Part 12 (2/2)

Sarah had been dreading this question. Should she tell Tommy the truth? How would he respond to her announcing that she came from more than twenty years in the future to help save the people of London and perhaps the world? That she came with the Doctor, a man who had made himself into a significant irritant for the gangland boss? That she knew thousands of people would be dying in the next few days? Sarah wasn't sure he was ready for the whole truth just yet.

'I've travelled a lot, been to many strange places. I've seen things I didn't believe were humanly possible,' Sarah said.

'I know what you mean,' Tommy replied. 'During the war I was stationed in Egypt. They had markets there with freak shows creatures that shouldn't be alive. Horrible, they were, horrible.

But that was nothing to what happened today. I'll never forget that for the rest of me days.'

He dug a packet of Players out of his pocket and offered her a cigarette, which Sarah declined. 'Smoking gives you lung cancer, you know.'

'Gotta die of something, don't we?' Tommy said, gratefully inhaling the cigarette's fumes. 'Anyway, helps settle the nerves.'

'Do you get nerves? I'd have thought '

'You thought a big-time boss like me wouldn't get nerves, is that it?' Tommy said, getting up to stoke the fire. 'Everybody gets scared, no shame in that. The only men who ain't nervous going in to battle are already dead or bound for the graveyard, know what I mean?' He flicked his cigarette ash into the fireplace, staring at the glowing coals. 'But that thing today...'

'You don't know how to stop it,' Sarah said. She thought of the Doctor. Right now, he was probably facing the same dilemma. He would be trying to find a way of defeating the monster. She wished there was some way of helping him, but knew the best thing she could do was stick close to Ramsey. He was crucial to what lay ahead. If only she knew how.

'No. All we can do is prepare for the worst and hope it don't happen.' Tommy looked at her. 'Do you think this is what that watchmender, the Doctor, was talking about yesterday about there being greater threats to London?'

'Maybe,' Sarah replied. 'Maybe he could help you.'

'I don't see how an old watchmender can be much use. I meant what I said to him yesterday. I'm the best protector the people of these streets have got. The old bill can't stop a kid stealing apples off a market stall how can they stop that thing?'

Sarah stood up and went to Tommy, resting a hand on his shoulder. 'You're not alone, you have to believe that. Have faith in yourself. When things are at their worst, help can come from the most unexpected places.'

The gangster looked at her. 'Sarah, I '

'Tommy, you should take a look outside!' Jack burst into the room. He stopped in his tracks, taking in the closeness of his boss and Sarah by the fireside. 'Sorry, Tommy, I didn't realise you two were '

'Ain't you heard of knocking?' Tommy demanded furiously.

'Now what's so important you can't remember the manners I taught you?'

Jack blushed with embarra.s.sment. 'Outside, there's a fog like you've never seen before. It's so bad I had to bring the guards in from the street they could hardly breathe out there.'

Tommy strode to a window and pulled back the curtains.

Beyond the window was just a haze of yellow and grey, a lamp light just a few feet away only just visible through the smog cloud. 'Just another London Particular,' he said dismissively.

'But it came down so fast! It's not natural,' Jack insisted.

Tommy was having none of it. 'That monster's got you all scared of your own shadows! It's just a bit of fog. Now get back on the phone and keep calling round the other bosses. I want them all here tomorrow fog or no fog.'

Jack nodded, retreating backwards out the door. Sarah looked out the window. It had started, she realised. Soon people would be dying, gasping for breath, unable to clear mucus from their lungs, airways clogged with soot. The killer smog had arrived. Unlike Tommy, she believed it had to be connected to what happened earlier. This was just too much of a coincidence.

In the morning she would sneak out to the TARDIS and compare notes with the Doctor. A solution had to be found before things got any worse.

'I'm going to bed,' Sarah announced. 'See you in the morning.'

Tommy watched her go. The fire threw dark shadows across his face.

Jack watched Sarah ascend the stairs to her bedroom. He didn't trust the new arrival, especially as she seemed to be wielding undue influence over Tommy. Jack resolved to tell her a few home truths once he had finished his phone call.

'Can I speak to Mr MacMa.n.u.s? It's Jack Cooper calling.'

The familiar North London accent soon replied. 'Do you know what time it is? I'm trying to eat here!'

'I'm calling on behalf of Tommy Ramsey, Mr MacMa.n.u.s,'

Jack said, making his voice as formal as possible should anyone be eavesdropping on the conversation. 'He's called a Council of War. All the bosses are gathering here at Tabernacle Street tomorrow, midday.'

'What's this all about Jack?'

'I can't tell you that, Mr MacMa.n.u.s. But Tommy promises to make it worth your while if you attend. He's already had a.s.surances from the other bosses that they will be here.'

'Alright, have it your way. Midday tomorrow. But I won't be coming alone. Steve MacMa.n.u.s doesn't walk into a trap unarmed.'

'Noted. We'll see you tomorrow.' Jack hung up, his spare hand toying with the lighter he had reclaimed from Brick. He looked down at the flame lovingly. Time for that little chat with Miss Know It All...

Sarah had just changed into her nightie when there was a knock at the door. She pulled the curtains shut before responding.

'Who is it?'

'Jack. I've got a message from Tommy.'

'Alright,' Sarah said reluctantly. She pulled her coat on over the nightie and opened the door. Jack stepped inside and leered at her.

'What is it?'

'I think there's something you ought to know about your knight in s.h.i.+ning armour Tommy Ramsey is no saint,' he replied.

'I have no illusions about that.'

Jack stepped closer to Sarah, lowering his voice to a whisper.

'But did you know why he spent six months in Wandsworth?'

She shook her head.

'It's because of what happened to his last girlfriend. Let's just say she had a nasty accident and the police thought Tommy was responsible.' Jack grinned at Sarah's discomfort.

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