Doctor Who - I Am a Dalek (8 page)

The Doctor took the card happily and ran the sonic screwdriver along the magnetic strip on the back. ‘All gone. But I’ve battered your 63

credit rating for ever. Don’t even try applying for another one. No second chances.’ He tossed the card into the trunk.

Another thought struck Kate. ‘Oh, my God. I grabbed my boss.

Tried to strangle her. In front of everyone in Twyford.’

‘No problem,’ said the Doctor confidently.

‘It is a problem,’ said Rose.

‘No problem,’ the Doctor insisted. ‘What colour hair did this mad-woman have? Natural blonde. That’s not you, is it? Just looked like you.’

Kate stared at the two of them. The Dalek factor was gone, but she still had a sense of what their lives must be like. ‘Today. That was like a normal day for you, yeah?’

Rose grinned. ‘Just about.’

‘Then the two of you are mad, aren’t you?’ said Kate.

The TARDIS door opened on to the village green. Kate stepped out and set off towards her parents’ house. She didn’t look back as the blue box faded away.

Her head was full of plans. For the first time in years she had no debt. She’d ring her mate Lucy in London tonight. She could get out of Winchelham, start over again in the city. She could stay over at Lucy’s for a couple of weeks. Lucy wouldn’t mind, not really. Then she’d get a job up there. She would get a bloke, a proper bloke this time. Perhaps she could even get the flip-flop business going again.

She walked back into the world of compromise, making do, muddling along, bread and butter pudding with custard, and heroes. The world that she had saved.

64

THE SUN BLAZED DOWN on Durham University in the summer of 1970.

Frank Openshaw crossed the courtyard on the way to his next history lecture. He brushed the long hair out of his eyes and lifted his new canvas bag, from the army-surplus shop, more comfortably on to his shoulder.

A third-year was walking towards him. She was gorgeous, but he didn’t stand a chance with someone like her, so he put it out of his mind.

Suddenly a blonde teenage girl, wearing a weird hooded top, crashed into him on a bicycle. It seemed almost deliberate. The third year hurried over, helped them both up.

‘Sorry,’ said the blonde girl.

‘Try looking where you’re going,’ said the third-year, sharing an amused glance with Frank. Her eyes lingered on him a second too long.

The blonde girl got back on to her bike and cycled off.

‘Are you OK?’ asked the third-year, putting a concerned hand on Frank’s shoulder. ‘I’m Sandra, by the way.’

He shook her hand. ‘Frank.’

Rose wheeled the bike to a stop outside the TARDIS, which was parked in the arch leading off the courtyard. Through the arch the Doctor watched Frank and Sandra walking away together.

‘That what you wanted?’ asked Rose, climbing off the bike.

‘Yes,’ said the Doctor. He took Rose’s hand. ‘What was it for any-way?’

The Doctor opened the door of the TARDIS. ‘Bending the rules. For my friend.’

65

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Helen Raynor, Justin Richards and Stuart Cooper. And to Clayton Hickman, Neil Corry and the Not Players.

67

WORLD BOOK DAY

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69

• Cover
  
• Contents
  
• Chapter One
  
• Chapter Two
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Chapter Four
  
• Chapter Five
  
• Chapter Six
  
• Chapter Seven
  
• Chapter Eight
  
• Chapter Nine
  
• Chapter Ten
  
• Chapter Eleven
  
• Chapter Twelve
  
• Chapter Thirteen
  
• Chapter Fourteen
  
• Acknowledgements
  
• World Book Day: Quick Reads
  
• Back Cover