Doctor Who_ Foreign Devils - Andrew Cartmel [7]
'Uprising, riot. Call it what you like. We've had all manner of folk streaming into the Concession here, seeking shelter.'
Upcott returned to the window and peered out again through the small opening. 'Quiet as the grave now, though,' he said, closing the shutters and setting his rifle aside. He caught Zoe's eye again and smiled. 'There will be plenty of time for you to tell me your story later.'
'Concession?' said Jamie. 'What sort of place is this? And what's this uprising business?'
'The British Trade Concession in Canton is experiencing some friction with the natives,' said the Doctor blandly. Zoe remembered the glowing string of green script the Doctor had been reading off the screen, and she wondered how much it had told him.
Upcott snorted. 'Friction is a modest way of describing it.' He turned to an ornately carved wardrobe that stood against one wall. 'I had to go out this morning on business. I had a spot of trouble on the way back.' He looked at his ruined shirt for a moment, then he went to the wardrobe and opened its dark wooden door with a screech of rusty hinges. Zoe smelled camphor and lavender and fresh linen in the dark wooden interior.
Upcott reached into the scented recess and took out a folded parcel wrapped in white paper. He closed the door of the wardrobe. 'Just a spot of trouble.' He smiled and untied the ribbon and shook the parcel of white paper open to reveal a clean white shirt. 'One thing I'll say for China, though. It's a good place to get the laundry done.' He removed the pins from the clean shirt, set it carefully aside on one of the wooden chests and began to remove the lacerated rags of the one that still flapped around his ribcage.
As he tugged off the old shirt, Zoe nudged the Doctor. A huge luridly coloured and quite shockingly beautiful tattoo was revealed, curling its sinuous jade-green length from the middle of Upcott's shoulder blades to the centre of his torso. It depicted a dragon breathing flames that curled like flower petals around his navel. He glanced at Zoe, knowing she was looking at the tattoo and amused by her attention. He tossed the ruined shirt aside.
As he did so, something came scampering out of the shadows, its claws scratching across dusty rugs. Zoe gave a little shriek as the small furry shape brushed past her and launched itself at Roderick Upcott, landing nimbly on his back.
Upcott laughed. 'Hello Sydenham.' The tiny black creature cavorted excitedly across his shoulders. 'I was wondering where you'd got to.' The animal chittered in reply, scratching at itself in excitement. Zoe relaxed, now recognising it as a monkey.
Upcott casually scooped the monkey off his shoulder and threw it to one side. The monkey landed nearby, rolling nimbly and regaining its footing with perfect aplomb on the polished wood of one of the long chests.
Upcott pulled on his fresh shirt, covering his tattoo, then scooped up the monkey and returned it to its perch on his shoulder. With the creature riding comfortably, high on his back, he turned to the others. Jamie was staring at the animal, fascinated by it. The Doctor seemed equally fascinated by the monkey and by Upcott. 'Perhaps we should complete our introductions,' said Upcott.
'That would be nice,' said the Doctor. 'Pray tell us a little more about yourself.'
Upcott smiled. 'Myself? I am a humble merchant. Now, thanks to hard work and the grace of God I've made my fortune trading here in China.' He looked at Zoe. 'And I'm nearly ready to go home.' He went back to the window for a final brief glance into the street. 'I just want to get out with my skin intact.' He closed the shutters and turned back to the door through which they had entered.
Beyond the open door Zoe could see the smoky shapes of the garden. The shifting haze drew back briefly to reveal the TARDIS. But Roderick Upcott wasn't looking at the TARDIS. His attention was