A few days had passed since Christmas Day, and Emily had already braved through that void of loneliness, not to have Thomas here. It wasn't easy to do, but with the help of David, Percy, Donald and Douglas, Emily managed to have a fairly happy Christmas with a beautiful Christmas tree at Knapford, then waking up Christmas morning to another, bigger tree right beside her berth, and her being decorated in Christmas tree branches, tinsel and a ribbon. But now that the holiday had passed, Emily realized how not having Thomas around had made it less merry than she had hoped, and the New Year was right around the corner, which made her begin to miss him again.

As she huffed into Knapford Station one chilly evening, she saw David there, ready to visit her and see how she was doing.

"Hello, Emily," he said. "How've you been?"

"Hi, David. I'm fine enough," said Emily. "Although I wish I could see Thomas again. The New Year is approaching, and it'll be a whole other year before he can see a New Year with me again, or longer, I fear."

"I'm sure he wouldn't do that again, Emily," said David. "He'll be home soon. For now, though, I think you need a little uplift. I'd be happy to hear another story from you, if you have one to tell."

Emily remembered sharing her story with Dash and pondered for a moment. David had heard quite a lot about Emily ever since he moved to Sodor, and knew some things about her even during his Sea Emperor days...but then, something peaked in Emily's mind that made her perk up and smile. There was one story she had seldom thought much about since it happened...and perhaps she could pass more time with her navy mentor.

"Hop onboard, David," she smiled. "Let's go somewhere cozy."

David nodded, got onboard and the two of them made their way to Knapford Sheds, safe and warm from the chilly winter air. David shut the shed doors, then sat down on her running plate.

"So, Emily, what kind of story do you have to tell me?" he asked as he trailed his fingers along her cheek.

"Hm-hm! That tickles, David," she giggled. "Well...the story I'd like to share is about a little adventure I had one autumn, many years ago...when I had earned myself a certain title."

"A title. Impressive," said David. "My title is Captain Rider...and what is your title, Emily?"

Emily smiled. She had not spoken this title for a long time. She paused impressively, then spoke. "Excellent Emily."

David's eyes lit up to those words. "Excellent Emily! I like that." He spread his arms and gave Emily a hug, feeling her beautiful, warm cheek on his.

"Thank you so much, David," she whispered happily.

When David let go, he was even more eager to hear all about it. "Well...please tell me, Emily. I enjoyed hearing your story with Dash. Let me see what my 'Excellent Emily,' did so long ago."

Emily sighed gently and began. "Alright, David. Now, here's a story..."

It was Autumn on the Island of Sodor. Some time had passed since Emily and Rosie brought the Funfair Special to the fairgrounds, and Emily had delivered milk to High Farm. She and Rosie had gone through a little standoff over winning Thomas' heart to love one of them. It seemed that Emily was winning that fight so far. But now a time would come where Emily would have quite an experience. An adventure and a personal title of hers.

Today, there had been a terrible storm. Lots of tracks were blocked. And lots of engines had broken down. But Emily made it to Brendam Docks with her load. Wherever she went through the wet, wet weather, under a grey sky, she really was the one to get things done. On her way, she saw Gordon and Henry stuck on the line. She could only whistle a greeting and press on. And, as she had hoped, she made it to Brendam Docks, where the Fat Controller was waiting.

"Well done!" he smiled. "You're the only engine to arrive on time. You are excellent, Emily."

That made Emily very proud. "Excellent Emily," she thought. "I like that."

Emily had never been called excellent before, and she thought it worked into her name perfectly, both beginning with the same letter, and having three syllables. It made her feel very appreciated and it made her believe in herself immensely. She was sure Thomas would love this title whenever he'd hear it. She also wondered what she'd be able to do with such a title.

The Fat Controller had a very important job for Emily. "Jeremy cannot land at the airport, and my mother is on board. The storm has blown some metal tanks across the runway. You must collect Trevor from Farmer McColl's. Take him to the airport so that he can clear the runway, then Jeremy can land."

"Oh, yes, sir. Excellent Emily can do it!" Emily whistled.

Then Murdoch puffed alongside Emily. "I'm going to Farmer McColl's too. Lots of lines are flooded. Take the Wellsworth track."

Emily had briefly lived with Murdoch in Knapford Sheds, alongside Arthur sometime after she first came to Sodor, and when Arthur was chosen to work at the harbor after Thomas fell in the water. She had not interacted very much with these engines, but still had a kind heart for them nonetheless. Right now, however, she wanted to be as excellent as she could...and get to the airport quickly.

"I'm not going on that track!" she replied. "It's much quicker to go through the forest. I'm Excellent Emily. I can make it through."

And off she steamed, leaving Murdoch puzzled and a little worried for the excellent emerald of the rails. He hoped she'd be alright, but also wished she had listened to him...

So Emily puffed through the forest. But soon, she was up to her axles in water. Emily didn't mind getting wet like Henry once did. She thought the water felt interesting as it sloshed gently on her wheels, making her smile quite pleasantly. It also felt a little heavy to push against, but this only made her more determined to be excellent.

"Nothing will stop me," she said. "Excellent Emily will find a way through!"

So she puffed on through the water. It was hard work. At last, Emily chuffed out of the flood. But now she was late. Thomas was waiting at the junction. Emily was happy to see him, and eager to tell him about her new title, but she had to help Trevor to the airport first. Then Thomas spoke.

"There's a fallen tree. It's blocking the tracks. Harvey's coming to clear it," he said.

"I'm Excellent Emily. I don't need Harvey to clear the tracks for me," Emily replied. And she puffed proudly away.

Thomas was a little worried for Emily...but when he heard her title, his boiler suddenly tingled with wonder. Such a title intrigued him greatly, and he really wanted to know. He loved Emily so much, although they had yet to express that thought to each other one day. As he went on his way, he wondered how she'd get past that tree...and where she got such...an excellent title. He couldn't wait to find out more.

Meanwhile, Emily chuffed up to the fallen tree. "I'll easily push this out of my way," she huffed to herself.

With her new title, Emily wanted to see how strong she could be. Harvey may have been good at clearing the line...but Emily wanted to see if her title would prove worthy if she could somehow move this tree away herself. She wanted a little challenge to overcome and feel good about herself. Emily pushed as hard as she could. But the tree didn't roll out of the way. It stayed in front of Emily, but she kept pushing. She felt good having to work hard and not let the tree beat her.

Now Emily had to push the tree up a hill. It was very hard work. And Emily was getting later and later. At last, Emily came to the top of the hill. The tree rolled away, and Emily raced down the other side. She was still aware she had a schedule to keep if Jeremy was to land and bring Dowager Hatt safely to her son, and was more determined than ever to be excellent. Then Emily met Duck at another junction.

"Trevor's waiting for you," said Duck.

"Don't worry. I'll be there soon," assured Emily.

"Some of the tracks ahead are very muddy. If you get stuck in the mud, it's going to take even longer," warned Duck.

Emily was still sure she could be excellent, even if time was important right now. "I'm Excellent Emily. And I know which tracks to choose."

Duck was worried. Emily raced through the villages, taking a glimpse at Bulgy, who was back in his red paintwork. Emily was a little perplexed to see this after seeing him as a mobile vegetable stand in green livery, but quickly remembered her duty. She rattled through the valleys.

"I'm nearly there," Emily thought. Emily steamed around the final bend and straight into a big puddle of mud. This wasn't just water. It was thick, dirty mud.

"I'll puff through this!" thought Emily.

Then there was trouble. The track started to sink! She sunk down, until she was up to her wheel-arches in the mud. Emily was stuck. She didn't feel like Excellent Emily anymore. She could feel the water sloshing her fire, like it did to Percy when he promised to take the children home from the Vicar's Sunday School. Her driver quickly shut the airtight door in the hope of keeping her fire safe for a little while, but Emily felt awful. As the wind howled through the air, she imagined Jeremy having no choice but to circle away from the airport and delay Dowager Hatt's arrival. This made Emily feel frightened, silly and awful.

"Oh, no! Now I'll never get Trevor to the airport!" she cried. Further up the track, Emily saw Murdoch. It made her remember what he had said.

"Murdoch's already there," she thought to herself. "I should've listened to Murdoch. I should've taken the Wellsworth track."

Now she needed Murdoch's help. Now she could see that being excellent wasn't all about what she thought she could do herself...but what others also thought she should do to be excellent. Emily blew her whistle as loud as she could. Murdoch puffed over. When he saw her, he felt deeply sorry for her. She may have ignored his advice, but he was never the engine to be cross with an engine as gentle and sweet as Emily. The look on her face told him how ashamed she must have been.

"I'm very sorry, Murdoch," Emily whimpered. "You were right. Please, will you pull me out of the mud?"

"...Of course, Emily," he smiled kindly. Emily felt much better.

Soon Murdoch was chained up to Emily. With a huff and a chuff, he pulled her out of the mud. By now, Emily was quite messy. Her wheels, side rods and wheel arches were covered in mud, and her bufferbeam, smokebox, boiler and tender were all bristled with leaves from the tree, but that didn't matter to Emily. She was out of the mud, and ready to find Trevor at last.

"Thank you so much, Murdoch," she smiled dearly.

Emily puffed up to Farmer McColl's. Trevor was waiting. "I must take you to the airport right away, Trevor!"

Emily pumped her pistons. Then she stopped. After all three obstacles that had made her late, she now knew not to think just about what she could do, but what Murdoch thought as well.

"I know what I have to do," Emily thought. "Murdoch, which tracks would you take to the airport?"

"The tracks on Gordon's Hill are still being cleared," advised Murdoch. "You should take the valley route instead."

"Thank you, Murdoch!" And she puffed away. Emily puffed happily along the valley track.

"Murdoch was right," she thought.

The valley track was much smoother, cleaner and dryer. She was cruising along very nicely, and she felt much better. She was more anxious than ever to tell Thomas all about her adventures today, and see what he thought of her title. Then Emily saw a telegraph pole across the track in front of her. Emily was going to push it out of the way. Then she remembered what Thomas had said.

"I'd better wait for Harvey," she huffed to herself.

Soon Harvey cleared the track. And Emily was on her way again. Emily pulled up at a junction. Ahead, she saw a shortcut to the airport.

"That track's muddy," said the signalman.

Emily remembered what Duck had said about muddy tracks.

"I don't want to get stuck again," she thought. "I'll take the longer track."

It may have been a longer track, but as it was cleaner and dryer once again, Emily could hurry along as fast, but safely as she could. She glided along the rails quickly and surely. Soon Emily arrived at the airport. Trevor cleared the rubble just in time. Jeremy landed smoothly and safely. The Fat Controller was delighted to see his mother.

"Well done, Excellent Emily. You made it in time," he smiled.

"Oh, that's because everyone helped me, sir," Emily smiled happily. "All of your engines are excellent engines."

The Fat Controller was very pleased to hear this. "Well, Excellent Emily! I've never heard you speak so generously about all my engines. They are all excellent in their way...just like you...but why are you covered in mud and leaves?"

Emily told him about Murdoch, the water, the tree, getting stuck in the mud, and how Murdoch helped her.

"Hmm," said the Fat Controller. "I see. I would have been most unhappy if my mother couldn't arrive if you were late, but you were determined to find a way through, Emily. And Murdoch was very good to help you in the end. Most excellent! Now, you must go to the washdown. You've earned it well, Excellent Emily."

"Oh, thank you, sir! I love that title so much!" Emily whistled.

And so, Emily made her way back down the line to find a water tower. She stopped at one more junction and saw Thomas again. When Thomas saw her spotted with mud and leaves all around her, he wondered just what had happened to her.

"H-hello...Excellent Emily..." he said quietly.

Emily turned to his voice and blushed lightly. "Oh...hello, Thomas."

"What happened to you, Emily? You're quite cluttered up," said Thomas.

"Oh, I've got plenty to tell you, Thomas. I'll meet you at the sheds and tell you all about it," promised Emily. Her signal turned green and she set off for the washdown, while Thomas went on his way.

Soon, Emily was brushed off and washed after such a busy and adventurous day. She was sparkling clean again and she set off for Tidmouth Sheds with a big smile.

Thomas was alone in the sheds when he saw Emily rush back, turn around on the turntable and back in beside him.

"Hello, Emily," he said. "You're looking quite beautiful, like always."

"Aww, thank you, Thomas," Emily smiled. "So...do you remember what I called myself earlier today?"

"Excellent Emily," said Thomas. "Yes...I was wondering about that ever since I saw you at the junction earlier today. What was that all about?"

"Well, Thomas, I had quite an adventure today," said Emily. "You see, I'm sure you know that several engines had broken down, but I still got my load to Brendam Docks on time. The Fat Controller was pleased that I managed to keep on schedule...and he called me Excellent Emily."

Thomas gasped. "Wow...Excellent Emily. I think that title fits you beautifully. So...what adventure did you have, Excellent Emily?"

"Quite the adventure, Thomas," said Emily. "The Fat Controller told me that the airport runway was blocked and that I had to collect Trevor from Farmer McColl's to clear the runway so Jeremy could land and get Dowager Hatt here safely. Murdoch told me he was going there too and told me to take the Wellsworth line to avoid flooded tracks. But I wanted to get to Trevor quickly and took the forest track instead. Then I came to some flooded track, but I would not let it stop me. With my new title, I was determined to keep going. Then I saw you at the junction sometime after that."

"I recall you saying you didn't need Harvey to clear the tracks for you," said Thomas. "...Did you clear away that tree?"

"Well...in a way," said Emily. "I couldn't push it out of my way. I could only push it ahead. It was hard work, especially going up the hill until it rolled away. It made me feel good that I didn't need Harvey's help to get rid of it in the end, but it did make my schedule tighter. Then Duck warned me about some muddy tracks ahead. But I still wanted to prove excellent and push on...but that didn't go as I expected. I steamed around a bend, right into a muddy track. I was ready to huff through it...but then the track and I began sinking!"

"Oh, dear! Were you alright, Emily?" asked Thomas.

"I was alright, but my schedule wasn't. I felt awful for ignoring Murdoch's advice. I felt sure I wouldn't make it in time and that Jeremy couldn't land...but I saw Murdoch ahead and whistled for help. He got me out of the mud, and I got to Trevor at last."

"Hmm...is that why I saw you covered in mud and leaves earlier?" asked Thomas.

"Yes, that's right, Thomas."

"Well...pardon me for saying...but...I...I think you looked a little pretty with those leaves perched along your smokebox and boiler. A little decorative I must admit."

"Hm-hm!" giggled Emily. "I guess so. Thank you. After I collected Trevor, I followed Murdoch's advice that time and made sure not to act too quickly. I came to a downed telephone pole and thought of pushing it away. But I remembered what you said about the tree, and I let Harvey clear it for me that time. Then I saw a shortcut to the airport, which the signal told me was muddy. I remembered Duck's warning and took the longer line, and reached the airport in time. Dowager Hatt is safely with her son, and he praised me and my excellence again."

"Wow!" Thomas gasped. "That's quite an adventure, Excellent Emily!"

"Oh, that's because everyone helped me, Thomas. I told the Fat Controller that all his engines are excellent engines...and in my opinion...I think you're the most excellent of all, having done so much for me. Thank you so much, Thomas."

Thomas smiled steadily at Emily, then got on the turntable and turned to her berth. He buffered right to her and looked into her eyes.

"That is so lovely of you to say, Emily. In my heart, you're more than excellent. You're Perfect Emily in my eyes," he said gently.

And he gently touched his nose to hers, making her shudder and sigh happily. She really was Excellent Emily, but to be Perfect Emily in Thomas' eyes made it even better. She pressed her cheeks softly to his.

"Oh...Thomas..." she whispered. "You never fail to make me so happy! Thank you!"

"You're always welcome, my dear," Thomas whispered back. And there they held together gently and happily for quite some time, like all the engines as Emily said, she and Thomas were truly excellent engines...

"And that is my story of being Excellent Emily," said Emily. "What do you think, David?"

David had loved this story from beginning to end. Much more than her story about 'Warbling Whistles,' with Dash. It was such a delight to hear about such adventures and about being so determined to be as excellent as possible. It made David very proud.

"Excellent Emily!" he beamed as he threw his arms around her face again and gave her a big kiss. "Mmm...Ah! I loved that story!"

"Thank you, David," Emily giggled. "I'm happy to have shared another delightful story with you."

"Well, Emily, it suits you perfectly," said David. "In fact, you could add one more word into that title to make it even better. Excellent Emerald Emily!"

Emily heard David and suddenly squealed with delight. "Oh...oh, DAVID! I LOVE that so much! Excellent Emerald Emily!"

"I'm very glad you love it," David smiled.

Then Emily yawned sleepily. She had shared quite a story and was ready to have a warm, comfy sleep with David again. He yawned too and lay down on her running plate.

"Goodnight, David," Emily whispered. "Sleep tight."

"Happy dreams, my dear Emily," David whispered as he kissed her cheek and fell asleep with her.

It had been another peaceful evening of stories for Emily and David, and in just a few days' time, Thomas was set to return from Australia. It had been almost a year since his first secondary adventure to China. The adventures he had planned from the start of that year would be done, and Emily would see him again soon. But before that, New Year's Eve would come and go...and there would be a brief, but quite dramatic experience for Emily to overcome no thanks to Diesel. She still missed Thomas dearly after several adventures around the world he had taken part in, and something would happen that only Thomas would be able to help her around when he'd come home. It was all in good time.

This episode was a long time coming, I honestly can't remember why I never decided to have this in "Thomas and Emily's Relationship", apart from wanting to keep it at thirty chapters. It's one of the better episodes of Series 12, and that era in general. Still, better late than never, I guess. Anyway, brace yourself folks, next story is the 150th story! If the brief teaser for it at the end didn't give it away, it's gonna be a major one, and I cannot wait! Until then, tell us what you thought of this story and we'll see you all with the 150th story. Stay safe.