Doctor Who: Instrument of Darkness by Gary Russell

Author:Gary Russell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction:Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780563538288
Publisher: BBC Worldwide Americas
Published: 2001-11-14T10:00:00+00:00

The Doctor swigged his drink, gratefully. ‘I’ll see if they’ve got any rooms.’

‘Already booked,’ said Evelyn. ‘Three rooms at a cheap rate. I pleaded Christmas poverty, and promised that if they gave us rooms at the inn we guaranteed them three shepherds and a couple of wise men before Thursday.’

The Doctor grinned. ‘Evelyn Smythe, your efficiency leaves me speechless.’

‘Well, that’s one plan that worked, then,’ she replied, winking at Mel.

Mel laughed. ‘Still, how do we pay?’

The Doctor patted his pockets. ‘Cheque book is in here somewhere, I’m sure.’ He produced a ball of string, a commemorative mug from the wedding of Euan and Eugenie, a pair of sunglasses and a stick of Blackpool rock from one pocket. From the other, out came a key ring and innumerable keys, a paperback titled Toghill Sheepfarming in the Eighteenth Century, a newspaper, a box of paper clips and an unopened bag of liquorice allsorts that was actually filled with flower petals. ‘No cheque book.’

‘Inside pocket?’ suggested Mel.

‘This jacket would never be so gauche as to have an inside pocket, Mel. This is a classic.’

Mel yanked open the coat and, sure enough, there were at least four inside pockets. One of these, quite impossibly but nevertheless there for all to see, had a screw-topped jam jar in it. And inside that was the elusive cheque book.

With a look that spoke volumes, Mel silently unscrewed the lid, removed the cheque book, passed the jar back and headed for the reception.

‘Cheque guarantee card?’ suggested Evelyn.

‘It’s Coutts,’ said the Doctor.

‘Yes, but this isn’t Threadneedle Street in the nineteenth century, Doctor.’

Nevertheless Mel returned a moment later, quietly eased back the Doctor’s coat again and withdrew a guarantee card from his waistcoat pocket.

‘How did you know?’ asked Evelyn.

‘The cheque book told me,’ Mel muttered, and wandered off.

‘Well,’ said Evelyn, ‘I only asked.’

‘No,’ explained the Doctor, ‘she’s right. The cheques are made from paper especially imported from the planet Arborius, where all the trees are sentient. Thus, so is their... ‘

‘... paper,’ finished Evelyn. ‘Of course. I should have guessed.’

Mel returned and sat down. ‘I’m not sure who was more surprised. The young man at the desk when he heard the cheque ask for the card and then say thank you as I signed, or me when I actually realised it spoke and it wasn’t you doing your ventriloquist act behind me.’ She downed her juice in one gulp. ‘Any other surprises I should know about, Doctor?’

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