Doctor Who_ Nightshade - Mark Gatiss [63]
Cup the year after.
Lawrence’s face fell. ‘You left her?’
But now things had taken an unexpected turn. This girl, Robin licked his dry lips. ‘I had to go. The Doctor...’
Ace, whom he’d only known a day or so, had totally floored
‘You left her? How could you do that? How could you?’
him. And, wonderfully, she seemed to feel the same way too.
Robin shook him desperately. ‘What’s wrong? Where is It was early days, of course, and he wasn’t getting his hopes she?’
up, but maybe he was on to something good here.
Lawrence turned on him. ‘She’s dead, you selfish little She had balls. Not real ones, of course (though he bastard!’
suspected a few of his previous girlfriends had). No, it was
‘What?’ Robin’s voice was leaden.
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‘I left you in charge. I thought I could trust you!’
Trevithick shrugged helplessly. ‘Listen, George, we have
‘I’ve got to see her...’
to talk...’
Trevithick laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. ‘No, son. It’ll
‘Hang on a minute, Edmund.’ Lowcock turned to do no good. You’ll only upset yourself.’ Robin shrugged Medway who was hovering by the door. ‘Edmund him off angrily. ‘Get off me!’
Trevithick, this is Mr Medway of the BBC. Come to see you.’
Lawrence grabbed Robin by the shoulder, spun him Trevithick frowned, as though annoyed that something so round and cracked him across the face. A ribbon of blood trivial should get in his way now. ‘Hmm? Oh, yes, yes.
trickled from his nose. He looked at Lawrence and then Pleased to meet you.’
down at the floor.
Medway sat down, smiling in a baffled sort of way.
‘How could you?’ hissed Lawrence. ‘How could you?’
‘Listen, George,’ continued Trevithick. ‘Robin says that he Robin marched towards the stairs.
and that Doctor fellow found Jack Prudhoe’s body out on Trevithick sat Lawrence down and pushed the inevitable the moor.’
glass of whiskey into his hand. He could hear Robin’s
‘Good Lord.’
footsteps above. There was a long, pregnant silence Trevithick moved closer to the policeman and whispered.
followed by a dreadful, hollow moan. Moments later, Robin
‘Died the same way as Betty, it seems.’
clattered unsteadily down the stairs.
Lowcock sat down heavily. ‘Whatever next?’ He took off
‘Hardly anything left of her,’ he croaked, running his his hat and laid it on the table before him. ‘There have been...
hand over his face.
further developments, Edmund. Your Miss Mason and her Trevithick nodded sadly. ‘We don’t know what happened, coach party have had an accident.’
son, but the police are doing everything they can.’
Trevithick gasped, his lopsided mouth falling open.
Robin looked dazedly at the old man. ‘I’ve seen it before.’
‘It’s all right. They’re all fine except the driver, poor devil.
‘What?’
Isn’t that right, Mr Medway?’
‘I’ve seen it before. Out on the moor. Me and the Doctor.
‘Yes. They’re all up at the monastery.’
We found Jack Prudhoe. He’s dead. Same... same thing.’
Lowcock puffed out his cheeks. ‘It seems they experienced Trevithick felt suddenly scared.
the same symptoms as you and I yesterday, Lol.’
Lawrence looked at Robin. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...’
Lawrence turned his head and raised raw, exhausted eyes.
Robin looked blank. ‘I’ve got to go,’ he stammered and
‘Sickness. Nausea,’ continued Lowcock. ‘Driver lost ran from the room.
control.’
Lowcock and Medway stepped back as the pub door
‘ “Like we couldn’t get out of the village” ,’ said burst open and Robin dashed past them towards the moor Trevithick quietly.
path. Grimacing, Lowcock stepped inside.
Lowcock started. ‘Eh?’
‘Everything all right?’ he said quietly.
‘Isn’t that what you said this morning? About last night?’
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Lowcock sat back, frowning, and then roused himself.
through. Hawthorne was absent, something for which Vijay
‘Anyway, this won’t get the washing done!’ he said cheerily.
was hugely grateful.
‘Lol, I want you to come with me to Mrs Bass’s B and B. No The double doors opened and