Doctor Who_ Nightshade - Mark Gatiss [65]
The Doctor pulled at the string tying together his books. ‘I
‘Dr Hawthorne...’ put in Vijay.
didn’t notice it at first. Ace found it.’ He scanned the closing
‘And as for you,’ Hawthorne stepped back disgustedly, pages of the book which Ace had given him and gave a little
‘I’m going to make sure you’re off this project by the New cry of satisfaction.
Year. I don’t intend to have my work jeopardised by an
‘ “Further investigation into the disappearances”,’ he read hysterical girl and a stupid bloody n-----!’
aloud, ‘ “was hampered by a breakdown in the telephone Vijay shot to his feet and caught Hawthorne by the lapels systems and a mysterious outbreak of sickness which of his lab coat. For several seconds they glared at each other.
afflicted any who strayed on to the moor. Although later Then Vijay let go, a protracted, angry hiss escaping his attributed to a form of water poisoning, no concrete nostrils.
information has ever become available”.’
‘I believe I’m a Paki to you, Dr Hawthorne. You might at He clapped the book shut and gazed at his little audience.
least get your terminology right.’
‘I need hardly remind you of our communication difficulties.
Hawthorne glared at them all in contempt, turned on his And, this morning, a coach party from the old people’s heel and disappeared into the interior.
home was unable to leave the village after the driver
‘Tom!’ called Cooper. ‘Tom, for God’s sake!’
crashed the vehicle. They all complained of a terrible She threw up her hands helplessly. ‘I’m ... so sorry, Vijay.’
sickness.’
Vijay shrugged. Holly forgot her own troubles for a There was a slow handclap from the far wall. They all moment and kissed him fondly.
turned to see Hawthorne, a sour smile on his face. ‘Very The Doctor looked down, a little embarrassed. ‘Well, good, Doctor. Keep this up and you’ll have them believing whatever Dr Hawthorne’s opinion, I urge you to take this in Santa Claus.’
seriously. I can’t explain what’s happening but we must all
‘All right, Tom,’ said Cooper quietly.
be on our guard.’
182
183
DOCTOR WHO: NIGHTSHADE
DOCTOR WHO: NIGHTSHADE
‘Hang on!’ said Cooper suddenly, her eyes darting to the It was like the sixties, she thought. Everyone was always consoles. ‘It’s starting again!’
going on about how brilliant they were. Admittedly, she The afternoon was wearing on and there was still no sign wasn’t exactly in the best place to observe things. Crook of Robin. Ace had wandered around the monastery, trying Marsham wasn’t Carnaby Street. But things probably to interest herself in the tapestries and carvings. She found a weren’t so different to her own time. People were a bit small, wizened gargoyle which reminded her a bit of the happier. There was more sex all of a sudden. Things were Doctor and laughed. But then she recalled their colourful and fun after the drabness and austerity of conversation in Mrs Crithin’s cafe.
wartime. But it was more than likely that the decade was Retirement! He really seemed serious. And where did that fondly remembered because everyone was so much more leave her? She needed to convince him that he really had optimistic about the future. A summer of love that would go been doing good all these years, that the Universe needed on forever. It they’d known what was coming, just how him.
much fun would the sixties have been?
Ace sat down on the sill of a glassless window which Ace had risen from her seat and looked up at the already looked out on to the cloisters. She had thought that their darkening sky. She turned and caught sight of the cheerful terrifying experiences inside the Doctor’s own mind during glow coming from the windows of the Great Hall. Strolling the final battle with the Timewyrm had exorcised the up to the big wooden door, she heaved it open and stepped Doctor’s angst. Obviously she had been too optimistic.
inside.
Although, she thought carefully, it didn’t seem to be guilt The room was a forest of candles. They protruded from over any past actions which was haunting the Doctor. His every available surface: long,