Doctor Who_ The Hollow Men - Keith Topping [69]
Ace was suddenly aware that the rest of the children had seen her. One by one, they were stopping their games and, en masse, were walking in her direction. Their eyes were bright and unblinking.
„You know, Miss Baber? Your teacher?‟ said Ace, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She wasn‟t used to being freaked out by kids.
„We know who you are,‟ said one of the children. „You ought to leave us alone.‟
„I‟m not leaving until I find the Professor.‟
„Maybe Jack‟s already got him,‟ said a boy towards the back of the group, his companions murmuring in eager agreement.
„Who‟s Jack?‟ queried Ace.
„You‟ll meet Jack,‟ said a girl. „Most outsiders get to meet Jack.‟
„And you think “Jack” has the Doctor?‟
„We know he sent the hollow men after you last night.‟
„What?‟
„The scarecrows.‟
„How do you know that?‟
The children surged towards the fence. „We just know,‟ said one, teeth bared.
A bell rang out across the playground. A teacher had emerged from the school to call the children inside. Slowly the children dispersed, casting sour glances over their shoulders at Ace.
„Give our regards to Old Jack,‟ said a girl with a skipping rope. Her friends sniggered into their hands.
The Doctor and Denman stood in the lay-by, voices raised against the surging rush of the traffic.
„Look after yourself,‟ said the Doctor. „You‟re no use to me floating face down in the river.‟ The Doctor wasn‟t sure if he could trust the policeman, but Denman was the only ally that fate had seen fit to provide him with.
„I owe it to my daughter to come back here and clear my name,‟ Denman said. „I intend to do that, when the time is right.‟ He paused, his eyes focusing on some remembered event. „When we travelled down to Hexen for the reunion, I told Nicola I wanted to deal with the past, face up to our heritage. That started with the death of Shanks... But it‟s not finished yet.‟
„No,‟ agreed the Doctor as a juggernaut thundered by. „The past rarely stays dead.‟
„Once I‟ve checked out the research labs, I‟ll catch up with you in London,‟ said Denman, opening the car door and settling behind the steering wheel.
„London‟s a big place,‟ warned the Doctor.
„And Matthew Hatch is a big man.‟ Denman turned the key in the ignition. „I‟ll find him first, then find you.‟
The Doctor raised a hand as the car swept on to the road, watching it weave through the traffic. Then he turned to look around, as if he hadn‟t been aware of his surroundings before. With great deliberation, he walked towards the roadside, and extended his thumb.
„How are... things?‟ asked Steven Chen, leaning against the war memorial.
Joanna Matson sat on the pale stone steps, her head in her hands and her back to the village. She sighed. „You know.‟
She realised it was madness to meet in full view of everyone, but then Hexen Bridge was a place where secrets were common currency.
„I can imagine,‟ said Steven.
„He just can‟t see that the worse he becomes, the more likely I am to turn my back on him completely. He‟s reacting in the only way he knows how - by lashing out.‟
Steven remembered the excrement posted through the door. „He‟s out of control.‟
Joanna nodded. „I think you‟re right. I tried to warn him, but...‟ She glanced at the church, remembering Baber‟s sermon, and the argument it had provoked. „Maybe we should stop seeing each other for a while. Just let Bob calm down a bit.‟
Steven nodded. „Yeah. I‟ve got quite a bit on my mind right now.‟
He caught something sinister flashing across Joanna‟s face. „Don‟t worry, I‟m not seeing anyone else, if that‟s what‟s bothering you,‟ he said.
„It isn‟t.‟
„Don‟t lie,‟ snapped Steven. „You‟re not very good at it.‟
„Sorry,‟ Joanna said with a weak smile. „I‟m jealous, that‟s all.‟
„You, and everyone else in this damn place.‟
„That‟s Hexen Bridge for you. You‟ve been here long enough to get used to it.‟
Steven paused, as if struggling with the bitterness that was welling up inside him. „But recently it‟s like someone‟s floored the throttle. The whole place is out of control.‟ He sighed.
„Maybe it‟s time to quit, before