Lady Of The Island

Full Steam Ahead (I)

Tasha lead Alice to her sleek and smart truck, one which looked hand-built. The blue truck sat in a personalised space, one which had an also hand-built plaque.

"Burnett's been busy, you see." Tasha grinned, "Built this for me as a Christmas present last year, he's the best husband someone could ask for."

Alice brushed her burgandy hair out of her face and watched Tasha climb inside, before soon following her.
On the dashboard was a small wooden figure of a violet tank engine with gold rims and quite a long funnel.

"What's that?" Alice asked politely. "Did he make that?"

Tasha laughed. "Oh, no, I did. He built the actual engine and I made the little figure, beautiful - isn't she?"

There was a pause

"She doesn't look like any other engine that I've seen, is she freelance?"

"Yes, she is. We took inspiration from several different types of engines on Sodor that we met on our recent visit and settled on mashing them together to create this absolutely gorgeous design. " Tasha kept her eyes on the road. "So, have you done ANY character designs for the film? Even one?"

"Well," Alice looked quite embarrased. "I've only done one, and that was a while back. It was of this Sudrian tender engine - an 8f...called something like Rawlinson - I originally had to her to fill that 'magical engine' role." She reached into her pocket and produced a drawing. "I have the concept art here."

Tasha held the drawing onto the dashboard and stared at it, while still looking at the road.
"Well, isn't she pretty? If our little engine doesn't cut it, I'm sure she'd be suited. File it away later and we can bring it up to Britt and David. Which studio are they at now?"

"I think they're at the Sodor studio. I don't really fancy the long haul over to the island, our seasonal offices are not worth the trip over."

"Don't be like that! I like my office! It's much better than the ones here in Shepperton."

"Mine is always a mess, Tasha. You've seen it! I swear, it's always like the furniture is going to fall over and the drawers are going to get stuck."

The pair continued their friendly and light-hearted argument for quite a while, until they reached the a naturally beautiful forest area. Tasha began to take the truck offroad, causing Alice to jump around in the seat.

***

Tasha drove the truck beside a lone cottage that sat across from quite a large lake. The pair got out and looked around.

"Like the lake?" Tasha laughed, spotting Alice staring at it. "Take a swim if you'd like, it's all ours."

Alice smiled. "No, I'm not keen on swimming. Will I meet that daughter of yours? You have so many pictures of her at the studios."

"No, unfortunately. I've been at work and Burnett has been in the workshop all days - so Lou's with her Uncle Eric for the time being, sorry." Tasha frowned, but then pointed at the nearby hills - where there were two stone arches.

"I imagine that they are the entrances, right?" Alice shrugged. Tasha nodded and led her up the hills.

The workshop was dusty and smelt of pure wood, an attack of the senses if you will.
Tasha practically flew at the speed that she skipped into the workshop!