Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [105]
The wound in my chest had been healing rapidly since I stepped back through the rift, while my psychic flashes had stopped for the moment. Perhaps it had been my proximity to the doppelganger James and the rift that triggered them.
I realised the Doctor was still waiting for my answer, so I told him about my final vision from just before the temporary dam was blown apart, of my father saying goodbye. It was different from the others,' I said, 'more real somehow.'
The Doctor walked around the console unit to stand in front of me. `No, I meant how do you feel?' he asked.
I still wasn't convinced by his diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and told him so. 'Well, one wouldn't want to be right all the time,' he replied. 'It seemed to fit the facts but, as you pointed out, you are not from Earth so there's no reason why such a -'
Ì feel better,' I said, cutting him short. 'Thank you.'
The Doctor smiled. 'Good'
`But I wouldn't say no to a hug'
Historical Notes
Empire of Death blends fact and fiction, using real people from the nineteenth century alongside characters created for this novel. A few elements are worthy of clarification.
New Lanark, Corra Linn, Dundaff Linn and Lanark are all real places in Scotland, and their geographical positions and functions used in the book are broadly accurate for the historical period. The dam built between Dundaff and Corra Linn is invention - the River Clyde was not dammed in this area until the twentieth century. The former cotton-milling community of New Lanark is now a World Heritage site and well worth a visit. The Walker brothers were owners of the mills in 1863 but Doctor Robert Kirkhope is fictional.
Corra Linn is Britain's largest waterfall. It inspired many Victorians who visited it, including the poet John Browning and the artist Joseph Turner. Several times a year the river is let loose and the Falls of Clyde can be seen in all their glory.
The sequences set in the Lock may sound like some macabre invention but are based upon historical fact, such as the mercury treatments, and the use of virginal children to 'cure'
men of sexually transmitted diseases. Only the annex to which James is sent is fictional.
James Lees is a fictional character inspired by stories surrounding the spiritualist Robert James Lees. In 1931 his daughter claimed that, while her father was a teenager in 1862 or 1863, he delivered a message from the late Prince Albert. Lees is purported to have conducted séances at Windsor and put Victoria in touch with her husband's spirit, but turned down the chance to become her resident medium. There is no known corroboration for these claims.
Acknowledgements
The read-through crew: John F, Jon P, Graham B, Kenny S, Robert D, Alistair McG, Peter K and Paul S - splendid fellows, all of them.
Soundtrack: The Lost Prince composed by Adrian Johnston (BBC
Music,WMSF 6069-2).
The editorial team: Justin, Sarah and Ben.
Love and understanding: Alison, as always.
About the Author
David Bishop is a writer who lives in Scotland. His recent works include the controversial audio drama Doctor Who Unbound: Full Fathom Five for Big Finish Productions, the film guide book Starring Michael Caine for Reynolds & Hearn and the zombie gulag serial Dead Men Walking for 2000 AD. This is his third Doctor Who novel for the BBC, following Amorality Tale and The Domino Effect.
Recently published:
Scream of the Shalka
by Paul Cornell
ISBN 0 563 48619 8
The novelisation of the BBCi broadcast starring Richard E. Grant
`With one glance he will destroy your body and wither your soul'
When the Doctor lands his TARDIS in the Lancaster town of Lannet, in the present day, he finds that something is terribly wrong. The people are scared. They don't like going out on to the streets at night, they don't like making too much noise, and they certainly don't like strangers asking too many questions.
What alien force has invaded