While Bill and Ben made their way back to Knapford to see the Fat Controller, Thomas and Emily reached Vicarstown Station with the last of their passengers, just as Gordon was setting off for home again after his passengers were taken care of. Thomas and Emily stopped at their platforms and gave a proud hiss of steam together.
"Whew. Another day, another bustle of work," said Emily. "And we're exactly on time, Thomas."
"I'm glad to have finished today with you, Emily," said Thomas.
"Me too, Thomas," Emily replied. "Now...with today's work done, what to do now?"
Thomas thought for a moment, then decided to see if Emily would go along with his suggestion back at Kellsthorpe Road.
"If I may, Emily," said Thomas. "Now that we're finished for today...do you by any chance have any interest in...seeing Bill and Ben again?"
Emily looked right to Thomas when she heard this, and once again she wasn't too keen on the matter.
"Still on them, are you, Thomas?" she remarked. "If you yourself really want to see them, that's your own call...but must I see them now?"
"I know you're not keen on it, Emily," said Thomas. "And I fully understand. But as I said at Kellsthorpe, we can't let the estrangement continue. Whatever happens, Bill and Ben are going to see us at some point."
"Bill and Ben? What about Bill and Ben?" came another voice.
Thomas and Emily looked up at once. There was Edward arriving with his last round of passengers for the day. Thomas immediately sensed another opportunity for Bill and Ben in that moment. Emily felt a little rush of wonder herself as she knew quite well about Edward's track record with those two twins.
"Oh, hello, Edward," said Thomas. "Your timing couldn't be more fitting. Have you heard the news?"
"What news, Thomas?" Edward asked. "I was busy managing two goods trains earlier today, then my passenger run came up this afternoon. What's all this talk about Bill and Ben? Last I heard of them, they were locked in their shed three weeks ago for your close slide with Emily at the Clay Pits."
"Yes, Edward. They were," said Emily. "Until today."
Edward suddenly looked directly at Thomas and Emily. "Today? Do you mean to say...?"
Thomas and Emily told Edward everything about their talk about Bill and Ben the night before, their morning visit with the Fat Controller, and that Bill and Ben were let out again. Edward listened to everything, becoming more and more curious by the moment until he had heard everything.
"Well, by my funnel," said Edward. "As Duck sometimes calls them the bees, it sounds like they're buzzing around again after three weeks. Have you seen them at all?"
"No, Edward. Neither Thomas nor I have seen them yet today," said Emily. "And frankly, I don't want to see them anyway, although Thomas has been suggesting that I do."
Edward paused for a moment, then spoke. "I think you should."
Emily looked up to Edward at once. "What? Why, Edward?"
"It's true that they caused a most frightful experience for you, Emily," said Edward. "Even I was most upset to hear that they escalated to such a degree, and they have been held to account. But despite such a drastic situation for you to be faced with, they didn't mean for it to go that far, and it shouldn't mean you never talk to them again."
"I agree, Edward," said Thomas. "As much trouble as they caused, we can't stay estranged from them forever. I've been juggling the idea to see them again and find out what they intend to do."
"The problem is that I really don't know if I should or shouldn't, Edward," said Emily. "After what almost happened to me at the Clay Pits by their doing, and especially after all the nonsense they threw at me, I find it very hard to trust them again, and what if seeing them doesn't help at all?"
Edward looked down for a moment, then up again.
"Well, to take my word for it, you really should see them again. It's important to reconcile your estrangement with them and at least get back on a close enough page. I know you're skeptical about them, Emily, but do you really want to avoid Bill and Ben altogether?"
Emily thought for a moment, then remembered her talk with Thomas the night before.
"Now that you mention it, Edward...No, I don't," she answered. "It really would be wondrous to see Bill and Ben be heroes with my own eyes. I just think they're little demons and terrors for buzzing around Thomas and I."
"Sometimes, they are, Emily," said Edward. "But not to their core. Since they're working again after three weeks, and since your work is finished for the day, I potently encourage you to go with Thomas and mend the cracks between you and those two twins. I promise, you will feel a little better about them afterwards."
Hearing this, Emily knew now it was time to decide. She looked to Thomas and Edward for a few moments, thinking quickly, but clearly about everything so far, from her talk with Thomas the night before to their talk with the Fat Controller, right up to their talk with Edward. After a whole day of thinking on and off about Bill and Ben, Emily finally found her answer. It wasn't easy, but she had found it nonetheless.
Thomas and Edward watched as she took a deep breath and sighed. She had to give in.
"Hmm...alright," she said at last. "I don't really want to...but I think I need to. I just don't know what good it will do."
"That is true, you don't. None of us do," said Edward. "But it will do a sense of good nonetheless."
Thomas drew a little smile of anticipation. His plan had worked.
Thomas and Emily turned around at the Vicarstown turntable, then picked up their coaches and Annie and Clarabel, and set off for Knapford Station. Now Emily felt a few jitters in her heart, wondering how her meetup with Bill and Ben would turn out this time after so long. As Edward watched them leave, Emily looked up to him with a little smile. Then she smooched her lips and blew him a kiss.
"Thank you, Edward," she said with a little wink as she and Thomas went on their way.
"You're welcome, Emily. Anytime," Edward smiled proudly.
By this time, Bill and Ben had just passed Crosby and were nearing Knapford Station, wondering as to what the Fat Controller had to tell them today. Soon, they saw Knapford Station ahead, and the Fat Controller was waiting at Platform One.
"There he is, Bill," said Ben. "Now we'll find out how our return is doing."
"Indeed, we will Ben," said Bill.
But as Bill and Ben came closer to the station, Gordon rushed alongside them with his now empty coaches and sniffed unimpressively. Bill and Ben watched with sudden worry as Gordon rushed past toward the station, placed his coaches in a siding for the next morning, then made stopped briefly at the platform.
"Sir? I see Bill and Ben are roaming again," said Gordon. "I really don't think-"
"Yes, they're roaming again, but never mind what you think of them right now, Gordon," said the Fat Controller. "Right now, I wish to talk with them both. You, meanwhile, can return to your shed for the night."
"Yes, sir. Very well, sir," said Gordon as he made for home, much to Bill and Ben's relief.
Then the Fat Controller turned his attention back to the Tank Engine Twins as they settled at Platforms One and Two, ready for their little talk. Bill and Ben waited a moment or two, until the Fat Controller spoke.
"Well, hello again, Bill and Ben," said the Fat Controller.
"Hello again, sir," said Bill. "You wished to see us."
"Indeed, I did," said the Fat Controller. "So. I heard quite a bit about all your work today, and I must say for once, you really did pull some of your weight. All your clay and stone deliveries ran to time, and there was no confusion or delay. A considerable start to say the least."
Bill and Ben were admittedly proud to hear this.
"On the other hand," the Fat Controller continued. "I also know that a few others are aware of your return. Duck, Oliver, Cranky, Carly and Big Mickey of course, Molly, and even Diesel, Gordon and James."
"Yes. All very true, sir," said Bill. "Some admire our hopes to change..."
"And some are not happy in the least," said Ben. "Especially not Gordon, James or Diesel. And probably others too."
"Indeed," said the Fat Controller. "But as you should expect, any changes made won't happen quickly. Now, after a considerable first day back for you two, I might be willing to put you to some more important work tomorrow. I'll have to think it over tonight."
"Yes, sir," said the twins.
"But...!" the Fat Controller added sternly. "You must both realize that your useful efforts today are NOT an exception. If you truly do mean to be responsible and reliable engines, this useful streak must stay on course until such time I can truly decide if you really do see the need for change. You still have a lot more to do."
When Bill and Ben heard this, they realized one thing for certain. They had gotten back some of the Fat Controller's trust, but not all of it. They would need to earn the rest of it, as well as the rest of the island's trust.
"We understand, sir," said Bill. "Ben and I may be tank engine twins, but we do understand we must change somehow."
"I should hope so too," said the Fat Controller. "And now that you're both here...I think you should know...even Thomas and Emily have been wondering lately if you have a chance."
Bill and Ben's hearts suddenly jumped and shook in their boilers when they heard this. They had not heard anything about Thomas or Emily ever since their close slide. Knowing this now made them both even more curious, and a little nervous.
"They have, sir? Even after everything we put upon them?" asked Bill.
"Indeed, they have," said the Fat Controller. "Mostly Thomas, while Emily isn't entirely sure, and quite understandably so."
Bill and Ben knew this and nodded gravely. Then they realized they had not yet seen either of those two engines yet today. Maybe perhaps they had a little more to do before the day was out, and a whole new line of thought began flooding them both.
"Oh, dear...now you've got us both thinking, sir," said Bill. "The whole thing is, we haven't seen either of them for three whole weeks, and after such a horribly disastrous experience the last time we saw them at all. Now that we're working again...what are we to do about them?"
"As long as it's been...do you think, maybe...should we see them, sir? Should we not?" asked Ben.
The Fat Controller remembered his talk with Thomas and Emily that morning and suddenly put some things together as he checked his pocket watch.
"Hmm. Well, as it happens, they should be back here any minute after their passenger run today," he said eventually. "You two better turn around at Tidmouth Sheds and then wait here with me. We'll see what happens then."
So with newfound anticipation and a touch of nervousness, Bill and Ben did just that. They hurried to Tidmouth Sheds and got on the turntable together. Gordon, who had already settled in his berth, was not at all pleased to see this, much less that they were at Tidmouth Sheds.
"What are you engines doing here?" he hissed. "These sheds are for the Steam Team! Go away!"
"Alright, cool your funnel, big man," Bill replied obstinately as he and Ben turned around and set off back to Knapford.
"Silly things," Gordon hissed as he gave a sigh of discontent.
Bill and Ben came back to Knapford Station, facing the other way, then waited with the Fat Controller. They had done their first day back at work and their need for change was gaining a sense of momentum. Now after three whole weeks, they would be seeing the two engines they had caused so very much trouble for. Now the estrangement really would be ended.
Not far from Knapford, Thomas and Emily were huffing side by side on their way back. The whole while, both engines kept wrestling with thought and wonder as to how her next interaction with Bill and Ben would turn out. Thomas looked to Emily and could see she was looking uncertain and a little nervous. She kept her lips tightly shut and she had a slightly dazed look in her eyes.
"Emily? Come on, Emily," Thomas said at last. "It's going to work out. I promise you."
Emily sighed. "I know, Thomas, I know. But...but...I haven't seen them for so long. It's just such a hurdle to jump after what happened before."
"And once it's jumped, it'll be over with," said Thomas. "It's the least you can do for them both."
"Ohh...oh..." Emily groaned unsurely. "It's such a jumbled mixture for me, Thomas. They put me to a close slide with you, and I'm not very keen on seeing them again...but waiting on the edge of seeing them again is even harder to contend with."
"It's whirling around in my head too, Emily," said Thomas. "But you heard what Edward said. You're sure to feel a little better after seeing them. I just hope they're close by so we can-"
Thomas suddenly stopped on his sentence as he and Emily came around the corner and looked ahead. Emily wondered why Thomas stopped, but when she looked ahead, she suddenly stopped where she was. Thomas stopped too and glanced to her. Ahead was Knapford Station...and there they were for Thomas and Emily to behold with their own two eyes. Bill and Ben were right there with the Fat Controller, waiting.
For some moments, Emily stared at the two engines ahead of her, feeling her mind going all over the place as she relived a few key moments from what happened with her close slide and about Thomas' injuries he was dealt that day. To see those two engines again definitely made her heart stir considerably.
"Cinders and Ashes, Emily," Thomas whispered eventually. "What a setup. I should have known they'd check in with the Fat Controller. I wasn't quite expecting them to be here. Well...do you think you're ready?"
Emily took a long look at Bill and Ben, then finally looked to Thomas and whispered, "Let's do it, Thomas. I don't really want to...but I know I have to."
Thomas could see what Emily meant and nodded. Then slowly, but surely, they started up again and proceeded toward Knapford Station and their little adversaries from their close slide. After three weeks of no activity with these two engines, it was time to bridge the gap.
Bill and Ben were still waiting with the Fat Controller, looking down at their buffers and thinking very deeply about seeing Thomas and Emily again...until the silence was broken by one distinct whistle. Bill and Ben felt their hearts miss a beat. Then the other whistle followed. Bill and Ben looked up...and who did they see?
The Fat Controller looked ahead and nodded. "...They are here."
This was it for Bill and Ben. Thomas and Emily were back in their sight at last. Both twins' wheels were quaking so much, they felt like they would whistle and jump with overwhelming anticipation. The Fat Controller watched as Thomas and Emily placed their coaches in their sidings without a word. Then they switched to Bill and Ben's lines and slowly came forward, holding their gaze on both twins, feeling their hearts jitter too.
In the moments that passed, Bill and Ben felt their hearts pounding hard as Thomas and Emily came toward them after three long weeks estranged from one another. Seeing these two again made Bill and Ben feel rather forlorn and ashamed as they immediately remembered just how terrible their last meetup with these two ended up. Their distance became smaller and smaller, until finally, Thomas and Emily came to a stop, with their buffers only a foot or two away from Bill and Ben. Everyone was silent for five full minutes as Bill looked at Thomas, and Ben looked at Emily, completely unsure what to say or think to the other. For all four engines, everything that transpired during that rockslide after the blasting was now ringing through all their ears as clearly as if it were happening right there in front of them again. It was a touch intimidating for all four engines, until finally, one of them spoke.
"Well...look what we have here. After three long weeks," Emily murmured as her eyes trailed from one engine to the other. "Bill...and Ben."
Bill and Ben heard the weight and revelation in Emily's voice most clearly as Thomas looked at them and spoke next.
"Hello, Bill. ...And hello, Ben."
Bill and Ben looked away and turned a little red as they remembered how badly smashed Thomas was from that close slide they had weaved them both into.
"...H-hello, Thomas. ...Hello, Emily," Bill and Ben said, most lowly and miserably.
Emily could sense the low spirit and stream of guilt in Bill and Ben's voices and answered neutrally.
"Hello...you two."
"Well...it's been so very long since we've seen you, or anyone else for that matter," said Bill.
"Now that you're seeing us again...where do we start?" Ben asked.
"Well, for three whole weeks, we haven't seen each other," said Thomas. "And the rest of the island has been bustling away this summer. Perhaps we should get right to it and catch up."
"Yes. In more ways than one," Emily added, to no one in particular.
"Perhaps we...yes. Perhaps we should," said Ben. "So...you both heard the news about us?"
"Being let out again? Yes, we both knew," said Thomas. "We asked Sir Topham Hatt about you two just this morning."
"You did? Well, he said you were wondering about us lately," said Bill. "Mostly you, Thomas. But we're wondering...why?"
"Well, boys..." Emily pondered. "While I'm not too chipper about seeing you two again after what happened before, I knew we would meet up again eventually. Thomas has been thinking about you both for a few days now."
"I have indeed," said Thomas. "Despite everything that has happened between us I knew we couldn't stay estranged from you indefinitely, Bill and Ben. Even after such out-of-hand behavior you displayed before, I feel that even now, you might have a chance to be useful again."
"Do you, Thomas?" Said Bill. "Well...if only we could hold to that quality much stronger than we did before."
"Indeed, Bill," said Ben. "And exactly what were you wondering about us, Thomas?"
"Well, over the times we've worked together before," said Thomas. "I know that being mischievous and tricky isn't the only thing you've ever done."
"And just last night, Thomas told me something I couldn't believe about either of you," said Emily. "Many years ago, you were apparently heroes at the quarry when you saved all those workmen from that rockslide. I never knew that until Thomas told me, and I must admit...it's quite notable."
Bill and Ben's boilers tingled greatly as they immediately remembered that most heroic day for them both. They slowly smiled as they thought back for a moment or two.
"Ohh, yes...I remember how frightful that day was...but we saved them all," said Bill.
"Yes," said Ben. "One of the finest moments of our lives..."
"And a much more recent example," Thomas added. "When you saved me at the Clay Pits when I discovered that dinosaur footprint."
"And I gathered many engines right here to hear it all," said the Fat Controller. "That was indeed noble of you both, Bill and Ben."
Bill and Ben's smiles grew a little more as they remembered the gathering right here for their heroic efforts. But then they looked sad again as they remembered what their position was now...and they then realized what Emily had mentioned to Thomas the night before.
"But now look at us," said Bill. "We've pulled ourselves right down to the bottom and...Ohh! I realized only now...we saved you from that landslide, Thomas...only to weave you right into another one three weeks past."
"And putting you, Emily, of all engines, right in danger's path," Ben lamented. "How did we not see it before?! Stupid engines that Bill and I were!"
Before the Fat Controller could correct this statement, Thomas spoke first.
"Wait, Bill and Ben. Wait," said Thomas. "Maybe you think that right now, and I can understand why...but I don't believe either of you are stupid."
"Impeccably spoken, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "Saying things like that will most certainly not help you in any way, Bill and Ben."
"Besides, what Emily and I would really like to know is...how your first day back at work went today," said Thomas.
"Yes," said Emily. "After three weeks following that close slide...how have you two done today?"
Bill and Ben looked to each other, then decided not to beat around the bush. They told Thomas and Emily the whole story from start to finish, from their talk the night before, the Fat Controller's visit that morning, their stone and clay deliveries, managing Edward's loads and what engines they had come across so far. Thomas and Emily listened carefully the whole time, and took everything in until Bill and Ben finished. The Tank Engine Twins waited for Thomas or Emily to answer as they considered everything they heard. Then they spoke again.
"I see. So, you're both back in the game, starting fresh," said Thomas. "Some are open to your return, some are most unhappy. I suspected as much."
"Me too," said Emily. "You two certainly pulled through today, so it sounds. That is fairly impressive, because until now, I really didn't like the idea of seeing either of you again anytime soon."
"We understand, Emily," said Bill.
"Then why did you come anyway?" asked Ben.
"Thomas has been coaxing me to give you a chance throughout today, although I wasn't too keen on it," said Emily. "The main reason I am here is because Edward told me to do so."
Bill and Ben looked up to this at once. "Edward? What did he say?"
"We met him at Vicarstown and told him everything," said Thomas. "He said that we had to reconcile the separation between us. Mending the cracks, as it were."
"Yes...and he told me something quite notable," Emily said more quietly and steadily.
"What's that, Emily?" asked Bill.
Emily looked at Bill, then Ben with a serious but truthful look in her eyes.
"To take Edward's word for it, Bill and Ben...you did indeed cause a drastic situation for Thomas and I, but even when it was at its worst...you didn't mean for it to go that far...and it shouldn't mean we never talk to you again. I think I should have realized that a little sooner."
Bill and Ben looked down to their buffers in silence. Emily was absolutely right, and they knew there were several things they should have realized sooner too. It was then that the Tank Engine Twins saw a proper opportunity for something they should have done after that close slide. With heavy hearts, they looked up to their guests and spoke most humbly.
"Thomas...and Emily," said Bill. "When you came to help us at the Clay Pits, we behaved most badly indeed, just as Sir Topham Hatt said we did. We were immature, ill-disciplined, troublesome, cheeky and most reckless to do what we did..."
"Especially running off with your trucks, right into the blasting zone and landing you both right in the firing line," said Ben. "That was the worst thing we've ever done, I think."
"But with that said, Edward couldn't be more right," said Bill. "We assure you right now, Thomas and Emily...when it comes to the danger that befell you both, especially you, Thomas...we didn't mean for a single moment of that danger to occur."
"Of course it happened nonetheless, and it can't be changed," said Ben. "But even as we cheekily overlooked some of it at the time, we know we should never have gone so far as to do all of that, when you were trying to help us out and keep us safe."
"We should have seen it through and through instead of play around and make everything worse," said Bill. "Thomas, you were so very brave to save Emily from that rockslide and take the brunt of the damage. And Emily...we never meant to land you in that much danger. We should have known that all you wanted was for us to work safely and avoid any big problems...and what did we do? We laughed at all of it, until we stopped laughing in our shed."
Then both twins spoke together. "So...what we really mean to say is...we're really, really sorry."
There it was. Bill and Ben had officially apologized for their close slide after three weeks of waiting in their shed. Thomas and Emily had listened to everything and nodded slowly. The Fat Controller stood there, absorbed. They couldn't recall Bill and Ben apologizing when the incident occurred, and although this apology had waited a very long time, they could all sense the sincerity and truth in Bill and Ben's voices. Emily looked at them both and sighed gently.
"Well...there it is. That's more like it," she said. "I sense the sincerity here, and I am grateful. Edward did say I'd feel a little better seeing you two again to bridge the gaps. And now...I think he's right."
Bill and Ben began to smile, sensing that Emily was indeed starting to open up to them again. Not by much, but it was happening.
"Well spoken, Bill and Ben," said the Fat Controller. "But this only your first day back, and some big questions still remain for me, and Thomas and Emily too, as well as the rest of the island."
"What questions?" asked Bill.
"You two may see a need for change," said the Fat Controller. "But much more importantly...will you actually apply it? Will you hold to that intention truly?"
"After that close slide, how will you two reach the level of being really useful again?" Thomas asked.
"And how can we be sure you will actually make your efforts...and so I could see it for myself?" Emily asked as she did earlier that morning.
Bill and Ben noticed what Emily said at once, and realized that in her years on Sodor, she never had seen them in a useful state before. This made them even more determined to change for the better.
"Well...those questions have yet to be answered, I think," said Bill. "But for now, Thomas and Emily...We know that we've messed things up for the railway for almost our entire lives, and we know...that we let you both down."
"But this is our chance to make it up to you. And to the rest of the island," said Ben. "Whatever and however long it takes, we're going to set things right."
Thomas couldn't help but smile to this sense of optimism, but Emily wasn't as sure.
"Are you saying this only because it's the right thing...or because you actually mean to do it?" she asked the twins with a lowering eyebrow.
"We really, really mean to do it. AND it's the right thing," said Bill. "But there are two major obstacles in our way."
"And what is that, Bill and Ben?" Thomas asked.
"One, how can we be truly useful again...if Sodor doesn't trust us anymore?" Ben asked. "There are some who admire our efforts, but Gordon, James and Diesel certainly don't welcome our return."
"And there are sure to be many others who don't want us roaming again," said Ben. "Just...how?"
Thomas knew this to be true and answered at once.
"Hmm. Well, one thing I do know is that it won't help you to worry. Just give it more time. It's only been one day so far. The island will have to pick up on your progress and see just how you two really do...I hope."
"And what's the other obstacle, I'd like to know?" asked Emily.
"We figure you should know, Emily," said Bill. "Your worthy Captain Rider most certainly won't trust us to do any good. After all, he's the one who told us to get used to staying in our shed every day and night until we learned for the better...and it was he who helped spread the word about what happened...and influenced the whole island to speak their minds about us."
"True enough, I had a hand in that as well," said the Fat Controller. "But I stand by my point of giving you two the chance that you probably need so you really can change. Although, knowing David, convincing him would surely be quite tricky..."
Emily remembered David's involvement following the close slide and looked down to her buffers. Then an idea flew to her funnel as she suddenly drew a clever smile. She had not seen David very much since that incident, and the last she heard about him was when he made that appearance on Sodor Television when he gave comments about the summer gales and the hurdles Emily had to jump in that time. In that moment, Emily had it all worked out.
"Sir...I think you've just clicked my emerald intuition," she said to the Fat Controller.
"What do you mean, Emily?" he asked.
"Well, seeing as how these two are back in business, and seeing as how Thomas and a few others do feel a sense of pity for our two twins here...and if you, Bill and Ben, don't wish to stay in this hole you're in, and would come to an arrangement..."
"To do what?" both twins asked.
"What are you thinking, Emily?" Thomas asked.
Emily gave a little wink to Thomas, then a nod to the Fat Controller, who both wondered what she had in mind.
"Come with us, boys," Emily said to Bill and Ben. "I have an idea. May I, sir?"
The Fat Controller could sense what she was onto, and admirably complied. "Right away, Emily."
"Thank you, sir," she answered. "This way, boys."
And she reversed to the points, followed closely by Thomas as he too began to sense what she had in mind. They switched out of Bill and Ben's way, then set off through Knapford Station and down the line. Bill and Ben watched them go on their way, then turned to the Fat Controller.
"Sir? Should we?" they asked together.
"Do as our Safety Engine says," he replied. "As for me, I'll see you both tomorrow."
And the Fat Controller left for the evening, leaving Bill and Ben with their will and way. They set off backwards through the station, with their drivers looking ahead for them, following Thomas and Emily's path and wondering a little nervously just where they would be going this evening, and what would happen next.
Eventually, they came to the outskirts of Arlesburgh and reached the turntable. Bill and Ben saw their chance and turned around to faced Thomas and Emily's direction.
"Where are we going?" the twins asked. "How much further?"
"Wait and see," Emily said neutrally as she and Thomas led the way, followed by the twins.
They trailed deeper into Arlesburgh until they came to the stretch of line Emily recognized anywhere. She slowly came to a stop, with Thomas, Bill and Ben stopping behind her. Thomas looked ahead with Emily, and just around the corner, there was the Rider house.
Just outside the house, David had returned from his work at the harbour, now enjoying the coming sunset with Beatrice just outside their home. With all his work fishing for kippers and lobsters, he had not yet heard of Bill and Ben's news yet, but he was still thinking a little about them even now, as he was the night before. For a while, he and Beatrice stood outside watching the sunset...until Beatrice took note of his silence and spoke up, and Thomas and Emily listened in secret.
"David? Why so quiet?" Beatrice asked. "After all, it's another supreme summer evening right on the seaside. Is there something on your mind?"
David looked to his mother and sighed. After his share of work today, he thought it best to express what he was thinking.
"Indeed, there is, Mum," he said. "I haven't seen Emily very much of late, and I've been wondering when I'll see her next..."
"Well, with summer being as busy as it is, of course she'd be busy too, David," said Beatrice.
"But that's only a tiny thing on my mind," said David. "For the past few days, I've been wondering endlessly...about them."
"Who, David?" Beatrice asked. "Thomas and Emily?"
David shook his head and came closer to Beatrice.
"Bill and Ben. I'd barely given thought about them ever since their close slide, but it's been three weeks now, and it's left me thinking of late."
Bill and Ben heard David and held their breath, waiting to hear what would come next. As for Beatrice, she knew all too well what happened that day with the word that spread, and she was surprised to recognize how much time it had been.
"Three weeks! Has it really been that long?" she asked. "Goodness me! I don't recall many engines being locked away THAT long."
"I think it would teach them a damn good lesson," David remarked. "Putting my engine in danger of that blasting procedure indeed, indeed!"
Thomas and Emily heard David and Beatrice and decided to make their move.
"Wait here," Thomas whispered to Bill and Ben, and he and Emily crept slowly forward as Beatrice replied to David's remark.
"Now, David, that was indeed a serious incident for Emily. But do you really think Bill and Ben meant to make that happen?"
"I don't know, Mum. I would like to think they didn't, but given how persistently out-of-hand they were at the time, I almost dread to think."
"So did we, for a time," came the voice David knew distinctly. "Maybe we shouldn't so much dread seeing a possible need for change."
David and Beatrice turned around fast and saw Thomas and Emily stop beside the house.
"Hello, David," Emily greeted. "Been a fair while, don't you think?"
David's eyes immediately lit up at seeing Emily again after a considerable while. He came running down to the line and onto Emily's running plate, then hugged her face dearly.
"Emily! Wow! Hello!" he smiled as he gave her a kiss. "It's very nice to see you again. How have you been keeping?"
"I've been keeping quite busy, what with the bustle of summer," said Emily. "And I trust you had a good experience with the Sudrian News with your little appearance on television some while back?"
"Indeed, I did, Emily," said David. "I'd even say it was fun to be part of it."
"That's very good," Emily replied before she changed her tone to a more practical approach. "But save the chitchat for another time. Thomas and I have come on an important and maybe serious matter."
"Whatever about, Emily?" David asked.
"Well, David," said Emily. "Amongst all the work we're doing, something else has been playing on our minds since last night."
"More like a few days for me," said Thomas. "You see, David and Beatrice...there's something we'd like to discuss with you..."
"Much to your shock and astonishment, I'll expect..." Emily paused impressively. "It's about...Bill and Ben."
David and Beatrice suddenly went very still for a few moments in initial disbelief and affront. They hadn't heard or spoken anything about either engine until now. What as this all about? They blinked once, then responded.
"You're pulling our leg, aren't you, Emily?" Beatrice asked. "This can't be."
David briefly felt everything about that incident flood back to him. "Oh, my God...what news slipped my radar? Tell me at once!"
Thomas and Emily told David and Beatrice all about their talk about Bill and Ben the night before, and that the two twins were out and about again, but they didn't mention anything about Bill and Ben's day...yet. David and Beatrice listened intently to everything and gradually felt quite a few things going through their minds now. David thought back to the wrath and fury he felt when he went to the Clay Pits and lambasted Bill and Ben most harshly for what they had caused, and the following effort he and the Fat Controller made to spread the word and imbed the lesson as best they could.
When Thomas and Emily finished explaining, they waited for a response. For a few moments, David didn't say a word as he took everything in, pacing a little along the line. Beatrice trailed her palm along her chin, humming inquisitively. Then Emily watched as David walked toward her, then rested his back against her buffer, pressing it a little into its housing.
"So this is it, is it? It's a curious thing," he remarked. "Only last night, I too was wondering about them both while skimming through the books on the Railway Series concerning them both."
Emily and particularly Thomas felt their hearts stir when they heard the mention of the Railway Series.
"You...you did, David?" Thomas asked admirably.
"Yes, Thomas," said David. "Like many others, I know about both their heroic times, which are duly well noted. But given what they brought upon you at the Clay Pits, that puts a serious wrench against those heroic acts. I admire your optimism that perhaps they could rise to a better position again...but given what happened three weeks ago, it's still my standing that those twins are far out of reach of being really useful again."
Thomas and Emily almost objected, when someone else's voice came first, a little faintly, and behind Thomas.
"What about us seeing a need for change?"
David suddenly stopped where he was and looked suspiciously beyond Thomas and Emily, to the corner behind the house. One voice he hadn't heard since the close slide, and he almost didn't recognize it. And yet...
"...Wait a minute," he murmured.
Then David suddenly took a sudden sprint down the line, rushing past Thomas and Emily. Beatrice hurried down to the line and was just in time to see David stop right at Bill's buffers.
"Confound it all!" David barked. "Bill and Ben! What are you doing here?!"
Bill and Ben hurried forward behind Thomas, while David followed.
"Bill! Ben! Such a long time without seeing wither of you!" Beatrice exclaimed. "And indeed, what ARE you doing here?"
"Long story, Beatrice," said Thomas. "Emily and I brought them here so they can tell you a few things themselves."
"Oh, I'm sure they have a tale or two to tell," David remarked with utmost discontent. "And just what do they have to divulge to us after being bailed out for their most invalid stunt upon my engine?"
"David, as your engine and best friend, I order you to hear them out, and you WILL," Emily stated strongly. "Go ahead, Bill and Ben. Tell them."
Bill and Ben plucked themselves up and told David and Beatrice everything they told Thomas and Emily, all while David and Beatrice listened to everything and took it all in, even though David really didn't like having to. When Bill and Ben had finished, there was silence again. After hearing practically nothing about either engine for all this time, David and Beatrice had to admit they had other things on their minds. They had a fair feeling that the next few days would play out in an interesting way to say the least.
"So...seeing a need for change," Beatrice said at last. "That's the streak you're aiming for, is it? But just how to hold onto that path, I wonder?"
"That's for all of us to find out in due course," said Thomas. "But what more does it matter? They're back at work with the intent to be really useful again."
"It matters," David spoke up as he turned to the two twins with a strong, but curious expression. "I want to know from you two personally. Why are you back at work? Besides Sir Topham Hatt letting you out, I don't suppose you can tell me why you're roaming about again?"
Bill and Ben looked to each other for a moment, then made their answer, quite humbly.
"Well...Ben and I know you doubt us, and distrust us," said Bill. "And you're perfectly right to do so, given what happened with Thomas' close slide with Emily. It was most undeserving for both of them to be faced with, all because of our critical error."
"And what you and the Fat Controller said in spreading the word was true," added Ben. "That day, we were crooks, delinquents, and peace disturbers. We have been mischievous, quarrelsome, ill-disciplined and naughty for years."
"We're tank engine twins. To be perfectly blunt, that's what twins like us are bound to be," said Bill. "And we know changes won't be made quickly. It will be gradual, and maybe difficult at times. But by all accounts, we will try to work back up to being really useful if we can."
Then there was silence. By this time, the sun had just about set and night would fall soon. Thomas, Emily, David and Beatrice all looked at Bill and Ben, unsure of what to say or feel. Then after a few moments, David felt a certain drive awaken within him. He suddenly gave a nod to Beatrice, then to Emily. Then everyone watched as he stood tall and firm, and suddenly walked down to Bill and Ben, with a firm, driven look in his eyes now. Thomas and Emily felt a little jump in their hearts.
"David?" Bill asked. "What are you doing? We assure you, we're telling the truth."
"Indeed, we are," Ben added hastily. "It would be most impressive if we could reach a new level, maybe even be-"
"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Bill and Ben," said David. "I have a few words for you, which I pray will put you a little more on course than you claim to be right now."
"Here it comes," Thomas and Emily thought to themselves.
"Let me tell you a few things myself," David pointed to Bill and Ben. "The trouble with being tank engine twins is that you frequently think small. The problem with engines like you is that, periodically, you think you're smarter than engines who have already been at the low point you're currently at. Do you know what I'm saying to you, boys?"
"...Yes, sir," Bill said solemnly. "You're certainly right that we're at a low point."
"Indeed," added Ben. "All we've been doing for three weeks is sitting in shame, regret and embarrassment over all that we did."
"So, that's what you're doing even now? Going around feeling sorry for yourselves?" David remarked sarcastically. "Go on back to the Clay Pits! You're wasting my time!"
"Please hear us out, David!" Bill implored. "Ben and I have to get out of the hole we dug ourselves into! We can't go on like this forever."
"Now why should the rest of the island trust you on this 'need for change,' Bill and Ben?" David inquired.
"Because we're going to be better engines, Captain," said Ben.
"How?" David asked sternly.
"By doing our work," said Bill.
"What else?" David asked more sternly.
"Staying out of trouble," said Ben.
"...What have you two been thinking about for the past three weeks?" David asked. "Why should we believe you now?"
"Because we changed our ways," both twins answered.
"...I don't believe you, boys," David replied. "My soldier's intuition doesn't think you've changed a single thing. It was by YOUR antics that an entire rockslide dropped on Thomas and almost on Emily, when you ran off with their trucks, after SO much childish, nonfactual stupidity you plagued them with just the day before! You know that, don't you?!"
"Yes, sir," said Bill.
"You know what that's put upon you?" David emphasized.
"Shame, guilt, punishment and embarrassment," said Ben.
"Besides that!" David barked. "It's a major stain on your given image as engines of the North Western Railway! Now when you're harming your self-image, you're doing the same thing as running yourselves off the island, except it happens slower! Now, I'm saying if you want to run yourselves off the island, DON'T screw around with the other engines, just do it expeditiously!"
"David!" Emily and Beatrice cut in together.
"No need for that," said Emily. Thomas and I have talked plenty with them already. I may be skeptical about them too, but Thomas is right."
"Yes, David," said Beatrice. "These two need their chance, and this is only their first day back."
"And no, David. We don't want to run ourselves off the island," Bill implored.
"Not now, not ever," finished Ben.
David looked inward to himself for a moment. "You're absolutely sure about this, are you?"
"Yes, sir," said Bill.
"And you trust Thomas' judgment about these two, as well as your own judgment, Emily?" David asked her.
"Yes, we are, David," said Emily. "And as your best friend, my judgment should be enough for you too."
David paced for a moment or two, while the engines waited and hoped. Then David looked up again.
"So be it, Bill and Ben. If this is Emily's judgment, then I'll follow her example. I'm going back on my own word just this once and allowing you two to carry on with your need for change...because she's my best friend, as I am her's. But you understand this, boys: you're not getting a moment's leniency. Whatever course you set, the island is going to be on your case every minute of every day! You mess up at the wrong place at the wrong time, and you're right back in those sheds. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir," said Bill and Ben.
At that moment, Thomas looked up. "It's getting dark, David. I think it's time we made our way home."
"Yes. We still have a fair path ahead of us both," said Bill.
"And one way or another, we WILL be useful again," said Ben. "We're not sure how, but it will happen, I promise."
David's posture loosened and eased off as he gave a single nod. "Now, go on back home."
Bill and Ben peeped their whistles lowly. "Goodbye, Thomas. Goodbye, Emily."
"Bye, Bill and Ben. And good luck," said Thomas.
And Bill and Ben set off on their own, out of Arlesburgh and on their way home. When they were out of sight, Thomas and Emily turned back to David.
"Well...I see how that went...and you've seen them again, David," said Emily. "I want to know...do you believe they have a chance?"
David looked to his best friend and got on her running plate again.
"I don't know yet, Emily. Just like I once thought about Seamus Holder, as much as I would probably damn them for what they did to you and Thomas...I could almost find it in my heart to hope they make it."
"And they will, David," said Thomas. "Just as I told Bill and Ben, give it time."
"Yes. Only time will tell for sure if they succeed," said Beatrice.
"Despite my doubts, I hope they do," said Emily. "Then I'll truly find out if they really can be...I hasten to add...unexpected heroes..."
David and Beatrice pondered this for a moment. Then David smiled and held Emily's face, gently petting her soft cheeks.
"I can't be too sure about them at the moment," he said. "Time will indeed tell. But I do know you'll always be my hero, Emily."
And he kissed and nuzzled Emily's cheek, while she smiled and tittered quietly.
"Oh, thank you, David," she gleamed as he got down from her running plate. "Now. We should be getting home too, Thomas."
"Yes, we should, Emily," Thomas agreed. "Very good to see you again, David and Beatrice. I'll be noting the next few days with interest."
"And so will others," Emily hinted. "See you later, David and Beatrice."
"You too, Emily," David and Beatrice waved.
Thomas and Emily then set off out of Arlesburgh and headed for home, while David looked out to the sunset and sighed steadily before going inside with Beatrice. They knew this was only the beginning, and the next few days would be most decisive and would really determine whether or not this need for change would be fulfilled.
Thomas and Emily huffed side by side on their way home. It had been quite a day so far, but before they could call it a night, there was just one more gathering of engines to talk with about Bill and Ben, as Thomas and Emily knew too well.
At last, as the stars began to shine overhead, Thomas and Emily returned to Tidmouth Sheds. The first thing they noticed was that all the other engines were waiting for them. As Thomas and Emily took their turns on the turntable and backed into their berths, they saw the other engines looking at them curiously and a little nervously. For a few moments, there was silence.
"Well...hello, everyone," Thomas said, trying not to sound awkward. "I trust...well...have any more of you heard...?"
"Yes, Thomas. We all know now," said Gordon. "Those little demons are running loose again. I've already told Percy and Rebecca my share."
"And I told Nia all about them myself, as well as Duck and Oliver," added James. "Most despicable that those bees are buzzing around again!"
"I'm not entirely sure about that, James," said Nia. "But yes, Thomas. Bill and Ben are back out there, working away after three weeks."
"Unusual to say the least," said Rebecca.
"It's remarkable, Thomas and Emily," Percy breathed. "Three whole weeks of sitting idle, and now back on track again. What about you? Did you see them at all? Just what will the rest of the island think about this?"
Thomas looked to Emily and nodded. Now was their chance.
"Well, everyone...I think we can tell you what we think," said Thomas. "Although, we've talked about it three times already, with the Fat Controller, Bill and Ben, and then David and Beatrice."
"That's true, we have," said Emily. "So hopefully, this will be the last time Thomas and I need to go over this..."
Once more, Thomas and Emily told their story to the rest of the engines, both about their wonders the night before, their talk with the Fat Controller, all the way up to them seeing Bill and Ben again and their talk with David and Beatrice. The other engines listened and heard everything.
"Wow," Percy breathed. "A need for change? That would be amazing."
"Well, at least they have a plan to make better of their situation," Rebecca noted. "Although I don't really know what to make of it."
"I know this will generate divisive opinion," said Thomas. "But I suggest that during this busy phase of the year, we open up more to Bill and Ben's efforts to change their ways and see what they might do next."
"Preposterous!" Gordon snorted. "We can't set aside the image we've held for three weeks on those little demons in no time at all!"
"Amen to that, Gordon!" put in James. "You don't go from holding bad engines accountable to letting them right off the hook just like that!"
"Don't be bossy boilers, Gordon and James!" Percy protested. "At this busy time of year, why do we keep turning a foul eye to Bill and Ben when they're starting to see a need for change after three weeks in disgrace?"
"Merely 'seeing' a need for change is one thing, Percy," said Gordon. "Whether or not they DO change is still to be determined. Unlikely."
"Well, I have to admit Bill and Ben are excellent shunters like Thomas," said Nia. "And although they hid my special truck that Christmas, they are good at sorting trucks like me."
"But they're utterly reckless with their naughtiness, mischief and arguing," said Rebecca.
"Sometimes in the past, yes," said Thomas. "But regardless, Bill and Ben have been through truly remarkable times that are not to be ignored. We all know about when they rescued the workmen from that massive rock slide at the quarry. And surely they proved a mark of heroism when they saved me from that other landslide at the Clay Pits when I discovered the dinosaur footprints."
"Hmm..." Gordon hummed unsurely.
"And all throughout today, they did nothing but work hard with their stone, clay and Edward's two goods trains. It all goes to show they've had a consistently useful day after three weeks idle."
"The way I see it," said Emily. "It would seem they have just a few more lessons to learn."
"Testing the spirit," said Percy. "A little like I had to do after my crushed spirit."
"Facing the mirror," said James. "As I did when I worked so hard to win Molly's heart back."
"And the fact that it's Bill and Ben this time is what baffles me," said Gordon. "To be responsible, reliable and really useful, an engine must have a strong spirit and dedicated heart to the railway. Such qualities require great discipline, and those twins have often disobeyed the Fat Controller, Edward, and especially you, have they not, Emily?"
Emily just raised an eyebrow to Gordon.
"Did you not disobey the Fat Controller from time to time yourself, Gordon?" Rebecca checked with a stern smile. "Going on strike along with Henry and James, slithering into the ditch, what you and James put upon Emily, teasing Thomas into upsetting your coaches...and forgoing your safety valve for the Great Race?"
Gordon was very embarrassed, but still wasn't convinced on Bill and Ben's part.
"James and I also learned a great deal from those times and take great note of it," he said. "But Bill and Ben have never held onto their lessons before."
"We have to give them a chance, Gordon," said Thomas. "It wouldn't do any good to them or us if we didn't."
Percy peeped his whistle and agreed with Thomas. "They're my friends too, like when I was telling them about my adventure in the water to take the children home."
"They're a pain in the smokebox!" retorted Gordon and James.
"I don't care," said Percy. "I am NOT having Bill and Ben be resented and scorned upon for the rest of their lives."
Thomas watched as Percy then backed into his berth without another word, soon followed by another engine.
"Nor I," said Rebecca as she reversed into her berth too.
"Nor I," Nia followed suit.
Thomas then looked to Emily. After a moment, she too followed suit.
"Nor I."
And she slipped into her berth too, followed by Thomas. Gordon and James still disagreed, but knew they were outvoted. With an unconvinced frown, they reserved into their berths without another word. Thomas then went inside his berth and looked around to the other engines once more.
"I can see this has been a just debate," he said, to no one in particular. "But at this busy time of year, we do need all the engines there are. Bill and Ben's career has indeed been unorthodox, and so too may be their need for change. All in all, I trust in their intentions that they can become...unexpected heroes."
And with a wink to Emily, who winked back, she and Thomas shut their eyes and went to sleep. The other engines decided they had spoken enough for tonight too and went to sleep themselves, wondering just what Bill and Ben would do the next day.
Meanwhile, Bill and Ben had returned to the Clay Pits and settled in for the night at last. For a first day back at work in three weeks, they were considerably proud, but they could tell that they still had quite a way to go before their efforts would prove worthy. Then they both began to think again on how else they could move forward and what the other engines would think about their return.
"Well. What a first day back at work, Ben," said Bill. "Some are aware of our plans...and already, some things happened faster than I thought they would."
"What do you mean?" asked Ben.
"I didn't think to see David so soon as today," said Bill. "But now we have...and his view hasn't changed too much, except that he's apparently on for us making the efforts."
"Yes, indeed. But there's more to come, Bill," said Ben. "So many more have yet to see us and judge us. We'll just have to make do with what tomorrow brings. Then the next day, and the next..."
"Indeed, brother," said Bill. "It's only onwards and forwards from today on, and whatever comes, we go through it together."
"Here, here," said Ben. "Well, straight to bed, Bill. Tomorrow awaits."
And Bill and Ben went to sleep themselves, with rather full minds. They knew this mission wasn't over, and the ups and downs would continue. Now the rest of the island would get to know of their return and see if they could really shine again. But as with many big changes, things wouldn't go entirely smoothly. There were bound to be some errors and complications before things could truly get better, and Bill and Ben would soon find their efforts put to more tests than one.
Okay, so things should hopefully begin to run much more smoothly for the next while now that summer is approaching. We've got two more chapters on the way before this story finally wraps up...unless we end up splitting up the chapters again, but we'll see how it works out. Also, Hnorris1, I know you've asked this a few times now, but I'm sorry to say that 98462 and 87546 won't be appearing in this series because as far as I'm concerned, they're irrelevant since they literally only appeared in the first book without any other acknowledgement. Until then, tell us what you thought of this chapter, and as always, stay safe.