#tte oc simon

[duskstargazer]

[1939]

Things were tense. More so than they’d been in over twenty years.

The engines had been repainted into dark, matte, lineless liveries to save costs.

“The world is at war…” Edward murmured. “…again…”

Henry swallowed hard. “You were around for the first war, weren’t you?”

“I was. Thomas, Emily, and I were. And I don’t mean to scare you, but this railway barely made it out.”

Emily grimaced. “I’d say consider yourself lucky you weren’t around to see it,” she trailed off, glaring up at the cloudy sky, already appearing thick and grey with ash and smoke. “But you’re about to.”

“Wait,” Percy interrupted, “what about Gordon?”

The sheds fell silent.

“He’s still at Crewe, isn’t he?”

“He…” Emily nearly choked on her words. “He’ll be fine. He’ll be back in a few more weeks, like Henry was. His rebuild probably won’t even take as long, as it’s just the running plate down, not a complete change in outline.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Percy replied, in a more clipped tone than anyone was used to. “What if he can’t make it back?”

“And what’s he gonna be like when he does come back?” James added, in almost a whisper.