Chapter 95: You Can't Win

Peter Sam laughed once Sir Handel had finished his story.

"Ha ha. Oh, that still cracks me up to this day."

"Shut up! It's not funny!"

"That's quite enough, Peter Sam. Sir Handel has a right not to want to talk about it."

"Thank you, Skarloey."

"Whatever, you guys just have no sense of humor."

Then Sir Handel grinned. He knew how to get back at Peter Sam.

"Well, at least I never let Duke get one over on me."

Peter Sam stopped laughing then.

"Either you tell them, or I will."

Peter Sam just groaned.

"Oh, come on! Fine, if you guys must know so badly…"

(Flashback, Peter Sam narrating)

If there was one thing we admire Duke for when we were younger, it was his dedication. He would get his passengers home, no matter if he was feeling unwell or if his engine was short of steam. Which, due to its age, happened a lot.

I remember one instance where I came into the sheds one day at noon to find him working on his engine. I liked Duke, but I loved teasing him.

"Well, well, well. Broken down, eh Grandpuff?"

"Nothing of the sort. Just a leak in on of the tubes, is all. I'd leave it for the workmen but the work they do would never suit his grace."

"I'll tell you what, Grandpuff. Your engine is getting to old, and you're not faring much better. Pretty soon you'll need our help just to reach the station."

"Pah! That'll be the day."

But I just ran off laughing. A few days later, me and Falcon were at the common house, waiting for Duke to arrive home with the last train. Just then, the yardmaster came in.

"Duke's engine is won't move. He and his passengers are stranded, and I need you two to go and help him."

We were delighted, and immediately set off. We found Duke halfway Arlesdale station, sulking. I ran around front to pull the train and Duke's engine, while Falcon ran around back to push.

"Are you ready, Falcon?"

"Ready, Stuart."

And off we went

The run went smoothly, except for Duke's grumbling. Once we reached the next station, we split up. Falcon took some passengers away to the boat, while I took Duke and the rest of the passengers to the top station.

"Poor old Grandpuff. This is the day, this is the day!"

What I didn't know was that Duke's engine wasn't down for the count. It just had a weak fire, and the movement from us pushing and pulling it had built it back up. It wasn't until we reached The Mountain Road that I found out I had been played. As soon as we were onto the final stretch, Duke pushed his engine right into mine, pushing it as hard as ever it could. I was shocked to say the least, and before I could say anything else we had reached Peel Godred. As all the passengers got out, I overheard some of them whispering about it.

"Have you ever seen anything like it?"

"No. I guess Stuart's engine couldn't finish the job, so Duke had to push his engine and pull the train at the same time. All while it was short of steam. Who would've thought?"

I had had enough.

"For crying out loud!"

Duke walked up alongside.

"Poor old Stuart," he chuckled, "Face it Stuart, you can't win."

(End Flashback)

All the other engine drivers laughed at Peter Sam, who inexplicably became very interested in the floor.

"Oh well, Peter Sam, don't worry about it. We all have our off days."

"Thanks, Skarloey."

"It seems like Duke was a great guy."

"Oh, he was. When he wasn't telling us off for doing something wrong."

"Oh yeah. Always going 'that would never suit his grace.' What does the duke of sodor care about us, anyway?"

Everyone had a good laugh, and Peter Sam and Sir Handel told them more about Duke and the Mid Sodor Railway until it was time for bed. They both agreed that, wherever Duke is now, he would be proud of them.

A/N: And another chapter is done! Don't worry, this storyline isn't over yet. Next week we conclude March with Sleeping Beauty. After that, the countdown to chapter 100. I'm not quite sure what I'll do yet, so if you guys have any ideas, let me know. Whatever I do, I'll be sure to make it big.