Part 46 (1/2)

249.

But what about Kreiner?

They'd already waved off Halcyon. He'd embarked on his long round of interviews and celeb spots on a hundred channels solo. His profile was ready to rocket still higher.

Sook, at a loose end, had tagged along with the Doctor and Trix to the TARDIS on her floating stretcher.

'Sort of awkward, saying goodbye at this angle, isn't it?' the Doctor observed. 'Cheerio, Sook. Keep an eye on Halcyon for me.'

'It's him keeping an eye on me I'm more worried about,' Sook admitted. 'No more face-pulling unless it's behind his back.' She paused. 'Is Kreiner about?

I'd like to speak to him.'

Trix eyed her suspiciously. 'Come on, Doctor. We'll fetch him.'

'Yes, of course,' he said. He paused for a moment to pat the dark blue box fondly before disappearing inside.

A few moments later, Kreiner emerged with a s.h.i.+fty look over his shoulder.

He was carrying a heavy-looking bag st.i.tched from real leather, cracked and worn with age.

'I wanted you to have this,' he said.

'A farewell gift?' she asked. 'Do you have to go?'

He looked at her, his grey eyes s.h.i.+ning with sadness.

'A bag, huh? Well, I guess Halcyon won't need me nearly so much from now on, but I wasn't thinking of packing up and moving on just yet.'

'I know.' He put an arm around her, and helped her off her stretcher. 'But you may find it handy in any case.'

She watched in amazement, forgetting her aches and pains for a moment, as he opened the big bag and stuck the stretcher inside. All the way inside, vertically. It was just swallowed up.

'There's a pocket dimension st.i.tched into the lining,' he explained. 'It's not quite an endless cupboard. But it is is a big bag.' a big bag.'

She stared at him. 'And it's for me?'

'To do with what you will.' He smiled. 'I owe you for board and lodgings, after all.'

'Won't your friend be cross?'

'Furious, I expect. If he ever notices.' He paused. 'And if I'm still there when he does.'

She raised an eyebrow.

'I don't know.' He shrugged. 'Just feeling a little unsettled, I suppose.'

'You could stay,' she suggested. 'This could make us rich you and me. We could retire on the royalties!'

250.

'To somewhere perfectly neat and tidy?' He smiled but shook his head. 'This is your time and place, Sook. It isn't mine.' He nodded casually to the blue box. ' You You could maybe. . . ?' could maybe. . . ?'

It was her turn for the sad smile. 'Your lifestyle's just a little too messy for me.'

They stood awkwardly in silence for a while.

'You're looking a bit wobbly,' he said. 'Are you OK?'

'Could I maybe have my stretcher back?'

'G.o.d, sorry!' he said, and produced it like magic from inside the bag.

'That thing really works!' she cooed, leaning on to the stretcher for support.

'What will you do with it?'

'I don't know. Maybe you should peep into the future for me, come back and let me know.' She paused. 'It would be good to see you again.'