The third day: Bring me food and bring me wine!
A/N Thank you to all my reviewers, I'm so sorry I'm behind already, but I fully intend to catch up today. If I don't, I definitely will tomorrow – I'm home! So, here's the third day, and in case any of you were wondering where today's chapter name (line from a carol, if you haven't noticed – I'm trying to find one that applies to each chapter) is from, it's from Good King Wenceslas!
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"Put those boxes there, Rose. And you, make yourself useful – go and put those banners up."
The Doctor grumbled, setting down the trays of cakes he was carrying on a counter, and ambling off to a pile of paper banners strewn on a table. Rose and he had been slightly amazed when they had heard Jackie had joined the local WI, ("Well what do you suppose me to do what with you two off gallivanting round the universe? Sit home and knit?") and even more amazed when she announced that it was the Christmas bazaar that day, and that they would be helping. So, the two dutifully followed Jackie to the WI hall, and helped out with the setting up of the fair.
The Doctor pinned the banners up with some pins he found in a corner. Jackie's voice reached him from the kitchen where she was directing Rose as to where to put the boxes she had carried in, as well as setting out the cakes and carrying on a conversation with Suzanne. "So I said to her not there Rose, over by the Christmas tree that if she really wanted to stay with Mike she'd have to well get everything out then…."
The Doctor shook his head, pinning the last banner up. "Mad." He muttered.
They worked for about half an hour before the first people arrived. The Doctor and Rose snuck away into the kitchen and hid in there for a bit, scoffing biscuits and cakes, watching the people milling about in the hall through the window of the door into the hall, the Doctor making Rose giggle as he imitated her mother, waving her arms around and trying to organise everyone at once. Suddenly another shrill voice joined Jackie's and Jackie shrieked with surprise.
"Bev!" They heard her shriek and watched her hug the woman who had just arrived, hair flying everywhere.
The Doctor turned round to Rose, brow furrowed in thought, as he leant against the door. "Isn't that the woman who was at Sarah Clarke's wedding back in 1987 when – "
He was cut off by being thrown off balance, when the door burst open, making him nearly fall out into the hall and Jackie appeared in the entrance. "Here you are – Bev's here Rose!"
Jackie grabbed Rose and she grasped the Doctor's hand to pull him along as Jackie dragged her out of the kitchen and into the hall.
"Here she is, Bev." Jackie announced.
"Umm...hello Bev." Rose said, smiling slightly and trying to sort out her hair that Jackie had just completely messed up.
"So this must be John Smith." Bev smiled, turning to the Doctor.
He gaped like a fish for a few moments before running a hand through his hair and putting his hand forwards. "Yes, um.., that's me."
Bev looked at him, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "You seem somewhat familiar… Not the way you look, just something about you. Have we met before?"
"Us? No! Definitely not! Must be someone else. Lots of people called John Smith, you know."
"Yes." She nodded slowly, before brightening and turning to Rose again. "Jackie's told me about your news. Congratulations!" She bent in and gave Rose a quick kiss on the cheek, Rose standing frozen and looking clueless at her mother. Jackie quickly intervened when Bev stepped away from Rose.
"Yes, Rose, I had to tell her, I'm sorry I couldn't let you do that yourself, but I was so excited. I told them all about John and your whirlwind romance, and that was why you were off travelling with him for so long. Bev's heard about your engagement too, I know it was supposed to be a surprise, but I had to tell her the story about it and how that's why you've come back from your travels!"
The Doctor and Rose gawped at her.
"Um...er…"
"I think it's such a romantic story Rose – how you and John met the night before he had to leave for Africa, due to his career in the army. I hear you're a doctor, John."
"Um, yeah.." The Doctor replied, slightly in a daze. At least Jackie had got one thing right.
"And of course that's why we haven't seen you for so long Rose, having to travel off with him to stay with him. When are you having the wedding, Rose?"
"Um…"
"Spring." Jackie burst in. "When all the flowers are starting to bloom."
"Oh, that sounds lovely." Bev smiled at Rose. "You must be very much in love."
The Doctor and Rose looked at each other. "Um…" Rose said slowly.
The Doctor suddenly put an arm around her and turned to look at Bev. "We certainly are." Then, he suddenly crushed Rose to him, turning her in his arms and giving her a firm kiss on the mouth. He broke away and beamed at Jackie and Bev, who was smiling happily. He looked down at Rose, who was biting her lip, and blushing furiously. He grinned at her and she smiled back, her eyes wide and shining.
"Now," he announced. "Who's up for some mulled wine?"
A/N Haha, I had to bring her back from the first series! So, what did you think?
