One Snowplough at a Time: ThomasNATION Fanstory [Part 2]

Continued...

Bill and Ben had lost one snowplough, and were arguing. Poor old Ashima who just wanted to help, went on a goose chase to find another one. She found James' but got derailed. Now, Ashima was stuck at the Steamworks, and James needed his snowplough back. With James taking his snowplough once again, Bill and Ben were back to square one, with just one snowplough for the two of them. But, when the twins came to see Ashima at the Steamworks, the both had their snowploughs on.

"...Wait, where did you get that snowplough? You never got James'?" Ashima said, as she noticed that both the twins had snowploughs on.

"Well, we found the lost one." said Ben.

"Oh! So, you sent me on this goose chase for nothing?" said Ashima.

"We said we're sorry." said Bill innocently.

"Its okay, Bill." said Ashima. "But how did you find it?"

"Oh. Funny story actually..."

And now, the thrilling conclusion...

"Oh, let me guess. Did Marion dig it up?" asked James, who was hoisted up, workmen attending to his under-carriage. He always found Marion's adventures quite funny, and was interested to listen to a story to pass his time. 

"Actually, yes! Marion helped us find it." said Bill.

"Well, sort-of." added Ben.

"Ashima!" said Victor, who just came back from the far end of the Steamworks, "You'll be fixed in just a bit! Your side-rods are all fixed up! We just need to fix them back on now. You'll be able to get on your ship tomorrow morning!"

"Oh, about the ship!" remembered Ashima. The ship had to be supplied with a huge order from the Clay Pits, as well, which was the reason Ashima had been assigned to work there. "Did you guys finish the order?"

"Yes, we did." said Bill and Ben.

"They were telling us something!" put in James, who really wanted to know about Marion, and what foolish fantasy she'd come up with, this time.

"Okay, so um..." continued Bill.

The story went on something like this:

That morning, after Ashima'd left, ol' Marion came back with what she thought to be a model of Santa's sleigh. 

Timothy, who was working to fill the order, said "What is that, Marion?"

"Oh, its a miniature model of Santa's sleigh!" said Marion.

"Looks more like a snowplough to me!" said Timothy.

"Well, Timothy, a prototype sleigh does resemble a snowplough to the common eye. It may look like a snowplough to you, but I can guarantee you, it is 100% a bona-fide sleigh!"

"How do you know what a prototype sleigh looks like?" Timothy asked.

"Remember when Santa Claus came to Ulfstead Castle?" Marion asked. "He showed all the children the schematics and a prototype of the sleigh! Now, come on, it's Christmas! No need to be such a grinch."

"Am I the only sane engine here?" whispered Timothy to himself, thinking of Bill, Ben and Marion.

Later that day, Bill and Ben spotted the sleigh, which Marion had put up as a decoration near her shed. "Isn't that our snowplough?" asked Bill.

"It must be!" said Ben, "Was it here all the time?"

"It had to have been! We sent Ashima on a wild goose chase for nothing!"

"We should apologise to her! And guess what? We both can go now, because we've both got our snowploughs!"

Then, Edward and Timothy came to The Clay Pits, pulling a large line of empty trucks. 

"I'll go fill these up!" said Timothy, and left with some of them to fill the trucks up. They were for the huge order of the ship.

Edward approached Bill and Ben. "Excuse me, gents, but would you help Timothy, now? We're running a bit late!" he told them. "We still need to get a last load of clay to the Docks, Timothy and I."

"OK, Edward." sighed Bill. "Say," he continued in a louder voice, "Do you know where's Ashima? She never came back this morning."

"The Indian engine? She's wonderful!" said Edward. "But, alas, I heard Cranky say she got derailed today. Something about James' snowplough and Ulfstead Castle as well, I don't remember all of it."

The twins realised Ashima'd derailed.

They headed back to Marion's shed, took the snowplough and headed to the Steamworks to meet Ashima. They felt guilty how she derailed, whilst helping them.