Ice had creeped into the corners of the window panes that filtered early dawn into Rebecca's flat. Her breath steamed the glass intentionally as she peered curiously down at the vacant street. Lamplight casting its final shadows before the sun could break the horizon line. She clutched her coffee for warmth as a sudden chill ran up her spine, causing her fidget in her spindle chair she'd positioned by the stirring radiator.
Her long hair hung unkempt off to one shoulder as she nestled deeper into the collar of her robe. The peacefulness of the morning disrupted as her mind began to file through the past few hours. She stared back at herself in her morning cuppa' blankly as events resurfaced in her mind.
'Last Night'
Henry rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as his eyes met Rebecca's. The sound of Edward hollering a greeting to Emily heard muffled in the distance of the platform.
"Are you alright?"
She opened her mouth slightly, but no words could escape. Her mind blank as she reveled in her luck at the near assault. Her fear melted into confusion before settling in an instant and blinding rage as she stiff-armed Henry in the chest with a shove.
"And just what right do YOU have to ask that?"
In truth she was happy, overjoyed to see him, but his abrupt lack of communication and her lack of closure had now manifested in an unhealthy fury. Henry steadied himself and braced for another shove as he held his hands up preparing for a grapple.
"I deserved that. Now, are you alright? Those men… they didn't hurt you did they?"
"You think THEY hurt me?"
Rebecca didn't know where this vehemence had stemmed from, but she was unrelenting. Using Henry as an outlet to mask her vulnerability at how she'd just been attacked.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."
She felt her heaving breathing begin to subside as she unclenched her fists, her knees weakening. She lightly stepped back and leaned against her car as a reactionary hand brushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. Headband lost to the darkness.
"And why are you here? Henry, where have you been?"
And he told her. Rebecca felt the tension in her body leave as her focus now shifted to Henry's recounted exploits. How he'd taken extended leave and sold most of his possessions to harbor and fund the rebuild of his newly discovered Black 5. About Murdoch and Boco and their efforts to utilize scrap parts from incoming engine husks and refortify as much as they could.
Emily had reappeared after securing Edward a ride home with Toby and listened along as Henry continued.
"And so after I'd used up my savings and we realized Number 3 was safe for the time being, I decided to come back to work on the North Western. Scavenge and save some more until I can get Number 3 running under her own steam again."
"It never ends with that engine." Emily muttered. Leaning next to Rebecca who had remained stoic and silent.
"You're right about that. But… I can't really describe it other than, it's my engine and my duty to protect it."
"I just look forward to the day when it finally runs and you can have some peace." Emily laughed. Henry grinned and ran a hand along his jaw, stubble scraping subtly as his eyes found Rebecca again.
"And I'm sorry I wasn't more transparent about my goings-on. I should have let the people in my life know about the situation before I opted to act so rashly."
Rebecca swallowed softly before responding.
"You should have. It's not like I would have tried to stop you or anything. I know what Number 3 means to you."
Silence hung in the air. Emily's gaze shifted between the two before she stretched and yawned loudly, checking her non-existent watch on her wrist before pushing off the car and beginning her exit.
"Well Rebecca, as long as you're alright, I'm going to enjoy one more pint before the boys clear the place. If you need anything you have my number."
Rebecca smiled and thanked her as she turned on heel and gave a knowing look to Henry before walking away.
Now it was back to the two of them. A more comfortable silence continued as Henry took a step closer….
'Present'
Rebecca blushed as she took a soft sip from her mug. The hot vapors tickled her nose as a gruff voice came from her bedroom doorway, causing her to snort a bulk of the liquid down her front.
"Rebecca, coffee is to drink, not bathe in." Henry smirked, hanging towel clad from the doorframe.
Rosie braked Number 37 to a steady halt at the goods platform at Wellsworth. Disembarking the footplate, she pulled her maroon handkerchief from around her neck and began wiping the grease from her journey off her hands. Softly tugging the door to the break room open on the main platform, she saw the shriveled outline of her mentor beneath a fire blanket on the couch by the furnace. She sniggered to herself before tiptoeing across the room.
Edward stirred slightly as Rosie gently shook his shoulder, leaning down slightly to whisper.
"Wotcher Edward. Can I get ya anything?"
Edward's bagged eyes squinted open as he turned his head gingerly toward Rosie. He opened and closed his lips, slapping his tongue on the roof of his mouth as the sudden dryness overtook his senses.
"Have we any more of those antacids in the cabinet?"
Rosie looked back over her shoulder toward the cabinets along the trackside windows where he was indicating.
"You mean the ones by the kettle? Let me have a look."
As she rose to begin her search, the door of the break room flung open with a crack of wood on plaster as Toby bruskly made his way in. A beaming grin smeared along his wrinkles as he tugged lightly on his cap.
"Well that just won't do. The sorry state of this man I dare say. Have we called the morgue yet? A corpse won't stay this fresh for long."
He laughed while Rosie couldn't hide her own smile. Edward's brow furrowed as he pulled the fire blanket higher over his head, groaning in contempt.
"You alright Rosie? Not having to pull double duty while this one is playing the martyr?"
Rosie had found the antacids and had begun mixing them with some water on tap as she grinned concernedly over her shoulder toward her mentor.
"I'm fine Toby. Never you worry about me. It's an administrative day so the only person suffering from the lack of effort is himself."
Toby tsk'd, clicking his tongue as he began pouring water from the kettle into a mug he'd snatched from an adjacent cabinet.
"Pity. Delayed paperwork sure isn't really useful from what I can tell."
"Now listen here. You're the one who kept passing me drinks all night!" Edward had started sitting up only to clutch his forehead and slither back down under his blanket again in rebuke.
"Tis true. But that's only because everyone kept buying us pints! And you know me, indigestion and all that. I have to know my limits and I couldn't be rude and decline their generosity could I?"
Toby finished stirring his honey and let his tea bag steep as he took a seat at the rounded table in the center of the room. Rosie returned to Edward's side and offered him the glass of medicine which he sipped tentatively.
"Speaking of, you two didn't tell me you were so TALENTED!" Rosie gushed to Edward's chagrin. "Toby, wherever did you learn to play piano like that?
"Oh it's a long story Rosie, long story. Someday I'll tell you, but I really only have time for a quick cup and then I have to make my way back to Tidmouth for a local."
Rosie frowned slightly but was accommodating. She pulled her handkerchief out from where she'd stuffed it in her breast pocket and re-tied it back around her neck.
"I'll hold you to that. It's for the best though, I've got to finish shunting those vans before they're needed for the kipper this week. I'll see you around Toby, Ta Edward, please feel better."
With a wave and salute she took her leave through the break room door. Toby took a long draw from his tea and grinned cheekily toward Edward who'd just arisen from the couch for another sip of water.
"You know you're spoiled with her?"
"Jealous?"
Oliver opened the regulator wide as Number 11 puttered jovially along the line up the frozen coast. Even without a first snowfall, the chilly, winter, sea breeze had coated the sandy dunes in sparkling frost that seemed to energize the Westerner. All seemed to be operating in his favor today.
Upon arrival at his first station there had been no sign of Scruffey or Bulgy. And as the morning progressed his skepticism of their disappearance was replaced with overwhelming giddiness at not needing to be on the defensive for once.
Toad was planted happily near the firebox doors. Embracing any escaping heat whenever the engine needed more stoking. His fuzzy muzzle in a lazy sort of grin as the steady beat of the engine plowed them onward along the scenic branchline.
Oliver took a glance out the front cab window along the parallel line and saw the familiar silhouette of the pannier tank engine he knew all too well, approaching opposite him. Normally he wouldn't see Duck until Haultraugh, but considering he'd had no delays or antagonizings from his aptly named 'Enemies of the Railway', he'd made good time.
He ripped a hard pull on Number 11's cord and let a long whistle bellow off the cliffside walls as Number 8 chortled a long mimicking response. As the two engines prepared to pass, Oliver leaned out and gave a hearty salute. Number 8 rocked passed and as Oliver's eyes met Duck's his friend flashed him both a grin and a middle finger.
Oliver wretched his head around to watch as Duck waved out the side of the pannier tank as it rocketed away from him.
"What a cheeky prick." Oliver laughed as Toad cocked his head to watch his friend.
Henry swallowed hard as he attempted to smooth out the creases in his jacket in a darkened window along Knapford's platform. Licking his palm he ran a hand across his forehead, pushing his bangs from his eyes.
"Henry! Come now, you don't want to be late."
Henry flinched as the booming voice of The Controller caught him by surprise. He turned toward the call and saw the man himself leaning out of his office door at the end of the platform. Henry quickened his stride and made for the gestured entry presented to him.
Once inside the office, he stood at attention until Sir Topham had made his way around the large desk to his office chair.
"Sit please Henry. Make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you sir."
Henry hastily sat in one of the large wooden chairs across from The Controller's own.
"I must admit I was… surprised to get your call Henry. Your letter of absence had stated you'd intended to take a year off. Not that I'm.. ungrateful to see you back, but I am curious why you decided to cut your leave so… short."
Each pause was intentional, and the gravitas of his words grounded Henry in a way that few could hold his attention. Henry had rehearsed what he was going to tell the controller over and over and yet now that the time was here, the words stuck in his throat tightly. He coughed intentionally and attempted again.
"To be frank sir, I wasn't entirely sure how long my recovery would take. What the extent of my injuries were or what that would look like in my day to day… sir."
Sir Topham eyed him intensely, measuring his words as Henry sat before him uncertainty.
"And after your time of reflection… How are you feeling Henry?"
"I'm fine sir. Just a small Holiday was just what the doctor ordered."
Sir Topham unblinkingly continued to stare at Henry.
"So you have been on Holiday then! I hope you had a nice time at least. Change of scenery always does the mind well."
"Well… Not a 'holiday' in the traditional sense sir. Just that I used my time freely to stay home and recuperate."
Henry redirected hastily. Afraid The Controller would catch on to his adventures off the island. Another silence fell between the two as Sir Topham leaned over to begin shuffling through one of his desk drawers.
"So you've been home recuperating. And now you're feeling fine and are ready to be back to work?"
"Yes sir."
"Forgive me for asking then, but if you've been at home, why have all of my letters and deliveries of those intended been returned to our sending address?"
Sir Topham asked as he pulled a sizable folder of envelopes from his drawer and let it spill across his desk top. Each piece of post stamped with a red 'return' marker. Henry looked in disbelief as The Controller sat, hands folded on his desk, in statuesque patience.
"You haven't moved have you Henry? I can't imagine that would've been easy while you were recovering."
"No sir."
"And you haven't been away on a trip?"
"No sir."
Sir Topham stood and adjusted his tail coat. Arms bracing himself as he leaned across the desk to meet Henry's eye-level.
"And I know you haven't disobeyed my orders and gone searching for a scrapped engine that would never pass a safety inspection to garner work back on my railway. Am I correct."
His last words dropping into the lowest register of his voice. They shook Henry to his core. He felt foolish to think he could have been operating in a way where Sir Topham wouldn't have taken notice. Henry shook himself mentally and grit his teeth in resolve as he met The Controllers gaze.
"No sir."
"Then I must inquire as to why this post has chosen not to reach its destination."
He gestured at the mail as Henry fought internally how to avoid telling him how he sublet his flat and didn't renew his P.O. Box with a forwarding address. The lie was simple but all he had.
"Mail slot must be blocked on my box."
The two men glared daggers to one another as authority challenged had begun to wage the risks of condemning Henry's answer. Glowering, The Controller leaned in and spoke low. His voice deadly as each word accented his frustration.
"I have no choice but to take you at your word… But humor me Henry as this old man repeats himself. Do not throw your life away on a fruitless self-aggrandizing quest. The verdict is still the same as what I told you months ago. Any engine bearing its builder's plate that I've signed and notarized as scrap, can not be reinstated by the safety commission to work on this railway. It is a fool's errand to seek restoration of a condemned machine."
"Yes sir. I know."
Henry didn't know if it was annoyance or a bullheaded sensation to repeat the impossible, but the cockiness in his voice was unmistakable as Sir Topham's brown furrowed. He slowly sat back and regained composure in his office chair. Leather backed comfort creasing at his full weight fell into its support.
"I want to see you succeed Henry." He began. His tone softer now, less urgent. "I only tell you the truth as I see it from my position. It's just not possible."
Henry's hackles lessened as he watched the anger deflate in the man before him.
"You're still under contract as a Driver, but I'm afraid we don't have any spare engines to operate currently."
The change in topic caught Henry unaware as The Controller continued.
" Ever since the crew voted against another diesel trial, we've had little luck in procuring any operable steam engines. That being said, I do have a position I can temporarily offer that may interest your… specific skills."
"What is it sir?"
The Controller stood slowly and meandered over to the trackside window of the office. Speaking as he peered through the blinds at the approaching express.
"Right on time." He breathed. "The position, Henry, is as a chief engineer here at Knapford. The steam works at Vicarstown is proving to be an un-advantageous point of repair for engines who exclusively reside on the western part of the island. Having a more localized set-up on this side of the island may prove more useful with the right leadership at the helm…"
Henry squinted in confusion. He'd always enjoyed repairing engines, but at the expense of not driving them anymore… He was conflicted.
"Just to make sure I'm hearing this correctly sir, I would be a one-man engine repair for the Western side of the island?"
The Controller turned looking puzzled.
"I never said 'one-man' anywhere in this endeavor. I've recently brought on a highly recommended engineer from up North to assist. I figured with your knowledge of the engines here and the familiarity of the island, the transition would be less daunting while we await the opportunity to put you back on running duties."
Henry's eyes unfocused as his thoughts began circling the idea. The job would be temporary, and in the meantime he would have access to the NWR's resources for repair and reconstruction. The added bonus of not having to handle the work alone was a load off his mind as well. Only Sir Topham's next words broke him from his dizzying justifications.
"So what do you think Henry? Is it a task I can trust you with for the time being?"
Henry stood and approached The Controller, hand extended and a wry smile on his face.
"Absolutely sir. You can count on me."
Sir Topham smiled in turn and shook his hand heftily.
"Excellent. Henry if it's manageable I'd like you to meet me Friday of this week to go over details. We'll get everything squared away and have you back on the railway as soon as we can."
It had been easier than Henry thought as he watched The Controller make his way back to his desk. The sight of the return letters on the desk gave another pang of anxiety as Henry watched Sir Topham compile them all back into the file folder.
"And in the interim, please unblock your post box."
"Absolutely sir."
Just going to keep on chuggin' along here =) Big thank you to FurryFoxFires for their continued support. The commentary always means so much and I genuinely can't appreciate it enough.
To all who are reading, I hope these longer chapters are okay? Now that I'm feeling better I feel more motivated to expound on thoughts and character dynamics that i've had in my brain for a while.
As always, thank you for reading! -REN