Carl & the Engines vol.8 (Patreon)

Carl’s love for the engines of Sodor never changed, even after five years. He soon found himself within the borough of Tidmouth Sheds almost every weekend, cleaning the engines before and after a hard day’s work.The workmen, along with the engines’ drivers and firemen, appreciated the boy’s enthusiasm and allowed him to do so under their watchful eye.One misty Sunday morning was especially exciting for Carl, and for once it wasn’t just about his work—the letter in his pocket, something he had gotten in the mail a few days ago, was too precious to leave at home for his dog, Lalo, to get his teeth on when he wasn’t looking. But thinking about it for too long left him distracted. Far too distracted for a certain blue express engine’s liking.“Hey, boy!” boomed Gordon. “You’ve been cleaning the same spot for over five minutes! Hurry up and get to the rest of me so that I can leave and pull the express!”With a sheepish grin and a meek apology, Carl continued his cleaning at a better pace. It was for the better, he thought.The sooner he got Gordon cleaned, the sooner he could run home, get clean himself, and hurry to Vicarstown Station to meet the visitor who had sent him the letter in the first place…