(Scene fades out from Thomas in the evening and continues from morning with Henry and James at the sheds)

The next morning, Henry was feeling no better, but James grew less and less concerned.

(Henry coughs loudly, while James rolls his eyes and looks away)

James: (sighing) Oh, dear. Couldn't get a bit of peace and quiet last night and now here you go again, Henry.

Henry: I suffer dreadfully, James, and not everybody seems to care.

James: What rubbish. What's the matter with you anyway, Henry? You know I'm concerned about you sent away.

Henry: I just don't know, James. I'm bigger than you, but smaller than Gordon.

James: (confused) What's that got to do with anything?

Henry: Sometimes I can pull trains, but I feel I have no strength at all.

James: Stuff and nonsense! You don't work hard enough from the way I see it. (whistles, as he chuffs away) Show a wheel and you'll feel much better if I guarantee it.

But poor Henry wasn't so sure, and he felt so ill that he couldn't even start. His driver and fireman couldn't start him up either.

(Scene cuts to Thomas out on his branch line with Annie and Clarabel)

Meanwhile, Thomas was busy on his branch line, but he was still thinking about how he could help his friend Henry.

Thomas: It turns out, Annie and Clarabel, that Henry is indeed feeling not quite at his best, but he couldn't explain his case.

Annie: That's alright, Thomas.

Clarabel: May I suggest though that you speak to Sir Topham Hatt?

Thomas: Oh, I don't know, Clarabel. If I know Sir Topham Hatt, he probably wont appreciate my interference unless the matter is actually serious. Do you think it is?

Annie: Quite so, Thomas.

Clarabel: We have never seen an engine in such a condition as we saw poor Henry yesterday.

Thomas: It's settled then, Annie and Clarabel. I'll speak to Sir Topham Hatt next time I see him.

Annie

And Now's your chance, Thomas.

Clarabel:

Over at Dryaw station, Sir Topham Hatt was waiting on the platform. Bertie had taken him to the station for a very important matter to discuss with his #1 tank engine.

Bertie: (jokingly) Good morning, Thomas. Care for a race today? (chuckling)

Thomas: Today is not the day, Bertie. Racing is not my main concern at the moment.

Topham: And it shouldn't be, Thomas.

Thomas: (gasps) Sir?

Topham: (walking up to Thomas) I hear a great deal from certain stationmasters that you and Bertie have been racing around a lot lately, and I must warn you, Thomas, to keep this nonsense and not to race at dangerous speeds.

Thomas: (sighing) Yes, sir. I understand, sir.

Topham: Good. I figured this would be your next stop so I asked Bertie's driver to take me here. Now, if you don't mind, I have a railway to run. Please don't make me come back here again, Thomas. (turns and walks away)

(Annie and Clarabel clear their throats, and Thomas remembers)

Thomas: (gasps) Oh, wait, sir.

Topham: (turning back) Yes, Thomas.

Thomas: I have something important to discuss with you, sir.

Topham: (walking back towards Thomas) Speak up then, Thomas.

Thomas: I don't know if it's my concern or not but Annie, Clarabel and I thought that you would be the best one to talk about it with.

Topham: (confused) Talk about what, Thomas?

Thomas: Um…it's Henry, sir.

Topham: (confused) Henry?

Thomas: Yes, sir. He didn't seem so well yesterday and today, it's just as bad.

Topham: How so, Thomas? Go on.

Thomas: He couldn't really explain his case, sir, but I didn't believe him at first either, and that's why I feel bad.

Topham: Is that the reason why you're discussing it with me, Thomas?

Thomas: (gulps) Y-y-yes, sir.

Topham: (chuckles) No need to be nervous, Thomas. I'll head back to Knapford right away and then drive over to Tidmouth to see what is the matter. Thanks for your concern, Thomas.

(guard's whistle blows)

Thomas: (whistling) Thank you, sir. (chuffs away)

Annie: You see, Thomas. Nothing to worry about at all.

Thomas: You were right, Annie and Clarabel. Talking to Sir Topham Hatt will solve anything.

Annie

And (chuckling) We told you so.

Clarabel:

(Thomas, Annie and Clarabel chuckles as the scene zooms out on them and cuts back to Henry at Tidmouth, James slowly reversing and stopping next to him)

James: (cheekily) Still having a rest, are you, Henry?

Henry: I told you earlier, James. Something in my system just won't start up.

James: Rubbish!

(Sir Topham Hatt walks up and clears his throat, looking sternly at a surprised James, who gasps and looks the other way)

Topham: (turning towards Henry) Good day, Henry. I hear from a good source that you don't feel all up-to-date.

James: (muttering) Pfft! Or at least he says.

Topham: (sternly) Stay out of this, please, James, if you may.

James: Sorry, sir.

Topham: Anyway, Henry, I just can't seem to picture what the deal has been with you lately.

Henry: Deal? What deal, sir?

Topham: You know what I mean, Henry. We've done everything we can to help you but you're too expensive.

(James sniggers, until Sir Topham Hatt shoots him a quick look before facing back towards Henry)

Henry: Expensive, sir?

Topham: Exactly. You've had lots of spare parts and new paint too, but they've done you no good. If we can't make you better, we must get another engine instead of you to do your work.

Henry: (sighs) Yes, sir. I understand, sir.

James: That's what I was afraid of, sir.

Topham: (sighing and turning towards James) Don't you have a goods train to pull, James?

James: A goods train? Well, no, sir. I saw no goods train on my schedule and…

Topham: (sternly) Rubbish. Go to Knapford now and pick up your trucks. Henry and I will manage this alone.

James: But…but…

Topham: Hurry along now, James, or you won't catch your next passenger train shall I see to it.

(James snorts and whistles as he chuffs away. Sir Topham Hatt turns towards Henry's crew)

Driver: If Henry is to be replaced, your wish is our command, sir.

Topham: (confused) What are you talking about, driver?

Fireman: Henry means a great deal to us, sir, and we don't want him replaced. But we can't have it any other way, can we?

Topham: Not to worry, fireman. I never said Henry would be replaced. I just took thought to the idea if there's no possible way to help Henry, but we must see what else we can do with him. Henry's a diligent worker and I'd hate to let him go.

Driver: Much understood, sir.

Topham: Bring Henry to Knapford. I'll be waiting there for you. (turns and walks away)

Sir Topham Hatt had a plan to help Henry, and he was putting into action right away.

(Next scene cuts to Knapford with Henry pulling in, whistling. Sir Topham Hatt walks up, wearing overalls)

Topham: Ah, Henry. I'm sure your driver and fireman won't mind me coming along for the ride. This does concern you after all.

Henry: (coughing) Not at all, sir.

(Sir Topham Hatt shoots a worried look at Henry as he hops into his cab. Henry whistles and leaves the station as soon as the guard's whistle blows)

Topham: Now, fireman, what's your say in all this?

Fireman: (sighing) Henry's a bad steamer, sir. I build up his fire, but it doesn't give much heat.

Topham: (listening carefully, nodding) Oh, I see. (looking concerned, holding his fingers against his chin)

Henry pressed on till they reached Edward's Station. By then, it was no use and Henry had to switch to a siding.

Henry: (leaving the platform, moaning) Oh, dear. I shall have to go away.

Topham: (peaking his head out from the cab) Not to worry, Henry. We'll soon sort you out. Edward will pull the train in your place.

(Henry reverses slowly into the siding and grounds to a halt)

Edward: (whistling as he backs down on the coaches) Your coaches are in good control with me, Henry. Get better soon.

Henry: Thank you, Edward.

(Edward whistles and leaves the station)

The crew inspected Henry's tender. Sir Topham Hatt waiting aside for an explanation.

Topham: What do you believe is the issue here, fireman?

Fireman: (mopping coal from his face with a cloth) Excuse me, sir. The fact is the coal is of the wrong sort.

Topham: Oh. The wrong sort? I see.

Fireman: Yes, sir. We've had a poor lot lately but today, it's worse. The other engines have big fireboxes so they can manage. Henry's, on the other hand, is smaller and can't make the heat. The driver and I have discussed Welsh coal though.

Topham: (surprised) Welsh coal?

Driver: (nodding) Yes, sir. Welsh coal. We know it sounds pricy.

Fireman: But it will make him a different engine indeed.

Topham: I don't care about the expense. My engines mean a lot more to me than money, and Henry must have a fair chance. I shall send James to go and fetch some immediately.

(Scene fades out on Sir Topham Hatt and onto James into the next chapter)