"Thanks!" Donna said to the barista, taking her usual latte back to the table where her friend Nerys was already sipping her tea. "Blimey, I'm tired," she said, as she sat down. And she was - felt it down to her bones.
"No wonder - all that caffeine must keep you up all night," Nerys answered.
"Oh, that doesn't bother me."
"Then it's all that flitting about. You should get a proper job, settle in one place. I don't know how you do it."
"Lord, you sound like my mother." Donna rolled her eyes.
"Bite your tongue!" Nerys protested, and they both laughed.
Donna sipped at her coffee. "It's not work. I love temping. Seeing different places, meeting new people. Not having to put up with the same annoying people every day." Not having to think, 'I have to do this every day for 20 years.' Of course, it also meant no office birthday parties, or anniversaries. But that was fine.
"No, this way you get to meet new annoying people all the time."
Donna smiled, "S'pose so."
Nerys pressed her, watching her closely. "So what is it then?"
Donna avoided her gaze, staring into her coffee cup instead. "I've been having these weird dreams. At least, I think so. I don't remember them very well, but I wake up and feel like I haven't slept at all."
"Dreams? What sort of dreams?"
"I dunno - I forget them almost as soon as I wake up. Just fragments are left." Donna sipped at her coffee again. "I know it's mad, but I can't help hoping..."
"Hoping?"
"That I'm getting my memory back. All that missing time - the wedding that wasn't, my Dad, the last six months. It's like...it's like it's on the tip of my tongue, you know?"
Nerys tried not to look worried. "Sometimes memories are buried for a reason. To protect us."
"You're probably right. I'm just tired." Donna looked away, out the window, then back at Nerys. "But enough about me - how are the twins?"
"Holy terrors. Mum has them for the day, thank God." Nerys pushed her empty teacup out of the way. "Come over for dinner tomorrow. The kids would love to see you, and you should get out of the house."
"Sounds good. I'll call you, yeah?" She glanced at her watch. "Must dash." And she was off. She saw Nerys pick up her mobile and dial.
Donna closed the door behind her and tossed the car keys on the table. "I'm home," she called.
Her mother emerged from the kitchen. "About time you got home. Dinner's nearly ready. Help your grandfather set the table."
Donna sighed. She went in to help Granddad.
He smiled and came over to envelop her in a hug. "Hiya, sweetheart. How was work?"
"Same old thing, not too bad," Donna replied. "How 'bout you?"
Wilf chuckled. "Same old thing." He whispered, "Your mum's in a mood, best steer clear."
Donna rolled her eyes. "So I gathered." Donna sat down in one of the dining room chairs.
He busied himself with the plates and silverware. "How's Nerys?"
"She's fine. Wait, how did you know I saw her today?"
"Hm? You said this morning you were meeting her. How else would I know?" Was he avoiding her eyes?
"Did I?" Donna didn't remember, but perhaps she had. How else would he know? "She's fine. Invited me up for dinner, to see the babies. Well, they aren't babies anymore, are they? Nearly 4, I think."
"That's nice. You should get out more."
"Not you, too." Donna protested. "I'm fine."
"You just look tired, is all."
"Do I look that bad? Thanks."
Donna's mother came in, carrying the platter with the main course. "Donna, don't just stand there - go do the potatoes. Make yourself useful."
Donna bit back an automatic retort. She was too tired to deal with her mother, so she just went in to the kitchen and got the potatoes. She poured herself a glass of wine as well, and went back to the table. Her mother gave her a look, but didn't say anything. They ate dinner in silence.
Donna went up to her room after washing up, and flung herself across her bed. She picked up her mobile, but decided she was too tired to talk to anyone tonight. She was tired of having the same conversations with her friends. Tired of trying to cover up for the gaps in her memory. Tired of feeling like she had no one to talk to, no one to help her.
She stared up at the ceiling, trying to remember. The memory she missed the most was of her Dad. Why couldn't she remember him passing? His funeral? The last thing she remembered about him was just before the wedding. The wedding that didn't happen. And why couldn't she remember that? She remembered walking down the aisle, then nothing. And her head started to ache, as it always did when she tried to remember.
She rubbed her eyes, surprised to find she was crying, silent tears running down her face. Lord, she was cracking up for sure. She went into the bathroom to wash her face. Maybe tonight she could get some sleep.
Donna was dreaming. Screaming, metallic voices. Spaceships, and planets, burning. She was there, in the midst of it. Watching it happen, making it happen. She saw a ship, flying into...something terrible. Heard someone say, "The nightmare child!" And the ship being...devoured - there was no other word for it. No way to stop it, though she tried. Fear, rage, despair all flooded through her, and she woke screaming, tearing at the bedclothes.
"Donna, Donna, wake up!" Wilf was shaking her, and she was flailing, striking out, not knowing what she was doing. She opened her eyes, tears running down her face.
"They're all gone!" She gasped. "I tried, but--"
"Who's all gone?"
Donna looked at him, eyes focused on him at last. "What? Did I say something?"
"You were dreaming. Gave us a good scare with all that screaming!" Wilf sat down on the bed next to her. "Do you remember anything?"
She closed her eyes. "No, it's gone. Just the feelings are left." She pressed her hand to her chest. "Fear, sadness. So sharp."
"It's okay now. Lie back, and try to get some more sleep. I'll be right down the hall."
Donna obeyed, closing her eyes. She heard him go down to the kitchen and pick up the phone. She heard him say, "Mr Harkness, this is Wilfred Mott," before sleep claimed her again.