Doctor Who_ Relative Dementias - Mark Michalowski [0]
MARK MICHALOWSKI
Published by BBC Worldwide Ltd
Woodlands, 80 Wood Lane
London W12 0TT
First published 2002
Copyright © Mark Michalowski 2002
The moral right of the author has been asserted Original series broadcast on the BBC
Format © BBC 1963
Doctor Who and TARDIS are trademarks of the BBC
ISBN 0 563 53844 9
Imaging by Black Sheep, copyright © BBC 2002
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Mackays of Chatham Cover printed by Belmont Press Ltd, Northampton For Mike Robinson
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Prologue
Hello! Welcome to Graystairs.
Come on in. That’s it – mind the edge of the carpet. We had it up this morning – Sadie got caught short here in the hallway and we had a little accident. Yes, you can hardly tell, can you.
That’s the thing about patterned carpets. Oh, let me take those for you. Yes, they’ll be fine just there.
Bernard. Bernard! Oh, there you are. Could you just.. ?
Thanks, Bernard.
Well, you must be Mrs McConnon. Are you sure? Well it’s lovely to have you here, Margaret. And you must be Margaret’s son and daughter? That’s nice. Did you have a good trip? Where have you come from again... Derbyshire? Not too bad, then.
Come on through into the lounge, we’ll get you a cup of tea.
Would you like that, Margaret? Or d’you prefer coffee? Oh me too. Much more refreshing, isn’t it? No Bernard, Margaret’s in the Rose Room. Yes, it is nice isn’t it? All our rooms are named after flowers. Er, no. No actual roses as such. But the bedspread’s pink and I think there are roses on the curtains. Or lilies.
Come on through then. Yes, this is the lounge. The residents spend a lot of time down here. D’you like it Margaret? Oh no, sit where you like – whoops, no, not there. Sorry. That’s Sadie’s chair. Yes. Anywhere else, though. Oh, that one’s Arnold’s – he brought it with him. Yes, that’s right. Makes him feel a bit more at home. But anywhere else is fine.
So tea for all of you? Oh, really? Well I suppose it is getting late. Are you staying in the village? Oh, right, right. Yes, I know.
It is a long way isn’t it? Would you like to see Margaret’s room before you-oh, fine. No, that’s fine. You’ll see it on your next visit, I expect. Yes, yes. She’ll have a lovely time, won’t you Margaret? I’ll just let you say your goodbyes then.
Bernard! Bernard, where are-ah, there you are. Margaret’s bags are still here. No, the Rose Room. I told you. Oh, did he?
Well get the disinfectant out and give it a good scrub. Put the rug over it. It won’t show.Yes, open the window.
Oh, that was quick. Has she settled in then? Having a good chat to the other residents? Lovely. No, don’t you worry. She’ll be fine. It always takes a little while for them to settle in. Once she gets stuck into the bingo, she won’t want to go home, mark my words.
Well, lovely to see you both, and don’t you fret about her.
Your mum’s in excellent hands. Like I say, it’s like a home from home here. Yes – whoops, just mind that carpet.
OK, nice to see you both. Yes, yes, have a good-trip. We’ll give you a call to let you know how Margaret’s getting on. Righty ho. Take care. Byeeee.
Well, Margaret. How are you settling in? Made friends yet?
Of course you will. I’ll get you that cup of tea, shall I? Sugar? Oh yes, I’m sure we have some sweetener. Watching those calories, are we? Very wise. I’m sure you’re sweet enough already, Margaret.
I know you’re going to love it here, Margaret. Everyone’s going to make you feel really at home, aren’t you everyone? This is Margaret. She’s come to stay for a while. Now I hope you’re all going to be really nice to her – tell her what we get up to here.
Good.
Yes Margaret, you