Chapter 272: Twin Trouble

Donald and Dougla drove through the Sudrian countryside with a long, heavy goods train bound for Barrow. It was a bright, sunny day, and they were making excellent time.

"Good work, Douggie. At this rate, we'll reach Barrow-in-Furness early."

"Aye, and we can enjoy a nice long rest before we head home! I heard there's a pretty good Fish n' Chips shop in the station."

"Sounds good, I'm starving!"

"That makes two of usl"

But trouble lay ahead. Trevor had been taking a cart of hay to Farmer Trotter's farm when his cart's wheel got stuck in the track. He tried everything he could, but the cart was stuck. He was just about to go for help when he heard Donald's whistle in the distance.

"Oh no! I've got to warn them!"

Donald was busy admiring the scenery when he heard Trevor's frantic shouting. Snapping back to reality, he saw the cart directly in his path and Trever waving a red scarf.

"Horros! Douglas, we need to brake!"

"What?!"

"I said we need to brake!"

Luckily, Douglas heard him this time, and the two forced the brakes hard on, but by then it was too late. Trevor jumped clear as Donald's engine plowed right through the cart, derailing in a shower of hay. Douglas looked on in horror.

"Donnie, are you okay? Speak to me!"

Donald was dazed, but conscious. And most of all, very annoyed.

"What's the matter with ya? I said brake, and you push me into the cart!"

"I pushed you? You're the one that didn't speak clearly enough!"

"What, do you have cotton in your ears? Anybody could've heard that!"

Soon, the breakdown train had arrived. Edward gave Donald a ride to the hospital to make sure he was okay, while Murdoch took the train on to Barrow. Douglas was sent back to the yard, very cross that Donald thought he would cause the accident on purpose.

"I pushed him, pah! Lad needs to know when to speak up."

Luckily, Donald only suffered a mild concussion, and was allowed back to work after a few days of rest. But he and Douglas were still mad at each other, and did their work in utter silence.

Then one day, Sir Topham Hatt came to speak with them.

"Oliver is needed at Knapford for the next couple of days, so I need someone to help Duck on The Little Western."

Donald, who was eager to get away from his twin, eagerly stepped forward.

"I'll go, sir!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, sir. I've been looking for a change of scenery."

"Alright then. Douglas, can you manage on your own?"

Douglas scoffed.

"I can manage! It's Donnie here that you need to worry about!"

"Alright then, then so shall it be."

Once the arrangements were made, Donald left for Tidmouth. Douglas watched Donald leave scornfully.

"Good riddance."

At first, the two of them enjoyed their time apart. Donald got along splendidly with Duck, and Douglas enjoyed the peace and quiet. But as time went on, they found themselves beginning to miss the other. Douglas found the work dull without someone to talk to, while Donald soon found himself losing patience with Duck.

"Why did you shunt the trucks onto the other line?"

"You told me to shunt them on to the other line!"

"Not that other line, the other other line!"

Duck just stared at him in confusion. Donald scoffed and drove away.

"Douglas would've known what I had meant."

A while later, Donald was backing his engine down onto a line of trucks, but he wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. His mind was busy thinking about his twin.

"Maybe I was too hard on him. I ought to apologize next time I see him…"

"Donald, look out!"

But it was too late. Before Donald could stop in time, his engine ran right through the buffers, landing tender first in a heap of coal.

"Donald, are you alright?"

"I think so, but I can't get out!"

"Hold on, I'll go get help!"

Duck drove as fast as his engine could go to Wellsworth, where he found Douglas shunting miserably.

"Donald's in trouble! We need your help!"

"Donald's in trouble? I'm on my way!"

It wasn't long before Donald arrived with the breakdown train. While the workmen set about lifting the engine out of the pit, Douglas tossed Donald a rope and pulled him back to solid ground. Donald breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for the save, Douggie. I'm sorry for how I acted. From now on, I promise to keep a better look out."

"No, I'm sorry. I promise to listen better from now on."

"No, I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry."

"I'M SORRY!"

"I'M SORRY!"

Stop arguing about who's sorry," chuckled Duck. "Just be happy that you've made up."

And they were.