Doctor Who_ The Stone Rose - Jacqueline Rayner [14]
‘Oh, he doesn’t mind us. He told us to pop in. Told us, he’d left the door unlocked specially. I mean, he doesn’t usually leave the door unlocked, does he?’
Tiro shook his head.
‘There you go, then.’
Rose grinned. ‘We wanted to check it all out, you see? ‘I’m gonna be posing for him.’ She did a pirouette, ‘Next top model, that’s me.’ She looked at Tiro, taking in his slim, muscled figure, his perfect features and his softly waved hair. ‘Just a guess, but you’re here to pose too, right?’
Tiro nodded. ‘My master bought me for that purpose, yes.’
Rose pulled a face. ‘You know, I don’t think I’m ever gonna get used to that.’ She shook her head at Tiro’s inquiring look. ‘Doesn’t matter. So, how d’you like being a model, then?’,
He smiled at her. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t started yet. I’m a bit nervous.’
‘I know what you mean,’ Rose agreed.
‘Fighting monsters, exploring moons, defeating evil – nothing compared with standing still for a few hours while some bloke chips away with a chisel,’ put in the Doctor.
Rose told Tiro to ignore him.
She moved over to look at a pile of odds and ends in the corner – a spear, a bow, a horn, a hat with little wings attached. ‘Everything a god or goddess might need,’ she said. She picked up the horn and struck a pose. ‘What d’ya think?’
‘I’m sure you’ll bring me luck,’ said the Doctor. He walked past her, and began opening doors and peering through. That’s odd,’ he commented. ‘What’s odd?’ said Rose, rolling her eyes. The Doctor found oddness everywhere.
He frowned. ‘Well, presumably Ursus is about to start two new statues – one of you, one of Tiro here. But there’s not a scrap of stone in the place.’
Rose shrugged. ‘Maybe he hasn’t got it yet. Rome probably doesn’t do next‐day delivery.’
The Doctor’s ears had pricked up. ‘Aha, that sounds like the ursine footsteps of the man himself. I’ll ask him.’
The door opened and Ursus entered. His face became thunderous at the sight of the Doctor and Rose. ‘I thought I informed you that no one is allowed in my workshop,’ he bellowed, and turned to glower at Tiro, who shrank back nervously.
The Doctor stepped forward. ‘Don’t blame the boy,’ he said. ‘And don’t blame us either. You sadly neglected to tell Rose what time you required her for her sitting, so, being pleasant, neighbourly folks, we merely popped in to find out when would be convenient for you. That’s all.’
Ursus seemed to calm down slightly – although not enough for Rose’s liking. She had the distinct impression that he was a dangerous man to cross. ‘Be here at the third hour after sunrise,’ he grunted at her, and she had to fight back the urge to salute sarcastically.
‘All right if the Doctor comes along and watches?’ she asked, knowing the answer.
‘No!’ the sculptor exploded. ‘No, it is not all right! No one is permitted to see me working!’
‘I only asked,’ said Rose.
‘I noticed you don’t seem to have any stone ready f r your sculptures,’ the Doctor said, wilfully ignoring Ursus’s blatant desire for them to leave instantly. ‘I happen to know a few merchants, best marble in the business, I –’
‘It’s on its way,’ Ursus barked, before the Doctor could develop his lie any further.
‘Fine, fine. No need to thank me for my very kind offer,’ said the Doctor.
‘Your offer? Pal You know marble merchants, you say. You break into my studio. You are a rival, come to steal my ideas!’
‘No, I’m not,’ said the Doctor indignantly.
‘He’s no master sculptor,’ put in Rose. ‘He said so himself only half an hour ago.’
‘Right,’ said the Doctor. ‘Glad that’s sorted.’ He turned away and began to examine a table full of sculpting tools.
‘You are trying my patience,’ said the sculptor.
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ said the Doctor, still bending over the table and making not the slightest effort to stop what he was doing. He held up a chisel. ‘You know, you really do keep your instruments in perfect condition. You wouldn’t know that any of these had ever been used.’
‘I am a careful workman,’ said Ursus.
‘I