The Professor had been working alone in his laboratory for some months. No one could imagine what he was working on. Strange noises could be heard from his old house, and lights were seen moving up and down in the tall windows, flashing red yellow and green. But that evening, all was quiet.

Bob tapped out the number on his mobile and waited while it rang. “Hallo! Is that you Bert? Look, I’m going round to Fred’s place....Yes! that’s right, “The Prof”. The electronics wizard. Would you like to meet me there7 ye got a slight problem with my Camcorder and I want it put right before Christmas Day Well, I know he’s been working on something, but it’s all been quiet for the last few days... .0K, we’ll go off to the pub after for a drink as it’s Christmas Eve. We need to brace ourselves for tomorrow.”

Both men arrived at the same time outside the imposing door of the old Victorian house! Bob rang the bell, the door opened at once and The Prof greeted them with a big smile. “Come on in lads, I’ve got a big surprise for you. I’ve cracked it at last.”

He led them to his workshop located at the rear of the house. It was a large room with tall windows, and had probably been a parlour in its early days. “What’s this surprise?” Bert said, “You seem excited.”

“Let’s sort out the camcorder first. Then I’ll show you,” said Fred. He quickly traced the fault to a connection, and dealt with it. “There you are, it was nothing!” “Thanks, Prof. I knew you’d sort it.”, Bob smiled.

“Now what have you cracked?” Fred pointed to the far corner of the cluttered workshop. There stood a large box like structure, about eight feet high and six foot wide. It was festooned with lights and wires, and had an open sliding door.

“Good lord, is it a soundproof booth for commentary recording” asked Bob. “No!”, said Prof. “It’s my time machine!” The two friends looked at each other with expressions that seemed to say, “He’s really flipped this time!”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” Prof beckoned them through the door. They followed him into the box and the door closed.

“Help!” Bob said, “It’s a bit claustrophobic.”
“Don’t worry, it doesn’t take long,” said Prof. He pressed a button and pulled a lever.



“We’re off!” The box shuddered violently. Bob nearly dropped his camcorder, as they shook and swayed. Lights flashed. There was a loud humming noise, which gradually became quieter, as if going away into the distance. Then there came a loud thump. “We’re here!” said Prof. “Where?” said Bert. “Oh, I can’t say till we look outside.” Prof opened the door.

They gasped at the sight that met them. They were in a room lit with candles and a bright glowing fireplace, filled with burning, crackling logs. There was a large tree in front of the window, and holly boughs strewn about. Through the windows, snow could be seen gently falling. Three children were laughing as they tied sparkling stars on the evening a

obvious that they were unaware of the presence of the three men or their time machine. Prof realised as he looked at the room with its tall windows, that it was his own workshop, as it had been in the past.

The door opened and two men came into the room, one bearing a large jug, the other some glasses.

“Come my dear, join us with a glass of mulled wine,” he said to the woman. She sat down by the fire and they sipped their drinks while they watched the excited children at their task.

Bob raised his camcorder and focused. I hope there’s enough light, he thought as he pressed the start button. The scene before them was enchanting. His friends stood watching as he recorded these moments from the past. “Come now children, time for bed,” the woman called. The children ran to her and bade good night, then left the room.

“We must return.”, Prof whispered, “The batteries are getting low.” They noticed the lights on the machine were dimming, so they quickly stepped inside and Prof closed the door. As the machine shuddered and rumbled. Bob could only think of the wonderful video he had taken.

“The next competition is mine,” he said to Bert, “We must not let on how I made it.” “They wouldn’t believe you anyway”, Bert said.

With a final bang and shudder, they opened the door and were relieved to find themselves back in the workshop. “Well! What did I tell you?” said Prof. “I’ve cracked it!” “Wonderful!” said his friends.
“Now for a look at the rushes,” Bob said. But

they were blank!

“Oh well, lets have that pint!”

Jon