Chapter 330: No Dozer Is An Island

Byron has worked for the Sodor Construction Company for many years, and is a very hard worker. His bulldozer is an important machine to keep the foundations level. He loves his job, and takes great pride in what he does. But sometimes his pride gets the better of him.

One day, The Pack was digging a new road for Knapford. Jack, Alfie, and Oliver had just finished digging a section, and were waiting for Byron to come level it out.

"Phew!" Jack said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"You said it," panted Alfie.

Oliver was about to add something when they heard an awful, spluttering sound coming their way.

"Oh my," Oliver said in concern. "That doesn't sound good."

Byron came rumbling up, his bulldozer making all sorts of awful sounds as he approached.

"Morning, lads!" He said cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the racket.

"Byron, your Bulldozer doesn't sound so good."

"Oh, this old thing? She's fine, purrs like a kitten."

"More like an old tabby," Jack said. "You ought to have it looked at."

"Nonsense!" Byron snorted. "Now get out of my way!"

Concerned, Oliver, Jack, and Alfie moved out of the way so that Byron could do his job. But all the while they couldn't help but listen to that awful sound.

Later at lunch, they were still discussing it.

"I swear, it sounded like a cat going through a blender!"

"It's a wonder he could even get it to move, let alone work."

"Why doesn't he get it looked at?"

"I might have an answer for that."

Everyone turned to Kelly.

"Byron, Patrick, and I were around when Miss Jenny's father ran the company. Back then, money was hard to come by for our starting company. And Mr. Packard, bless his soul, had to cut corners. Not in the building materials of course, he'd never sink that far, but maintenance did suffer. All of the machines were worked to basically scrap metal, only being given maintenance when they literally couldn't run anymore."

The others gaped in shock.

"Eventually, more money became available, and we could afford regular maintenance on our machines. But Byron never truly got over his old habits."

"So, what do we do?" Alfie asked, to which Kelly just shrugged.

"Let Byron dig his own grave, I'm afraid."

After lunch, Byron was back to work leveling the site, doing his best to ignore the sputtering and coughing sounds of the bulldozer's engine.

"Nothing to it," he grunted as he fought with the controls. "They don't know what they're talking about! They…"

Then, it happened. With one final cough, the engine died completely, smoke billowing out as Byron looked on in disbelief.

"Great. Just great!"

Worst was yet to come. It had rained heavily the night before, and Byron's bulldozer soon began to sink into a mud pit.

"Crud. HELP!"

"Hold on, Byron!"

Luckily, Kelly was nearby, and rushed to the rescue, pulling him to safety. Byron couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Phew!"

That evening, Miss Jenny had her mechanics look at the damage.

"It needs a complete overhaul," they said at last. "Looks to me like it's been on the fritz for a while."

Miss Jenny turned to Byron.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?"

Byron flinched under her steely glare.

"Erm, well, I didn't think it was important. She still ran, and your father…"

Miss Jenny sighed.

"Byron, I'm well aware of how my father ran things. As much as I love him, the man was a cheapskate, and stubborn as a mule. But that's not how things are run now! If there's a problem with your machine, tell me."

Byron nodded solemnly. Then, Miss Jenny smiled.

"Although, this does give me a good opportunity to reveal my surprise."

"Surprise?"

"Uncle Byron!"

Before Byron could react, he was tackled by a very familiar woman.

"Brenda!"

"Miss Jenny offered to give me a chance! Just think, we'll be seeing each other everyday soon!"

Byron chuckled, and ruffled her hair.

"Alright, but just remember to listen to everyone."

"Yeah, especially you old man!"

"Old? Why I-"

Miss Jenny just chuckled, and shook her head.

"I'll leave you two to catch up, then."