Doctor Who_ The Also People - Ben Aaronovitch [132]
'Where's Roz?' he asked Bernice who shrugged and said she hadn't seen her. Concerned, the Doctor wandered out onto the esplanade where he quickly spotted a lone figure leaning against a bollard and staring out over the harbour. A strong wind was blowing in from the sea and once out from the shelter of the small streets he began to feel the chill.
As he walked out to join Roz at the bollard he wondered what had drawn her away from the party. Following her gaze he saw another figure standing out at the end of the breakwater. Ah, he thought, of course.
'He was talking to the fish earlier,' said Roz, her eyes never leaving the figure.
'Fish is a bit isolated,' said the Doctor. 'I doubt he's heard yet.' He put a hand on her shoulder.
'I'm sorry how it turned out.'
'Wasn't your fault, Doctor,' said Roz. 'I expect hearing that makes a nice change.'
'No,' said the Doctor, 'not really. Are you coming back to the party? People have been asking after you.'
'Maybe,' she said, 'in a little while.'
'Roz,' said the Doctor gently, 'why don't you just walk over there and talk to him, no one will care, everybody will understand. This could be your last chance.'
He thought he saw a desperate hope in her face that quickly subsided into an expression of regret. He realized with a pang that he had merely caused her more pain. 'No,' she said, 'it wouldn't be right.'
'When you're ready,' he said, 'we'll be waiting.'
He left her then and walked back towards the noise of the party. When he reached the entrance to the street he turned back, hoping that she wouldn't be there, that perhaps he might see her running down the breakwater towards the figure standing by the lighthouse. That they might embrace and hold each other tightly and say something, anything that would lessen their pain.
Go on, Roslyn, he urged her in his mind, don't you know that life is fleeting and so what if he is a murderer, so am I. Don't you know that we have to snatch our best moments from the jaws of chaos and in the end we are all dust, the best as well as the worst of us?
He closed his eyes tight and imagined them together with all his might. Their hands and faces touching, a tentative smile, tears, sharing a moment of human warmth amongst the wind and the spray. He imagined them together as if by the power of his will alone he could make it happen.
But when he opened his eyes Roz was standing where he'd left her, a lonely figure watching another lost soul across the darkened gulf of the harbour.
Bernice awoke to the sound of the sea, the smell of fresh coffee and the Doctor standing beside her bed. He smiled and handed her a steaming mug. Her carry-all was packed up and waiting by the door. A newer and larger bag containing her souvenirs sat next to it.
'It's time we were going,' said the Doctor.
'Yes,' she said, 'I suppose it is.'
They ate a last breakfast on the balcony. Roz put away enough eggs and bacon to last her several years while the Doctor nibbled at the corner of his toast. Bernice sipped her banana-flavoured orange juice and stared out at the virtual horizon.
Chris arrived with Dep in tow just as Roz mopped up the last of her egg yolk. 'We were beginning to think you were, staying,' said Roz.
Chris said nothing but Bernice saw Dep's hair tighten around his waist. She hoped the young woman wasn't going to make a scene and then immediately felt guilty for thinking it.
They picked up their bags and walked down to the foyer. Before they stepped through the doors the Doctor turned and said: 'Goodbye, House, thank you for having us.'
'My pleasure,' said House.
Kadiatu and aM!xitsa were waiting outside to help them carry their bags. The big woman picked up Roz's suitcase and set it on her head. Bernice caught Roz looking thoughtfully after the woman as she walked ahead, the suitcase in perfect balance.
All that was visible of the TARDIS was a square of