Doctor Who_ Rip Tide - Louise Cooper [38]
'What on earth would she want the pendant for?' Barry asked.
'God knows. Just fancied borrowing it, probably, to show off to someone. But she's Nina, so of course she doesn't have to ask.' Steve shoved his feet into his trainers and grabbed a sweatshirt. 'Right. I'll see you down the Huer's later.' He strode towards the door. 'First, I'm going to sort my sister out!'
Nina had intended to be deliberately late for her meeting with the Doctor, to make the point that she had her own life to lead and wasn't always going to be available when it suited him. But cold and boredom were adding themselves to her impatience, and at seven-fifteen all three feelings combined to get the better of her. So she'd be early. Tough. If he wasn't ready for her, he would just have to lump it.
She started to get to her feet, turning as she did so – and froze as she saw Ruth heading towards her down the beach road. Ruth was walking slowly and a little unsteadily; every few paces she paused for a second or two, and once she put a hand up to her face and swayed as though she was about to faint. She might have been drunk, but Nina didn't think she was. Something else was wrong. Ruth was ill.
Comparisons with Steve's mysterious ailments leaped into Nina's mind, and with them an urgent need to find out what Ruth was doing down here in such a state. Thinking fast, she decided that her best bet would be to jump down on to the quay and hide among the fishing boats, from where she could see what her quarry was up to. Crouching, she spidered towards the edge of the wall — and Ruth stopped again. Her head came up sharply, like a wild animal alert for danger ... then she turned and ran, a peculiar, shambling run, back the way she had come.
Nina swore under her breath. She had thought she could move without being seen, but clearly she was wrong — and equally clearly Ruth wanted to avoid a meeting. She was hurrying, stumbling as though her legs could hardly support her — and it struck Nina suddenly that, if she followed her again, this time Ruth wouldn't be able to outstrip her and get away. The Doctor could wait. This was the perfect chance.
She scrambled up and started after Ruth. As before she was careful to keep her just in sight, and wasn't in the least surprised when, again, she turned on to the cliff path. On you go, Ruth, sweetie, Nina thought. I'll be right behind you!
Ruth did not look back. It was as if, having seen Nina at the beach, she had either assumed that she would not have the nerve to follow her again, or had completely forgotten about her. Watching her lurching, erratic progress, Nina suspected the latter. Ruth was definitely unwell, and the more she thought about it the more convinced Nina became that there was a link between her state and Steve's illness. They were nearing the holiday chalets and she was working on the idea of confronting Ruth and capitalising on her weakness to force a few answers out of her, when a voice from below shouted her name. Nina started, looked back and saw the Doctor waving at her from the foot of the path.
'Nina! Where are you going?'
She flapped her hands in a frantic gesture intended to convey, Shut up! but he took no notice. 'Come down here, quickly!'
Nina flapped at him again, turned to look ahead —
Ruth had disappeared.
She said something obscene through clenched teeth and was half inclined to ignore the Doctor and race away up the cliff path. But Ruth was gone — and there was something in the Doctor's voice.
Nina ran back down the path towards him.
TALISMAN
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry!' The Doctor cut across Nina's breathless attempt to berate
him. 'I know it was an opportunity, and I know I spoiled it! But believe me, Nina, what I've discovered is more important! Besides,' he glanced speculatively up at the path where Ruth had vanished, 'I don't believe she'll be venturing far from now