When Thomas told Gina about what happened in Pompeii, she couldn't help laughing. "Oh, Thomas, must you always get yourself into such silly situations?"
"I suppose it's just the way I am," he said. "Have you ever made mistakes like that?"
"Well, a long time ago, perhaps, buuut…sometimes my plans don't go as well as I hope, and unexpected things happen."
"Like what?"
Gina thought for a moment. "There was the day after the Great Railway Show. That Vinnie was being full of himself again." So, Thomas listened as Gina began.
The Great Railway Show had been a big success. Many engines who took part stayed in a big shed overnight before catching the rail ferry in the morning. Most of them would be traveling to France before going the rest of the way under their own power while others had to go all the way across the ocean.
The next day, the engines went to the harbour to wait for the ferry. Gina was the first one to arrive…or so she thought. "Beat you!" laughed a voice and a big engine screeched to a stop. Gina sighed; it was Vinnie. Ever since he won the Strength Competition, Vinnie seemed more boastful than ever. "You know," he said, "I'm probably the strongest steam engine in the world!"
Gina groaned; she had had enough and wished she could teach Vinnie a lesson. Then, when she saw Shane arrive, an idea flew into her funnel. "You say you're strong, but I'm sure you're not as strong as me," she said.
"Pah!" snorted Vinnie, "a little engine like you couldn't even pull my tender."
"HA!" Gina retorted, "then let us have a competition, a tug of war, in the sidings."
"All right," grinned Vinnie confidently, "you're on."
"One moment. I must refill my tanks." And Gina raced away.
"You'll need it." But Vinnie didn't know that Gina was going to play a trick on him.
Gina made her way over to Shane. "That Vinnie is boasting again," she wheeshed and explained her plan.
"Bonzar!" exclaimed Shane, "that'll show 'em."
Vinnie was waiting in the sidings when Gina came back. Shane had taken the long way around so he wouldn't be heard. Gina braked and Shane puffed as gently as he could as he backed up to Vinnie and Gina's Driver coupled them up. Vinnie didn't suspect a thing; he thought it was Gina coupled behind him.
"Are you ready?" called Gina sneakily.
"I'm ready!" bellowed Vinnie. "Be careful you don't break an axle!" Shane grinned. This was going to be funny.
Gina gave the countdown. "Three…two…one…GO!"
Shane and Vinnie puffed and chuffed as hard as they could. Vinnie was quite surprised. She's stronger than she looks, he thought.
Smoke and steam billowed into the air. The engines' wheels slipped, and sparks flew. You never heard such a noise. Suddenly, Gina wasn't so sure about her plan.
Vinnie and Shane were both very strong…but their couplings weren't. With a sudden snap, they broke, and the two engines shot forward in opposite directions. "WOAH!" cried Vinnie. Shane braked hard and managed to stop, but Vinnie wasn't so lucky. He bashed through the buffers at the end of the siding and crashed and splattered into a large crate of watermelons. "Ohhhhhh noooooo!" he moaned.
Gina and Shane couldn't help laughing. "Sorry Vinnie," said Gina, "but you were showing off."
Vinnie looked back. "What?! You tricked me!"
"Serves you right, mate," chuckled Shane. "You may be stronger than Gina, but she's definitely a lot smarter."
"What happened after that?" asked Thomas.
"Luckily for Vinnie, he was close enough to the quayside to be lifted onto the ferry," replied Gina, "and the sailors managed to clean him before we stopped at Sodor to collect Ashima. Did you happen to see Vinnie when you were in America, Thomas?"
"Yes, and he's as troublesome as ever. I wanted to teach him a lesson, but two tank engines had already done that."
Gina yawned. "Well, you can tell me about that tomorrow, but for now, let's get some sleep." And they did.