Unfortunately, neither of us knows the way to Ulfstead Castle, so Ashima and I are both stuck puffing round the Island, trying to find it- but with no luck.
"Oh dear- this is looking hopeless." I sigh.
"Déjà vu." Ashima laments quietly, and then she perks up when she hears a whistle. "Maybe we are in luck, Dana!" She tells me, excitedly.
But as we slow down to wait for the engine, a silver flash flies past us. Realising the futility of catching up to him- not that he would particulary wish to see us, anyway, we both slow to a stop.
"Now are we getting to Ulfstead?" I ask Ashima.
"Excuse me, ladies- but I might be able to assist you." A new, male voice speaks up. A long, big black and red engine rolls up beside Ashima. Unlike Spencer, he is in no hurry, and he also has a very kind smile on his face. "My name is...Ashima?" He asks, as he suddenly registers the engine beside him.
The unfortunate timing causes us to start giggling like schoolgirls, leaving the engine speechless with embarrassment.
"Sorry, Hiro- I just didn't expect to see you- nor for you to make that mistake!" Ashima giggles.
"Ah, yes- I do apologise." Hiro smiles ruefully.
"Hiro and I met at the Great Railway Show." Ashima explains to me. "He is a friend of Thomas'."
"Yes." Hiro agrees. "Who might you be?" He addresses me kindly.
"Dana." I respond without hesitation. "Please, could you help us get to Ulfstead Castle? We're both hopelessly lost."
"I see. I'll be delighted to help you- in fact; I'm due up there myself, as I am taking the Fat Controller up there to see his friend, the Earl of Sodor. We can head up together."
"Thank you Hiro!" We chime, and so we continue on down the line. Along the way, they tell me a little bit about the Railway Show, and Hiro even regaled us with an anecdote or three from his homeland in Japan. He is a remarkable storyteller and Ashima remarks as such.
"Well, I just have a knack for it, really," Hiro confesses modestly. "Although I am glad you enjoyed them. Ah, there's the castle now- just on that mountain!" He calls.
We three pound up the hill, using every ounce of steam in our cylinders- well, at least me, anyway, as I obviously wasn't used to this rail business yet- but Hiro tackles it with ease, and Ashima, for a tank engine, is pretty tough as well.
In a chorus of inter-chiming whistles, the three of us enter with grace and dignity. But there is no one there.
...
The Earl, an eccentric, elderly, thin gentleman, explains the situation: "I'm afraid I had to close the castle due to repair and maintenance issues."
"Oh my- I am sorry about it, sir." Hiro says politely, but the Earl waves his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about it Hiro- I gave Millie, Stephen and Glynn some time off so they can get checked over at the Steamworks. Besides, I am concerned about a potential accident."
"Yes, I'm afraid it is most unfortunate, Sir Robert." A voice adds. It is the Fat Controller! Realising this, I remember Spencer's words in the Steamworks, and I realise I need to head to the Quarry to hide.
"Ashima, we need to go- now!" I hiss. She agrees by rolling silently alongside- before we realise we don't know the way to the Quarry, either. Thankfully, Hiro is dismissed, as the Fat Controller says he'll send for someone to bring Winston, whoever he is, so the Japanese engine offers to take us as far as Whiff's Waste Dump, as he's due to pull a train after.
We have no choice but to accept- though I'm nervous of what I'll find next...