Mistrust and Misunderstanding

Philip, the little boxcab, had a turbulent few days when he arrived at Brendam Docks, but after learning from his mistakes, and tutelage from Porter, he soon proved himself to be a very helpful, hard working engine.
"Well done, Philip," said the dock manager. "If you keep this up, there'll be big things in your future."
"Thank you, sir!" Philip was very excited, and Porter was very happy for him. But Salty wasn't. He liked the boxcab at first, but now he was beginning to feel that his position was under threat.

Early one morning, he shunted some mail vans for Jinty. As he stopped next to Cranky so that they could be loaded, some fuel dripped out over the tracks.
"We'd best be careful, Salty," said his driver. "I think we have a leak."
"It's only a drop, cap'n. I'm sure we'll be fine." But as he took the vans to the goods station, more fuel leaked out along the way. Jinty saw this as Salty pulled in.
"Is everything alright, Salty? It seems you've a leak somewhere." Salty was rather embarrassed about the whole situation, but he was rather worried about what would happen if he went to the works to have it checked and repaired.
"Don't worry, lad, everything's shipshape."
"But you're losing oil rather quickly. Maybe you need to go to the wo..."
"NO!" Salty's voice echoed around the whole of Brendam.
"If you're worried about what'll happen while you're away, I'm sure that new boxcab you have here can take care of things."
"That's what I'm worried about," thought Salty as he rolled away.

He was taken to a siding where his driver and engineer checked him over thoroughly.
"It's as we thought," said his driver at last. "You have a small hole in your fuel tank. You'll have to go to the Works to have it repaired."
"But..." Salty began, but at that moment, Philip pulled up alongside.
"Hi, Salty! It's not like you to look so sad in a siding. Have you broken down?"
"Maybe..!"
"That's a shame! I hope you get better soon! Don't worry, Porter and I will make sure things run smoothly here." Salty said nothing as Philip set to work. He just hoped that his time at the works would be short.

Workmen quickly cleared as much oil as they could, but the tracks were still rather slippery, as Philip found out as he shunted a truck over to Cranky. As he tried to stop, he just skidded along the oily rails.
"Help!" he cried. His driver pulled on the sanding gear, and sand trickled under his wheels. He stopped so suddenly that the truck's buffers hit Philip's with such force, they bent. Philip was terrified.
"I hope no one notices," he thought, and he scurried away to arrange the rest of the train.

But as soon as he returned with a box van and a conflat, the dock manager was waiting for him. He didn't look happy at all.
"Philip, are you responsible for this?" he asked, pointing at the damaged buffers.
"I did cause the damage, sir, but it wasn't my fault. The rails were..."
"Stop. I'm not interested in your excuses. You need to take responsibility for your actions."
"But..."
"Go to your shed immediately. I will discuss what your punishment should be with Sir Topham Hatt later." Philip was so ashamed, and he rolled sadly away to the shed. Salty had heard everything, and as he saw the boxcab pass him, he knew he had to put things right.

The dock manager was returning to his office when Salty, who was now low on fuel, hurried over.
"Where have you been, Salty?"
"In a siding, cap'n," replied Salty. "I've a leak in my fuel tank, and I've no idea what caused it."
"Then why aren't you at the works?"
"I was scared. Philip was doing such a good job that I thought you'd end up replacing me with him."
"I'm not replacing you with anyone. You're a vital member of my fleet; Philip is only working here on trial. Although, considering the accident he caused, I feel he won't be on the island for much longer."
"But he didn't cause that accident, cap'n, it was my fault. It wasn't intentional, but my leaky tank caused him to slip. He must've bumped the truck as soon as he found grip." The dock manager understood.
"Thank you for owning up. I'll arrange for an engine to take you to the works as soon as I can. I'll also straighten things out with Philip; I owe the poor little engine an apology."

Donald arrived to take Salty to the works a short time later, and he also took the dock manager to the sheds.
"Salty told me what happened earlier. I'm sorry that I jumped to such a conclusion." But Philip refused to move.
"I've been nothing but honest ever since you threatened to send me away. Why did you think I'd be making excuses now?"
"I believed your track record more than I believed who you are now. I should've let you explain yourself fully, and I should've discovered the truth before trying to belittle you."

There was a short silence.
"So... does that mean I can go back to work?" asked Philip.
"If you're willing to do so. With Salty away for a while, Porter will need you more than ever."
"Thank you, sir!" And he and the manager returned to the docks, hoping more than ever that he could prove to be responsible enough to stay.