Henry backed into the harbour near the big station. He soon had himself situated in front of the long rake of vans that made up the Flying Kipper.
He looked across the platform and saw Rosie, the tank engine he usually saw in Edward’s yard.
‘Great.’ He thought to himself, developing a sudden urge to check his train over.
From the few conversations he'd had with her, Rosie reminded Henry a little too much of Thomas, especially in his early years.
Tonight, however, the dock tank stood facing the open water with an odd look on her face. It wasn't an unpleasant expression, but one he couldn't quite place.
“You alright?” He asked, hesitantly.
“Huh? Oh, yeah.” She replied, uncharacteristically quietly.
“That’s convincing.” Henry drawled. “Do I have to have my driver look over my train?”
“Nah. Too early for that.”
That was one thing they could agree on.
“So… what is it, then?” Henry asked, exerting more energy than he’d have liked for nearly five in the morning.
“I didn’t realise how much I missed getting to work in a harbour.”
“You’re not thinking of ‘seeing the world’ too, are you?”
“Heh. Nah. That’s always been Thomas’s thing. I’ve always liked harbours. ‘Course, not all my siblings agreed, but there’s something… calming about them. Ever since Salty arrived, I’ve gotten that many less chances to see Brendam Docks.”
“Y’know, this yard does always seem to need the extra motive power.” He said, nonchalantly. He shot a quick glance Rosie’s way. “How much traffic does your yard usually get?”
“Mm.” Henry thought for a moment. “Well, I know there are two major harbours out here - this one, and the one in the Knapford area. On Thomas’s line. Perhaps you could get yourself transferred here? If you prefer answering to watercraft over banking trains up Gordon’s Hill.”
Rosie chuckled. “That does get to be… a lot after a while. Not that I can’t handle it - I have for years - it’s just… I guess I’d like something… I dunno, different?”
“Somewhere you can be more at peace.” Henry agreed.
“Y’know, you’re a lot more open to my moving here than I thought you’d be, especially since we haven’t talked at all about who’d take my place at Wellsworth.”
“Let’s just say,” Henry replied with a soft smile, “you’re not the only one who finds peace somewhere others probably wouldn’t understand.”
Rosie raised an eyebrow. “…Your forest?”
“Our forest.” Henry said, looking out toward the water. “Bear and I go there together a lot - when we can both find the time.”
“Mm. As hectic as yards like this can be, the early mornings and late evenings are just… a kind of beautiful you don’t really find anywhere else.”
“I think that’s why Duck loves his branch line so much.”
Henry perked up as the unmistakable sound of a guard’s whistle cut through the building.
“Welp, I’d best be off. I’ll see what I can do about helping you get that transfer.”
“Oh! Shoot, thanks, Henry!”
The big green engine whistled, and set off in a cloud of steam, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment given the day was only just beginning.
