Justin Thyme is a self-made billionaire living in a castle overlooking Loch Ness. The day he turns thirteen he receives an anonymous gift: a fabulous watch with a puzzling message hidden on it. When he tells his father of his plans to build a time machine the Laird of Thyme reveals tantalising fragments of past espionage & warns his son of a ruthless enemy keeping him under constant surveillance. At first Justin fails to take Sir Willoughby seriously but when a stranger arrives claiming to be his long-lost grandfather Justin is wary
- especially after his beloved Nanny insists the old man is an impostor. Justins TV celebrity mother departs on a Congo expedition with her eccentric film crew & Eliza a computer-literate gorilla. Whilst returning Lady Henny is abducted & clues prove that the kidnapper has inside information; someone in Thyme Castle must be a spy
- or possibly Sir Willoughbys old enemy in disguise. Everyone is under suspicion: Justins nervy tutor; their snooping housekeeper; the theatrical gardener; an ex-royal butler; & Mrs Kof their freakishly strong cook. Suddenly the race against time is on. Can Justin convert his vintage motorbike into a time machine rescue his mum & discover the identity of their resident spy in less than a week.. .or will the dreaded Thyme Curse claim another life?