"Emma, I'm heading off to UNIT," Jack tells me as I am filing a report on a Weevil case. "Do you want to come with me?"
"Yeah, I'm practically finished here. Besides, I need to talk to my godfather."
"Ah, the good old Brigadier. How's he doing?"
"He's retired now, but he still helps out with UNIT. He was a close friend to the Doctor when the Time Lords exiled him on Earth."
"I might have a chat to him as well, come on." As we leave the Hub, Jack asks me how I know him.
"My parents are good friends with him," I smile. "They asked him to become my godfather when I was born."
"Even though your parents aren't religious?"
"Yes, it gets a little complicated at that point."

When we reach the vicinity, I get a feeling of loneliness. "UNIT holds prisoners here, including the intelligent Toshiko Sato," Jack explains as we walk inside. "I want to recruit her to Torchwood, but that will mean pulling a few strings, which is where you come in."
"You want me to convince the Brigadier to let her go?"
"Not quite let her go, let's say give her a second chance, give her five years, and we can wipe her slate clean. The people here owe me a few favours anyway." I nod, unsure about what he's talking about.

While Jack talks to Toshiko, I find the Brigadier. "Hello, Emma," the Brigadier smiles. "Long time, no see."
"Well, you know how it is, Brigadier. Child's Torchwood is currently taking over my life."
"I see. Well, don't just stand there, come in and have a seat." I step inside his office and sit down. "How are things going with Jack?" I tell him the training he gone through with me and that I now use guns effectively. "I always thought that kids shouldn't use guns, but it's obvious that Jack thinks otherwise. What other weapons has he taught you to use?"
"None so far, but I'm starting to teach myself."
"Good girl. I hope you're also getting a traditional education, not just guns and aliens."
"Suzie, one of Jack's employees, is trying to teach me computer technology, only to find that I'm already learning." The Brigadier chuckles. "I already have a strong ability with English, Maths and Science. Jack suggests that I could take my GCSEs when I'm nine."
"That soon?! If I didn't know better, I would label you as a geek, but I guess you are. Speaking of your excellent English, this arrived for you." He pulls a letter out, placing it on the desk between us. "I didn't want to open it before you, but I don't know what information is contained within it or who it is from."
"Thank you for keeping this for me," I smile, taking it. Slowly, I open the envelope and scan the contents. My smile falls.

"What is it, Emma?" I don't reply to the Brigadier.

Dear Emma,

I'm sorry that it has been this long to write a letter to you, but we're not sure where Torchwood is, therefore have no idea if this letter will reach you. If it does, I hope that you are in good health and Jack is keeping you as safe as possible.

You were right about people coming after us, and we should have listened to you. We've got into a silly mess that we could have easily avoided if you were with us, but I guess you can't change the past.

Ruby has been shot and is in a critical condition in hospital. I'm glad that you weren't there to see it happen, and I didn't want to worry you. I will write back when I have more news of either Ruby's condition or when we can collect you from Torchwood.

I will send my messages through the Brigadier in the hope that he will pass them on to you.

All my love,
Mummy

"When did you get this?" I ask.
"About February. I've got this message a few days ago." He hands over a piece of paper. Slowly, I take it in my tiny hands and read it.

Hi Brigadier,

Ruby is better now than before, and we have only just reached the UK again. We hope to stay with you if that isn't too much of a bother.

Sarah Jane

"Where are they?"
"They're here," the Brigadier smiles. "Do you want to see them?"
"First, there is something Jack wanted me to talk about- one of the prisoners here, Toshiko Sato."
"What about her?"
"Jack wants to give her a second chance, bringing her into Torchwood."
"Prisoner Sato is intelligent," the Brigadier agrees. "It would be a shame to waste her talent here. I'll sign her release papers at once." He pulls out the papers, signs them and hands them over as Jack walks in with a Japanese-looking woman wearing an orange jumpsuit. I hand the documents over to Jack, who smiles at me.
"Good work, Emma," he smiles. The Brigadier looks out of the window as Jack talks to Toshiko.

"Emma," the Brigadier beckons me over and points out of the window. I look out to see my parents walking in the grounds, talking. The Brigadier knocks on the window, attracting their attention at once. He waves to them, pointing at me. They hurry inside. He stands up. "Jack, can I borrow Emma for a while?"
"Of course," Jack agrees. "I need to sort out a few bits with some of the soldiers anyway." The Brigadier takes me out into the corridor, smiling.

"Brigadier," Mum smiles. "Thanks again for letting us stay."
"Well, you picked a good time to come back," the Brigadier chuckles.
"We would have tried to come earlier," Mummy replies. "It would have helped if you didn't get shot, Ruby."
"I couldn't help it," she exclaims. "I was trying to save you!"
"Have you handed our message over to Emma?"
"Only today." The Brigadier looks at me. I run over to my parents, hugging them. Mum and Mummy start crying, hugging me back.

Once we have calmed down, I tell them about what it's like at Torchwood. "We're not settled down yet, so you could stay at Torchwood for a little longer," Mum considers. I nod, excited.
"Emma, you ready?" Jack asks. "Miss Smith, Miss White, it's great to see you."
"Likewise," Mummy agrees. Jack talks to them about my progress, and they too are shocked by the fact of how soon I can take my GCSEs.