Doctor Who_ Nightshade - Mark Gatiss [4]
things before. They are the vanguard of an invading force He huffed again at his compatriots. They’d promised to from the planet M...’
stay awake for his programme, they’d promised.
The policeman screams as a huge, scaly claw bursts
‘I don’t know why I bother,’ he said out loud.
through the window. ‘Professor! Professor Nightshade! For
‘Bother about what?’
God’s sake...!’ The older man’s face zooms into view. Grim It was Jill Mason, the warden of the old people’s home, and determined. Fade to black. Thunderous chords bellow sneaking up on him again.
out the familiar theme tune as the word Nightshade is
‘Don’t do that!’ snapped Trevithick. ‘Gave me the shock of superimposed on a roll of rather jerky credits.
me life.’
Jill was lifting up cushions and looking under chairs.
Professor Nightshade - Edmund Trevithick
‘You haven’t seen the Radio Times about, have you, Constable Chorley - James Reynolds Edmund?’
Staff Sergeant Ripper - William Jarrold Trevithick smiled his lopsided smile. He’d hidden the periodical during one of Mrs Holland’s fits. That way no The blue light from the television screen threw garish one would know there was anything else but Nightshade on shadows across Edmund Trevithick’s chuckling face as he the television that night.
watched his name flicker by. He smiled, a little indulgently,
‘Perhaps Mrs Holland has eaten it.’
and leant forward in his chair to switch off the set. The room
‘You’re wicked,’ said Jill, smiling.
seemed suddenly very dark and quiet. Trevithick cleared She peered out of the window into the darkness and his throat loudly and smiled his famous lopsided smile. It closed the curtains in one decisive movement. It was getting hadn’t really dated much at all, even if he did say so himself!
late.
Even so, it had been a good few years since he’d last played Trevithick had to admit that he was fond of the girl, even old Professor Nightshade. Nice of Auntie Beeb, though, to if she was a little patronising at times and wore her hair too give the series a dusting down and a slot on their new long. She’d even taken to sporting false eyelashes (of all second channel.
things) which Trevithick thought resembled copulating Trevithick looked around the room at the circle of elderly insects. He objected less to the length of her skirts which people, all sound asleep; their gentle snores rising and barely reached her shapely knees. Girls had been far too falling in pitch like steam from old copper kettles. He prim in his youth. This bra-burning malarkey certainly had harrumphed loudly, considering himself a sprightly seventy its advantages.
years old and nothing like the poor old dears with whom he He kept his thoughts to himself, however, and steered the conversation back to his old series.
14
15
DOCTOR WHO: NIGHTSHADE
DOCTOR WHO: NIGHTSHADE
‘We had a lot of trouble with young Jimmy Reynolds.’
Trevithick raised his eyes heavenward. ‘I’ve just been on
‘Mm?’
the television, you stupid old woman. You were too busy
‘Jimmy Reynolds. The lad who played a bobby in this snoring...’
week’s episode. Not long out of drama school, I seem to
‘Eh?’
remember. And a bit fazed by all the lights and excitement.
Mrs Holland had become deaf again as she often did in Of course, it was all live in those days. He was sick in his moments of stress.
helmet just before he went on!’
‘Oh, never mind,’ grumbled Trevithick.
‘Really?’ Jill said distractedly.
‘When’s he on the telly, Jill?’ pleaded the old woman,
‘Queer as a dog’s hind leg as well. We used to call him gripping Jill’s arm. ‘I do so want to see him. Tell me when Debbie Reynolds!’
he’s on.’
Trevithick guffawed into his handkerchief, then looked Jill nodded vigorously and reassuringly, soothing Mrs over at Jill. ‘Oh, you’re as bad as this lot. You don’t care.
Holland back into her chair.
That’s a piece of history you missed tonight.’ Trevithick