Walter the Lovesick

"I DON'T know what it is, Thomas," said Walter the next morning, "but I get a bit lovestruck around Emily."
"That's okay," said Thomas. "After all, the best way to an engine's heart is through its boiler."
At that moment Virginia passed by with a large passenger train and the two of them whistled to her, and she whistled back in reply. "No Express today?" asked Thomas.
"Henry got the opportunity today," explained Walter. "James is pulling it tomorrow."
"Let me take you over to Trevor," said Thomas. "I'm sure he needs help at the orchard."
Shortly afterward the two arrived at Edward's Station. Walter was shocked when he saw Trevor.
"What on earth is that?" he gasped.
"I'm a traction engine," explained Trevor. "I run on roads instead of rails."
"So what of your owner requires my assistance?" asked Walter.
"I have here some sand to take to the other end of the line," said Trevor's Driver, handing several heavy sacks of white sand to Walter's crew, who put them into his cars. "It will be quicker to get there by rail, but never in my life have I doubted Trevor. We'll meet you there."
"You can rely on me," said Walter confidently, and in no time he was at a medium sized building where several people worked. "What is this? Asked Walter.
"It's a glassmith," said his Driver. "They make objects out of molten glass here, just like a blacksmith uses iron."
"I see," said Walter.
Then Trevor pulled up with some pine trees for Walter to take to the forest. "Henry will meet you there," he said.
On his way to the forest Walter met Bertie. "Hello there," honked the red bus. "Are you new to the line?"
"Yes," replied the black tank engine. "I'm Walter, and I just arrived here last week."
"Mind your cars don't tease you, Walter," said Bertie, "or you might wind up in the sea like Percy."
"Oh, they won't," said Walter confidently; but he was a little worried.
In the forest Henry was hauling several cars of logs. "Reports of a forest fire were heard last night," he said sadly, "and although Edward and I came with our crews to put it out, I must take the harmed trees to the timber mill, Walter."
Walter stared sadly at Henry, but he smiled a bit. "No problem," he said. "The forest will be as good as new in a while." And as soon as his cars were emptied, Terence and Trevor came up to help.
"Don't worry, Walter," said Terence. "We'll take care of it from here."
Walter puffed sadly away, thinking of what the forest looked like at the moment. He steamed off to the big Station where he met Virginia.
"You do look down in the scrap heap – I mean dumps, Walter," she said. "What's troubling you?"
"There was a forest fire last night," he replied sadly, "and I helped Trevor today to replenish the trees that had been affected. Also, I'm still quite lovesick over Emily."
Virginia chuckled. "Certainly Thomas doesn't know about it," she said.
"I told him this morning," replied Walter. "Once she appears, I get the shivers down my boiler."
"I'm surprised that Gordon hasn't flipped over me," she said.
Just then who should arrive but Emily. Walter blushed nervously; but he didn't know what to say. "Emily," he said anxiously, "I love you."
"You do?" gasped Emily. "But I love Thomas more than you would ever love me."
Walter knew he had to face the truth more than anything else. "Then can we just be friends?" he asked.
"Certainly," said Emily, and matters were finally settled between the two.
That night, Sir Topham Hatt came to see Walter. "So you're in love with Emily?" he asked.
"Not anymore," replied Walter. "I just felt lovestruck around her, and it wasn't until I confessed it to her that I felt better."
"I see," said Sir Topham Hatt. "By the way, I am very pleased with your efforts today as well as Virginia's. You two are here to stay, and I thank my loyal engines for showing the two newcomers how I run my railway."
There followed a long cheer of whistles and horns from the engines, none of whom felt more pleased than Walter the Large Tank Engine and Virginia the Express Engine.