The next stop

He hadn’t been in the loft for the longest of times. His only source of illumination a narrow torch whose light seemed to hide more than uncover. Shadowy phantoms of a bygone era shifted with each arc of a dusty lightbeam. Tony paused. An old oak box, black and heralding the words toys stared back.

He remembered sealing the box, oh, goodness, forty five years ago now. There was no time for frivolity then and he thought his Dad had chucked it away but now, there it stood, daring him to open up those old pathways to an ancient time. He pulled the box forward and grimaced at the weight.

The lid peeled back and his gaze fell on an old model German pillbox and a scattering of plastic marines at the side. A comic called Warlord from the 1970’s showed an array of German’s running away from a gallant Tommy firing off several rounds of bullets. He closed his eyes and transported himself back to his Nan and her coming forward with a green glass bowl of rice and jam. It’d been over thirty years since her passing and her presence always brought him great joy. He rubbed away a speck of dust from his eyes and delved deeper.

His hands found an old train and the cool metal touch reminded him of the countless hours he’d spend watching it go round the house, though tunnels and to those stations he made. He imagined back then the conversations going on in the train of those fictional characters going on a trip to the seaside to wade in rock pools. The papier-mâché hills seemed to roll all through the living room until one day he found computer games and then a giant gorilla throwing barrels took over.

He thought of his grandson Jimmy. Jimmy always building digital worlds day after day and wondered what he’d make of this relic. Maybe Tony could make it work again, he still had all the transformers. He edged the box to the hatch before easing himself to the ladder.

He stepped down, step by low step with his biceps straining under the load. He placed it on the bed, opened the box up fully and stepped back in time. He hoped Jimmy would join him when he saw him next.