Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 8

Kevin is Boss

Victor and Kevin work hard every day together at the Steamworks. 

Day in, day out, the two friends are shunting, carrying, moving and mending. They are never lonely in the Steamworks either. Workmen there are always happy for a chat and engines come to their domain for repairs or tune-ups. 

(Rosie puffs in.) 

One day, Victor was summoned to the Narrow Gauge Railway for his inspection of the little engines. 

"I'll be back in no time, Kevin," he said, "we are quiet today, so you can be in charge for now." 

Kevin beamed in delight. 

"You mean I'm going to be boss, boss?" 

"Hohoho, if you want, Kevin, but don't get too excited on the job." 

Victor puffed away, hoping Kevin could behave and be a good boss for the time being. 

Kevin loved the idea of being in charge and was eager to tell anyone who passed by. 

"Hey, Thomas and James, I'm the boss today!" 

"That sounds great, Kevin," said Thomas cheerfully. 

"Hmm, I hope you are able to do a good job," said James, "what if somebody needs fixing?" 

"It's quiet for now, James, and I can handle it!" said Kevin confidently. 

But it wasn't quiet for very long. 

The Fat Controller came into the Steamworks with Toby. 

Toby had a dented cowcatcher and a scratched side plate. 

"Hello, Kevin, is Victor visiting the Narrow Gauge Engines?" asked the Fat Controller. 

"Yes, boss, I'm the boss at the moment, boss," said Kevin in a hyper voice. 

"Well, I wonder if you can repair Toby," said the Fat Controller. 

"Oh, yes, boss, I'm sure we have spare catchers and plates here in the Steamworks, boss," said Kevin. 

"Very good, I'll be back later to see how you're getting on." 

And the Fat Controller left. 

"Are you sure you can fix me without Victor, Kevin?" asked Toby nervously. 

"I'm sure of it, Toby," smiled Kevin, "let me just find the catchers and plates you need." 

While Kevin went to look, Emily brought Henry into the Steamworks. 

"Henry's firebox needs unblocking, Kevin," she said. 

"Yes...please..." wheezed Henry. 

"I'll be right there," called Kevin. 

Emily left Henry in the Steamworks with Toby. 

Meanwhile, Mavis was waiting in the Steamworks. She had also been damaged in the same accident as Toby and needed her own cowcatchers and side plates replaced. 

"We'll soon have you fixed, Mavis," said Den. 

"What he means is-" said Dart. 

He was interrupted by a horn. 

It was Diesel. He was delivering the new side plates to go with the new cowcatchers. He also had to deliver Toby's. 

But he wasn't concentrating and left the side plates meant for Toby behind. 

And he delivered Mavis' ones to the Steamworks. 

Kevin had found the cowcatchers and was delighted to see the delivery of side plates. 

"Phew! I was beginning to worry," he said keenly. 

While the workmen made a start unpacking the side plates, Kevin arranged for a firelighter to clean out Henry's firebox. 

"You're doing a good job, Kevin," said Henry satisfactorily. 

"Yes, things are going well," agreed Toby. 

But then there was trouble. 

Kevin saw the men lifting out the side plates from their crate and soon found that they were not the colour or length he had been expecting. 

"B-but these aren't going to fit Toby!" he cried. "They're too long and they're black, not silver, a-a-and...where are the Right ones?!" 

Kevin began to panic and accidentally reversed into some more crates and parts spilled everywhere. 

"Calm down, Kevin!" called Toby. 

Kevin did so, looking worriedly at Toby. 

"I don't know what to do, Toby," he said worriedly. 

"Just think of your friend, Victor, and ask yourself, what would HE do?" 

Kevin thought. He knew Victor would stay calm and assess the situation. And then the answer came to him! 

"Victor...would alert the Fat Controller!" 

"Well done, Kevin," said Toby kindly. 

Henry's firebox was soon cleaned out and heated up again. He was ready to go. 

"Please, Henry, tell the Fat Controller what has happened for me!" 

"Of course, Kevin," smiled Henry. 

So Henry found the Fat Controller at Knapford and explained everything. 

(One of his assistants is there.) 

"I see, thank you, Henry. Based on the length and colour of the current side plates, I would guess that they were for Mavis. So I would conclude...that Toby's plates and Mavis' plates had been swapped and muddled up." 

So the Fat Controller arrived at the Dieselworks. Den, Dart and Mavis were already cross with Diesel, who after seeing his mistake, wisely disappeared. 

"Diesel, come out now!" 

Diesel was given a stern telling-off and was ordered to take the side plates to the right places. 

So a grumpy Diesel collected and delivered the side plates to the right engines. 

"Thank you, Diesel," said Kevin. 

"Thank you, Diesel," said Den. 

"What he should mean is, thanks for getting it right this time," said Dart. 

Diesel just frowned. 

And soon Toby and Mavis were repaired. 

"Thank you, Kevin," smiled Toby. 

"I was happy to help," blushed Kevin. 

"You proved yourself to be a good boss after all," said Toby. 

"Indeed he has," chortled the Fat Controller. 

He examined the new cowcatchers and side plates. 

"You've done a splendid job, Kevin. I, as well as Victor, I'm sure, are very proud of you!" 

Kevin blushed even more deeply. 

He worked just as hard and as well for the rest of his time alone. 

(He is seen helping to repair James, who looked very pleased.) 

And finally, Victor returned. 

"How was it, Kevin?" he asked. 

"It was great, Victor, uh, I mean, boss!" 

"Were they any problems?" 

"Nothing I couldn't handle, boss, with Toby's kind help, of course." 

And Kevin told Victor about his afternoon in charge. Victor was indeed very proud of his friend. But secretly, Kevin hoped it would be some time before he was asked to take charge again. 

(The End!)