Chapter 123: Molly

One day, James was drove a train into Knapford station when he saw Arry and Bert on the platform. They were picking on a new girl with sandy blonde hair.

"Better get the traps, Bert. Looks like we've got a mouse in the station."

"Come on, little mousey, say something."

"Why don't you two pick on someone your own size!"

Arry and bert turned and sneered at James.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't rusty red scrap iron."

"Here to sell your engine for scrap? We'll give you a good deal."

"Its one thing to pick on us, but to pick on someone you don't even know? That's a new low, even for you."

"You want to make something of this?"

"What is going on out here?"

All four turned to see Sir Topham Hatt standing in his office doorway looking unimpressed.

"Oh, sir, thank goodness you're here. James was picking on this fair maiden, so we-"

"How dumb do you two think I am? If you're going to pick on someone, you should make sure you're not in front of my office. Now get back to Barrow before I put you two on garbage duty for a month."

"Yes sir."

The two walked away, still grumbling. Sir Topham Hatt then turned to James.

"Ah, James, I see you've met Molly. She's a new hire for my railway. She'll be working with you for now."

"Hello, Molly. I'm James."

Molly blushed and looked away.

"You're shy, I take it. Don't worry, I understand. Don't worry, I don't bite."

Molly let out a small laugh, making James smile.

"Well, that's a start."

Sir Topham Hatt coughed, turning their attention back to him.

"Now you two, I'd like you to take the 3:15 service to Wellsworth."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, the two were on the main line. Molly was slowly starting to open up to James as the two talked about their lives.

"So, what was your life like before Sodor?"

Molly once more clammed up. James could sense that it was a sensitive subject.

"Sorry, I didn't-"

"I-its okay. I just don't like to talk about it."

"I understand. Oh, look, here's Wellsworth."

Edward was waiting for them at the junction. He smiled when he saw James and Molly.

"Hello, James. Who's you're new friend?"

Molly remained quiet. James turned to Edward.

"This here is Molly. She's a little shy, but she's really sweet once you get to know her."

Edward gave her a kind smile, causing Molly to loosen up.

"Its alright, dear. My name is Edward."

"Hello, Edward."

The day went on like this for Edward and Molly, with her shrinking away from James's friends. Most of them didn't take it personally and gave her a warm welcome, allowing her to slowly come out of her shell. Gordon, however, was not as kind.

"I say, can't you speak up? I can't understand you."

"Take it easy on her, Gordon. She's just a little shy."

"Hmph. A little mouse like her will never last on a railway. These machines require strength and courage to tame, and she has neither. How pathetic."

Before James could reply, Gordon had already left. Molly couldn't take it and ran off crying.

"Molly, wait!"

When he found her, she was in a fetal position, crying her eyes out. James crouched down to her.

"Its okay, Molly. Gordon is like that to everyone whose new here."

Molly sniffled and glanced up.

"Its not that. When Gordon spoke like that...he reminded me of my father."

James sat quietly as Molly began her story.

"My father was a horrible person, coming home drunk and hitting me and my mother for the slightest offense. I went to sleep every night, listening to her plead with him to stop, only for him to hurt her harder and call her worthless. One night, he came into my room and he... he..."

Molly broke down farther. James put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"When he was done with the horrible act, he told me that I would never amount to anything, that I should consider myself lucky he even acknowledges my existence. A day later, he was take to prison for assaulting his boss when he was fired. I thought I had escaped his influence, but Gordon... his words reminded me too much of him."

Molly just lowered her head in shame, tears streaming down her face. James decided enough was enough.

"Molly, its okay. I can relate. When I was little, I didn't have many friends. I was always the outcast, a constant victim of bullying. My teachers did their best, but it only made things worse. They told me I would never amount to anything, that I didn't deserve friends. It got so bad that I had to switch schools. But you know what? I decided not to let my past define me. I know that it feels like the world is against you, but you need to be strong. If you let their words get to you, then they win. The best revenge you could ever get against a bully is to become more than they can ever hope to be. I promise, one day you'll see what I mean."

Molly wiped away the tears in her eyes, smiling for the first time.

"Thanks James. I needed that."

"No problem, Molly."

The next day, Platform one was crowded with people waiting for the express, but Gordon's engine was not ready. Sir Topham Hatt went to the sheds to see what the matter was.

"The fire won't stay lit," said the firelighter, "I can't figure out what the problem is."

"Bother."

Sir Topham Hatt turned to James and Molly.

"Henry's engine is at the steamworks for an overhaul, so you two will have to do it I'm afraid. Be quickly now."

Molly was nervous, but James reassured her.

"Just take deep breaths and you'll do great."

Molly smiled, and together they brought the train to the station. The passengers quickly got in and with the guard's whistle they were off. A few minutes later, Gordon finally arrived.

"They finally managed to light the fire, and I'm ready for- where are my coaches?"

"James and Molly just left, but since you're ready for work you can take their slow goods to Vicarstown."

"B-Bu- Oh, the indignity!"

The journey went well at first, with James and Molly making good timing. Then they reached Gordon's Hill. They waited at the bottom for a banker, but the stationmaster had bad news.

"Edward is stuck at the clay pits. You'll have to make do without a banker, I'm afraid."

James was nervous.

"The heavy train will bring our engine to a hault. I don't know if-"

"We'll manage."

James looked at Molly in disbelief.

"Are you sure?"

"If there's one thing you've taught me, James, is that nothing is impossible if we put our mind to it. It's tough but we'll do it."

Relucantly, James agreed and the heavy train made its way up the slope. It was hard going, and Molly had to shovel harder than she ever had before.

"I think we can, I think we can, I think we can."

"It's tough, but we'll do it. It's tough, but we'll do it."

And before long, they were coasting over the top of the hill. James and Molly breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"I thought we could, I thought we could."

"It was tough but we did it."

That night, James and Molly returned to Tidmouth Sheds to a thunderous round of applause. Molly's face turned a bright shade of red. Sir Topham Hatt was the most impressed.

"James and Molly, I am proud of you. You both are really useful engine drivers, and a credit to the railway."

"Thank you sir."

"As a reward, you may both have the next two days off. You deserve it."

Once Sir Topham Hatt had left, James turned to Gordon.

"Not so weak now, is she?"

Gordon said nothing, but he was secretly impressed.