NEVER TOO OLD by PURUPUSS RATED FRC

Grandma Tracy faces a new challenge.

Grandma Tracy frowned at the array of lights and switches that presented themselves before her.

"I don't know," she muttered, half to herself and half to the grandson who stood beside her. "Why does your father think I want to learn about this contraption? I'm just as happy with my oven and microwave. I don't need to learn anything new!"

He chuckled and she glared at him. "Don't stand there laughing, Virgil Tracy, give me that instruction manual again."

"It's easy, Grandma," he told her as he handed her the book. "Most of the functions are automatic."

She gave a snort. "Automatic! And what if that -- that -- rotisserie thing goes haywire?"

His grin broadened. "It won't. Brains has built so many safeguards into this that a child could operate it."

"Then get a child to do it," she muttered under her breath as she flicked through the manual before placing it on the console. "Show me again what to do!" she ordered.

"No. You tell me what you're going to do and I'll tell you if you're wrong. You'll never learn otherwise."

She glared again at him. She wasn't used to any of her family disobeying her instructions, but then realised he was right. He was now seated casually; arms folded in a relaxed manner as if he were listening to a favourite composer. His attitude was totally at odds to the stress she was feeling.

"All right then," she said determinedly. "I'm going to push this button!" She took his lack of reply as a form of affirmation and pressed it.

A high pitched hum filled the air, a motor started growling and she could feel a strong vibration coming up through the floor. "Virgil! What's happening?"

He hadn't moved. "You're doing fine, Grandma. That's what's meant to happen."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Then it's working?"

"Like a charm."

"How long will it take?"

"About five minutes."

The time passed slowly. Eventually, the noise and vibration stopped.

"Now what do I do?" Mrs. Tracy asked.

He gave her a big smile. "Nothing. You've done it."

"That's all?" She was elated, almost girlishly so.

"That's all," he confirmed.

"Oh, Virgil." She surprised him by wrapping him up in a big, bear hug, followed by a kiss. "That was so amazing."

"We'll get you kitted out in an International Rescue uniform yet," he told her with a wink, when he had disentangled himself. He opened the door and sunlight flooded in.

They stepped outside into the sun. She turned back and looked at the Mole, its screw nose dulled with dirt. "I've just driven that!" she exclaimed. Then, with a mischievous grin, she turned back to Virgil. "So, when do I get to fly Thunderbird Two?"

His reply was horrified.

"Fly Thunderbird Two? Never, Grandma, Never!"