That night, shortly after returning to Tidmouth, Thomas told his friends about his encounter with Bradford.
"Huh!" James sniffed snootily. "It's just typical of silly old Samson to leave brake vans on the line! He could cause an accident!"
"Precisely-young engines today should watch their rear coupling rods!" Gordon boomed indignantly.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to!" Percy peeped. "He may be a bit big for his buffers, but he means no harm."
"Percy's right," Agreed Edward solemnly. "We shouldn't be so harsh- we all have our mistakes as well- isn't that right, James?" He added sternly, looking towards his red mixed traffic engine compatriot. James fell silent, allowing his face to flush bright red at remembering.
Thomas was silent through his friends' usual nightly banter. He was still thinking about what had been on that flatbed Bradford had mentioned earlier. Was there even something on it? And why had it been left on the siding?
"Thomas, are you okay?" A small voice whispered, and Thomas looked to see Percy- his dear, dear friend Percy- the engine he regarded as his best friend and even as a brother to him.
"I'm fine, Percy- I've just been thinking..." The blue tank engine trailed off, looking at their friends.
"Thinking about what, Thomas?" His friend questioned innocently.
"Well, about what happened earlier...?" Thomas answered, looking at Percy, and wondering whether to tell him or not. On the one hand, something did seem to be out of the ordinary, and he couldn't place a buffer on it. On the other hand, he didn't actually have any proof that anything was going on.
But then again, Percy was his confidante. He had been the first member of the Steam Team that Thomas told about Hiro, and he knew that he could be trusted to keep a secret.
"Percy, when I shunted Bradford to a siding, he...too offence to being in it..."
Percy raised a quizzical eyebrow at him, causing Thomas to sigh.
"Well, he said there was a flatbed there...do you know whose it was?" And he gave the location to Percy, who had no idea about who the flatbed might belong to.
"Are you free tomorrow morning?" Thomas asked suddenly. "I need to take Bradford to Vicarstown first thing tomorrow morning, and I would like someone to come with me."
"Of course I'll come with you, Thomas!" Percy chuffed. "Besides, we're working together on your Branchline anyway!"
Thomas could not believe he had forgotten this, and he felt like a bit of a silly engine. But hearing Percy giggle good naturedly at this made him feel better about it, and he began chuckling too, much to the bemusement (and annoyance) of the others.
Once they managed to stifle their last traces of amusement, Thomas glanced towards his friend fondly. "Thank you, Percy, for agreeing to come," He said softly. "I'll be happy to have at my side tomorrow."
"Anytime, Thomas- you have heled me out so many times in the past." Percy pointed out. "It's the least I can do." He suddenly yawned. "Sorry, Thomas, I"-
"That's alright, Percy- you did have an exhausting mail run earlier." Thomas answered sympathetically.
The innocent little engine's eyes drifted to a close, and after a while, Thomas heard small, soft snores coming from the berth next to his, before he responded to Percy's last statement.
"Well, it certainly is the least you could do for me-after everything you have done to help me, my friend." He whooshed softly, before allowing himself to join Percy in the realm of deep, deep sleep.