Time machine pulling in three different directions is late arriving (9)
I believe the answer is:
tardiness
'three different directions is late arriving' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'time machine pulling in' is the wordplay.
'time machine' becomes 'tardis' (I've seen this before).
'pulling' becomes 'nes' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'tardis' going around 'nes' is 'TARDINESS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tardiness that I've seen before include "Being behind quality" , "Unpunctuality" , "being a little late" , "Habit of being late" , "Becoming late" .)