Doctor Who_ Daemons - Barry Letts [1]
'But how do you know there's nothing in it?'
The Doctor started to fasten down Bessie's bonnet. 'How? I just know, that's all. Everything that happens must have a scientific explanation, if you only know where to look for it. Excuse me, my dear.'
Jo moved thoughtfully away from the bench. The Doctor picked up a little black box, looking like a transistor radio, and started to work on it.
'Yes, but...'
The Doctor grinned at her. Jo never gave in easily!
'Suppose... suppose something happens and nobody knows the explanation... nobody in the world... in the Universe ! That'd be magic wouldn't it?'
This time the Doctor laughed out loud. 'Really, said, 'for a reasonably intelligent young lady, you have the most absurd ideas. In the first place...'
But Jo wasn't listening. Her eyebrows had shot up and she was gasping feebly, 'Doctor! Look!'
The Doctor looked up from his work. His old yellow car was quietly driving herself out of the open doors of the UNIT workshop into the car-park outside.
'There's nobody driving her!' said Jo.
Bessie continued serenely on her way. The Doctor eyed her sternly.
'Bessie! What are you up to? Come back here at once.'
The little car flashed her lights rebelliously and executed a tight clockwise circle.
'Do as I say, now. This minute!'
Bessie stopped. She revved her motor a couple of times, as if tempted to take off into the distant countryside.
'I shan't tell you again.'
Slowly, reluctantly, she rolled towards the workshop and, stopped by the Doctor and Jo, whose eyes by now were popping out of her head. The Doctor wagged a finger at the errant Bessie.
'You're a very naughty girl. How dare you go gallivanting around like that?'
Bessie honked her horn a little aggresively.
'Are you sorry?'
'Honk, honk.'
'Very well then, I'll forgive you this time. Now, go back to your parking place, before I change my mind.'
Under the astonished gaze of poor Jo, Bessie backed away and sedately settled herself into her accustomed place, giving one last self-satisfied honk of her horn.
The silence was broken by a male voice.
'I know there's a good explanation for all this but I just can't think of it for the minute.'
The Doctor looked round. During Bessie's little dance, Captain Yates had appeared from the little office at the back of the workshop. The Doctor looked at him quizzically.
'Would you believe in magic?' Jo asked Captain Yates at the same time casting an infuriated glance at the Doctor.
'No, of course not,' said Mike.
'Jo would,' the Doctor said provocatively.
'That's not fair,' burst out Jo. 'It must have been you doing it. Some sort of remote control, I suppose.'
The Doctor solemnly held up his little black box and pressed a button on it.
'Honk honk,' said Bessie from the other side of the car-park.
'You see how easy it is to be a magician?' said the Doctor. 'Would you like to see some more?'
'No thanks. I've had enough of your childish tricks,' Jo said severely, 'I want to see that programme. Would you give me a lift back to H.Q., Mike?'
And off she marched. The Doctor looked at Mike and winked. Mike grinned and started to follow her.
At the door, he turned back.
'Are you coming, Doctor?'
'Coming where?'
'To see that TV programme.'
The Doctor groaned. 'Not you, too, Captain Yates!'
'Wouldn't miss it for the world,' answered Mike cheerfully. 'Should be fascinating. Forecasts of doom and disaster and all that. After all, it has a funny reputation, Devil's End... you know, the village near the dig. I remember reading... I say, Doctor, are you feeling right?'
The Doctor didn't even hear him. He was too concerned with the large disturbing bell sounding in his mind. Devil's End? Where had he heard the name before? Oh, this wretched memory of his! Devil's End... The Doctor shuddered. It had an evil ring to it.
'Doctor?'
The Doctor came to himself with a start. Mike Yates was peering at him anxiously.
'Are you sure