Menagerie - Martin Day [103]
'Where are those two?'
'Dawdling with the freedom that only youth allows,' said Defrabax. 'I sense that you, Doctor, are far older than you seem.'
'When one passes the big three-oh-oh one doesn't discuss such things,' replied the Doctor sniffily.
Jamie and Zoe walked towards the TARDIS, followed by Kaquaan, the twins and the Dugraq scout.
'Have the days really passed so quickly?' said Reisaz.
The Doctor smiled. 'The calm after the storm. Anyway, I expect Raitak is itching to get back and sort out the circus.'
'The thought has crossed my mind,' said Raitak. 'Real life beckons. But I shall miss you, Madam Zoe.'
'The Freak Show will never be the same again,' said Reisaz with a broad grin.
'Goodbye,' said the Doctor, shaking their hands. 'It sounds like Diseaeda was, in his own way, a fine man. I'm sure you'll keep his principles alive.'
The Dugraq bowed before the Doctor. 'Thank you, Traveller. You have done good things for our world.'
The Doctor reached down to pat the creature on the head.
'I was given a good deal of selfless help.' He turned to Kaquaan. 'I'm sorry to have to take Jamie away from you, but the time has come to continue our journey.'
Kaquaan smiled. 'I know.' She turned to Jamie, hugging him. 'Just think of me when you rescue all those other women.'
Jamie emerged red-faced from the embrace, studiously avoiding Zoe's amused look. 'Aye, well . . .'
Zoe shook hands with the twins and stepped into the TARDIS. 'Goodbye,' she said.
The Doctor followed her in, trying to prevent Defrabax from seeing too much of the TARDIS interior. 'Goodbye all.
Do come along, Jamie.'
Jamie waved from the doorway, and then the little door closed.
Defrabax walked up to the box and ran an inquisitive hand over its surface. He could hear the voices within above a low, resonant hum.
'So, Jamie, what have you been doing for the last three days?'
'You can refuse to answer her questions if you wish.'
'Och, now you're both laughing at me.'
'I'm sure it was all perfectly innocent. Doctor, that's the wrong control.'
'Is it? Oh yes, you're right. I was just thinking about the spirit of trans-racial cooperation that Defrabax and the others have shown. I wonder how long it'll last.'
Zoe's reply was lost as the machine began to groan and shake. Defrabax immediately darted away from the craft. As he did so it faded from his eyes with a grating sibilance. The flashing light on top of the box left a slight imprint on his eyes, but soon that too disappeared from view.
Defrabax blinked in surprise. Still, this wasn't the strangest thing he'd seen recently and, in any case, he had his reputation to think of. He turned, finding himself alone with the twins and Kaquaan. He extended broad arms around their shoulders. 'Now then, ladies. I've not frequented the taverns of this part of the city for many a fine year, but fidelity to the wishes of my beloved Cosmae requires us to have a quiet drink of contemplation and celebration.' He steered them gently along the street. 'I think I know just the place . . .'
Table of Contents
Prologue
Epilogue