Chapter 155: Jack Owns Up

One morning, the Pack arrived at their old warehouse. They were moving all of the supplies to the new one before before demolishing it. Jack and Alfie were

very excited, they had never been there before. At last, Miss Jenny and the foreman arrived.

"I know you're all excited to get to work, but this building is very old and ready to fall apart. As always, safety first, today more than any other."

"Anyone who causes an accident will be dismissed for the day," finished the foreman, and began giving everyone their jobs. Ned was only vaguely listening however.

He's very accident prone, but he didn't want to go home. Oliver saw that his friend was upset and smiled kindly.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't run into anything."

Ned smiled at this.

Before long, everyone was hard at work, moving supplies or clearing away rubble as needed. Oliver was helping Ned maneuver his steam shovel around a tight bend.

"Keep going, a little more, doing great!"

"I'm doing it, I'm doing it!"

Ned was having the time of his life. So was Jack, but he was being much less careful. While scooping up some debris, he backed his front loader into a stack of roofing tiles, sending them to the ground with a loud CRASH!

"Oh no! I've really done it this time."

Jack looked around frantically. No one was around to see what happened, and he couldn't hear anyone coming. Panicked, Jack drove away, not even looking back.

"I didn't see nothing, I didn't hear nothing, I know nothing."

A while later, Ned was cheerfully driving his shovel down the alley when he saw the pile of slate.

"Oh no!"

Thinking quickly, he brake his machine to a stop. Oliver came running and saw the ruined slate.

"Ned, what did you do? Miss Jenny won't be happy."

"It wasn't me, I swear!"

But Oliver had already left to find Miss Jenny. Ned was so sad he could cry. He was being sent home for an accident he didn't even cause.

After lunch Jack arrived at the entrance, he could see Miss Jenny speaking to Ned severely.

"What happened to Ned, Alfie?"

"He knocked over some roofing slate. Miss Jenny is sending him back to the yard."

At once, Jack knew what happened and what he had to do. Immediately he ran over to the two.

"Wait! Miss Jenny, Ned didn't break the roofing slate, I did. I was scared and ran off, but don't punish him for my mistake."

Miss Jenny shook her head.

"It was brave of you to own up, but you know what must happen now."

Jack nodded sadly.

"I know. I'll get going."

"Good. Ned, I do apologize for not listening. You can return to work."

"Thanks, Miss Jenny."

As Miss Jenny turned away, Jack sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry, Ned. Its not fair for you to be punished because I didn't own up."

Ned smiled and brought Jack into a headlock, rubbing his fist into his head affectionately.

"Ah, its alright little buddy, it happens. Besides, that was real brave of you to own up."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I don't think I could have. Anyway, I'll see you later."

As Jack left to collect his things, he couldn't help but feel a sad pride over doing the right thing.