Chapter 53: Buzz, Buzz

James had been sent to help on Edward's branchline for a week while Edward was on holiday. He enjoyed it, and soon made friends with Trevor. However, he was rather wary of BoCo, as experience taught him that Diesel engine drivers tended to be boastful and rude. Still, BoCo did his best to befriend him.

One day, James was taking a train to Brendam docks when he passed the Vicarage Orchard. Trevor was there, cheerfully humming a tune as he worked.

"Good morning, Trevor," James said, "You look as cheerful as my engine's red paint."

"Why wouldn't I be?" replied Trevor, "After all, it is a splendid day."

"What's that noise?" Asked James.

"It's the bees," replied Trevor, "The vicar has been raising them to harvest honey, and is giving some of it to his friends."

Just then BoCo drove up alongside.

"Be careful with those bees," he said, "They might sting you."

James took no notice, and simply drove away.

"Goodbye, Trevor," said BoCo, "Mind those bees, now."

A few minutes later he arrived at the docks. Bill and Ben were there shunting trucks, but fled when they saw him approaching.

"Those two really are a handful," he told Duck. Duck had been reluctant to trust Boco at first, but overtime they had become good friends. "I remember when I first met them. If Edward hadn't come along my eyes would've jumped right out of their sockets."

"Edward is the only one who can manage them," Duck said, "They look up to him like a big brother of sorts. They buzz around so much that I call them the bees."

James, who had been resting nearby, had heard the tail end of the conversation.

"What's this about bees?" he asked. "Don't tell me BoCo has been telling you his silly stories. Bees are only harmless little insects, after all.

"It's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations," said Duck crossly, "And besides, bees can be rather nasty."

"Oh, please, they're nothing," said James snootily, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some passengers to collect from Wellsworth. Goodbye."

And with that, James drove away to collect his train.

"He's heading for trouble," said Duck.

"Indeed," murmured BoCo.

Meanwhile, James had reached the platform. Two porters were steering a trolley to the train. On it was a beehive belonging to the Vicar.

"Steady does it, Bert," said one.

"Don't worry about it, Fred," said the other, "We'll have this train filled up, then we can go for lunch, my treat."

Then disaster struck. An elderly woman was trying to board a coach, and Fred and Bert had to swerve to avoid hitting her. Unfortunately, this caused the beehive to topple over, smashing on the platform and sending a swarm in the air. Everybody got up and ran for the exit, except for James.

"What's going on?" he asked, "Where'd everybody…oh."

It was then the swarm set their eyes on James. They didn't want to hurt James, they just wanted their hive to be fixed, and thought James could help them. But he didn't understand, and just swatted at them as they surrounded him. Unfortunately, the bees didn't like that, and several stung him before clinging to the engine's boiler.

"EEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!" James cried.

Soon the vicar and police arrived. The Vicar had a new hive ready, and the bees flew into it.

"I am sorry about all of this," The Vicar said apologetically, "Next time I'll have Trevor take them."

James just seethed in embarrassment.

That night at the Engine driver house, Duck and BoCo teased him relentlessly.

"Harmless little insect, eh?" BoCo said.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz," Duck teased.

"Ahem!" Came an all too familiar voice. They all turned to see Sir Topham Hatt standing there.

"James, I hear you have had an interesting day," he said, "But I am pleased with your work these past few weeks. Edward returns home tomorrow, so he can take over your work while you have a rest. The day after, you can pull the express. I think a change of scenery will do you some good after today."

"Oh, thank you sir," James beamed proudly, and then Sir Topham Hatt left. He then turned to BoCo.

"I'm sorry I was rude to you, BoCo," he said, "I was wrong to judge you without really getting to know you."

"No harm done, James," BoCo said kindly.

All three are now good friends, although Bees have become a popular topic as of late. James would prefer to forget about them altogether.