Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Henry's Old Home

Henry was an engine who used to live with Thomas and most of the Steam Team at Tidmouth Sheds. But like Edward, Henry chose to move out to live in Vicarstown Sheds instead. But that doesn't make Henry any less of a Steam Team member and is still Sodor's beloved Number 3 engine! 

One day, Henry woke up in the Vicarstown Sheds, ready to start a new day. Rosie was there too. 

"I'll fetch your coaches, Henry," she said and peeped away. 

"Thank you, Rosie," said Henry. 

Sometimes, however, when Henry wakes up here, he finds himself missing his friends and comforts in Tidmouth Sheds. 

Henry was soon coupled to his coaches, ready to take some passengers to Knapford on a local train. 

Gordon and Rebecca came in with their Express trains. 

"Hello, Henry," greeted Rebecca. 

"Hope you had a good night's sleep here," said Gordon, a little rudely. 

He was still sad that Henry had left Tidmouth Sheds, but was still happy to be good friends with Rebecca. 

"I did, thank you, Gordon," sighed Henry. 

Henry steamed off with his coaches and soon reached Knapford. 

(Farmer Trotter, Albert, his wife and Little Thomas can be seen on the platform. Tom Tipper's post van can also be seen outside.)

"Henry, I need you to go to the Docks to collect some iron bars and take them to the Steelworks on the Mainland," said the Fat Controller, "James will take your coaches." 

"Here's Jaaames!" chanted the red engine. 

Henry sighed. He even missed James' boasts of his work and his paintwork. 

Later, he arrived at the Docks to collect the iron. 

(Cranky, Carly and Big Mickey can be seen.)

As he waited for the last of the iron to be loaded, he saw Edward puff in with some trucks. 

"Hello, Edward," he said. 

"Hello, Henry." 

"Um, do you ever miss living at Tidmouth Sheds, Edward?" 

Edward looked at Henry kindly. 

"I do at times, Henry," he said, "but I do enjoy my new home. And I know that you love living at Vicarstown. Besides, we still see all of our friends every day, and friends are those we miss the most, not the building we lived in." 

"Plus, Edward always has lots of fun with me!" called Philip. 

Edward rolled his eyes and winked at Henry.

Henry tried to feel comfort in Edward's words. But when he crossed the Vicarstown Bridge into the Mainland, he felt even more isolated. He was now going to miss both Tidmouth Sheds AND Vicarstown Sheds. 

After a long journey, Henry arrived at the Steelworks. 

"Hello, Henry, you seem a bit down," said Frankie. 

"I suppose I am, Frankie," said Henry dimly. 

"Why don't you tell us your t-t-troubles in the hottest place in t-town?" suggested Theo kindly. 

Henry wanted to get back to Sodor, but agreed. 

"...and so I feel homesick from Tidmouth, but also don't like the idea of leaving Vicarstown." 

"I sometimes miss my home in the woods," said Theo. 

"But we're much happier working at the Steelworks with our new friends!" chanted Lexi loudly. 

Henry thought of his friends. 

"Hello, Henry," greeted Toby. 

"Morning, Henry," whistled Emily. 

"Good day to you, Henry!" called Nia. 

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, Henry!" teased Percy. 

"You're really reliable, Henry," peeped Thomas. 

Henry smiled at these thoughts. 

"Thank you, everybody, for listening. I must be getting back now! Have a good day!" 

With a whistle goodbye, Henry made his way back to Sodor. 

But Henry was soon held up by a signalman. 

"The track back to Sodor is blocked. There was an accident. The line won't be open again until morning." 

Henry felt worse than he had felt all day. He was sent to sleep in an empty shed in a nearby siding. 

"Now I can't even go back to my new home," he groaned sadly. 

Henry had a miserable night. He was cold in his shed and very lonely. He started to wonder why he had felt lonely and unhappy at Vicarstown in the first place. He had Rosie for company there, and although one other engine was not as many as six, it was better than being alone here. 

The next morning, Henry was able to go back home again. He didn't care if he was in his old shed or his new one, but all he knew was that it was good to be back on Sodor. 

The Fat Controller, the Earl of Sodor, Rosie and Thomas were waiting for Henry when he pulled into Vicarstown Station. 

"Ah, Henry!" called the Fat Controller. 

"Yes, sir?" asked Henry. 

"I have heard from some of the other engines that you have been feeling homesick from Tidmouth Sheds," said the Fat Controller, "and I have waited for your return to see if you wished to return there. Rebecca said she was happy to take your place here with Rosie." 

Henry was surprised. He never thought it was an option to return to Tidmouth Sheds. 

But- 

"No, thank you, sir," he said firmly. 

"Are you sure?" asked both the Fat Controller and Rosie at once. 

"Yes, last night, I realized how lucky I was to have two places here on Sodor to have called home. I do miss it at Tidmouth Sheds, but I know that I am needed here too. I am happy to share a shed with Rosie." 

Rosie beamed. 

"If that's what you want, Henry," smiled Thomas. 

"Indeed! Welcome home, Henry!" said the Fat Controller. 

"Henry, now you're back, would you mind taking me to the Miniature Railway? I have business dealings to discuss with Mr Duncan," said the Earl. 

"Of course, sir," smiled Henry. 

Henry enjoyed taking his important passenger, and to make him feel happy to be with Rosie in his new shed, the Fat Controller let Henry have the night off from pulling the Flying Kipper, and the very engine he chose to take it instead...was Gordon! 

"Phew! Oh! The indignity!" 

(The End!)