I do no own Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, they are strictly the property of both the Awdry Family and Britt Allcroft herself. This story is purely for entertainment and never profit.
Episode 37: Percy and Harold, Original Airdate: October 22nd, 1986
It was a warm sunny day on the Island of Sodor. Thomas was taking Lucy to visit Dryaw Airfield. There was an airshow being held there with many different airplanes and helicopters taking part in it, Harold was also taking part in it.
Thomas and Lucy were both watching Harold as he performed for the crowds in his white Westland Whirlwind helicopter. When the demonstration was over, Harold landed his helicopter whilst the crowd dispersed. Thomas however decided to take Lucy over to see him, Harold had just hopped out of his helicopter's cockpit when he heard a familiar voice.
"Harold" called Thomas' voice.
Harold then turned to see Thomas and Lucy both coming towards him.
"Thomas old chap" called Harold politely as the two came up to them, "little Lucy".
"Say hello to Harold Lucy," Thomas asked his daughter.
"Hello Harold" said Lucy.
"Hello there little Lucy" greeted Harold with a smile, "and how are you enjoying this fine airshow?".
"Fun" giggled Lucy.
"It actually is entertaining" admitted Thomas.
Harold smiled at Thomas' words before looking around, he noticed that someone wasn't there.
"Say Thomas old chap where is Percy?" asked Harold.
"He couldn't make it today" replied Thomas.
"Say why don't the three of us grab a bite to eat?" asked Harold.
"Why thanks for the offer, Harold" replied Thomas.
Harold then led Thomas and Lucy to the food trucks. They both ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries and Coca-Cola, whilst Lucy had some chicken nuggets and a Coke Zero. The trio then found a bench where they sat down to eat their food, all the while discussing the latest gossip.
"So how are things on the North Western Railway Thomas?" asked Harold.
"Very well thanks Harold" replied Thomas, "we're still as busy as ever".
"And how has Lucy been considering what happened" asked Harold softly.
"She's okay" replied Thomas solemnly, "I'm thankful that she's too young to learn the full details, but she does miss her mother very much".
"I wish I could have been of more help" said Harold solemnly.
"You did your best Harold and that's all that matters" replied Thomas kindly, "but are you sure that you didn't find Lady's you know what?".
"I'm afraid so Thomas" said Harold, "I flew my helicopter over the length of the Hawin Croka three times, but I'm afraid the result was the same. I can only assume that it must have been carried out to sea".
Thomas sighed sadly at this news. He had hoped that that by some miracle Lady had survived her engines falling off the Big Dipper viaduct, but Harold's words put that hope in the grave. However, in his heart, Thomas knew that Lady was still alive, even though not many people believed him.
"Cheer up Thomas" said Harold hoping to brighten up the mood, "why don't you tell Lucy here one of your stories?".
Thomas' ears perked up at this request.
"You've heard of my stories?" he asked Harold.
"Percy told me about them a couple of weeks ago" replied Harold, "besides I'd actually like to hear one of them myself",
"Okay then" said Thomas with a smile.
"Story" said Lucy excitedly.
"That's right Lucy sweetheart" said Thomas, "now which story should I tell?".
"Why don't you tell the one of how me and Percy both first met" suggested Harold.
"That sounds like a good idea Harold," said Thomas.
Lucy sat excitedly whilst Harold listened with keen interest so that Thomas could tell his story.
"Right then" said Thomas as he began his story, "it all began after Percy had been transferred to work with me, Toby and Lady at Ffarquhar".
(Story Begins)
Percy worked at the new harbour during the construction, the workmen need stone for their building. Toby helped too, but sometimes the loads of stone were too heavy, and Percy had to fetch them himself. Sometimes he'd see both Thomas and Lady.
"Well done Percy" said Thomas one day.
"Sir Topham Hatt's very pleased with us" added Lady.
"Thanks, you two" smiled Percy at the compliments they gave him, "how much longer until the construction is completed?".
"They're saying it should be another two months," said Burnett.
"That's good" said Percy before he turned to Thomas and Lady, "and what about you two. How are things with the little one?".
Thomas and Lady both smiled before looking down at the latter's growing stomach. Lady was now three months pregnant, due to that she couldn't much of her driving duties. Luckily for her, Burnett did most of the coal shovelling and cleaning out her GWR 102's firebox at days end. In a month, Lady was going to go on her maternity leave, fortunately for her, Burnett had kindly decided to take over driving her GWR 102 until she had returned.
"It's going fine Percy" replied Thomas to his best friend.
"Have you two gotten any baby items yet?" asked Percy.
"We sure have" said Lady, "we've got the crib, some cuddly toys, diapers, bottles, a baby bath and course some baby clothes as well".
"Nice" said Percy, "and where are you two going to stay?".
"They're currently rotating between our and Burnett's house" said Howard, "it's actually quite handy".
As the trio discussed the latest news, they heard a mowing noise coming from overhead. There was an airfield, Thomas, Lady, Percy, and Toby often heard the aeroplanes zooming overhead all day. The nosiest of them all was a white helicopter.
"Stupid thing" said Percy in annoyance, "why can't it just go a buzz someplace else".
"No there's no need to be rude Percy" said Burnett, "people can't help it if a helicopter is loud or not".
One day, Percy was taking some trucks to Anopha Quarry to be filled with stone when he stopped by the airfield, it was there that he saw the helicopter. It was a Westland Whirlwind painted completely white with a red stripe running down its side and the name "Harold" written in red on its side.
He saw that the pilot, a man in his mid thirties, was tending to the helicopter and decided to introduce himself.
"Hello there" Percy called from his cab.
The pilot jumped in fright at the unexpected calling of his name, but when he turned around and saw that it was Percy, he calmed down.
"Oh, hello there old chap" said the pilot, "you gave me a little fright there".
"Sorry" said Percy, "I just wanted to say hello".
"That's okay" smiled the pilot.
"I'm Percy" said Percy, "may I ask what's your name?".
"I'm Harold" said the pilot before he gave a salute, "formerly captain of her majesties Royal Air Force".
"Please to met you Harold" said Percy, "is that your helicopter".
"Why yes, it is" replied Harold.
"What whirly great arms she's got," said Percy.
"Yes, their nice arms, they can make her hoover like a bird" explained Harold, "don't you wish that you can fly Percy?".
"Oh no thank you Harold" said Percy, "much prefer my tank engine on its rails thank you".
"Well, I'm sure that railways have their uses" said Harold, "but I personally think that railways are slow. Not as much use as they once were and quite out of date. Now I must be off on patrol, pleasure to meet you Percy".
With that Harold then hopped into his helicopter, with a whirling of its propellers, it took to the air and flew away. Percy was however left behind feeling cross at Harold's remark about railways.
"Who does that Harold think he is?" he said to himself crossly.
Later that day, Percy found Toby at Anopha Quarry when the former had arrived to take a train of stone trucks to the harbour. Toby noticed that his friend was looking rather annoyed and decided to see what the problem was.
"What's the matter Percy?" asked Toby.
"That Harold" grumbled Percy, "that stuck up whirlybird pilot thinks that I'm slow and out of date".
"How so?" asked Toby.
Percy then explained to Toby about his meeting with Harold earlier that day. After he had finished, Toby gave his friend a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry Percy" said Toby kindly, "I'm sure that Harold probably didn't mean it".
"I'll believe that when I see it" grumbled.
He coupled his saddle tank to the trucks and then left the quarry. As he was passing the watermill, he began to feel a little bit better. But then he heard a familiar buzzing in the distance, sure enough he saw Harold's helicopter not far ahead.
Percy then decided of a way to pay Harold back for calling his engine slow. He then blew his engines whistle, that got Harold's attention.
"Say Percy what's where the fire?" he asked through his helicopter's P.A. system.
"Nothing wrong Harold" said Percy, "how about a race to the new harbour. Then we'll see whose faster, my engine or your helicopter".
"I accept your challenge old chap" replied Harold.
With that, Harold's helicopter then began to fly faster. Seeing this, Percy then made his saddle tank go faster, the trucks his saddle tank was pulling swayed, the race was on. He had soon caught up with Harold's helicopter, he had never gone this fast before and was having the time of his life.
"Well, I'll be a ding-dong-dang" said Harold as he witnessed from his helicopter's cab.
Percy's saddle tank sped through the branch line cutting, Harold's helicopter was coming up from behind. Percy shovelled for dear life. As he reached the dual bends, he saw a signal that warned that the harbour wharf was near.
"Breaks guard please" Percy called from the cab to the guard in the brake van.
Percy carefully checked his trains headlong speed, not wanting to plunge into the sea once he reached the harbour. As he approached the harbour, he began to slow down his saddle tank, he then rolled under the mainline and halted on the wharf.
"Oh dear" he said as he hopped down from his cab, "I'm sure I've lost".
The guard then got out of his brake van and scrambled onto its roof, a smile then came to his face.
"You've won Percy" he said, "Harold's still hoovering. He's looking for a place to land".
Percy then came over to the brake van. Sure, enough in the sky, was Harold's white helicopter hoovering over the airfield before descending.
"Say boys listen to this" said the guard to Percy, the stationmaster and several workmen who had gathered, "here's a victory song for Percy".
"Said Harold Helicopter to our Percy you are slow.
Your railway is out of date and not much use you know.
But Percy and his stone trucks did the trip in record time,
and we beat the helicopter on our old branch line".
"Oh thank you" said Percy as the guard finished the song.
He liked the ending line best of all and was a very happy ending driver. Just then Harold came walking onto the platform, much to everyone's surprise he shook Percy's hand and had a smile on his face.
"I say Percy old chap that was a good race you gave me" complimented Harold, "and I'm sorry if I sounded rude earlier".
"That's okay Harold" replied Percy, "now you've learned that railways are still really useful".
"That I did old chap" said Harold, "how about I buy you a Guinness tonight as a sigh to our friendship?".
"Friendship" smiled Percy accepting Harold's offer.
(Story Ends)
"And eventually Harold managed to befriend me, mummy and Uncle Toby" said Thomas as he finished his story.
"I say Thomas old chap that was a mighty fine story" said Harold.
"Well I'm glad you liked it Harold" smiled Thomas.
"Oh would you look at the time" said Harold looking at his watch, "its time for my next demonstration".
Harold then left the lunch area and returned to his helicopter to give its next demonstration. Thomas and Lucy then finished their food before Thomas then bought Lucy a chocolate vanilla ice cream cone and then going to enjoy the rest of the airshow.
And done, a full four days to write and I think that it turned out fine. Anyway please be so kind as to leave a preview and as always see you all next time.