Doctor Who_ Nightshade - Mark Gatiss [41]
illuminated by its arc lamps, shining brilliantly in the dark
‘Bellatrix again. Hell of a nova. I just wish we could sort night.
out the real signals from all this... dross.’
I have done enough...
Cooper frowned thoughtfully, sat back on a bench and looked at Ace’s sleeping form.
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Warm colours and a babble of excited voices washed over The big policeman took the Doctor’s arm and led him up the Doctor as he pushed open the door of The Shepherd’s the stairs, Trevithick trailing behind. ‘It’s just up here, Cross.
Doctor er...?’
The room was packed. Alcohol-flushed faces bobbed
‘The patient?’ said the Doctor quickly.
amongst a mist of cigarette smoke. Trevithick and Lowcock
‘It’s Mrs Yeadon,’ called Trevithick from behind. ‘The were pressed into a corner, speaking in urgent whispers.
landlord’s wife. Seems to be in a state of shock.’
‘She needs a doctor,’ Trevithick urged. ‘We have to get the Inside the bedroom, the Doctor was introduced to Jill and phones working.’
Lawrence and reacquainted with Robin, who apologised The Doctor pushed his way through the crowd to the bar again for running him down that morning.
and ordered a glass of ginger beer. Ace was nowhere to be The Doctor removed both his coats and rolled up his shirt seen. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Trust that girl to sleeves.
get herself lost. No, not a girl any more, he reminded Betty Yeadon was semiconscious, her eyelids twitching as himself. A woman now, even if a little pig-headed and if desperate to spring open. Robin sat by the bed, holding immature.
his stepmother’s hand.
‘Miss Mason has sedated her,’ said Lowcock. ‘She’ll be all
‘What happened?’ asked the Doctor.
right till we can get proper help.’
‘She’s been having nightmares.’ Lawrence’s voice was The Doctor glanced across the room and caught the eye of thick with fatigue and emotion. ‘This afternoon I heard her Mrs Crithin, now looking quite glamorous in a tight-fitting screaming and found her in the bathroom. She didn’t say mini-dress. She gave him a kindly smile and called ‘Evening, anything for ages, but...’ He hesitated, looking from his wife Doctor.’
to his son and down to the floor.
Trevithick and Lowcock turned simultaneously and
‘But?’
looked the little stranger up and down.
‘She’s been dreaming about her brother, Alfred. He was
‘A doctor, are you? Smashing. Would you mind...?’
killed during the War. She... feels guilty about his death.’
‘Ah well. I’m rather busy...’
Robin looked up. ‘Why, though? She’s never explained it.
‘It’s just that we’re having trouble with our phones and Uncle Alf knew what he was doing. It wasn’t Mum’s fault our own doctor can’t be found.’ Lowcock looked he got killed.’
appealingly at the Doctor. The Doctor opened his mouth to Lawrence thrust his hands into his pockets and sank his protest and then sighed. He could give a little of his time to head on to his chest. ‘She thought it was her fault, Robin.
helping these people. It wasn’t really getting involved at all...
Your Uncle Alf was a conscientious objector. He refused to
‘Very well.’
fight. At least, at first...’
‘Wonderful. This way please.’
‘So?’ Robin’s question hung in the air.
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‘Betty was just a teenager then. I don’t suppose she really can’t get anyone on the phone. Would you come with me, understood the issues. Anyway, her friends began to taunt Doctor?’
her about her brother and she started to get at him. The The Doctor looked about evasively. ‘Unfortunately, I have whole white feather bit. Eventually he caved in. Joined up.
a prior engagement. Perhaps your friend here...?’
Three months later, he was dead.’
Lowcock nodded. ‘I’ll come with you, Lol. I’m sure they
‘How did it happen?’ Jill’s face was a mask of sympathetic can manage at the station for a few hours.’
concern.
Lawrence thanked him and then showed out Jill, whose
‘His ship was torpedoed in the Pacific.