A/N This episode was Thomas Gets Bumped, at least in my country and my rule about a name in the title's that character tells it.
Hey, it's me, Thomas. This time I shall tell of a rough day I had. I was late the previous day, so when I had some trouble that day, I was worried.
Every afternoon, I puff along my branch line with Annie and Clarabel. First, we pass a water mill. Next, we come to a big farm. Then, we can see a bridge with a village nestled on either side of it. This is a special place. Whenever children hear me coming, they stand on the bridge waving until I am out of sight. One day, I was running late. I had stopped at the signal before the bridge to talk to some new children. Percy was waiting, too. I quite like children, but I don't like being late.
"Hurry up, Thomas," called Percy when the signal dropped. If you're late, Sir Topham Hatt might get a new engine to replace you."
He would never do that, I thought. He loved us, as did his son and now his grandson, whose son takes over when he can't run the railway anymore.
But I was worried. Next day, I hurried along the line. Just ahead was the goods yard. There, on the platform, was an inspector waving a red flag. Next, I saw some children. They were waving, too.
Something must be wrong, I thought. This station is for goods, not passengers.
"Help, Thomas, help! We're glad to see you," called the children. "Please, will you take us home?"
The stationmaster explained to Driver that the school bus had broken down, and all the parents would be worried if the children were late. I waited as the children walked down the bridge. Then, I took the children to the next station where Bertie was waiting to take them home. When I finished my journey, I was very late. I was worried that Sir Topham Hatt might be cross with me. I quite disliked how I was so late, but I felt I had to do the right thing. I may be known as a cheeky engine, but I've got a kind heart, even if I've done mischief.
"I warned Thomas," puffed Percy to James. "He's been late one time too many. He'll be in trouble now."
But the next morning, when I went to pick up my passengers, Sir Topham Hatt was nowhere to be seen.
"Thank goodness," I sighed. I heard people say that when relieved, which is how I felt that morning.
I knew every part of my line by the time this story happened. Just ahead was a stretch where the hot sun had bent the rails on the track.
"Careful, Thomas," called Driver.
But it was too late. I fell off the rails.
"That's done it!" said Driver. "We shan't get any farther today!"
"But what about my passengers?" I asked. I was concerned about them, because I felt I was letting them down.
"Don't worry, they'll be looked after," replied Driver. I've always had a driver who cares about me. It must be a requirement to drive a living engine.
While workmen repaired the line, I had to shunt freight cars in the yard. Bertie came to see me. I actually like to shunt the Troublesome Trucks, usually. Maybe because I'm a tank engine, in my case. Edward likes shunting, but he's small for a tender engine. I guess little engines just like it better. But on this day, I missed my passengers.
"I understand you need my help again." Bertie had taken my passengers before.
"Yes, Bertie," I replied sadly. "I can't run without my rails."
Bertie set off to collect my passengers.
"Hello, Bertie," they said. "We're glad you're here."
Bertie drove along the road that runs by the railway. He stopped at each station along the line. Sometimes, he stopped between stations to let people off closer to their homes. I was miserable. Bertie told me all about this when he saw me afterward.
"I've lost my passengers to Bertie. They'll like him better than me." Driver comforted me, because he picked up on my feelings.
Sir Topham Hatt arrived.
"Your branch line is repaired. I'm going to change your timetable so that you and Bertie can work together more."
When I reached the station, there, to my relief, were all my passengers.
"Bertie is a good bus, but we missed our train ride with you," they said. I guess my passengers were creatures of habit, as many people are. I was once told that, how many people are creatures of habit. Being a living engine means they could bond with me.
Later, I spoke to Bertie. "Thank you for looking after my passengers." Bertie's a friend.
"That's all right, Thomas. I like to make new friends, but I'm glad to share them with you." Bertie's a friendly bus.
"You're a good friend indeed," I replied. "And always will be." I was glad for his willingness to help and for my passengers being loyal to me.
A/N I'm not British, they are. I use their dialect as best I can, but sometimes I just feel more comfortable using my country's terms or my country's dub of the show used our wording at that moment, so respect my English. You can review as long as you respect my Thomasverse.