Chapter 67: Awkward Apologies
(Tuesday, December 18th 2012 – 10:00am, Rossington Junction)
In this chapter, Carrie's classmates…or at least most of them…are gonna be facing her face to face at last and apologising to her for what they did to her for all those years when she was back in Chamberlain. And many of the engines, as well as Carrie's friends and father, are gonna be there to back her up all the way through that event. This chapter's gonna be a very interesting one for you all to read, and for parts of this chapter I'm also gonna be taking some inspiration from one or two of my favourite episodes of The Engines of Sodor series as made by the YouTuber Thomas1Edward2Henry3.
There was a sound of normal commotion as the passengers who had been waiting within the warmth of the station's waiting room for the past while stepped out and began to board the coaches that had arrived not more than a minute before. Each of those passengers who was boarding the train this morning were very well wrapped up in their warmest clothes, as it was freezing cold this morning. In fact, it seemed to be even colder than it had been for the last few days as an extensive cold front with plenty of snow and sub-zero temperatures had drifted down from the north. The cold was intense enough that many people had fires burning in the fireplaces of their houses, and the stations all over the Island of Sodor also kept fires burning away in the fireplaces in order to keep the waiting passengers warm.
It had also snowed very heavily during the previous night, and as a result the entire island was completely covered in a layer of fresh white snow. The snow had also built up in drifts on some of the roads, as well as on the railway lines, meaning that it needed to be cleared away before any traffic could pass by. On the railway, engines had been out with their snowploughs fitted for much of the early morning and keeping the lines clear of snow, while workmen had also been out checking points and signals to be sure that no snow or ice had caused any damage or caused anything to freeze up.
With the fire burning well inside the firebox and keeping a good head of steam up in the boiler, as well as keeping her someway warm, Carrie leaned out from the footplate of Henry and looked back along the platform and watched as the passengers boarded the coaches coupled up behind them. Carrie had been up since before 4am this morning and had been assigned to work with Henry again, just like the night before. They weren't assigned to take the Flying Kipper this morning, but did need to take a long freight train from Knapford Harbour over to Barrow-in-Furness on the mainland, and this time they went along the Northern Main Line instead. That journey had gone fairly smoothly, though they did need to go slowly at times due to the risk of icy rails on the trip. Carrie had done a good job of helping to keep the fire burning brightly on the journey, as it helped to keep her warm as well as make the fire burning brightly and making plenty of steam in the boiler.
After delivering the freight train to Barrow-in-Furness on time, Henry was uncoupled from the train and then, after being turned on the turntable, made his way back to Vicarstown and the engine depot there. After being serviced there, and after Carrie and the driver and fireman had taken the chance to have a good rest in the crew building as well as get a good breakfast there, it was back to work again. Henry worked a number of different trains along much of the length of the Northern Main Line for most of the morning before being assigned to take a passenger train from Vicarstown to Knapford.
Leaving Vicarstown Station at 9:35am on the dot, Henry made his way along through the cold and snow-covered countryside with 10 coaches coupled up behind him. Despite the sky above him being filled with heavy and grey snow-laden clouds that stretched as far as the eye could see, Henry made very good progress with his train, making stops at Crovan's Gate and Kellsthorpe Junction before arriving at Rossington Junction.
Leaning out and watching as the passengers boarded the train, Carrie's mind was on what was to come a little later in the day; it would be the time when she would finally come face to face with her former classmates and teachers so that they could try and apologise to her for what they put her through for all those years before she ran away from home.
At the moment, Carrie had no idea exactly where she was going to be going to face with her former classmates, but she had some feeling that it might be at Tidmouth Sheds around the time she was due to finished up for the day. Before she had gone on duty early that morning, over breakfast in the crew building at Tidmouth Sheds, she had had a long conversation with Simon and the girls she was friends with, as they were all rostered to start very early this morning as well, about her fears for what was to take place. During the conversation, Simon and the other four girls did their best to reassure Carrie that they would be there for her when she had to face those people from her past, as they were scheduled to finish off their working day at the same time as Carrie. Despite their reassurances, Carrie wasn't sure about that, though she never let it show on her face when she was speaking with them.
When she set off for work that morning aboard Henry, Carrie set her mind on working on helping to keep the firebox stoked with fresh coal and all the other jobs that needed to be done on the footplate. The work for the length of the morning helped to concentrate her mind by taking her thoughts of what was to come later in the day, but even so, during her breaks she couldn't help but think about it.
Right now though, as she watched the passengers get aboard the train, her mind couldn't help but wander to what was to come very soon, and she hoped that she would be able to get through it without anything bad happening. She also hoped that Chris Hargensen and any of her lackeys still loyal to her, if any of them were to be present there, would be kept under control and a reasonable distance from her when it happened.
Another thing on her mind was just how cold it was right now; it seemed to be so much colder today than it had been in recent days, a clear sign that they were now in the middle of the winter season. The heavy snowfall over the last few days, as well as during today, certainly promised that Sodor would have a white Christmas for this year. But the cold conditions also meant that there were some difficulties on the lines around the island for some of the trains due to the icy rails and occasional drift, as well as for the vehicles that were going along the roads due to icing conditions. At times, there were also some cold winds which blew about, causing loose snow to blow about into blizzard conditions, and always causing a windchill which could be unbearable at times.
Considering the icy conditions, Carrie was very glad to be on Henry's footplate, where the heat coming out from the open firehole doors was very welcome, as well as the fact that there were two tea cans sitting on the warming plate which meant they could have hot drinks whenever they wanted one. Not only that, but by doing physical work at placing heavy shovelfuls of coal from the coal space in the tender into the firebox, Carrie was also able to keep herself warm, even though she was wearing a warm woollen hat on her head, as well as a warm coal over her overalls, and a good pair of work gloves on her hands, which kept her hands warm. At the same time, Carrie also had a good pair of solid work boots on her feet, with two pairs of socks on to try and keep the heat in as well.
Just then, there came the sounds of the doors being closed on the coaches, as the last of the waiting passengers had climbed aboard the train. Once all the doors were closed, the guard leaned out and blew his whistle while waving his green flag, showing it was time for them to be on their way again. At the same time, the signalman in the signal box set the signal to show the way ahead was clear.
"Here we go, Henry!" the driver called, as he blew the whistle and opened the regulator.
"All right!" Henry called, as he slowly moved forwards out of the station. Hanging on tight as they set off, Carrie watched as they set out from the station and made their way along the Southern Main Line towards their next station. At the same though, as she listened to the sounds of Henry as he made his way along the line, she wondered what her classmates were doing right now on this freezing cold morning, and she was also hoping that they were staying out of trouble.
(Meanwhile, at Knapford Station)
On the viewing point above the high wall on one side of the lines leading into the station, a few of the seniors from Ewen High were gathered together and watching the trains going in and out of the station. As well as the trains, the main thing on their minds was what they had been told this morning; they were informed that just before midday, they would all be heading over to the main engine depot up at Tidmouth, because that was the time when Carrie was due to return before she was to clock out for the day. The arrangements had already been made for them all to go there and see Carrie, and many of them were deeply nervous to be going there, as it meant that they would have to face those engines with the faces on their fronts.
By now, the word had spread around the island among all the engines and their crews that Carrie's former classmates were on the island, and a few of the engines were already familiar with the antics of Chris Hargensen and a few of her lackeys, having had the misfortune to have a face-to-face encounter with her the previous day.
As she watched the trains pass on by below her, Sue Snell couldn't help but feel very nervous of what the next few hours were to bring to them all. Now being aware of the fact that Carrie was friends with many of the engines of Sodor, as well as having a few human friends as well, Sue was wondering what they would all say when they came face to face with them. What would they all say to them about the bullying Carrie underwent for years? And what would happen if Chris should do something stupid while they were all there? And not only that, but what would Carrie's father say to them all for what they did to her?
"Hey, are you feeling all right, Sue?" Tommy asked, noticing that his girlfriend was very quiet as she looked out over the lines passing by before them all. Sue turned to look at her boyfriend when she heard him speak to her.
"Yeah…except it's just the thoughts of what the next few hours are to bring that worries me when we see Carrie again. I just hope that she'll be able to accept our apologies to her for what we all did to her." Sue said.
"Well…considering what she went through for all those years…she probably won't do so at first. After all, it takes time to build bridges, Sue. Just give it a little bit of time. Maybe she just might after a while." Tommy said, trying to reassure Sue.
"I hope that you're right about that, Tommy. And I just hope that it's not too late for us to make amends with Carrie." Sue said, as she looked back out over the railway lines.
A few moments later, the Ewen High seniors heard the sounds of another whistle being sounded loudly from down the line off to the left. Turning their heads to see who it was, they saw that it was G.W.R. 72XX Class 2-8-2T No.7205, who was running in reverse along the line towards Knapford with a long line of full coal trucks coupled up to his front. He seemed to be slowing down, and he was, as there was a red signal coming up soon which required him to stop before he could proceed on his way to Knapford Yards. As the long coal train passed by below them, the Ewen High seniors who were present, including Sue and Tommy, Nicki and Lizzy, Heather, Jessica, Vicky, and Rachel, as well as a few other boys and girls, could hear as the driver of No.7205 applied his brakes, due to the squealing groaning sounds they could hear. They watched as No.7205 slowed down, and heard the sounds of the buffers of the trucks bumping into each other as the trucks all closed up on each other.
As she watched No.7205 slow down and enter Knapford Station, a thought suddenly occurred to Sue.
"Hey, does anyone know where Chris, Tina, and Donna are?" she asked, as she looked round.
"No clue, Sue. I last saw them over at the hotel just before we went out for our walk." Heather said.
"Oh…all right then. Let's just hope that they stay out of trouble before we have to go to Tidmouth." Sue said, as she turned her attention back to watching the trains.
As No.7205 slowed down while he reversed into the shelter of Knapford Station, he wondered how long they would have to wait here with all this coal before they could continue on their way to the yards. Nearing the end of Platform 1 as he came to a stop, the air became filled with the sounds of buffers clanking and bumping into each other as the trucks came to a stop. In his cab, the driver had brought the train to a stop, as the signal showed a red light, meaning the line they were to travel on was occupied. While they waited to set off on their way, No.7205 couldn't help but look all around the station and how brightly decorated it was for the Christmas holidays, with a number of Christmas trees set up on some of the platforms, and each tree being brightly decorated in very merry decorations, including bright and twinkling coloured lights.
There were also bright green garlands strung in between columns, as well as very large, bright and shiny baubles fitted round the columns and even from the walls. The windows of the station also had bright Christmas displays in them, and there was even a special Christmas display on Platform 1 with figures that could move, and a few people were gathered round that one, including some young kids.
Then as No.7205 looked around the station at all the bright and cheerful Christmas displays, he then looked to his right and saw standing on the platform very close to him three teenage girls that he had never seen before. And the three of them, with their arms folded over their chests, were eyeing him suspiciously and quite disdainfully. Slowly, the smile on No.7205's face disappeared as he looked towards these three girls, as the looks on their faces were making him somewhat uneasy. Although he had been told that Carrie's classmates and teachers were over on Sodor, and that he'd been told about what kind of a person Chris Hargensen was like, he didn't know what Chris looked like. But he had a feeling that one of these three girls
"Um…hello…" No.7205 said, warily. And the three girls growled or hissed back at him in reply, which caused No.7205 to frown back.
"Well, a good morning to you too!" No.7205 said sarcastically.
"Why don't you just get stuffed!" the girl in the middle of the three, who was Chris Hargensen, snapped back, as Tina and Donna laughed maliciously.
"I do beg your pardon?! You're by no doubt the most horrid bunch of teenage girls I've ever met! Where are your manners?" No.7205 said.
"Go drive yourself off a cliff, you oversized tea kettle!" Chris snapped.
No.7205 was shocked to hear this, and when the signal dropped to show the light was clear, he left the station in a rage, much to the discomfort of the trucks.
(A little later on)
Once he had dropped off his long line of heavy coal trucks in one of the long sidings at Knapford Yards, No.7205 made his way back to the yards at Tidmouth Station. Once he got back there, he told Duck all about what happened a few minutes before.
"Oh, I've heard of them! One of them is very likely Carrie's main bully, Chris Hargensen, and the other two girls that you saw with her were her closest friends! I know this as I was told all about what happened yesterday." Duck said grimly.
"So, that's who they were!" No.7205 said, as the realisation hit him. "Well, I just hope that those three, as well as anyone else like them, gets what's coming to them!"
"And considering the way that the three of them act out, I call them The Cantankerous Trio." Duck said.
"Quite a good nickname! They certainly are that!" No.7205 said, as he rolled his eyes up to the sky.
A few moments, there came the sounds of another whistle and approaching chuffing as another engine with a train entered Tidmouth Station. With a squealing of brakes and a wheeshing of steam, the engine came to a stop at the platform of the station. It was none other than No.3803 County Cork, an example of the G.W.R. 38XX County Class 4-4-0 engines (125) and who was on his normal morning train of taking passengers from Arlesburgh on the Little Western down to Knapford Station.
"Hello, Duck. Hello, No.7205. What's going on here?" Cork asked, as he came to a stop at the platform.
"Oh, hello there, Cork. You're not gonna believe what I just experienced a few minutes ago…" No.7205 said, and he told him the encounter he had had with Chris Hargensen and two of her lackeys at Knapford Station a few minutes before. When No.7205 had finished telling his story, Cork couldn't help but look to him and Duck in some shock.
"I hope that those girls aren't at Knapford when I get there. I really don't want to face them with so many passengers on my train." Cork said, feeling anxious about what kind of people that Chris Hargensen and her two main lackeys were like.
"I think that there's a strong chance the three of them could be long gone from there by now, but then again, there's a chance they probably won't be." Duck said.
"Well, let's just hope that they're all gone by the time I get there." Cork said, as the last of the passengers who had been waiting on the platform boarded the train.
(125): The Great Western Railway's 38XX County Class 4-4-0 were designed by George Jackson Churchward, and were intended to be used on express passenger work on the G.W.R. system, as well as on secondary and cross-country duties. It was the very last class of 4-4-0 engines to be introduced by the G.W.R., and were basically a four-coupled version of the Churchward 29XX Saint Class 4-6-0 engines, using a lot of standard G.W.R. parts as the other class had.
Another reason why the class may have been built was due to the fact that the L.N.W.R. had prohibited a proposed 4-6-0 design on the jointly managed North & West Route that ran between Shrewsbury and Hereford, although there were other different routes where length restrictions applied, including areas with small turntables, or on certain routes where the loads being hauled didn't justify the use of a larger 4-6-0 design.
The very first member of the Churchward County Class 4-4-0 engines, No.3473 County of Middlesex, rolled out of Swindon Works in May 1904. It was shortly followed afterwards between June and October by a further 9 engines, which were numbered from No.3474 to No.3482. These first members of the class were used to supplement the earlier City Class 4-4-0 engines on the routes from Paddington to Newton Abbot and Bristol, as well as to the west of England. Initially, the first members of the class had parallel-sided copper-caped chimneys, though these were soon replaced by tapered cast iron chimneys.
In total, 40 members of the class were built in three batches at Swindon Works between May 1904 and February 1912. The engines of the final batch to be built had curved drop ends at the footplate ends, as well as on the front buffer beams, and were also fitted with new superheaters and top feeds. The chimneys of the last batch were also fitted with copper-capped chimneys that had been fitted to the first batch of engines. The class were initially numbered on a haphazard scheme, but they were eventually renumbered in a sequential order, from No.3800 to No.3839.
The numbers and names of the Churchward 38XX County Class 4-4-0 engines were as follows;
No.3800 County of Middlesex, No.3801 County Carlow, No.3802 County Clare, No.3803 County Cork, No.3804 County Dublin,
No.3805 County Kerry, No.3806 County Kildare, No.3807 County Kilkenny, No.3808 County Limerick, No.3809 County Wexford,
No.3810 County Wicklow, No.3811 County of Bucks, No.3812 County of Cardigan, No.3813 County of Carmarthen, No.3814 County of Chester,
No.3815 County of Hants, No.3816 County of Leicester, No.3817 County of Monmouth, No.3818 County of Radnor, No.3819 County of Salop,
No.3820 County of Worcester, No.3821 County of Bedford, No.3822 County of Brecon, No.3823 County of Carnarvon, No.3824 County of Cornwall,
No.3825 County of Denbigh, No.3826 County of Flint, No.3827 County of Gloucester, No.3828 County of Hereford, No.3829 County of Merioneth,
No.3830 County of Oxford, No.3831 County of Berks, No.3832 County of Wilts, No.3833 County of Dorset, No.3834 County of Somerset,
No.3835 County of Devon, No.3836 County of Warwick, No.3837 County of Stafford, No.3838 County of Glamorgan, and No.3839 County of Pembroke.
The 38XX County Class had two outside cylinders that were 18in in diameter with a 30in piston stroke, a boiler that was fitted with superheating elements and pressed to 200psi, and four driving wheels that were 6ft 8.5in in diameter, all of which combined to give the class a maximum tractive effort of 20,530lbf. Piston valves were used on the cylinders, and these were driven by Stephenson valve gear placed in between the frames. The tenders that the class were paired with ran on six wheels and carried 3000 gallons of water and about 4 tons of coal. A few examples ran with larger tenders that could carry 3,500 gallons of water. The tenders were fitted with water scoops so that the water supplies could be replenished from water troughs set in between the rails.
The boiler that the class was fitted with was the Standard No.4 boiler, although one example of the class, No.3805 County Kerry, was fitted with a smaller Standard No.2 boiler between November 1907 and May 1909 before eventually being refitted with the original boiler type.
The class was the most modern class of 4-4-0 engines ever built by the G.W.R., with their inside main frames and outside cylinders. Though they were part of Churchward's plan of standardisation, they were found to have a front end that was too powerful for the wheel arrangement. Although the key components used on the class were all proven, the combination was somewhat poor, and so perhaps the 38XX Counties were the least successful of Churchward's designs.
They were also found to be rough riding machines by their crews, likely due to the short wheelbase as well as due to the trailing axle boxes, and often became especially rough riding when they became due for heavy overhauls. They were also known for having quite a heavy hammerblow due to the heavy balance weights used on the driving wheels. When the wheels were revolving at 6 revolutions a minute, they produced a hammerblow of 8 tons, considerably more than the hammerblow of 3.6 tons of the City Class 4-4-0 engines, and the 6.4 tons of the 29XX Saint Class 4-6-0 engines.
During their working lives on the G.W.R., the class worked on express services that ran out of a number of different areas that they were based at, including at Pontypool, Shrewsbury, Newton Abbot, Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol, and Bath, with those being based in London normally residing either at Westbourne Park or at Old Oak Common. They mainly hauled heavy express passenger trains to and from west of England, as well as working on other duties on occasion, including on parcels trains, fish trains, and milk trains. They also ran passenger trains to ports where ferries took passengers to and from Ireland, with the engines that were named after Irish counties, No.3801 to No.3810, usually being given these duties. Until 1927, the Counties were the heaviest engines that were allowed to run on the Birmingham to Bristol route.
Although they were known to be rough riding machine, they could reach impressive speeds at times, including occasions where they reached speeds that were over 70mph, and even up to and in excess of 75mph at times.
Not many changes were made to the class during their working lives, though one change was made was the fitment of Automatic Train Control (A.T.C.) to some engines not long after they built, and all but two were fitted with it by the time the early 1930's rolled around.
The class was also the basis for a tank engine version, which turned out to be the G.W.R. 2221 Class 4-4-2T County Tanks, which was similar but had a smaller boiler.
By the late 1920's, the class were starting to show their age, and new classes of more versatile 4-6-0 designs, such as Collett's 49XX Hall Class 4-6-0s, were starting to come into service. Withdrawals of the class began in February 1930, when No.3833 County of Dorset was the first to be withdrawn from service. The others followed along over the next three years until November 19133, when the final example running, No.3834 County of Somerset, was withdrawn from service. During their careers, only four examples managed to cover a distance of over a million miles; these engines were No.3812 County of Cardigan, which covered a distance 1,018,221 miles, No.3832 County of Wilts, which covered 1,014,175 miles, No.3834 County of Somerset, which covered 1,003,593 miles, and No.3836 County of Warwick, who covered a distance of 1,044,235 miles.
Sadly, no members of the class have survived into preservation. However, in 2018, it was announced that plans were being made to build a new example of the Churchward 38XX County Class 4-4-0s, in the form of No.3840 County of Montgomery, with plans to assemble the new engine at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. As of 2024, a lot of parts have been gathered for the new 38XX Class 4-4-0, including a boiler from No.5227, and various different components from other G.W.R. engines that had spent time in Barry scrapyard, and many new components made from scratch are included as well, such as new frames and outside cylinders. In 2020, it was reported that the engine would be built at Tyseley.
It wasn't long before the last of the waiting passengers had boarded the coaches, and then all the doors were closed one by one. With that done, the signalman in the signal box set the signal and points for Cork to depart, and then the guard blew his whistle loudly and waved his green flag.
"Oh, time for me to be on my way!" Cork said, as he blew his whistle loudly and then slowly moved out of the station, taking up the weight of his coaches as he did so.
"See you later on!" No.7205 and Duck called, as they watched Cork move out from Tidmouth Station and down the main line towards Knapford.
(Meanwhile, back at Knapford)
By now, Henry was pulling into Knapford Station with his train, and on the line that ran adjacent to Platform 6. There were members of station staff waiting on the platform, ready to help passengers off the train and assist them with their bags if they needed help.
As Henry slowed down, he looked around the station with some anxiousness; there was no sign of Chris Hargensen or any of her minions about, much to his own personal relief, though he had no doubts that he might see them again sometime in the near future. Then there was a squealing of brakes as his driver firmly applied them, and brought the train to a stop.
As the passengers began to disembark from the train, Carrie leaned out from Henry's cab and watched as the passengers walked on past towards the footbridge that would take them out from the station. Her mind was still on the imminent meeting she was to have with her classmates and teachers later that day, and no matter what jobs she had done on the footplate of Henry so far this morning, she had never successfully managed to take her mind off that. To say she was a bit worried would be an understatement, for deep within her stomach, she could feel that familiar feeling of butterflies, and she also felt her hands shake at times during the course of the morning. In fact, Carrie was feeling so nervous about what was to come, she didn't hear the driver speak to her.
"Hey, Carrie…" the driver said, as she suddenly turned round to face him.
"Oh, sorry…I was just…" Carrie said, unsure of what she should say.
"I was just saying that there's plenty of tea left in the cans. Do you want any?"
"Oh, yes…of course. I think I could use some right now." Carrie said, as she reached for her enamel mug. As the driver filled it up, Carrie felt that a hot cup of tea would help to calm her down a little bit, but she was still going to be concerned about it until the whole thing was over and behind her.
Once all the passengers had disembarked from the coaches, a shunter uncoupled Henry from the empty train and reported up to the crew that they were uncoupled.
"All right, Henry! Time for us to be on our way for our next job!" the driver called, as he leaned out from the cab.
"Okay!" Henry said, as the driver blew his whistle and then opened the regulator a little. Very slowly, with steam billowing out in front, Henry moved out of the station, heading northwards towards the yards for his next job. Leaning out from the fireman's side of the cab, Carrie watched as they moved on ahead along the line and wondered what their next job for the morning would be and where it would take them. But she also knew that after that job was finished, it probably would be time for her to face those people from her past. She tried her best not to think about that, but she couldn't help it.
(A little later on; 12:05pm, Knapford Station)
With his most recent job finished, Henry stood at Platform 2 at Knapford Station and waited to set off to Tidmouth Sheds, but he needed to wait until the Fat Controller arrived to step aboard his footplate so that he could be brought over to Tidmouth Sheds. By now, Carrie was feeling especially nervous as it was now the end of her shift for the day and she now was on the verge of facing her classmates and teachers again.
Henry wasn't told of the fact that Carrie was due to face her classmates again, and so he had no inkling in his smokebox of what was about to happen, although he did have some clue that something was about to happen. However, he was a little curious as to why he was being asked to pick up the Fat Controller and take him over to Tidmouth Sheds, but he knew full well that he would find out soon enough.
Then, he overheard the sounds of footsteps going over the footbridge above him as two people were heard approaching and then descending the stairs down to the platform. It turned out to be none other than the Fat Controller, and Ralph White was with him as well. Ralph was due to clock out at this time as well, as he was still in his work overalls and wearing his railway cap, work gloves, and bright orange Hi-Viz safety vest.
"Hey there, Carrie." said the Fat Controller, as he stepped up to Henry's footplate.
"Good afternoon, sir." Carrie said, as she watched the Fat Controller step aboard with her father following behind.
"Are you ready to face your classmates now?" Ralph asked. For a few moments, Carrie was quiet, and then she looked up at her boss and her father.
"Yes…I am. I've been so anxious all morning, and I just want to get it out of the way now." Carrie said, sounding determined.
"All right, Carrie. I've received the word that your classmates, their families, and your teachers are on their way over to Tidmouth Sheds right now as we speak. They should be there by the time we arrive there." said the Fat Controller.
"Okay, sir." Carrie said, as she sat down on the tender, feeling very nervous and exhausted.
All this time, Henry had overheard everything that had been said between Carrie and the Fat Controller and Ralph. The thought of coming face to face with those who had bullied Carrie for all those years, and particularly a little over a full day after he had seen them over at the airport station, got Henry feeling very nervous within his smokebox as well. But at the same time, Henry was feeling determined to see that Carrie had the support that she needed when she had to face her past very soon.
It wasn't too long before they were able to win Knapford Station and were on their up the line towards Tidmouth Sheds. As the fireman on Henry's footplate set about stoking the boiler with fresh coal, Carrie sat quietly on the tender and just waited for what was to come in the next few minutes. She was trying to stay as calm as she could, but did find it very difficult to try and do that. Even the blowing of cold winter air into the footplate on occasion didn't help to keep her calm, and both the Fat Controller and Ralph White clearly noticed the nervous look on her face and they were also wondering what the coming events of the next while would bring once they arrived at Tidmouth Sheds. Ralph didn't appear it on the surface, but he was also feeling very nervous deep inside as well, especially as he was going to be coming face to face with people who he hadn't seen for years.
(A short while later)
Slowing down as he went over the points and off the main line, Henry briefly blew his whistle as he rolled into the depot where Tidmouth Sheds was. Moving forwards through the depot towards the sheds, Henry looked around but couldn't see any large groups of people anywhere, just the sights of a number of workmen who were keeping themselves warm around some glowing braziers off to the sides of the line.
Approaching the turntable, Henry slowed down as he rolled onto it, and he noticed that the other engines that were sitting in the berths around the turntable, including Thomas, Edward, James, Gordon, Percy, Toby, and Duck, as well as the Scottish Twins Donald and Douglas, and they were glaring rather sternly over towards something off to Henry's right.
"Hello, everyone. What's going on he…?" Henry asked, as the turntable began to turn while he also looked over towards his right to see what was going on. And then, much to his surprise, he saw a large group of people standing off to the side of the sheds and near the turntable. And then, as the turntable began to turn round, he clearly saw standing within the front of this group of people, there were a large number of teenagers, and among them Henry clearly saw a very familiar and unwelcome person…Chris Hargensen.
"YOU!" Henry said angrily, now that his attention was firmly fixed upon Carrie's main bully, who clearly had her gaze upon him.
"Well, hello there, you big oversized caterpillar! We meet again!" Chris said, as she and a few of her lackeys who were still faithful to her sneered at the big green engine.
"What are they all doing here?! People like them aren't allowed to be here in the depot at any time!" Henry said, as the turntable stopped turning and then he slowly reversed into an empty berth within the sheds.
"Apparently, they were all allowed to come in here." Gordon said, as he glared at Carrie's classmates, their families, and teachers who were standing off to the side.
"And I was the one who allowed them to be here, Gordon!" came a familiar voice, as the Fat Controller stepped out from Henry's cab and out of the shed, with Carrie White and her father following closely behind him.
"Yes, sir." Gordon said, when he saw the Fat Controller emerge before glaring his attention back towards Carrie's classmates. By this point in time, many of those seniors from Ewen High were quite used to seeing the engines with faces on their fronts, but even so, seeing quite a few of them within the depot glaring directly at them all, as though they were aware of the history there was between them and Carrie, did intimidate many of them somewhat.
Stepping out of the shed, Carrie turned and looked towards her fellow classmates, many of whom stared back anxiously at her. Taking in a deep breath to keep herself calm, Carrie took a step forward towards them, slowly one step at a time, and being careful to keep a close eye on them in case any of them tried anything. Then, taking a glance off to her left, she felt a slight feeling of relief as she saw Simon step out from the sheds, with Alice, Saoirse, Sophie, and Alice, as well as Stephen and Bridget Hatt right behind him.
"We're right here for you, Carrie. And we'll be there for you in case any of them try anything." Simon said, as he stood beside his girlfriend.
"Safety in numbers, Carrie. They shouldn't be keen on trying anything if we're with you." Saoirse said, as she and the other girls looked towards her.
"Thanks, everyone." Carrie said, as she then took in another deep breath. Turning round, she looked at each of the engines who were in the shed or sitting on the lines to the side of it. Each of the engines looked at her and gave her a reassuring look, showing that they were there for her as well. The Fat Controller and Ralph also gave her reassuring looks. Feeling a bit better, Carrie turned back around and looked towards the people from her past.
However, after a moment, John Hargensen stepped forward with his wife and daughter, he stopped in his tracks when he saw Ralph White standing before him. At the same time, Ralph saw his old enemy a few feet away from him, and he stopped in his tracks as well.
"You!" Ralph said, seeing John, looking as self-centred and arrogant as always, standing before him with his wife and daughter.
"What are YOU doing here?!" John asked, his voice suddenly sounding quite annoyed at seeing an old enemy still alive after all these years.
"I should've seen the last of you once and for all when I left Chamberlain nearly 18 years ago!" Ralph said, as he took a few steps forwards towards his old bully, as if he was keen to give him a piece of his mind.
"Ha! You can't scare me!" John said, sounding as arrogant as he had ever been. From behind him, almost everyone else who had come from Chamberlain, including almost all of the seniors from Ewen High and teachers, stood in some stunned shock at what was going on before them, while a small few took a few steps forward, ready to reach forward and restrain John just in case he tried to have a go at Ralph.
For the teenagers of Ewen High, seeing this confrontation take place between the fathers of Chris Hargensen and Carrie White was something that they had never expected to see on this trip to Sodor. From the angry looks that could be seen on the faces of John and Ralph, it was clear there had been a history of bullying and a rivalry between the two men that had been going back for quite a long while.
"No…all those years, John…and it's quite clear to me that you're still the same VENEMOUS creature that you were back then!" Ralph said, as he took another two steps towards his long-time rival.
Seeing what was happening, and fearing that a fistfight or something similar might break out between the two, Carrie quickly stepped forwards.
"Careful, dad!" Carrie said, as she stepped forward and placed a hand on her dad's right shoulder, holding him back a bit so as to prevent a possible fight starting. Pausing and looking to Carrie, Ralph quickly calmed down from the bad memories of his past, and he turned back to look at his former rival. At the same time, Chris Hargensen was hoping that a fight of sorts would break out between her father and Ralph. However, John also backed down after a few seconds, as he didn't want to cause an unnecessary scene in front of everyone else…or these big engines who were glaring quite sternly at him.
At the same time, as Ralph White took a few steps back from having potentially having started a fight between himself and his old rival, none other than the Fat Controller stepped forward to address those people from Chamberlain.
(Insert soundtrack – The Fat Controller's Theme – Season 1)
"Ladies and gentlemen…I'm Sir Topham Hatt, and I'm the man who's in charge of the main railway here on the Island of Sodor. As you're all probably aware…Carrie here has been working on my railway, and ever since she started in January, she's proved herself to be quite a good recruit ever since she started working here. I'm also well aware of her past, as does everyone else and all of my engines who work on the railway…and as you're also aware, you're here to give your apologies to Carrie for what you put her through."
"Yes, sir…" most of the teens and adults said, in agreement with the Fat Controller.
"So…I'm allowing you here in the yards to see Carrie and to apologize to her for everything. And just like her friends here, as well as my engines, I expect to see each of you apologize to her." and then the Fat Controller stood aside allowing Carrie to face her classmates, their families, and teachers, as well as a few other people from Chamberlain.
There were a few moments of awkward silence, as the former outcast and scapegoat of Ewen High School stared at her classmates and teachers, and they stared back silently at her, along with the engines glaring rather sternly towards those from Chamberlain and wondering what was to happen next.
Then, after what seemed like an eternity of tense and awkward silence, though it was actually only about 15 or 20 seconds, Carrie took in a deep breath and spoke up.
"So…why are you all over here? Why have you all decided to come over here to face me now after all this time?" Carrie asked, as she slowly turned her head left and right at her classmates and teachers. From well off to the side of the group, Rita Desjardin stood and watched her favourite student, and also wondering what the other seniors would say to the girl that they had bullied, neglected, or harassed for years until she ran off more than a full year before. She was impressed that Carrie found the courage to face those who had bullied or neglected her for years, but then again Carrie was a very different person now than she had been from the year before.
After a few more seconds, and taking in a deep breath to keep herself calm, Sue Snell took two steps forwards, which drew the attention of all the seniors and adults who were standing off to both sides of her.
"Carrie…please listen to us…we're all…we're all very sorry for everything that we put you through over the years back in Chamberlain, whether it was in school or out of it…and…after you ran away from home in November last year, and you left behind that notebook before you disappeared…it shocked us all to understand what you went through in your life…because of us and especially your mother for all those years. We came here to see you…because we all wanted to make amends and try to put things right." Sue said, trying her best to keep her voice steady as she could, while feeling the stares of everyone else from Chamberlain, as well as the stares from the engines all over her. The stares from all the engines who were present was certainly intimidating and Sue was trying her best not to say the wrong thing, just in case it made them cross.
For several moments, Carrie just stood there, unsure of what to say to Sue. At the same time, quite a few of the others seniors from Ewen High were also unsure of what to say to the former outcast…who had clearly built a new and far better life for herself here on Sodor, as well as having gotten a good boyfriend and friends whom she was clearly close with.
At the very same time, the teachers who had come over, as well as the family members of the Ewen High seniors, were also wondering what was about to happen with the others seniors. And then, after taking in a deep breath to steady her nerves and steel herself up for what she had to do, the next of the Ewen High seniors stepped forward; this time it was Rachel Spies.
"Carrie…after you left last year…and we found out what happened between you and all of us…but especially what happened between you and your mother within the walls of that old house for all those years…what you mentioned many times in your notebook really made us all feel really bad, all the way down to our cores, about what we had done to you for all that time." Rachel said.
"And I think that we really need to do what we can to make up for all the bad things we did to you…as well as for not stopping those who were bullying you whenever we saw it happening back in school." one of the boys said, as he stepped forward.
"And in additional to all of that…" one of the parents said, as she also stepped forward a few paces with an anxious look on her face, "…we also need to try and make up for all the times that we heard things that were going on inside that old house where you and your mother lived before you ran away."
For several long moments, Carrie was silent as she took in the words that had been spoken to her and wondered what she should say back to them all. Right behind Carrie, her friends also looked towards the people who were standing before them, and all the engines present also glared to the people from Chamberlain while wondering what would happen next.
"Well…why are you all apologising to me now? Why didn't you all try do that at least two or three years ago instead of now? Do any of you know what I had to go through under your bullying, as well as my mother's abuse inside where we once lived for all that time?" Carrie said, with her voice being carried towards her classmates, their families, and her teachers. For a few very long seconds, no one spoke at all, as they were all unsure of what to say to Carrie's very understandable questions.
"Well…we just weren't aware of what you were going through under your mother's hands, Carrie. I think that we all felt that it wasn't any of our business to interfere in what was going on in that old house, and we didn't realise what was going on until after you ran away. We all regret now not having interfered earlier on, but we can reassure you that your mother is in secure confinement within the mental institution at Arkham and that she'll never be released from there at all." came another voice, as none other than Principal Morton who took a few steps forward and looked towards Carrie.
"And I know that we all should have done more to prevent the bullying that you were going through in the schools you attended. But you'll be pleased to hear that things have changed quite a bit in Ewen High since you left town." said Mrs Harrison, who was Ewen High's theatre and drama teacher.
"Yes, Principal Morton introduced a new anti-bully scheme in the school, where everyone has to be taught that bullying is wrong and what they can do to avoid it, as well as report it to the relevant teachers if and when it ever happens again." added Ms Lewis, the school's business teacher. On hearing that being said, a few of those other students, teachers and parents took a brief glance towards where Chris Hargensen was standing with her parents; they all saw that Chris had her arms crossed over her chest and looking towards the girl who she and her minions had bullied and harassed for years, and she was thinking on how she could get some revenge on Carrie.
At the same time, the engines who were sitting in their berths or on lines close to the main sheds glanced at each other, wondering if what they had heard being said was true. But a few of them then quickly turned their attentions back towards the large group standing close to them and waited to see what would be said next.
"What do you think will happen next?" Percy whispered to Thomas.
"I don't know yet…but we should just wait and see." Thomas said, as he turned his attention to the crowd.
At the same time, the Fat Controller and Ralph, still standing behind where Carrie and her friends were standing were also curious as to what would happen next.
"And we can fully tell you with certainty, that there's been far less bullying and harassing within the school even since the scheme was put into effect. After all, every single one of the students know now what the consequences will be if they're ever caught bullying anyone else within the school." added Principal Morton.
For a few moments, Carrie allowed this information to sink into her head; the news that those at the top within Ewen High School had finally introduced an anti-bullying scheme within the school was certainly a surprise to her, having never expected this to have been done in school. But at the same time, she knew that it was only done for everyone else in the school since she had left and so she received no benefit from such a move, and she also knew that it had been done to try and counteract some of the rather negative publicity that the school had received once it had been revealed why Carrie had disappeared the year before.
From what they could all see, those from Chamberlain clearly knew that Carrie was still quite wary of them, even after more than a full year of being aware from home. They knew that they all had to proceed very carefully in order to try and regain her trust in the time that they were over here on Sodor.
"Listen, Carrie…we really want to try and make up for our mistakes over the years…and we want to try and put things right with you before all your fellow classmates finish their senior year in late May next year." said Ms Drew, who was Ewen High's art teacher. For a few more moments, there was silence as Carrie looked at the group, and then she took in a deep breath.
"All right…I'll give you all a chance to earn my forgiveness in the time that you're over here…but I won't forgive you all for what you did until I feel that you've done enough to earn my trust." Carrie said.
From where they were standing within the shed, all the engines felt themselves smile a little when they heard Carrie say that. It appeared that she was giving herself a chance to break free from some parts of the past that were still holding onto her. At the same time, all those who Carrie was good friends with whispered their support to her, as well as patting her on her shoulders to reassure here that they were there for her and always would be.
At the same time, many of those from Chamberlain couldn't help but smile, or breath out in some relief on hearing Carrie's words. Most of Carrie's classmates in particular were quite glad that Carrie had decided to give them all a chance to make up for what they had done to her over the years, and they were all determined to not waste the chance that they had been given this afternoon.
But then, James spoke up. "Well…that's all well and good for Carrie to give you a chance…but how did you all find out that she was over here on Sodor after all this time?" he asked. And that brought comments from all the other engines present, all of whom were curious as to how Carrie's classmates found out she was here.
"Silence!" the Fat Controller called out, and the engines quickly quietened down. And then the Fat Controller turned to face those from Chamberlain.
"My engines do have a point…how did you find out Carrie was here?" he asked.
There were a few moments of silence from those from Chamberlain, but then a few of them turned their attention towards the four officers who had come over with them, Spacek, Irving, King, and Brian.
"Ah…I can explain that everyone." King said, as he stepped forward while raising his right hand a little. He was clearly nervous about what he needed to do, but he and his fellow officers had already talked about it earlier that morning and they knew that this had to be done. So, for the next few minutes, he told them all about how they managed to find out Carrie was here on Sodor, and included how he and his three fellow officers had secretly stalked Carrie while they had been on Sodor back in September. Carrie, her father, boyfriend and friends, and the Fat Controller weren't too pleased to hear this news and that police officers, people who really should know better, had stalked Carrie for a number of days back in September, and especially on the day that she celebrated her 17th birthday as well. All the engines present weren't too pleased to hear this as well, and it showed on their faces.
"Carrie…listen…I'm really sorry that we had to do something like that to you without your knowledge…" King said, as he looked at Carrie anxiously, "…but we those were our orders from our chief. There had been a number of false alarms in the press this year, and we wanted to give the press something back home to show we were making some progress in the case of your disappearance." Carrie was, quite understandably, not too pleased to hear about this, and now it made sense to those unexpected sounds she had heard in those days when she had been working. She also wasn't too happy that the place where she was now had been revealed to the press, as she and Simon had seen the previous day.
At the same time, the engines glared crossly towards the officers. They couldn't believe that a group of people, who really should have known better, had secretly stalked one of the railways best recruits without her knowing about it.
"You shouldn't have done that! That's something that most people over here never do!" Toby said sternly, as he glared towards the officers.
"That's just disgraceful!" said Gordon.
"It's completely disgusting!" said James.
"That's despicable!" added Henry.
"I thought that smart people like you would've known better than to have done something like that!" said Duck sternly.
"I also think that telling the press where Carrie is now was a bad idea! All it means is that there'll be a lot more people coming over here to Sodor, and at a time when it's already our busiest time of the year!" added Emily. For several long moments, the four officers were very quiet before Spacek took in a deep breath and spoke up.
"Look, we're sorry about doing something like that. We really are. But we were under orders from our bosses back in Chamberlain to get results in the investigation, and so we felt that we had no choice in the matter." she said.
"Well…in a little while, I'd like to have a good long word with you four officers back in my office about this. Doing something like that is completely unacceptable." the Fat Controller said, as he looked towards the four officers with a heavy frown on his face.
"Yes, sir." the four officers said, as they looked anxiously towards the Fat Controller.
For a few more moments, there was silence, apart from the different sounds made by what was going on within the yards as other engines went about being prepared for their jobs or returning after work. Then, the Fat Controller cleared his throat while looking towards the teens from Ewen High School.
"Well then…I guess that it's time for all of you to apologize to Carrie for what you did to her. However, you must make sure that your apologies are sincere, and that you'll make sure not to do anything like that to her again. Do you all understand?" said the Fat Controller. At the same time, most of the parents and teachers took a look towards the teens, as if to make sure that the kids would do the honourable thing and apologize to the girl that had been bullied and abused for many years.
"Yes, sir!" most of the Ewen High teens said, with more than a few of them taking an uneasy glance over towards where the engines were standing and glaring towards them. It was clear to them that the engines were expecting the Ewen High teens to apologize to Carrie as well. However, Chris Hargensen and her two closest minions, Tina Blake and Donna Kellogg, weren't too keen on saying sorry to the girl they described as "the freak" and they wanted to avoid doing it if they could, as they felt doing something like that was a fact worse than death.
"And also…if your apologies aren't sincere…then there will be consequences for those who aren't really sorry." added the Fat Controller.
"And what will they be?" someone asked, with concern in their voice. For several moments, the Fat Controller was quiet, as he thought about what sort of consequences should be given to those who didn't fully apologize to Carrie.
Then, Henry had an idea fly into his smokebox, as he wanted to get even with Chris Hargensen for what she had said to the engines he knew in the time she had been here on Sodor.
"Ah, excuse me, sir…" Henry said, as he looked towards the Fat Controller.
"Yes, Henry?" the Fat Controller said, as he and all the other engines looked towards the big green engine.
"If they don't sincerely apologize to Carrie, then why not make them do the really dirtiest jobs in the depot for a day? You know, the ones where they'll end up getting covered in soot, coal dust, and ash by the end of the day." Henry said, while glancing over towards Carrie's classmates, and Chris Hargensen in particular. On hearing Henry suggest that sort of filthy work as a punishment, more than a few of Carrie's classmates, including some of her worst bullies, looked at each other and towards Henry rather anxiously and their eyes went wide while their jaws went slack; the idea of cleaning out lots of filthy soot and ash from the fireboxes and ashpans of steam engines, as well as cleaning the filth off of them, didn't particularly appeal to them, especially as many of them wanted to go to the Christmas market while they were over here.
"Hmm…" went the Fat Controller, as he rubbed his chin in thought as a smile crossed his face, "…not a bad idea, Henry. Maybe some hard physical work in the depot will cause them to change their minds if they aren't sincere enough."
"That sounds like a good idea, Henry! I think that might teach them a lesson!" peeped Percy.
"Let's hope that some of them do get a chance to do that job!" added James.
"I hope that doing some dirty work like that will teach them a lesson for what they did to Carrie!" said Gordon.
"Okay, quiet please!" called the Fat Controller, as he raised his arms up and waved them back and forth for a few seconds. The engines quickly quietened down, and looked towards the boss.
"That's quite a good idea you have, Henry. If any of them aren't sincere with their apologies, then I'll make sure that those will work for a few hours tomorrow at cleaning out engine fireboxes and readying engines for work." said the Fat Controller, and then he turned round to look at Carrie's classmates, their families, and teachers from Ewen High School.
For almost all of Carrie's former classmates, they knew that the Fat Controller was serious about what he said, and so they deciding to apologize to Carrie as sincerely as they could, even though they were intending to do just that.
And so, it was now time for Carrie's classmates to say that they were sorry to her for what they did to her. Taking a few steps forward, Sue Snell and Tommy Ross took the chance to go first. Looking at them as they approached, Carrie took in a deep breath to calm her nerves, she waited for what they had to say to her. At the same time, Sue and Tommy were feeling nervous as well, as they were unsure if Carrie would accept their apology.
Standing in front of Carrie now, the young couple faced her and taking in deep breaths to calm themselves, they spoke.
"Carrie…I'm very sorry for what I did to you for all those years. And I'm also very sorry for not helping you during all those times when I saw you being bullied and harassed either in school or out of it. I promise that I won't ever do anything like that to you ever again." Sue said, as she tried to keep herself calm.
"And I'm also sorry for not going to help you for the times when I saw you being bullied by other people, Carrie. I do wish I had intervened in preventing it from happening whenever I saw it happening to you. And I promise that if it ever happens again, I will intervene to stop it from happening to you." Tommy said.
For a few moments, Carrie was quiet as she looked at the main power couple of Ewen High School, and then she took in a deep breath.
"Sue…Tommy…thank you for your apology." Carrie said, as she looked directly into their faces while she spoke to them.
"Thank you, Carrie." Sue and Tommy said together, as they moved aside to allow the next two people to step in front of her, which were Norma Watson and her boyfriend, Freddy Holt. On seeing them step up next, Carrie was somewhat surprised to see Norma and Freddy together as a couple, for she clearly remembered that the two of them were still single when she ran away from Chamberlain last year.
"Hi Carrie…" Norma and Freddy said together anxiously, as they both faced Carrie.
"Hi Freddy…hi Norma…" Carrie said, as she faced them.
"Carrie…I'm really sorry for not helping you before you ran away last year. And I'm also sorry for not realising what you went through under Margaret's iron fist in your old house." Norma said.
"And I'm also really very sorry for not helping you when things got tough for you in school, Carrie. If I'd been braver, I would have helped you out." Freddy said.
"Thanks Norma…thanks Freddy." Carrie said, as she smiled a little. Feeling themselves smile back in response, Norma and Freddy stood aside to allow the next students to step forward; this time, it was Heather Shyres and her boyfriend Brian Maxwell, and they also gave their apologies to Carrie as well.
In all the time that the Ewen High students were going forward to say sorry to Carrie, the Fat Controller and Ralph White, as well as Carrie's friends from Sodor, and the engines present kept a close eye on the students as they stood in front of Carrie one or two at a time. A few of the teens were somewhat intimidated by the sight of quite a few engines with faces on their fronts, and who were glaring directly at them to make sure that they all said sorry to Carrie.
A few at a time, those seniors of Ewen High apologised to Carrie for what they had put her through, and promised that they would never do anything like that, either to her or to anyone else, again for as long as they lived. For Carrie, it felt quite good to hear her classmates say they were sorry to her, as she had never really expected it to ever happen. For most of her classmates, it was glad to get these genuine apologies they were giving to her off their chests and to have been given a chance to make things right with Carrie. From off to the sides, the teachers and the parents and other family members looked on with some pride as the teens gave their sincere apologies to Carrie. The engines were also feeling somewhat pleased to see Carrie getting the respect and apologies that she really deserved.
But then, it was the turn of Chris Hargensen, Tina Blake, and Donna Kellogg. Upon seeing her three main bullies standing a few feet in front of her, Carrie felt somewhat apprehensive about what was going to happen here. She knew full well that Chris, as well as Tina and Donne, probably wouldn't give her a sincere apology, and she also knew that they still wanted to take some sort of revenge against her for telling everything about the bullying they had subjected to over the years. She tensed up a little, while keeping a close eye on Chris and what she might do. From beside Carrie, Simon also kept a close eye on Chris, ready to defend Carrie just in case Chris tried anything stupid.
For several long seconds, there was a very tense silence as Carrie faced her three main bullies, each of whom glared back at her with angry, almost murderous, looks on their faces. If it hadn't been for the fact that there were a lot of people around them, as well as the engines glaring at them, they probably would have taught her a lesson for ratting them out, but they decided to restrain themselves from doing that.
"Sorry!" the three of them said together, before turning away and walking off to the side. But from the way the three of them spoke, everyone could tell that the three of them weren't very honest at all; in fact, they sounded very sarcastic, malicious, scornful, and contemptuous, with the three of them clearly not being very sorry at all about all the horrible things they had done to Carrie over the years. And from the angry, stinging looks that were clearly seen on their faces, it was quite clear to everyone that
"Hmm…" Ralph murmured, as he watched his daughter's three main bullies walk off, "…those apologies didn't sound very sincere to me. Wouldn't you agree, sir?" Ralph said, as he looked at the Fat Controller.
"Yes, I'd have to agree with you, Ralph. And as those "apologies" that the three of you gave to Carrie clearly wasn't very genuine at all, I want the three of you to report to this depot at 9:00am tomorrow morning for a few hours of work on some of my engines." said the Fat Controller, as he looked sternly towards Chris, Tina, and Donna.
"Hey, you can't make us do that!" Chris said in protest, as Tina and Donna looked on with some shock.
"Oh yes, I can. I made it very clear that everyone had to be sincere when they said sorry to Carrie, and they would be made to work in the depot for a day if they weren't! I won't tolerate any form of bullying to anyone, especially to one of my employees!" said the Fat Controller sternly.
John Hargensen was about to say something in support of his daughter, but then one of the teachers placed his hand on John's shoulder.
"No, he's right, John. Your daughter and her two friends weren't genuine in saying sorry to Carrie, and so now they must face the consequences for that." the teacher said.
"Oh, and don't even think about taking any form of legal action against the railway, John. I can tell you that American laws won't work over here in a place that's part of the U.K." one of the other parents said, as he glared at John. Stunned to be told this unpleasant fact, John wanted to say something, but realised that there was nothing he could do. Chris, Tina, and Donna wanted to protest at what they thought was unfair treatment, but there was nothing they could do about it.
"Looks like those three will finally get what's coming to them after all this time." Tommy whispered to Sue.
"Yeah, it certainly looks like it." Sue said, feeling somewhat pleased and relieved. Taking a glance over to where Chris was standing, Sue could see the seething rage on her face, just like all the times that she was given detention or suspended from school, or even the times over the past year where things seemed to have gone wrong for her, especially in the time after Carrie ran away from home.
A few minutes later, now the rather awkward phase of everyone apologising was finished, Carrie and her friends who had been out working out on the railway since earlier that morning went off to the crew building to get showered and changed into clean clothes, while those from Chamberlain waited outside the building in the cold mid-December air. Standing off to the side of the group, Chris was still seething with anger at having been forced to do something that she and her minions didn't want to have to do.
"I can't believe that I've been forced to do one of the dirtiest jobs ever created! I swear I'm gonna get her for that!" Chris fumed, as she, Tina, and Donne stood off to the side and sulked. From where they were sitting in the sheds and being readied for their next jobs that day, the engines sighed heavily and rolled their eyes in an annoyed way as they looked at each other before they glared back towards the three bullies.
"Hey! You three brought that upon yourselves by not apologizing to Carrie!" Emily said, as she glared quite crossly at Chris.
"And maybe that'll teach the three of you a lesson for why you shouldn't bully someone like Carrie!" added Duck sternly. On hearing that being spoken directly to them, Chris, Tina, and Donna all looked towards Duck.
"What do you know about our history with Carrie?! I'll tell you something! You don't know squat about anything we did to Carrie back over in Ewen High School!" Chris said, as she sneered at the engines.
"Oh, believe us, Chris…we know quite a lot about all the different horrible things you did to Carrie, as well as to a lot of other people just like her!" James said, as he glared sternly at Chris. On hearing this argument breaking out between Chris and her two most faithful lackeys and the engines, Sue and Tommy, as well as quite a few of the other seniors from Ewen High School, their families, and a few others from Chamberlain, glanced over towards what was taking place and wondering what would happen.
"As I just said, you don't know anything about me or anything I did! I never did anything wrong to anyone else back in the school!" Chris said, angrily.
"Yeah, sure! That time you put a firecracker into that poor girl's shoe was done by no one else and for no reason!" Duck said with a touch of sarcasm, as he glared at Chris. Upon hearing Duck say that, all the other Ewen High seniors looked at Duck for a moment and then back towards Chris with looks of astonishment on their faces. They all remembered that particular incident from more than two years back when Chris placed a small firecracker into one of the shoes of Irma Swope, which caused some damage to Irma's foot as a result and nearly caused her to lose two toes, though she did make a full recovery from her injuries without any serious aftereffects.
On hearing Duck clearly bring up that incident, Chris' face went red with anger.
"That girl deserved that because she had a cleft lip! And besides where'd you hear that from?!" she screeched.
"In the year that she's been over here on Sodor, Carrie White has told us quite a lot you know!" said Duck.
"And she also told us about the time that you got hit in the face with a dodge ball in gym class!" added Percy, with a smirk on his face. That drew quite a few gasps from the Ewen High seniors, who looked at each other with slight stunned and amused looks on their faces, while Chris, Tina, and Donna looked at the engines with a more incredulous look on their faces. At the same time, a few of the engines couldn't help but snicker at seeing the look on Chris' face.
"Shut up! If I have to work at cleaning and working on you, I'll show the lot of you that working here will be an easy thing!" Chris said, as she practically screeched at the engines in sheer anger.
"I'd like to see you try!" Toby said with a frown on his face, as his driver ran his bell. A few seconds later, with a full head of steam in his boiler, Toby set off and rolled onto the turntable. After being turned, he slowly rolled off the turntable and went off to collect Henrietta, as he needed to bring the Fat Controller and the four Chamberlain police officers over to Knapford Station so the Fat Controller could have a word with the four of them about stalking one of his employees.
From off to the side where the seniors from Ewen High School, their families, teachers, and a few others from Chamberlain were standing, Sue and Tommy took a few moments to think about what happened in the last few minutes and what they had seen. From the way that the engines were looking towards them, it was clear that Carrie had told them all about the bad things that had happened to her over the years that she had been back in Chamberlain, and these engines seemed to think that the teens from Ewen High were bad people because of what had happened to Carrie. It was quite clear to both of them that all those teens were genuinely sorry for what they did to Carrie would need to do a lot of hard work to ensure that they could gain Carrie's trust, as well as the trust of the engines to be sure that they were serious about making sure that they wanted to make up for their mistakes.
"I think we should go slowly to regain Carrie's trust, Sue. After all, she was shocked by our sudden appearance at the airport yesterday, and she's probably still very wary of many of us after what she went through." Tommy said.
"You're right, Tommy. I really want to gain Carrie's trust just like everyone else here, but I also feel that it might be an insurmountable obstacle before us that we won't be able to overcome before we have to leave after Christmas." Sue said, as she looked at Tommy.
"Don't worry too much, Sue. We can all do it. We'll do everything we can to ensure we can gain Carrie's trust." Tommy said, as he looked at her and gently placed his hand on Sue's left cheek.
"I hope so, Tommy. I really do hope so." Sue said, with concern in her voice.
(A few minutes later)
Having had a long and hot shower, and then having changed into clean clothes, Carrie made her way downstairs from the women's locker room with the girls she was friends with. Simon was waiting down at the bottom of the stairs for them, having finished in the men's locker room a few minutes before. Just like the girls, he was well wrapped up in warm clothes and had on a pair of gloves, a warm woollen hat, and a scarf round his neck. He looked up and saw the girls come down the stairs, with Stephen and Bridget Hatt following closely behind them, Simon could clearly see the look of concern on Carrie's face, and he knew that she was still concerned about what would happen in the immediate with her fellow classmates.
"You okay, Carrie?" Simon asked, as he watched his friends arrive before him.
"Yeah, I am, Simon…it's just that even though many of those from my past did apologise to me for what they did…I don't know if I'll ever be able to form some sort of a relationship with them." Carrie said.
"Try not to worry too much, Carrie. I'll be there for you, and your father will also be there for you as well. And I'm quite sure that the four of you will be there for Carrie as well." Simon said, as he looked to Saoirse, Alice, Olivia, and Sophie, all of whom nodded in response, and patted Carrie's shoulders in reassurance.
"We'll be there for you, Carrie. And if any of them do try anything stupid when they're with you…we'll make sure that they regret ever messing with people who live on the Island of Sodor!" said Sophie, to which the other girls all went "Yeah!" in response.
"Thanks guy. That makes me feel so much better." Carrie said. Then looking out the main entrance doors to where quite a few of her classmates were standing around and waiting for her to step outside.
"Where do you think we should take at least some of Carrie's former classmates first, so that they can try and establish some sort of a relationship with her?" Bridget asked.
"Well…the obvious place I can think of is take them to the Christmas market. That might be the ideal place…especially considering the time of year." Stephen said.
"That sounds like a good idea to me, Stephen. I think that going to the Christmas market might be a good place for us all to know Carrie's classmates and for Carrie to have a chance at establishing a relationship with them." Alice said.
"That sounds like a good idea to me. Let's go out and tell them the idea." Sophie said, as they made their way towards the main doors, with each of them pausing to clock out for the day before they stepped back outside into the cold winter air.
As they stepped outside one by one, Carrie's classmates turned round to look at them, and wondering what would happen next.
"Well, everyone…" Simon said, as everyone turned their attention to him, "…as a way to start trying to forming a friendship with Carrie, how about we all go to the Christmas market and make a start there?"
"Yeah!" they all said together, as going to the Christmas market, one of the other reasons why they were all over here on Sodor in the first place, did sound good to them after the recent awkwardness where they apologised to Carrie.
"And where is the Christmas market being held?" asked Jessica Upshaw.
"In the grounds of Knapford Town Hall…not too far away from the hotel that you're all staying in. Let's get going, as there's so much to see and do there." Simon said.
"You'll all love it there! The food that they serve at the many stalls over there is very good and there's so much good stuff there, including music, cooking demonstrations, competitions and so on. There's also plenty of stalls over there that sell a whole variety of different gifts, Christmas decorations and such." Alice said.
"Well, come on and let's get over there as fast as we can!" said Norma Watson. And with all of them agreeing with that, they all made their way to the transport that would take them to the Christmas market. As they set off, Carrie was wondering if a good start could be made on her making a start on establishing something with her classmates. She decided to wait and see what the rest of the afternoon would bring, and just hoped that everything would go well and that none of her classmates would do anything to embarrass her. Taking in a deep breath to keep calm, she followed Simon over to where he had parked his car, Caroline.
And that's it for this chapter, everyone! Almost all of Carrie's classmates and teachers have apologised to her for what they did to her for all those years, and Chris, Tina, and Donna will soon be receiving their comeuppance for their many acts of bullying…and I promise you all that they won't like what they're about to do very much at all! As mentioned at the start of the chapter, I took inspiration from a few episodes of the Youtuber Thomas1Edward2Henry3, and can you guess what they were? I hope to have the next chapter written and uploaded as soon as possible. So, until then…good reading!