I realise it wasn't new as such Oyster, just meant new to us at the Academy! 8 threads in it's nice to know we can still unearth a new treasure now and again!
Anyway, here's another chapter of Santa's New Toy. Hope anyone who's about enjoys it. Am off for a bit now, but may check in later if DD (now full of Calpol and chocolate orange to take the taste away) and mobile connection permits!
Back in London the Academy Christmas Party was well and truly underway. The members were beginning to get a bit tipsy and were either hitting the dance floor to selection of cheesy 70?s and 80?s disco, or huddled in corners discussing their favourite subject and giggling like teenagers.
None of them noticed Malcolm, tucked underneath the lower branches of the Christmas tree. To all outward appearances anyone spotting him would assume he was just another decoration. In fact he was Nicholas? chief reconnaissance elf, the North Pole?s answer to James Bond, if you will.
With the aid of some high - tech gadgetry his job was nearly done and he was about to return via a particularly magic trick to the North Pole, when his ears pricked up.
?Guy Thornton North?.John Lucas,? Malcolm was totally mystified, ?Who the bloody hell are these two then? That?s going to put a proper spanner in the works??
A little over 2,500 miles away, Nicholas was watching a third creation taking shape. He was interested to see how this one would work out, particularly once he reached London. He wondered if he really should have started with this one as he would take longer to acclimatise than his two previous characters, but he had felt it wise to begin with the more straight forward men in case any problems arose. Now he was confident in the machine?s abilities, he felt more able to deal with anything untoward his next few projects would throw at him.
In the chamber, another long pair of legs were taking shape, this time clad in finely woven black wool. The shoes beneath were spotlessly shiny black leather, as his form took shape it became clear that he was a gentleman from the Victorian era, his black waistcoat, frock coat and cravat being layered over a snowy white, full sleeved cotton shirt.
Santa smiled, another happy customer guaranteed, he chuckled to himself.
His reverie was soon broken by a jingle and a thud as Malcolm materialised in the middle of the room, looking flustered and panic-stricken.
?Good Lord, what?s the matter with you?? exclaimed Nicholas, who was used to Malcolm being the epitome of calm in a crisis.
?We?ve got a problem Nick,? he said, straight to the point as ever. ?It was all going fine, the usual names came up, the ones we were expecting. Then suddenly they mentioned two other blokes, a?? he checked his notes, ?A Guy Thornton-North and a John Lucas? Who the bloody hell are they? There?s no trace of them on Wiki, and if they?re not on there I don?t know where to look.?
?Have you tried the usual search engines?? asked Nick, one eye still on the chamber as it neared completion of its latest effort. ?And what?s that website these women met on?Hairnets, fishnets, no Mumsnet ? that?s the one. Do a search on there as well and let me know what you turn up. I?ve got two more to deal with after this chap which should take about 40 minutes ? I need to the intel by then or we?re as stuffed as that turkey the missus is working on for tomorrow.?
With that, Malcolm scuttled off to the IT suite next door and Nick turned his attention back to the chamber. The man contained within was the perfect image of a Victorian gentleman, albeit a rather poleaxed one.
?Mr Thornton,? said Nick, smiling and extending a hand as he opened the chamber. ?So lovely to meet you. Come, let me pour you a whisky and tell you what?s been going on over the last few years??