Chapter 270: Thomas, Percy, and the Squeak

One morning, Sir Topham Hatt came to see his employees with exciting news.

"World famous coloratura, Alicia Botti, will be coming to Sodor next week to perform."

"What's a coloratortilla?"

"A coloratura, Percy. It means she can sing high notes very, very loud."

"Yes, thank you Gordon. Anyway, one of you will act as her private transport during her stay here. I haven't decided yet, so you'd best be really useful."

"Yes, sir!"

"Good. Now then, on to your normal jobs."

The moment Sir Topham Hatt stepped away, everyone began discussing who would take the train.

"He'll obviously choose me! Just look at my engine's sparkling red pain!"

"Dream on, James! She'll want a fine express engine as her personal transport!"

"Maybe she'll choose me!" Percy piped in hopefully. Gordon and James laughed mockingly.

"You? Just look at your engine!"

"I'd rather not," James snorted. "It looks like it just took a coal bath!"
"I can't help that! I was working in the coaling plant all morning."

Percy's cries fell on deaf ears. Gordon and James were convinced Sir Topham Hatt would choose them. But he didn't, instead he chose Thomas.

"Thomas?! Why must he always be the center of attention?"

"Him and those stupid books, I swear…"

Sir Topham Hatt shot them a sharp glare, shutting them both up before returning his attention to Thomas.

"Alicia Botti will be at Brendam Docks 6 PM Monday. Make sure your engine and your coaches are squeaky clean when you pick her up."

"Yes sir!"

Come 4:00 PM Monday, Thomas was at the washdown getting the train clean. The workmen were halfway finished when Percy came in, his engine cakes in dust and grime.

"A full clean, please!"

"Sorry Percy, but we've got to get Alicia Botti's train ready for when she arrives."

"But my next passenger train is due out in 10 minutes! I can't wait for you to finish."

The workmen ignored him, and returned to their job. Thomas shot Percy a sympathetic look, but not much else could be done. Annoyed, Percy left, his engine dirty as ever.

"Stupid special trains. Bet I could clean it better than they could, anyway."

At last, Thomas's train was ready. But as he set off on his journey, he couldn't help but notice a small squeaking sound coming from the coaches.

"One of the wheels must be loose. I'll give them a good oiling when I get to the docks."

Not having enough time to try and fix it, Thomas continued on his way. But the farther they traveled, the louder the squeaking came.

"Oh, I hope this doesn't bother Alicia Botti too much."

At last, they reached the docks. Alicia Botti was waiting there, and was rather impressed by how clean her train was.

"Oh, how marvelous! And so clean, too."

"Right this way, Miss Botti."

"Oh, how kind. I do hope the rest of Sodor is as smart and sweet as…"

But when Thoams opened the door, Alicia Botti froze. There, staring right up at her, was…

"A MOUSE! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!"

And she let out the loudest, most high pitched scream anyone had ever heard. All over town, windows and glass shattered, and people covered their ears in pain.

"Definitely a coloratura," said Gordon. After she had come to her senses, Alicia Botti turned to Sir Topham Hatt furiously.

"I'm sorry, Sir Topham, but I simply cannot ride in a train that has a mouse in it! I'm terribly afraid of them. No, this won't do at all."

Thomas's face fell, but Sir Topham Hatt gave him a look of sympathy. Just then, Percy came in with some empty coaches, his engine as dirty as ever. Alicia Botti smiled when she saw him.

"Aw, what a cute little engine! Is he available to be my escort?"

"Him?! Gordon spluttered. "Just look at how filthy his engine is."

"But I'm always right on time and really reliable," Percy piped in. And so, Alicia Botti climbed aboard, and Percy took her to her concert. She had a marvelous time, and thanked Percy for a wonderful evening.

Later that evening, Thomas and Percy were talking before bed.

"Sorry you didn't get to take her, Thomas."
"It's alright, Percy. All that matters is that she had a good time."

"By the way, whatever happened to that mouse."

Thomas just chuckled, and pointed to a small hole in the middle of the kitchen. There, peeking out from her new home, was the mouse, which everyone had decided to name Alicia.