Chapter 269: A Bad Day for Harold
Harold loved his job on the Island of Sodor. His helicopter can be used for many things, from rescue operations to tourism. Sometimes he even helps deliver the mail, though Percy wishes he wouldn't. One night, he arrived at the sheds just after Percy
"Got anymore mail? I can deliver it if you'd like."
"No thank you, Harold. Thomas and I delivered it all."
"Oh, that's too bad."
"No, it's not. Delivering the mail is a job for the railway."
"Relax Percy, I was just trying to help. That's what friends are for!"
And he took off for the airfield, kicking up dirt everywhere. Percy sputtered in disgust as dirt got in his mouth.
"Birdbrain."
A few days later, Percy was taking the mail along the branchline when he saw a broken signal up ahead.
"Bother! Now I'll be late!"
But there was nothing he could do. He waited and waited, but still the signal wouldn't work.
"Hurry up!"
"Oh, hold your horses!" Snapped a workman. "We're working as fast as we can."
"Great, now how am I going to get the mail delivered on time?"
Just then, a great whirring noise was heard. Knowing exactly who it was, Percy shut his eyes in anger.
"I just had to say it."
Harold's helicopter touched down in the nearby field. Harold stepped out, his usual cheerful self.
"Howdy, folks! Need a hand with the mail, Percy?"
Percy didn't want to share the load with Harold, but he knew it was the only way it'd get delivered on time, so he relented. A few of the workmen helped them load all of the letters and parcels into the helicopter's cargo net. Harold's Co-Pilot eyed the net suspiciously.
"I think we're overloaded. We should leave some of them here."
"Nonsense, Jerry! If we did that, we'd be as slow as Percy!"
Percy's eye twitched in anger. Jerry scratched his head in thought before shrugging.
"Alright, if you say so."
So they boarded the helicopter and took off. The moment they did, the signal started working, much to Percy's relief.
"Finally! Harold, come back!"
But Harold couldn't hear him if he wanted to. Percy's heart sank.
"Great, now Harold's going to take my mail run."
But then there was trouble. Jerry was right, they were overweight, and the two found themselves struggling for control.
"We have too much weight! I told you-"
"Not now, Jerry! Look out for that tree!"
The two of them just barely managed to dodge the tree, but then they found themselves spiraling out of control.
"We're going down!"
"We'll have to jump!"
Throwing open the doors, the two men rolled out of the helicopter as it crashed into a haystack. Jerry was alright, but Harold found himself face first in a haystack. Percy, so alarmed by the crash, ignored the signal and rushed to help them.
"Harold, are you alright? I'll go get help!"
"Could you get me out of here, first?"'
By the time they had freed him from the haystack, Harvey had arrived with the breakdown train. It took a while, but the helicopter was upright and on its way to the works.
A week later, once the repairs were complete, Harold flew to Tidmouth Sheds to see Percy.
"Thanks for the save there, old chap. Sorry if I came off as a little rude."
"That's alright, Harold. That's what friends are for!"