Chapter Text
Sir Topham Hatt, known more fondly by the engines as "The Fat Controller", sat in utter disbelief in his office as he listened to the extraordinary tale from the two dishevelled men who had asked to speak to him urgently.
It had been in the very early hours of the morning, when he had received a phone call from the foreman with word of Douglas returning to Sodor with a "scrapped train in tow". Needless to say, all feelings of annoyance from an interrupted sleep were quickly replaced by intrigue. His engines would never bring over something they should not to his railway, unless it was a particularly unusual matter.
He had raced down to his office as fast as he could. There, he found Douglas and his crew waiting for him, along with the foreman. They explained everything; the journey to the goods yard, them coming across the frightened Oliver and his crew, then the journey back and getting temporarily stopped. The Fat Controller had never heard anything like it!
"I should like to speak to his crew", he said. "And then later on, the engine himself."
So here he was now, at a more reasonable time, and listening to Oliver's crew finish their tale.
"You must understand", said the driver nervously. "We wouldn't just invite ourselves onto yer railway without yer permission, Mr Hatt. But we were desperate."
He brushed a trembling hand through his messy brown hair. The fireman spoke up.
"The railway we come from, they 'ad already started scappin' their engines by the time we left. Oliver was the only one left. We not got any ties yer see. We're bachelors, right? We had nothin' over there. We wanted to take a chance. Us and Oliver. We just couldn't leave him behind. We couldn't.
The Fat Controller raised his hands.
"I understand."
He smiled at them.
"You two and your engine have gone through a remarkable feat. Of course I can't simply turn you all away after that!"
He stood up from his desk.
"I'll put a good word in to the local inn. They should be able to take you both in until you get yourselves settled somewhere. In the meantime, I'll quietly notify the other staff on the railway of the situation. What are your names?"
"Matthew", said the driver. He held out a damp, coal-smeared hand. "Just call me Matt!"
The Fat Controller gingerly took it and gave a firm shake.
"Pleased to meet you", he said cheerfully.
"I'm Jonathan", said the fireman, taking the Fat Controller's hand even more enthusiastically (and with an even dirtier hand). "Or jus' Jon."
"Pleased to meet you both!", said the Fat Controller giving a nod. "I'll arrange things for you both in due time."
"Pretty sure there's no point askin' our railway if they'll take us back", laughed Jon. "We've likely already been fired!"
"I'll sort all of it out", said The Fat Controller airily. "But first, I would very much like to speak to your engine next. You say he's at the works?"
"Yes", nodded Matthew. "Douglas' crew promised to find him a place. We should get there now. He's probably worried where we are."
"Happy to head there now", smiled The Fat Controller. He started to walk out of the office.
"I must ask you both", he said carefully. "How was he when you left him there?"
"More relieved than anythin' I think", said Jon. "But it's been 'ard for him, as you probably expect."
"I must warn you", put in Matthew. "He's very nervous. Not scared mind, but just unsure abou' all this. He doesn't know what's gonna happen."
"Of course", said The Fat Controller.
They arrived at the works in due course. Engines were already bustling about the lines, but the works remained quiet.
The Fat Controller strode confidently in. He spotted Oliver and Toad immediately. A GWR 1400 class steam engine, and a GWR brake van. They were both fast asleep. Although The Fat Controller couldn't help but notice that the engine seemed to have just nodded off.
"I'll go wake him up", said Matthew. "Just so he's not startled."
He walked quietly up to Oliver, and then gently ran a hand along his footplate. Then he hoisted himself up and carefully patted his hand on Oliver's large cheek.
"Hey, Oliver", the driver whispered. "Wake up. The controller is here. He wants to meet you."
"H-huh?", Oliver stirred.
He opened his eyes. He was conscious of his driver's warm hand against his face, patting and soothing him. And then he startled as he took in a stout gentleman staring up at him. All at once, Oliver felt so small, which was ironic given that he was much bigger than anyone else in the room. He knew from his experience that anyone wearing a suit and top hat like this gentleman meant it was someone of authority.
The Fat Controller's gaze turned to one of sadness as he looked over Oliver and Toad. Their previous GWR paintwork had been taken over by layers of rust, and Oliver in particular was an orange red all over. Moss and leaves had gathered along his footplate and under his smokebox, and his wheels looked like they couldn't go another mile. His face was even covered in layers of dirt and soot.
"Hello there", The Fat Controller smiled. "Are you the brave engine I've been hearing about?"
"B-Brave?", asked Oliver, stunned at this gentleman's immediate kindness.
"Your crew told me everything", The Fat Controller went on. "My name is Sir Topham Hatt. I run this railway. You may address me as 'Sir'.
"Alright…Sir", replied Oliver nervously.
"Now then", said The Fat Controller. "As I said, your crew told me everything. You four are nothing short of remarkable for what you have achieved. Especially you, Oliver!"
"I ran out of coal, Sir", replied Oliver meekly, suddenly feeling more brave. "I only got as far as Barrow."
"Only just to Barrow?!", The Fat Controller laughed heartily. "That's pretty much on the border to Sodor. And a small tank engine, making it so far with limited coal. No Oliver, I'm astounded by what you have done."
Oliver could feel himself going pink from the praise, but he needed to ask the nagging question at the back of his mind.
"Please Sir. What are you going to do with us?"
By this time, Toad had woken up and immediately sussed out the current situation. He stayed silent, waiting for what the controller would say next.
The Fat Controller looked surprised.
"Well, I was planning to keep you both here. If that, of course, is what you want."
Oliver beamed. It was such a change that The Fat Controller could almost see the true engine behind the strained face and the tired eyes.
"You mean it, Sir?!"
"I do indeed", smiled The Fat Controller. "Now, of course there will be some things I will need to sort out. Namely, with your controller."
Oliver trembled.
"Please, Sir. Don't let them make us go back. We'll be turned into scrap!"
"I know that, Oliver", The Fat Controller said softly. "I know as well that you technically still belong to your old railway. But rest assured, Oliver and Toad, I will fight to keep you both here."
Oliver could feel all kinds of emotions welling up inside him, but he couldn't think of the right words to say. Instead, all he could manage was "Thank you, Sir."
"Thank you very much, Sir!", Toad piped up.
The Fat Controller smiled at the both of them.
"I do have some idea of where exactly to station you both. But I'd like to discuss that much nearer the time. For now, let's focus on getting you both repaired and back to your former selves", The Fat Controller beamed.
Then his face went sombre. He turned his full attention to the engine again.
"Tell me now, Oliver. Are you in any kind of pain at all?"
Oliver thought about it.
"Nothing hurtin', Sir. I just feel…so tired."
The Fat Controller nodded.
"That's more than understandable. You've travelled a long way. I doubt you had much of a chance to rest. You must be feeling exhausted."
"Yeah", Oliver agreed. He had hardly given it any thought, but now that the controller had acknowledged it, Oliver could feel every inch of his frames weigh down on him. All his time spent just running non-stop along the rails to Sodor had finally caught up with him.
"I'll leave you both to rest now", said The Fat Controller, beginning to step away. "We'll get you set for repairs as soon as possible. But in the meantime, take all this time to recuperate."
"Thank you, Sir", Oliver and Toad replied.
Oliver stifled a yawn. As soon as the controller had left, Matthew was back at his side. Jon down at his footplate.
"You 'ear that Oliver?", said Matthew, laughing and nudging his engine playfully. "He wants to keep you both!"
"I'm so glad", Oliver whispered.
"You got nothin' to worry about now, old boy", said Jon, and he gripped his hand on Oliver's buffer. "You're safe now."
"I'm so tired…", Oliver replied, his eyes beginning to droop.
"Rest now", said Jon. "Both of you."
"We'll be here when you wake up", said Matthew, his hand laid on Oliver's cheek. "Promise."