Quick Reads, 2009.The room was briefly lit up as the Doctor left the TARDIS. Then he shut the doors of his time machine behind him, and the room became dark again.
The Doctor started to walk forward, but stumbled. He pulled a torch out of his pocket and switched it on. Pointing the beam at his feet, he looked to see what had tripped him up. There on the ground was a pair of thick rubber boots and what looked like a toolbox.
He raised the torch, and a pale face screamed out of the blackness at him.
The Doctor barked in surprise, sounding like a startled seal. The torch beam wobbled for a moment as he stepped backwards. Then he laughed in relief, as he saw that this was no deadly alien – it was just a young woman. She was wearing a swimming costume, which seemed strange to the Doctor, as it was obviously the middle of the night. But then perhaps on this planet his blue suit, brown coat and trainers would look odd.
'Where did you come from?' he asked the young woman. 'There was no one here a minute ago!' Then he remembered his manners, and added, 'I'm sorry I scared you.'
She didn't answer, just asked him the same question. 'Where did you come from?' . . .
