Doctor Who_ Bad Therapy - Matthew Jones [135]
‘What time do you call this, daughter?’ she snapped, fixing him with one of her beady stares. ‘You’ve had us worried sick.’
‘Sorry, Mother,’ he whispered, and started laughing again.
And as the taxi turned and headed for home, the Petruska Institute disappeared in a rainbow of colours.
234
Epilogue
Equal Affections
London, late twentieth century
The two people stood in the centre of the busy concourse of Victoria Station in an awkward silence. The Doctor, ever the gentleman, had insisted on carrying Gilliam’s rucksack from the taxi, and they’d had to stop for him to hand over her luggage.
And to say goodbye.
He looked uncomfortable as he hovered around her. He’d changed so much since Gilliam had seen him all those years ago. Not just a change of face and of body. But he was a gentler man now, softer, more. . . human. A strange word to use about the Doctor. He smiled awkwardly, just like a little boy. And she smiled back, openly.
Twenty-five years he’d left her stranded on an alien planet and he could make her forgive him with a single smile.
‘A-ha!’ he started suddenly, his eyes lighting up. He rummaged through the pockets of his tweed jacket for a moment before producing a small brown package. ‘I almost forgot. Your passport, you left it behind when – It was left –’ He paused. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, finally. ‘Really.’
She gave him a hug.
‘I’ve rustled up some traveller’s cheques and currency. Dollars, of course.
I’ve learnt that Arcturian pounds are accepted in rather fewer places than I’d been led to believe.’
‘You’re not making any sense, Doctor. As usual,’ Gilliam said, opening up the package. She burst out laughing when she came across the photo in her passport: a vision of innocence and pigtails.
If I knew then what I know now, she told herself. She glanced at the front, grinned and then handed it back to the Doctor.
‘Keep it as a momento, Doctor. It’s years out of date anyway.’
The Doctor looked crushed. ‘Oh no, I’ve spoilt your trip! How are you going to get past customs at Dover without a passport?’
She laughed. ‘Doctor, I’m the queen of seven systems. I’ve spent the last twenty-five years governing half a dozen planets. I think I’ll be able to find my way into Europe without a passport.’
235
‘We’re already in Europe,’ he said, a smile creeping back over his face.
She touched her finger to his nose, making him go crosseyed. ‘See, I succeeded already.’
‘I should never have doubted you. Will you travel far?’
‘Who knows?’ she shrugged, nonchalantly; but she couldn’t keep the question out of her voice.
‘Not me. Not this time.’
‘Good. Then we’re both in for a surprise.’
He helped her struggle into the straps of her rucksack. ‘Take care, Per-pugilliam Brown,’ he said, rolling his R’s with more enthusiasm than skill.
‘You too, Doctor.’ She fixed him with a hard stare. ‘And look after Christopher. We’re not as robust as you; we travelling companions are fragile things.’
The Doctor was about to speak but she silenced him, kissing him lightly on the lips, and then she turned and headed for the Dover train.
When she reached the platform gate, she turned to see whether he had set off for adventures new. He hadn’t. He was still standing where she had left him, swinging his umbrella gently in one hand. He waved once and then turned on his heel, disappearing completely into the crowd.
‘Goodbye, Doctor,’ she whispered.
Soho, London, late-summer 1958
The police box ground into existence across the road from Holborn Library.
The Doctor ushered Jack out, leaving the door open behind them.
‘Are you sure this is where you wanted to come, Jack? You had the Universe to choose from.’
‘Yeah, I know. But there’s something. . . someone I’ve got to see.’
The Doctor made a quick survey of the surroundings, no one appeared to have noticed the TARDIS’s sudden intrusion into the sunny afternoon.
The library was an ugly square concrete building, sitting slumped between two grander structures. At the end of