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‘Oh yes. People from all over the galaxy visit Earth for the cuisine. That and the fresh air and interesting native lifestyle.’

‘So we’re a backwater, then?’ said Simon. ‘A dot on the map where people come for their holidays.’

‘Ecotourism,’ said Genevieve.

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‘A far more rewarding occupation than going about blowing up other people’s planets, don’t you agree?’ The Tisanesmade made a chuffing noise as though it was about to explode, then pinged.

The Doctor lifted a panel. Inside were three steaming cups of organic tea, a little jug of synthetic cream and a bowl of sugar lumps. ‘From fresh leaves to brewed tea in under three minutes.

Go right ahead.’

Simon put three lumps of sugar into his tea and took a hesitant sip. It was superb. He gave Genevieve a small smile, and she reached into the machine for her cup.

‘There,’ said the Doctor. ‘Not bad for someone who doesn’t exist, eh?’

He winked at Simon, who almost dropped his cup.

Simon and Genevieve had a few moments together while the Doctor was pottering around in the kitchen. They sat next to each other at a long table set with crystal glasses and real china plates.

‘There must be a drudgebot around somewhere,’ said Simon.

‘Maybe the Earth Reptile set the table,’ said Genevieve. Simon gave her a peculiar look. ‘Don’t you think a bot would seem out of place here?’ She looked around at the antique furniture, the oil paintings, the worn paper covering on the walls. ‘I’ll bet this room isn’t even bugged.’

‘What about all the machinery in the kitchen?’ said Simon.

‘Did you notice how the kitchen was completely different to the other rooms?’ said Genevieve. ‘It looked modern. Plenty of plastic and technology. But these rooms… The world he’s describing is a high-tech, low-impact society. Clean and efficient.

I’ll wager they recycle everything, and not because they have to.’

‘You’re talking about it as though it’s real,’ Simon pointed out.

‘To him it obviously is. He’s not quite what I expected… but then, he doesn’t exist, does he?’

‘He’s not what I expected, either.’

They looked at each other, considering whether to swap a few hints about their respective missions. The Doctor chose that moment to hover back in.

‘You were both looking for me,’ he said, ‘but what was it you were really after, eh?’ He hovered up to the table. ‘I’ve often 148

asked myself that. But I think I’m used to Utopia after a millennium.’ He gave one of his crinkly smiles. ‘You’re probably wondering whether I’m the real thing or just some madman pottering about an ancient house in the middle of nowhere.

Whether I really am the Doctor. Well, I’m not.’

‘You’re not?’ said Simon.

‘I’m not the Doctor. I’m a Doctor. An alternative, you might say. You’re both young, you have many possible futures, if you see what I mean. Did you imagine you’d be where you are now, doing what you’re doing now, a year ago? Five years ago?’

‘No,’ said Simon.

‘I suppose not,’ said Genevieve. ‘Time has a way of changing our plans.’

‘Exactly. Exactly right. Let me put it another way. If you wanted to change the world, would you try to save the whole world, rush about everywhere trying to take care of all the problems that desperately needed attention? Or would you choose just one place and put all of your energy into looking after it?’

‘It’s a good question,’ said Genevieve. ‘Spread your good deeds as far as you can, or concentrate on creating one…

Utopia?’

‘Exactly.’ The Doctor took her hand, perfect skin and nails held lightly in his leathery fingers. ‘Exactly, young lady. It was time to make a decision. I hadn’t had the choice for a long time, you see. I was trapped here. All I wanted to do was get away, but, you see, what I really wanted back was my freedom. The freedom to choose whether to stay or to go. When I had that choice, I chose to stay.’

‘Stay here on Earth?’ said Genevieve.

‘That’s right. I think it was the right decision. Of course, I also decided to go gallivanting about to every planet in existence, toppling evil empires