Chapter 276: Percy's Porridge

Life on The Little Western had become hectic. Day in and day out, trains full of passengers, ballast, and other assorted goods ran up and down the line. Duck, Oliver, Donald, and Douglas tried their hardest, but it soon became evident that some extra help was needed.

A few days later, Sir Topham Hatt came to see them with good news.

"I know you're doing your best, and I'm proud of your efforts. But with the summer rush upon us, it's become clear to me that we need another engine."

"Aye, sir. The ballast trains are becoming a bit too much for us to handle."

"Too right, Douggie! I'm not one to complain, but…"

Sir Topham Hatt chuckled, and motioned for them to be quiet.

"Not to worry, I have a solution. I was talking to an old friend of mine the other day, and he directed me to The Dean Forest Railway. There, I met a nice young man named Wilbert, and his controller agreed to let us borrow him and his saddletank for a while. And if he works out, I know where I can get another engine like his."

This made his employees breathe a sigh of relief.

News soon spread to the rest of the island. Percy was delighted by the prospect of seeing another engine like his.

"Will he be coming here, sir?"

"Sorry Percy, but you lot have the work here under control. I need him on The Little Western right now."

Percy was disappointed, but he soon found he had other things to occupy his mind. The week before Wilbert was due to arrive, it was cold and rainy. Daisy shuddered in disgust.

"Ugh, how terribly dreary! What I'd give for some sunshine."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Daisy! Any word on how long it'll last?"

"The news says all week."

Toby, however, smiled wistfully, thinking back to a time long ago.

"Ah, this reminds me of back home in East Anglia. Perfect weather for porridge."
"Porridge? What's that?"

"Well, it's a little hard to describe. Essentially, first you boil oatmeal and water. That turns it into a sticky soup. Add a little milk and sugar and bon appetit!"

A few days later, some porters were stacking sacks on the platform at the station by the river. But they were cold, wet, and tired, and weren't doing their job properly. The sacks weren't tied properly, and were beginning to come undone, but before anyone could take notice of this the signal arm dropped.

"Clear the platform, boys! Percy will be here soon!"

"Right!"

But then there was trouble. No sooner had they turned their backs did one of the loose sacks open up and slide off the platform, pouring oatmeal all over the track. There was no time to do anything, however, as Percy's engine drove right into it. Wet oatmeal sloshed all over its wheels, and the souplike nature of the quagmire made it impossible for Percy to move.

"Yuck! I don't think this is quite what Toby had in mind when he mentioned porridge."

Sir Topham Hatt soon arrived to inspect the damage. Although he was upset by the events, he couldn't help but chuckle at the mess.

"Oh dear Percy, you're supposed to eat Porridge, not paddle through it!"

Luckily, he quickly regained his composure.

"I'm afraid this won't do at all. Now your engine will have to go to the works for a thorough cleaning. I'll have to redirect Wilbert here for a few days, I suppose. Donald and Douglas won't like that."

"Sorry, sir."

"Cheer up Percy, it's not your fault. Although it looks like I need to have a serious talk with SOME PEOPLE about proper work ethic."

The porters gulped, and quickly made themselves scarce.

Luckily, they got the message down the line quick enough, and Wilbert soon arrived to help out. Despite how his engine looked, Percy couldn't help but smile.

"I'd wanted to meet you, but this Isn't quite how i pictured it. Be careful what you wish for, am I right?"

Wilbert chuckled, and patted him on the back.

"Well, I'll give you this. You certainly made a fashion statement, though I don't think it'll catch on!"