Chapter 73: Duncan Blows His Stack

Nancy is a guard's daughter who often helps on the Skarloey Railway. She can usually be found in the engine shed, polishing the engines for the day's work. Skarloey was fond of Nancy, but she could be a handful at times.

One day, Nancy was giving Skarloey a haircut on his day off. It had been her idea, and Skarloey regretted letting her do it. He was uncomfortable, and squirmed about.

"Stay still," she fussed, "Otherwise it'll get all messed up. Don't you want to look nice."

"It's fine the way it is," Skarloey grumbled, "You're just fussing over nothing. I know you want to practice, but there's no need to mess with something that is perfectly fine the way it is."

Shortly thereafter, he gave up fighting her and started to doze off. He thought about this brother Rheneas, and all the good times they had shared.

He was about to drift off to sleep when Nancy spoke again.

"Don't you want to look nice when Rheneas returns."

Skarloey jolted awake.

"What? When?"

"In a week. Daddy overheard it the other day. But if you're sure that you look fine, I best be going on my way."

"Wait, please don't go. Maybe I could do with a bit more off the top."

"If you say so," Nancy laughed.

A little while later, Duncan came into the room. Nancy was just getting finished.

"Hey Nancy," he told her, "Think you can give me a trim as well?"

"Sorry, Duncan, but I don't have time right now. I have to help the refreshment lady get Ice Cream ready for the passengers. Never mind, though, maybe tomorrow.

But Duncan did mind.

"It is nae fair," he grumbled, "Peter Sam's engine gets a new funnel, Sir Handel's engine gets new wheels, but I can't even get a simple haircut."

Later that day, Duncan was in the common house. He had finished all his jobs and had been allowed to take the rest of the day off. He was just about to start reading his book when a yard worker came in.

"Peter Sam's engine has derailed at the middle station," he informed Duncan, "And his passengers are stranded. You need to head up the line and take the train home. Sir Handel will take Peter Sam home.

Duncan was cross.

"But I'm already of the clock," he grumbled, "And I was just about to have a snack."

"Sorry, Duncan," the worker said, "But you're the only one available. Mr. Percival has promised to give you overtime."

But Duncan was still upset. He drove his engine roughly to the middle station. Peter Sam stood on the platform, while Sir Handel was helping the breakdown crew lift his engine back on the rails.

"Thank you for taking over, Duncan," he said kindly, "I'm sorry that you had to be called back in."

But Duncan was still cross.

"Maybe if you would mind the line, this would nae happen," he snapped, and stormed out of the station before either Sir Handel or Peter Sam could respond.

The trip did not go well for Duncan. His engine was short of steam, so he had to stop and wait for it to build. Then on the return journey, some sheep broke out of the field and onto the line. Duncan had to help the farmer round them up again. These delays made the passengers cross, and they took it out on Duncan, making him crosser still.

"It's not my fault these things keep happening," he grumbled, but the passengers did not care. Finally, Duncan had enough. As they crossed Rheneas viaduct, he applied the brakes, and the train screeched to a hault.

"I won't have you people putting your problems on me," he snapped, "If you don't like how things are going, you are free to walk home for all I care, but I will not be disrespected like this."

The passengers and the guard all argued with him, but it was no good. Rusty soon had to come and tow the train home.

That night, Mr. Percival spoke sternly to Duncan.

"I understand that some things that happened today were out of your control," he began, "But your behavior lately has been unacceptable. Hopefully, a week's suspension will teach you to control your temper."

And with that, he walked sternly away.

"He's too soft," Duncan grumbled, "Won't stand up to those winy passengers. Nothing but trouble, they are.

He still has a lot to learn.