I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. They are strictly the property of both the Awdry Family and Britt Allcroft, this story is purely for entertainment and not profit. I would also like to thank Hufflepuff Batboy for letting me us his characters Constables Leonard and Johnson.
Episode 23: Thomas and Lady in Trouble, Original Airdate: December 18th 1984
Ten minutes later Thomas, Lucy, Toby, and Henrietta had arrived at McDonalds. They went inside to order their food, when they entered the establishment, they were surprised to see that Reverends Awdry, and Boston were there. The two clergymen saw the two drivers and their daughters and decided to greet them.
"Thomas, Toby" greeted Reverend Awdry with a smile, "my word this is a surprise seeing you and your daughters here".
"What brings you four down here to McDonalds?" asked Reverend Boston.
"We decided to treat our daughters to a little treat," said Thomas.
"Daddy's going to tell story" said Lucy excitedly.
Both Reverends Awdry and Boston were interested by this. One thing they knew about Thomas was that he could tell a great story, which was why they invited him to Rainbows End to tell one on occasion. The two decided to see they could listen to it themselves.
"Say Thomas you don't mind if me and Teddy listen to you story as well?" Reverend Awdry asked.
"I don't see why not" replied Thomas with a smile.
"Why don't we all get our food and then you can tell it Thomas," said Toby.
"Oh right" said Thomas, briefly forgetting that they were getting something to eat.
Soon they had gotten their food. Thomas was having a Big Mac with large fries and Coca-Cola, Toby had a Quarter Pounder with cheese, twisty fries, and a Fanta. Both Lucy and Henrietta each had a happy meal and a cookie each whilst both Reverends Awdry and Boston had a Fillet-o-Fish with large fries and a Coke Zero each.
The two engine drivers, their daughters and the two clergymen sat down on one of the benches outside the McDonalds restaurant and were beginning to tuck into their food.
"So, what's your story today Thomas?" asked Reverend Boston after he had swallow a mouthful of his burger.
"It's about me and Lady's encounter with Constable Johnson," said Thomas.
"Ah I remember him" said Reverend Awdry, "that young policeman was quiet a pain in the backside".
Thomas couldn't agree with Reverend Awdry more, clearly remember the grief that he had given both him and Lady.
"Story daddy" said Lucy with her mouth full.
"Now Lucy its rude to talk with your mouth full," said Thomas.
"Sorry" said Lucy after she had swallowed her food.
"Anyway" said Thomas as he began the story, "it all began when me and Lady were coming back from Anopha Quarry".
(Story Begins)
There was a line that ran to Anopha Quarry on Thomas's branch line. It ran for some distance beside the road, whenever Thomas ran on it, he was always very careful to whistle in case someone was travelling alone the road.
One day he was travelling down the line with Lady. It was a very busy day at the quarry and so Sir Topham Hatt had decided to send Lady and Burnett to help Thomas and Howard were the heavy workload. Both Thomas and Lady were very excited by this as it meant that they could both spend the day together.
They were both leaving Anopha Quarry with some trucks full of stone. Lady had four seven plank trucks, whilst Thomas had four seven plank trucks and his two coaches, due to taking the workmen to the quarry that morning.
"It's wonderful that you're on my line today Lady" called Thomas from his cab that day.
"It sure is Thomas" called back Lady, "although it would even better if Sir Topham Hatt transferred me up here".
"And then we could see each other every day instead of only at the sheds" called Thomas.
"You never know son" replied Howard, "may it will happen one day".
As Thomas and Lady were leaving Anopha Quarry, they both saw a large policeman sitting close to the line, he was emptying a stone from his shoe. Thomas liked policeman, both he and his family had been great friends to Constable Leonard who had recently retired.
"I'm sure going to miss Constable Leonard" sighed Thomas.
"I know son" replied Howard, "but he does deserve a nice rest after 40 years of protecting the public".
I do hope that the next constable will be friendly like Constable Leonard" wondered Thomas.
"I'm sure he will son," said Howard.
But unfortunately for Howard that wasn't going to be the case. The Constable had just finished putting back on his shoe when Thomas gave a friendly whistle causing him to yelp in surprise. When Thomas and Lady, both saw him, they both noticed that he didn't look friendly at all, in fact he was red in the face and very cross.
"Disgraceful" said the policeman.
"I'm sorry Sir?" asked Thomas as he and Lady both brought their engines to gentle stop.
"I didn't sleep a wink last night" said the policeman crossly, "it was so quiet and now engines come whistling behind me and in my first day in the country".
"I'm sorry constable" said Thomas surprised, "all I wanted was to say hello".
The policeman just pulled out his note and looked at the fronts of Thomas and Lady's engines. He then gave a frown of disapproval.
"Where are your engines cowcatchers?" he demanded.
"Cowcatchers?" asked Lady in confusion, "but our engines don't catch cows constable".
"Don't you try and be funny with me blondie" snapped the policeman angry.
"Excuse me Sir" said Burnett angrily, "don't you ever speak to Lady like that again ever".
"Either you stay out of this, or I'll arrest you Sir" snapped the policeman angrily.
Burnett begrudgingly did as he was told, not wanting to get arrested whilst on the job. The policeman then looked at the wheels of Thomas and Lady's engines, again he was in disapproval.
"No side plates either" he said as he took it down in his notebook.
"Dad what are side plates?" asked Thomas.
"Your guess is as good as mine son" replied Howard.
"Engines that go on public road must have their wheels covered and their cowcatchers in front of them to keep people and animals from being dragged under" said the policeman, "your engines don't you two, so they are dangerous".
"Now you wait just a minute there now constable" said Howard in annoyance at his accusations, "we've down here numerous times and never even once had an accident".
"Several times you say" said the policeman in a sarcastically shocked tone, "well then that only makes it worse".
He then wrote down "REGULAR LAWBREAKERS" in his book. Both Thomas and Lady went on their way, feeling rather upset by the policeman's accusations of their engines being a dangerous to the public.
At Topham Hall Sir Topham Hatt and Lady Hatt were having breakfast. They were having hot buttered toast, bacon, sausage, and coffee. Right now, they were both currently enjoying each other's company.
"It sure feels good to be home" said Lady Hatt.
"I couldn't agree with you more Jane dear" replied Sir Topham Hatt.
Just then the butler came into the dining room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you Sir, but you are wanted on the telephone" he explained.
"Oh bother that telephone" said Sir Topham Hatt in annoyance as he stood up, "I'll be there in a moment Reginald".
Sir Topham Hatt then went to telephone to see what was so important as to interrupt his and his wife's breakfast, he soon however found out what it was Howard who had called him. He listened to what had happened to Thomas and Lady at Anopha Quarry.
"What" said Sir Topham Hatt in surprise, "I've never heard of such a ridiculous law. Alright Howard I'll be right there".
Sir Topham Hatt then entered the dining room to say goodbye to his wife. Lady Hatt noticed the look on his face.
"What is it dear?" asked Lady Hatt.
"I'm afraid that Thomas and Lady are both in trouble with the police" said Sir Topham Hatt.
"Whatever for?" asked Lady Hatt in shock.
"Something about their engines being dangerous to the public" said Sir Topham Hatt as he left.
Later he arrived at Elsbridge Station where he found Thomas, Lady, Howard, and Burnett were there already. They informed Sir Topham Hatt of the situation that occurred earlier that day at Anopha Quarry with Constable Johnson.
"Danger to the public indeed" said Sir Topham Hatt in surprise, "we'll soon see about that".
Whilst they waited for Constable Johnson to arrive, they were soon reunited with an old friend.
"Thomas, Howard?" came a voice.
Both Thomas and Howard turned to see a 60 year old man walking up to them with a smile on his face. It was Constable Leonard.
"Constable Leonard" said Thomas happily as he shook his hand, "its so good to see you here".
"That I agree young Thomas" smiled Leonard, "although it's just Leonard now".
"What are you doing here?" asked Howard as the smile on Leonard's face fell.
"I just heard about what happened" said Leonard, "I thought that I'd come down here and see if I could speak sense into Constable Johnson".
"Is that his name?" asked Lady.
"I'm afraid so Lady" sighed Leonard, "he's one of the new recruits on the Ffarquhar Police Service. I've heard from some of my former colleagues that he's a huge sticker for the rules".
Just then Constable Johnson arrived at Elsbridge Station. Constable Leonard then went over to Sir Topham Hatt who acknowledged his presence and thanked him for coming to help. The three of them began to argue about the whole ordeal, Constable Johnson kept insisting that he was in the right.
"I was just following the law" he protested, "a little something that Constable Leonard never seemed to do".
"Constable Johnson, that law was repealed over 60 years ago" explained Leonard, "Thomas has worked on that line ever since last year".
"Last year you say Constable Leonard" said Constable Johnson, "well then clearly he's not learned everything there is about it".
Sir Topham Hatt tried to talk some sense into Constable Johnson, but however much he argued with him, it was ultimately no good.
"The law is the law, and we can't change it" declared Constable Johnson.
At last Sir Topham Hatt felt exhausted by the whole ordeal. He then turned to Thomas, Lady, Howard, and Burnett with a defeated look on his face.
"I'm sorry you four" he said, "its no use arguing with police, we will just have to make those cowcatcher things for both Thomas and Lady's engines I suppose".
Both Thomas and Lady were horrified by this news.
"But you can't Sir" begged Lady, "people will laugh at our engines!".
"Lady's right" said Thomas, "they'll say that they look like trams".
At the mentioning of the word trams, something immediately clicked inside of Sir Topham Hatt's head.
"Please say that word again for me Thomas?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"Trams Sir" repeated Thomas.
"Of course, a tram" said Sir Topham Hatt with a smile on his face, "why didn't I think of it before".
"Didn't think of what Sir Topham Hatt?" asked Constable Johnson in annoyance.
"What we need on the Ffarquhar branch line is a tram engine" said Sir Topham Hatt, "when I was on my holiday in East Anglia, I meant a nice little tram driven by a man named Toby Holden. It was both the cowcatchers and side plates that you so fondly speak of Constable Johnson, I better write to his controller at once".
Over in East Anglia Toby Holden had open the letter that he had got in the post, his eyes widened in excitement when he saw what it read.
"Henrietta" said Toby excitedly as he ran into the kitchen.
"What is it daddy?" asked Henrietta in confusion at her father's excitement.
"It's a letter from the stout gentleman" said Toby as he began to read the letter.
Dear Toby and Henrietta.
My name is Sir Topham Hatt, I'm the controller of the world famous North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor.
I just heard about your line closing down and I'm sorry for that. Its because of that that I've decided to offer you a job on the North Western Railway so that you will be still able to provide for your young daughter Henrietta.
Another reason is because two of my employees, Thomas Billinton and Lady Stone have been in trouble with a policeman named Constable Johnson. Apparently, he's declared their engines to be a danger to the public due to them not having cowcatchers or side plates. So, I've decided to please him by hiring you.
Please be so kind as to write back to me as soon as you can,
Yours Sincerely,
Sir Topham Hatt,
Managing Director of the North Western Railway.
Toby had just finished reading the letter when he made up his mind.
"Henrietta we better pack our bags" declared Toby.
"We moving to Sodor" asked Henrietta excitedly.
"That we are sweetie" smiled Toby to his young daughter.
"Hooray" said Henrietta excitedly.
A few days later there was a "For Sale" sign on the front garden of Toby's house. He had managed to find a small flat on the Sudrian village of Ffarquhar until he had earned enough money for him and Henrietta to buy their own house.
Toby had also agreed to sell his old house to his managers, Mr. Thompsons nephew and his girlfriend who had just recently moved in together. On the day of his and Henrietta's departure, Toby stood on the platform of the old station with Mr. Thompson, his C53's coach coupled behind it containing their language and a few other possessions.
"It was an honour to work for you Mr. Thompson" said Toby to his old manager.
"And it was an honour to have you as an employee of mine" said Mr. Thompson, "but I can promise you is you will enjoy life on Sodor. It's the only place in the whole of the U.K. that still has steam engines in regular service".
"And also I'll be able to teach that policeman a thing or two" said Toby.
"Yes about, may I see the letter that Sir Topham Hatt mailed you?" asked Mr. Thompson.
Toby handed the letter to Mr. Thompson who then read it. He gave a sign at the mention of Constable Johnsons reasons.
"Well Sir?" asked Toby.
"That Constable Johnson is an idiot" said Mr. Thompson, "that law was repealed in the 1940's and nobody's even enforced it in years".
"Don't worry I'll soon put him right" said Toby as he hopped into his C53 with Henrietta, "anyway Sir, goodbye".
"Goodbye Toby and Henrietta, enjoy your new lives" said Mr. Thompson.
Toby's C53 then departed the station and soon disappeared into the distance. The next morning it had arrived on the Island of Sodor, they arrived at Lower Tidmouth Station where they found Sir Topham Hatt waiting for them on the platform.
Toby then brought his C53 to a complete stop before hopping down from the cab, Henrietta joining him.
"There you are Toby" greeted Sir Topham Hatt politely as he knelt down to Henrietta, "and hello to you to little Henrietta".
"Hello Sir" said Henrietta.
"Here you go" smiled Sir Topham Hatt as he pulled out a Cadbury's bar from his pocket and offered it to Henrietta.
"Thank you, Sir," said Henrietta happily as she took the bar.
"And I see you've brought your engines coach along with you" said Sir Topham Hatt as he stood back up.
"That's right Sir" said Toby, "the stationmaster on our old line wanted to use it as a henhouse and that would never do?".
"No indeed, we couldn't allow that" agreed Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt then asked Toby to bring him to the sheds at Ffarquhar. When Toby got there, he saw Thomas and Lady preparing their engines. Sir Topham Hatt then introduced them to Toby, he then told Lady that she and Burnett could go back to Kirk Ronan.
Although they were both sad that they weren't going to be working together anymore, Thomas and Lady did promise each other that they would spend the weekend together. After Lady had left, Sir Topham Hatt then told Toby what he was to do for the day. Toby soon got the hang of the Ffarquhar branch line, even the workmen were so impressed with him that they behaved themselves.
One afternoon a few days later, Toby was leaving Anopha Quarry with four plank trucks couple to his coach and filled with stone. He saw Constable Johnson standing by the side of the road, no doubt waiting for Thomas and Lady. As he was near enough Toby rang his bell loudly, startling Constable Johnson.
"Oy you" he called as he rang his bicycles bell.
Toby just laughed at him and left the stunned policeman far behind. At first Thomas was jealous, but when he heard of Toby how rang his trams bell and frightened Constable Johnson, they've been firm friends ever since.
(Story Ends)
Thomas had just finished his story. At the same time he, Lucy, Toby, Henrietta, Reverends Awdry and Boston had all finished their food.
"That was a very good story young Thomas" commented Reverend Awdry.
"Thanks Reverend" replied Thomas to Reverend Awdry's kind words.
"You sure taught Constable Johnson a valuable lesson Toby," said Reverend Boston.
"That I did Reverend Boston" replied Toby.
"Of course, you two remembered that church service when he made a right fool of himself?" said Reverend Awdry with an amused grin on his face, "of how me, Reverend Boston and the other "criminals" were made to pay £20?".
Both Thomas and Toby gave amused grins themselves. Constable Johnson sure made an utter arse of himself that Sunday.
(October 2009)
It was a cool Autumn morning in Ffarquhar. Constable Johnson was out on his rounds, looking for any sign of potential law breakers. So far, he found nothing and to top it all off, he was starting to get rather board.
"It sure is a quiet day" he said to himself, "hopefully that will change soon".
What Constable Johnson didn't know was that his wish was about to be granted, although its results were going to be rather embarrassing for him. He was just passing St. Mary's Church when he noticed that some of the cars were parked, in his option improperly.
"Oh boy you drivers are in for it now" he said to himself with an evil grin on his face.
He then took out his ticket book and began to write out tickets, he then placed them on each of the cars. But what he didn't know was that their owners were attending the service in the church. He had just finished putting the last ticket on a Ford 1986 Taurus when he heard a voice.
"Why are you given my car a ticket constable?" said the voice.
Constable Johnson turned around to see Reverends Awdry, Boston and a crowd of church goers, confused as to why Constable Johnson was giving them tickets.
"Is this your car Reverend?" asked Constable Johnson.
"That's right constable" said Reverend Awdry, "why are you giving me a ticket, that's a parking space it's in".
Constable Johnson looked down and saw, much to his embarrassment that Reverend Awdry was right.
"Well, the other cars are improperly parked" said Constable Johnson in an attempt to justify himself.
"No, they aren't you idiot" came an angry.
Just then a tall man in a blue suit, with brown hair and a moustache. The man looked at Constable Johnson with an unimpressed look on his face, Constable Johnson paled when he recognized the man, it was none other than his sergeant.
"Sergeant?" asked Constable Johnson in a shocked tone.
"What are you doing Constable Johnson" asked his sergeant asked angrily, "are you even aware that these cars are parked in a church car park?".
Constable Johnson looked around and sure enough, much to his embarrassment, his sergeant was right. He desperately hoped that things wouldn't get any worse, but they were going to. His sergeant noticed that his car had a ticket on it, he then stormed over to it, pulled off the ticket and marched straight back up to Constable Johnson who had a frightened look on his face. The sergeant then shoved the ticket in his face.
"You gave me a ticket Constable Johnson?" he asked in a soft but dangerous tone of voice.
"I didn't know it was your car Sir" said Constable Johnson in a desperate tone, "I swear. I both thought that it was someone else's and it wasn't park properly".
"Or maybe you were just too thick skulled to even check" replied the sergeant in annoyance at Constance Johnson's stupidity.
Just then the sergeant spotted the car that officially sealed Constable Johnsons fate. It was a black Ford Focus and he saw that it had a ticket on it, he then looked at Constable Johnson. Constable Johnson saw that his sergeant had that dangerous look on his face.
"YOU FUCKING IDIOT JOHNSON" bellowed the sergeant, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHOSE CAR THAT IS?".
"No Sir I didn't" said a frightened Constable Johnson, "whose is it?".
"Its mine" came an angry growl.
Constable Johnson paled when he heard that voice, he desperately hoped against all hope that it wasn't who he thought it was. But when he turned around, his hopes were ultimately crushed like a bug. Standing next to Reverends Awdry and Boston was a stout middle aged man who had balding hair, wore glasses and a red coat and brown trousers. The man was none other than John Croarie, the Chairman of the local Bench of Magistrates and the look on his face told Constable Johnson that his fate was officially sealed.
"Oh bollocks" groaned Constable Johnson in despair.
And done and I must say I'm pleased with how it turned out. Anyway please be so kind as to leave a preview and as always, see you next time.