Doctor Who_ The Mark Of The Rani Part 18

The Final Question 'Where are you going?'

Crossing the pit yard with the Doctor, Peri had diverted towards the office.

'The sleeping draught, remember?' She waggled a bunch of valerian; at least she hadn't forgotten the unfortunate miners.

'Taken care of.' With a smug grin the Doctor produced the phial of brain fluid. 'I managed to '

' pick the Master's pocket when you b.u.mped into him!'

finished Peri. The Doctor was insufferable.

'Exactly.' He beamed and gave her the phial.

'Well, let me deflate that swollen ego and remind you of something we haven't got the TARDIS!'

'What the blazes do you think that is?'

'Why not ask t'Doctor?'

Ravensworth raised his eyebrows at Stephenson's reply.

'Have you ever tried asking the Doctor a question?'

Stephenson's smile proved that he had.

As if on cue, the Doctor entered the workshop. He patted the subject of their conversation affectionately.

'Battered but not bowed! Thank you, Stephenson.'

'Had to haul it out manually. T'were no easy task. Took forty men.'

'I'm extremely grateful.'

Arriving, Peri sighed with relief when she saw the TARDIS. Giving Lord Ravensworth the phial of brain fluid, she explained that if he administered it to Jack Ward and the surviving aggressors, they would recover from their condition.

His lords.h.i.+p accepted the phial without comment.

'No questions?' the Doctor teased.

'My dear man, would there be any point?'

Honours even!

His invention always to the forefront, Stephenson indicated a valve clamped to a vice. 'Tha's a student of science, Doctor.' About to unlock the TARDIS, the Doctor hesitated. 'This valve be t'problem. 'Appen tha' could help?'

The Doctor badly wanted to. Perhaps just a hint? No.

Not allowed. Strictly forbidden.

'You'll'solve it, my friend.'

'Hope you're right.'

The Time Lord knew he was. History proved it. 'And when you do, your invention will take off like a rocket, Stephenson!'

'Your puns get worse!' groaned Peri.

'Really, Peri? I thought they were improving.' He opened the TARDIS door.

'Er I will venture one question.' Ravensworth's curiosity had got the better of him. 'What precisely do you do in that box?'

'Argue mainly. Goodbye.' The Doctor ushered Peri smartly inside.

'And don't bother to ask me where I'd like to visit this time!' scolded Peri.

The door slammed shut behind them.

Then, to the amazement of the two men, the light above the police box lit up. Odd sounds throbbed. One... two...

three... and the TARDIS dematerialised...

Ravensworth was the first to speak. 'I always said he was a strange fellow.'

A nod from Stephenson. 'Aye, where dost reckon he's gone now... ?'

Epilogue.

The bower of mauve and white blossom wafted its scent over the royal party progressing to the greenhouses.

Daffodils waved their trumpets, tulips stood stiffly to attention. Spring, in all its glory, was paying a floral tribute.

'"Come down to Kew in lilac time",' recited the Doctor.

He had brought them to the magnificent gardens on a sunny April day.

Yet Peri was not overjoyed. She was subdued as she gazed pensively at a purple-bearded iris. The goatee beard and jowl-like petals reminded her of a mournful Cavalier.

That was the trouble. Every flower seemed to have a face.

A human face.

But they couldn't have...

Could they?