Here is the next chapter. Enjoy
I do not own Thomas the Tank/Thomas & Friends or I would have kept them in their models forms.
Ever since Henry had gotten his engine locked up in the tunnel more work had been put on the three blue engine drivers. They all worked harder than ever before as they had to juggle Henry's work along with their own too and this was no easy thing to do with just three of them.
Gordon grumbled angrily as he was greatly annoyed by Henry's actions' results and wasn't afraid to let his voice be heard not caring he insulted Henry making him feel even worse.
Edward and Thomas both felt sorry for Henry and did their best to cheer him up while both thinking of how they could help him out of his suspension.
However, they were too busy with work to do anything right now as the North Western Railway had gotten even more popular. Meaning more people had come so more work had to be done and even someone like Gordon was getting exhausted by it all, but nothing could be done about it so they just powered on wearily.
"I swear this wouldn't be a problem if Henry didn't have some stupid hissy fit over paint." Gordon loudly grumbled one morning as he got ready to head out for today's work. Both Edward and Thomas just rolled their eyes having gotten use to his constant complaining and whining about all this extra work put upon them.
"And if I remember correctly it was your teasing of Henry that brought out some lasting bad memories in him causing him to acted the way he did. So, come to think of it the thing you are complaining about is caused by you as it is technically your fault." Thomas said to Gordon as Henry had told him and Edward for his reasons for why he did what he did.
This statement of truth shut Gordon up and causing him to get even more mad so he just fumed away stomping loudly as he left. Both Thomas and Edward smirked at that as it felt good to bring Gordon down a peg two before sighing again as they thought of Henry once more.
"I wish there was something we could do for poor Henry. He is deeply sorry for what happened and wants to make it up to Sir Topham Hatt." Thomas said to Edward who sighed and nods. "When Sir Topham Hatt comes back from his ride on the Express we will try to see if we can talk to him." Edward suggested and Thomas nods at that before he heads to fetch the coaches for Gordon.
Meanwhile Henry was sulking alone in his room and laid on his in very depressed state.
"Oh, why did I let past events get to me so badly. Seriously if anything was going to my paint than it would have already happened before I even entered that blasted tunnel." He moped into his hands as he buried his face in them. "I wish Sir Topham Hatt will forgive soon…"
At that same time Gordon was at the station with the Express with so many passengers and no Henry around he ended up pulling all five Green Express Coaches. Usually, he pulled three or two than let Henry pull the others, but now he had to pull all five. However, this made Gordon feel even more up with himself as he felt by pulling all five at high speeds will show how superior his engine was.
Still feeling quite proud of himself he pulled out of Knapford with his long train that was filled with many very important people. Sir Topham himself was the train himself as he was discussing with some investors with potentially getting the railway extended and future plans.
Gordon roared down the rails fast pulling his long train easily behind him. "Ha never needed Henry's useless engine. Number 4 can do anything and make it look so easily." He said boastfully to himself even though he hates to admit he had troubles getting up 'Gordon's Hill', the name Thomas said and both Henry and Edward agreed on it... to Gordon's irritation.
"I mean look at me now. Even with five heavy coaches I can pull it along so easily and have no problems whatsoever. I mean I could do this-" He was suddenly cut off by loudly hissing from some of the pipes and he found his engine going slower and slower before eventually coming to a stop.
The passengers all came out looking surprised and confused by what was happening. Meanwhile Sir Topham Hatt came marching up to Number 4's cab. "What's the matter?" He asked Gordon who was checking everything.
"I burst the Safety Valve sir..." He said embarrassed as he realised by rushing down the line the he did he had caused damaged to his engine.
"Ugh, Gordon you and your bloody showing off…" Sir Topham Hatt sighed annoyed. "You can't pull the train in your current state right now. Put her off to the side out of way until we get this sorted out."
"Yes sir." Gordon sighed as he uncoupled his engine from the coaches than slowly and carefully moved his engine onto a siding out of the way.
Meanwhile Sir Topham Hatt headed to the coach he was in and started ringing Knapford.
"We need another engine here. Gordon is down." He said to the Stationmaster on the end of the line.
"Understood sir." The Stationmaster answered before hanging up and went over to Edward who was resting at Knapford. "The Express needs another Engine as it appears Gordon was showing off again and his engine is busted. I know you haven't moved a loaded express in some time, but you're the only one we got available right now."
"Understood sir." Edward said determined despite knowing how hard it will be for his engine to move the express now. He quickly raced over and soon came across the scene before coming up behind the coaches.
"Ha, that won't work. Edward can't push the train." Gordon said to Sir Topham Hatt as he watched Edward give it his all, but even his engine going at max speed and strength he couldn't move the coaches at all. Eventually he sighed and soon had to admit defeat as he knew it was hopeless.
Even Sir Topham Hatt sighed as he could tell the coaches wasn't going anywhere. "I told you so." Gordon simply says, but he could tell this could be bad for Sir Topham Hatt as the railway needs as many investments as possible. He looked around than realised where they were.
They were just outside the tunnels and he saw one certain recently walled off tunnel.
"Sir how about Henry?" He asked and Sir Topham Hatt looked at him with a interested look. "He has the only other engine that can pull a train this big and heavy. Also, it…was also my fault he acted the way he did sir…I teased him about something that I didn't know bothered him greatly making him act the way he did. Please sir let him drive again as we both know he is a hard worker and deserves the chance to make it up to you." He said as he was being honest and admitted what he did which made Henry acted the way he did. It was surprising to hear Gordon speak like this and Sir Topham Hatt had listened carefully to what Gordon said as he started thinking seriously.
A few moments at the bunkhouse the telephone rang and seeing Henry was the only one there he answered it. He was surprised that it was Sir Topham Hatt asking for him personally.
"Gordon's safety valve is broken and Edward is unable to move the Express on his own. Also, Gordon had also admitted he pretty much caused you to act the way you did and Edward had told me how sorry you are so thus I forgive you for how acted." Sir Topham Hatt said through the phone.
"I understand sir and I am sorry for how I acted as I shouldn't have let past events get to me like that. I promise to not let it bother me again.
"Good man. Now you think you could pull the Express?"
"Yes sir. Leave it to me!" Henry answered happy to finally get to back to work and determined to not fail Sir Topham Hatt again.
"Good to hear. The tunnel with your engine in it will be opened up and ready for you when you get here." Sir Topham Hatt said before hanging up and Henry grabbed his unfirm getting dressed in it quickly before getting into his car. He drove as fast he could to get there quickly, of course while doing the speed limit as it would be embarrassing to get booked by police on his first day back and when he was needed greatly. When he eventually arrived, he saw workmen having already torn the walls down revealing Number 3.
He saw how dirty it had become from staying in the tunnel for some time without care, but that was a problem for later as getting the engine started and trying get to it moving again was more important.
With some coal borrowed from Gordon he got the fire started and the engine steamed to life making him smile greatly as he starts reversing out of the tunnel as Gordon in front of him so he couldn't go forward.
"She's a bit stiff." He called out to Sir Topham Hatt who called back. "Give her a good run that should help her loosen up and find a turntable while you're out."
Soon Henry was on the right track as he came back and reversed his engine up to the coaches where he coupled up. He could see his engine was still a little stiff so he told Edward he would need a hand to move the coaches and Edward was happy to help. Soon both of them were ready to go with Edward pushing from behind and Henry pulling from up front and Edward blew his whistle signalling to Henry was ready which Henry answered back with his own.
Soon both engines were off and moved the heavy coaches leaving Gordon to watch on as they raced through the tunnel.
Henry had a big smile on his face as it felt great to work again and was glad Sir Topham Hatt had forgiven him and gave him a second chance.
Soon they arrived at the Express's destination of Vicartown's in good time impressing the investors very much and Sir Topham Hatt thanked both drivers for it. He told Henry to get Number 3 cleaned up first and he can start working properly tomorrow which made Henry incredibly happy to hear.
Later that night at the bunkhouse Henry stretched his shoulders seeing after he and Edward helped Gordon's engine back to the shed while giving him a ride back Henry got straight to cleaning his engine. Edward and Thomas had offered to help him as both were glad he was back on the rails. Even Gordon offered to help seeing it was he who did tease Henry which caused Henry to act the way he did so he decided to make it up to him.
After this incident Henry and Gordon had become good friends as they both know even for their big engines even they have their limits and need each other to help one another at times.
Henry isn't bothered by his paintjob getting spoiled anymore as he knows the best to avoid that is not to hide in tunnels anymore and give it a good wash down after a day of hard work.
Two chapters done in one day and I liked the results
Interested in knowing your guys thoughts and opinions
