One day, Neville took some trucks to the yard at the big station by the sea. He left them in a siding, and went to the shed. Duck, who had arrived before him, didn't know what to think of the odd-looking newcomer, like most others. But when Neville told him he'd become friends with Edward, Duck relaxed. Then when Neville told him about Bill and Ben, They were laughing together like old friends. /span/div
"Have they ever teased you about your Great Western Way of doing things?" asked Neville.
"I'd be a training face for a barber if I couldn't think of who they haven't played tricks on." chuckled Duck, remembering when he ran into a barbershop while preventing a more serious accident. "Anyone working on Edward's line must know how to keep them in order."
"Sometimes," He went on. "I like to think they'd stop being so naughty if one of them was a different color."
"That would definitely set them straight for good." chuckled Neville.
Just then, Spencer bustled in.
"What's that westerner? Wish you were a different color? I hope so. You and that odd looking engine are so out of style."
"It's Duck and Neville and we didn't we…"
"If I were in charge," Interrupted Spencer. "I'd make sure all engines looked more North Eastern."
"You Know," Whispered Neville to Duck. "I Think he could do with a splash of color himself."
Duck managed to stifle a chuckle.
Spencer was to return to Boxford with an express later that afternoon. The duke and duchess' private car was at the rear of the train. They had to push through the crowded platform to get there. A painter was on a ladder above the train. As Spencer was headed to the front of his train, his thick smoke clouded the station. Everyone could barely see and a porter was bumped into the ladder.
Then it all happened at once. The catch on the ladder was shaken loose, the painter was taken by surprise as he found himself falling, and the paint pot was dropped. There was thud and two clangs. The painter had landed in Spencer's coal bunker in his tender. The ladder had fallen on the lead coach then slid onto the platform, thankfully no one was under it nor was the coach too badly damaged. But Spencer was the worst off. He was covered in bright red paint from dome to running boards. The paint pot had landed on his dome.
The painter scrambled towards him.
"You Snooty Excuse Of An Engine!" He Scolded, waving his paintbrush angrily. It still had red paint on it and some of the paint flew off and stuck on Spencer's nose.
"You Spoiled My Paint, Take The Whole Lot And Nearly Cost Me Everything!"
He then stormed off to find the porter and the pusher.
The Fat Controller, the duke and the duchess pushed their way towards Spencer.
"It seems," The Fat Controller began. "these big engines have a thing for iced cakes."
"This won't do for our return trip." The duke added. "Send for another engine while we make other arrangements."
Duck had left to return to his branchline, so Neville was resting alone in the shed. He was surprised to see his crew and The Fat Controller coming towards him.
"Spencer and the duke and duchess of Boxford were to go home via an express, but Spencer had an unfortunate accident with… a painter." The Fat Controller began.
Neville found it hard to refrain from laughter.
"I need you to cover his train for him, it's running late. Derek can cover your return train." The Fat Controller finished.
"I'll do my best sir." Neville said with spirit. Secretly, he was a little nervous.
Neville rolled through the station eyeing the coaches. The duke and duchess were bemused by the choice of relief engine, as well as the passengers. Neville was quickly coupled up in front, and he pulled out shortly afterwards following the guard's whistle, with some determination to make up for lost time. He made up some time, but not all of it. Still, The Fat Controller was pleased with his performance, and the duke and duchess thanked him greatly. Spencer had to be cleaned and repainted at the works, while the duke and duchess were given the best possible hospitality near the big station at the other end of the line. For some time afterwards, there was talk about a new kind of cake on wheels.
"It was red on silver." They said. And laughed a lot. When Spencer eventually heard of this, he thought North Western engines were either a very cheeky sort or had a very odd sense of humor.