Chapter 175: Mrs. Kyndley's Christmas

Out of all of the sights on Thomas's branchline, none bring its employees more joy than that of the Kyndley Cottage. Mrs. Kyndley and her husband Robert have been friends of the railway for as long as they've been on the Island, and always have a kind word for anyone. In the summer Mrs. Kyndley will stand outside and offer tea and lemonade the engine drivers while they wait for a signal, while in the winter she offers them freshly baked goods. Everyone loves the Kyndleys and the Kyndleys love everyone. Not even Daisy can think of a bad thing to say about them!

One snowy winter evening, the engine drivers of the branchline were having dinner at the common house while talking about the Kyndleys.

"I saw on my passenger route today," said Emily, "She insisted that I take this Apple Pie home and wouldn't let me leave until I did. That woman is a saint I tell you."

"Hear, hear," agreed Rosie, "She really helped me learn my way around the branchline."

"She really is a lovely woman," said Daisy, "Even when I was new and lazy, she never had a mean thing to say to me. Why, I don't even want to think about a Sodor without the Kyndley's."

"Yes, they truly are marvelous," agreed Thomas, "Why, Mrs. Kyndley even got me and Toby out of a jam a few years ago."

He gave Toby a look, who understood immediately what he meant.

"Ah yes, my first Christmas on Sodor. If it weren't for Mrs. Kyndley, it would have gone very differently."

Their fellow housemates looked at them in confusion. Even Percy, who had heard the story before, didn't know what they were talking about for a minute.

"Oh, now I get it! Why don't you guys tell us the story. I'm sure the girls would like to hear it."

"Yes, please!"

"Do tell."

"I want to hear it!"

Thomas and Toby exchanged looks.

"Oh, very well. You want to start, Toby?"

"Sure. Anyway, it all started on rainy December day…"

It was to be my first Christmas away from home, and while I was happy to be on Sodor, I did miss home. Henrietta did too, I could tell, but we put on brave faces. Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel did their best to make us feel at home, but it wasn't quite the same.

I first saw Mrs. Kyndley one morning as I passed the cottage. There she was, waving from her bedroom window. I didn't know who she was at the time, but it did make me feel better to see such a kind soul, if only a little bit. Little did I know that she would be a very big help later.

One morning, Mrs. Kyndley wasn't feeling well. Her throat was sore, her nose ran, and she was running a fever. Her husband called for the doctor.

"Hmm, looks to me like a case of common cold. Never you mind, though, a week or two of rest and she'll be good as gold. In the meantime, I'll prescribe you some medicine for the symptoms."

"Thank you, Doctor. Merry Christmas."

"And a Merry Christmas to you as well, Robert."

Although she didn't enjoy being bedridden, Mrs. Kyndley didn't mind. Her bedroom window faced the tracks, and she had a great view of the valley. But as the days passed without her making significant improvement, she found herself longing for some excitement. She soon came to regret that wish, however.

It was a rainy morning, and Mrs. Kyndley lay in bed trying to fall asleep to the rain, when suddenly, she heard a rumbling noise. She looked out her window to see the hill across the tracks start to slip before a muddy landslide cascaded down, knocking over the signal and blocking the line. Just then, she heard a whistle coming down the track, followed by another coming in the opposite direction.

"Thomas and Toby! If I don't do something soon, they'll crash right into it. I have to warn them, but how?"

"What did she do?" Asked Rosie.

"Would you like to take over from here, Thomas?"

"Sure. Anyway…"

Knowing she had to think fast, she took her red scarf, and reaching out as far as she could she waved it frantically, desperately hoping we would see it.

I was making my way to Ffarquhar with the morning milk when I saw a flash of red from the cottage window.

"That's Mrs. Kyndley! She must be in danger; I need to stop!"

Little did I know that I was the one in need of help. I had already applied the brakes when I saw the landslide, just barely stopping in time.

"Phew, that was close!"

"Thomas, is that you? Its me, Toby!"

"I'm fine, Toby. Thank goodness I saw that red scarf, or I would have run right into this mess."

"I'll say! That Mrs. Kyndley is a life saver."

Their audience sat jaw dropped as they finished their story.

"Wow, that's so amazing!"

"Rosie is right, Mrs. Kyndley really saved your butts."

"I hope you guys thanked her."

Toby and Thomas laughed.

"We sure did! On Christmas Eve, Sir Topham Hatt joined us on a trip to their cottage. Toby and I served her hot soup, and Sir Topham Hatt gave them two tickets to Bournemouth for her to recover. She told us it was the best Christmas she had ever had."

Toby smiled in reminiscence.

"And the best one I'd ever had as well. You see…"

The next day was at the annual Christmas party, and while I did my best to be cheery I still felt homesick. Thomas saw this and walked over.

"Oh Toby, Annie and Clarabel wanted me to give you your Christmas present. They made it in school before break."

What it was made me cry tears of joy. It was a drawing of me and Henrietta, with the cutest little caption reading "welcome to our family."

"I know you guys have been feeling homesick lately, and I know we can't replicate what Christmas was like back in East Angelia, but we want you to know that we're here for you. And that reminds me…"

He then pulled out a cute little blouse that fits Henrietta perfectly.

"I was out Christmas shopping, and I saw this in a store window. I noticed that Henrietta doesn't have much in terms of new clothing, so I figured she might like it. If she doesn't, I can…"

I shook my head, wiping a tear from my eye.

"No, its perfect. Thank you, Thomas."

"Your welcome, Toby. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Thomas."

And you know what? It really was.