Doctor Who_ Delta and the Bannermen - Malcolm Kohll [10]
Chapter Nine
The camp was built around a gravel square, with the large dining hall at one end, the shower and toilet blocks at the other, and behind the main buildings a children’s playground. Burton led everyone into the square where they stood about crunching gravel underfoot until Burton signalled silence.
‘Welcome to Shangri-La where your dreams come true!
Now, as always it’s two to a cabin and mealtimes are clearly displayed behind the cabin door. But just in case there is any confusion breakfast is at eight, lunch at one and supper at six. Eating together is all part of the camp fun so do try and be prompt. Over there is the dining hall. Any questions? Splendid! I’ll show you to your cabins then.’
Burton was already moving towards the first row of cabins before the Navarinos realized that they were supposed to follow him. Picking up their luggage they ran to catch him up. Mel and Delta were walking at the back of the queue as Burton allocated cabins to various people. Keillor took a last glance at Delta just before he entered his cabin, accompanied by a plump Navarino dressed like a Teddy boy.
Mel and Delta both heard it at the same moment –
someone softly whistling ‘Why do Fools Fall in Love?’
The whistler was Billy, the camp mechanic, tinkering with an old waterpump. He was good-looking with his sharp quiff and white T-shirt and jeans. Nonchalantly he watched the new arrivals as they were herded into the cabins.
Beneath his apparent indifference his heart was beating fast – Delta was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He noted which cabin she and Mel entered.
Mel looked around the small hut with its narrow twin beds and single dresser, and her heart sank. Burton waved expansively at the rudimentary accommodation. ‘You’ll find a list of our rules and regulations behind the door.
Any questions? Splendid!’ Before Mel could reply Burton had left. Mel smiled at Delta who was fighting back the tears.
‘Not that it makes much difference,’ said Mel cheerily,
‘but which bed would you like?’ Delta seemed not to have heard. Mel continued, ‘Well, I don’t really mind. One seems as good as the other.’ And she plumped her suitcase onto the bed nearest to her. Delta carefully put the silver sphere onto the cover of the other bed and sank down. She covered her face with her hands and started to sob gently.
‘Look, I know it isn’t like the brochure but don’t be too upset,’ said Mel trying to cheer her up.
Delta sadly raised her head. ‘How long are we going to be here?’ she asked.
‘Just till the bus is fixed,’ said Mel.
‘And then?’
‘Then we’ll go to Disneyland, I suppose,’ said Mel.
Delta sighed wearily. ‘It might give me enough time,’
she said, a note of hope creeping into her voice.
Mel was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute.
She decided to try and draw Delta out. ‘I can see something’s bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?’
Delta gave Mel a cool appraising glance, then shook her head. ‘No.’
Delta reached under her tunic and produced a phaser gun which she stripped and checked. Mel gave her a nervous smile and started unpacking her clothes. Delta sat on her bed and loaded another round into the phaser’s magazine.
Chapter Ten
The group of holiday-makers following Burton had dwindled to Murray and the Doctor. Burton steered them towards the pump where Billy was just finishing. He pointed to the cabin at the very end of the row. ‘Your cabin is at the end. Now, if you want some help with your bus I’m sure our young mechanic would be pleased to assist.
See you at lunch!’ With that Burton marched away at a brisk clip.
Billy straightened up, wiping his hands on a greasy bit of cotton waste. He offered his outspread hand to Murray then the Doctor as they all introduced themselves. ‘Old man Burton said there was something wrong with your bus, is that right?’ asked Billy.
Murray nodded, ‘We hit this low orbital satellite which