Chapter 2

They were late to the airport by half an hour. They ran into the directed terminal, Claire on the Doctor's back as Rose ran along beside them. They were all wrapped up warm to protect from the winter chill and Rose thought how cute Claire looked in her new bobble hat and thick purple coat. Her eye caught the clock and saw it was 12.30. "We'll make it." The Doctor had said in the car. Famous last words.

There was a large sign saying child pick-up-point by the far wall. They hurried over and found a woman standing there with a boy of about fifteen. He had pale skin, dark brown short but scruffy hair, and was, as Rose noted, as tall as the Doctor. He wore baggy jeans, a t-shirt and an old looking leather jacket and also had on heavy brown hiking boots. The woman looked extremely annoyed with them when they skidded to a halt, breathing heavily. "Doctor and Rose Tyler?"

"That's us." The Doctor said, putting Claire down gently. He held her hand to make sure she didn't wander off but she just stood at looked at the boy.

"You're -"

"Late." Rose finished for the woman. "Yes, we know. The traffic was bad, we're really sorry."

"You must be Mrs Valentine?" the Doctor asked.

"That I am." She replied sternly. She put her hand on the boys shoulder and pushed him towards the family. "This is Daniel Harding, age fifteen."

Daniel moved and stood next to his temporary family. Rose smiled at him warmly and the Doctor said, "Hello." Claire just continued to gaze at him.

"Hi." Daniel said quietly, taking in their appearances and memorising their faces. "Nice to meet you."

"You too Daniel." Rose said.

"Please, call me Danny. Or Dan." He said.

Rose looked back up and saw the sign for the pick-up and the woman had vanished. She shrugged and said, "Shall we go then?" Danny nodded and followed. The Doctor walked in front and carried on holding hands with Claire as they headed towards the car-park. Danny walked beside Rose. "Where's you stuff?" she asked him, noticing he didn't have a bag with him.

"It got stolen." He said sadly. "No idea who took it." He was really polite and sounded like a properly brought up, normal talking teenage Londoner, and although he had a tough looking face, Rose got the impression it was just a façade, just until he worked out what kind of people he was going to be living with.

"Well, you'll have to come out with us so we can buy you some clothes and things, yeah?" Rose asked. "That ok?"

"That would be great!" he smiled, showing his true expressions. He had a kind face, smooth, showing hazel eyes. Now he was opening up.

"So… where are you from, old Danny boy?" the Doctor asked, walking backwards to face them.

"Enfield in North London." He replied as they got into the car. "Where do you live?"

"Up in the countryside." The Doctor told him as he clipped Claire in next to Danny. He got in himself and closed the door. Rose started the ignition and pulled out of their space.

"Wow," Danny said. "I've never been to the countryside before. Even on my travels."

"Travels?" repeated the Doctor.

"With my family." Danny said.

"I thought you were from London?" Rose asked.

"That's where I lived when we were told to evacuate." He explained.

"Oh." The Doctor said. "Ok."

"Doctor, when we get back we have to go out, Danny's belongings were stolen so he needs new things." Rose told the Doctor. She looked in the mirror and saw Danny sat up straighter when she addressed her husband. What? She thought.