Chapter 324: Duncan and the Fireworks Display

One morning, Mr. Percival came to the sheds to speak with his engine drivers.

"To celebrate the one year anniversary of the Lakeside Loop, I've decided to hold a celebration party on Sunday. There'll be a fireworks display, and I'll need somebody to deliver them."

Duncan perked up. He hoped that he'd be the one chosen.

"Peter Sam," Mr. Percival continued. "I'd like you to pick them up."

"Yes sir, thank you sir!" Peter Sam replied happily.

"Good. Normal duties until then."

But once Mr. Percival had left, Duncan immediately began complaining.

"Why should Peter Sam get to do it?" He groused. "I should be the one to collect them."

"You?" Sir Handel snorted. "You're far too careless."

"Oh really?" Duncan retorted. "And who was it that derailed just yesterday because they missed a red signal?"

Sir Handel said nothing, he just seethed in fury.

"Falcon may be blunt, but he has a point, Duncan," Duke spoke up. "Fireworks may be fun, but they're as dangerous as any other explosive. They require a delicate touch, something your rock and roll will not provide."

Duncan snorted, and hurried off to collect his goods train.

Duncan sulked all week. He'd complain to anyone and anything about it.

"It's not fair!" He grumbled. "Why don't I ever get picked for special jobs?"

But no one paid him any mind. At last, on the day of the party, Duncan was shunting in the yards when Mr. Percival came to see him.

"Peter Sam's engine has broken down," he said, "And you're the only one available. I need you to take the train onwards."

"Yes, sir!" Duncan said happily, and set off to collect the train. He found it and Peter Sam at the platform, and while he felt a little bit sorry for him, he couldn't help but taunt him.

"Heh, fancy not taking proper care of your engine!" He snorted. "Don't you worry, I'll finish the job for yae."

Peter Sam just seethed in fury as Duncan took the train away.

"He'll be sorry."

Duncan was having a blast racing down the line, his engine swaying as he went.

"If only that Sir Handel could see me now! Boy, won't he feel silly!"

But Duncan wasn't paying attention to what he was doing, and before long the train came to a complete stop.

"What the-what happened? I was sure we-oh."

In his haste, he'd forgotten to fill up on water before he left.

"Great. Now what?"

He soon got his answer, but not one that he liked, for it wasn't long before Peter Sam arrived.

"Fancy not taking proper care of your engine," he teased. Duncan said nothing as he couples their trains together. "Don't worry, we'll have it sorted out soon enough."

It wasn't easy, as Duncan's engine had no steam to pull with (not that Duncan would've tried very hard even if it did), but slowly the long heavy train got underway. Halfway down the line, Peter Sam heard Duncan grunt something, but couldn't make out what it was.

"What was that, Duncan?"

"I'm sorry, alright! I…I'm sorry I teased ya. I just…I was jealous."

"Jealous? It's just some fireworks, Duncan."

"I know that! But when I was working in that factory, we never got to take special trains, just some old parts here and there. Heck, we never even got so much as a thank you. So I guess I wanted to take it just to feel special."

Peter Sam smiled.

"Tell you what. If you don't complain the rest of the trip, I'll say you rescued me instead of the other way around."

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course! That's what friends are for."

Duncan just smiled.