Tales of Sodor
Book Two: Rebecca the Sunny Engine
Chapter One: Confusion
James breaks Tidmouth Sheds. The Southern Railway confuses the Council
Edward stared at the destruction before him. He felt bad for James, of course he did, a crash was no pleasant thing for any engine, but Jesus Christ, the red engine had done quite a bit of damage; both Thomas and Edward's berths were practically destroyed. James himself sat limply half on the rails half off. Thankfully, the worst of the damage to him only appeared to be dents and scratches on his paintwork.
"Well, James," the Fat Controller said sternly as he stepped down from Edward's cab, "I can't say I'm impressed. If everyone thought was something wrong, you should have gone to the Steamworks to get checked over."
"But, Sir-" James protested weakly.
"He's right, James." Edward said in the soft, disappointed voice that had made more than one engine reconsider their life decisions. James looked sheepishly away.
The Fat Controller softened slightly. "Then again, I have been looking for an excuse to renovate the sheds a bit so you've done me a favour James."
James smiled slightly. The Fat Controller turned to Edward.
"Take James to the Steamworks then go and get Emily and meet me back here so we can discuss sleeping arrangements for tonight."
Edward asked, "But, Sir, what about my passenger train?"
"I'm afraid it will have to be cancelled, Edward." The Fat Controller sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "We just don't have enough engines at the minute."
Edward pressed his lips into a thoughtful line as he pulled away with James on the Break Down Train. Passenger traffic was heavier than usual this year, even heavier than it had been a few years prior when lockdown had been lifted and people had come in flocks, desperate to travel again. The books and TV show didn't always help, either. He wouldn't be surprised if they cancelled some passenger services in favour for a double express. Maybe they could bring BoCo back?
When they were a few miles down the line, James said, "I wonder what the Fat Controller's up to?"
"Bringing in some new engines I expect." Edward replied.
James sighed dramatically. "Well, so long as none of them see my beautiful paintwork like this." He said mournfully.
"And yet," Edward's tone was stern but there was a slight teasing lilt to it as well, "it was because of that paintwork that the shed needs repairs. And I did warn you not to go at such high speeds."
He could feel James's blush from behind him.
"Alright, alright." He muttered.
There was silence for a moment, Edward concentrating on the upcoming signal, James presumably lost in thought.
"I'm sorry, Teddy." James said suddenly.
Edward smiled at the nickname. Ever since he had looked after that little girl's bear, James hadn't let him live it down.
"Don't apologise." He soothed. "Having your brakes fail is terrifying, especially at speed."
"Talking from experience, are you?" James teased.
It was Edward's turn to blush. "I was an express engine when I was young, you know that." Well, that was part of the truth. The whole truth was that, being built so long after his siblings, he hadn't been built correctly and wasn't able to build up steam properly, hence why he'd worked on a branch line rather than the Furness's main line. "Of course I was trying to break records."
James laughed outright. "And I thought you were the responsible one." He sobered quite suddenly. "But, seriously, I'm sorry. If I had just listened to Rosie, this wouldn't have happened."
"Don't take it on yourself, lad." Edward said kindly. "Yes, you should have gone to the Steamworks when Rosie said, but I'd be a hypocrite if I said that I'm just the same when there's something wrong with me."
"At least you do it for others. I just refused to listen because of another engine's paintwork, how pathetic is that?"
"It's not-"
"And now you and Thomas have nowhere to sleep."
Edward exhaled and made a mental note to have this conversation when James was out the works and feeling better. "Don't you worry about us, James. Thomas will likely go to Ffarquarh and I'll probably go to the Little Western." He said firmly but kindly.
"The Little Western?" The mogul asked. "Wouldn't that shed at Wellsworth be easier for you? The one that little boxcab - oh what's his name, Philip, isn't it? - has?"
It would be easier. Edward knew that. But the second berth at that shed had been BoCo's.
"It would be." He said lightly to James. "But Duck said he'd teach me how to use the slipcoaches and I imagine me sleeping there will give him plenty of opportunities."
He was pleased to hear James laugh again. "Well," the red engine said, "So long as you don't come back indoctrinated!"
The two engines shared a good laugh.
***
Emily had just come into Maron with a goods train from Harwick when Edward steamed in on the adjacent track.
"Ah, Mum," he said pleasantly. "Are you on break?"
Emily raised a curious eyebrow. "Yes? Is everything alright?"
Edward paused. "I'll fill you in on the way. It's just that the Fat Controller wants you and I to talk at Tidmouth Sheds."
Emily suppressed a sigh. There went her break then. Although, if she and Edward were both wanted, then it was likely that it was something that involved the Council or that the NWR needed its Councillors to represent them. She stretched her safety valve and left alongside Edward, who, true to his word, filled her in.
It didn't prepare for seeing Tidmouth Sheds so damaged. A small part of her thought it looked rather as though a bomb had detonated inside of it.
"Just the engines I want to see." The Fat Controller said cheerfully as he strode over from where he was overseeing repairs. "If I remember correctly, the next Council meeting is tomorrow night?"
"Yes, Sir." Emily and Edward said warily together. If it was something so urgent, it couldn't be good.
The Fat Controller seemed to realise this for he reached out and patted their buffers in turn. "You don't need to look so worried. I was just going to ask you to see if there are any engines the other Councillors would recommend."
Edward was very glad Gordon was on the express, he didn't trust himself to, had Gordon been there, not make a comment on the Gresley bias. Again, the Fat Controller seemed to read their minds.
"I trust you two not to be biased towards any engines who you may be related to."
***
The next night, the Council gathered in their usual roundhouse in the woods (Truro had found it during his brief visit to Sodor and had had more freetime than NWR engines). Thankfully, there was nothing pressing - there rarely was since the end of dieselisation - aside from an invite from one engine to another to some gala on the Mainland.
"There is one more thing I'd like to bring up." Edward said calmly.
"And preferably keep those two-" Emily's gestured pointedly to Gordon and Scotsman with her eyes - "out of it because we all know they'll be biased."
Donald and Douglas, Keepers of the Council rather than patriarchs, snorted but otherwise kept quiet, which was more than could be said for Gordon or Scotsman, both of whom were spluttering indignantly. Pendennis chuckled appreciatively.
"She's got your number, dear." He said sweetly to Scotsman, who was, for once, rendered speechless.
Edward's lips twitched but he carried on. "We've been struggling with heavier passenger numbers lately, if there are any engines on the Mainland who are available and-"
"Tornado was taught on Sodor, yes?" Manston said slowly, more interested in his buffers.
Stepney gave him a confused look then smiled with dawning comprehension. "You mean...?"
The other Councillors blinked. The Southern patriarchs weren't ones to keep secrets.
"We'll send her up in a few days." Manston said with a smile to Edward. Despite having worked with Bill and Ben for decades, Edward had never been so confused in his life.
***
For anyone who wants more information on the Council, go read (I believe) chapter one of Traintober 2024