Emily's Coal Day

Emily had to work in the coal yards for today. It is both an important and a very dirty job "Man," Emily said as she coughed from the coal dust, "This job sure is going to be a long one. And a dirty one as well." "Don't worry, Emily," Molly said, "It's not too bad, once you get used to it."

"Yeah," Neville agreed. "I'll take your word for that," said Emily and she collected a train of empty trucks. That's when Arthur puffed by. He was pulling a lot of vans filled with crates of fish. "Hello," Arthur said to Emily.

"Hi, Arthur," Emily replied. "Uh, Arthur?" Molly said. "Don't worry," Arthur said, "These fish are all covered up properly. They won't get dirty now." "Good," Emily said, "That's smart packing." "Yeah," Arthur said, "You've should had told the packers that a long time ago." With that said, Arthur puffed away and Emily continued on with her work.

That afternoon, Emily, Molly and Neville went on their break after 4 trains of coal had been taken away by Henry, Oliver Hank and Rebecca. "Whew!" Molly said, "That was a tough job." "Yeah," Neville agreed, "Now you can't tell if I have been busy at the coal yards."

"That's because of your black coat of paint," Emily said, "We can't tell." "We know," Molly joked, "But you can see that we've been busy." "Coal dust," Emily said, "What a result!" And the engines laughed.

Just then, Thomas and Percy chuffed by with their train of pipes.

"Hello," Thomas said. "Hi," said Percy, "You two having a busy day?" "At the coal yards?" Thomas asked cheekily. "Yes, Thomas," Emily said, "We are." "You can tell from our paintwork," Molly said. "Right," Emily agreed.

"Oh," Thomas said, "Well, keep up the good work." "Yeah," Percy said and the two left. "They're really nice engines," Neville said. "Yeah," Emily agreed. Some minutes later, Emily, Molly and Neville resumed work at the coal yards.

They had another train ready for Satsuki in no time at all. After Satsuki had left, Emily got ready to shunt another train into a siding. "Take it easy," Neville said. "I will," Emily replied. But a few minutes, trouble happened. "What's that?" Neville asked. "A runaway," Emily replied. She is right.

All three engines saw a runaway coal train. "They must have broken free from Satsuki," Molly said. "Oh no!" Emily said, "I must have shunted a truck with a failed coupling!" "What?" Molly said. "On! On! On!" the runaway trucks yelled. "I have to stop them!" Emily shouted.

So, thinking quick, Emily got right in the runaway truck's path. "Emily!" Molly and Neville shouted. Emily's driver and firemen jumped clear. But it was too late. The guard of the brake van jumped out as it smashed against Emily's front bufferbeam. The loaded coal collided into Emily. Coal flew in all directions.

"Wow," Neville said. Emily got covered in a cloud of coal dust. "Emily!" Neville cried. After the coal dust cleared Emily was smiling. "Well," Emily said, "How's that for a strong defense?" "You're all right!" Molly said. "We'd thought you might have crashed."

"I'm fine," Emily smiled, "Just dirty, that's all. I had to save you guys." "Thanks Emily," Neville said, "We'd appreciate that." "You've really did it this time," Molly said, "Being a hero and all of that." "I know," Emily replied. Just then, Satsuki arrived.

"Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed, "This is my fault." "No," Emily said, "This is my fault. I was the one who shunted that faulty truck for you." "Oh," Satsuki sighed.

Soon, Thomas and Arthur had brought Rocky to clear the mess and Emily was freed. "Emily," Thomas said, "I've heard what you did today." "I know," Emily smiled, "It does feel great to protect others." "We know," Molly said. "But you know, Thomas," Emily said. "What?" Thomas asked.

"Now I look like a different engine," Emily giggled. "I know," Thomas said, "I won't forget my coal mishap, too." And so, Thomas too Emily to the wash-down.

For the rest of the day, Emily felt very happy to have protected her friends from an accident. "Yes," Emily said, "It is."