Lady Of The Island

Interview With A Sourpuss And A Patient

"That's right...Lennox was the first of many." Clarence stared at the sky. "Phillip, Spencer, Barry...Dennis."

I stumbled back. Those four names were familiar to me.
"Is it just them?"

"That we know of." Derek sighed. "Visiting engines sometimes went out to find it, and well." He made a cutting sound with his mouth.

"...oh my." I frowned. "I'm so sorry that I didn't believe you."

"This is the only safe place, you know." Derek smiled. "It doesn't know of here."

I reached into the rucksack to make sure the prop was intact, but I felt a sheet of paper inside too - one that I didn't remember packing.

I pulled it out infront of the engines and they all stared at it.
It was the sketch sheet of Rawlinson.
She looked at it with curiosity.

"...is that..me?" She asked. "Where did you get it? What's it for?"

"It's from Allcroft Studios. I was there earlier and I found it in a drawer."

"They drew me? For what reason?

I raised an eyebrow.
"There's measurements and materials listed...these would be used as references for props..."

You could pinpoint the exact moment that Rawlinson broke.

"They....drew me up?" She looks actually heartbroken. "And I was rejected..."

"Now, now..." Clarence soothed. "It's partially for the better that you weren't adapted. Look at what happened to Molly..."

"They made me some kind of whimp! I'm not a whimp!" She snapped.

"Mhm, exactly." Neville grumbled.

"Do you," Rawlinson paused again with a sniff. "Do you know what role I would have had?"

"No, I'm sorry. All it says is that someone else took your role. Well, it could be worse. The film failed dramatically, you're better off the way you are."

Rawlinson smiled.
Derek then spluttered.

"Erm, Grey," Derek wheezed. "There's someone in the sidings who wants to speak to you...it sounds urgent. "

"Urgent? Me?" I shrugged. "Alright. I'll come straight back after, okay?"

"Good. Run along now." Molly stared me down. She clearly didn't like me at all.

I walked around the harbour, taking in any discrepancies, until I came across the partially empty sidings.
No trucks remained, yet you could hear their giggling from past conversations.
The one thing in there, however was a dark green tender engine, two-faced with a smokebox door.
She had the most blunt expression on her face.