‘Who are you? Why are you here?’
‘We’re from the future. We’re the people who came through the door yesterday. After the explosion. Remember? The red lights? The laser sights?’
I saw again the ruin of St Mary’s. The blood. All the broken people …
I could summon up only a hoarse whisper, but it would do. ‘You couldn’t have intervened an hour earlier? Half an hour even? What did you do? Wait outside until you knew it was safe to come in? After we’d done all the hard work for you? We sort out your problem and you can’t even be bothered to turn up on time!’ I tried to bat his arm away. ‘Don’t touch me. Where’s Dr Foster? I want a proper doctor!’
‘Dr Foster is injured. You can see her later today.’
‘What’s happening? Where are the Time Police? Where’s Dr Bairstow’
‘St Mary’s has regained control of the unit. That’s all you need to know for the moment.’
‘No, it’s not. What happened? Tell me’
He sighed. ‘I’ll bring someone to talk to you. Just wait a moment.’
He disappeared.
I looked around again. I was in the female ward and it was packed. Machines beeped faintly. Mrs Partridge was directly opposite me. One arm and the side of her face were badly burned and covered in medical plastic. Fizzers are not meant to be hand held.
Mrs Mack lay in the corner bed, one arm in a sling and a large dressing on her face. Prentiss, Polly Perkins, and Van Owen were on mattresses on the floor. We were going to need a bigger Sick Bay.
When I opened my eyes again, Helen was sitting on my bed – something that would mean instant annihilation for anyone else. I looked at her. She looked at me.
‘Who are these people – good or bad? Do you want me to get out of bed and deal with them?’
‘Can’t you behave, just for once? You’re frightening our rescuers.’
‘We have rescuers?’
‘Don’t you remember what happened?’
Memories came crashing back.
‘Dr Bairstow? I had to leave him. Did he survive?’
‘Yes. He’s on his feet.’
‘Peterson? Guthrie? Dieter?’
‘At the moment, if you added them all together you wouldn’t have enough for a working human being.’
‘So no change there, then.’
‘Nothing that won’t scab over. They’re all next door. I think Dr Bairstow wants a word with you.’
‘Familiar words. Can you find me a dressing gown?’
‘Idiot. He’s coming to you.’
There was a tap on the open door. ‘Ladies, may I come in?’
He wore unfamiliar sports sweats and looked very pale. For the first time ever, I thought he looked his age. He was moving with some difficulty and he limped badly. On the other hand, of course, he was limping when I first met him.
While Helen helped me sit up, he went to talk to Mrs Mack. I heard him say, ‘Theresa my dear, how are you?’
I looked away.
After a few words, he went over to Mrs Partridge. He sat on her bed and took her unburned hand. They talked quietly for a while.
I stared out of the window.
Everyone else was asleep, so I was next on the list. Helen put a chair for him. He briefly placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She nodded and walked away.
We stared at each other for a while. Someone should say something.
‘Never thought I’d see the day when you had more hair than me, sir.’
Was there a very faint sound from the bed opposite?
He countered.
‘Dr Maxwell, I hear you brought the house down.’
I looked over at Mrs Partridge who was a picture of smug innocence. ‘You give me too much credit, sir. I merely cushioned its fall.’
He smiled slightly. ‘I need you again, Max. It is important to me that we remain on good terms with these people, who are our rescuers, after all. Their commander is anxious for a word with you. I would take it as a personal favour if you could at least be civil.’
‘Sir …’
‘I know, Max, but nevertheless, they did their best and at the end of the day, they were here just when we needed them. Remember that when you meet him.’
He was right. We’d blown up the Time Police, but we’d blown ourselves up too. When they recovered, they would have walked around and shot us like fish in a barrel. If the future St Mary’s hadn’t walked through the door at that moment, we’d all be dead, and if they’d come any sooner they’d have been caught in the blast too. I should give credit where it was due.
I felt suddenly tired. I just wanted to sleep. ‘You’re right, sir,’ and we both blinked a little at my actually having uttered those words. ‘I can let it go.’
He smiled gently and I felt a lump in my throat. ‘You never let me down, Max.’
There was a long pause while we both geared ourselves up for what was coming next.
He sighed.
‘Normally, this duty falls to the Director. I do not, at present, occupy that position, but it takes the weight off other shoulders and I thought you should hear it from me.’
I grew very cold. I knew what I was going to hear. Had to hear. Didn’t want to hear.