Moral: no one should be alone on Christmas/asking for help/never be afraid to tell the truth

Short Synopsis: it is Christmas time. Paxton shockingly discovers that Mavis has no time for parties and decides to cheer her up by organizing a Christmas party at the quarry, but doesn't feel ready yet to tell Sir Topham Hatt and has trouble avoiding his fellow diesels with the party preparations.

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It was Christmastime on the Island of Sodor. Many passengers were expected around this time of year, and the engines loved the children's happy faces…and the stations all jolly with their decorations. Many parties were being held at stations all over the Island as well, all in the festive spirit of celebrating the holiday season.

One morning, Paxton was very excited. He was going to attend a Christmas party that afternoon with the other diesels at Vicarstown Station. But he had a quick run to make to the quarry first before helping with the preparations.

Paxton hummed Jingle Bells all the way to the way to the quarry, before he stopped and honked, "Good morning, Mavis."

Mavis startled and jumped, "oh…", before chuckling quietly "…good morning, Paxton. How are you this fine morning?"

"Um, fine, Mavis," muttered Paxton, confused. But he could see that she wasn't her usual self this morning. "Are you…okay, Mavis?"

"Me? Oh, I'm fine. Absolutely in good spirits as long as these trucks keep me busy."

"Ah. Okay. Well, um…you excited for the party this afternoon then?"

"Party? What party?" Mavis gasped, "I don't think I've heard of any party going on here in Ffarquhar. No, no, no. Way too much work to do as you can see, Paxton." Paxton chuckled.

"Well, the party at Vicarstown Station of course. All the diesel engines are going…according to Diesel 10, that is."

"Oh, Paxton," Mavis sighed sadly, "I'm very sorry, but I don't think I'm going to make it this afternoon."

"What?! But, why not, Mavis?"

"I have far too much work to do here in the quarry," she explained regretfully, "I do wish I could come, Paxton, but the truth is…" Paxton listened hard, as she pauses and then sighed, continuing, "…I have no time for parties, you see."

"What do you mean, Mavis?"

"Well, I do enjoy a good run to the docks and back whenever the time allows it, but other than that, I have absolutely too many trucks to handle, so I hardly have any time at all to even think about the holiday season. I'm sorry, Paxton. Perhaps my luck will change one of these days. Till then, I have the decorations put up here in the quarry to keep me in the holiday spirit."

Then, the quarry manager arrived.

"Run along now, Mavis. These trucks need to be taken to Brendam, and the dock manager may also have an important order of goods for you to fill throughout the afternoon."

"Yes, sir," she sighed, as she and Paxton watched the manager walk away. "Oh, dear. Looks like I'll have no time to go to the party after all. I'm very sorry, Paxton. But thanks for the reminder." Then Mavis honked her horn and buffered up to her trucks, as Arry and Bert rolled into view.

"Poor ol' Mavis," honked 'Arry tauntingly as he rolled by, "no time for Christmas fun." He chuckled and rolled ahead, followed by Bert.

"It's too bad you won't be able to go to the party with us, Mavis. But we get our work done much faster after all." Then he chuckled with 'Arry as they both rolled away, Paxton glaring at them and then looking over at Mavis.

Paxton felt rather sorry for Mavis, as she quietly pulled the chattering trucks away to Brendam Docks.

"Poor Mavis. Spending the holiday season all alone, with only those noisy trucks for company. After all, no one should be sad and alone on Christmas…"

Paxton listened carefully to the choir singing aboard his coaches, and it couldn't help but brighten his spirits.

"If the choir makes me feel better about Mavis," he thought, "then maybe the party at Vicarstown and seeing all the children's happy faces would as well. I know that would make Mavis happy."

Then, an idea flew into his mind.

"What if…I brought the party at Vicarstown to the station here at Ffarquhar. That would really make Mavis happy, and give her something to do in her spare time!"

Paxton was thrilled by his own idea, but unfortunately, this excitement was short-lived as 'Arry and Bert honked and rolled back into view.

"Oi, Paxton," sneered 'Arry, "what you talking to yourself 'bout then, eh?"

"Oh, um, I'm just…um…thinking of how lovely the children's faces will be when they see they come to the party at Vicarstown. It surely is one of the best moments for me, that is. Parties." Paxton chuckled nervously, as the two IronWorks diesels shot him a strange look.

"Come on, 'Arry. Let's back to work. We're almost finished here after all."

The two diesels honked and rolled away, 'Arry eyeing Paxton suspiciously as Bert followed behind.

Paxton set off for Knapford Station to get ready with his party plans.

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