A warm breeze bends the dry grass over the path, tickling the bare feet of the beach's most frequent visitor. She wanders down the path, the packed dirt still damp from the morning rain, and gazes out into the endless sea.
The tide is coming in. Just as it had been on that day.
The waves lap at the shore, the current threatening to suck her in should she go too deep. The disturbed sand washes over her feet with each wave, steadily burying them and soaking the ends of her golden gown.
To anyone else her choice to wear an evening gown to the beach would be strange. Downright silly.
She tilts her head at the thought, a mischievous twinkle in her eye and her tongue sticking out from between her teeth. They weren't wrong.
But this dress had been a gift. It was only appropriate to wear it here of all places.
So long ago, when she was but a girl, she stood upon this very beach. Her life changed, not once, but twice. Both times she said goodbye to the man she loved. Told to move on.
Perhaps that would be the smart thing to do. To let go of the past and live her life in the present. Its not like she was dealt a bad hand. Her mother was happily married, she had a little brother who looked up to her, she was a respected member of Torchwood, Earth's first defense against extraterrestrial threats.
Let's not forget her best friend. He was a boy when they met; when he was entrusted into her care. Oh how he's grown.
Perhaps it would be best if she listened and moved on. Lived in the now.
But Rose Tyler was never good at doing what she was told.