It had been a few weeks since Gordon and Rebecca's relationship had reopened then steadily spawned to something much bigger, until it reached its pinnacle on the first day of December. The next few weeks that passed seemed merely like days to Gordon and Rebecca. With their relationship having gone all out between them, time had gone by very fast.
Now, it was the day before Christmas Eve yet again. Snow had come to Sodor, and everyone was feeling the warmth and joy of the coming holiday season. But before Christmas Eve would arrive, a certain engine's imagination would get him into trouble and result in a rather preposterous panic attack that no one would consider very meriting.
As the day started, it was dawn at the sheds, and Percy was hurrying back from a snow-delayed mal train. As he neared Tidmouth Sheds, he was relieved to see that he had returned before the Fat Controller, although his hasty speed made him slide along the line a little before he stopped right before the turntable.
The other engines were just waking up to the approaching morning. Thomas and Emily drowsed comfortably as the snow fell gently from the sky. Even Nia had come to love the snow, especially after braving through a major blizzard with Thomas and James to deliver their Christmas loads three years earlier, when her fear and panic over snow was through the roof. But ever since then, she had become accustomed to snow and had grown to love it just as the other engines did.
"Oh, I love the snow," Nia smiled pleasantly. "I never saw it in Kenya. It's so magical. Oh, but you do have to be careful. In China, Thomas and I got caught in an avalanche. It was so scary."
"Ohh! That does sound scary!" Percy shook, remembering when he first heard of that perilous time on Thomas' first big adventure.
At that moment, the Fat Controller arrived. "Good morning all. Now, remember that the rails will be icy, so don't go too fast. We don't want any accidents do we?"
As the Fat Controller left, Percy thought a little more about what Nia had said. He also remembered hearing all about that night she, Thomas and James faced up against that blizzard, and even encountered an avalanche. Such thoughts made him begin to feel a little panicky.
"What about avalanches?" he worried. "I think we should all stay in the sheds until the snow's gone!"
"Oh, don't be such a scaredy engine!" James laughed as he and Gordon made their way out of the sheds.
"As long as you're careful, you'll be absolutely fine, Percy," Emily assured in a motherly manner as she left the sheds too.
"Emily's right. I'll see you back at Knapford, Percy. Enjoy the snow," said Thomas as he followed Emily out.
But Percy, being the engine that he was, couldn't enjoy the snow like he usually would. He had not thought much about avalanches, but to hear Nia speak of it again and how she braved against it with Thomas and James made him begin to wonder.
As Percy set out and collected his trucks, he huffed along the line, thinking to himself. Just then, as he passed by an open field, he saw a round, puffy sprawl of snow cascading down the hill. To Percy, it looked like an avalanche...until the snow cleared away and he saw four children sledding down the hill. Percy was relieved, but no sooner had he begun to smile again, than he saw Diesel coming down the other line and mistook an oncoming crash, which made Diesel call Percy a silly steamie.
And as soon as Diesel had gone by Percy, the small green engine looked up and saw more snow falling from the bridge above him. Some of the snow plopped on his head, but he looked again and saw it was only Nia clearing the tracks. It seemed that there were quite a few things coming at Percy to remind him of that powerful storm three years earlier, but all the same, he looked forward to seeing Thomas again at Knapford.
Elsewhere on the Main Line, Thomas had been working quite contently, wondering what the day would bring for Percy, and what Christmas Eve would bring too. Then, as Thomas began making his way back to Knapford to meet Percy, he came alongside Emily.
"Hello, Emily," he greeted. "How are you on such a lovely, snowy day?"
"Oh, Thomas," said Emily. "Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I can already start to feel Christmas in the air!"
"Oh, me too, Emily," said Thomas. "I wonder what we'll be doing tomorrow to prepare for it."
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see, Tommy," Emily winked.
Thomas and Emily continued on their way for a while, until they came to a level crossing and saw the Fat Controller's car.
The Fat Controller leaned out and waved. "Thomas! Wait there just a moment," he called.
Thomas and Emily stopped to look at him.
"Yes, sir?" asked Thomas.
"Thomas. Before you go on back to Knapford, I have one more job for you," said the Fat Controller. "I need you to go to Brendam Docks and collect a load of salt for the roads."
"Right away, sir. I'm sure Percy won't mind waiting," said Thomas.
And the Fat Controller drove onward, while Thomas and Emily carried on too. Eventually, Emily's line turned down another line and away from Thomas. She and Thomas whistled goodbye to each other and held a smile to themselves as they continued to think a little about the coming Christmas season.
Eventually, Percy returned to Knapford Station, expecting to see Thomas there waiting for him...but when Percy looked around, he couldn't see Thomas anywhere. He saw the red passenger coaches, and he saw Emily's coaches, but not Thomas.
"Thomas?" he whistled. "Where's Thomas? He said he'd see me back at Knapford...and why are Annie and Clarabel still in the yard? Oh, no! He's probably been caught...in an avalanche!"
In that instant, as Percy began to worry and speculate, another troubling memory hit his mind. He remembered that night while Thomas was visiting India again, and he and Emily both had a nightmare of their own. Percy's nightmare began flooding right back to him as he remembered envisioning Thomas in the Himalayan Mountains, then seeing the entire top slope slip away and cascade down toward Thomas. He remembered how Thomas looked up and tried rushing for the tunnel, only for the avalanche to catch him and spiral him downward toward the edge of the slope, just as Nia had experienced. But when Percy tried pulling Thomas back to safety, Yong Bao wasn't there to help him, and so, Percy's coupling snapped and Thomas plummeted down the mountainside into the snowy abyss, leaving Percy to cry out in desperation for him to come back.
In that instant, Percy let out a yell of fright. It seemed to him that his nightmare was showing itself again. Thomas wasn't in the hot atmosphere of India right now. He was on Sodor, surrounded by snow, and Percy could only imagine what trouble he could be in as his nightmare drove his fears.
"Thomas! I'm coming to save you!"
And Percy rushed away, out of Knapford Station. He first ran off to find Rebecca, informing her of an emergency and telling her that Thomas had a terrible accident, how didn't come back from Arlesburgh and that he might have been on Duck's Branch Line. Rebecca offered to check the Main Line and gather the other engines to help. But as Percy rushed and panicked along the line, his nightmare showed in his mind again, which made him panic even more. As he flew past Duck, he urged him to alert the Search and Rescue Centre. Duck decided to go ahead with Percy's urging, while the panicky engine rushed onward. On the way, Duck told the panicked news to Henry, who then found Emily and passed it on.
"Percy says Thomas has been in an accident, Emily!" he said. "We must find him and help him!"
Emily was suddenly worried and a little puzzled. "Oh? But last I heard, he was sent to collect a load of salt for the roads. What could have happened?"
"I don't know. Even Percy doesn't know exactly what happened yet," said Henry as he rushed onwards.
"Well. If Thomas has had an accident, he won't be stuck for long!" Emily pledged as she huffed on her way.
Meanwhile, Percy was still racing along the line in a most panicky fashion. But as the Fat Controller had told the engines that morning, the rails were icy indeed. In his panic attack, Percy wasn't thinking very clearly about being safe, and as he rushed around another bend, there was no elevation to keep Percy from tipping off the line. And so, Percy did tip off to the right, then skidded violently along the line, crossed over another line and finally plunged into the snow, kicking up quite a pile in its wake.
"Huh! How will I save Thomas now?!" he worried.
It wasn't long before Rebecca found Gordon and briefed him on what Percy had speculated.
"Gordon! Percy says Thomas has had an accident. We need to find him. Leave your passengers at the next station. They'll understand!"
"Of course! I'll be right behind you!" Gordon promised his Golden Queen.
Rebecca then rushed off to Brendam Docks, hoping to gain more help from the other engines. "Oh, help! Has anyone seen Thomas?"
"Uh...I have."
Rebecca looked, and right on cue, there was Thomas as Cranky lifted a large crate off the ground. After hearing Percy's panic, Rebecca was confused.
"Thomas! But...but you're absolutely fine!" Rebecca exclaimed.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" asked Thomas.
Rebecca explained to Thomas all about Percy and what he had said, and how the other engines were working to help find him. Thomas seemed confused at first, then leaned left and right, as if he were shaking his head. He remembered how Percy seemed a little skittish about avalanches that morning, but he also remembered hearing about Percy's nightmare after he shared his tales of India with him, Emily and David. He couldn't blame his best friend for feeling like this, but all the same, it was perfectly ridiculous to think that Percy had gone to such affronting extremes over absolutely nothing.
"Oh, Percy..." Thomas sighed. "Well, I'll be on my way soon, Rebecca. We must let Percy know I'm alright..."
"Of course, Thomas. I just hope Percy didn't get into trouble himself," said Rebecca as she set back to find Percy again...
Meanwhile, Percy was still perched in the snow, while his driver and fireman had prepared a cup of cocoa to keep warm and pass the time.
"Oh, Thomas...I hope you're okay," Percy sighed to himself.
As he thought more about Thomas being in danger, Percy once again felt his nightmare play out again, seeing Thomas on the edge of the mountain in China. Then he slipped away down the mountainside. But Nia's voice interrupted the vision and made Percy look up again.
"Percy! Oh, Percy!" Nia called.
"Nia! Nia! Help!" Percy wailed.
"What happened?" Nia asked.
"Thomas had an accident, so I was going as fast as I could to try and find him, but-"
"But maybe you might have been going a little bit too fast? Especially in the snow," Nia observed.
Just then, Harold flew overhead, having been alerted by Duck to help Percy find Thomas. "I found him! He's here! Wait a minute, that's Percy!"
And at that moment, all the other engines started gathering around Percy. Emily and Duck from one side, then Rebecca, Gordon and Henry from the other side. They had all heard about Thomas' rumoured accident, no thanks to Percy's panicking, and had been looking along the Main Line. But they weren't expecting to find Percy derailed. They all wondered just what could be going on, and Emily in particular looked worried for her son figure. She began to wonder if there had been a mix-up or a misunderstanding of some sort.
"Don't worry about me!" Percy panicked. "You need to find Thomas! He's had an accident!"
"Did someone say Thomas?" Percy gaped and looked up. There was Thomas, stopping alongside Nia. "Oh...are you okay, Percy?"
"Thomas! You're safe!" Percy gushed with relief. "But...but...you told me you'd see me at Knapford. And you never collected Annie and Clarabel."
"I know. But the Fat Controller diverted me to make an extra delivery of salt for the roads. That's all," said Thomas.
"Oh!" Percy realized. "I thought you'd had an accident, and I...panicked. Ohh..."
"You mean to say I abandoned by passengers for NOTHING?!" Gordon uttered.
Percy's face went red with shame. "Oh, no! I've caused so much confusion and delay! I'm sorry! I promise not to panic over nothing again. Wait. Hang on as second, James isn't here! Where's James? He should have come past by now! He's probably had a terrible-"
Then James whistled in behind Gordon, not having heard any of the panic. "Hey! Why wasn't I invited? What's going on here?"
"Oh...nothing to panic about," Percy sighed and started to laugh.
Emily began to laugh too, along with the other engines, who began to see the funny side of the whole thing, except Gordon.
"Oh, the Indignity!" he huffed.
Soon afterwards, the laughing stopped, and Emily spoke next.
"Okay, Percy. Now that I see who needs help out of an accident, I'll go and fetch Rocky. Won't be long."
And she set off back down the line to find him, while the other engines went on their separate ways to resume their work. Percy knew he'd have to gather his thoughts and explain why he panicked so badly, but it would have to wait until the day's work was fully complete, and Percy hoped that Christmas Eve would be a whole lot better than what this day had brought upon him, and the other engines.
Soon, Emily came back with Rocky, who got straight to helping Percy back on track. Before long, Percy was good as new and back on track.
"There you go, Percy," said Rocky. "Take care now."
"Oh, I certainly will now, Rocky," said Percy.
"Now, Percy," said Emily. "Now that you're back on track, I think I'm sure that there's a reason to why you panicked so much...but that will have to wait until later. I should like to meet you back at Tidmouth Sheds this evening so you and I can talk about it. Are we agreed?"
Percy heard Emily and felt his heart stay still. He knew this wasn't over quite yet. "Yes, Emily. I'll meet you there."
While Emily left to return Rocky to the Search and Rescue Centre, Percy got back to work, taking much greater care not to panic. Now that he was back in order again, he began to think back to all his panicking, and he was now immensely ashamed of himself. As nervous as he could be every now and then, he recalled how brave he could be too, braving through a flood to keep his promise to Thomas to take the Vicar's Sunday School children home, saving James from the landslide at the quarry and braving through nearly two weeks without Emily while she and David were on their own big adventure to find his mother. Percy could not recall any time prior to this day when he panicked so outlandishly and for absolutely nothing, but after a few hours of thinking, he came up with a fair explanation. It wouldn't excuse his behaviour, but perhaps the engines would understand a little bit. Percy knew that he would have to explain this to Emily and the other engines at some point, then simply focus on making Christmas special along with the other engines.
When evening came, Percy made his way back to Tidmouth Sheds, feeling ready to talk to Emily first about his most unusual and embarrassing panicking. When he returned, none of the other engines had come back yet, except for the one he was expecting. Emily was waiting outside the sheds on the line beside Percy's. Percy then stopped and looked at her. As all the lines had been cleared, Emily's plough had been removed.
"Hello, Percy," said Emily. "I see you've come back and met me as we agreed. Are you ready to talk about today?"
Percy sighed. As embarrassed as he was by his own behaviour, he knew Emily meant to help him. "Hmm. Yes, Emily...I'm ready to talk."
"Well first, you may remove your snowplough," said Emily. "All the tracks have been cleared throughout today."
Percy turned round to his berth and had his snowplough removed and placed beside his berth. Emily then came onto the turntable and turned to Percy's berth, but didn't come forward. Percy wondered what she wanted.
"Percy...come here, please," she said.
Percy came forward and buffered to Emily, looking rather red in the face again. Seeing her back here again made him remember what she said to him that morning. If he had been careful, he would have been absolutely fine. But he hadn't been careful, and he ended up in an accident.
"Oh, Emily," Percy sighed with shame. "How panicky...and stupid I've been today!"
Emily buffered closer to Percy. "Do not say such things about yourself! You may have panicked a great deal today, but you, Percy are NOT and NEVER will be stupid. Although...I can't recall you ever panicking as much as you did today, Percy. I noticed you were quite nervous at the shed this morning. And I did tell you that as long as you were careful, you'd be absolutely fine. Then I hear that Thomas had an accident and that we all had to help to find him...and then we all find you derailed, and Thomas is perfectly fine. We hear that you panicked quite badly, which delayed plenty of us...over absolutely nothing."
Percy felt his face go even redder as he felt his heart beat heavily with sheer embarrassment. Emily went on.
"I'm very sure I know the reason, the more I think about it, Percy. But why did you panic so badly today, rushing all over the line, panicking about Thomas when nothing happened to him at all? Can you explain it to me?"
As embarrassed as he was, Percy was all-too ready to answer this question. Now that everything had settled down, he could explain his reasons.
"Oh, dear," he peeped. "Well, Emily. I've been thinking throughout today ever since I was helped back on track...and I should have thought more clearly about it. I don't expect my behaviour to be justified at all in any way, but I hope my explanation can count for something."
"Hmm," said Emily. "I think I know what you're going to say, Percy. But please go ahead."
"Well, you see, Emily...this morning, when Nia talked about her experience in China again with that avalanche, it made me remember that powerful storm that she, Thomas and James braved through, and I recalled them saying they escaped an avalanche together. It made me think if I'd see one myself today. I saw children sledding in an open field, but it looked like an avalanche at first. Then I mistook Nia clearing the tracks on the bridge above me for an avalanche. And when I saw that Thomas hadn't come back to Knapford...I...well..."
"Yes, Percy?" asked Emily.
"After thinking steadily about avalanches, I remembered that nightmare I had of Thomas in China," said Percy. "You may remember, Emily. It was when he was in India and you and I had our own nightmares. Your nightmare was of David running rampant on Donald and Douglas again, and mine was trying to save Thomas from falling off the mountainside...and I was too late. When I felt that nightmare hit my smokebox again, I realized that Thomas wasn't in India, in the summertime. He was here, in mid-winter, with snow everywhere...and my imagination went completely out of control."
Emily straightened her lips and pondered. "Percy, that's exactly what I thought your explanation would be. I remember that night you and I had those nightmares. And I brought you right to Knapford Sheds that night...but now, it would seem that you thought that nightmare was going to show itself in some way or other."
Percy's face slowly lost the red shade of embarrassment. "Yes, Emily...that's exactly why I panicked the way I did. Since we're surrounded by snow now, not like summertime in India, I had flickers of fear that Thomas had gone through a terrible accident...and...oh, I just feel so stupid. I know I shouldn't, but I can't help it!"
"I know, Percy," said Emily. "However, you were right to think that your behaviour cannot be excused in any way. I would have expected much more sense of reason from you today...but at the very least, since you explained as to why it happened, I do understand where you're coming from. And for at least explaining why you behaved the way you did, I am thankful."
"Well, I know my behaviour today is most unacceptable, Emily," said Percy. "But I can't hide any reasons either. I really do promise not to panic like that ever again."
"Well, as long as you promise, that's very good, Percy," Emily smiled. "I know you'll keep it for me. Besides, we should move on after today. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We'll all be working hard tomorrow to bring Christmas in the air. I could feel some of that excitement earlier today when Thomas and I huffed along together."
"Oh, yes, Emily," said Percy. "And I promise I'll be really useful tomorrow. We all will!"
"Oh, Percy. We're all excited for Christmas," Emily smiled.
Then, Percy smiled in a slightly cheeky manner. "Oh, yes. My lovely mother is excited every year for Christmas...and for Thomas to make it very merry for you too!"
And Percy gave Emily a gentle, playful bump. Emily looked down to her buffers, then gave Percy a teasing, playful smile.
"Oh, you cheeky little engine, Percy!" she teased.
"I'm just speaking the truth, Emily," Percy teased back. "Just like I promised not to panic over nothing again...and still be your favourite son figure!"
And he pecked Emily's cheek with a little kiss, then gave her another playful bump.
"Well, Percy, you little scamp! Now, you've had it!" she laughed as she kissed Percy's cheek, buffered right to him and pushed him steadily into his berth.
Percy giggled as he saw Emily's playful smile and the dancing light in her eyes until he felt his back buffers touch the back of the shed.
"Now, who's got who, Percy?" Emily teased again. Then she pressed her lips to Percy's cheek and blew him a raspberry in that same instant.
Percy squirmed wildly and laughed so hard, he was shaking. "HAH-he-he-he-he-he-he!"
"Why, hello there, you two," said a familiar voice from outside.
Emily held her lips to Percy's cheek, but opened her eyes and looked back, while Percy looked outside.
"H-hello, David!" he chirped fruitfully.
Emily backed herself out and saw he was right there. "Yes, well...hello, David. What brings you here this evening?"
"Well, word got around to Arlesburgh about today's events," said David. "I heard Duck talking about a certain panic that Percy got into."
Emily turned around to her berth and backed inside. "That's right, David. Percy has had quite an unusual day indeed."
"Y-yes, David. I did get into a most embarrassing panic," Percy admitted as he came to his berth's entrance.
At that moment, the other engines came returning to the sheds. Thomas, James, Gordon, Rebecca and Nia all returned to their berths and looked at Percy with curious, perplexed and questioning expressions alike.
"Well, Percy?" asked James. "What was that derailment about? Where I saw everyone gather?"
"What is the matter with you, Percy?!" Gordon exclaimed. "Racing around the Main Line and causing such an outrageous fuss to Rebecca and Duck, spreading panic and worry, and me abandoning my passengers for no reason in the least?! Thomas never had an accident, and NEVER have I heard of you going into such a panic!"
"No need to be too hard, Gordon," said Rebecca. "But goodness, Percy. That was such a panic over nothing, really!"
"Even if Thomas did have an accident, there are no mountainous areas on the Main Line," said Nia. "So Thomas couldn't have fallen anywhere."
David shook his head. "Yes. And I'm afraid Gordon has a point, Percy. Utterly unbelievable."
"You can say that again, David," said another voice. There was the Fat Controller.
"Panicky Percy! Oh, I mean, uh...Percy! What were you thinking about?! Rushing all over the Main Line in a panic over Thomas, when he was in no accident at all! The tracks were icy, and you were not taking care! You have caused confusion and delay!"
"I know, sir," Percy sighed. "I'm very sorry. I was just so worried for Thomas after I thought he had accident...and I just feel so silly about it now."
"Well...why did you become so afraid for him like that?" asked the Fat Controller.
Percy and Emily looked to each other and told all the engines and the Fat Controller exactly why Percy felt as he did that morning, and when he returned to Knapford. Nia remembered her avalanche experience with Thomas and James and understood Percy's feelings now, and Thomas remembered when Percy expressed his nightmare after hearing the tales of India. Rebecca felt sorry for Percy, while Gordon and James merely looked down to their buffers.
"So that's how it happened, sir," said Percy. "I told Emily all about it before you all came here. I don't expect this explanation to excuse my behaviour, but I still feel it's right to tell you all why it happened. And I promise not to panic about nothing again."
"I see," said the Fat Controller. "Well, Percy. I am indeed disappointed in your most skittish behaviour today. But I am happy that you explained as to why it happened, and you are wise to think that such behaviour can't be excused. But as long as you hold to your promise, that is good enough, Percy. Just see you don't panic like this again!"
Percy sighed. "Yes, sir. I'm glad that this is cleared up now."
"Yes, indeed," said the Fat Controller. "Now that that's all sorted out, we can move onto something far more important...for tomorrow."
All the engines' eyes lit up. They knew what the next day would be.
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, everyone," said the Fat Controller. "So you must all sleep well tonight, because you're all going to be bringing Christmas to life tomorrow, in some way or other. It's going to be very merry for all of you."
"Yes. Especially me," David murmured to himself, too lowly for the others to hear...but Emily just managed to hear him.
"Hmm...I'm very sure I know why," Emily thought as she saw Beatrice in her mind.
With that, David and the Fat Controller left for the night, while Thomas looked to Percy.
"Well, Percy," he said. "I must say, when Rebecca found me at Brendam Docks and told me about your panicky search for me, I wondered if it had something to do with your nightmare...and it seems I was right. Your felt like your nightmare was showing itself again."
"Yes, Thomas," Percy peeped. "I just want to forget this ever happened, especially since Christmas Eve is tomorrow."
"That's right. Christmas is coming again, Percy," said Emily. "That should be a most uplifting time for you after today's events."
"Oh, it will be, Emily," Percy smiled. "I wonder what I'll be doing to help out?"
"So do I," said Thomas. "What will we all be doing tomorrow?"
"Whatever it may be, I know it will be most lovely, won't it, Gordon?" Rebecca winked to him.
Gordon tried not to blush. "Oh, yes. It shall be lovely with you, Rebecca," he winked back to her.
The other engines wondered to themselves and to each other what tomorrow would be like until they all fell asleep and awaited the next day. Christmas was indeed in the air, but Thomas had little idea as to how that would come about, until the next day...
The next morning, Christmas Eve dawned on the Island of Sodor. It was a chilly day, and the engines all woke up to see the Fat Controller arrive.
"Good morning, everyone! And a Happy Christmas Eve to all of you! Now, there are lots of jobs to be done today in order to welcome Christmas. But before I send you off to your work...Thomas, you go on ahead to Knapford Station. I have a special job to give you in secret."
"Okay, sir," said Thomas as he set off. Then the Fat Controller turned to the other engines and started talking.
When Thomas arrived at Knapford Station, he saw some trucks waiting for him, and he began to wonder. What would he be doing? Why did the Fat Controller want to give him his job in secret? Was it part of a Christmas surprise? Thomas could only wonder. Soon enough, the Fat Controller arrived.
"Now, Thomas. Are you ready for your job today?"
"Yes, sir," said Thomas. "Anything to bring Christmas to life!"
"Good," said the Fat Controller. "Your job, Thomas, is to take those trucks and collect a very important delivery from Brendam Docks."
"Oh! What is it, sir?" asked Thomas.
"That is to be found out later," said the Fat Controller. "It must arrive at Tidmouth Town Square by the end of the day. I will say no more. Now be quick, Thomas!"
"Yes, sir!" Thomas whistled, and he set off.
Thomas rushed along the line with an excited smile and a flicker of wonder in his head. What could his important delivery be? If it was for the Town Square, it had to be very important indeed. What would the other engines be doing? Thomas could only wonder and beam with anticipation as he went on his way.
Eventually, Thomas arrived at Brendam Docks. Lined up underneath Carly, alongside her gantry rails, Thomas saw many large boxes and crates. The workmen looked up and gave a wave.
"Hello, Thomas. You made it in time. These are for your important delivery," said Cranky.
"What are they?" asked Thomas.
"That is to be found out later," said the Dock Manager. "Sir Topham Hatt's orders."
This made Thomas even more eager to find out what he was carrying. Cranky and Carly took turns loading all of Thomas' boxes and crates onto his trucks, and Thomas was soon ready with his important delivery.
"There you go, Chuck. All done. And Merry Christmas!" Carly called.
"Merry Christmas, Carly!" Thomas whistled back as he went on his way again.
As Thomas began making his way to Tidmouth Town Square, he couldn't help but wonder. If he had an important delivery, did the other engines have important deliveries too? What would they be, and where would they be going? He would find out soon enough.
As Thomas passed through Suddery Station, he saw James picking up a cargo of his own. Thomas suddenly caught a whiff of something minty and sweet, and sniffed the air, then stopped alongside James.
"Something smells delicious, James!" said Thomas. "What's in those boxes?"
"Peppermint candy canes!" James replied. "But I can't stay around here and chat. I'll be late!"
And with a wheesh, James pulled away from the platform. Thomas pondered to himself. It seemed that James was carrying something Christmassy himself. But Thomas knew he couldn't be late either. So he pressed onwards. He looked left and right at the snowy landscapes and could feel his Christmas spirit growing by the minute. He couldn't wait to see what the next engine would be carrying.
Later, as Thomas approached Farmer McColl's farm, he smelled the sweet smell of hay bales in the apple orchard. Then Thomas spotted Percy picking up a delivery. Percy seemed to be feeling much better and was behaving much more calmly after such a blatantly unacceptable panic attack. Now, he was smiling from buffer to buffer and watching as workmen loaded large barrels onto his trucks.
"Hello, Percy!" Thomas peeped. "What do you have in those barrels? It smells so sweet and spicy!"
"It's hot apple cider!" Percy replied. "Perfect for a cold days like today."
But before Thomas could ask where Percy was taking the cider, Percy rushed away. Thomas felt happy to see his best friend doing so much better. It was like his panic attack never happened. But Thomas couldn't stop now. There were still a few more engines to run into and see what their loads might be.
Then as Thomas puffed trough Wellsworth, he saw the engine he was most anxious to see today. Emily was waiting at the station. Thomas looked to the platform and could see a man and woman loading crates of large jars onto Emily's trucks. The jars jiggled and clinked together. Thomas came up alongside Emily and blew her a kiss.
"Emily, what are you delivering today?" Thomas asked.
Emily saw him and blew him a kiss too, then she explained. "This merry couple have made cranberry sauce. I have to hurry. I can't be late."
And Emily hurried away before Thomas could ask where she was going.
As Emily hurried along the line, David leaned out from her cab, wearing his dark blue fur coat and black leather gloves. He had been feeling very special about this Christmas and Emily knew exactly why as he gave her boiler a gentle pat.
Emily looked back and smiled. "I'm glad you're riding with me today, David. What do you think Beatrice will think of my delivery?"
"Cranberry sauce," said David. "A very fine ingredient for the Christmas spirit. You have a fine delivery right here, Emily, and mother will surely be delighted. It's her first Christmas here on Sodor after all...and my first Christmas with her in twelve years."
"Yes. That's very special indeed, David," said Emily. "I promise it will be very merry for you and her indeed. Christmas is in the air, David. And I can't wait to see what Thomas is delivering. He had quite a load with him."
Meanwhile, Thomas continued on his journey. He found himself thinking about Emily's load of cranberry sauce. He wasn't expecting her to be taking a load like that, but all the same, it made him even more curious about the engines and their loads. Eventually, he passed Gordon at Mr. Jolly's Chocolate Factory. There was a delicious smell coming from Gordon's carriages.
"Gordon, what are you carrying today?" Thomas asked.
"My passengers, of course," Gordon laughed as he whistled by.
But as Thomas passed by, he could see that the passengers were all sipping mugs of creamy hot cocoa. The passengers looked very happy. Then, when Thomas got to Crosby, he stopped to say hello to Rebecca. Rebecca was collecting a delivery of baskets.
"Hello, Rebecca! What do you have in those baskets?" Thomas asked her. "They smell wonderful!"
"They're packed with warm pumpkin pies, straight from the oven!" Rebecca answered. "For everyone to eat later!"
But before Thomas could ask what was happening later, Rebecca had puffed on her way, whistling happily.
Thomas carried on through the countryside. He had seen five engines so far with a different, sweet-smelling and delicious load on their trains. He still had yet to see Nia and what she might have been carrying, but Thomas was beginning to figure a few things out already.
"Everyone is carrying something that smells lovely today," he said to himself. "And everyone seems to be going somewhere in a hurry. There must be something special going on...perhaps my important delivery is for something special too!"
Finally, when Thomas met Nia at Knapford, he was determined to find out what was happening. He saw that she was gathering a load too. A sweet, roasting smell of ginger and sugar came to Thomas' nose, which made him whistle with delight.
"Hello, Nia!" Thomas whistled as he stopped at the station. "What are you doing today?"
"I'm collecting gingerbread cookies, Thomas," Nia told him. "The bakery has been working all day to get them ready."
Then an idea flew into Thomas' funnel. Thomas thought about all the special things the engines were delivering, and suddenly, he knew what he would find when he arrived at Tidmouth. Thomas smiled from buffer to buffer.
"That's it!" he whistled.
"What's it, Thomas?" asked Nia.
"The Fat Controller sent me to collect an important delivery, but he wouldn't tell me what it is. He only said I had to get it to Tidmouth Town Square by the end of the day. I've been trying to figure out where all the other engines were going with their loads! James with his candy canes, Percy with his apple cider, Emily with her cranberry sauce, Gordon with his passengers and cocoa, Rebecca and her pumpkin pies, and you with your gingerbread cookies! With each of their loads, I could smell something lovely! I'll see you at the Town Square Nia!"
And Thomas whistled excitedly on his way out of the station. Nia laughed dearly as her gingerbread cookies were now ready to go, and she whistled and went on her way close behind Thomas.
Finally, as Thomas pulled into Tidmouth Town Square, he saw Emily facing him, and all the other engines gathered together as Nia stopped beside him. On the platform and in the square, a crowd of people cheered for Thomas' arrival. Among them were David and Beatrice standing next to Emily, with Beatrice's arm around David's shoulders, smiling beautifully. Then the Fat Controller came along, approaching Thomas.
"We've been waiting for you," said the Fat Controller.
"Hello again, Thomas," Emily chirped with delight as she buffered up and kissed him. "Now we can bring Christmas to life!"
The workmen removed the boxes and crates from Thomas' trucks. And inside were lots of sparkly decorations, Christmassy-smelling fir trees and glittery pinecones. All for the annual Sodor Christmas celebration.
"Of course!" said Thomas. "I knew I could smell something special. It was Christmas in the air!"
A few hours passed, and all the engines watched as their deliveries were put to use throughout the square. Thomas' trees were placed throughout the square and workmen started decorating them. James' candy canes, Percy's hot cider, Emily's cranberry sauce, Rebecca's pumpkin pies and Nia's gingerbread cookies were all arranged and placed on different stands for passengers and visitors to choose from. Thomas watched as his glittery pinecones were placed decoratively on his trees and on some of the food and drink stands. It was truly a merry sight to behold for all the engines.
Finally, by the time Tidmouth Town Square was fully decorated and arranged, with the food and drink stands fully loaded, and all the trees decorated and trimmed beautifully, the sun was starting to set. The Fat Controller gathered everyone together and made the announcement.
"Ladies, gentlemen and engines, the sun has set. On this special and merry evening, make ready to welcome another Christmas to Sodor!"
And with that, everyone cheered and whistled together, and the annual Christmas celebration began. Over the first hour and a half, as night fell over the sky and brought in the stars, some people sang Christmas carols together, some took a few candy canes. David and Beatrice both enjoyed a steaming mug of hot cider in the cold Christmas air. Others indulged merrily in the gingerbread cookies Nia brought along, and many took a chance to buy jars of the cranberry sauce Emily brought. Even David and Beatrice.
"What do you think, mother?" David asked. "Most fragrant and flavorsome stuff, this be."
"Oh, yes, David," said Beatrice. "Thank you, Emily. Whoever gave you this cranberry sauce is most gifted."
"You're very welcome, Beatrice," said Emily.
It was a very merry celebration. Everyone seemed very happy. And to some, this Christmas was a very significant one, given what had happened over this year. Gordon and Rebecca had come together in love, David and Emily had gone on their own big adventure, Diesel 10 had been defeated for the last time, and David had his mother back in his life for their first Christmas together in twelve years. This had been a glorious year.
About another half an hour later, when the food and drink stands were fairly emptied, and the lights on the Christmas trees shone gently and merrily, the Fat Controller gathered everyone together again for a few more words.
"Well, everyone. This has been a most jolly Christmas celebration. I am very happy with how everything has turned out tonight. But before we leave and settle down for the coming Christmas tomorrow, does anyone have anything they wish to say?"
No one seemed to have much to say...except for one person's hand that went up. Emily saw it was David. He came out through the crowd, holding Beatrice's hand. The Fat Controller stepped aside to let David speak to the crowd, and to the engines.
"If I may, Sir Topham. There is something I would like to say about tonight," said David. "Christmas is about many different things. The spirit of giving, thinking of others, spreading good will, and being with those who you love. Every Christmas is special in its way, but this year is very valuable to me...as this is my first Christmas with my mother...in twelve years, ever since I joined the Navy, became captain of my own ship and came to live here. Now, my mother is back in my life, and that is the best Christmas present I can ask for this year, or even ever. This Christmas does not belong to any one individual, but to all."
With that, David invited Beatrice in closer. She smiled immensely, threw her arms around David and hugged him merrily. Everyone in the crowd applauded gently, but surely for the soldier and his mother, while the engines, especially Emily smiled very purely.
As the celebration resumed quietly, David and Beatrice came over to Emily.
"This is a most special time for me, Emily," Beatrice gleamed. "My first Christmas with my son after too many years!"
"I'm very happy for both of you, Beatrice," Emily gleamed in turn.
David stepped on Emily's running plate and hugged her face.
"I couldn't have found her without you, Emily," he said with surety. "You were my father's engine before me, and now our engine as well. Thank you for helping bring Christmas into the air, for the Town Square, to your friends, and to my mother and I."
Emily smiled happily. "You're very welcome, David and Beatrice."
David petted her cheek and stepped off her running plate.
Then Emily faced ahead. "And Thomas..." she said.
"Y-yes, Emily?" Thomas asked.
"Thank you for bringing Christmas into the air too...with all the rest of us, my Christmas Star."
"Oh, Emily, my Christmas angel," Thomas whispered.
And Emily leaned in and kissed Thomas' lips. Thomas kissed her lips in turn and they shared a warm little Christmas nurture together as the party continued for a little while longer, until everyone was set to go home on the night before Christmas.
When the engines all returned to Tidmouth Sheds, there was one more surprise waiting for them. Tidmouth Sheds had been decorated for Christmas yet again. Lights hung elegantly along the berths, and there was a perfect Christmas tree standing beside the turntable for all the engines to see. All the engines backed into their berths and held a merry smile to each other.
"Well, everyone," said Thomas. "This has been yet another special Christmas. We all carried Christmas in the air together!"
"We certainly did, Thomas," said Emily. "I think this has been another special Christmas for us to remember."
"Indeed, Emily. Another merry Christmas for us all," Rebecca gleamed.
"Indeed, in every meaning of those words," Gordon smiled.
"A very proud one for us too," added James.
"And what a fun Christmas everyone had tonight," Percy peeped. "But we don't need hot apple cider to stay warm this Christmas."
"Then what do we need, Percy?" Nia smiled.
"Simply each other," Percy smiled back. "Each other's warm and close hold right here."
"Oh, yes, Percy," said Thomas. "That's what we all give to each other every Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, Steam Team!"
All the engines wished each other Merry Christmas and settled into their berths, right up to the star and angel.
"Merry Christmas, Emily, my beautiful emerald angel," Thomas smiled.
"Merry Christmas to you, Thomas, my handsome cobalt star," Emily smiled in turn.
And in their living room, in their Arlesburgh home, David and Beatrice were immensely happy too. Their first Christmas together again could not have gone better, attending the Town Square celebration, enjoying what the engines had all brought along, having Emily there with them and simply having each other's company again.
"David, my baby," said Beatrice. "This has been the best Christmas of my life. I have you back at last for the merriest time of the year!"
"Yes, mother," David answered as he held her hand. "As I said at the Square, you are the best Christmas present I can ever ask for this year."
"Merry Christmas, David, my precious son," Beatrice smiled as she hugged David close. "I love you!"
"Merry Christmas, mother. I love you too," David smiled. Then he looked out the window. "Merry Christmas, Emily...and father."
And for all the rest of Sodor, it was a Merry Christmas indeed. A time for good will, joy, love and wishes, made for believers of all ages.
A week late after Christmas, but that doesn't matter, it's our final story of 2020. Yes, it's an adaptation of most of "Panicky Percy" - one of the worst episodes of the entire franchise, seriously it's absolutely atrocious, I can't describe how much I hate it - and the "Christmas in the Air" book, though really it's more based on the version from the "Thomas and Friends Storytime" podcast. But, it's New Year's Eve, meaning that 2020 is finally over, easily one of, if not the worst year in modern history because of the COVID-19, but at least now there are some vacines for it at last, so hopefully the hell will soon be over in due course. Either way, we've got plenty more stories planned for 2021, and as always at the end of every year, I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting and enjoying our stories this year, and once again I can't thank Jeremy enough for his amazing work. We wish you a Happy New Year, and as always stay safe and tell us what you thought of this story. See you all in 2021.