THIRTY

'Whether you think you can or you think you can't, either way you are right'

- Henry Ford (1863-1947)

Three hours later and Martin was sat in the cottage and around an old, oak table with Ezekiel, Yasmin and Anya who were all still eating delicious, colourful food and enjoying the laughter of children at play outside.

The Doctor was the cause of most of the laughter, as, since coming to the cottage, he had become something of a children's entertainer and the very definition of 'The life and soul of the party'. He had already had four 'proper' water gun fights with the children and was now dancing around the sun-drenched garden, a tartan scarf wrapped around his head, his clothes soaking and dishevelled, pretending to be a 'Mad Old Woman from Timbuktu'. He moved like a drunken giraffe and chased Elijah and Faith as they screamed and giggled with enjoyment.

Martin looked over at Anya who was sat directly opposite him, smiling proudly as she watched, through the large cottage windows, her children at play. She was, Martin thought, truly beautiful. She wore a red and white flowing summer dress and wore very little make up. She didn't need to, it may have been her fortieth birthday today but she looked more like she was in her late twenties. Her shiny, blond hair ran right down her back, as it had done since she was a child, her face was radiantly angelic and her smile elegant and content.

Over the last few hours Martin had learnt that Anya was a singer, an artist and even an actress and was married to a man called Keith whom she described as 'a wonderful soul who loves me like I love him'. She lived in another cottage just under ten miles away and came over to see her Mum and Dad every other day. She loved her life and she loved her kids. She did seem so very happy and at peace with everything and Martin could not have been prouder. His little girl was everything he could dream she would be…

He then looked at Yasmin who was sat on Anya's right sipping at a hot cup of tea and occasionally tittering with laughter at The Doctor's antics outside. Martin had worked out she must be over seventy but, like her daughter, age had only made her look more beautiful. She was wearing a grey and black shawl that was wrapped around a light blue dress. Her features were largely unchanged from how Martin knew her, only her hair colour had really altered to a light, grey colour, and he found it hard to believe thirty-five years had passed since he had last seen her. Her eyes remained completely unchanged: light blue, deep and beyond beautiful. It was so good to see her looking so healthy in this far future as, in his own time, Yasmin had gone through a lot of difficult health problems and Martin had seen her in pain more times than he would wish to remember. He'd always worried about her and had prayed for her health on many occasions over the years. To see her now, looking pain free and ageless, was one of the greatest gifts he could ever wish for…

He then looked at Ezekiel… His own future self, who was sat at the 'head' of the table, his back to a blackened, unlit fireplace. The old man was also looking out of the window totally engrossed by The Doctor's latest adventure. Martin studied the old man's face: He looked extremely healthy for his age and was neither skinny nor over weight. He was totally bald but held on to a clutch of brown and grey hair on his chin. He had bright, twinkling eyes and an infectious grin but most of all, Martin thought, he could see his own, unmistakable face right there in front him.

There was no denying it. This was definitely him in the future. This was definitely Yasmin and Anya. And, here he was, sat with them in his own dream cottage in the lakes in 2045.

How did he end up here?

On first approaching the cottage three hours earlier The Doctor had led the way and, after confidently striding through the garden gate, he had hugged each one of the family in turn as if he was a long lost relative returning from a distant journey. He introduced Martin as "Adric… A friend of mine from a place called Alzarius, a bit of a mathematician and an all round nice chap! He also a 'Truth' seeker!" Each of the family had nodded their 'Hello's' in Martin's direction and then casually resumed their party.

When The Doctor introduced Martin to Ezekiel the old man had simply hugged him warmly and whispered in his ear "We'll talk later". They'd offered him food and all made him feel most welcome and Martin could tell that they were all expecting him to be there…

After pre-contact 'advice' from The Doctor, 'Adric's story' was that he'd got a bad throat from a recent mild case of 'Sontaran swine flu' and therefore wasn't up for talking much. This way it helped Martin relax first and enjoy just listening to others rather than rushing in full steam with a billion questions and worrying about 'temporal paradoxes'. It also avoided any un-wanted questions from Yasmin or Anya and saved Martin from having to think too much about a 'back story' for 'Adric'.

"There's going to be plenty of time for questions in the days ahead, Marty" The Doctor had whispered, "Just enjoy today and relax, ok?"

So Martin did. For the first hour and a half, he sat on a blanket in the garden in silence mainly watching The Doctor crack jokes, perform magic tricks, have 'proper' water fights and even sing at one point. He really was a one-man show and all of Ezekiel's family seemed to just love his company and generally adore him. The children were so at ease with him, like they'd known him all their lives…

Minutes after The Doctor had sung an energetic version of 'Happy Birthday to you' for her, Anya had brought Martin some food and a drink and even sat with him making polite, one-way conversation. He thought he'd better say at least something at one point, but he was so nervous to even talk to her he just muttered "Bad… Throat… Hurt…" in a pathetic, obviously put on voice to which she simply smiled politely and excused herself to go and make a drink.

Ezekiel had remained in his deck chair for most of the afternoon, often bursting into song or laughing loudly at the performing Doctor, before standing up suddenly and exclaiming "My bum's going numb sitting on this deck chair! Who fancies going inside?"

All four adults had made their way inside the hard stone cottage whilst The Doctor and the children remained in the garden. "Time for another water gun fight, me thinks!" The Doctor had shouted excitedly. "Who's the Daleks and who's the Cybermen this time?" The children's amused screams indicated when the battle had commenced…

Ezekiel's cottage was simply perfect. Although it was a relatively new building, it was built to look old and 'lived in'. Intricate, thick wooden beams lined the ceilings and bronze/golden ornaments occupied the tables and sideboards. Rich, colourful tapestries hung from the walls and the welcoming smell of home cooking filled the air.

On entering the main living room Martin had noticed the blackened fireplace straight away and had headed for one of the three armchairs seated in the area in front of it. Above the fireplace hung an old, black leather bound book encased in a wooden frame, its title written in faded gold: It said simply…'The Truth'. He had first seen the book over an hour ago now but here Martin was, sat looking at the book hanging above his future self's head and wondering what part it would play in the days to come…

"You'll find out about the book later tonight, Adric" Ezekiel said after noticing Martin's transfixed stare. "It's the reason you're here," He'd added before putting a hand over his own mouth as if to stop himself speaking. "Later…" He repeated, "We'll talk later"…

Martin nodded and smiled back…

Three hours later and the house was quiet. Anya had taken the exhausted children home with a promise to call around over tomorrow to see how Adric was settling in and whether his throat was any better. Yasmin had gone to bed early as she was half way through a good book and wanted to finish reading it before the end of the week so she could pick up a new one from the market on Monday. She liked to read and every book was a journey…

Martin was resting in the most comfortable armchair he had ever sat in. Its high back offered totally head support and soft, plump cushions seemed to shape themselves to his very body, making him feel more relaxed than he had for years. He stared up at the black book hanging above the fireplace. What was in 'The Truth'?

"You've been looking for the Truth for years, Marty" The Doctor's voice broke the silence as always. "Who'd have thought you'd find it hanging above a fireplace in your own future home?"

Martin said nothing but smiled politely at The Doctor. All he could do was wonder when he could see inside the book…

Ezekiel was stood in front of the unlit fire; his back to the book whilst The Doctor was slumped in the armchair nearest to the fireplace looking exhausted but pleased with himself. He sipped on a glass of iced water and sank further back in the chair.

"Oh, I've had fun today, Zeeky" He said appreciatively, "It's been great seeing everyone again and just fantastic to see this plan come together" He looked at Martin and then Ezekiel with a slight, knowing grin. "Ahhh… Look at us…The Doctor, Ezekiel and Adric…Here we all are then…and not a Martin in sight!"

"Indeed" said Ezekiel softly, "Oh, I remember this bit so well" He smiled and turned to look at Martin with a look of understanding pity. "I remember wanting to scream 'WHY AM I HERE!' at this point but I managed to…"

"Why am I here?" Martin 'semi-shouted' with a grin, as he didn't want to disturb Yasmin upstairs. "There, I said it! Has that altered the time lines, then, now that I've done that? Has that changed how things are going to be?"

"No, because I was about to say... I wanted to scream it out but I managed to settle for semi shouting it instead" Ezekiel laughed as he spoke. "You can't alter anything, Martin. My memory of everything that happens will be exactly what does happen because this has all happened before… For me it has at least… I was you… Sat there… Listening to me saying these words. It was the beginning of a whole new world for me, a whole new cycle of events and a truthful way of understanding life. This moment was a gift. One of many you have already received. And I am so pleased that I can, at last, give myself this gift"

Martin looked up at the book above the fireplace. "Is this why I'm here?" He nodded up at the book. "You're going to give me the book… The book with secrets and truth in… 'The Truth'… And I'm going to read it and take it back with me, is that it?" He looked up at his future self with eyes pleading for it to be that simple.

"Oh no, Martin, the book stays where it is" Ezekiel's voice was low and soft, "In fact, that book never moves from its mount" He stood directly in front of it staring knowingly into it's dark, leather cover. "You're not here to read it… It's quite the opposite really… You're here to write it". He then bent down slowly to pick up a book like parcel that was placed on the floor by the side of the third, vacant armchair. He used his black walking stick to straighten himself up again and handed the large square envelope to Martin. "This is for you, Martin," He said proudly. "This will be your life's work from now on and the building blocks of a whole new world" He smiled calmly at Martin and exchanged a look with The Doctor.

Martin ripped open the envelope and drew out the contents. It was a black, leather bound book the exact same size as the one on the wall. But it was brand new with not a mark upon it and its pages were bright white and untouched.

"Here's the plan, Marty... You're going to stay here with Ezekiel and you're going to write down the secrets of creation once and for all" It was The Doctor speaking now, he had sat up straighter in his seat. "Ezekiel is going to tell you what's in the book and you're going to write it down. It'll be like taking diction and like talking to your self all at the same time. You'll both write the book together. This book will hold the secrets of life wrapped inside the truth of all things and it will create a gateway for mankind to ascend to the next level of spirituality is so greatly needs. It'll save the world and create this magical, peaceful future. It'll be the most important book ever written… And you're going to write it"

Martin's head was spinning "But Ezekiel's going to be telling me what to write?"

"Yeah…"

"But he only knows what's in the book because he's read it before?"

"Well, he wrote it, didn't he!" The Doctor said pointing at the pair of them at the same time. "He's you, remember?"

"Yeah, but… Where did the words come from in the first place? If he's just remembering what he's read in the book and I'm transcribing what he's read… How can that happen?" Martin was literally shaking his head in confusion. "Who came up with the words in the first place?"

"Oh, it's a paradox, Marty" The Doctor said dismissively, "Don't worry about it…You'll give yourself a nose bleed!" He threw Martin a bit of tissue as if anticipating it happening soon. "The point is… It works! This whole plan works! The secrets are written down… The Truth is bound in the book… You take it back to your time… You help save the world with it… Humanity elevates to its next spiritual rung on the cosmic ladder…We build this cottage… You put the book above the fireplace and then we eventually buy you a brand new book to write the secrets down all over again. It's a paradox. It's one of the great circles of life…"

Martin felt his older self put a hand on his shoulder "It does work, Martin. We discover the Secrets of life together and through and in each other. We have many months of inner journeys ahead…A time of deep thought and quiet contemplation whilst we write down the Truth of all things... And we have the best time of our lives" He added with a meaningful smile.

"But what about my own Yasmin and Anya. If I'm here for months, wont they miss me?" Martin looked at The Doctor for the answer.

"Oh, Marty, do catch up!" The Doctor said impatiently. "I've got a time machine, haven't I? I can come back and pick you up and drop you off back in that churchyard where I first met you seconds after we left it. Don't worry about that! Everything's sorted!" he said with complete confidence. "I'll come back for you in about a couple of months when the book's written!"

"What? Are you not staying here with me?" Martin asked with only a slight hint of worry.

"No, of course I'm not!" The Doctor said sitting bolt upright in his chair. "I've got to be off! I've got monsters to fight, haven't I? That's what I do! I've heard there's a bit of a skirmish going on between the Draconians and the dwarf headed Pumble Snatchers. I better go sort them out before things get nasty!" He said with a grin. "You'll be alright here wont you? I thought you'd be pleased to stay?" His eyebrows were raised.

"Oh yes, I am" Martin said taking the idea in. "I'm very happy here… with myself" He glanced at Ezekiel and smiled. "I can see this is where I belong… This is my home… I can feel it in my soul…" Martin rested his head back in his seat and pushed his body deep within its padded comfort.

"Good, good" Ezekiel said happily, "We'll get started in the morning then. I'm looking forward to it myself. I remember it been the most amazingly positive experience of my life! I loved every second… Well, that is apart from right at the end when..." He stopped himself talking, his face suddenly sombre for the first time. He glanced at The Doctor who returned his gaze with understanding nod. Ezekiel then turned, grabbed his walking stick and headed towards the kitchen. "Anyone fancy a cup of tea?"

"This'll have to be my last one and then I've really got to get going!" The Doctor said as if his arm was been physically twisted, "I promised Gandhi a game of 'scrabble' before the night was out and I don't want to be too late. You know what his temper is like!"

"What about you, Martin?" Ezekiel had reached the kitchen. "Do you want a drink?"

Martin made no sound.

"Martin?"

The Doctor turned to see Martin's sleeping form. "It looks like Martin's out for the count, Zeeky. I would say he needed the sleep but that's not strictly true. He's been asleep in one of the TARDIS' backrooms for God knows how long! But look at him again… Sleeping like a little field mouse. It's maybe the after effects of the temporal shift… Or maybe just too much birthday cake!"

Ezekiel walked back into the sitting area and looked over at Martin's hibernating body once more. The exhausted man was clutching onto his new, unwritten book holding it tight to his chest, a look of complete calm on his face.

"I should have known he wasn't going to have a cup of tea, shouldn't I?" Ezekiel said, more to himself than anybody else. "But, then again, I don't remember what happened 'cos I feel asleep, didn't I?"

The Doctor laughed and delved into his jacket pocket for another jammy dodger...

'All that we are is a result of what we have thought'

- The Buddha (563 BCE- 483 BCE)