Journeys Anew
Chapter 12
Cultural Differences
"You know you mumble in your sleep."
"I do not!" Protested Emily as she stepped bare foot out into the retreat's outdoor area. Breathing in deep gulps of the tropical air she smiled feeling a faint warmth breath through her hair and skin while the blazing sun glowed on to her skin creating a shimmering mirage of colours as it reflected off the crystal blue swimming pool and the glasses surrounding the bar. Stretching out her arms she felt liberated as she sat down dipping her toes into the water creating ripples on the surface.
"You do so," Eleanor smirked taking a sip from her fresh orange juice - so fresh in fact that she'd had to wait ten minutes while the bar tender squeezed it from the oranges collected from the tree's surrounding the retreat, "I could hear you. Got it on my phone." Emily glared defiantly but the creases of unhappiness didn't last long - it was impossible to feel anything other than bliss in such tranquillity. At hardly eight in the morning they were the earliest of the lounge lizards to arrive and Eleanor was already laying back in her deck chair in loose green dress soaking up the sun under layers of sun cream.
"Is Al up yet?" Emily asked listening to the faint chirping of birds while watching in fascination as several small emerald reptiles climbed the yellowing rustic walls dashing along the sandy ground. The flight has landed yesterday afternoon at five o'clock but after four hours of solid flying each of them had been a little worse for wear however it didn't stop them from jumping up and down like demented five years olds as they ran loose around the hotel searching for their rooms and crying in awe at the slightest thing.
"Nope, he didn't get in until late though," Eleanor said rolling up her newspaper and popping it to one side next to her sun cream and juice, "I was thinking, they have a water world advertised, we could go there today. Might be fun!" Emily nodded in rapt agreement. One entire week and she intended to make the most of it, each meal would be eaten out in style, each event would be something fascinating and wonderful - not the old "lets go look at four hundred year old rocks" but something cool like theme parks, water worlds, theatres, tours.
"Yup! If Al ever gets his fat behind out of bed then I'm all for it! They're was a market on yesterday, we could go have a look down there. Might be fun," Emily grinned skimming the surface of the pool playfully until suddenly she felt a warmth radiate from behind her and a voice whisper teasingly in her ear.
"Fat arse? I beg your pardon?"
The next moment she was hurled forwards as she crashed under the water inhaling sharp gulps of chlorine as her baggy shorts and tee-shirt weighed her down. Gasping as she broke the surface she heard great whoops of laughter echoing from the shore where Alfie stood grinning like the Cheshire cat pulling his tongue out at his little sister. Emily glared daggers as she swam for the shore where Al leaned over smugly - or at least smugly until his sister reached up and pulled him in causing him to squawk indigently as he flapped like a confused duck towards the surface.
"Oi! What was that for!" He cried incredulously as Eleanor dissolved into a puddle of hysterical giggles. Emily climbed clumsily out of the pool to enjoy a full picture of the spectacle that was Alfie treading water like a seal begging for fish waving his arms enthusiastically as his head bobbed on the surface. As their laughter floated infectious throughout the holiday suite mirrored by the beams of warm yellow sunlight warming their skin and deep blue sky above their heads with the scent of citrus fruits and wine tangled in with their laughter.
And that was the moment Emily felt completely at home for the first time in three years.
"To Greece? What would they want to go to Greece for?"
"Holiday maybe doc?" Jack suggested playfully. The Doctor raked a hand through his already messy hair as he spun on the spiny chair in the Torchwood base. He'd never seen the previous Torchwood hub before it's demise but he was admittedly impressed by the new one and it's technology. Mickey had his own little den full of high tech computers and laptops along with piles of empty pizza boxes and photographs pinned to the screen proudly displaying his wife and baby. Mickey Smith a father - now that made him feel old. He could remember when Mickey Smith probably couldn't have managed boo to a dog with no nose.
"Well yeah I suppose…" The Doctor sighed, "And I don't think they mean her any harm but…but still what are they Jack? I mean I've thought of everything and I mean everything, even Ursins from Limpet and that's saying something!" And still he was worried encase he had got it badly wrong and they did mean her harm. Even though he had only been her around her for a few weeks he could still feel something, like a small heartbeat in his mind thrumming alone in the emptiness. The closest he would ever get to another living Timelord, Donna's daughter - he owed her some sort of responsibility.
"About that," Jack continued brightly, "Mickey found some interesting camera footage earlier from six days ago. Seems Emily has a bit of a thing for tattoo's." The Doctor looked up bemused for several seconds.
"Tattoo's?" He repeated dumbfounded before the recognition dawned and he sprang to his feet elatedly, "Tattoo's! Well that rules out Ursin's since it would go completely against their founding laws! Perfect though, lots of traces of blood and bacteria…well depending on how often they clean anyway!" Which the Doctor was starting to hope was not often. If he could get a trace of blood to cross examine that would speed up things much quicker; he could have them identified in no time.
"Yeah, and guess who popped by yesterday only the camera's mysteriously go blank as he passes Kings Street round the corner," Jack said grinning broadly.
Come on Jack!" The Doctor cried sprinting across the white marble flooring of the Torchwood up and up a bending spiral staircase almost colliding head on with another girl coming down the steps. "Sorry Ivory!" He shouted back at the woman who blinked before shrugging taking another bite out of her strawberry ice cream.
Finally after weeks of speculating the Doctor had a lead.
"El Disco Athena, rumoured to be one of the best nightclubs in Athens according to…well this brochure actually but the cocktail menu looks good and it does sit in meals before ten!" Alfie said waving the brochure excitedly in front of his companions faces. Eleanor grabbed it off him smartly before browsing the article on the acclaimed night club as she narrowly avoided bashing into a weather beaten old lady carrying some sort of fish species. Smiling she nodded passing it to Emily to receive her critique.
A part of her still couldn't believe it. She, Eleanor Christie Marks was in Athens Greece! She spun out her arms feeling a bubble of pure and utter bliss rise inside her as she stretched out to embrace the fiery sun. The cobbled streets, the sandy lanes and yellowing rustic houses while the locals shouted in various tongues was incredible; miles away from wet drippy Wales. The fact that she could understand every word being said only made things more interesting as she could overhear conversations which nobody else could - she could communicate and strike bargains that her other companions couldn't.
Not a cloud in the sky, lush warm weather and tropical beaches filled with smooth white sand and vast sapphire sparkling waves. Now she really owed her father - she was still astounded he'd consented to her going but he had. Smiled, even helped her pack and bought her plenty of sun lotion before waving her off at the airport. And now she was perfectly free of parental supervision and at liberty to do what she pleased when she pleased knowing that there was no real authority figure to control her life.
"Sounds good but your paying! Where to next, we could go visit Zeus temple or see that new shopping centre this thing blabs on about?" Emily enthused brightly already developing a light tan on her normally pale skin. Brown locks had been separated into two French plaits skimming her shoulders while freckles lined her face and her tattoo was exposed as she wore a faded red vest top and a pair of blue shorts. Eleanor had bought a wrap around skirt decorated with large blue flowers while her top was a navy halter neck. She didn't expect to tan - she expected to burn, peel and then burn again. One of the benefits of having red hair and pale skin.
"Oh go easy Em, why don't we just keep walking and go with the flow. What d'you say Elmo? Up for a bit of a walk. We can always get the bus back in if that sod doesn't try to cheat me out of my Euros again." Alfie said ruefully as he crossed the street almost succeeding in getting himself ran down by a motorbike. Eleanor and Emily decided to cross the road in a more sensible manner before joining him again. Alfie seemed to soak up the heat just as avidly as his sister wearing nothing more than a pair of baggy blue three-quarter lengths leaving his chest bare and exposed - as many of the female tourists had also eagerly noticed.
"Why don't we get a drink? I'm roasting," Eleanor said fanning herself with the brochure, "But yeah the bar sounds good. I want one of those big ouzo drinks! And I want to try one of those Spanish Pina Colada things!" Alfie shook his head and laughed tapping his nose with his finger.
"I'm the responsible adult here and I say no way are you two getting any alcohol in any shape or form!" Alfie said jokingly with a firm commanding undertone. Eleanor squawked in protest glaring up at the teenage man who towered over her his hazel eyes twinkling amusedly at her rage as he shoved his hands into his pockets looking like an innocent child. Emily sighed demurely before shrugging and nodding in agreement.
"Probably for the best El, I don't want another tattoo," Emily reminded meekly.
Eleanor huffed in frustration; there was no way she was going to allowed Alfie of all people to tell her what to do. Not when he drank all the time, not when he laughed and flirted with all those girls, not when he walked about with his chest exposed not caring that half the female populace were eyeing him lustily. She raised her chin defiantly - no, she was not going to Alfred Smith tell her what to do. She gave an agitated breath before striding past him almost barging into him in the process. So what if she had never actually seen him drunk before, so what if he brought home lots of pretty skinny girls who didn't have to worry about their weight or skincare, so what if he never batted an eyelid in her direction, so what!
Alfred Smith was well mistaken if he thought she would bend to his whims like all the other girls. He could do what he blood what he bloody well liked, she wasn't going to swan after him! Not even if he did have a muscled chest and tall physique. Not even if he did make her laugh, not even if he was laid back and funny, not even if he did have beautiful eyes and a nice behind. He could do what he wanted. Just as she could do what she wanted.
And that was fine by Eleanor. Just fine.
Kirk Owens glanced up as the bell chimed announcing that somebody had entered his parlour. He paused from his routine scrubbing of the needle appliance and whirled around on his stool to face the newest prospective customers and felt mildly surprised as he took in their odd appearances. One looked like one of those Hollywood actors fresh off the set from a war movie with a heavy blue military jacket and strong physique while the other was far skinnier looking like a mathematics teacher that had taken a severe wrong turn in his wardrobe coming out with a brown pinstriped suit and a random pair of converse trainers while his hair messy hair looked thoroughly ruffled.
"Hiiii!" Greeted the pinstripe man enthusiastically as he approached Kirk flashing up an identity card like lightening pausing for a moment as Kirk's narrow blue eyes took in the writing on the front. Inside he swore feeling a nervous shiver creep down his spine. Health and Safety - that was all he needed now with Melvin taking the day off and the ink supplies not arriving. Bloody Health and Safety paying random visits for inspection.
"I'm John Smith and this is my associate Jack Harkness. We were just passing by and you know, thought we'd take a look around. Check up on a few details, that sort of thing," John Smith said sauntering past him without even waiting for a reply as he examined a few bits of machinery with vague interest. Kirk stood up and nodded helplessly as he watched the two men wander around his parlour as he internally prayed that Melvin had at least washed the sinks out from last night.
"Customer records? There's been a surge of underage kids getting tattoo's lately with no permission! We sent in a girl last week on Saturday. Pretty little thing. Emily Smith? Ring any bells?" Jack asked his American accent drifting through the shop. Kirk shook his head, he couldn't remember serving any girls on Saturday - at least not any young looking ones.
"I'm afraid not," Kirk said feeling flustered as the pinstriped man edged steadily towards the sterilising sinks, "No underage's allowed. Very strict, have to have parental permission. No girls in here last Saturday, just a few of the regulars." The regulars concluded of Stuart Brown, Danny Hendricks and Penny Bell who were rapidly running out of room on their bodies for tattoos. He couldn't recall serving such a girl but if Melvin had he was going to skin him alive nephew or no. John Smith looked faintly disappointed before his expression sobered up strangely.
"And what about yesterday?" He persisted, "Did a man come in yesterday?"
"Bloody hell mate," Kirk laughed nervously, "Tons of men come in here. Might want to be a little more specific."
"Youngish, about twenty with messy brown hair? Tall with broad shoulders? No…not ringing any bells?" John Smith asked hopefully approaching him. Kirk felt his stomach flutter apprehensively as he shook his head. Those brown eyes were wide and he wasn't quite sure he liked the expression in them; the wheels of Kirk Owens mind started to slowly turn as he backed away not quite sure why all fifteen stone of him would cower from a skinny man in pinstripes and converses. He gulped anxiously, the man was close now, almost nose to nose and he sighed regretfully, "I'm sorry, really but this won't take a minute…"
Kirk was aware of gentle finger tips being pressed against his temples.
Then it all went dark.
"Oh come on! It doesn't take that long to get ready!"
Alfie tapped his foot impatiently as he leaned cross-armed against the wall grumbling strings of muttered protests under his breath. He had thought himself generous when he had gave them each forty five minutes in which to get ready, however forty-five minutes had faded into one hour and now he was bored beyond belief. Personally It had taken him all of fifteen minutes - a change of clothes, some hair gel and a spray of aftershave. Nothing to it but his sweet dear sister and her friend?
He gazed around the hotel suite admiring it. Perhaps it wasn't very big but it was however not like the ones you saw on 'Holiday Horrors' with cockroaches spewing out of the toilet or loud raves taking place next door. The main room was a combined kitchen and living area with smooth laminated flooring and polished oak cupboards and a small fridge-freezer. There was a television set in front of the white couch which doubled as a fold out double bed where he slept after very generously offering the two bedrooms to the girls. A double glass door lead out on to the balcony while each bedroom carried a small en-suite bathroom with a shower. Various pot plants and pictures had been placed around the room to give it ambience although to Alfie's tastes shoving an overgrown weed next to the electrical wiring for the television was a bit of a fire hazard.
"Keep your knickers on!" Came a snappy retort. Alfie perked up and lifted his head as Eleanor's figure graced the stairwell garbed in a deep plum coloured mini dress with a vivid lavender belt and matching heels while her purple hair had been curled to lay around her shoulders and her eyes outlined in black kohl and sparkly blue eye-shadow. Inhaling softly he masked his initial stupor with a broad grin and a cocky wolf whistle as she descended downwards.
"May I escort you madam?" He asked presenting out an arm. This appeared to be the wrong sort of action entirely as Eleanor promptly cuffed him around the head and glared at him menacingly, "Or not. The choice is yours." Alfie quickly retreated feeling a bit let down as he raised his head and hollered up towards Emily's bedroom, "Come on Em! Even Ella's ready by now!"
"Don't rush me!" Came an peeved reply, eventually though Emily did present herself at the top of the stairwell and Alfie inwardly shuddered before frowning.
"No way. Get up those stairs and get changed!" Alfie demanded watching as his sisters face went from happy to furious in a matter of milliseconds. Stubbornly she growled folding her arms matching his glare with her own more prominent one which suddenly reminded him of the one his Gran usually reserved for their Dad after a particularly tiresome day. Refusing to be daunted by his kid sister Alfie maintained his ground and shook his head.
"Why?" Hissed Emily
"It's too short! Look at the length! I'm not having you dressed like a-"
"Like a what?"
Alfie gulped and attempted to backtrack realising the dangerous waters he had just dived head first into. Emily's eyes seemed to burn as she made a threatening step towards him. Taking in her mini skirt and a black halter neck top though he found himself unable to stop. What sort of brother would he be if he let his sister out in Greece wearing a skirt above knee length? He didn't want men staring at his sister! She was too young to be attracting that sort of attention.
"Look," Alfie said bravely, "Just go back and put on a pair of jeans or something okay?" Eleanor rolled her eyes giving Alexander a pitying look that an executioner might cast at the next offender.
"Why? Eleanor's wearing a mini dress! You know what Al? Stick it, I'm not coming!" Bellowed Emily as her face went a deep pink colour and her bottom lip wavered.
"No! Em, look if you just change then you'll be able to-"
"Urgh! Go out and get drunk yourself you stupid ape!" Snarled Emily. The next thing Alfie knew he was ducking as a pair of stiletto heels were aimed with deadly precision at his mid section. The sound of a bedroom door being slammed shut resonated through the suite and Alfie stood bewilderedly unable to process what had just happened before he turned to Eleanor.
"Is it her time of the month or something?"
"You are hopeless!" Eleanor snapped viciously as she stormed up the stairs to go fetch her friend. Alfie gaped after her like a fish flapping on the beach.
"I was just trying to…oh never mind!"
"Oh somebody's done a very good job with you!"
The Doctor felt his legs buckle as the full weight of Kirk Owens staggered against him, all fifteen stone and two pounds of him which the Doctor struggled with for a moment before pushing the unconscious man as gently as possible into a saggy red armchair to relieve himself of the weight. Turning back towards Jack he sighed as he collapsed into a wooden waiting chair. A slight twinge of pain echoed in the recesses of his amazing mind - he was out of practice with breaking barriers but as barriers went that one had been highly unusual.
"So what's the deal Doctor? Are they alien or what?" Jack asked curiously. The Doctor nodded, whatever doubts and suspicions he had about Emily Smith and her brother had just been confirmed. No human on the planet save one had the ability to do that with a persons mind. The question was if they were definitely not human then what where they? He raked his brain cataloguing through hundreds of species trying to pick out possibilities from their ranks. They would have to be some of the older races of the universe, playing around with human's brains wasn't exactly a common skill.
"Oh yes," The Doctor said, "But the question is what are they? I mean your basic alien life form wouldn't be able to do that which must make them old…extremely old…or depending how you look at it extremely young." Jack stared politely bemused not quite following through with what the Doctor was saying but too used to his mannerisms to know that eventually the Timelord would get around to answering him.
"You're gonna have to help me out here," Jack prompted staring at the collapsed tattooist with his head lolled in the chair resting on his greasy blue shirt, "What exactly did they do to him?" The Doctor looked up and frowned - Torchwood. Always jumping to full blow conclusions that any alien life forms on Earth were out for chaos. Alright perhaps Jack wasn't that bad but still he could see it bubbling underneath. Aliens, bring out the pitchforks and guns! No wonder the first human/ alien treaty wouldn't take place for another two centuries. Planet Earth would spend the next two hundred years fighting them off rather than trying to understand them.
"They or rather he," The Doctor corrected, "Wiped his memory. Wiped it clean too, not a bad job. Strong mental barriers but…but the thing is not many races have the power to do that. The human mind is easy to trick, easy to influence but to wipe memories? That's going back to the old species, the really ancient ones and most of them are dead!"
"But you can do that right? I mean you did it for Donna," Jack pointed out. The Doctor shook his head not exactly wishing to reminisce that particular instant. All he could see now when he picture Donna was her once robust vivid being now limp and lifeless hooked up to machines as she lay there as though engraved in stone. Alive but not there, as though she was somewhere else, impossible to revive without burning her mind to fragments.
"Yeah, of course Timelords can. We learned that at the Academy when we reached level twelve!" The Doctor explained thinking back to his Academy days on Gallifrey. Level Twelve, he'd been so young back then - only fifty-seven - learning how to exercise mental capacities over other life forms. "But this barrier was strong yet…amateur. Even if they do originate from the older species I think they're both still children. Children alone and stranded far from home…" The Doctor paused pensively feeling some pity for the beings put on this planet being drawn towards the only remotely alien thing they could find - Eleanor Marks.
"That night, you said she was drunk," The Doctor asked abruptly, "How much had she had?"
"According to Eleanor eight shots of tequila," Jack said amusedly, "Not exactly a lightweight huh?"
"Eight! Eight shots?" The Doctor said in astonishment, "She's what…nine stone? Give or take a pound or two? About five-foot one inch tall maybe? There's no way her body could withstand that amount of alcohol without collapsing and going into toxic shock surely!"
"Yeah but what do we do Doc? You say they're just children…can't we just confront them and send them home?" Jack demanded puzzled. The Doctor shook his head doubtfully, confronting them had the risk of losing them again but then why were they here unless there was some sort of purpose behind it. Jumping off his chair he strode determinedly towards the door. Martha wouldn't give him peace until he had at least checked up on Eleanor.
"Doctor! Where're you going!" Shouted Jack chasing him out into the street.
"Athens, two days in the future!" The Doctor yelled over his shoulder.
Eleanor shifted uneasily.
What she had initially hoped would be a good night out had turned into the opposite. Emily had morphed to an angry wolf and stoically refused to move unless her pigheaded older brother acknowledged his mistake and apologised. Suffice to say this had not happened and so Emily had vowed to remain inside her bedroom for the rest of the night watching old reruns of Friends saying that Ella should still go out with Alfie and try to enjoy herself despite his moronic company.
And now she was sitting in a crowded stuffy club with low vivacious music threatening to smash her eardrums causing the table to tremor nearly spilling her tropical cocktail all over her brand new dress while bodies swarmed around her pounding in beat to the rhythm. She watched as scantily clad beauties swayed with muscular Greek men feeling envy threaten to swallow her. Next to those long legged models she felt like Miss Piggy dressing up and trying to blend in with the rest of them. It didn't help that Alfie had disappeared on his journey to the bar leaving her alone in the dark corner as the smog machine hid her from view.
It seemed all her nights out were doomed. She wished she'd just stayed in with Emily and left it to another night. Who knows? Maybe if she had they could both have snuck out together and enjoyed themselves…even so Emily would fit in here. She was pretty and skinny, not like lumbering ten ton Tessie the Dinosaur. Feeling a dark cloud of melancholy descend upon her she finished her drink quickly before standing up. Sod this for a laugh. She was going to go back to the hotel and sit up with Emily instead of trying to enjoy herself while she was alone and feeling vulnerable and insecure. She didn't fit in here, she didn't really fit in anywhere except when she was with Emily or occasionally Alfie when he wasn't sulking over arguing with his sister or doing a disappearing act.
Standing up she made for the flashing neon exit sign pushing past the sea of nauseating couples. The foggy and heat was starting to make her dizzy - it was so warm inside that sweat trickled down the back of her neck and she couldn't think clearly for the blearily smoke in her mind and the burning sensation in her throat craving fluids to appease the fire burning under her skin. The room began to waver tediously as her legs felt strange - almost elasticised as she stumbled near headlong into one man trying to keep balance. Laughter rang in her ears and humiliation pulsed through her body as she bashed clumsily into one of the half dressed men.
"She's had a bit too much! You want to dance with her Daniél?" Whooped one of the nearby youths.
"Too fat for me!"
The room began to blur; Eleanor could hear their voices reverberating through her head as her skin itched ferociously as a fire was enflamed within her head. The bright lights blinded her and her stomach churned as she tumbled away from the laughter feeling horror and disgust revel away at her innards. Blindly she felt a pair of arms grab her and wheel her away as a loud voice thundered above the music bright, clear and very confident.
"Oh yeah? By the way I was just wondering where your young lady comes from cause the morgue is missing it's corpse!" The smile never wavered from Alfie's face but there was a slightly manic look in it's quality. The brawny man next to the unfortunate Daniel took a step forward his eyes narrowed as he flexed his impressive biceps. Eleanor was vaguely away of swearing taking place but if Alfie could understand Greek or not she didn't know however when it was repeated in English she knew that he definitely heard it.
"You wanting something?"
"Not with you," Alfie conceded suddenly sounding thoughtful, "You're not really my type. Sorry but I do know some nice men outside who I could give a call for you. What are you? Five-ten? Small hands though, pity - I'm sure somebody will have you!" Even in her dehydrated haze Eleanor could see the fury etching itself slowly on the Greek's face before he bellowed like a bull his fist whirling forwards. Never let his grin slip Alfie grabbed the fist easily before bending the man's arm putting himself face to face using his impressively taller height to his advantage.
"Take some advice mate," Alfie said pleasantly his hazel eyes wide and earnest, "Next time you chose to laugh at somebody please remember this moment." He moved like a tiger wasting no time as he struck out burying his knee deeply in the man's groin before twisting his arm backwards. There was a faint popping noise and a cry of agony as the Greek tumbled to the dance floor. Alfie beamed at the astonished crowd before picking a drink off a nearby table taking a deep sip before hesitating to stare at his fallen victim, "Tell you what. Drinks on me yeah?" The pink liquid poured over the man's head and the next minute Eleanor felt herself being pulled firmly through the crowds and out the door into the mercifully cool air.
"W-What are you?" Gulped Eleanor her breath ragged as she leaned against the building wall taking deep inhalations of the air feel her skin burn and small lights dance hazily in the back of her head.
"One of a kind," Alfie quipped pressing surprisingly cool gentle fingers against her head, "And you Eleanor Marks - high temperature, lack of breath, dizziness and fatigue - you are dehydrated!" He declared boldly. Eleanor rolled her eyes.
"Thanks for stating the obvious!" She snapped irritably wishing his cold hands were back against her burning head.
"Well it just so happens that on my way to the bar I found a bottle of water! Good old H20 eh?" Alfie brightly said giving her a bottle of clear water. In a single swift motion Eleanor took the lid off and gulped down the water as though it was the manna of life taking in every ounce of it's cool fluid relishing it as it trickled down her barren throat. Once she was done she handed it back to Alfie who accepted it taking a small polite sip.
"My hero," Muttered Eleanor taking a breath in as she admired the surrounding area. The club boarded on the promenade, before them stretched an endless beach of pure white sand wavering in the wind while distantly there lay the inky waves of the see reflecting the starry sky above making it impossible to tell where sky began and water ended. Lights flashed from other bars and clubs while behind them on the road came the noise of heavy traffic and the winking of the many yellow lights from hotels and houses beyond. Admiring the night sky she sighed feeling her feet ache fighting the desire to rip off her shoes and walk bare foot on the tranquil sand.
"You should take those things off. I don't know how you walk in them," Alfie suggested gesturing at the killer heels, "In fact if you don't take them off I'll carry you." He added as a threat. Eleanor snorted feeling self pity and loathing bubble and simmer inside her. Why couldn't he bugger off back to one of those skinny Greek women? She felt like a horrible bloated mammoth, she knew she should have laid off the complimentary truffles the other day on the flight. Nobody would ever look twice at her, abruptly she felt like stamping her feet and smashing up everything in front of her as rage fermented deeply inside her. She longed to scream and shout feeling it blaze within all consuming - however there was no Sophie to vent her emotions on or anything to smash. Just the serene beach mocking her temper.
"Yeah, like you could carry me!" Eleanor growled glaring furiously at the sea. Mocking - everyone mocking her, patronising her, clever little Ella could solve everyone's problems except her own. Let Ella find the cure for world hunger and poverty, let Ella stop famine and war because she was so clever. All those people, doctors, nurses, psychologists, parents, everyone laughing at her. A joke - the whale who could save the planet.
Suddenly the next moment she felt something lift her physically throwing her over his shoulder. She shrieked completely forgetting her train of angst as her view rapidly became vertical as she stared at the pavement below slamming her fists on somebody's back. "Let go of me you imbecile! Put me down!" In all honesty she did try to sound angry but laughter broke through the façade and she ended up reluctantly giggling despite herself.
"I did warn you!" Alfie called cheerfully as her set her on her feet, "Now take the shoes off. Come on! Walk barefoot on the sand! Look!" At this he pulled off his flip-flops and flung them away as he twirled on the white sand joyfully. Eleanor laughed pulled off her own heels ignoring the fact that they had cost her thirty Euros as she threw them as far as possible.
"Let's go back! I could get you a cup of tea? Or coffee? Or hot chocolate? Or brandy? Or juice? Or wine? Or beer or-"
"Tea will do!" Eleanor said placing a finger on his lip meeting his deep hazel eyes with her own blue ones. For a moment nothing else existed, nothing except for her and him on the beach barefoot in the sand. Warmth pulsed from him, she felt her heart echo in her ears and her stomach do nervous flips as she awaited him to say something to stop her. Slowly she removed her finger as the waves crashed around them and soft music thrummed from the nightclub. A broad grin spread on Alfie's face and he nodded offering out a hand.
"Tea?"
Eleanor accepted it with a smile that lit up her whole face. Feeling his skin beneath hers as his fingers wrapped themselves like a blanket around her hand holding it safely in his comfort. "Tea." She found herself saying as he lead her home.
Unnoticed by both of them across the street a man in pinstripes turned away towards a blue box.
The little things never went unnoticed but the big things always past them by.
At least for now.
Had to get this off my chest, it's been nagging me for days! Anyway the holiday is underway and in the next chapter they have to touch down back in Cardiff and back in school! Also I'll just get this out of the way - Alfie is 6ft two inches and weighs about 12 stone but if you take into consideration his height then that's still making him quite lean but obviously broader than the Doctor. Emily pretty tiny at five foot one inch and eight stone 13 pounds so she's quite skinny but not anorexic. Finally Eleanor is 5ft 4inch and weighs 10 stone however she's a different type of frame to Emily who is pretty overall flat while Eleanor is very curvy in all the right places - not fat!
Anywa Alfie's birthday approaches while they get permission slips to go on a school trip...
At least one person is not going to ever forget it.
Also R&R my Torchwood fic because it does tie in with this one (it isn't absolutely necessary but it might help! Sort of like a prequel!)
But more importantly Read and Review this one!
Daydreamer!x
