Mia's Optiscope - Natalie Rose

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‘I have something to give you. Something you are destined for.’

      ‘What’s that?’

      Before Joseph could take out the object he coughed and shuddered, pressed his handkerchief over his mouth and coughed some more. All at once a coughing fit came over him and he couldn’t speak.

      Denise was on her feet, a look of worry etched into her brow, ‘Joseph.’

      ‘Perhaps tomorrow,’ Joseph gasped.

      Mia stood aside, ‘Of course.’

      Mrs Glasson put her arm around Mia’s shoulders. ‘Is he okay?’ Mia asked.

      ‘I’m sure he’ll be okay.’

      Joseph looked at Mia and tried to speak but he continued to cough and splutter.

      ‘I better get him inside,’ Denise said, helping Joseph stand.

      ‘I’ll be back tomorrow,’ Mia called out.

      Joseph patted his jacket pocket and tipped his hat.

      ‘If he’s well enough,’ Denise called over her shoulder.

      Mrs Glasson and Mia stood in their places as the pair wandered down the path and into the apartments.

      Chapter 5.

      The Optiscope

      The next morning Joseph and Denise were sat on Builders Wall, heads bent in conversation, when Mia and Mrs Glasson arrived.

      ‘Mia,’ Joseph called.

      ‘Hi Joseph, are you okay today?’

      ‘Fine my dear, all is well again.’

      Denise stood, ‘It was a rough night, he hardly slept. I told him he should rest but what do I know, only a nurse.’

      ‘I’ll rest after I see Mia,’ Joseph said, ‘I promise.’

      ‘I don’t believe a word of it.’

      ‘I will, I promise I will. I’ll put my feet up and watch a show.’

      Denise frowned.

      ‘And I’ll even drink that wretched brew you insist on calling a lung tonic.’

      ‘Oh all right then, you have your chat but don’t tire yourself.’

      ‘Yes, “Mum”.’

      Denise turned towards Mia, ‘Look after him please.’

      ‘I will,’ Mia said.

      Denise turned to Mrs Glasson, ‘Great day for a walk up the hill.’

      Mrs Glasson sighed, ‘More like a sprint up the mountain. Mia had us running at some points.’

      ‘Want to sit?’ Denise said pointing to the wall on the other side of the path to where Mia and Joseph were.

      ‘Don’t mind if I do. You said Joseph was up all night...’

      Joseph pulled out a small silk parcel to show Mia. He untied the cord around its neck and stretched the end open. Tipping it above his hand he gently shook a leather case out of the bag. He fumbled to open it but managed to unsnap the clasp before giving it to Mia. She was pleased she didn’t have to watch him use his hands again, it looked so difficult for him. Mia raised the leather lip of the case. There, against the suede lining, lay a pair of shiny metal-framed spectacles. Mia was surprised. She wasn’t sure what she had expected to find, but it wasn’t a pair of glasses.

      ‘This Optiscope is not a pair of ordinary glasses,’ Joseph said, ‘they can see back in time.’

      Mia looked in wonder at the ornate frames. ‘Time-traveling glasses?’

      ‘No, you can’t travel back in time, but they do let you see back in time. A hundred, two hundred, even a thousand years ago.’

      Mia traced the ornate twists and lines down the side of one arm, ‘How is that possible, Joseph?’

      ‘I don’t know how it’s possible. A science I can’t begin to comprehend. The stones give them their magic.’

      Mia touched the blue polished stones in each corner of the frames, ‘Do I push them?’

      Joseph pointed to the dials around the lenses, ‘You have to align the numbers on the dials with the stones...’

      Mrs Glasson noticed Mia holding something shiny, ‘What are they doing?’ she asked.

      Denise huffed, ‘He’s got his hobby glasses again.’

      ‘Hobby glasses?’

      ‘Yeah, you know – the type model builders use for fine detailing.’

      Mrs Glasson nodded.

      ‘He’s always wearing them, drives me nuts! He’s from a family of hobbyists. His dad and his grandfather both built and painted model towns, buildings and trains.’

      Mrs Glasson smiled to herself. Now there’s a hobby I approve of – less screen time. ‘Does Joseph paint?’

      ‘Oh no. You’ve seen his hands? He uses them to zoom in on things.’

      ‘Like a pair of binoculars?’

      ‘Exactly,’ Denise said.

      ‘So how long have you been Joseph’s nurse, you from the area...?’

      Mia had lots of questions and fired them at Joseph rapidly. ‘How did you – where did you get these?’

      Joseph cast a glance at Mrs Glasson and Denise, ‘I was chosen as the Keeper of the Optiscope many years ago. Tasked with witnessing history.’

      ‘So you can go back in time?’

      ‘See back in time...’

      ‘Where have you gone to?’

      ‘Well, I’ve witnessed the landing of Captain Cook, the subsequent colonial settlement of New South Wales, the development of Sydney, the building of towns and whole suburbs, even this hill, the city and all its landmarks, wars, celebrations...’

      ‘So you’ve seen everything from the very beginning?’

      ‘Not everything, it would be impossible to see...’

      ‘You’ve seen the Harbour Bridge built?’

      ‘Surely, the Opera House, Taronga Zoo...’

      ‘Does anyone else know about this? Why did you get given them?’

      ‘One thing at a time my dear,’ Joseph said looking at his hands. ‘I have no idea why I was chosen, there is nothing special about me in particular, wrong place right time I guess.’

      Mia looked at the melted skin Joseph had on his hands. ‘Can I tell Mum?’

      ‘I don’t think that would be a good idea.’

      Mia raised her brows, ‘Not even my mum?’

      Joseph looked at Mrs Glasson, ‘Not until you know one hundred percent that she can keep their secret – wouldn’t want the wrong people to get hold of them.’

      Mia frowned and looked at her mum. She hadn’t kept anything from her before. Well, nothing big like this. ‘But I tell Mum everything.’

      Joseph nodded, ‘I know. But she may not be able to keep them a secret and it’s important they remain a secret.’

      ‘Mum can keep a secret. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t tell anyone.’

      ‘Perhaps

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