Part 37 (1/2)

'I don't think you need tell me how,' said Sarah. 'She dropped quite a few hints, unintentional or otherwise.'

'She must have been in her late teens when I met her.'

Sarah looked a little wistful.

'And she travelled with the Doctor?'

'So it would appear.'

She squeezed his arm. 'You know, I remember once going through the TARDIS wardrobe and I found this dress, long and white and old-fas.h.i.+oned, and he said it had belonged to Victoria. And I said, ”Well, as long as Albert didn't wear it.”'

'And you think it could have been her.'

'I don't know,' said Sarah. Nor does the retriever. She just vanished into thin air. They're still looking.'

He shook his head. It was the old story. ' Certain Certain people make a habit of that. It applies just as much to families.' people make a habit of that. It applies just as much to families.'

Sarah was almost giggling, although he found it hard to know why. 'You know, Companions Companions used to be something only dowager aunts had.' used to be something only dowager aunts had.'

'Who knows, Sarah?'

She nodded along the path. 'And talking of families...'

He saw the approaching figures and braced himself. He adjusted his sleeves and straightened his cap. This was as nerve-wracking and splendid as any battle he had faced.

Kate was leading a young man aged about five towards them. The youngster seemed to be holding back too.

'Dad, this is Gordy,' said Kate with the broadest smile she had ever given him. 'Gordy, this is Grandad. Say h.e.l.lo.'

The Brigadier, unsure of the right way to address so important a person, crouched slowly down and said, 'h.e.l.lo, Gordy. You're not shy, are you?'

Young Gordon James Lethbridge-Stewart angled his head timidly and whispered, 'I've got another friend too.' He was still clinging onto his mum.

'Have you?' smiled the Brigadier. 'What's his name?'

Gordy slipped his hand from his mother's. He looked along the ca.n.a.l bank and pointed. 'Danny. But only I can see him.'

In the dazzle of sunlight there might have been a figure a young man in a heavy coat, shoulders slightly hunched. He might have given a wave.

It might just have been the sunlight.

'Oho. You'd better tell me all about him,' the Brigadier confided. He stood up slightly creakily and let his grandson lead him away along the towpath.

Just another happy story that'll never get into print, thought Sarah. She deliberately did not notice as Kate dabbed a finger at her eye. The Brigadier's daughter looked as if the world's burdens had been lifted from her shoulders.

'You've made his day,' said Sarah.

'Which him?' grinned Kate.

There was a pause as they watched the Brigadier's and Gordy's progress.

'Do you look after him alone?' Sarah asked.

'Yes.'

'Sorry. Being nosey's my job.'

'It's all right. Jonathan, Gordy's dad, wanted us to get married. I didn't. It's silly.'

'No,' said Sarah. 'Not if you're independent.'

'It wasn't that. I just didn't want Gordy to lose the family name.'

Sarah, who had never been able to fathom her own family out, heard herself saying, 'Of course. I understand.' The Lethbridge-Stewart clan were plainly a force to be reckoned with. She held Kate's arm gently. 'How about you? How are you feeling?'

Kate started to rub her fingers. 'I'm not sure. I'm a private person. If it was Danny, really really Danny... well, I had to help him. It was only using the computer, that's all. But someone else in my head... I felt soiled, you know?' Danny... well, I had to help him. It was only using the computer, that's all. But someone else in my head... I felt soiled, you know?'

Sarah nodded with a deep sigh.

Kate seemed to rally a little. She was looking along the ca.n.a.l bank at her father and her son. 'This is more important.

I've wanted this so much for years.'

'I won't say a word. Don't worry.'

'Thanks, Sarah.'

'That's all right. Just another D-notice.' She could always tell her dog about it, just as she told him all her other secrets.

As long as no one stole his database. She tried to think of more pressing matters. 'I'm ravenous! Fancy sending out for a pizza?'

Kate grinned. 'Or a curry? But I think I'd rather have a pint.'

Compromise time, thought Sarah. She took Kate's arm and they headed for the boat. 'Make it a cup of tea and you're on!'

34.

Golden Afternoon Revisited.

ewis Carroll. Extraordinary chap, old Dodgson. Had an 'L answer for just about everything.'