A/N This is based on Trust Thomas, so he tells it.

Hey, it's me, Thomas and today I shall tell about a tough day I once had. It was fine at first, but then got tough.

I was feeling bright and cheerful. It was a splendid day.

"Good morning", I whistled to some cows, but the cows didn't reply. "Never mind," I said. "They're busy with their breakfast." My fireman once said when I get coal and water in the morning's like breakfast.

Next, I saw Bertie.

"Hello, Bertie. Care for a race today?"

But all Bertie could say was...

"Ouch! There's another hole in the road!"

"I'm sorry, Bertie," I smiled. I wanted to help my friend feel better.

I was still in good spirits when Bertie arrived at the next station.

"Bad luck, Bertie. Now, if you were a steam engine, you'd run on a pair of reliable rails."

"Huh!" replied Bertie. "The railway was supposed to deliver tar to mend the road two weeks ago. You can't trust a thing that runs on rails."

"I run on rails. You can trust me, Bertie. I'll see if I can find out what happened."

And I puffed away towards the big station. James was snorting about in the yard.

"It's too bad!" he grumbled. "Percy goes to work at the harbor and I do his job. Here, there and everywhere! Take that!"

"Ooh," groaned the freight cars. "Just you wait! We'll show you!"

Gordon laughed. "I'll tell you what, James. If you pretended to be ill, you couldn't shunt freight cars here or go to the quarry there, could you?"

"What a good idea!" agreed James. "Look, here comes Thomas. I'll start pretending now."

I was sorry to see the engines looking miserable.

"Cheer up," I puffed. "It's a beautiful day." I quite disliked my friends being unhappy

"Yes," grumbled Gordon. "But not for James."

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"He's sick," replied Gordon.

"Yes, he is. I mean, yes I am," stuttered James. "I don't feel well at all."

"Don't worry," I said. "I'll help out if you're ill.". I was always ready to help a friend by that time and remained that way, even now.

Gordon and James sniggered quietly to each other. Some of James' cars were coupled behind me and I steamed to the quarry. The cars were still cross.

"We couldn't pay James back for bumping us, so we'll play tricks on Thomas instead. One engine is as good as another." I found out later they said this

But I didn't hear them. I collected all the stone from the quarry and set off back to the junction. Danger lay ahead.

"Now for our plan!" giggled the cars. "Go faster! Go faster!"

They pushed me over the switches.

"Slow down!" called Driver and applied the brakes.

I hit the buffers, a log snapped apart then and I floated into another set of buffers.

I stood dazed and surprised in a muddy pond as a toad eyed my suspiciously.

"Bust my buffers!" I muttered. "The day started so well, too.". I was less happy than before by this time.

Duck pulled away the cars and Edward helped me back to the junction. Suddenly, I remember the missing tar. I told Edward all about it.

"That's strange," said Edward. "A car full of tar has been left at my station. That must be it. Driver will make sure it gets to Bertie now."

Later, James spoke to me. "I'm sorry about your accident," he muttered. "And so is Gordon. We didn't mean to get you into trouble."

"No indeed," spluttered Gordon. "A mere misunderstanding. Thomas, all's well that ends well."

Just then, Bertie arrived. He looked much more cheerful. "My road's being mended now."

"Oh, I am glad," I replied.

"Thanks for all you did," added Bertie. "Now, I know I can trust an engine, especially if his name is Thomas.". I felt better after that.

Gordon and James puffed silently away to the shed, but I still had company.

"Well, well," I sighed. "What a day for surprises."

The toad, who was looking forward to a ride home noisily agreed. I went back to the pond.

A/N Respect my English and my Thomasverse. Sometimes, I just need to use my dialect, but I use theirs otherwise. I'm not British, they are and I try to honor the latter.