He walked closer to the window and took a closer look at the tattered flyer. A very pixelated photograph of the Slitheen spaceship crashing into Big Ben dominated the header of the paper, with the title in bold. Beneath the title the words "Protect yourself from Dangerus Aliens! Call 800-764-3990 for your free Anti-alien Packet!" were written in felt pen. The Doctor wanted to take out his own pen and correct the spelling of "Dangerous", but refrained. Instead he took out the cell phone he had bought the other day before he left Rose and added the number in. It might be a laugh, he thought. I can't imagine what an "anti-alien packet" would consist of. Looking at the number again, something caught his attention.

Why would an unprofessional hand-made flyer be advertising an 800 number? Residents didn't have 800 numbers – businesses had.

The Doctor's eyebrows scrunched in stupefaction. It made no sense.

He dug the earpiece out of his enormous pockets and hissed into it. "Rose!"

No answer. Clearly she was still at war with Jackie. He sighed and put the earpiece back into his pocket.

"Funny, isn't it?"

The voice caused him to whirl around in alarm. He hadn't any idea there was someone behind him.

A young woman, bundled up against the cold, was standing just behind him looking at the sign. She started when he turned so quickly to face her. "Sorry! I didn't mean to sneak up on you!"

The Doctor sighed, relieved. She looked completely harmless – in fact, she appeared quite pleasant. She was eyeing the Doctor nervously, as though afraid he was angry at her, but she had a sweet face. Her dark hair was peppered with just-fallen snowflakes, and her nose was bright red. "That's all right," said the Doctor after he had made these observations.

"But it is weird, isn't it?" said the young woman. "I mean, I've seen that flyer up since about six months ago, and as far as I know no one's paid any attention to it. Who knows, maybe this bloke knows something we don't." She smiled. "Well, anyway. See you."

She turned around and made to keep walking, but the Doctor said, "Wait –" She turned around, puzzled. "Yes?"

"Er – what's your name?" he asked, unsure why he didn't just let her walk away. For some reason, she seemed important.

The young woman smiled pleasantly. "Veronica. Most people call me Ronnie. And you?"

"I'm – " the Doctor hesitated. "John Smith. Are you going somewhere?"

"Home," said Ronnie. "If you could call it that. I live in a flat on Bell. Work at Waitrose. You?" she asked, still smiling.

"Oh, just…" the Doctor jerked his head noncommittally. "Wandering. Nice to see the town at Christmas."

"Yeah, but you know, this isn't my favourite time of year."

"Why not?"

Ronnie shrugged. "Too cold. Holidays aren't as fun when all you do is work, eat noodles and watch telly. But anyway," she said, waving her hand casually. "Where d'you live?"

The Doctor put his hands in his pockets. "Out of town."

"Oh. By yourself, or…"

"Sort of. Well... yeah."

Ronnie laughed. "Oh dear! Well, you know it's not safe to be alone, what with all these aliens about." She rolled her eyes and grinned. "Well, I had better get going. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too," said the Doctor. He watched her reposition her scarf and walk away, a strange look in his eye. Even after she disappeared around the block, he remained rooted to the spot, staring at the corner where she had turned.

"Calling Romeo. Come in, Romeo."

"Wha –" the Doctor fumbled with the earpiece, finally slamming it onto his ear. Rose's voice, strangely high-pitched, caused the receptor to squeak again. "What was that all about?"

"What was what all about?"

"Don't pretend I couldn't hear that!"

"Hear what?"

"Don't be thick. You talked to a girl and now you're really quiet."

The Doctor groaned. "How long were you listening?"

"Why? Did I miss the juicier bits of that little conversation?" Rose was clearly trying to keep her voice under control, but she sounded slightly hysterical.

"Rose –"

"Was she pretty then?"

"What?"

"Was she pretty?"

"Rose, I barely talked to her for five minutes."

"Why did you talk to her at all?"

"I dunno, it's…" the Doctor rubbed his temples in a familiar thoughtful gesture. "I feel like I'm missing something with her, she seems impor –"

"Missing something?"

"I just mean that she seems like she's not just a normal person, there's something peculiar about her…. I can't put my finger on –"

"I thought you said you just talked to her for five minutes."

"If I hadn't had this feeling, I wouldn't've talked to her at all. Do you understand what I'm saying? Something's going on!"

"And she just happens to be a part of it."

The Doctor groaned again. "Can't you just let the fact that she's a girl go and focus on the bigger picture? Now?"

Rose huffed. "Fine."

"Right. Good. Now…" the Doctor clicked the number on the flyer on his cell phone, and held it to his ear as it began to ring. "I have a feeling this isn't going to be another peaceful Christmas."