Chapter 320: Rosie and the Tuba

One morning, Sir Topham Hatt came to Ffarquhar Sheds with important news.

"As you know, my wife's birthday is coming up again, and I'll be holding the party at Ffarquhar this year."

"Do you plan on taking the train as a passenger this time, or a crew member?" Percy asked cheekily, earning him a few chuckles from everyone else, even the man himself.

"A passenger, I hope. But that's not what I came here for. As a special treat, I've arranged for the Sodor Brass Band to play a special concert just for her. And Rosie, I'd like you to bring them to the concert."

Rosie beamed happily.

"Oh, thank you sir! When do I need to collect them?"

"Tuesday, at 3 PM. They need to get to the park early enough to practice. The party will begin at 6."

"Got it! Thank you sir, I won't let you down!"

On Tuesday, Rosie showed up right on time to collect the band.

"Spot on, Rosie!" Complimented the conductor. "RIght on time. We'll get there with plenty of time to practice."

"Thank you, sir!" Said Rosie. "Are you all set to leave?"
"Not quite," piped up the trombone player. "We're missing Barney, he's our Tuba player."

Just then, the guard blew his whistle. But Barney was still nowhere to be seen.

"I told him to be at the station by 3," he thought aloud. "He's always late for practice. Ah well, he'll just have to find his own way, I suppose. Maybe it'll teach him a lesson about timeliness."

Rosie wasn't so sure, but set off anyway with the rest of the band. But no sooner had she left the station did the missing band member appear, tuba in hand.

"Wait! Wait!"

But Rosie was already gone.

"Oh, bother! I know I'm not late, how could they leave without me?"

"Excuse me, do you need a lift?"

Just then, Bertie showed up to drop off passengers.

"Only if you can get me to Ffarquhar."

"You're in luck! My next route is straight there."

"Good! Say, do you have the time?"

"Certainly! It's five till three."

Barney scoffed.

"I knew it."

Rosie made it to Ffarquhar with plenty of time to spare.

"Excellent work, Rosie!" said the band leader. "Now we can get started practicing."

"But we still don't have Barney," said the drum player.

"I've told him he needs to keep a better track of time," said the leader solemnly. "I may have to speak to him about his future in the band."

No sooner had he said that did Bertie pull into the bus stop, a very cross Barney stepping out.
"What's the big idea leaving me behind?"

"Now Barney," said the band leader sternly. "I've told you that you can't keep showing up late to rehearsals. This is a very important show, and we all need time to practice. I told you be at Elsbridge Station at 3 PM sharp. I'm sorry, but this behavior…"

"I was at Elsbridge at 3 PM! You left five minutes early."

"Preposterous! We left the minute the guard blew his whistle."

Just then, said guard approached them, looking rather sheepish.

"Erm, it would appear that I've neglected to set my pocket watch. Its five minutes ahead, so I'm inclined to believe Mr. Barney's story."

At this, the band leader became very flustered.

"Er, well then, I guess that settles that. My apologies Barney, perhaps I should've checked my own clock. Now then, let's get to practicing, shall we?"

Everyone agreed, and got right to work. Come 6, the band played a special concert for Lady Hatt, who loved every bit of it.

"Thank you, Topham Dear!" She said. "This has been a wonderful birthday."

"Of course, darling," said her husband. "Anything for you."