

"It's time to get you home", said Percy's fireman, "You deserve a long rest"

*

Percy pulled into Elsbirdge station the next morning feeling exhausted. He had had little sleep the previous night and he was still feeling cold from his over-night task. He was glad that he would not have to fetch the milk, as Market Day had passed, but he still had to take Thomas' morning train.

"Oh dear", he yawned as he came to rest at the platform, the morning passengers climbing aboard, "Thomas must have a lot of steam to tackle such a heavy work load".

He hoped to get a few minutes of sleep before setting off for Knapford, and was about to do so when a squeaky horn tooted nearby. The milk float bustled into the station car park and none other then Mr. Ernie came running onto the platform. "Special delivery?", asked the stationmaster, "I wasn't informed"

"No, no!", laughed the dairy farmer, "I wanted to come and thank Percy. He did a splendid job saving my cows".

Percy looked up in surprise - "Sir?"

"I just had to come and apologize to you Percy", smiled Mr. Miruku, "Accidents will happen but I could not let that ruin our friendship. Not only that, but you saved my five prized cows. I must retract my statement. You are reliable, and really useful, just like Thomas. He should be proud to have such a brave engine like yourself running his branch line"

Percy beamed happily and felt the tiredness of the previous night flow away - "Thank you sir", he beamed happily.

****