Doctor Who_ The Gallifrey Chronicles - Lance Parkin [32]
‘Before you have a crisis of conscience,’ Trix told him, ‘the deal is that I get a cut of the profits.’
‘A big cut?’ Fitz wondered.
‘At the moment, Ms Macmillan’s fund is worth around a hundred and fifty million,’ Anji said. ‘We guarantee 20 per cent returns on investment per an-num. Tax-free – and that’s something a time machine’s no help with.’
Fitz considered this for a moment. ‘Pounds?’ he asked, eventually.
‘Pounds,’ Anji confirmed. ‘It’s almost all in stocks, shares and bonds.’
‘Ah, not cash,’ said Fitz. He knew there would be a catch.
‘We can liquidate any of it. You’d need a day’s notice if you wanted more than spending money, but I can get you two hundred now, if you need it.’
‘Pounds?’ Fitz asked. That was three or four months’ wages back in 1963.
‘K,’ Anji told him, and a moment later had to explain what she meant.
Fitz gave an exaggerated nod, intending to appear nonchalant. This scheme wasn’t, perhaps, unethical. Anji was a good sort, after all, and could be trusted with the knowledge.
68
‘Where do I sign?’ Trix asked.
Anji buzzed for an assistant, who arrived before the buzz had died down and led Trix away.
Fitz stood there like a lemon.
‘You two are a couple?’ Anji asked Fitz, to break the silence.
‘Yeah. I think so.’
‘For how long?’
‘Er. . . Three days, I think. Something like that. Early days.’
Anji raised an eyebrow. ‘And you’ve already got your hands on her fortune.
Seriously’ – Fitz hadn’t been sure it was a joke – ‘well done. You’ve gone up in the world. She’s a good catch. I can’t work out what she sees in you, though.’
She smiled.
That question hadn’t even occurred to Fitz. ‘Thanks. I think. How about you?’ He’d noticed the ring.
Anji nodded. ‘Greg. He’s a journalist. My parents are delighted. We’ve been together for nearly a year now. Engaged, married next year.’
‘Wow.’
‘What about you?’
‘I’m exactly the same as before, and that’s the problem.’
‘You’ve always been exactly the same.’ He must have looked hurt, because she quickly added, ‘Which was always part of your charm.’
‘You might need a new business partner. I’m thinking of leaving, and I’d need Trix with me.’
Anji nodded. ‘Don’t worry about me. If you want to leave, well, you’ll know when it’s the right time. Whirlwind romances. . . well, I didn’t exactly dawdle with either Dave or Greg. If it’s right, it’s right and you go for it.’
That last bit sounded like she’d heard it on a course somewhere. ‘You never wanted to join us in the first place.’ Anji smiled. She’d been whisked away from a successful, fulfilling life and into the TARDIS by a series of events, rather than out of any choice on her part.
‘And I’m sure I complained and had a sour face a lot of the time, but I don’t need to tell you it was the most incredible experience. We had a life that most people don’t even have the imagination to dream about. I used to think all that stuff was for children, and anyone over the age of ten should have grown out of it. No. What’s the expression again? There are some things money definitely can’t buy.’
‘And it doesn’t buy you happiness.’
‘Oh, it doesn’t hurt, trust me.’
‘I’m not sure I can settle back into an ordinary life.’
69
‘Then be extraordinary.’ She grinned. ‘Do you think the Doctor will manage?’
‘Oh,’ said Fitz, ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine.’
It was difficult for the Doctor to judge, but from the footsteps it sounded as though there was only one person upstairs, and that it was someone who was quite light. A woman? Possibly. A little early to assume that it was the blonde he’d seen watching him in the TARDIS.
He hadn’t crashed around the place, but she might have heard him. It wouldn’t be easy to get away from the house unseen. Besides, he had business here.
It would also be a bit rich for someone who’d stolen his TARDIS to complain about a little trespassing. The Doctor straightened up. He was in the right here. . . or not so