Chapter 2

The Doctor and Ace walked down the road toward Nita's grandparents' house. They were heading that way because there were several cars parked outside the house. Something was obviously going on there.

As they approached, the owners of the vehicles, two police officers, two men in black suits and a man carrying a large camera, exited the house, got into their respective cars and drove away.

"I wonder what's going on, Professor," said Ace, watching the cars drive away down the dirt road.

"There's only one way to find out," replied the Doctor, opening the gate and approaching the front steps. He climbed the six steps and rang the doorbell.

A man with black hair opened the front door. Ace recognized him as a younger version of Nita's grandfather. "What do you want now?" Samuel demanded. "We've had enough of questions from police and government and reporters! My poor wife is a nervous wreck!"

"Please, sir, we have no wish to distress your wife," the Doctor assured him. "Police and government types can be very intimidating. We only want to help. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Doctor, and this is my associate, Ace."

"A doctor!" exclaimed Samuel, angrily. "Are you going to say my wife is mad?"

"No, no, not at all," replied the Doctor. "I am a doctor of many things, and I may be of assistance with whatever has transpired here."

"And you're not a reporter?" asked Samuel. "Because we've already given our story to the papers."

"No, we are not reporters," the Doctor assured him.

Samuel regarded the Doctor and Ace for a few moments longer, and then seemed to come to a decision. "All right, come in," he conceded. He led the Doctor and Ace through to the familiar lounge room. It looked a bit different to what it would in the future – there was lino on the floor instead of carpet and less furniture. A green sofa dominated the room, with two matching single lounge chairs. In the corner stood the familiar 'radiogram' record player, but there was no television perched on top, which would be there in the future.

"Please wait here, and I'll see if my wife will speak to you," said Samuel, disappearing into the kitchen.

A hushed conversation could be heard coming from the kitchen, and then Samuel re-appeared in the lounge room. "My wife has agreed to speak to you, but I warn you, if you upset her, you'll be out on your ear!" He led them into the kitchen. The furnishings were very different to what Ace remembered in the future, and the lino was different. Mrs Atkins was making tea.

"Please sit down," Mr Atkins invited. After preparing the teapot and bringing tea cups, spoons and sugar to the table, Mrs Atkins sat down herself. Mr Atkins brought out some milk and joined them at the table.

"And who might you be?" asked Mrs Atkins.

"I am the Doctor, and this is my associate, Ace," replied the Doctor.

"Odd names," remarked Mrs Atkins.

The Doctor ignored her comment and sipped his tea. "So, Mrs Atkins, do you feel up to talking about what happened?"

Mrs Atkins sighed. "Are you going to look at me as if I'm mad too?"

"I promise I will take everything you say seriously," replied the Doctor.

"Well, early yesterday morning, at a quarter past four, I got up to get a drink of water," Mrs Atkins began. "As I was standing at the sink, looking out the window, I saw a very bright light in the back yard. The object was about ten feet wide, round, orange and red and hovering to the right of the mulberry tree about ten yards from the house. It disappeared after about a minute, but later returned with a light that lit up everything, including a small cloud."

"Hmmm…" remarked the Doctor, scratching his chin. "What happened then?"

"I was so scared by this time that I ran and woke up my husband to show him. But by the time we got back to the window it had disappeared."

"Sound like anything you've ever seen before, Professor?" asked Ace.

"Not that I can recall," replied the Doctor. "I'll have to have a think about it. Is that all, Mrs Atkins?"

"Yes, that's all," replied Mrs Atkins.

"Then we'll leave you in peace," said the Doctor. "Thank you for your time, Mrs Atkins." He took her hand and bowed over it. He turned to Samuel and shook his hand. "Thank you for letting us speak to your wife, Mr Atkins."

Samuel escorted the Doctor and Ace to the front door. They went down the steps, down the path and out of the gate. The started walking up the dusty road back to where the TARDIS was parked.

They didn't see Nita standing behind a tree across the road watching the house.