Sirens blared outside the house, while Fern and Finn scrambled around the basement,
looking for the parts they desperately needed. After 42 days of summer vacation, it seemed the endless holiday break was going to come to an abrupt end.
“This is bad, Fern. Really bad.” He wiped sweat from his brow, using his other hand to tighten the bolts on the machine. “We don’t have much time.”
Fern nodded, always a boy of few words. Finn could tell that his step-brother was just as stressed about the situation they’d put themselves in. Summer vacation was supposed to go for 104 days – the theme song says so! They couldn’t let it end like this.
“Did you get the electrical supplies from Cheltenham?”
Fern froze, holding two wires up.
“They’re from Cheltenham, right?” Finn said, panic rising in his chest. “They’re from Cheltenham, right!”
Fern gulped, then shook his head. “Ham—”
“Hampton!” Finn said, feeling like his heart was about to burst in his chest. “You got the electrical supplies from a Hampton hardware store? Are you insane?”
“The Chelten—”
“I don’t care if the Cheltenham one was closed! We can’t make a time machine using electrical supplies from Hampton!”
Finn took a deep breath, trying to calm himself and stop the hyperventilation that had begun. As the sirens grew louder, Finn collapsed against the wall, falling to the ground. It was over. After only 42 days, summer was over.
Looking over at the money printing machine in the corner, Finn sighed. His only regret was that he hadn’t gotten to spend it all. He had so many plans for the rest of summer – running for Prime Minster, building a rollercoaster, starting a car wash and becoming a social media influencer. Now he wouldn’t get to do any of it.
Finn wondered what the sirens were all about. Must have been the neighbours again – they were always having the cops show up.
“It was fun while it lasted, but it’s over now,” Finn said. He passed a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe we have school tomorrow. I just wish somebody had told us that you only get six weeks of holidays in Australia.”