I’m afraid I have to confess something. I am a time traveller.

In a few years a time-travel device is tested. I was chosen to participate in the trial group. Some of us went back to historic events, others to the future. I was among the group chosen to see how time-travel affects our past selves.

I was sent back in time a few years to observe my past self. At first it was simple, but today I ran into the past version of my best friend. He recognised me and invited me back to his place.

Part of my strict mandate is to observe but not interact. Interaction is deemed too dangerous until we know more. And now I know why.

The first thing my friend noticed when we arrived at his place is the scar on my arm, a scar my past self doesn’t have yet. In my panic I mentioned the time we made a cake together. The problem is that this event is still a few weeks in his future.

Fortunately his phone rang and he answered it outside, but I don’t think I can do this any longer.

CODE: 94513BW7TH9JD1L2VT0GQ73K8E4

THIS IS YOUR MISSION

Earth is about to be invaded by aliens. We do not know the origin of these aliens or their intent. We only know that unidentifiable objects, we count forty-six, are flying in formation towards Earth.

You have been chosen to intercept these objects before they enter Earth’s atmosphere. This will be done by sending you into space in an exposed one-man capsule. You will be wearing a space-suit throughout the trip, which is calculated to have you arriving on the edge of our atmosphere at the same time as the unidentified objects.

On the edge of space you will be completely exposed. The reaction of the unidentified objects will give us a clue as to their intentions. Once they blow you to pieces we will prepare for war!

There is a small chance that you don’t die, but instead are beamed onto the ship. In that unlikely event you must act as a spy for us. Learn their strengths, weaknesses and anything else useful. If you can, convince them to turn around, they can take you hostage if you like.

THAT IS YOUR MISSION

I picked up a leaf today. It was old, discoloured and beat up, but it still had enough fight left to tell me a story…

She sprouted from the big tree a few hours before Frank, her leaf mate. They grew up right next to each other as the birds sat on the big tree. She and Frank loved singing with the birds.

They grew to full size, still singing and loving it. Nothing could come between them, until one fateful day when another leaf sprouted between them. This new leaf hated life and only thought of himself.

She and Frank had to leave the big tree. Together they jumped, but a gust of wind caught Frank and blew him far away.

That was a week ago. There’s very little chance he survived this long.

I decided to put the leaf down, but I want to help her find Frank.

Like many, you may be enjoying a sundae as you read this. But I’m sure very few of you know the story of that sundae.

In a French village south of Paris, a chef worked hard all week, except Sunday, his day of rest. On Sundays the restaurant closed, which gave the village idiot an idea.

He bought some ice-cream and some chocolate sauce. He combined his ingredients and set-up shop outside the closed restaurant and wrote the name of his shop on a chalkboard “SUNDAE.” He meant to write Sunday, but didn’t know how to spell.

One Sunday the restaurant chef came by and had a “Sundae,” he liked it and started serving Sundaes in his restaurant. He even named the Nut Sundae after the village idiot.