I thought May and June will pass slowly, but I was wrong. During that time, I found myself tutoring Mummy on everything I know about the past. Neither of us can afford to mess with time. I got through my GCSEs, but I won't know how well I've done until I return. Mummy gave Mum her engagement ring back for safekeeping, "at least until I return," she told her. "If you want to give it to my older self, I don't mind."

Now we have a bit of an awkward party since both my older self and Mummy's older self want to come and wish us luck. "I guess we make it," Mummy says as we look at everyone who has gathered.
"Yes, we must do. Our learning must pay off." I put my hand in my pocket and feel a piece of paper there. Huh? What is that? I pull it out and open it.
"What is that?" Mummy asks.

Good luck, lass. You will do me proud.

- William McMaster Murdoch

"It's the piece of paper my older self gave me. I think my future husband communicates with me through it."
"Henrat?"
"No, William."
"How many times has he contacted you so far?"
"Twice. The first time he told me to make a detailed diary. That's a point, I better make sure all my diaries are together so I can bring them with us."
"That sounds like a good idea."

I head up to my room and gather all my diaries, including the blank notebooks I want to use. I glance around my room one last time. Will this be the last time I see it? Will I ever move back to number thirteen? I shut my eyes and start breathing. If I think too far ahead, I might go into a panic. Mummy needs me, and I can't lose myself now.

I open my eyes again. "Time to leave," I tell myself before I pack up my diaries, pick up my bags, and walk out of the room. I look back one more time and place my hand on the doorknob. Will I ever return to this room?

Well, there is only one way to find out. I shut the door behind me and take my bags downstairs, leaving them by Mummy's belongings. I head back out and return to the party.

The Doctor is already there with his TARDIS parked in the corner. He's talking to Mummy's younger self. "Ah, Emma, I was about to come and find you," he says. He pulls Mummy and me to one side. "How are you both feeling?"
"A bit nervous," I admit, "but I think I'm ready."
"I don't know nearly as much as you, so I'll rely on you," Mummy replies. "I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. After all, we're both in this together."
"But it's not just us, is it?" We look back at the groups and see Mum talking with Catalina, Anne, Jane, Anna, and Kitty. Harry, Charles, and James are talking with my older self, and I realise she has a small smile on her face. I think it's one of the few times I've ever seen her smile. "We'll have to make sure Catalina, Anne, Jane, Anna, Kitty, and Ruby stay on track."
"It's not just that lot you have to worry about," the Doctor says, "but you two do need to focus on them the most."
"What about Henrat?" I turn back to him. "Do I have to tell him about myself?"
"At some point, yes. I doubt he'd like it if he discovers you're a Human-Qetesh hybrid on your wedding night."
I growl at him. "But I think there's someone else who'll need to know before they marry you."
"Oh, I'm happy with telling William. It's Henrat I don't trust."
"Who on Earth started calling him Henrat?"
"My second husband, during the 1911 census."
"Well, that explains a lot." The Doctor smiles at us. "But maybe refrain from calling Henrat that until after April 1911."
"I'll try."

"Oh, before I forget, I have a couple of gifts for you both. Which of you wants to go first?"
"Mummy?" I ask, looking at her.
"No, no, you go first."
"No, I insist."
"Well, alright." Mummy steps forward, and the Doctor starts rummaging through his pockets.
"Oh, where did I put it?"
"Put what?"
"Ah, there it is!" He pulls out a pouch. "I don't normally carry money around with me, but this pouch is full of money from Henry VIII's reign, and I thought it should tide you both over until you're paid."
"How much money is in here?" Mummy asks, taking it.
"£400 in Tudor money."
"That's £266,300 in today's money!" I cry.
"£266,382.80."
"Good grief, we'll be rich there!"
"Be careful, that money could run out quickly. I've also set out Tudor clothes for you both to take with you. Sarah Jane, you will take care of both yours and Emma's money. When Ruby arrives, she'll rely on you both to help her."
"Right," Mummy nods. "We'll help her in any way we can."

"Emma, your history books turn blank when you travel back, right?" He asks.
"That's right."
"I thought you might want a bit of musical help."
"Musical?"
"Yeah." I notice a computer bag at the Doctor's feet, and he pulls out a laptop. "You can access the internet on this computer without needing wi-fi," he says. "It should help you with your research, and you can also watch YouTube videos from the future."
"Really?"
"Yeah, here, let me show you. Of course, I'll need you to set up a password so you and Sarah Jane are the only ones that can access it, and—"
"Hold on," Mummy interrupts, "what about charging it up? We won't have electricity in Tudor England."
"I know, but this computer is solar-powered, so when it gets low, get out in the sun and charge it up."
"But it's not always sunny, so we can't rely on the weather."
"I know, but it also powers itself on wind power. If you plug this... hang on." The Doctor rummages through the bag again and pulls out a mini wind turbine. "If you plug this in when it's windy, it will charge the computer up."
"Thanks, Doctor."
"You're welcome. Did I mention you might want a bit of musical help?"
"Yes, you did."
"I thought I did."

The Doctor takes my computer from me and opens YouTube. "While your books will turn blank, you can access all the information and videos you need here. You can also call your family and friends if you want, but don't do it too often. We don't want you accidentally changing history."

I can contact my friends that are in the future? This is even better than I expected! If I can get their help and access all the information I need online, we're set. Mummy and I can travel back in time and live through five hundred years. I just have to make sure I don't leave this computer anywhere stupid. "Ah, I think I found what I was looking for." I pay attention to the screen again to see that the Doctor typed in 'Titanic the Musical'.
"Doctor, is that a good idea? We have three—no, four—Titanic officers here. Are you sure it is a wise idea to show them the musical?"
"I have already seen the version you're going to watch, and it's perfectly fine."
"I still don't think it's a good idea. What if it traumatises them?"
"Okay, never mind." He closes the tab and shuts the computer before putting it back in the computer bag. "I also got you an mp4, speakers and headphones. Your mum told me you listen to music at night, so I thought it would work. Unlike with the computer, the mp4 will never need charging up. If you ever lose either of these, I'll know and either try and get them back for you or get you replacements, alright?"
"Okay."
"Right, that's everything sorted. If you two can say your goodbyes so we can get going..."
"Of course," Mummy agrees, and we head back to the party.

I head over to Clyde, Rani, and Maria first. "Is everything alright?" Rani asks.
"Mummy and I must leave now. I guess the sooner we go, the better."
"It will certainly be quieter without this version of you."
"That might be unless my older self decides to move in. Mum and Mummy will have a bit of a handful then."
"Yeah, just a bit," Clyde agrees.
"I do have some technology I can use to call you."
"Well, don't be a stranger."
"I won't."
"I guess I'll see you soon," Maria says, "or rather, my younger self will. Gosh, that is going to be strange. Thank goodness there aren't two versions of me running around too!"
"What do you mean?" Clyde asks.
"I'm a reincarnated lady-in-waiting. I served Catalina back in Tudor England."
"Oh, I guess that—but wait, when were you reincarnated?"
"1544, the same year as the other ladies-in-waiting and maids-of-honour."
"Wasn't that also when I made the queens immortal?" I ask.
"Yes, that's right." Maria looks over at the queens, and I look over too. Anne is already running around the garden, probably in the middle of a sugar rush. I'll let her calm down a little before I say goodbye to the queens.
"I'll make sure to call you through my travels," I promise.

Next up is my older self. "You take care of yourself, alright?" I ask.
"You can't tell me what to do, I'm hundreds of years older than you!"
"No, but I am your younger self, which must have some sort of power over you."
"Afraid not, little Em."
"Hey!"

Luke walks over to me. "Are you sure you can't stay?"
"I'm afraid I can't."
Luke pulls me into a hug. "Call me whenever you need to talk."
I hug Luke back. "Of course, I will."

He stays by my side as I say goodbye to Charles, Harry, and James. It's going to be strange when I meet them again as I'll know their future selves. How on earth will they react when they learn that? "You lot better not get into any trouble," I grin.
"We cannot make any promises, Emma," Charles says, "you know that."
"I know, but don't intentionally get yourselves into trouble."
"I think we can handle that."
"After the Fort Denison incident?" My older self asks. "I really don't think you can."
"One time! And it was due to a Sontaran!"

I walk over to the queens—thank goodness Anne calmed down since I last spotted her. "I guess I'll see you lot soon," I say.
"Or in a few decades for some of us," Anna grins. "Don't worry, Emma, you and Sarah Jane will do great." The other queens voice their agreement.
"Emma?" Catalina asks. "Can we talk in private?"
"Sure." What is this about?

I follow Catalina back into the house, and she stops in the kitchen. She turns to me, and I realise there are tears in her eyes. "Emma, make sure you look after yourself. Don't do everything just because that's what history books say. Do things because you want to."
I nod, and I don't think I can verbally answer her. Catalina holds her arms out, and I hug her. "You'll do great."

We head back out, and I walk over to Mum. She's the last person I have to say goodbye to, and I've put it off as long as I could. "I wish we had a little more time before you left," Mum says.
"Me too, but this is for the best. We will get through this."
"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier." Mum pulls me into a hug, and I hug her back. "Take care of Sarah."
"I will." I let Mum go and walk over to join Mummy, who is standing by the back door. We collect our bags and walk over to the TARDIS. The Doctor pushes open the doors, and we step inside. K-9 follows us, and the doors shut.