Chapter 182: Mud Glorious Mud

It was a wet, rainy day on Sodor. The Pack were digging foundations for the new dairy barn. It was hard work digging through the mud, but they didn't mind. Alfie, for one, loved the mud. As he always says, "More mud means more fun."

Isobella, on the other hand, hated the mud. Although she was a hard worker, she hated getting dirty and took any means necessary to prevent herself from becoming so. Even if it means taking longer to do her work.

"Hurry up!" Teased Alfie as she trundled her lorry past him, "You always take the long way around."

"I take the clean way around," she huffed, "Jack and I have the weekend off, and I prefer to spend it with him than in the shower."

And before Alfie could retort, she drove away. Alfie rolled his eyes and went back to work. But it wasn't long before his excavator sputtered and stopped working completely.

"I need more diesel fuel!"

But the supply had already ran empty. The rest of the pack tried to make due, but eventually all of the diesel-fueled machines were run dry. Miss Jenny sighed.

"I'll call the fuel depot."

But a few minutes later, the foreman had bad news.

"All the roads between Cronk station and the depot are flooded," he said. "And the railway doesn't go this far."

Miss Jenny thought for a second, then an idea struck her.

"You call Sir Topham Hatt and tell him to send an engine with fuel. We'll meet them at the station."

"But how? Every machine is out of fuel, otherwise we wouldn't have this problem."

"Every machine except one."

She then went to see Isobella.

"Its a good thing we still use these old machines. I've managed to get some more fuel, but they can only deliver it as far as Cronk Station. I need you to meet the engine there and bring back the fuel. Our contract depends on it."

"You can count on me, Miss Jenny!"

And as fast as her lorry would allow she tore out of the site. Mud splattered all over truck's paint, but she forged on. But trouble lay ahead. Water was all over the road, leaving it flooded. Despite her reservations, Isobella knew this was the only way to get to the station, so she drove right through it, making her lorry all the more dirty. Undeterred, she kept the fire going and forged on. But she soon found herself being stopped by a policeman.

"A mudslide has blocked the road ahead. You can't go any farther."

"But I need to get to Cronk. Its an emergency!"

The policeman stroked his chin in thought.

"You could go through the field. But I must warn you, its rather muddy."

"Then that's the way I go."

And so she did, mud caking the lorry so hard it looked more brown than yellow. At last she arrived at Cronk. Thomas was waiting there with the fuel drums.

"Isobella, you made it! And your lorry looks...um..."

"Don't say it."

Isobella got out to help the workmen load the drums onto her lorry's flatbed. It was hard work, not helped by the rain and mud, but soon everything was secure and she raced off back to her friends.

The Pack sat, bored and unable to work. They had taken to playing eye spy, and it was Ned's turn.

"Let me see. I spy with my little eye, something that's...uh, something that, er..."

"Oh brother, we'll be here all night!"

Kelly gave Max a pointed glare, shutting him up tight. Then, Ned saw something that made him grin.

"Isobella with the fuel!"

"No, Ned, you're not supposed to tell us, we're supposed to guess."

"No really, look!"

Sure enough, Isobella drove onto the site, although you wouldn't be able to tell from the look of her lorry. Mud and grass covered it from cab to trailer, making it almost unrecognizable. Isobella wasn't much better, her clothes soaked and caked with mud. Despite appearances, everyone gave her a big thank you as their machines were refilled.

After all was said and done, Miss Jenny spoke to her, Jack bringing her a coffe.

"Spot on, Isobella," Miss Jenny said, "You'd make a mother proud!"

"I knew she'd do it," said Jack proudly.

"You can take the rest of the day off. Good work today!"

Isobella smiled wearily before turning to Jack.

"Sorry, but I might be a little late to our date tonight."

"Ah, its alright. You just take a little rest."

"Thanks. See you later."

After a quick kiss goodbye, Isobella rushed off back to the yard. Right now the only date she wanted was one with a hot shower!