Chapter 281: Scrambled Eggs
A storm had caused severe damage on Thomas's branchline. While most of the line was safe, the bridge across the River Els needed more time to fully repair. Sir Topham Hatt had gone to see if it was still usable, and returned with bad news.
"We'll have to put a weight limit on the bridge for the time being. Percy, Daisy, Emily and Toby, your engines will be alright, since they're light enough. But Thomas, your's is too heavy, I'm afraid."
Thomas's face fell.
"Cheer up lad, it'll only be for a while How would you like to help out Edward on his branchline?"
"Oh yes sir, please sir!"
"Good, I'll make the arrangements."
The next day, Thomas set off for Wellsworth. He was sad to leave Emily and their son, but he knew that the others would take good care of them.
Edward was happy to see him, and to try and cheer him up he gave him a tour of the line. When they reached Brendam, they met Bill and Ben, who snorted when they saw Thomas's engine.
"Another blue engine? How many does that make, Ben?"
"I've lost count, Bill! First Edward, then Gordon, not to mention Sir Handel, Bert…"
"What this island needs is more yellow engines, like ours! Yellow is the only proper color for an engine!"
Before Thomas could splutter a reply, Boco came in, tooting the horn to get the twin's attention.
"Get back to work, you two! And leave our guest alone."
Bill and Ben grumbled, but complied. Boco then smiled warmly at Thomas.
"Sorry about those two. They mean well, but they love to cause trouble."
"I know. Rosie warned me about them."
"Oh, they're not that bad," Edward said. "In fact, they remind me of a certain someone who wanted to "see the world."
Thomas just blushed, and tried to hide it.
"Come along, time to get to work! I'll show you what to do."
Thomas's first job was to take the load of China Clay Bill and Ben had left up to Wellsworth, where it'd be shunted onto a train bound for the mainland. The run got off to a good start, but trouble lay ahead.
Before the harbor, Edward's line crossed a farm line. The farm nearby produced eggs, milk, and butter, which they took to the shops in Brendam. On this day, the farmer was making his way to market in his beat up lorry. It was an old, almost lifeless lorry, spluttering and coughing down the lane. The farmer grumbled all the way.
"At this rate I'll have two loads of butter before I get to town. I need to get me a new lorry before this one bites the dust. Otherwise, I'm sunk."
As the lorry trundled over the crossing, it's engine finally gave out just before the back end could clear the tracks. The farmer smashed the horn in anger.
"Fudge!"
Groaning, he kicked open the door and stepped out, about to head up the line in search of a phone. But just before he could, he heard an unfamiliar whistle.
"Blast it, a train's coming! I need to warn them before it's too late!"
Thomas was making good time, and was enjoying the scenery when he heard shouting. Looking ahead, he saw the farmer waving to get him to stop. It was only too late when he saw the reason why.
"Horrors!"
He tried to apply the brake, but it was too late. With a sickening CRUNCH! His engine ran right into the back end of the lorry, wrecking it completely. Eggs and Milk flew all over him and his engine, egg yolk running down his face as he climbed out of the engine.
"Are you alright?" The farmer asked, although he tried not to laugh.
"Just embarrassed, mostly. Sorry about your lorry."
"Ah, don't worry about it, I was going to get rid of it soon anyway. Hold still, I'll go call for help."
It took a while to clear the mess. Once the engine was pushed off the lorry, a breakdown lorry towed it to the scrapyard while Edward gave Thomas a lift back to the shed. Bill and ben were in the yard, and burst out laughing when they saw Thomas's sorry state.
"Oh dear Bill, whatever do we have here?"
"Looks to me Ben like Thomas agreed with us after all. Though I don't think a few eggshells are the way to do it!"
Thomas just seethed in silence.