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Letters of love
Dear Mrs Robinson,
Greetings from Jamaica! Yes believe it not, we have travelled to Jamaica seeing as it was a place Jackie has wanted to visit for a long time. It'll always be a surprise to see it differently to how you would expect it to be. For a start the game mahjong is quite a popular game to play here, especially out in the street. We've often come across a huge gaggle of people crowding around a table to watch someone play it. It's extraordinary because in all my life, I have never seen something like mahjong to be such a big thing. And in Jamaica too! This world is full of wonders.
Unlike back in London, the weather is a little warmer here, just as if it is early springtime. It's still a little chilly and the wind is starting to pick up. I think the change in climate is slowly making its way across the globe.
You would like Jamaica, Mrs Robinson, because it really is nothing to how you'd expect it (or how you know it).
Jackie and I are having a really good time and we have our sights set on going to Amsterdam, Morocco and Japan within the next few days. And Jackie seems far happier now than she did when we were waiting for our friends to return.
But I hope you're well and good! How's Hotel Soelife? I hear that they've been a good help to the company over the years. Let me know what's going on back home.
Write soon!
Love, John Smith
Dear John Smith,
Please tell me that Jamaica is still full of green and yellow colours and that their white sand is blinding in the sunlight? Because that is certainly the first thing that springs to mind when I think of Jamaica. And mahjong? Really?! I thought it was originated in China? But it's funny the little changes here that seem so big to us.
London is fine. Same old, same old. The weather is only getting colder but we're now heading into December so no surprise there! And thank you for sending me your multi-coloured scarf…you might not ever get it back though!
We're trying to keep ourselves busy and have fun. Jason has actually whisked Martha away to Amsterdam for a weekend as an early birthday present, so you might see them there! We're celebrating her birthday here in the base when she comes back. I think someone is organising a huge surprise party after a meal out.
Hotel Soelife is a funny little hotel. They're quite strict and have given me a timetable of when I eat and what times I may visit the gym. I'm not allowed any guests and all the workers there are very uptight and straight. Apart from Sunny Blythe, the very camp receptionist with a clown-like face.
I don't know if I like it here as I hate being stuck under regulation, but I guess there are many places in London that are like this since the last battle. The workers caught me when I tried to sneak Will into the hotel and they shooed him out. Will said that the hotel has had renovation since the last battle and probably hired new staff.
It gets a little lonely being alone in the hotel. Everyone else that is here always seems to be high on laughing gas every time they walk up and down the corridor and I sometimes can't help but laugh myself as I walk around during the day, especially when walking to my meals. But then again it's nice to be alone and think. It'll be too risky if we spent too much time at the base, hence why I've been here.
Ireen and Harry have started to invite me over to their place for dinner every night. I think they've adopted me as their child they've never had.
Most days I've been spending time with Will and getting to know him a lot more. (Please don't go all stroppy on me because I like Will very much. I never went stroppy on you for going on holiday with Jackie). Yeah his arrogance hasn't changed and I'm sure it never will. He thinks highly of himself but at the same time, he cares for me so much it's reassuring. And I like him, I really do. Despite his past – that can be easily forgotten.
Yet the more I spend time with the company, the more I understand everyone's relationships. Obviously I can see Will's, Alic's and Harry's relationship quite clearly now when I didn't really notice before. Sarah-Jane is like the mother of the company, and Jason is Mr Popular, however Ireen has a love/hate friendship with him. I don't think she can quite make out head or tail with him. And then there's Jefferson who's the clown of the company, yet I think I really sussed that one out when he managed to set a whole building on fire during the final week of our training period. Everyone in the company has different traits and I love getting to know everyone individually. It's lovely to see everyone as one huge family.
It's great to hear from you, John, and I'm glad you and Jackie are having a lovely time. You always forget how much better you feel when on holiday.
Yours, Mrs Robinson
To Martha,
Happy Birthday to you!
May your birthday bring a smile to your face,
Happiness to your heart,
And many blessings to your life.
(Sorry, but this was the least cheesy card I could find. What is it with you humans and wanting to wish others happiness through verse?)
Hope you enjoy your day!
With love,
The Doctor and Rose xxx
Martha,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
MEET AT THE RITZ 1900 HOURS SHARP
DECEMBER 12TH
NO LATER AND NO SOONER BY CAPTAIN JASON'S ORDERS
DINNER WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DRINKS AND DANCING AT THE BASE.
WISHING YOU A LOVELY TIME IN AMSTERDAM AND A SAFE RETURN
FROM:
THOSE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH
WELCOME TO THE UNITED NATIONS INTELLIGENT TASKFORCE CHATROOM. THERE ARE CURRENTLY FIVE PEOPLE CHATTING:
Dr Jones has joined the room.
Dr Jones: Thank you so much for the party last night guys! It was a blast and I was honestly not expecting anything. I'm sure this hangover states that it was a good night.
Pvt Jefferson: UNIT throws such great parties!
O/C Grange: Just another year older and more time to lose.
Dr Jones: Thanks for making it sound pleasant, Alic. I haven't even reached thirty yet, unlike you, old man!
O/C Grange: Hey!
Pvt Jefferson: Ha ha ha ha ha ha that's so funny.
Lt Sullivan: No it's not.
O/C Grange: So whose birthday is it next?
Cpt Summerland: I'm sure it's 2LT Lyons. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Dr Jones: When's your birthday, April?
April: April
Pvt Jefferson: Ha ha ha ha ha ha that's hilarious!
April: So funny my sides are splitting.
O/C Grange: Whoa, April, I'm being slapped in the face by your sarcasm.
April: ?
April: Sigh
Dr Jones: So what have you lovebirds been up to? Meaning Will and April.
Lt Sullivan: Not a great deal if I'm honest.
O/C Grange: Sounds like a fun couple.
Cpt Summerland: Oh leave them alone, Alic! Let them keep their private life to themselves if they want to. Oh and April, what time are you coming over this evening? We've had a casserole in the slow cooker all day. I hope that's okay!
April: That's fine, Ireen! I should be at yours around six. I've had to schedule my leaving time from the hotel around then.
O/C Grange: And how is Hotel Soelife?
Lt Sullivan: Weird. I swear everyone is high on something.
Dr Jones: Certainly sounds like it.
Pvt Jefferson: So what are everyone's plans for the holiday then?
O/C Grange: To stay away from you.
Cpt Summerland: Alic!
April: Alic!
Dr Jones: Alic!
Lt Sullivan: Ha ha ha ha I was about to crack the same joke, mate!
Cpt Summerland: Really you two are just as bad as each other. Don't listen to them, Jefferson!
Pvt Jefferson: Maybe it'll be me trying to stay away from you, Alic.
O/C Grange: Fine by me, it's one less thing I'd have to do.
Dr Jones: Oh dear I'd better go now; I can hear Jason retching in the bathroom.
April: Lovely.
Dr Jones: I know! He's a bit like a student when it comes to drinking. He's been a mess all day and I've had to force feed him bread but I don't know if that's made him worse or not?
Lt Sullivan: Our joker is a child at heart.
Dr Jones: See you later!
Dr Jones is now offline.
Cpt Summerland: I guess it's time that we all should be off. Enjoy the rest of your holiday's boys and I'll probably see you later. I'll see you in about thirty minutes, April. Bye, bye.
Cpt Summerland is now offline.
O/C Grange: See you later guys!
O/C Grange is now offline.
Pvt Jefferson is now offline.
Lt Sullivan: Are you still up for tomorrow, April?
April: Of course!
Lt Sullivan: Okay, I'll pick you up in the morning. Xx
Lt Sullivan is now offline.
Mrs Robinson
GREETINGS FROM JAPAN!
Japan is literally Greece. So I can only guess Greece is Japan? Lesson no.1: never judge a name but its cover. Nonetheless Jackie and I are having a great time here in "Japan" and we even cuddled Koala bears! KOALA BEARS IN "JAPAN"?!
John Smith, Jackie Orman x
You have received an instant message from: THE DOCTOR:
The Doctor: Why did you never say that Koala bears live in Japan?!
Colonel Brimikawood: Ha!
The Doctor: And this "Japan" of yours is in actual fact just like Greece! Please don't tell me I'm going to go to New York and find Sydney.
Colonel: Brimikawood: You won't. It's all part of being in a parallel world.
The Doctor: It's hard to pretend to Rose that I know what I'm doing.
Colonel Brimikawood: Why are you pretending? She probably knows that you are clueless.
The Doctor: She laughs at me when I'm wrong. I hate being wrong.
Colonel Brimikawood: You sound like a nervous boy on a date, Doctor. Terry is here and even she thinks so! Just relax.
The Doctor: I have. It's this world that confuses me.
Colonel Brimikawood: Ha!
Mrs Robinson
HELLO FROM GREECE!
And just as I thought, Greece is basically Japan, except that no one looks Japanese here; they look Japanese over in Japan. It sounds clearer in my head. Haven't heard from you for a little while. It would be great to hear from you. How things going with Sullivan?
John Smith, Jackie Orman x
From: April
To: The Doctor
Subject: Heelllooooo!
1 attachment
Colonel Brimikawood has opened up an account for me on the UNIT computers so it's safe for me to say hey, I'm April Hollerford, on here and not be tracked down by the police or aliens or anything else.
And thank you for my postcards! I really appreciate them. Although the German spearmints were a little off tasting. Not sure if you experienced the same thing?
I'm sorry for my lack of reply; I've been exceptionally busy here. Will and I are fine. I really like him, Doctor. He's made me so happy these past few weeks and we've spent most of our time together.
Last week, Will and I flew around London on his Wingerdette which was wonderful. However I think that the Wingerdette I have ridden on before was a little jealous that I was with another. Will has taken me out to lovely day trips. And under my wish, I asked him to take me to the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery. It was mainly because I wanted to see how different their history is to what I know. We both found ourselves studying Hans Holbein the Younger's "The Ambassadors" where instead of having the two male figures standing on either side of the painting, it was one male and one female. Will admitted to it being one of his favourite paintings, and I just found it fascinating to see it so different.
It's funny because over a year ago, I was depressed and ready to kill myself because I believed that Bruce was trying to kill me. I remember actually saying to myself not long before you came along, that I was content with loneliness because I always thought that love never lasted, if not, it didn't exist.
I've lived five years of my life thinking like that. Well up until now when I'm finally starting to find out what love is and how to love someone so much. I never understood the way my parents used to look at each other, nor did I understand why Rose chose to stay by your side all these years, but now I'm the one going through these emotions and for the first time in my life, I like who I've become.
Although I don't have the slightest idea whether I am nineteen years old or still eighteen? I think it's more or less been a year, maybe a bit more since we first met.
Time has gone by so quickly, but then again we do cheat time.
I have attached a photo from all of us at the UNIT office at Martha's birthday party.
Love,
April.
From: The Doctor
To: April
Subject: Re: Heelllooooo!
2 attachments
You'll have to bear with me, April, because I have never used an email before in my thousands years of living.
Rose and I cried with laughter for about an hour over that photo. You look like you've had a brilliant time, although most of the lads look drunk out of their minds. I say it a lot to myself, Rose and Terry that every time we see you smiling, it's always your happiest smile, but I think that this photo really shows how happy you really are now. You've grown into such a strong woman, April, and I'm proud to say that I've been part of building you to who you are. Your depression is in the past and we can only head forward (and cheat time).
Now aside from the corny stuff, I told you before that I'm not going to tell you what to do. You do whatever you want to do with Will. You tell him you love him (if you do), or at least tell him how much you like him. Be brave and don't be afraid to try things out.
Anyway, it's Rose's birthday tomorrow and I'm taking her away to Paris for a couple of days. I wanted to take her to the eighteenth century Paris but we're stuck with twenty-first century as the Tardis isn't strong enough to time travel again (yet).
We are then spending Christmas at a large Winter Wonderland funfair in Moscow which Rose is really looking forward to.
What are your plans for Christmas? I promise I'll send you and Terry a little something as a gift.
Take care!
Love,
The Doctor
P.s I've attached a couple of photos of Rose and me when we met up with Jason and Martha in Amsterdam
P.p.s You are nineteen years old. Are you going to forget your age every year?!
WELCOME TO THE UNITED NATIONS INTELLIGENT TASKFORCE CHATROOM. THERE IS CURRENTLY ONE PERSON CHATTING:
Terry has joined the room.
Terry: April, I don't like invading your private life but I'm just curious and I think a few others are. Have you had sex with Will yet?
April: No.
Terry: Okay.
April: Oh shit, Terry, why didn't you ask me on instant message or ask me privately?! Everyone else can read these messages! For fucks sake, Terry!
O/C Grange has joined the room.
O/C Grange: Ha ha ha ha ha!
April is now offline.
To April,
You are invited to the Summerland's annual Christmas do
Based in our local town hall (you'll know the one)
Meal from 7 onwards
Drinks at all hours (first round of drinks free)
Arrive at 6 in your best fancy dress costume ever (Christmas theme of course)
LOVE Harry & Ireen Summerland
To John Smith & Jackie,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Hoping both of you are having a lovely time in Moscow!
Missing you here. Hope you see you soon.
Love from Ms Robinson & Tiffany xxx
To Ms Robinson & Tiffany,
С Рождеством Христовым
Or Merry Christmas! (if you don't know Russian)
We're missing you too and we hope you both turn up to the Summerland's do this evening!
And here's a little something for the both of you.
Take care!
Love John Smith and Jackie x
You have received a new instant message from: TERRY
Terry: I don't know if I want to smile or throw up over Will and April dressing up and Mr and Mrs Clause for the Summerland's Christmas do. I went as the Grinch because as a Cyborg, I have no feelings a genuinely hate this time of the year. Especially now the country is cold we're walking on ice. But HEY I don't feel the cold. It was okay I guess, although I still don't know how Private Jefferson managed to knock over their whole bookcase when he had only been there for half an hour.
Rose: Oh my god…
Dad,
Just two things if you don't mind:
1) Would we be able to arrange a dinner with us and mum? I would love April to meet her.
2) How do you tell someone you love them?
Will
Dear John Smith,
I don't know how I feel my first meeting with Will's mother (or the Colonel's wife as you'll probably know her) went. She was lovely but seemed very inward and not wanting to speak much. Occasionally she would ask about my life and there honestly was not a great deal I could've told her because I didn't want to kill the mood even further by talking about my past. And how are you supposed to say to someone that you are a time traveller from a parallel universe when they ask what are you doing with your life?
I think she likes me though. However the Colonel didn't look like he wanted to talk much to me either. He barely even looked at me. Will said to not take it personally but I have this horrible paranoia that he doesn't like me or something. I mean he is Will's father. I need him to like me at least! I don't know what it is right now but the Colonel always seems to be in a bad mood and doesn't always want to do anything. Is he usually like that? I know he's genuinely a moody person but not usually like this where I feel like I have to be on my best terms around him.
The majority of the dinner was spent with us being silent and Will and I trying not to giggle, mainly because it was so quiet that we couldn't handle it.
But it's been a few days since and I haven't seen Colonel or his wife since. However Will seems a little weird since. Well not weird but it's as if there's something he wants to tell me but won't bring himself to do so. Sometimes he would act like the romantic man he can be and go to say something, but then shy away and won't say anything at all.
The weather here in England has got worse. Ireen's neighbour has got frostbite and is having their fingers amputated. It is also all over the news about people being treated in hospitals because their bodies have frozen and are suffering from hypothermia.
I'd be lying to say that I'm not scared. I'm really quite scared about this.
Yours,
Mrs Robinson
From: Dr Jones
To: The Doctor
Subject: Thank you and the weather
Thank you ever so much for sending me the freesias. They're a beautiful colour and have really cheered me up and look lovely in my living room. Jason is now playing doctor and is nursing me. I'm not horribly ill, but stuck with the usual blocked nose and sore throat with the usual winter colds. However it's got to the point where it's constant shivering and it's hard for me to get warm. Bloody winter!
The weathermen said that there is no sign of the temperatures getting any warmer and there is talk about a possible blizzard in the New Year. Apparently most parts of North England have been cut off power and the army has been sent to look after the village folk and keep them alive.
Is the whole world like this, Doctor?
I think we're all looking forward to the summer and heat waves.
From: The Doctor
To: Dr Jones
Subject: Keep warm!
Honestly, Martha! You're ill and all you can think about is what the weatherman says and if the rest of the world is suffering from the weather! Your main priority right now is to actually warm up and recover. Please just do that! I'm worrying here and this is supposed to be our holiday!
April,
I love you.
Will
Dad,
I wrote another note to April to tell her how I feel only to throw in into flames. I just can't bring myself to say it to her. I'm scared everything will go ape shit. I know she's strong enough to handle her own emotions now but I'm just too scared.
Maybe now isn't the right time after all. But please stop ignoring me. I need my dad in times like this.
Will
From: April
To: The Doctor
Subject: Colonel
I thought I'd talk to you about this through an email because I don't want my words being passed through the mail.
I don't know what it is right now but everything seems to be tumbling down. I'm really starting to feel like a prison in Hotel Soelife and not because of the increase in snow, but because I am limited to when I can leave the hotel. I guess they're trying to protect their guests but they shouldn't have to do it in a way that we all feel like prisoners.
I don't know who has, but the hotel received a huge delivery from someone a couple of days ago. I knew that something was wrong when my bell for dinner didn't ring. So I made my way down to the restaurant on my own and it was eerily quiet. Even Sunny Blythe wasn't behind the reception desk.
Anyway do you know what it was I found in the restaurant, Doctor? Puppets. Quite scary looking puppets. There's one for every seat in the restaurant, all wearing the same black suit and red bow tie, and their faces are painted the exact same, slightly bony and weirdly shaped. And they are just placed there and the restaurant is now closed for them. Strange.
As a side note: I'm really quiet worried about the Colonel. Not long before the last battle, he opened up to me to talk about the time the shape shifters took him away and tormented him in the other dimension. He told me that since he came back, he has been suffering and struggling to deal with post traumatic stress disorder. I'm sure you are aware of this factor.
Well last night I stayed in the UNIT base because I didn't want to return to the hotel, knowing that I'd be up all night. That was when I realised that the Colonel had also decided to stay at the UNIT base for the night instead of returning to his wife. But I heard him screaming in his sleep. And it really scared me.
At first I didn't know where he was, until I found him curled up in the armchair in the spare bedroom. He was screaming and had become hysterical, almost as if he was possessed and didn't know that he was in that state. I had to rush over to him, wake him up and calm him down. His body was cold and needed warming up. When he did wake up he was just shivering and didn't respond to anything I said. I ended up holding him for a while until he calmed down. When he was calmer at least I opted to make him coffee, but the Colonel was angry that I saw him like that.
Doctor I don't know what to do. Even Morgarn lied to me about my broach because the Wingerdettes haven't even answered my call for help.
From: The Doctor
To: April
Subject: Re: Colonel
April, the first thing for you to do is to calm down and look after yourself instead of concentrating on fixing other people.
The Colonel went through a lot of trauma during his disappearance, and remember, April, straight after the last battle, UNIT jumped over to Antarctica, so the Colonel is bound to be a wreck.
Just stay strong, April.
You have received an instant message from: THE DOCTOR
Doctor: Take your medication, Colonel. Your family and company will need you. Please don't let this effect you. Your therapist is trying to help. Take your medication.
You have received an instant message from: APRIL
April: Doctor I need you. I'm scared and I don't know how much more I can take.
April: I don't think I can do this any more.
Dad,
There's something wrong with April and I don't know what. She's always awake overnight and will refuse to sleep. Every time I see her asleep, she always wakes up with a sudden start, afraid and won't be okay for the rest of the day. She looks distressed whenever she's asleep, almost as if she's fighting something off. I don't know it's she's having nightmares or if she's just freaking out over the weather.
I asked her what's bothering her but she shrugged the question off. She's being distant. But she started asking after you to see if you were okay. But you're fine now. Mum says that you're back on your medication.
I'm really worried for April's mental health. She's not okay at the moment and no matter how often I hold her close to me and tell her everything will be okay, she doesn't feel better. She keeps running around trying to help others. What do I do?!
Will
Dear Martha,
Certainly glad to hear about your recovery from your illness. Just continue to look after yourself and Jason and keep warm. Rose and I are planning on coming back soon because it seems as if April needs me. She hasn't replied to any of my messages for the past few weeks and her last message was really quite worrying. Terry is trying to get through to her too but there is nothing. The Colonel has gone quiet too. Please check up on him at some point.
I'm scared that April's mental health is deteriorating again and Will is struggling to calm her. I think she's shocked and scared but she won't say anything.
Please let me know ASAP if you hear/see her!
Doctor
Dear April,
Buttercup, are you okay? What's going on?! Talk to Will because he is fretting about you and the Colonel is having his usual mood swings. The Doctor and Rose are coming back. Are you still at Hotel Soelife?
Please talk to me!
Jason X
April,
Please help me out and tell me what is going on! You're shutting me off and they won't let me into the Hotel to see you so I can only send you this note.
If it was anything I've said then I'm terribly sorry. No one has heard from you in nearly a week and the Doctor is up our backside. Even Rose is worried sick.
Please, April, I'm afraid to lose you. Please let me know that you are okay at least!
Will xxx
You have received an instant message from: MARTHA
Martha: Alright, April, just take it easy. Take in a few deeps breaths and calm yourself. Okay, I'm coming over with a few others from the medical team. Keep your head between your knees to avoid dizziness and throwing up. If you can, put on pressure to stop the blood flow. Hang in there, little one and we'll be right over.
From: Colonel Brimikawood
To: The Doctor
Subject: COME BACK TO LONDON
The holiday is over, Doctor and there is work to do. April is lucky to still be alive.