Doctor Who_ Battlefield - Marc Platt [70]
Along the promontory, the Doctor saw two figures. One, solid and stentorian, stood watching the explosion, unblanching at its fury. The other, tiny and nimble, capered around the first in a sort of dance of triumph.
The Doctor put his umbrella up. It was torn to shreds.
That night, it rained fish in Carbury.
Chapter 4
It was warm enough for Doris to show the Doctor around the garden. She had been wary of the stranger to begin with, but now their arms were linked and they laughed together like old friends.
‘I’d wondered about a surprise reunion for Alastair,’ she said. ‘Or would he clam up at the thought?’
‘I’m sure he’d secretly love it,’ smiled the Doctor. He twirled his brolly, which had been refitted with camouflage disruptive pattern material, as he admired the daffodils.
‘And you must come and bring anyone you’d like,’
Doris went on. ‘We’ve plenty of room. It’s a shame you missed Easter.’
‘Christmas,’ the Doctor suggested. ‘It’ll give you time to prepare, and me time to fetch everyone. They’re a bit scattered.’
She looked at him knowingly and squeezed his hand.
‘Christmas which year, Doctor?’
‘Ah, I see that Alastair trusts you,’ he said.
‘And I trust him, Doctor. Don’t worry, he was very discreet.’
They rounded the rockery and saw the Brigadier seated on a garden swing chair beside the little apple tree. He was deep in conversation with Ancelyn.
‘He’s very charming, isn’t he?’ said Doris. ‘But a bit intense. And I wish he’d take his sword off.’
The Knight stood up and bowed as they approached.
‘Here I am, dear,’ said Doris.
‘Talking strategy again, Brigadier?’ asked the Doctor.
Lethbridge-Stewart, relaxed and genial in a red cravat, looked a little perplexed. ‘Yes, you could say that,’ he said.
There was a shout from the house end of the garden.
‘Ready,’ yelled Ace. She waved and disappeared around the side.
Doris waved back. ‘Coming.’
‘Are you going somewhere?’ said the Brigadier.
‘Mm. Out,’ said Doris.
‘Out?’
‘Out with the girls.’ She laughed and headed towards the house.
The Brigadier shrugged and set off after her with Ancelyn and the Doctor in pursuit.
Bessie stood on the drive in front of the house, her yellow paintwork gleaming. On her back seat sat Shou Yuing and Winifred Bambera. Ace was at the steering wheel. They all wore old fashioned driving goggles.
‘Ace,’ accused the Doctor, ‘I thought you said this was a piece of antiquated junk.’ He looked nervously at what his protegée might do to his car.
‘I found these in the glove compartment, Professor. Are they yours’?’
She handed him an ancient and crumpled paper bag. It was full of rock-hard jelly babies.
‘Mind how you go,’ he said and quickly pocketed the bag.
‘We’ll try not to break too many speed records,’ called Shou Yuing. She had skipped lectures to come for a long weekend from Exeter.
‘Or traffic laws,’ added Winifred. On her hand, she wore a crystal ring inlaid with twining silver leaves, emblem of the House of Garde-Joyeuse.
The Doctor noticed her meet Ancelyn’s eyes for a second and then look away with a barely disguised smile.
Doris had put on her goggles and climbed into the passenger seat.
‘Do you want to drive?’ asked Ace.
‘Oh no, dear. I’ll drive on the way back.’
‘Erm, how far are you planning to go, Doris?’ asked the Brigadier.
‘You get busy with the garden, darling,’ she said. ‘The grass needs sorting out.’
‘But what about supper?’
She was unperturbed. ‘That’s a good idea. Have something really nice ready for us.’
Ace started the engine. It exploded into life and then settled into a simmering purr.
‘Wicked,’ said Doris.
Ace put her foot down and Bessie scorched away along the drive.
Ancelyn gazed after them. ‘Ah, Lord Merlin,’ he said in awe. ‘Are they not magnificent?’
Merlin again, thought the Doctor. He wondered how long he might stave off his inevitable destiny. There were so many possibilities. With luck he might spend several lifetimes avoiding it.
‘Are you any good with a lawn mower, Ancelyn?’ asked the