LATE FOR AN IMPORTANT DATE

Based upon "Edward's Brass Band" by Robyn Charteris

Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

It was yet another day on the job being a North Western Railway guard for Annabelle Regaby. She was chosen to work with Edward on his passenger train.

"…and then, Cranky dropped a stack of pipes onto the docks," the old blue engine chuckled. "Luckily—"

"…no one was hurt." Edward and Annabelle giggled.

"Oh my," Annabelle remarked; it seemed that no matter which engine she was partnered with for the day, she was never bored in the slightest. "Well, no wonder Cranky was upset. I wouldn't want my name changed either."

"Still, Cranky will always be Cranky," agreed Edward.

"All the same, I do understand my grandfather's frustrations," said Annabelle. "Not only did Cranky cause a huge mess at the docks, grandfather is preparing for Stephen and Helen's wedding."

"What's that about Stephen and Helen's wedding?" Edward asked.

"Oh, that's right," Annabelle realized. "Haven't you and the others heard? Stephen and Helen are getting married within the next week or so!"

"My, my," gasped Edward. "Where has the time gone? One day you're just children drawing pictures of us and now your cousin is tying the knot."

"You should've seen Bridget's reaction when she heard about it," Annabelle giggled. "Wouldn't stop jumping all over the place in excitement!"

Edward ginned, and eagerly puffed off when Annabelle blew the whistle to spread the news.

"You're kidding us," said Henry; he was pulling the red coaches and seeing Edward at Wellsworth.

"No," smiled Edward. "Looks like we'll be getting a third Lady Hatt on our buffers."

"I wonder if there will be any special trains for the occasion," said Sean.

"There will be," said Sir Topham Hatt, walking out to greet the engines and coaches. "I see the news of the wedding will be spreading fast across the island."

"You know Annabelle, sir," chuckled Mick. "Always keeps us coaches and engines in the loop, y'know."

"I'm glad to see that," Sir Topham Hatt chuckled; Annabelle blushed at that comment. "For the afterparty at the wedding, there will be some musicians coming to perform."

"Musicians, sir?" asked Harry. "That's… that's wonderful…"

Edward, Henry and Annabelle glanced back at the red coaches. Though they were smiling, the four coaches were each biting their lips; Harry was trying not to cry.

"It's Dexter, isn't it?" asked Henry quietly. The big green engine still felt a strong sense of guilt over the whole incident.

"I know it's been three years since we heard what happened to him, give or take," admitted Randolph, "but it still stings."

"We understand," sighed Edward. "Even now, losing ones you love can hurt."

"If that Bowler shows his face here again, I'll bump him straight into the sea!" growled Henry.

"He's not our problem at this time, Henry," soothed Edward. "He's British Railways' problem now."

"Edward's right," said Sean. "Besides, Dexter would want us to have a good time."

Sir Topham Hatt gave a gentle nod to the red coaches before turning to the old blue engine. "Edward, I would like you to take the musicians to the reception."

"Of course, sir," smiled Edward. "It would be my honor."

"Your smile's as broad as your smokebox today," BoCo said warmly a few days later.

"It is Stephen and Helen's wedding day," said Edward. "I can't wait to pick up the musicians for the afterparty tonight."

"I do wonder if it's possible for us engines to marry," said BoCo. "I mean, we can't exactly kiss each other on the lips, and a lot up front would have to be removed for that to even happen."

"We could ask Toby and Henrietta about that," suggested Edward. "They've practically been like a married couple since before they came here."

"Well, sometimes, just being in love is enough," smiled BoCo. "All the same, I wish Stephen and Helen all the best."

Edward puffed off to get the red coaches. "Love you, BoCo," he called as he left the sheds.

"Love you too, Edward."

Edward watched as the passengers eagerly boarded his train. The red coaches were being used.

"I hope I don't get there too late myself," said Annabelle. "I'm going to be one of Helen's bridesmaids."

"That is an honor too," smiled Edward.

"I bet you'll be very pretty in your dress," said Randolph.

Annabelle giggled. "Thank you, Randolph. Okay, Edward, off you go." She blew the whistle and Edward started away.

Edward's getting there early for the band to set up, Annabelle thought. I'll have just enough time to change into my dress. Best of both worlds today. I can't wait for the wedding.

Edward was making good time along the branch line, and he grinned as he spotted a friendly face in the vicarage orchard.

"Good morning, Trevor," he called, giving a whistle.

"Good day, Edward," the traction engine smiled. "Give my regards to Stephen and Helen."

Unfortunately, Edward was so busy talking to Trevor, he didn't realize there was a rattling noise. Neither did Sean, Mick or Harry.

"Huh…" trailed Trevor. He glanced back. "Edward… Edward, come back!"

"See you later, Trevor."

It was already too late; Edward was too far away to notice Randolph had been left in the dust.

"Well, that's just lovely…" muttered Randolph. "Just galivant off to the wedding without me and a few band players…"

Fortunately, Annabelle had applied his brakes, bringing Randolph to a gentle stop.

"Don't worry, everybody," she said to the passengers. "Edward would never do this on purpose. It was just an accident."

"That's a bold claim to make," muttered one of the band players. "We're going to be late for the ceremony."

"I've known Edward since I was a baby!" snapped Annabelle. "He'll realize what's happened before long…" She trailed off, now speaking to herself. "But… by then, Helen and Stephen might have tied the knot…" Suddenly, a realization hit Annabelle like a truckload of bricks. Why did I have to pick today of all days to work? she thought to herself. This won't be a good look for me when I get off to attend the wedding…

Edward puffed into Suddery station, close to where the wedding would be held.

"Ah, Edward," smiled BoCo. "Good timing. I just brought some of the guests."

"I wouldn't miss my brother's wedding for the world," grinned Bridget.

"We wouldn't miss our friend's wedding either," said Pansy; she and her four siblings walked out proudly.

"Speaking of friends… where's Annabelle?" asked Penny.

"She's in Randolph," said Edward. "Acting as guard for the train."

"Er, but Randolph's not with us," said Harry.

Edward blinked, glancing back. One, two, three… only three coaches. "Great Railway above!" he exclaimed. "Where did he go?!"

"That nasty Bowler might have stolen him!" growled Patrick.

"Impossible," said Penny. "He might be under custody of British Railways."

"Not might," said Peter. "Definitely. He would not get away with the same crime twice."

"More likely," said BoCo, "he might have had a loose coupling."

"Oh, I hope Annabelle gets to the wedding on time," said Edward. "And that Randolph is safe."

Meanwhile, some of the band members were getting impatient, and had used the Vicar's telephone to call for a bus.

"I don't think that's a good idea," said Trevor. "Some of the roads around here are flooded due to last night's rainstorm."

"So long as we get there, a little water shouldn't bother us," one of the band members insisted.

"Trevor knows this area well," said Annabelle. "I think you should listen to him."

Just then, Bertrand came up on the road.

"Let's see how this goes…" muttered the yellow bus. He glanced up apologetically at Trevor. "Sorry, old timer. You've got a good point."

Pleased with their new ride, the band hopped on board Bertrand. While they were doing so, Derek had rolled up in front of Randolph.

"I say, Randolph," he remarked. "Shouldn't you be down at Suddery by now?"

"Loose coupling," sighed Randolph. "Don't ask."

"Thank goodness you've come, Derek," said Annabelle. "Could you get us to Suddery, please?"

"Of course I can," replied Derek. "I was on my way back to the sheds anyway."

Despite Derek arriving to help, the band still chose to ride with Bertrand to Suddery, and the yellow bus departed, uncertain about their decision. The green Paxman diesel was coupled up to Randolph, Annabelle released the red coach's brakes, and they resumed their journey to Suddery.

"Randolph!" his brothers cried as Derek pulled into Suddery station.

"Thank the Great Railway," sighed Mick. "Are you okay?"

"My coupling's going to need some looking over, but otherwise, I'm fine," Randolph smiled.

"And I need to change into my dress and fast," said Annabelle. "The wedding could be any minute!" She then made for a mad dash into the station building.

"Oh my," gasped Paul. "Working on the day of her cousin's wedding when she's one of the bridesmaids. I hope Annabelle's okay."

"Me too. Thank goodness you didn't get damaged aside from your coupling, Randolph," sighed Edward. "I'm sorry I left you, Annabelle and the last few band members behind."

"No harm done, Edward," said Randolph.

"Say," said Bridget. "Where are the other members of the band?"

"They left to board Bertrand so they could get to the wedding," Randolph explained.

Speaking of whom, the yellow bus was trying his best to make up for lost time on the roads.

"I hope these passengers didn't wind up making a huge mistake," Bertrand muttered.

"Me too, old boy… uh…" Bertrand's driver broke off as he glanced ahead. "Um… yes, the flooding did occur in this direction."

"Uh, now what?" muttered the band leader.

"There has to be a shortcut so we can get there quicker," said Bertrand.

"Let's try this way," said his driver. The yellow bus started off down the fork in the road.

"Probably will give us some country air," smiled Bertrand. "Maybe that will calm everyone down."

And for a while, it did. Bertrand also caught sight of some of the guests traveling to the wedding in their cars, and even some of his fellow bus friends.

"Catch me if you can, Bertrand," chuckled Sophia, a yellow double decker bus with a removable cover who had been assigned to the Norramby route.

"It's on!" he replied with a grin.

The two buses eagerly called out to each other, each believing they could get ahead of each other. Unfortunately, neither could see what was coming next.

"Sophia, Bertrand!" called Kelly. "There's a–"

SQUELCH!

"–boggy area nearby."

Sophia thankfully applied her brakes, but unfortunately, Bertrand wasn't so lucky. He revved his engine to try and get out of the mud, but all he was doing was spinning his wheels.

"Ohhh, now what?" groaned the band leader.

"I guess I'll go get help," muttered Sophia. "Thanks for the warning, Kelly."

Back at Suddery station, Annabelle had reemerged from the station building in her bridesmaid dress.

"Ah, just in time, cous," smiled Stephen. "I thought you chose work over the wedding."

"Er… yes, Stephen," said Annabelle sheepishly. "I thought I could get here with plenty of time to spare… so I worked with Edward…"

Before more could be said, Sophia rolled into the station parking lot.

"Hey, Sophia," called Helen. "So nice of you to join us."

"There's been an accident down the road," she explained, and told them about Bertrand.

"Are you kidding me?" groaned Annabelle. "I just got changed." She sighed and grabbed her coat and hat, jumping aboard. "Okay, Sophia, where did it happen?"

"Near the railway."

"Oh, maybe I could take the passengers here," suggested BoCo.

Annabelle nodded. "Perfect. Let's go."

Bertrand's driver had gone to call for Butch to tow the yellow bus out of the mud. The band, meanwhile, had gotten out of Bertrand to wait for another ride.

"So much for that plan…" muttered Bertrand.

"At least you tried," soothed his driver. "But the question now is, how will the band get to the wedding on time?" Just then, there was a tooting noise.

"BoCo!" cried Bertrand.

"Don't worry," said the Metro-Vickers diesel "I'll get them to the afterparty on time."

"How did this happen, Bertrand?" asked Annabelle.

"The road was flooded and I took a shortcut," sighed Bertrand. "And I might have raced Sophia without looking where I was going."

Annabelle sighed. "Guess we both made mistakes today." She glanced at the band members. "And you lot did too. Had you not been so impatient, Bertrand wouldn't have been in this mess."

The band members looked at one another sheepishly.

"We're sorry, Bertrand…" said the leader. "And pass it down to Trevor too."

Finally, Annabelle managed to get back to Suddery and dashed inside the church.

"Cutting it close, aren't we, cous?" whispered Bridget, also in a bridesmaid dress. "Helen is about to walk up the aisle."

No sooner had Bridget said that when the doors opened, revealing Helen in her wedding dress, being walked up the aisle alongside her father.

"I'm proud of you, sweetheart," he whispered. There were all smiles as the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood respectfully to the side, and Stephen and Helen beamed at each other. Presiding the wedding was none other than the Reverend Nicholas Dreswick.

"I couldn't be prouder than to wed my own granddaughter to Stephen Hatt," he smiled, tears welling up. "I can tell she has made herself at home with the Hatt family, and this couple is a very warm and loving one."

Things progressed very smoothly as the couple exchanged their vows. Then, it was time for the wedding photo.

"Hey, Annabelle," called Paul, "isn't that your jacket and hat?"

"What the… Oh, shoot! I forgot I had them on!"

Immediately, Annabelle whipped them off and tossed them to the corner… right as the camera clicked.

"Really?!" cried the photographer. "Are you serious?!"

"Why?" asked Helen. "It can't be that bad."

"Try explaining this!" The photo shown was just a mess of blue.

"Ah, yes, I can explain that…" As it turned out, Annabelle's coat had covered the camera.

Despite the embarrassing photo incident, everyone was enjoying the music playing at the afterparty, and all the guests were dancing together. Edward and BoCo were lucky enough to witness this as it was outside.

"Who would have thought bringing guests to a wedding would be this chaotic?" Edward joked to BoCo.

"Ah, well," said BoCo. "At least things were okay in the end. No matter how out of control things get, at least Annabelle's heart was in the right place."

"Just like yours, BoCo," Edward said sweetly. BoCo didn't need to say anything; his tender smile told Edward all he needed to know.

Just then, Helen tossed the bride's bouquet up into the air. Bridget, Pansy, Penny and Annabelle all eagerly reached for it, but…

"Aw, way to go, Anna," smiled Penny.

"So, when's your wedding chimes going to ring?" giggled Pansy.

Annabelle blushed and looked over at the Percival boys. She knew in her heart which one she loved, but that is a whole other story.

THE END

Author's Comments

We're now approaching the final stretch of the first half of Series 6-7 Redux! Edward's Brass Band is an episode that's fine, but unremarkable. As far as mandated storylines for the old blue engine go, you could do a lot worse. Edward's still a major player here, but as the rewrite progressed, there was more emphasis on Annabelle, what with her learning why trying to do too much in one day wasn't a good idea. In fact, her prominence here foreshadows what's to come in the upcoming mini-series for Between the Lines: Set 2.

Upcoming stories:

- Piece of Cake

- No "I" in Team

- Thomas the Jet Engine

- Cab Your Fear

- The Lorry of the Forest