10-year-old Tommy was stuck indoors one rainy afternoon at his granddad’s house. With nothing else to do, he explored the attic, a treasure trove of old memories and forgotten gadgets. As he dug through dusty boxes and stacks of yellowed newspapers, his eye caught something unusual—a brass and stainless steel contraption covered in tiny gears and switches, with a big glowing red button in the middle.

“What’s this?” he muttered, turning it over.

Curiosity got the better of him. He pressed the button.

Suddenly, the room spun around him in a blur of light and sound. When everything settled, Tommy found himself standing in a wide-open field under a bright blue sky. But something was off—the cars looked old-fashioned, the clothes on a nearby clothesline were different, and everything felt simpler.

Before he could figure out where he was, a boy about his age appeared, carrying a wooden bucket. He had curly hair, bright eyes, and a grin that looked oddly familiar.

“Hiya! Who’re you?” the boy called out.

Tommy blinked. It couldn’t be. But it was. This was his granddad—as a kid.

“I… I’m Tommy,” he stammered.

“Well, that’s funny. I’m Tommy too,” the boy laughed. “But everyone calls me Tom.”

They hit it off straight away. They played football in the field, climbed trees, and skipped stones across the nearby lake. Tommy couldn’t believe how much they had in common. His granddad was just as adventurous and fun-loving as he was.

As they ran back toward the house, Tommy noticed a  Grey Fergie tractor rumbling through a field. Behind the wheel was Tom’s dad—Tommy’s great-granddad.

“Dad shouldn’t be driving there,” Tom said suddenly, frowning. “The ground’s too soft near the ditch.”

Tommy froze. He’d heard this story before. His granddad once mentioned how his father narrowly escaped a tractor accident when he was a boy.

The tractor tilted sharply. “He’s stuck!” Tom shouted.

Without thinking, Tommy grabbed a rope lying nearby. “Quick! Help me!”

Together, the boys tied the rope to a sturdy tree and threw the other end to Tom’s dad. “Pull!” Tommy yelled, his heart pounding.

They heaved with all their strength. The tractor shifted just enough for Tom’s dad to free his leg and jump clear. Seconds later, the tractor slid into the ditch with a loud crash.

Tom’s dad dusted himself off, his face pale. “You boys… you saved me. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Tommy’s chest swelled with relief. He’d done it.

As Tom’s dad walked back to the house, Tommy turned to little Tom. “You’re braver than you think,” he said with a smile.

Tom grinned. “You’re pretty brave yourself. I wish we could hang out all the time.”

Tommy’s throat tightened. “We will, in a way.”

Before Tom could ask what he meant, Tommy pressed the red button. In a flash, he was back in the attic. The rain still tapped against the window, as if no time had passed at all.

He ran downstairs and found his granddad sitting in his favorite chair, reading the paper. Tommy threw his arms around him in a tight hug.

“What’s this for?” Granddad chuckled, looking at him in surprise.

Tommy just smiled. “No reason. Just because.”

Later that night, as he lay in bed, Tommy stared at the brass contraption on his bedside table. He had shared an unforgettable adventure, saved a life, and discovered a deeper bond with his granddad. There was only one question where would the time machine take him next?

Pat Kenny