After everyone was given their jobs and praised for their punctuality that day, they got their uniforms and set to work at once. Richard and Kaitlyn were Percy\u2019s Driver and Firewoman, Amy and Teletraan were James\u2019 Driver and Fireman, and Azuliterii was Boco\u2019s Driver. Percy was a green Avonside Saddle Tank Engine with four wheels and a number 6 on his bunker. James was a red L&YR Class 28 Tender engine with two small wheels just under his buffers and six driving wheels behind them and sported the number 5 on his tender. Boco was a BR Class 28 Diesel Electric locomotive in green and sported the number D5702. One morning, Percy and his new crew had to arrange the trains at Knapford Station. With Percy\u2019s guidance, Richard learned which coaches were what and went where and how many of each truck type was needed. The freight train they arranged was for James. \u201cNicely done,\u201d Percy said to Richard and Kaitlyn. \u201cAlthough, I must admit, you\u2019re a little\u2026heavy-handed with the brakes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry,\u201d replied Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right. Every driver has to go through that at some point.\u201d Just then, they heard James\u2019 whistle. \u201cThree, two, one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDirty trucks from dirty sidings!\u201d grumbled James as he backed down onto his train. \u201cArranged by small engines!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m doing fine, James,\u201d snarked Percy. \u201cThanks for asking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t!\u201d snapped James. \u201cFor heaven\u2019s sake, why not Edward?! At least he\u2019d be useful and you\u2019d be on Thomas\u2019 branch line, out of the way of important engines like me!\u201d The workmen were still loading the trucks with the various goods needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know he\u2019s stuck in the shed!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen\u2019s he supposed to get out anyway?! At least HE can-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI actually spoke with Edward when Teletraan and I were getting you ready,\u201d interrupted Amy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have?\u201d asked James, puzzled at this bit of news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou had already started grumbling about this train, so you didn\u2019t overhear anything we said. Edward took the Special Coach to put it for later use on the Express, to see if it was up to snuff. It never arrived and Edward\u2019s the prime suspect for stealing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStealing?!\u201d scoffed James. \u201cEdward may be an old fusspot, but he\u2019s not a thief!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd, if he DID steal it, I would congratulate him,\u201d boomed a voice. A blue GNR Class A1 Pacific Tender Engine with the number 4 on his tender then rolled up to the platform with the express coaches. This was Gordon the Big Engine, the main Express Engine for the North Western Railway. \u201cIf you want my opinion,\u201d continued Gordon, \u201cthat coach stuck out like a sore thumb and rattled too much, spoiling the sound of the wind rushing past me. The Wild Nor\u2019 Wester is better off without it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut the summer holiday season is coming up,\u201d reminded Percy. \u201cWouldn\u2019t the extra coach help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it blended in with the other coaches, I would say yes,\u201d huffed Gordon. \u201cBesides, it proved to be too much trouble for both myself AND Thomas.\u201d Speaking of which, Thomas\u2019 whistle announced his approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s all this then?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re talking about your Special Coach,\u201d explained Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, that old thing. It\u2019s one of those things Gordon and I can agree was too much trouble. I\u2019m surprised they\u2019re bringing it back for the summer holiday season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou liked it well enough to fuss at Douglas about it,\u201d reminded Kaitlyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat debacle proved that we didn\u2019t need it.\u201d Gordon\u2019s Guard then blew his whistle and waved his flag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, must dash!\u201d called Gordon. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about it later!\u201d He blew his whistle twice and left the station, picking up speed as he went further down the line. \u201cHurry, hurry, hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026If only we can help Edward,\u201d sighed Teletraan. \u201cBut none of us are Sherlock Holmes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, he\u2019d be able to solve that case in a flash,\u201d replied Percy. James got quiet all of a sudden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Sherlock Holmes,\u201d he mused. His face then formed a grin. \u201cThat settles it! Detective James is on the case!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJames, we\u2019ve got a train to pull!\u201d reminded Amy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut we won\u2019t have so much work tomorrow. We can definitely solve the case of the missing coach then! It should be easy! With Percy and his crew at our side-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no, you don\u2019t!\u201d snapped Percy. \u201cI am NOT getting involved in that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, come on, Percy! You won\u2019t have so much work tomorrow either!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, I want Edward\u2019s named cleared as much as any other engine, but any adventure with you is nothing more than disaster!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen have I ever caused disaster?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you want the list alphabetically or in descending order of damage done?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPercy, I think we\u2019ve got other goods trains to arrange,\u201d called Kaitlyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right, we do,\u201d replied Percy. \u201cCome on!\u201d Percy set off to continue his shunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut Percy-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, James!\u201d Once Percy was in a siding, James\u2019 guard blew his whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, for pity\u2019s sake!\u201d sighed James. \u201cI can\u2019t be Sherlock without a Watson!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing for it,\u201d soothed Amy. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to find someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone finished with their work and settled into their sheds. The Fat Controller spoke with everyone before they went to sleep. \u201cAs you all know, there won\u2019t be as much work on the railway tomorrow, due to the incoming fog. We\u2019re keeping all trains to essential traffic only, meaning fewer trains. We still don\u2019t know where the Special Coach is and we\u2019re going to need it when the fog clears up. Until then, Boco is staying here until work resumes on the Brendam branch line.\u201d Edward, a blue FR21\/K2 Class Tender Engine with four small wheels at the front and four drive wheels and the number 2 on his tender, sighed sadly. \u201cI know it\u2019s been a while, but until your name is cleared, you need to stay here,\u201d said the Fat Controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d sighed Edward. Richard, Kaitlyn, and Percy looked at the poor engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Maybe we SHOULD help,\u201d remarked Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt might prove we can be trusted,\u201d mused Kaitlyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s James\u2019 idea,\u201d whispered Percy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes it really matter?\u201d asked Richard. Just then, Boco rolled into the sheds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s all this?\u201d he asked Percy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEdward\u2019s still stuck in the shed,\u201d explained Percy as Richard and Kaitlyn filled Azuliterii in on what was going on with the Special Coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, if he needs help, I\u2019ll solve this case!\u201d declared Boco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think James already decided he would take the case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this now?\u201d asked the Fat Controller. The two engines and their crews jumped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do you do that?!\u201d asked Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPop up whenever people least expect it?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a Hatt trick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Cute pun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn any event, what are you all talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSir, James wants to clear Edward\u2019s name,\u201d explained Azuliterii, \u201cand he\u2019s asked Percy and his crew to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoco\u2019s willing to take my place,\u201d continued Percy. \u201cI\u2019m not so sure my place is solving mysteries with James.\u201d The Fat Controller pondered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Two heads ARE better than one,\u201d he said, \u201c\u2026so imagine what three will do. Percy, you are to assist James and Boco in clearing Edward\u2019s name in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cME?!\u201d squeaked Percy. \u201cI can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRubbish, Percy!\u201d replied Richard. \u201cIt\u2019s easy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s settled, then,\u201d declared the Fat Controller. Poor Percy wished it wasn\u2019t. The Fat Controller approached James and told him and his crew the news. \u201cI trust you\u2019ll clear his name, James?\u201d he asked once he finished. James was beaming from buffer to buffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can count on me, Sir!\u201d he said confidently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVery good! Good luck tomorrow!\u201d The Fat Controller returned to his car as James looked smugly at Percy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, Little Percy,\u201d he said, \u201cit looks like you and I will be working together after all!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you call me Watson,\u201d hissed Percy, \u201cI\u2019m leaving. I don\u2019t care what the Fat Controller would have in store for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCranky, are we? Well, a little rest shouldn\u2019t hurt. Great Detectives, such as I, need their beauty sleep, as do their sidekicks. Good night.\u201d James went happily to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think James has the right idea,\u201d remarked Teletraan. \u201cWe all need to hit the sack. Night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood night,\u201d bid Amy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPleasant dreams,\u201d wished Azuliterii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNight night,\u201d said Kaitlyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSleep well,\u201d bid Richard. The crews then headed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNight,\u201d mumbled Percy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood night,\u201d called Boco. He then went to sleep. Percy looked at James first, then at Boco, then he glanced upwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis will all end in tears, I just know it,\u201d he muttered to himself before he went to sleep.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After everyone was given their jobs and praised for their punctuality that day, they got their uniforms and set to work at once. Richard and Kaitlyn were Percy\u2019s Driver and Firewoman, Amy and Teletraan were James\u2019 Driver and Fireman, and Azuliterii was Boco\u2019s Driver. Percy was a green Avonside Saddle Tank Engine with four wheels […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6444,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[754,880],"tags":[482,9,146,597,337],"class_list":["post-6401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-journey-through-wonder","category-story-journey-through-wonder","tag-fantasy","tag-kamen-rider","tag-sonic","tag-thomas-and-friends","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6401"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6402,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6401\/revisions\/6402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}