Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Mrs. Percival's New Job

The Thin Controller, Mr Percival runs the Narrow Gauge Railway, known as the Skarloey Railway, in the High Hills of Sodor. But he is not just a businessman, he is also a family man. He has a wife and six children. 

Mrs Percival always gives him a kiss just before he goes out on his bicycle, and then when he comes home, she always has dinner prepared for him and six children neatly bathed and ready for bed. 

It was summer. The weather was terribly hot. Passengers in the Hills were thirsty and were keen to see Peter Sam's teashop special, pulling the Refreshment Lady and her tearoom across the railway. But today there was trouble. 

The Refreshment Lady hired Nancy to help out at the teashop while she went out on her special train. But today, the Refreshment Lady had bad news. 

Nancy had gotten poorly and her father couldn't allow her to help out at the teashop. 

So, the Refreshment Lady telephoned the Thin Controller for help finding a way to run the teashop as well as her teashop on wheels. 

"Hmm, I have an idea," said Mr Percival, looking over to his wife. 

Mrs Percival was asked by her husband whether or not she'd like to work in the teashop for the day. She was delighted! 

"It gets a little boring here at home with you at work and the children at school, my dear," said Mrs Percival, "I'd be more than happy to help the Refreshment Lady!"

And so it was arranged. 

Skarloey took Mrs Percival to the station by the lake where the teashop was. 

"I hope you have a good time running the shop, Mrs Percival," said Skarloey cheerfully. 

"I hope so too, Skarloey, thank you." 

Mrs Percival was soon working behind the counter, helping the Refreshment Lady serve tea and cakes. But soon, Peter Sam whistled to announce his arrival to take the Refreshment Lady on the Teashop Special run. 

"I'm off now, Mrs Percival. Don't worry with the shop, you'll soon see running it is a piece of cake!" 

Mrs Percival waved her off as Peter Sam puffed away. 

"Teashop Special coming through!" he whistled. 

(Freddie is seen passing the station with some livestock trucks. )

Mrs Percival soon sold out of cakes and prepared to bake some more, but then she got called to the counter. Duncan's Driver, Fireman and Guard had come in for some tea. 

"Oh, hello, Mrs Percival," said the driver.

"What can I get you, gentlemen?" asked Mrs Percival politely. 

"Two teas and a cocoa for the fireman," said the driver. 

"Coming right up, gentlemen," said Mrs Percival. 

But there was trouble. 

As Mrs Percival began to brew, she realized that there was no cocoa powder left and on top of that, there was only one teabag. There had been so many customers due to the hot weather, that the Refreshment Lady had forgotten to show Mrs Percival where to find more. 

"Oh dear," she whispered nervously. 

When the kettle was boiled, Duncan's crew were puzzled as to why Mrs Percival was taking so long to prepare the mugs. 

"Is there a problem, madam?" asked the Fireman. 

"Um, no...well, yes...but..." 

"For buffer's sake, what's taking you so long?" wheeshed Duncan impatiently from outside. 

Mrs Percival didn't know what to do. She had never worked at the refreshment shop before, and she didn't know where to find more teabags and cocoa. She saw a door and realized it must be the storeroom, but it was locked. The Refreshment Lady never gave her a key. 

But she was a wife and mother and so after calming down upon finding the problem, Mrs Percival found a solution. 

"I'm sorry for causing you some delay and confusion, gentlemen, but I have no way of getting some fresh teabags and cocoa powder. But if you could find the Refreshment Lady for me, I can get them for the customers and I am sure we can give you double tomorrow to compensate for your troubles." 

"Compensate?" said Duncan. 

"It means to make up for something wrong, Duncan," explained Mrs Percival. 

"It's no trouble, madam," said the Driver kindly, "we will get that key for you. We often pass the Teashop special further up the line. We'll explain it all to the Refreshment Lady." 

And so Duncan found Peter Sam and stopped him. 

"What's wrong, Duncan?" asked Peter Sam. 

Duncan's Driver explained everything. 

"Oh my goodness!" gasped the Refreshment Lady. "I'd completely forgotten the key to the storeroom!" 

And without delay, she handed the key over. Duncan then rushed back as quickly as he could to the teashop, where Mrs Percival and several customers were waiting. 

(Sir Handel can be seen bringing the customers.)

"Thank you ever so much, sirs and you too, Duncan!" cheered Mrs Percival. 

Duncan blushed. 

And for the rest of the day, Mrs Percival had no further trouble. She worked the teashop splendidly and when the Refreshment Lady returned, they happily worked together. 

As the shop closed for the day, Skarloey came to bring Mrs Percival home. Mr Percival was with him. 

"How was your day at the teashop, my dear?" asked the Thin Controller. 

"It was good fun, my love," said Mrs Percival, "and I'd be more than happy to help out more often." 

The Refreshment Lady was delighted. 

"It would be a pleasure to work with you again, Mrs Percival!" 

Skarloey and Peter Sam whistled cheerfully in agreement. 

Mrs Percival loved being a mother and wife, but she also loved her new job working at the railway teashop as well. 

(The End!)