Chapter 288: Harold and the Flying Horse

One bright Summer morning, Percy brought his passenger train into Maithwaite Station. As he waited for his passengers to board, he heard a loud whirring overhead. Sure enough, Harold landed his helicopter just off to the side of the Carpark.

"Harold? Everything alright?"

"Just fine, Percy. I just finished my patrol, and decided to stop by the cafe here for a quick bite before heading back to base."

As he headed towards the bakery, however, he stopped in front of a sign. It was advertising the Vicar's Summer Fete.

"It's that time of year again, eh?"

"Sure is! I'm to bring some supplies to the fairgrounds later. Are you going?"

Harold chuckled, and shook his head.

"Wish I could, but duty calls. I need to be on high alert in case of emergencies. Speaking of which, I'd better get going."

After buying some scones from the shop, Harold took to the skies once more. Still, even as he headed back to the airfield, he couldn't help but wish he could go and enjoy the party as well.

When he landed at Dryaw Airfield, he found an unusual sight waiting for him. In the farm field next to the base was a big, beautiful horse. He was being hitched to a bright red wagon.

"I say, what's going on over there?"

"Oh, that's Pegasus. He'll be giving hayrides at the fete this year."

"A horse? What about Trevor? Surely he hasn't been replaced, has he?"

The workman laughed.

"Certainly not! Trevor's helping out Farmer Trotter, so he can't make it. The Vicar's just borrowing Pegasus for the weekend. It's sure to be a fun party!"

Harold nodded, but he still wished he could go.

The next day, just as the fair was beginning, a call came into the base. His manager came rushing out to see him.

"Pegasus is trapped in a ditch! He bolted when he heard an engine's whistle, and is now stuck. I need you to help get him out so he can be brought to the Fete!"

"Yes, sir!"

Immediately, Harold leapt into action, taking to the skies without a second thought. Percy, who was at the nearby platform, was puzzled.

"Pegasus?" He wondered. "What an odd name for a horse."

"Its the name of a horse from Greek Mythology," explained the Stationmaster. "The son of the Sea god Poesideon, he had wings, and could fly!"

"A flying horse?" Percy scoffed. "Man, those Greeks sure knew how to tell some outlandish stories."

After fetching a Vet, Harold found Pegasus stuck in a ditch. The vet checked him all over before turning to Harold.

"He's not hurt, but I don't know how we're going to get him out. He seems to be stuck pretty good."

Then Harold got an idea.

"I have a harness I sometimes use to help stuck or injured climbers. That should do the trick."

"I don't know, are you sure it'll hold?"

"There's only one way to find out."

The vet wasn't sure if it would work, but with no other options agreed. So Harold climbed into the helicopter and took off, hovering right about Pegasus. His co-pilot lowered the harness down, which the vet carefully slipped Pegasus into.

"Alright, all set!"

Giving the vet the thumbs up, Harold slowly ascended into the sky. It was hard going, but slowly but surely they lifted Pegasus out of the ditch.

"It's working! Well done, Harold!"

With Pegasus secured, Harold flew Pegasus to the party. On the way they passed Percy, who gawked in awe at the strange sight.

"So horses can fly! Maybe those Greeks were on to something."

At last, Harold arrived at the party, the crowd cheering as Pegasus was safely unloaded. As Harold took off once more, the party goers cheered and waved to him. Harold smiled to himself as they disappeared from view.

"Well, it looks like I got my wish after all! Though next time, I hope for less of a grand entrance."

Satisfied with a job well done, Harold headed back towards home.