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'I think that's the lot; said the Doctor at last, and abruptly thrust out a hand towards Litefoot.'Time to go, Professor.'

Not for the first time Litefoot looked taken aback, though automatically met the Doctor's hand with his own. 'Oh,' he said, evidently disappointed. 'Is it?'

'Goodbye, Nathaniel. Goodbye, Emmeline,' said the Doctor abruptly, shaking each of their hands in turn. He held on to Emmeline's hand for a moment and said quietly,'Look after your father, Emmeline, won't you?'

Emmeline's eyes clouded over briefly, then she gave a firm nod. 'Yes, Doctor, I will.'

'Forgive my pedantry, Doctor,' said Litefoot,'but precisely how do you propose we get out of here?'

He gestured at the undulating silver sea of Skarasen blocking their way to the door.The Doctor grinned mischievously. 'Like this.'

He stepped down off the dais and then, without hesitation, clambered up the tail and on to the back of the nearest Skarasen. It didn't even so much as stir at his presence.The Doctor squatted on his haunches and offered a hand.'Who's next?'

Nathaniel, Emmeline and the professor looked at each other for a moment, then Emmeline stepped forward and reached up towards him. The Doctor clasped her hand and hauled her effortlessly up on to the Skarasen's back.

She swayed, her arms pinwheeling, but he steadied her. She bent and placed a hand on the creature's back.

'It's cold,' she said,'and as smooth as glass.'

'Quite an experience, isn't it?' said the Doctor, and then called, 'Which of you two gentlemen is going to join us?'

Litefoot chuckled. 'In for a penny,' he said, and with the Doctor's help climbed awkwardly up beside him and Emmeline.

'Are you quite sure the creature won't mind the four of us clambering all over it?' asked Nathaniel Seers nervously.

'Quite sure,' said the Doctor.

'This has been a most singular day,' muttered Seers. 'A most singular day indeed.' Like the others before him, he stepped forward and reached out a hand.

'Which one of you's going to sing 'I'm the king of the castle', then?' Sam asked once they were all standing in a row on the Skarasen's back.

'Ignore her,' said the Doctor. 'She's only jealous because she can't play.

Follow me everybody.'

He turned, and using the backs of the tightly packed Skarasen as stepping stones, made his way to the TARDIS door.

The others followed gamely, Emmeline hitching up her long skirts, litefoot stretching his arms out on either side of him like a tightrope walker. There was a narrow area of floor in front of the door which the Skarasen appeared to be avoiding, perhaps because of the disorientating effect of the mass inversion wave. The Doctor hopped from the back of the final Skarasen and landed on the floor, nimbly as a ballerina, bending his knees, then springing upright again on his toes.

Emmeline peered nervously down at him from a height of about twelve feet.

'You have two options,' said the Doctor. 'You can either climb down the tail or you can jump.' He stretched out his arms. 'If you jump I'll catch you.'

She jumped, and he did catch her. As she landed in his arms she let out a very unladylike whoop.

Litefoot and Seers elected to climb down the creature's tail, both of them slipping and sliding on its smooth skin. Finally all four of them stood in a group before the blurred doorway. Nathaniel Seers thrust out a hand.

'On behalf of us all, sir, I hope you will permit me to express our heart-felt gratitude for your quite astonishing efforts in what has been a most distressing and unusual matter.This country, and I dare say even the world, owes you a very great debt. Despite the foul nature of the events we have experienced, it has been a privilege to be acquainted with you, sir.'

'You too, Nathanial,' said the Doctor softly, almost shyly, taking his hand for the second time and shaking it.

'Goodbye, Doctor,' said Emmeline, presenting a hand which he took and kissed. 'I hope we shall meet again.'

'I'm sure