Full steam ahead for Lorcan's pressie.

Byline: Denis Kilcommons

I'VE been locked away in my back-bedroom office, sweating over a hot computer keyboard, palpitating slightly at the sights that come up on the screen.

"What have you been doing?" Maria demanded suspiciously.

"For the last two days I've been chasing the dragon," I said.

This was even more shocking than she had imagined.

"You've become a heroin addict?"

What?

"No. I've been trying to buy a Thomas the Tank Engine truck."

Now it was her turn to look blank.

It shows what an innocent I am when she had to explain that "chasing the dragon" is slang terminology for heroin addiction or, more specifically, smoking opium.

I didn't know that? How did she know that?

Anyway, my only addiction is to my grandson Lorcan who is two and a half and now lives in Donegal. His pride and joy is a Take Along Thomas train set with lots of track and stations. I send him presents of engines, coaches and rolling stock.

He told his mother that for Christmas he wanted Bulstrode the barge and the Chinese Dragon truck.

"I don't think they make them anymore," his mum said. "You might not get them."

"Oh, Santa's elves will get them," he said, confidently.

And guess who's Santa's elf?

I've got Bulstrode but the Chinese Dragon was harder to find, even on the internet. There was one in California but they couldn't deliver for weeks. But eureka! (And no, that is not the opium talking). I eventually found one of this endangered species in South Wales.

I am now hoping it arrives before Christmas.

CAPTION(S):

CHASING THE DRAGON: Thomas style