It was evening on the Tall Controller's Railway and Kenneth was at Whitehaven finishing his work for the day. He was looking forward to a good rest when the Tall Controller came out of his Office. "Ah, Kenneth, I'm glad you're still here. The Lighthouse Keeper at Kent Bank is worried about his lighthouse. I want you to deliver a new lightbulb from the Shunting Yard tonight so they can replace the old one tomorrow morning."

Kenneth looked worried. "But Sir, I was just about to leave for the Engine Sheds."

"All the better, then. Any other engines who are out and about are busy. Don't worry, the sooner you deliver the lightbulb, the sooner you can get some rest."

"Yes, Sir." And Kenneth puffed away, his wheels whirring with worry. He had never run at night before and he didn't want to be away from his Shed when it was dark.

The lightbulb ready and waiting outside one of the warehouses. "Be careful, Kenneth," said the workman. "This lightbulb will break if you go too fast and if it does, you'll have to come back for a new one."

"Alright," Kenneth replied as bravely as he could. He didn't want anyone else to know he was scared.

As he made his way along, Kenneth became more and more worried. He wanted to finish his job as quickly as he could, but he knew he couldn't go too fast.

"Hullo, Kenneth."

Kenneth jumped…but it was only Marcus. "Oh Marcus, it's only you."

"Of course it's me."

"But I heard all the other engines were either at the Sheds or busy."

"I would've been busy, but my delivery was delayed," explained Marcus. "What are you doing all the way out here?"

"I was asked to take this new lightbulb to the lighthouse at Kent Bank. I was the only engine available." And then, Kenneth had an idea. "Marcus, if you're not busy, why don't you come with me?"

"Kenneth," chuckled Marcus, "you don't need two engines to deliver one lightbulb."

Kenneth didn't want to tell Marcus he was scared, but he didn't want to lie to his best friend either. "Well…it would be nice to have some company. Please?"

Marcus thought for a moment. "Alright," he said, "I'm not expected back at the Sheds yet anyway."

"YES!" cried Kenneth, "…I mean, that's great."

Marcus buffered up behind and the two engines set off. They stopped at a signal by the junction to Workington when it started to get dark.

"It's getting dark," Kenneth muttered to himself.

"Did you say something, Kenneth?" asked Marcus.

"Oh, I was…just thinking."

"Well, it's getting dark. We better turn our lamps on." As soon as his lamp was on, Kenneth felt a little better.

The engines' lamps seemed to shine brighter and brighter as it got darker all around them. Kenneth was very grateful Marcus was there with him. They were just passing Farmer Briar's Farm, when they heard a loud squeaking sound. Kenneth jumped and braked hard.

"What's the matter?" Marcus asked.

Kenneth shivered. "What was that?"

"Look up there, Kenneth. It's just the weathervane on Farmer Briar's barn."

Sure enough, it was. "Oh, right." Kenneth couldn't help smiling; he did feel silly.

Then, they came to a tunnel. It was very dark and quiet. No daylight shone from the other end. It's even darker in there, thought Kenneth and he started to slow down.

"What is it?" asked Marcus.

"I can't see a thing through the tunnel."

Marcus was puzzled. "Kenneth, we pass through this tunnel all the time."

"Yes, but usually, I can see my way out."

"Tunnels always have a way out," said Marcus, "even when you can't see them. Besides, you lamp will light our way." So, Kenneth took a big, brave puff and advanced into the darkness…and they soon reached the other side. "See," puffed Marcus, "that wasn't so bad."

"I suppose so," sighed Kenneth.

The two engines carried on down the line. Everything seemed to be going well…until Kenneth jumped again and braked hard once more. "Kenneth," groaned Marcus, "you could've broken the lightbulb. What's wrong now?"

Ahead was the dark woods outside Thirlmere and it was very, very dark. Kenneth's boiler was quivering. "I can't do this!" he cried.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, Marcus. I admit it. I'm afraid of the dark and it's too dark for me in there."

"But Kenneth, you made it so far already."

"But not even the tunnel was as dark as this. Please, Marcus, can you finish the delivery for me?"

Kenneth was sure Marcus would laugh and say he was silly, but he didn't. "Kenneth, this is your job," said Marcus kindly. "Besides, wouldn't it be scarier if I left you here alone? How would you get back to the Sheds?"

"I…I don't know…Wait, you don't think I'm silly being afraid?"

"Of course not. Everyone's afraid of something, even older engines, like Laurence."

Suddenly, they heard a 'hooting' sound. "What was that?!" shivered Kenneth.

"Don't worry," smiled Marcus, "that's just an owl. They're a little like birds, but they usually only come out at night."

"But there could be monsters in there!"

"Kenneth, it's alright," said Marcus calmly. "I know there are no such things as monsters. Thomas once told me that his friend, Percy, thought he saw monsters, but they were only a pile of scrap and an engine from another country. James thought he saw a monster, but it was only a dinosaur skeleton. Even Thomas thought he once saw monster footprints, but they were only dinosaur footprints from long ago."

"But…the night is still so different," protested Kenneth.

"It can be," replied Marcus, "but it can also be beautiful. There are lots of animals that only come out at night, like owls. You can also see the moon and the stars."

Kenneth thought for a moment. "I…suppose you're right."

"And look how far you've come already. That was very brave."

"But I was still scared. That's why I asked you to come with me."

"Percy told me that being brave is about what you do, even when you do feel scared and you, Kenneth, were brave enough to ask for help, admit what you were afraid of and push through it."

Kenneth smiled. "Thank you, Marcus. Now, let's finish this delivery." Suddenly, Kenneth's lamp went out. "My lamp! Oh dear, even I know it's not safe to travel in the dark without one."

"No problem," whistled Marcus, "you can use mine."

So, their Drivers swapped the engines' lamp. Marcus took another brave puff and they steamed into the Dark Woods…and it wasn't long until they were on the other side. "Well done, Kenneth," puffed Marcus.

Finally, they could see the Kent Bank Lighthouse up ahead. The new lightbulb was unloaded, and they set off back to Whitehaven. All the while, they saw the bright moon, twinkling stars and even more nighttime animals.

"Thank you for coming with me, Marcus," said Kenneth happily. "I didn't know the night could be so beautiful."

"Anything for a friend," replied Marcus, "but I still say you were a very brave engine."

And the two best friends chuffed happily home.