'Hello Doctor,' began Kate, returning the handshake. 'I see you've still got some of your roots showing.'
'Yes, all new body this, I asked for something handsome and fit, but this was all they had,' Graham said, adding a nervous chuckle.
'And I don't believe I've met your new companions. You'll all have to be processed at the Black Archive, just mentioning it now. Don't worry it's standard procedure.'
Yasmin whispered 'companions?' to Ryan in a way that Kate wouldn't notice. She never heard the Doctor use that word before; they were always just her 'friends'. She didn't like it; it sounded formal and old-fashioned. To her life in the TARDIS was just a group of mates having adventures, not some grand tour with the Doctor being their guide. She was almost as clueless as them most of the time but made up for it in enthusiasm and raw energy.
'This is Yasmin, Ryan and ...' said Graham. Then he turned to the Doctor who was not wearing her usual garish ensemble. Even she knew Kate would see right through that. It was quite dull by comparison, just a loose-fitting red jumper and dark jeans.
'Graham.' The Doctor offered. '...Verity.' Graham corrected near instantaneously. Kate looked quizzically.
'She's kooky. Like me, I'm always going around giving fake names. I mean I call myself the Doctor. That's not even a proper name, that's rubbish. I should change it,' said Graham. His nervous excuse that went at a mile a minute was a convincing impression of the Doctor. She'd often rattle off reams of information without drawing breath, all of it nonsense.
But the Doctor herself looked in a right huff. Kooky, her? She had given them the perfect opportunity to say exactly what they thought of her, and there was nothing she could do about it.
'Well lovely to meet you all, I...' Kate was interrupted by the phone ringing.
Of course, now she gets busy.
'Stewart, here.' She listened attentively before saying. 'Okay, I'll be right over.'
Kate leapt away from her desk, barely having time to say 'Sorry, got to do a thing. Give me a minute,' before leaving.
Then she was gone. And Graham could relax, finding the nearest chair and slumping down into it. 'This was a stupid idea,'
'We probably should've rehearsed it more, but you're doing fine. Where did Verity come from though?' The Doctor asked.
'Common name for a girl in Yorkshire.'
'I kind of like it. But you're right I should have a backstory.' The Doctor said with bludging eyes. 'I did not say that.'
'I will be Verity Higgins. A tough, street-wise lass from Huddersfield. I come from a broken home with no job, no prospects, just a whole load of moxie.'
Graham sunk his head into his hands which muffled the 'oh God.'
Meanwhile, the two young adults weren't listening at all to the Doctor's ramblings or Graham's plight. Instead, they had spotted the red-furred cat that was prowling around the room. Yasmin let out an 'aww,' and leant down to stroke it. 'Hello, you cutie. I'd love a cat like you, but my Mum won't let me.'
'Can we get a cat in the TARDIS?' Ryan asked the Doctor.
'What!? No way I don't want a cat cramping my style. Anyway, I'm more of a dog person.'
'What style?' Yasmin said.
'Do you mean Verity or the Doctor?' Ryan smirked. The Doctor was regretting this. 'I want to know what the Doctor thinks'.
It was at this moment that the cat leapt up onto Graham's lap as Kate re-entered the room.
'Ah, I see you've met Percy. I got him for the whole office to boost morale but all he ever wants to do is annoy me.' Kate said. 'Anyway, follow me, I got something for you, Doctor.'
Graham felt like he was being plunged headfirst into icy water. Might as well get this hell over with.Why do I ever listen to the Doctor? He thought as they left the room.
