Rebecca was enjoying hearing about Thomas' adventures with Bill and Ben. "Did anything else happen before he went back to his Branch Line?" she asked.
"Well, he helped Ben out of a very 'damp' situation," said Edward, "and this is what happened."
Part of the line Bill and Ben use to reach the China Clay Works runs near the sea. Here, there is a hollow in the land which often floods after heavy rain. Local people call this hollow the 'Drain'.
Gales were causing rough seas and high tides. When the rain came, the Drivers and Firemen were gloomy.
"There's a really high tide now," said Ben's Driver. "It could cause real trouble at the 'Drain'." But while pools of water lay on either side of the line, they grew no larger. The Twins soon forgot about the 'Drain' and puffed happily to and fro, exchanging loaded trucks for empty ones at Brendam Docks.
Then, the rain began again, and the wind blew stronger. As Bill and Ben set off that morning, their Drivers noticed the water in the 'Drain' was rising and started to worry again, but the Twins didn't.
Later, while Bill arranged the empty trucks, Ben soon left with a train of full ones, but when he reached the 'Drain', he was most surprised to see that the water was level with the top of the rails, but he wasn't frightened. "Come on," he said bravely, "we must get through to help Bill." The wind shrieked as it blew hard, but Ben took no notice.
Then there was trouble.
Ben was halfway across the 'Drain' when the wind made a huge wave from rising tide and swept it across the line. The water crashed against Ben's side too. "Oof!" he spluttered. "Help!" With a hiss, the water reached his fire.
"Quick, Ben!" urged his Driver. "Let's get out of her! Keep going!" But it was too late. With a gasp and a hiss of steam, Ben stopped, stranded in the middle the 'Drain' with cold seawater lapping his wheels.
At Brendam Docks, Thomas was waiting and wondering where his trucks were. Then, cold and soaking, Ben's Fireman reached the Yard and wasted no time explaining the situation. "Ben's stranded in the 'Drain' and must be rescued," he said. "We need a steel rope, a pair of waders and determination."
"Yes," said Thomas doubtfully. He understood about the cable, but he wasn't sure about determination and didn't even know what waders were. Anyhow, when they loaded the supplies, Thomas set off as quickly and safely as he could.
By then, the rain had stopped. When Thomas reached the 'Drain', everyone saw the situation. Ben was delighted to see them. Thomas stopped at the water's edge. His Fireman put on the waders, attached the cable to Thomas' coupling hook and set off into the water carrying the other end.
"How did you get out of that?" Thomas asked Ben's Fireman.
"It wasn't easy," he replied. "When I set off to find help, the Driver advised me to stay on the sleepers in case I was swamped as well."
At last, Thomas' Fireman fastened the cable to Ben's front coupling. By then, Bill had come up from behind and the Fireman uncoupled the trucks so he could pull them clear. The Fireman soon joined Ben's Driver in his cab. "Right," he said, "let's go."
Poor Ben had no steam left to whistle, so the Driver and Fireman waved to show they were ready, and Thomas took up the strain. Water sloshed and cascaded all around Ben as Thomas pulled. It was a slow job, but finally, shivering, but safe, Ben was out and clear of the 'Drain'. Thomas was properly coupled up and helped him back to the Docks.
"Thank you, Thomas," said Ben gratefully and his eyes twinkled for the first time in several hours.
"It was four days before the water in the 'Drain' subsided," finished Edward, "and when Ben reached home, the Twins agreed that it would be ungrateful of them to ever tease Thomas again."
"But I've seen them play tricks on Thomas before," said Rebecca.
"Yes," added Porter, "and didn't they once trick him into pulling some trucks with Timothy coupled up?"
"Well," smiled Edward, "old habits are hard to break and no matter what happens, Bill and Ben will always be who they are."
"That be true, Edward," agreed Salty sleepily. "Well, I think it's time we got some shuteye, then. More work tomorrow, me hearties." The other engines agreed.
"Thank you for telling me about Thomas and the Twins, Edward," Rebecca whispered. "Now, I know what to do if I do run into trouble with them."
"My pleasure, Rebecca," replied Edward and it wasn't long before they were all asleep.