Chapter 296: Meals on Wheels

Of all the sights on the Skarloey Railway, one of the most beloved of all is the Refreshment Lady's tea shop. Every day during the summer, passengers get off at Lakeside Station and flock to her stand for some cool drinks and baked goods. Even the engine drivers couldn't help but enjoy the occasional bun or cake. Everyone knows the refreshment lady, and everyone loves her cooking.

One morning, Peter Sam was getting his engine ready for work when Mr. Percival came up with the Refreshment Lady.

"I'm trying to expand my business," she said, "but I can't decide on a location."

"I want you to take her along the line and help her choose," said Mr. Percival.

Peter Sam was more than happy to help.

"I'm sure we can find the perfect spot!"

"Oh, thank you, Peter Sam," replied The Refreshment Lady. "I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake!"

Peter Sam was puzzled by this.

"But you sell cakes, you don't live in them!"

"Just a figure of speech, dear," The Refreshment Lady chuckled as she climbed into the cab. Peter Sam still didn't quite understand, but pushed it to the back of his mind.

Peter Sam took her up and down the entire line, stopping to point out places he thought would be perfect to set up a new shop. First he showed her the picnic overlook in the woods, then Glennock station, and then Rheneas Waterfall before stopping at Skarloey Station. All three places were lovely and scenic, but in the end she couldn't make a decision.

"I just can't make up my mind!" The Refreshment Lady cried in frustration. Peter Sam felt sorry for her.

"I'm sorry, miss. I thought we would find one easily."

"It's not your fault, Peter Sam. You showed me some lovely spots, but I just can't pick one. If only there was a way I could choose all three."

They decided to try again the next day. But that night, a fierce storm blew all over the island. By the time it was finished, the damage had been done. All of the engine drivers spent the day clearing and mending the line.

"Peter Sam, I want you to help Rusty clear a landslide. After that, take any fallen trees to the sawmill."

"Yes, sir."

But Peter Sam's mind wasn't fully on the task at hand. He was still trying to think of a way to help the Refreshment Lady.

"If only she could be in three places at once," he thought to himself. At last, he found Rusty. He and the workmen were using cranes to lift a mysterious object out of the muck.

"This old shed will have to be sent to the scrapyard," Rusty said thoughtfully. But when Peter Sam inspected it, he was surprised.

"Shed? This is an old dining coach!"

Suddenly, this gave him an idea.

"That's it!"

"What's it?"

"Rusty, once we finish cleaning this up, do you think you can handle the fallen trees on your own? I need to speak to Mr. Percival about something."

"I suppose so."

"Great, thanks!"

Rusty didn't quite understand, but was happy to help. Once the line was clear, Peter Sam rushed back to the top station and explained his plan to Mr. Percival, who agreed.

"She'll have the best mobile tea shop on the Island!"

The men in the workshops worked hard on it, restoring and refurbishing it until it was spic and span. Once it was finished, they brought the Refreshment Lady to see it, who was most impressed.

"A mobile tea shop, what a brilliant idea! If only I had thought of it before. Oh, thank you Peter Sam!"

Now, Peter Sam takes the Tea Shop special every day at noon along the line. Now everyone on the railway can enjoy the Refreshment Lady's tea and baked goods no matter where they are. They all praised Peter Sam's ingenuity, but he remained quite modest.

"It really was nothing. In fact, you might even say it was a piece of cake!"