A Timely Accident

 

Fooling the Timelords yet again wasn’t the hard part; it was existing without his beloved Tardis that was the hard part.

The Doctor chuckled at the thought, it was the Timelords error that made it so easy, it happened when he was ungraciously lifted from his own timeline to assist his future self, The Third incarnation…. the Blooming Dandy.

 

He of course noticed the mistake right away but the power drain and the desperate measures the Gallifreyans were prepared to take left this little glitch undetected, he wasn’t lifted from his timeline as they intended, Oh no they did try, the technician seeing a problem boosted the retrieval mechanism but it never lifted Him…..it copied him he was now Two, two of the very same Gallifrayan, he had the same memories the same body he was the same man.

When he locked minds with his future self he saw it all… his end!

On completion of  his mission on behalf of the Timelords they sent him back, back to meet himself.

“Well this is an outrage….you…You can’t exist! This isn’t right, no it’s not right at All is it, I’ll have words with those meddlesome Timelords.”

“Well..Ah ..I wouldn’t do that if I were you….Oh how hilarious, if I were you!” he looked at his own puzzled face and continued

“Well you see..(He coughed to clear his throat) Well they will Force you to change you see.” “Force me to change? Me? But I’m a Genius!” “Yes” his other self laughed “indeed you are which is why I have a proposition for you.”

 

Time is a funny thing it’s like trying to hold a handful of sand, the tighter you grip it the more it sifts through your fingers. One of the Doctors hid in the vastness of the Tardis while the other went about his business till it was time…..HIS TIME.

This was the regrettable encounter with The Warlord, a renegade Timelord  who was wholly responsible for this travesty about to take place, his taking of so many lives to build his war games made it impossible for the Doctor to rectify the situation and return the survivors to their proper place and time.
So with great reluctance The Doctor summoned his race ... The lords of all time using a Hypercube, the Cube was just a means to send a message that only a Timelord could interpret, now only they had the power to return the weary survivors to their own place in this  Universe.
Zoe and Jamie looked on with great concern, neither  had seen the Doctor in such dispare.

 

So in a bleak chamber that was part of the Warlords facilities, Three Timelords in all the regalia of their office stood before The Doctor, the scarlet robes with it's gold finery stood out in such a dark horrid chamber, hundreds of years had past since he had to face his Time Lord Peers, now as they were about to make judgement, he spoke to the head of these three who made this ridiculous trial possible. .

“You can’t do this! What about Zoe and Jamie…You can’t condemn them too!!”

“They will both continue their lives as if nothing had happened”

The Doctor looking unimpressed  said “Yes, very efficient. Now then aren’t we, what about me?

“We have accepted your plea that there is evil in the universe that must be fought and that you still have a part to play in that battle.”

“What? You mean that you're going to let me go free? Ah.. Well, I’m happy you see sense at last, Fine good day to you, I’ll be about my business, do give my regards to the council won’t you.” “Not so fast Doctor.” He turned knowing what was to came.

“Free? Not entirely. We have noted your particular interest in the planet Earth. The frequency of your visits must have given you special knowledge of that world and its problems.” Trying to keep the lack of surprise off his face he said “Yes, I suppose that's true. Earth seems more vulnerable than others, yes.” The Time Lord continued “For that reason you will be sent back to that planet.” “Oh jolly good; you know they make the most marvellous jelly babies you really should try one.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a plain white bag half full of Jelly Babies and offered them up.

“In exile Doctor.” He smiled his most disarming smile, “In Exile? Does that come with a bike?” he laughed, though the Time Lords never understood Humour, it serves no purpose in Gallifreyan society.

Without any sign of emotion the Time Lord added “You will be sent to Earth in the twentieth century, and will remain there for as long as we deem proper and for that period the secret of the Tardis will be taken from you.”

The Doctor now sensing he should put on a more serious face said “But. But you, you can't condemn me to exile on one primitive planet in one century in time! Besides, I'm known on the Earth. It might be very awkward for me.”

The Time Lord looked round at his colleagues whom he was in telepathic communication, “Your appearance has changed before, and it will change again. That is part of the sentence.”

Looking incensed The Doctor step forward “You can't just change what I look like without consulting me! I rather like me!” He looked pleadingly at those who condemn him. “Doctor you will have an opportunity to choose your appearance.” Eyebrows raised in this new hope the Doctor replied
“Oh, well, that's not so bad. But I warn you, I'm very particular, you could make me taller I suppose.” Unmoving the Time Lord continued “Here is your first choice.” They projected and image of a man with a big bushy beard, followed by other images.

The Doctor looked at his options “Oh he's too old! Well he's too fat, isn't he? No, he's too thin. That one's too young. Oh now, that won't do at all. It's ridiculous.”

The Time Lord displayed his impatience “You’re wasting time Doctor, you must choose or we will decide for you.” The Doctor frantic said “It's not my fault, is it? Is this the best you can do? I've never seen such an incredible bunch.” Without hesitation The Timelord made his choice"As you won't decide Doctor we have chosen" “No, no, no, I never said that. But I maintain I have the right to decide what I look like! It could be very important on the Earth. People on Earth attach a very great deal of importance…” before he could finish he felt his features changing... “Ahh! What’s happening?” “It’s time to change your appearance Doctor.”

Hidden deep in the Tardis the Doctor sat on the floor with his legs pulled tight in front of him, the deep lines of his face expressing his worry. “Oh that poor me.” He said out loud without realising, for it was his other self his copy if you will, that now stood trial, they had changed roles and now it was his turn to hid, this was the proposition he made with himself, after all the other self had knowledge gained from the third incarnation he had no right to know. “How dare they turn me into a Dandy.” He said out loud again, defiant.
Well one thing the Timelords did get right was his knowledge of Earths history... and now he really needed it, they will send the Tardis back to Earth soon, with his Third self, then he must leave and find another Tardis, but he'll need to survive on his wits and  be patient because it will be another 30 years before that will be possible. Thank goodness for rouge Timelords he knew exactly who and where he would appear but getting his Tardis....well that will have to wait to been seen.
Stuck in 1969 wasn't his idea of fun, far from it, why even The Beatles were struggling to stay together as a Band.
he made a mental note of the date....21st June 1969.
The Dandy had already exited the Tardis and fell unconscious on to the heather covered ground, in a Wood the Doctor believed to be somewhere in Surrey Southern England by the readings..
He looked down at his altered self, "Well..My Word! they made a right mess of you didn't they poor fellow, white curly hair! what ever next."
With Items he'd saved over the years he knew would be of value, money wouldn't be a problem. What a pity it wasn't January, He thought, The Beatles had a roof top concert on the 30th, the Doctor would of loved to have seen it..

Over the following years the Doctor dabbled in various forms of employment, Stage hand, Librarian, Prop maker in special effects, he made sure it was never anything that made him stand out... he could of worked in a scientific field but he was too advanced for that, the watchers would notice.
One film where he provided laser guns and lighting effects as well as some alien Prosthetics amused him... Star Wars indeed, They have no idea.. He didn't need to work for money, in Earth terms he was very rich, no he worked to stop getting bored, he knew boredom would get him in all kinds of trouble. Trouble was his enemy, Trouble would get him found before he had a chance to escape, that escape if it worked,was another 23 years away, he needed to stay undetected until Midnight 1999.

The Doctor worried for his sanity, after all he'd done.. the fight with the Cybermen that evoked his renewal, out witting of the Daleks and here on Earths future and past, the Yeti, The Ice Warriors, how can he just sit by and watch these terrible creatures and the others who see this Planet as a perfect resource, those who would  strip it of all its precious metals and minerals to  build an empire and enslave its inhabitants.
Then he remembered The Dandy.... Ah Well I suppose, in a way I'm still protecting this world, even if I do have to look a stage magician, "OH" he had a thought, perhaps I should introduce myself? No no no no no, stop being ridiculous, YOU CAN'T GIVE YOURSELF AWAY....not yet, be patient, yes take your time, read! that's the ticket absorb some wisdom and knowledge....make good use of your Time.
Over these long and for him painful years he would continue to fight for his sanity, the plan seemed so simple in 69' , just blend in and wait.... Wait 30 years... 30 years like this!... Oh MY Giddy Aunt!! .. if the wait didn't drive him mad the politicians would...
First the 70's passed with its rather good music, then the 80's with its sparkle and shine.. he thought for a while in order to blend in he would have to have his hair styled...Oh no, I don't think so, he said in his head, I'll just wait, the shaggy unkempt look would be in style soon... or he could continue to pioneer the look.. till it did, then he would blend in just fine.
The 90's came with its revolution in computer technology for everyone, Oh yes they had them in the 80's but it was more an exclusive little niche market as all programs had to be typed in and saved to cassette then later large 5 inch floppy disc's arrived, It's the 90's where it really took off, as a cleaver chap the Doctor bumped into one summer listened to his idea of using icons that could be selected as programs and would have the written computer code buried within  it's program, saving the need for all of that typing. Oh what was his name now? ... ah William .....oh yes good old Billy Gates, that was the chap. the Doctor suggested he could call it Tapdoor  but the young lad run off with the idea and another name...ah yes that was back in 82' it took him long enough didn't it, he thought to himself.  And what was wrong with Tapdoor?.... it had a nice ring to it, strange chap, windows are for looking out not going into..
Looking in the mirror the Doctor is studying his hair closely.. "Oh Galloping Gobstoppers...look at that? a grey hair!!, I'm only 550 for goodness sake."
Now he must ready himself, he felt rusty, after all he's been without a Tardis for so long and without it he could never regenerate, he could die here on this primitive planet and no one would be the wiser.
New York 31st December 1999, this was it, his only chance of escape from this exile intended for his other self.. He prayed to the Gallifreyan Gods that he would succeed in this dangerous endeavour, after all the Timelord he was going to outwit and take a Tardis from was no fool, he wasn't hampered by languishing on a primitive planet for 30 years, Delfor was fresh from the fight.

Delfor, escaping the Time War, would target The Doctor's favoured Planet....Earth, he was a crawl spiteful Gallifreyan, always bemoaning  Gallifrey owed him a favour although he was never prepared to work for it. the vivid scar on his face from an encounter with The Doctor was richly deserved, then they were mere school boys, Oh yes he deserved it... the bully deserved all The Doctors rage.... it was a time when the young Doctors Gallifreyan mind was developing and he lacked the control that would sustain him in later life. 

At an eight floored Georgian looking building in the Wall Street District, The Doctor stood waiting in the shadows, Delfor soon appeared as a wall at the side of this building opened and this black robed figure with silver rings on collar and cuffs stepped out into the street, he looked less ornate then the Timelords The Doctor faced, but he still looked Alien and out of place.

Standing at 6 feet tall (1.83 metres) with his long dark straight hair to his shoulders he looked a formidable adversary, Delfor’s pale blue piercing eyes would burn into anyone who opposed him. But despite the angry scar that travelled from his left ear down to the left side of his jaw, some would still call him a handsome man, this only helped to hide the evil intent within.

He hurried to the New York Stock Exchange opposite and using a sonic device on his wrist opened its large doors without setting of an alarm, “clever.” The Doctor said under his breath, now following as his  rapidly moving foe walked out of sight.

Inside the building he just caught a glimpse of Delfor’s shadow as he rounded one of the corridors heading to the main floor.

At the doorway The Doctor could see the glowing cube Delfor produced form the folds of his robe being placed on one of the many computer terminals.

“Oh you foolish primitives with such reliance on inferior technology, I will bring you to your knees and you will beg me not to harm your fragile financial market… I will hold you to Ransom till you have nothing more to give. Then...Oh Then I will rule your planet.”

From his advantage point in the corridor The Doctor Tutted “Ah Poor Delfor with no audience bowing to your greatness you've taken to talking to yourself have you” said the Doctor talking to himself then realising how funny that would appear stifled his laughter by holding his hanky to his mouth to silence the amusement.

The Doctor crept into one of the offices near by and sat at the computer, and then locking his fingers together he flexed his hand like a professional burglar about to crack a safe.

You may ask why the Doctor isn’t worried by the Alien cube Delfor was connecting the one of the buildings master computers, fear not all’s been prepared for.

Nothing The Doctor does is ever ny chance, there is always a plan behind his encounters, meeting the young Bill Gates was one such plan, so giving the young man a prototype the Doctor knew would save the young man time and effort, it was too tempting to use to use The Doctor's code, when laying down the foundations of the Window system, so he had insured all Windows run computers, would carry a hidden program set to countermand the cube’s Gallifreyan computer virus. "audentes fortuna iuvat" Said The Doctor as he placed his hands to the keys. 

Now the Doctor typed at eye watering speed setting the program in action…. And with one last flourish The Doctor sat back in his chair and looked at the screen and on cue an animated icon that looked very much like the Doctor, waved with hanky in hand... and jumping with delight.

“Ah it’s Done” he said

He took one last peek at Delfor who was still tapping in his last command. He would be unaware his virus would fail; these inferiors never had the intelligence to stop him after all.

 Back at the Tardis with it’s fully working chameleon circuit it merge into the building opposite, using his key, the same key he made on Gallifrey, he could open any Tardis and this Tardis obliged by opening it’s doors to him.

He hurried now to set the controls on the centre console, he had to be ready… the mesmerising hum of the Tardis was music to his ears and this Tardis liked him, he could feel the goodwill coming from the instruments as he gave them a stroke with his hand, “you’re a good old girl aren’t you.” He said reassuringly.

Delfor with an evil self satisfied grin on his face froze as he entered and saw the Doctor at his console. “What! How can You BE! I saw the signed orders for your exile myself” he scanned the console room for traps.. “You should not exist in this form!” now he screeched “What have you done?” He'd learnt to be wary of the Doctor and his mind was struggling to take in this shocking development.

This can’t be happening he thought this Doctor is Dead!

“why are you here? This is my Tardis!"

The Doctor looked on Delfor not hiding his disgust. “I’m here Dear Delfor to put things to rights; You deserted your people in their greatest need.” Delfor with a look of disdain on his face said “You dare to tell me, I deserted Our people Doctor? You?” he laughed “and what good have you done for the Gallifreyan race lately” now raging and approaching the console he added “You despise your own race Little man” The Doctor’s hand hovered over the switches he had set... “I wouldn’t say despise, we just couldn’t agree on policy, I’m a rebel maybe but I never run when those around me are dying” another step and Delfor was in perfect alignment. “Doctor I pity you... Everyone round you Dies eventually.” Delfor then stepped forward and the doctor hit the switch... Delfor felt the change “where are you sending me.” “I’m sending you to a place where you can redeem yourself for desertion,” “wait Doct….” In front of the Doctor Delfor dematerialised.

The Doctor had set a time bubble that would send Delfor three hours behind his present time which was seconds before Midnight….

In three hours time on the other side on the continent from where The Doctor now stood, another life will be ebbing away, this fight set in the cloister room at the heart of The Tardis his 8^th incarnation was losing his life. The Cloister Room had the appearance  Gothic pillared amphitheatre with it's railed steps and at it's centre The Eye of Harmony opened by The Master would mean the Earths destruction, and here The Master in the process of stealing the Doctor’s final Regenerations, He gloated with eyes glowing red and  his blood curdling  laughter filling the air, Then suddenly Delfor appeared before him, back in New York The Doctor figured Delfor had a 50/50 chance of survival, and that fate was now in his hands, Delfor force to face The Master hesitated, enraged by this intrusion to his final victory over The Doctor The Master grabbed Delfor viciously by the throat lifting him off the ground. “Who are You?” he spat. Then he felt it as Delfor gargled a stifled grunt that was meant to be a plea for mercy... “You’re a Timelord!, Oh this is just glorious” The Master transferred his being into Delfor and the cask of his former body fell on to the steps like an empty sack… now raising from his Knees The Delfor Master Let out an frightening laugh.. But it was too late, Delfor gave The Doctor all the time he needed to free himself and now swing from the upper rail with all his might he kicked to Master two footed into the open Eye of Harmony…

The Tardis slips back in time before midnight and Energy travels from the Eye to the bodies of Grace and Chang Lee, who died at the hands of The Master while attempting to Help The Doctor, this energy now revived them, and the Eye closed.

The Doctor didn't know how an old Gallifreyan foe arrived to save his life, but he recognised  Delfor and as he was responsible for the death of his father and at that time three of his close friends,  it was fair to assumed  one of his former selves had settle an old score.
Helping Chang lee then Grace form the Cloister room floor he invited  them to join him, but both declined and after all they and been through he didn’t blame them, so after dropping them off at their desired destinations the Doctor Found Himself alone, not for the first time and set off to a new adventure.

Three hours earlier back in New York, the Doctor stood over the control of his Tardis… it was New Years Day in the year 2000 and his program had the unexpected effect of  disabling The Millennium Bug as well as Delfor’s virus.

The Doctor smiled a contented smile, after all he was a Genius…
“Oh well old girl, we have things to do and Jamie to save.”

And he set the time rotor alone for the first time.

Yes The Timelords were right .... The Doctor's constant Visits to Earth gave him a special knowledge of that world and its problems.
He was aware of the struggle his 8th incarnation endured and knew he had to save Him... because This Doctor would play vital Role, when the Might of the Dalek Race Fought The Gallifreyans.... It will Be a Final WAR! This will be  A Time War!.
 

As I sit back getting comfy in my armchair, I'll sip Black coffee from my Cuppuccinose #RedNoseDay mug and tell you a tale of a new book celebrating the 50th Anniversary year of Doctor Who.
There will be a new Book on the 23rd of every Month until we reach the 50th year 23rd November 2013. What you Shout!! Every Month!......Well yes I just said that didn't I? 
Each Month will venture out with  a new Doctor and this being the second Month we very happily come to the era of Patrick Troughton. How fitting to this era then, that a publisher with a bird that looks like it's wearing a frock coat, cover this doctor, lets hope they add a Bow Tie to the logo. just for Pat.
Being set the task to tell a new tale of The Second Doctor is Michael Scott.
  Irish-born Michael Scott began writing over twenty-five years ago, and is one of Ireland ‘s most successful and prolific authors, with one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore. He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-eight countries, in over twenty languages.
He is considered one of the authorities on the folklore of the Celtic lands, for more about Michael goto http://www.dillonscott.com/the-secrets-of-the-immortal-nicholas-flamel/author/
The Nameless City, starts with our Brave Highlander and the second Doctor's companion, Jamie, being sent to the city to find items urgently needed by The Doctor but as often happens while on a mission Jamie finds himself coming to the aid of an unfortunate old gentlemen who has been set upon by a ruthless ruffian out for personal gain. As a reward for coming to this gentleman's rescue Jamie is given a leather bound book wrapped in Black silk handkerchief.
But all not what is seems and before long Jamie and the Doctor are facing a New but Ancient Enemy .....The Archons a race older then the Timelords..they appear to the Doctor large and menacing and with eons to reflect on their vengeance they are more then a tad peeved. Could the Doctor have met his match at last?  On a planet so far out at the very edge of our Galaxy, that even the Tardis struggles to reach ?.
With Black Glass Pyramids and the smell of Sulphur in the air, this is indeed a sinister and foreboding world.
I do not wish to give to much of the story away, but I can tell you Michael has written this with the wonderment of the child he once was, with Jamie and the Doctor being larger then in life.
Michael is also aware that the young audience will expect curtain aspects of the Doctor they know to bring this story to life in a way they understand, as this will probably be their first adventure with The Second Doctor, Patrick Troughton.
Although Penguin have targeted 12 year old's for these stories I read this Pat and Frazer adventure with the knowledge that Both of them would of felt at home in this tale set in 1968.
Yes SFX Magazine  the Story to you may of ended with a silliness you don't associate with DoctorWho ....but this isn't any Doctor This is Patrick Troughton's Doctor and he would often add a silly but humorous line to add to a child's enjoyment of the show. I enjoyed this book as will any Troughton fan, Michael Scott being one of them. this could not of been given to a better writer.
Well my coffee has been sipped and you have been very kind to read along with me, as you see I write how I feel and this review is hardly going to be as a critic would write it....
The Nameless City will be released on 23 February 2013
with 45 pages | £1.99
Author: Michael Scott
Publisher: Penguin Books

 

 

A family tale.

 

The snow built up on the road leading up to Gwen’s home, it seemed to hold up mud and leaves in a gesture of penance “it’s starting to melt” Gwen’s father said as he looked down on his daughters red nosed rosy cheeked face staring up at him, they walked hand in hand heading up a slight incline, in his other hand he held a metal case, the case was getting heavier the further they walked. The Evening wind had an edge of ice to it just the same and it was a distinct possibility that the snow melting was wishful thinking on her father’s part and as if to tease him some snow from an earlier flurry flew upwards encouraged by the bitter northeasterly wind.

 Gwen loved the snow; it painted a white carpet over the landscape that even made the old junk yard look beautiful, with its magical sculptures made from the underlying scrap, some appeared to be Monsters reaching out into this alien world wanting to take it for their own.

Gwen could see light coming from the metal shed in the old yard and a shadowy figure that seemed to be reading a book or magazine, the shadow danced as the flames of an open  stove  lit the interior.

 “Daddy? Is the old man sleeping in that shed” Her father followed her gaze and replied “Oh I very much doubt that Gwen, even with a stove it must be freezing in that big old shed.” still walking Gwen snuggled her chin into the collar of her pale blue woollen coat, as she had done the first time she'd worn it, it was wonderfully warm.

 “You there…ah Young man!” Gwen and her father stopped to face the shed once again as the figure of the old man who's  voice they heard for the first time  stepped out from the shed door, a triangular light fell from the doorway and coloured the virgin snow in a Amber blanket.

“Thank you for stopping..” the old man said walking towards them; he held an old oil lantern that Gwen had only seen in the black and white world of television and something in the way the man dressed reminded her of Ebenezer Scrooge.

“I’m looking for my granddaughter, her names Susan about yay high short dark hair, you wouldn’t of happened to have passed her by any chance?” the old man with his long white grey hair raise his eyebrows and gave out a kind of “hum!” in his voice as he awaited a reply.

“No I’m sorry” Gwen’s father answered then adding “we’ve walked the best part of a mile and you’re the first person we’ve seen this evening.”

The old man had a firm but kind face, “Oh dear me, this will never do, this  won't do at all, they could come at any time!”  “They?” Gwen’s father said now curious as to what this old man worried so clearly about.

“Ah…well ah, thank you again young man” he looked down at Gwen, her rosy face so reminded him of his daughter as a child. “My you’re a jolly young thing aren’t you” the old man said with a smile. “Are you the junk yard man?” Gwen said excited to meet the old man she’d only seen fleetingly before, she imagined him to be some wizard, or a mad inventor.

“The ah Junk! ….. Oh no my dear I’m just ah…well I’m just visiting” he looked puzzled as if wondering what to say “well you both must be cold and needing to get home to the warm, don’t let me keep you” He turned holding his lantern high straining to see into the darkness.

“Visiting a junk yard?” Gwen said her face all scrunched up, trying to think why anyone would visit such a place.

The old man turned to Gwen his face still held a smile “Oh my dear child, there are many things of use in a junk yard, this discarded scrap is a virtual treasure for the adventurous of mind,” he looked down on her happy upturned face and added “you love adventure don’t you?” he said his eyes still twinkling with a smile in each corner.

Gwen’s father laughed “Oh dear me, Gwen and her sister love adventure stories, they ask for tales of imprisoned Princess locked in towers, dragon’s eggs, witches and demons.”

“My daddy tells the best stories EVER!!” Gwen squealed with delight.

Still smiling the old man looked at Christopher “You’re a lucky man, your daughter’s quite charming” “Thank you, yes my little Gwen is a charmer all right and with her sister Sarah they keep me busy.” he looked at Gwen and winked, “I wouldn’t change it for all the tea in china” he said. Gwen snuggled up to her father holding him by his leg.

The old man’s eyes saddened again as he turned again to leave “I must press on…things to do, so many things to do.” He walked back through the large open double gates of the yard.

The moon and the snow made the night seem strangely lit and it was possible to see quite a distance but this seemed to be of no assistance to the old man as he looked out, that same worried look returning to his face.

Five miles away Susan was hurrying back to the yard; she was late and knew this would unsettle her grandfather. Teachers at her school were asking too many questions for her liking and she’d walked in circles in case they took it upon themselves to follow her.

“Daddy?”  “Yes Flossy?” Flossy was one of many nick names Christopher had for his daughter, so named from days of carnivals and fairs where her love for candy floss often resulted in a floss covered face.

“I think the old man has some kind of magic” “Do you now” Chris chuckled, she continued “yes he looks like Merlin without a beard; I’ve seen Merlin in my book.” “Well his long Hair is very Merlin like I suppose.”

 

Sarah lying across her bed had been drawing jumping horses in the condensation forming on her bedroom window, the legs of the horses now gathering the moister in drops that rained down the pane forming small pools on the window seal.

She could  see Gwen and her father walking up the path and jumped up, her bobbed dark hair tussled but looking delightfully sweet dropped strands of hair from her fringe over her eyes and she blew upward and brushed it aside as she reached the bedroom door.

“Daddy” she yelled now running down the stairs as Gwen and her father entered the front door, Christopher stamped the last remains of the snow from his boots, so Gwen followed by example, now stepping on one boot edge as she slid her foot free, then doing the same with the other boot with her free foot.

Chris boots removed turned to face the excited Sarah now at the bottom of the stairs, the red floral carpet of the hallway under her bare feet.

“Did you get it” her eyes wide, eye brows raised “did you get it daddy”

“Hello swot” he said as he knelt to kiss her cheek. He held the case hidden behind his back.

Earlier that day Christopher had read in the paper of a Jumble sale being held in the hall at St Martin of the fields Church.

“Sally? Their having a sale again, do you think they may have one this time?” Sally wiping her hands in a tee towel as she turned from the sink said “well it won’t be too far to look would it and Gwen could use a new coat, that hand me down from Sarah is looking rather ragged.” She sat down close to Chris and looked over the ad in the news, “Take Gwen with you, you know how useless you are at guessing the kids sizes, that hat you bough Gwen would fit a medium sized Elephant.” “Oh really” he chuckled “ well that may be but she loved that hat!” “Only because her  lovely daddy bought it for her and told her it came from a woman who wore it to venture out in the wild west… Calamity Jane who rode with wild Indians on the dusty plain.”

“Well is certainly looked like it could of belonged to Calamity Jane, didn’t it?”

Sally hugged her husband “I suppose to a crazy person like you it probably did” she laughed and kissed his unshaven cheek. “And shave before you go lazy bones” “Ok” he kissed her nose “I’ve been busy” “doing what may I ask?” “doing stuff……you know stuff!” “You are a crazy man, do you know that?” “Well it has been said” he laughed fully now, his body shaking. “Right then! After lunch I’ll take Gwen to the sale.” “Good, it will do you both good to get out and get some fresh air” a pause “and shave ……now! Before you forget again” “Fine….Fine you task master you” “hop it Mr” she said slapping his backside as he rose to go. Sally had an oval face with a cute button nose framed by her wavy dark brown hair. Christopher her husband had a handsome face with a strong and at the moment bristly chin. She loved his green eyes that always seemed to sparkle when he smiled. Sally had Hazel eyes that looked as if  they were cast from the stars always shiny and bright.

Sarah took after her mother that same cute button nose and pretty face, she was inquisitive and clever for her 10 years and very close to her 6 year old sister Gwen. Gwen with her fair hair, blue green eyes stood out from the rest of the family, as the rest of them all had dark hair, this came from her fathers side who also had fair hair as a child, that changed to its now dark colour in adulthood. 

Sally told the girls at dinner about the sale “Oh Goody are we taking the train Daddy?” Gwen said as the news was put to her. “Yes and you can have the window seat” “Yayyyyy I love you daddy” laughing and tweaking his daughters cheek he replied “And I love my little flossy, so I can’t eat her for dinner today can I?” he said tickling her belly that bought the sweetest of chuckles to his ears. “You can’t eat me Daddy I won’t let you” she chuckled some more.

“Am I going too ?” “No Sarah you have to finish your school project…we don’t call you the swot for nothing you clever thing” She looked disappointed then a wonderful thought entered her mind…”Oh My Goodness, will daddy finally get it for me?” she looked lovingly at her father “daddy you will won’t you?” Sally gave Sarah a knowing wink “lets wait and see shall we” “Oh Brilliant” she jumped from her seat and ran round the Kitchen arms out like a plane “I can’t wait, this is going to be the best day EVER!!” the word EVER was expressed just as Gwen had done while talking to the old man, “That’s as maybe young lady but finish your food before you fly off somewhere.” “Yes poppet come finish your dinner” her father said still smiling at her excitement. “Oh sorry” said Sarah she sat next to her father and kissed his cheek “Thank you daddy” “But I haven’t done anything yet Swot” “Oh but you will daddy, I know you will.”

The journey into town on the train saw Gwen with her nose pressed to the window... she was singing ‘clickitty clack clickitty clack, we ride green dragons down the track.’ A song her father made up when she was tiny, she’s a big girl now she thought but still loved the sound of the tracks playing along to her song.

The snowy landscape was filling her mind with wondrous imaginings and snow Monsters, Gwen was the artist in the family, her mother being editor of a national magazine was very impressed with her talent, even at 6 years old.

At the sale her father spoke to Mrs Pickering a lovely old lady who lived near their old home. “Oh My Word!! Gweny your turning into quite the little lady aren’t you” Gwen grinned and stood an inch taller “My goodness you’ve grown it must be two years now?.” “Yes it must be at least that Mrs P ….how’s Arnold these days, is he still tinkering at his allotment?” said Chris. Pleased to see his old neighbour “Oh Deary me no, it’s his back you see, he can barely get about these days, bless him, he’s home now by the fire with a good book, he loves his  novels our Arnold.”  “Aww that’s a shame his veg was the talk of the town.” “Yes is was wasn’t it, he’s coping best he can, what more can anyone ask, we all move with the times.” That’s true Mrs P, well give him my regards.” And Gwen put a hand to her mouth and said and please give him this, then blew a kiss to Mrs Pickering” Mrs P made a gesture in the air to catch it and put it in her handbag. “Oh he will have that as soon as I get home Gweny.” Mrs P smiled said her goodbyes and well wishes and walked out into the town.

“Well Gwen mother say’s you need a new coat so let’s see what we can find eh?” he held her hand and they made a meandering path round the stalls.

Gwen squealed! “Look daddy” she pointed ahead to a stall where clothes hung in racks “it’s the colour of sky!!” Chris saw the pal blue woollen coat and instantly knew this was the one for his Gwen. He bartered with the seller finally agreeing a trade of her old coat as part of the deal, it was a bargain “Oh I love it daddy” she said pulling her face down into the warm folds of the collar. “I’m like a sunny day in winter now aren't I daddy” “Yes indeed you are Flossy.”  he knelt to button up the coat, the deal done and Gwen in her new coat now dancing up the aisle between the stalls, meant there was only one thing left for Chris to do.

His heart began to sink, he couldn’t see what he was looking for on any of the stalls they passed and they must have seen them all by now, but wait! the last stall in the corner had all kinds of kitchen appliances and electrical goods and there sat on it’s case lid, next to weighing scales and old riding boots was the object that’s been the desire of his sweet and clever Sarah for so long, a gleaming  Remington Monarch Noiseless Portable typewriter Build in the 40’s this was a gem, and better then anything he’d hoped to find.  He caught the eye of the seller “How much?” pointing to the Remington. “Ahww that’s 15 quid mate”  “Good grief that’s a packet isn’t it?” Chris exclaimed “it’s a bargain is what it is mate” he looked Chris over “I’ll tell you what!, I’ll let you have it for 13 if you thrown in your watch” “My watch?” Chris looked at his fathers watch it was gold plated and he knew it was worth a lot more,  he hadn’t considered selling it before… it’s only a watch he told himself.. “Look I’ll make you this deal and I’ll not take less then 5 for the watch….  8 pounds!”

The seller put on a strained your killing me face, but knew everyone wanted electric typewriters these days, this was a relic form the past, he noticed the determination in Chris’s eyes and thought why the hell not, he was glad to be rid of the thing, one less object to lug around.  “Your going to make me starve mate but you got a deal” “Wow Chris was surprised at how easy that was….ok so he loses his fathers watch but he knew his dad wouldn't of minded if it was for something so splendid it would mean the world to his granddaughter, Sarah needs her typewriter more then you need to tell the time.. he would say, Your so right dad, he said to his fathers voice in his head.

“Ok Lets do it.” Chris removed the watch and taking one last look handed it over, plus a fiver, two ten shilling notes and two one pound notes.

“You got a Bargain mate!” “Yes ….yes I know.” The seller shook the watch and put it to his ear, “prefect!” he said and lifted the heavy machine into its case. “I don’t have a key to lock it mate” “that’s fine my daughter won’t want to lock it.”

 

Chris knelt kissed Sarah and produced the case containing the machine of her dreams.

“Oh daddy……Oh daddy I love you, it’s beautiful” she said as she opened the case, Sarah then tapped a key and heard a satisfying click… I’m going write a book with you.”

she said.

Sally stood beaming at her husband “I see you got one then!” “Oh Yes a Remington too just like she wanted.”  Sarah took the typewriter which was far heavier then she imagined it could be. It would take pride of place on her desk. “Thank you daddy….thank you Mummy, I’m so happy I could burst!” “Well don’t burst on my carpet young lady, people parts are so hard to remove from a carpet.” “Oh Mummy” she replied in mock scorn and headed to her bedroom grinning like the Cheshire cat from Alice in wonderland… “Oh Sis I’m going to write my first story for you….Oh and you look smashing in your coat!”

Gwen put a finger to her chin and with a curtsy said “Why thank you my lady.” She said beaming.
"Ah..Sarah" Chis said to his rapidly fleeing daughter.. "You might need this pack of writing paper too!" as he said this he opened a draw in the hall stand and took out the paper pack, he'd put aside for this very day.
Sarah shouted back as she reached the top of the stairs "I'll be right back for that Daddy, how silly of me to forget." she laughed and disappeared into her bedroom.
Sally Hugged her husband close and said "And don't think I've not noticed your watch is missing, your father gave you that for your 21st" "All I know Sal is that my father would of traded his own watch to see his granddaughter so happy." "Yes, indeed he would" she hugged him tighter and kissed his till unshaven cheek. "And I thought I told you to shave Mr!" "Ah well...I guess I got to distracted by my mission." he laughed.. "You know I still have the fob watch my father gave me.. I think I'll use that, it will make me look distinguished, like a real Gent" said Chris still smiling  "A Gent Eh? well what do you think of that Gwen? Daddy the Gent?" Gwen looked up at them both and smiling said "Daddy is too silly to be a Gent isn't he Mummy" "Yes my dear, and with that bristle far to scruffy" "Hey a bit harsh you two" He said still laughing "OK bossy boots I'll shave now" "You make sure you do....Gwen go see to it he does OK?" "Yes Mummy".
 

 

Back at the old junk yard in Totter’s lane Ian and Barbara, Susan’s worried teachers enter the corrugated metal shed, “She came in here I know she did”  “I can’t see a thing” Barbara said.  “well someone’s been here the stove is still hot!”   “Well strike a match!”Barbara replied. “I haven't got any. Oh, never mind.” Ian answered. “Susan?” Barbara called into the darkness
“Susan? Susan? Susan! Susan. It’s Mister Chesterton and Miss Wright!. She can't have got out without us seeing her.”  Ian said into the gloom. "look at this!.” Barbara exclaimed.
“It's a police box! What on earth's it doing here? These things are usually on the street. Feel it. Do you feel it?” Ian said.    “It's a faint vibration.” Barbara answered, with her hand on the door panel. “It's alive!” Ian said walking round it. “It's not connected to anything, unless it's through the floor.” He observed with what little light the moon provided through the dusty windows. “Look, I've had enough. Let's go and find a policeman.” said Barbara  “Yes, all right.”  Then they both froze as someone close coughed.
“Is that her?” Barbara said feeling scared now.
“That's not her. Quick!”  They hid as a old man  in Astrakhan hat and a long scarf enters the yard. He walked  directly to the police box and put a key in the lock.
“There you are, Grandfather.” Susan said from within the police box as the door opened.

“Susan at last, you had me worried” “Sorry grandfather, Teachers at the school are asking awkward questions”  “Ah yes my dear I feared as much, we can’t afford anymore mistakes, losing your parents is testament to that." The old mans eyes glazed over at the memory of losing his daughter and Susan’s father but the current situation prompted him to say “I’ve repaired as much of the system as can be managed with the primitive resources available, alas we must wait a little longer for some of the circuits to adapt to the new configuration.” “Yes grandfather, can I help?” “No…no my dear beggars can’t be choosers I’ve done all that can be done for now.” a smile twinkled again in his eyes as he said “I’ve made you a fruit cake!” “Oh wonderful grandfather but birthdays can wait for now.” “No no no…. my dear girl your quite wrong, it can’t wait, I’ve put together some of your favourite cheeses, crackers, oat biscuits…..Oh and Pickled Onions, it’s a veritable feast!!” Susan held her grandfather’s arm and giggled and said “Fine, thank you Grandfather Lead the way to this scrupulous feast.”

 

“It's Susan.” Barbara whispered.  “Shush!” Ian motioned and stepped out from the hiding place. “Excuse me.” Ian called towards the Police box.  No one replied so he knocked as loud as he could manage on the Police Box door. The old man reappeared at the door “What are you doing here?”  “We're looking for a young girl.” “We?”
“Good evening” Barbara now stepped out to stand beside Ian. “What do you want?” the old man looked annoyed at their intrusion into his privacy. “One of our pupils, Susan Foreman, came into this yard.” “Really? In here? Are you sure?” The old man said eye brows arched. “Yes, we saw her from across the street.” The Doctor realised they were not the police but the teachers who asked awkward questions.
“Why were you  spying on her? Who are you?” “We heard a young girl's voice call out to you. “Your hearing must be very acute. I didn't hear anything.”  “Now look here” Ian said sternly as he pushed passed the old man into the Police Box followed closely by Barbara.

“How very rude of you young man, how dare you pry into matters that are none of your concern”

“Oh ….No Grandfather these are my teachers!” “Well that’s no reason for them to push their way into the Tardis is it?”

Both teachers stared open mouthed at what was just impossible. “But this is a Police Box! I walked all round it there isn’t any rooms attached to it.”

The Doctor walked over to the console and shut the external doors.

Looking round Ian shouted “wait! What are you doing let us out at once” “Oh let them go Grandfather they won’t tell anyone, who would believe them?” “Don’t be ridiculous my dear girl, of course they will tell the authorities, won’t you …Hum” Barbara now very scared said “Look you can’t keep us here, people will come looking for us” “Yes I realised that as soon as you both nosed your way into here, let it be a lesson to you both to keep for curious nature in check in future.”

“Grandfather you can’t hold them, you must let them go” “It’s too late for that my dear we must leave.” “No Grandfather we discussed this I won’t leave the 20^th century, I want to stay here, let me go with them, I’ll make sure they will keep your secret” “No…..no I can’t risk it, we lost your parents trusting others” The Doctor set his jaw firm. Susan realised he would never trust these strangers.

“It’s alright Barbara if he won’t open the door for us I’ll do it, I saw him touch a switch on the panel over here” Ian said reassuringly as he walked round the other side of the console. “Don’t touch it” Susan warned “You don’t understand The Tardis is alive!.” “Nonsense” Ian answered, he touched the switch he believed the old man used and jumped back instantly as an electric shock surged through his hand, the pain went right up his arm, at first he couldn’t move it, but painfully he managed to move it up and down. “You’re insane let us out……at once, do you hear?”

“So you want to leave with them do you Susan? Well in that case I better let you all go hadn’t I?” “Are you leaving with us Susan?” said Barbara. The Doctor walked to the console but instead of opening the doors he set the Tardis time rotor in motion.

“No Grandfather” Susan screamed ……. “You left me no alternative, child.”

In the Shed the dust and covers blew as the wheezing screech of the Tardis reached a point where it simply vanished...only a falling dust cover showed anything was there at all.

 

Many years had past since Sarah’s happy childhood, she stood at the gateway to her old family home, the snow a reminder of a happy day her father returned home with her beloved typewriter. it was still home to her mother but her father had died in a car accident on the M4 in the 90’s, she still missed him dearly.  her sister Gwen became an artist and joined Disney group in the late 70’s and she was now heavily involved in CGI animation. Like her father she too now had dark hair.  Mother bless her was an advocate of growing old gracefully and never took to dyeing her hair, which was now white as the snow Sarah stood on, but she was still as beautiful as ever. Sarah sighed but it was a happy sigh as the memories came flooding back.
closing her eyes she imagined her fathers arm round her shoulder..with him saying "I'm proud of you swot, you have had the most marvellous of adventures."

Then from behind her came a Familiar voice, she froze at his  dulcet tones, not looking round. “Hello Sarah Jane.” he said.

December 1963



Beatles in Concert at the Gaumont, Southampton. December 13th 1963 End of `The Beatles Autumn Tour'.

Ah yes December 1963 was still in the  full grip of Beatles fever,  'I want to hold you hand' would be played everywhere.

The family are sat in my Grans living room we kids, the brothers three and tiny Sis had to be on our best behaviour as this is the room only used for best. "Mind what you do with that cup of tea" "yes Gran" I would reply as I dunk one of her homemade short bread biscuits. Oh crumbs they are scrummy.
Father and my Uncle are laughing as each take turns wearing the black mop like shaggy Beatles Wig, and I laughed till tears filled my eyes as Grandad with a huge grin has the wig plonked on his head by his son, this was considered long hair back then and on my grandad  it looked Hilarius as he had grey and rather thinning hair, I'd never seen him with dark hair before it was strangly amusing, we would regard this Wig as short hair these days,  my Brothers and I however did have really short hair cuts, "short back and sides" my father always asked the barber for us boys every time we were due a cut, I never liked it much, I have to say as my dark blond hair would curl every time it rained and I liked it when it was wavy and natural,but with a short back and sides it just tickled.
when us kids were allowed in the living room alone I'd tune the Radio until I found something funny to listen too, Grandads radio had the fan like grill made of Bakelite. and the large dial would be lit up and you wound the pointer till you found some thing like this http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jv86 As yes the Goons this will give you belly laughs for sure and my belly enjoyed many a laugh with all the chuckles Milligan's Goons would conjure.
I'd end up imitating the voices of course and calling my dad "oohh you naughty man youuw."
 I'm wearing my now well worn  blue paisley jumper identical to my twins, unlike myself to my twin, my elder brother would be in his green reindeer adorned collared jumper. the only difference in trousers would be that his were long trousers even though I was almost as tall.
(Ah the shorter  twin brother syndrome) and ours would be short.


Other jolly japes on the radio would be, Around the horn,  Jimmy Cliverow, the Navy lark with Jon Pertwee, Ronnie Barker and Leslie Phillips to name but a few. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nmgrk
                                                                                                    
Even Steptoe and Son, and Hancocks Half Hour were regulars on BBC's Radio.
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again maybe a show you know,  the pilot programme having been broadcast on 30 December 1963 under the title "Cambridge Circus" With Tim Brooke-Taylor (later became one of the three members ofThe Goodies). He has written humorous books on various subjects, including cricket and golf. He was a member of the cast of the television comedy series At Last the 1948 Show with John Cleese (as well as Graham Chapman and Marty Feldman), and later appeared in Marty Feldman's television comedy series Marty. Brooke-Taylor has acted in many other television sitcoms, as well as appearing in the 1970s BBC radio sketch show Hello, Cheeky! with John Junkin and Barry Cryer, a show which later translated to ITV.

I would very often find a new hole in my jumper and be told off for picking at it... I put it down to an over active moth or poor maintenance.
Now then, I do remember pulling on my charcoal grey duffel coat with it's red tartan lining and heading off to Town with the other family members, Gran and Grandad lived near the Town Centre so it was only a matter of a 20 minute walk to reach the Centre,  the winter sky would be dark allowing the best view of the coloured water spouts from the fountain opposite the Guildhall and it was beautiful, I would race round it with my brothers , and the water that was now our backdrop would change from red, green, yellow to blue, onlookers would only see the shadowed figures of us boys full of laughter between the coloured sequences. 20 years later this would be dismantled and moved to front the museum but the lights were never to shine again....I think a tree fairy died that day just from the sadness of such innocent beauty being put to death.
Well after our usual run round the fountain, which happened every time we passed it, we headed to Woolworth's because the rumour was Santa was in town... yes the Real Santa!, can you believe that?...  What did you say?.. Hum well anyway we were off to see the breaded one and we joined the long throng of kids all lined up for the same thing, "Mum I'm bored" my elder brother would say, "well you'll have to wait."   "Yea I want my present so shut up" that's me ever the diplomat.

Well wait we did and I swear this Jolly soul looked the real deal, no fake beard for this fella. oh no, and the suit was excellent, straight form some Hollywood Jobby I'd say. "Ah my boy and what would you like for Christmas?"  is this guy kidding me? I want a Bike obviously so I tell him, he just smiles with that "yea well I want a mansion" face, and passes me a wrapped parcel, OH Boy I love guessing the parcel, don't you? Hum ah yes well hum.... could be a book of some kind and something hard but squishy, blimey no idea what that is.
"WAIT!!  till your brother gets his," Blimey ok miss angry I'm just investigating the possibilities here, give a kid a break, I say in my head,  "Ok Mum" I really say, poking the lump in the centre of the parcel again.....na got nothing I'm thinking.
I must point out my sister is three at this stage and the light of her daddies eye who is now with Santa smiling like a Cheshire Cat with my sister in his arms, accepting the present on her behalf, the little tike rips into it straight away... well that's girls for ya.....
"Now you can open them" Mother says and she didn't have to say that twice so she didn't.
Rip!!........OH that's what it was, how cool a Huckleberry Hound bendy rubbery toy (I say bendy, but the toy clearly had a thick wire skeleton that would soon wear through the deteriorating rubber in time, a health and safety nightmare that would never happen now as the wire would also snap and protrude from the constant bending, very sharp broken ends and kids don't mix) but that was later this was now and this was a cool toy. 

My elder brother had Mr. Jinks. the cat and my twin had Yogi Bear, Now your wondering what about the books, I'm getting there, the books turned out the be colouring and puzzle books which was also cool as it would give us something to do while the adults did their stuff... Ok which of you asked in your head "What did your sister get?" how do I know she's like ......a girl and it was probably some doll with a stupid bow. happy now? yeeesh..

The walk back to Gran and Grandads never took  long and the fire lit in the grate was a cheery welcome to us Arctic explorers,just back from the north pole, it felt toasty warm after the cold night air. we were all now gathered in the dinning room in the middle of the lower floors of Gran’s and there was a salad spread which we had to help ourselves to, ohhhh Yum, ham cheese lettuce be friends haha.. Oh and grandad made the best pickled Onions EVER!! so we all dipped into those... But Wait! there in the middle was another jar with what looked like tiny ears, to this day I wish I just stayed curious it was none other then a jar of pickled whelks, "go on try some it will put hairs on your chest" this was one of my Grandads’ sayings he always used like a I dare ya.. I opened the jar and forked out a Whelk... I didn't like the look of this fella but I had to prove I'm a Man....ok tiny man, so I pop it in my mouth and my mouth said "NO we don't want it".... but I couldn't spit it out I'd be murdered where I stood, so I held my nose and swallowed EWWW it was like a bitter tasting rubber slug Eww... bluaaaa I didn't like it and from that day on I refused to eat anything that even hinted at putting hairs on my chest.

We Kids all made our beds on the floor of one of Gran's bed rooms to await Christmas day.....and I tell you there must have been some real sneaky sneaks going on that night, apart from almost being killed in my bed by my brothers whelky farts, there was a sack with Santa heading down the Chimney printed on it at the end of all our beds, Oh what a lovely surprise that was, I had a small model of a motorbike and sidecar a cowboy gun a holster sketch pads and pencils it was all fantastic. there was also Apples Orange and Bananas, you may think that strange but my parents grew up in the Second World War and to them this fruit was the greatest gift of all.
By the way just before Christmas a new show Called Doctor Who started that November with a grumpy old grandad in, I thought this very interesting.....Just imagine you could go anywhere in time, I could go see the Romans who Built the walls round Southampton and ask them when were they going to finish..
Except for the whelks I loved Christmas 1963 ..Yea yea yea yeaaaaa. as the Beatles would say.