"Here we are." Bertie said cheerfully, gesturing with his cane as they drew up to the club. "Tuppy'll probably be in here."

He led the way up the steps and through the foyer, but Rose found herself stopped by the doorman before she could follow the others through into the bar.

"Wha-?"

"I'm sorry Miss, but you can't go in there." The doorman said apologetically. Over his shoulder Rose could see the Doctor and Jack turning around to see what was going on.

"Why not?" Rose demanded. Jack skirted around the doorman and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll stay with you." He said with a placatory smile. "The Doc can handle the business, we'll go explore."

"Why can't I go in?" Rose repeated, shrugging off Jack's hand, not willing to be soothed until she'd gotten an answer.

"It's a men's club." The Doctor explained with a sympathetic grimace. "No women allowed."

"That's…ridiculous!" She spluttered, clearly thinking it was something far more potty-mouthed than that but restraining herself admirably. "And what're the women supposed to do while you lot are boozing it up in there?"

"Whatever you want." The Doctor said. "Just… not in here."

"Well." Rose said, smoothing down her jacket with as much dignity as she could muster. "Well. That's just charming, isn't it?"

"You and Jack go and enjoy yourselves." The Doctor suggested. "I shouldn't be long."

"Oh no." Rose said, batting away Jack's hand again. "I wouldn't want to stop you men having your nice private party in your exclusive little club now, would I?"

"Rose…"

"No, no! Go on. You go and do your…man things." She said, with a saccharine sweet smile. "I'll just… entertain myself."

"I think it'd be best if one of us stayed with you…" Jack said slowly.

"Oh give over." She snapped. "I know what you're thinking. How can I get into trouble here? There's not going to be any bloody barrage balloons for years yet!"

"She's got a point there." The Doctor said, shooting a grin at Jack who was still looking unsure. "Alright. Here," He pulled out a wad of notes from his jacket pocket and handed them to her. "Don't buy too much rubbish. We shouldn't be long!"

Rose gave him a tight smile and a little wave as he and Jack disappeared into the bar, and she shoved the money in her handbag with an irritated sigh.

"Great." She muttered irritably. "Fantastic."

-----

"Ah, there you are!" Bertie called from where he was perched by the bar, waving them over. "I thought you'd managed to get lost between the door and the bar."

"You don't credit us with much intelligence then, do you?" The Doctor asked dryly, as he and Jack approached the bar.

"Well Barmy's done it before now, haven't you Barmy?" Bertie smiled cheerfully at the young man perched beside him who was studying his drink with a look of vague confusion.

"What?" He asked, looking up at Bertie with a slight frown. "Oh, yes. Hundreds of times – Bertie what is this?"

"It's plum brandy, Barmy. You just ordered it a minute ago."

"…So I did." Barmy said, his face lighting up with a smile of remembrance. "Oh jolly good!"

"Where's this bloke we're supposed to be talking to then?" The Doctor prompted, surveying the room.

"Oh that's right, Tuppy!" Bertie turned to Barmy again. "Barmy, old Tuppy been in today?"

"No." Barmy said after a pause. "Haven't seen him since Tuesday. Said something about going to visit Angela."

"Blast." Bertie sighed and turned back to the Doctor and Jack with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry chaps, you're just going to have to wait until he gets back."

"And when's that going to be?" Jack drawled, looking decidedly unimpressed.

"Not for a couple of weeks, I'd say. It's Angela's birthday Sunday next, he won't be back 'til after then."

"We can't wait a couple of weeks." The Doctor said firmly. "I don't think your friend Tuppy realises what he's got his hands on."

Bertie took a mouthful of his drink, looking thoughtful.

"I'm headed down there myself in a few days." He said finally. "I'll call Aunt Dahlia tonight and see if she's got room for you."

Jack and the Doctor shared a look of disbelief.

"What?" Jack said. "You're just going to invite us with you?"

"Shouldn't be a problem." Bertie told them cheerfully, not noticing their incredulity. "I'm already taking Bingo down with me – speaking of which, where is he? He should've been here by now."

As if on cue, a waiter appeared holding a small piece of paper out to Bertie.

"A message for you from Mr Little, sir." He said.

"Oh. Right." Bertie took it from him, looking rather bewildered, and read it.

"I'm not sure if he's an idiot or a genius." Jack muttered, leaning closer to the Doctor.

"I'll tell you one thing," The Doctor muttered back. "He's not a genius."

"Well!" Bertie expostulated indignantly. "Well!"

"What's it say?" Jack asked politely.

" 'Bertie – Lunch cancelled. Pressing engagement has come up. Bingo.'" Bertie frowned at the waiter. "Didn't he say anything else?"

"No sir." The waiter said. "He just told me to give that to you, sir, and then he left with the young lady he met in the foyer."

Jack and the Doctor started slightly.

"Young lady?" The Doctor repeated.

"In the foyer?" Jack added.

"Yes sirs. Blonde girl, very pretty if I might say so."

"Oh bloody hell." The Doctor groaned. "Rose!"

-----

Rose had most certainly not sulking about in the foyer. She was merely trying to plan her afternoon, since she was obviously going to have to occupy herself.
Beginning to regret turning down Jack's offer, she moodily kicked at the skirting board and scowled at the wall.

"Excuse me, Miss," Came a voice from behind her. "Are you alright?"

"Hm?" Rose turned round to see a young man watching her with raised eyebrows, and she forced a rather embarrassed smile. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

The man seemed rather taken aback when she smiled at him, and flushed slightly.

"Well…that's…um…" He thrust out his hand to her. "Bingo. Bingo Little. Pleasure to meet you Miss…"

"Tyler." Rose said, shaking his hand, her smile becoming more genuine. "Rose Tyler. Bingo?"

"My name's Richard." Bingo said hurriedly, before realising he was still gripping her hand and dropping it abruptly. "My friends call me Bingo. It's silly, I know - "

"No." Rose grinned. "I like it."

"Oh. Thank you." He shot her a lopsided smile and fiddled with his hat. "…Are you…waiting for someone?"

"Yes. Kind of." Rose glanced at the door into the bar. "Well, no. Not really. My friends are doing some business. They told me to go entertain myself."

Alright, there was a bit of artistic license there, but the basics were present.

"Would you like me to...um... escort you?" As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Bingo looked as if he dearly wished he could put them back in there. Rose suppressed a laugh.

"Alright." She said. "That'd be great."

"Wonderful!" Bingo's face lit up. "I just need to write a quick note, and then we'll be off."

-----