Chapter Three: Frosty Reception, Heated Argument

09:06

Barrow-in-Furness

"Ah… this is bliss."

Gordon lay dozing in a siding, only a dozen yards from the countryside station. The wind had picked up and it was snowing more, but Gordon didn't really care: he was just glad he was having a sleep-in. His crew had left him here, and had headed back to the station to arrange for an inspector to come. It was too cold for the crew, so they were opting to stay indoors. Gordon didn't mind at all, as it was far more peaceful without them jittering about in his cab.

I do love the British countryside, even in Winter. Gordon thought as he stared at the path in front of him: fields covered in beautiful white snow, split up by frosty tracks that cut through the fields like two silver knives, and tall brown trees that the snow managed to look beautiful even without their leaves. Even with the wind, things were still peaceful enough for Gordon to relax, more than he usually would on a busy Sodor day.

"I hope that inspector doesn't come, then I can just lay here in peace." Gordon mumbled, and he began to shut his eyes, thinking about how easily he was getting away with this…

A loud, familiar whistle woke him right up again.

Gordon thought he had imagined it, but he listened carefully and could hear the sound of an engine puffing, and the whistle sounded again, and this time Gordon definitely recognised it.

"Edward?" He asked himself quietly and looked to his right. Several tracks ran past the sidings, and it was definitely Edward moving along the middle track, pushing the great red figure that was Rocky.

"Hello Gordon." Edward said as he came to a halt, trying not to laugh at the big engines stunned expression.

"Edward! What are you two doing here?" Gordon asked in surprise. Edward's crew climbed out of the cab, one heading towards the station and the other moving to uncouple Edward from Rocky.

"I'm here to collect the fireworks you aren't going to get." Edward explained. "Rocky and I were working on the bridge when we were told, so we came straight away. Sorry to hear your sick, by the way.

"Oh, yes, thank you." Gordon muttered and looked the other way. Edward was surprised by this and gave Gordon a suspicious look he didn't like, so the big blue engine tried to avoid both eye contact and conversation. Rocky was simply humming to himself while the fireman uncoupled the two, not aware of what Edward was suspecting.

"Gordon, if your sick than why don't you look sick?" Edward asked suddenly as his driver arrived back from the station. Gordon continued to look nervously away and Edward just tutted. "I knew it, you only had a check up just before you went away!"

"It's a frost thing!" Gordon huffed quickly, but he was still avoiding eye contact and Edward just fumed. "It's only happened while I've been here!" And Gordon smiled, thinking the matter was settled. But Edward now had a million questions as he began reversing away from Rocky. Edward was being switched to go in front of Rocky to make it easier to see.

"What do you mean a 'frost thing'?" Edward asked. Gordon began erring and aahing, not sure what to say next. Edward furiously wheeshed steam as he moved past and then angrily slammed backwards into Rocky, and Gordon knew his plan was foiled.

"Ow…" The crane moaned as he rolled backwards several feet, and Gordon gulped nervously as Edward came back to his level.

"You're lying, aren't you!" Edward cried. Gordon went to reply, but Edward tutted loudly. "You selfish engine! What are you doing that's so important that you couldn't even collect some fireworks and make one short trip?" Gordon looked at his buffers nervously, and Edward stared angrily at him, waiting for his answer.

"Sleeping…" Gordon replied quietly, and Edward whistled so loudly in rage that birds flew from their trees in shock.

"I can't believe you Gordon, I thought you were better than that!" Edward fumed, hissing steam angrily. The snow around them began melting from the heat, and the wind suddenly seemed to pick up, as if it was reflecting Edward's anger. "Why do you need to be so selfish?"

"I'm not being selfish!" Gordon fumed. "So I get a few days holiday, a change of scenery, and I'm not willing to go back to things so soon? It isn't selfish, it's…. sensible!"

"It IS selfish!" Edward shouted, shocking his crew, but Edward didn't care. He had moved through a storm across a bridge, which was rather dangerous, and had then moved quickly through the freezing countryside, wanting to collect the urgent fireworks. And now he had found out he didn't even have to do that, and that made him furious.

"I thought you were better than this Gordon!" Edward snapped. "But it's good to know just how selfish you are!" Gordon fumed loudly and used the last of his steam to blow his whistle angrily.

"I don't care what you think Edward!" He snapped back. "You think you know best, but you are passed your time and are too obsessed with being a goodie-two-shoes!" Edward was shocked, and he looked angrily at his crew. They shrugged at each other and climbed back into his cab and got him ready to move.

"See you back at Sodor Gordon, and I'm sure the Fat Controller will be interested to hear about this!" And with that final warning, Edward moved away in a furious cloud of steam. Rocky looked nervously at Gordon before they disappeared off into the light snow. Gordon watched them until they were out of sight, and then he let out a sigh.

"Stupid Edward, what does he know!" And he forced his eyes shut, not wanting to think about it anymore. But Gordon did suddenly feel a strange feeling in his boiler… the feeling of guilt.