December 24th


The Inspiration Box

Samuel Johnson has just one ambition in life - to grow up and become a world famous astronaut. But can a surprise visit from the Doctor inspire him enough to go on and pursue his dream? The story begins on Christmas Eve, in a young boy's bedroom with glow in the dark stars...


Image 2 PART TWO

"Who are you?" Samuel said, hesitantly.

"I'm the Doctor," he grinned. "You're Samuel Johnson, right?"

"How do you know my name?" Samuel asked.

The Doctor said nothing, just continued to smile.

"Oh, there's plenty of time for that," said the Doctor. "Besides, you never answered my question. Do you fancy a trip?"

Samuel paused. "A trip? To where?"

"To anywhere," the Doctor said. "Pick a star, any star."

Samuel looked up at the night sky. It was beginning to snow so heavily now that he couldn't distinguish between the snow and the stars, but he knew the constellations like the back of his hand by now, from all of the books he'd read. Growing up, he'd study the pages by torchlight, long into the night, hidden away from the rest of the world in the makeshift tent he'd fashion using his duvet and pillows.

"So, what do you think?" the Doctor asked again, bringing Samuel back to down to Earth.

"I think I'm dreaming," Samuel concluded.

"Maybe you are," the Doctor said. "All the more reason to make the most of it."

With that, the Doctor disappeared back inside the box, leaving the door slightly ajar. As Samuel stepped closer to peer around it, his face was touched by the warm orange glow from inside. He pushed the door slowly, revealing the sheer magnificence and enormity of the Doctor's beloved TARDIS.

"It's bigger on the inside," Samuel said as he stepped on board. He couldn't help but stare open-mouthed as he made his way up to the central platform. From there, he noticed flights of stairs spiralling off in all directions, vanishing into deep tunnels which seemed to go on forever.

The Doctor, meanwhile, was running around the console, pushing random buttons. "Hold on!" he exclaimed as he pulled a lever, and, as if on cue, the glorious spaceship grinded into motion. Samuel held onto the barrier for dear life as his surroundings span around him. He felt sick, but at the same time he didn't want it to end. He glanced over to the Doctor, who was unphased by the bumpy ride, continuing to hop and spin around the console merrily, throwing in the odd pirouette here and there for good measure.

And then, it stopped. Everything went quiet again, as if they'd never been moving at all.

"What's happened?" asked Samuel, clearing his throat.

The Doctor ran over to the door. "Samuel Johnson, the boy who's dreamed of seeing the stars," he said, pulling them wide open. "Well, dream no longer."

Samuel walked over to see for himself, and what he did see took his breath away. It was easily the single most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. They were looking down at Planet Earth, suspended in space, and it truly was asthonishing.

The Doctor looked down at Samuel, who couldn't take his eyes off it.

"This is amazing," Samuel said, although he didn't realise he'd said it.

"There's plenty more where that came from," replied the Doctor.

And he was right. That night, the Doctor showed Samuel things he'd never even dreamed of. He knew space was vast and wondrous, but he had never quite anticipated it like this. They visited distant planets and alien worlds, a waterfall made of crystals, and the Doctor flew the TARDIS right into the heart of an asteroid belt and let Samuel take over the controls to dodge the oncoming rocks.

"You're just showing off now!" the Doctor laughed, as Samuel steered, swirving the police box in between the meteors.

Then, before the night had even begun for Samuel, he ran through the doors and found himself back in his own back garden. Disheartened, he turned to the Doctor, who was stood in the doorway.

"Is that it?" he asked, sadly.

"Afraid so," the Doctor said. "Not to worry though, eh?" He walked over to Samuel, placing his hand on his shoulder. "I've got a sneaky feeling this is just the beginning for you, Samuel Johnson."

"The beginning of what?" Samuel asked, confused.

"Spoilers!" the Doctor whispered. "But remember tonight, won't you? Remember what we saw and take it on with you." He paused. "Whatever path your life takes you down."

Samuel nodded. "I will," he said, smiling. "Thank you, Doctor."

"Good luck," the Doctor said. "And Merry Christmas."

The Doctor was about to leave when Samuel called him back.

"Hold on, Doctor," he said. "You never answered my question. How do you know my name?"

The Doctor smiled, then stepped back inside the TARDIS. Samuel stood back and watched as the blue box disappeared into thin air, and he was soon left alone in the garden. The sun was beginning to rise. It was almost Christmas morning. Samuel ran back inside and climbed into bed to dream of the universe.

***

Christmas Eve, 70 years later...

Samuel Johnson was a world renowned astronaut, internationally acclaimed for being a member of the first shuttle crew to successfully land on Venus. He was enjoying his first Christmas following his retirement.

"And that was my first journey into space," he told his young grandchildren, Lucy and Rebecca, who were sat on the floor looking up at him as he rested in his favourite armchair next to the fire. He sat forward. "And, between you and I, my most favourite," he whispered.

Lucy and Rebecca laughed. "And did you ever see the Doctor again, grandad?" Lucy asked.

"No, I didn't," Samuel said. "But what he showed me that night is the reason I became so determined to follow my dreams. I owe it all to him, and I don't even know who he is."

He sighed and turned to look out of the window, at the garden that was covered in a blanket of thick snow. Next to the window was his most prized possession. The Astromaster 3000.