"What do you mean it'll take another week?" Stephen asked a workman. "I need it back for Friday."
"There was a mixup with the supplies, Stephen," explained the workman, "so they had to send out for new ones."
"But what about the birthday party?"
Arthur approached Stephen, curious about his debacle. "Everything okay over here?"
"Far from it, I'm afraid," sighed Stephen. "You know how my open carriage is away for repairs? I've just gotten word that it's been delayed."
"Oh, dear, I'm sorry about that. Anything I can do to help?"
"Well, unless you can make a new coach appear out of thin air, I can't imagine you'll be able to sort this out."
Arthur laughed, but then, an idea popped in his head. "Actually, what if I can?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sodor's got plenty of coaches lying about that no one uses," Arthur pondered, "maybe I can bring one here."
Stephen wasn't so sure. "Are you sure you've got the time? The celebration's in three days."
"Plenty of time!" Arthur assured the wise old engine. "It's not too big an island, I can surely find a coach. I'll start the search tomorrow morning, and I'll find the perfect coach. I promise."
"Well, I sure hope it pays off." Stephen thought as he left the platform. "I'm running out of options."
The next morning, Arthur set off to find a coach. He knew the risks, but he didn't want to break his promise to Stephen. Fortunately, he knew just where to start: Knapford Yard. That place had plenty of coaches, surely one was bound to be just right.
"Okay, that one?" Arthur murmured to himself. "No, that won't do, that's one of Gordon's...maybe that one?"
"What're you up to, Arthur?" asked Thomas as he collected Annie and Clarabel.
"I'm trying to find a coach for Stephen." Arthur explained. "Hey, you don't mind if I borrow Annie and Clarabel, do you?"
"Sorry, I'd love to give you them, but I can't." Thomas sighed. "I need them for my branchline."
"Well, that's alright," Arthur frowned, "but where can I find the right coach?"
"There's plenty of coaches on Sodor." thought Edward. "Maybe you can use the Slip Coaches."
"I need them, though," said Duck. "My branchline's especially busy this week."
"Hmm..." Arthur thought harder. ""
"What about Old Slow Coach?" thought Percy.
"I think she was lent to the Duke and Duchess," recalled Edward. "But I don't think she's around anymore."
"She was? Well, um..." Thomas wasn't entirely sure now. "...maybe you can borrow Henrietta's sister Hannah? She's very old fashioned."
"You sure she'll fit the bill?" asked Arthur. "I took her out on my branchline one time and she only ever wanted to go fast. Nearly ran me into the sea."
"I know, but she might understand if it's for the earl's birthday."
"Good point." Arthur considered. "Alright, I'll go and get her! Anybody know where she is?"
"Ooh! Ooh!" called Philip. "I do!"
Arthur and Philip picked up Hannah, who was at the docks, and took her to Stephen. At first, she was more than thrilled to be a part of Sir Robert's estate. But when she got there...
"Go on, Stephen!" Hannah laughed. "Go faster! Go faster!"
"This is as fast as I can go." protested Stephen. "I can't speed up if I wanted to."
Arthur and Philip watched. "Are you sure Hannah was the right call?"
"Yeah, positive." Philip chuckled. "It'll just take Hannah some time getting used to how things are done at the castle."
"Alright, you asked for it!" grinned Hannah mischieviously as she gave Stephen a mighty bump, sending him hurtling down the tracks and craching into a set of buffers.
"What an entrance." joked Glynn. "Can you do that again at the celebration?"
Stephen scowled as Arthur raced in to investigate the mess. "Stephen! Are you okay?!"
"Arthur, I'm sorry," Stephen panted, "but I can't work with Hannah! She's far too aggressive!"
Arthur sighed. He knew Stephen was right. "Never mind, Stephen. I'll take her back to Toby's line."
As Arthur dropped off Hannah, he still wasn't sure what to do. The celebration was still looming and he was back to square one.
"I'm not sure, Philip." sighed Arthur. "Maybe I just need to be upfront with the earl. I tried, but I couldn't find a coach."
"Don't give up now, Arthur!" chirped Philip. "You just need to have a little faith in yourself."
"I'm trying to, but I'm running out of both time and options." continued Arthur. "Where am I going to find a good coach that the earl would like?"
"Hello?" called out a voice from a siding. "Did someone say they needed a coach?"
"Yes!" Arthur perked up, racing over to the siding to see what the voice was. And what he saw was an old, slightly dilapidated coach. But Arthur could recognise her color scheme anywhere. "I take it you're Old Slow Coach?"
"I am." said Old Slow Coach. "You're needing a coach then? I'm your gal...with some fixing, of course."
"I thought you were back on the mainland." recalled Philip.
"I was, but then my wheel broke off its axis." Coach explained, "and I've been here ever since. Granted, I've been in worse shape before, but now I'm not as useful as I once was. And even then, I was only used for special occasions."
"...special occasions!" gasped Arthur. He had done it. He had found the perfect coach. "Philip, go get a crane and a flatbed! We've got work to do!"
"Work?" asked Old Slow Coach as Philip hit the road...er, rails. "What do you mean?"
"Coach, how would you like to work on an earl's estate?" asked Arthur.
Old Slow Coach gasped in glee. She was going to be useful again!
Arthur and Philip wasted no time in taking Old Slow Coach to the Steamworks. Victor and Kevin were quick to comply with repairing her to how she was in her glory days.
"See?" smiled Philip. "We wouldn't have found Old Slow Coach if I didn't have faith in you!"
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting such luck." grinned Arthur.
Just then, Victor came out, beaming. "She's all ready to go, boys!"
"Thanks so much, Victor!" Arthur said as he went to get Old Slow Coach. She was all good to go, and better looking than ever! "Ready to go, Coach?"
"Ready as I'll ever be!" smiled Old Slow Coach.
Soon, Sir Robert's birthday party was in full swing. Everyone was having fun, but Stephen was staring at the clock.
"Oh...where is Arthur?" whimpered Stephen. "He was supposed to be here an hour ago."
"Give him time, Stephen." smirked Glynn. "He's surely just busy on his branchline."
PEEP-PEEP! Arthur's whistle echoed through the castle as he and Philip pulled in with Old Slow Coach! "Somebody order a fancy new coach?"
Sir Robert was over the moon. "How marvellous! Arthur, she's a real beaut! I must know her name."
"This is Old Slow Coach." announced Philip. "She's going to be working on your estate!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way." smiled Sir Robert. "Arthur, will you take me on a journey aboard Old Slow Coach?"
"I'd love to." Arthur smiled as Sir Robert climbed aboard. And as they travelled around the estate, both Arthur and Old Slow Coach were satisfied. Arthur managed to keep his promise and help his friends, and Old Slow Coach finally got to be really useful again. Win-win.
