Short Trips 6 - Past Tense by Ian Farrington

Author:Ian Farrington [Farrington, Ian]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: ibm
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

treat you to an ice cream:

Silence came the reply, but to the Doctor it spoke volumes. 'One further suggestion, Mr Prentice. I would advise you

to stay away from the boy`

*

The Doctor raced down to breakfast as fast as his aged legs could carry him. He had overslept, unusual for him,

but this old body was letting him down more and more. Just be glad you don't have a prostate, he thought to

himself.

He scurried into the dining room.The Atkinses were there, buried in the Daily Mirror and the Lady's

Companion.

`Where's the boy?' the Doctor asked, breathlessly.

Jeff retrieved his nose from Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. 'He's off having an ice cream with that nice Mr Prentice'

A cold shiver danced up and down the Doctor's spine:Do you normally allow your child to go off with strangers,

sir?' he asked, coldly.

Ujwala looked at him curiously. 'Why what could possibly happen to him?'

It was very easy to find them. Keelmouth was hardly over-endowed with ice cream shops, and everyone knew

Morelli's was the best. So the Doctor had marched straight there and found Prentice and the boy...

Eating ice creams. Sitting at a table in the window in full view.

Hmm, not quite the hostage situation - or worse - he had expected.

Prentice looked up as the Doctor approached their table. Craig was nose down in his dessert and consequently

oblivious to the rest of the world.

Àre they Knickerbocker Glories?' asked the Doctor.

`Yes,' said Prentice. 'Would you like one?'

The Doctor had been rather conservative in his choice of ice creams so far, but this was delicious. The layer of

strawberry jam on the top really was the icing on the cake.

'I must commend you on your choice of dessert, Mr Prentice'

Prentice shrugged. 'Craig's choice' He looked at the Doctor. 'You expected to find the boy in some sort of

danger, didn't you?'

Ìs he?'

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'Am I?'

The Doctor flicked a shilling at Craig`Go to the paper shop next door, my boy, and buy yourself a Tiger Tim

Weekly'

ÒK' Craig slipped down from his chair. 'Will things get back to normal?' he asked the Doctor. 'I don't like it

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here. Mum and Dad hit me and the food's horrible. And there's no telly and I'm missing my Game Boy. And Tiger

Tim sounds really gay'

The Doctor patted Craig on the shoulder. 'Don't worry, young man, everything will be fine. Now off you go,

hmm, and buy that comic'

Craig scampered away

Àre you going to eat your glace cherry?' Prentice asked hopefully, fingers poised.

The Doctor smacked his hand away. `Yes, I am.'And he popped the item in question in his mouth.

Ì was going to give it to Craig, that's all. He loves them.'

The Doctor harrumphed. `This really can't go on, you know.' Prentice sighed. 'No, all ice creams must

come to an end.'

Ì meant...'

Ì know what you meant, Doctor.' Prentice took off his thick spectacles, breathed on them, and wiped them clean

with the edge of the tablecloth. Ì am surprised you didn't try to stop me earlier.'

The Doctor said nothing.

Às soon as I realised what... who you were. Oh dear, I thought, here comes trouble.A

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