Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [43]
Don't be afraid to cry. We all have to grieve...’
Ì say, it's dashed close here, isn't it?' Lieutenant Ashe mopped a few beads of perspiration from his brow with a cotton handkerchief. He stood on the edge of the riverbank, watching as his men sweated and strained to lower a wooden pontoon over the water. They had spent the morning constructing the jetty while Ashe offered ineffectual advice.
He had been raised to become an officer and a gentleman, not some labourer's navvy, so he felt little embarrassment at being unable to help further. His role was to lead and inspire the men - not join in. Officers in the engineering corps may feel like playing at mud pies but Ashe preferred to keep his hands clean.
Heavy posts had been driven into the sides of the riverbank. Now the platform was being floated into position beside them, thick ropes used to secure it to the posts.
Several of the men jumped into the water to hold the platform in place, as it threatened to float away downstream. 'Take a care, men!' Ashe called. 'We don't want that pontoon going over the top of the dam, do we? The natives wouldn't be too chuffed with us then!'
Once the platform was lashed into position, one of the enlisted men approached the lieutenant with a request. Ìt's been hard work getting that jetty in place, sir,' Lance Corporal Clark explained. 'Some of the lads were wondering if you'd give them permission to take a dip in the river. Do us all a world of good.'
Ashe reluctantly agreed. Half the men were already in the water anyway and the rest were soaked through with perspiration. Perhaps there was some sense in what Clark was suggesting.' All right, but we are here to stand guard over this site until we receive further orders - not to turn it into a public baths. Is that clear?' Clark responded with a salute before hurrying away to give the good news to the others.
The lieutenant quite fancied taking to the water himself, but felt it wouldn't be good form in front of the men. Perhaps he could slip down this evening. Ashe looked up into the sky as a lone bird of prey wheeled overhead. The sun was directly above them now. He imagined Vollmer and the volunteers must be on their way back. When the equipment arrived, he would have to open his sealed orders. But until then, he was happy to enjoy the surroundings. The lieutenant decided to walk upstream, to see what lay above Corra Linn.
The Doctor and Nyssa had spent the morning talking. Upon reflection, Nyssa realised she had done most of the talking, pouring out her feelings and fears. All too much of what the Doctor had been saying about her was true. She still wasn't sure she accepted his diagnosis, but she couldn't deny the feelings of alienation that had been haunting her. Tegan had been her friend, but the Australian woman had needed Nyssa more than Nyssa had needed her - or so it had seemed at the time. Now she could see a fresh perspective on events.
Nyssa realised her problems wouldn't just disappear, but she had made a start on addressing them. The Doctor had invoked an old Earth adage as a comfort. 'A problem shared is a problem halved.'
Sir Henry found them laughing when he arrived to summon them before the Queen. 'Her Majesty is ready to hear your report on the veracity or otherwise of the claims made by James Lees,' the private secretary announced stiffly.
The Doctor indicated he was ready. Ì should like my travelling companion to attend the meeting. She will be able to confirm the truth of what I will tell her royal highness'
Às you wish' Ponsonby led them along the corridors of the castle before bidding them to wait in the antechamber to the Queen's private office. 'I shall see if she is ready for you'
He slipped through the double doors, leaving them alone for a minute.
`Doctor, how much will you tell Queen Victoria?' Nyssa asked.
Às much as she can understand. If I start discussing artron energy and the space-time continuum she will think me either a fool or a