Part 29 (1/2)

'And I trust him, Doctor. Don't worry, he was very discreet.'

They rounded the rockery and saw the Brigadier seated on a garden swing chair beside the little apple tree. He was deep in conversation with Ancelyn.

'He's very charming, isn't he?' said Doris. 'But a bit intense. And I wish he'd take his sword off.'

The Knight stood up and bowed as they approached.

'Here I am, dear,' said Doris.

'Talking strategy again, Brigadier?' asked the Doctor.

Lethbridge-Stewart, relaxed and genial in a red cravat, looked a little perplexed. 'Yes, you could say that,' he said.

There was a shout from the house end of the garden.

'Ready,' yelled Ace. She waved and disappeared around the side.

Doris waved back. 'Coming.'

'Are you going somewhere?' said the Brigadier.

'Mm. Out,' said Doris.

'Out?'

'Out with the girls.' She laughed and headed towards the house.

The Brigadier shrugged and set off after her with Ancelyn and the Doctor in pursuit.

Bessie stood on the drive in front of the house, her yellow paintwork gleaming. On her back seat sat Shou Yuing and Winifred Bambera. Ace was at the steering wheel. They all wore old fas.h.i.+oned driving goggles.

'Ace,' accused the Doctor, 'I thought you said this was a piece of antiquated junk.' He looked nervously at what his protegee might do to his car.

'I found these in the glove compartment, Professor. Are they yours'?'

She handed him an ancient and crumpled paper bag. It was full of rock-hard jelly babies.

'Mind how you go,' he said and quickly pocketed the bag.

'We'll try not to break too many speed records,' called Shou Yuing. She had skipped lectures to come for a long weekend from Exeter.

'Or traffic laws,' added Winifred. On her hand, she wore a crystal ring inlaid with twining silver leaves, emblem of the House of Garde-Joyeuse.

The Doctor noticed her meet Ancelyn's eyes for a second and then look away with a barely disguised smile.