I am in a corrugated iron shed at the Blue Anchor Railway Station in Somerset
Viola Gresham is hiding with me
She has a serious time disease
Which can only the sea can cure
I can see the sea from the shed
But we cannot swim in the sea
During daylight hours
As Viola has breached the time parameters
We hope to swim in the sea after dark
But the days are long and Viola is getting weaker by the hour
The situation is critical
Another complication is that Viola’s brother is searching for her
2
Can you travel back fifty-five years?
Maybe but I am very weak
If you do you will find an eight year old boy
Waiting on the sea platform
At this railway station
He will be able to help you
And you will be out of your brothers reach
You are aware Victor
That if I fail in my time journey
That you will never see me again
That is a chance we will have to take
We will have to do this soon
As I do not think you will last the day
Viola began to fade in stages and within five minutes she was gone
I closed my eyes and thought of my Blue Anchor holiday in the August of 1962
3
I became worried as I scanned the platforms of the Blue Anchor Railway Station
I could not find any trace of Viola
Perhaps my idea had been redundant and she had died in time transit
What are you doing Victor?
My father was standing next to me
Watching the trains Dad that’s all
Well do not get in the way and keep away from the edge of the platform
And remember tea is at five
Do not be late
I did not answer but waved at my father as he strolled along the platform
He did not wave back
As I was looking in the long grasses
I noticed a severed arm
Hidden in the undergrowth
I knew it was Viola’s
As I recognised her time ring
I picked it up and hid it under my cotton shirt
The stationmaster was watching me
What are you doing son?
I looked at the kindly man
My sister has a terminal time disease and I asked her to travel to this year
It was the last family holiday we had before my father died
But she has broken up during transit
I thought she was too weak to travel
You did you best
That is all you can do
I began to cry and the severed arm fell from my grasp
Do not cry I also had a sister during my early years at the station and she also became infected whilst time travelling
It was a sad time for my family but time heals young man time heals
Now pick up your sisters arm and throw it in the sea if it gives you hope
I did exactly the same when Julie broke down
But nothing happened
The fish feasted on her remains
That was my only memory
The old man ruffled my hair and gave me half a crown
Do not be sad I hope this will improve your day
Thank you Sir I am sure it will
I waited a few minutes and crossed the road behind the signal box
When I was out of view I threw Viola’s arm into the sea
I waited a while but nothing happened
The arm floated away from the shore
And then sank beneath the surface of the dull sea
I let the rest of the day pass without further incident
And returned to the camping coach for tea
As I was a little tired
I went to bed early
Hoping to dream about Viola
1
When I awoke next morning I was again the corrugated shed
But Viola was not with me
Either alive or dead
I waited for a while and when I thought it was clear I crept out of the shed
A young man in a Silver Suit was standing in the shadow of the main station building
Where is she?
Who?
Viola
I do not know a Viola
Do not lie
She is out of your reach
She is out of everybody’s reach
Most likely but you have committed a time crime and there is only one punishment for that as you are well aware
As if I care
You do care Victor
But as I am her older brother and to some I am a generous man
I will give you chance to escape
And then I will hunt you as I hunted Viola
What do I have to do?
Nothing I will give you an hour and then I will hunt you through all mirrors of time
If you become sick as Viola did then I will be the doctor who smothers you
I asked you before what do I have to do
The young man smiled and watched as the first train of the day entered the station
Just start walking but be careful of that train
I would not like to see you dead at this early hour
But before you go I believe that you owe me half a crown
I consider that you have been in my debt for too many years
To Be Continued