Doctor Who: Big Finish - Bernice Summerfield [014] - Something Changed - A Short-Story Anthology by Simon Guerrier

Author:Simon Guerrier
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 184435153X
Publisher: Big Finish
Published: 2006-01-25T23:00:00+00:00

Writing in Green

By Dave Hoskin

‘Can you tell me a story?’

From far away came the sound of something laughing. It swirled in and out of audibility, the cycle getting faster like a machine winding up. Voices bubbled through the sound like oxygen. They laughed, they cried, they struggled to make themselves heard.

They fell silent.

For a moment there was no noise at all. Then a second wave of voices surged forward, male and female merging into one another. They trembled on the edge of making sense, and disappeared like ghosts.

The last wave seemed to come from all sides. Crashing and roaring, words discernible for the first time, it drowned out any other sound.

And a second voice answered the first.

It said, ‘This is a story about writing in green.’

‘Have you ever been in love?’ said Jason Kane.

Hass concentrated grimly on his gardening. He ran the sonic shears around the edge of a banksia bush, leaves singing in the ultrasonic as they fell to the ground. ‘Well?’ Kane persisted. ‘Hass?’

With a sigh, Hass stood up. He wondered whether it was hot because it always felt too hot on the Collection, or because he was uncomfortable. ‘Can you help me move the acacias into the grove?’ he said.

‘You’re avoiding my question.’

‘Very observant.’

‘If I help with the plants, will you give me an answer?’

With a hiss of irritation, Hass reached for two small acacia trees. Kane moved in front of him, blocking his way. Hass glared at him, and Kane’s eyes flicked away nervously. He was putting on a brave face, but Hass couldn’t miss his agitation. He still struggled with the subtler nuances of human body language, but he could tell that Kane wasn’t just being annoying. He took a deep breath. ‘Yes,’ he said.

‘Yes, what?’

Hass gritted his teeth. ‘Yes. I. Have. Been. In. Love.’

Before Kane could ask any more questions, Hass passed him two of the acacia plants. He picked up two more himself, and without another word, set off toward the acacia grove. Struggling to keep pace, Kane was left trailing behind. He dropped one of the plants in his haste and by the time he had managed to catch up with Hass’s long strides they were halfway to the grove. It took him another minute to get his breath back and then, to Hass’s horror, Kane whispered, ‘I need your advice about what I should do with Benny.’

‘Kane,’ hissed Hass, ‘The words in your head have escaped again.’

‘I’m serious.’

Hass began walking faster. ‘Did you know that on Earth the acacia symbolises the future?’ he said. ‘Martians believe it represents children, but it can also mean fire, plague and unexpected violence.’

‘Come on, you like Benny don’t you? You want her to be happy?’

‘Marigolds,’ continued Hass, ‘were ground into a tea that cured toothache…’

‘I know you won’t tell anyone, and I swear I won’t either. Hass…’

‘Just over there you can see what humans call red willow. Martians wear it to ward off evil…’

Kane stopped. ‘You’ve never liked me have you?’

Hass turned to look at the fragile little man behind him.

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