The Doctor placed the turkey in the oven, deciding it was the best place to leave the Christmas dinner there as the fridge he owned wasn't large enough to accommodate it.
"The place seems clean, cosy," Missy commented, inspecting the hallway and living room. "Are you expecting somebody else?"
"No," he retorted, turning around to face her. "It's Christmas and you can't expect me to let my home turn into a pig-sty."
The vice-chancellor stared at her brother for a second longer. Why the hell was he dressed as if he's on a date? "Well, it's just that there's something different about this place since the last time I was here."
Her brother shrugged. "I haven't done anything to it."
She felt as if there was more to it but decided to let it go since it was Christmas, as much as she hated the holiday. "So where are the kittens?" she inquired, setting the small luggage she held next to the armchair.
"They're upstairs," he answered. "I had to keep them in the cage while cleaning the house."
Without another word, Missy grabbed her suitcase and went upstairs to unpack. Surely enough, she was greeted by the sight of a large cage sitting in the corridor of her brother's room. Idris ignored her while Michael and Lily stared at the new stranger.
"You don't happen to know what's going on, do you?" she asked the kittens.
If only they could speak. If only.
Back downstairs, the Doctor took the opportunity to return to the house next door where Clara was waiting for him in the kitchen, a worried look washed over her when she saw him.
"Please tell me that was just a prank and that your sister isn't really here yet," she said, eyes wide. It was too soon. Nothing would go according to plan.
The Doctor gave her an apologetic look. He wished he was joking, but he wasn't. "She brought a turkey, albeit, a small one, but a Christmas dinner nonetheless."
She groaned, hiding her face in her hands, wondering if there was a way to tackle the obstacle they were facing.
"I don't think we'll be sitting at the dinner table and having a traditional Christmas dinner," he added hastily, unable to bear seeing Clara distraught. "I think she just brought a turkey for the sake of it."
"Yes, but how are you going to sneak around, then?"
An idea came to him. The motion camera. He flashed her a reassuring smile, pulling out his smartphone. "I have this, remember?" he stated, shaking the device. "My sister will probably just stay in her room for the rest of the evening."
She blew air between her teeth, pondering, thinking. "Well, our turkey is done, so dinner will be served when everyone else comes downstairs."
"It'll be fine," the Doctor assured her once more, rubbing her back comfortingly.
"Is everything alright in the kitchen?" Nan asked in concern as she stepped inside.
Clara forced a smile. "Yep, just… you know… stressed about dad and Linda."
Her grandmother waved her hand. "Oh, there's no need to worry about that, dear," she replied. "Your father is just surprised is all."
"I just hope that evil cat doesn't get anywhere near our room," the three heard Linda commet.
Nan then whispered, "Just ignore her like you always do."
She then left the kitchen, remembering the present she left in the living room. "Clara dear, would you come here for a moment?"
Nan held an envelope in one hand, flashing the couple a warm smile. "Your father and I got you and John a little Christmas present," she stated. "And in case you're wondering, it's not money," she added cheekily.
Clara embraced her grandmother. "Thank you so much, nan – I'm sure we'll love whatever it is," she said before hugging her father.
Dave chuckled. "I love those funny looking socks you got for me."
The Doctor then hugged nan, as he didn't want to seem as awkward as he actually is. "Thank you."
"Anything for you, sweetheart," she replied in a flirtatious manner, sitting down on the sofa. "Now where's my present?"
Clara beamed. "Don't worry, nan, we didn't forget."
"Is it great-grandchildren?" her grandmother inquired, feigning the façade of innocence. "I've always wanted great-grandchildren."
John coughed while Clara furrowed her brows in shock. Both mathematicians were blushing furiously. Just a day ago, they had an accidental conversation regarding kids, and now this. Her father and Linda were staring at them, anticipating an answer.
Clara Oswald could only laugh. "Nan," she groaned.
"What?" she said defensively. "If you ask me, John here looks like he has dad skills."
The Doctor could only stand in awkward silence.
"I bet he is wonderful with children."
Clara was immediately reminded of the science festival. That was, well, is something she's looking forward to. "Anyway," she said, changing the subject and opening the storage door by the stairs. She produced a rectangular box. "Merry Christmas, Nan."
"I'm curious to know what's inside," the elderly lady murmured as she took off the lid. Inside was a blue t-shirt, with the words 'Sassiest Nan in the UK' written on it in bold white letters.
The living room was filled with laughter.
"It was actually John's idea," Clara added.
The couple had been out shopping in Oxford Street a few weeks ago and when the Doctor spotted the t-shirt at a shop they were passing by, he couldn't help but make a comment and the next thing he knew, his girlfriend had thought it would be the perfect gift for her grandmother.
"Well, I absolutely love it – thank you," Nan said, holding up the t-shirt. "I'll just ask for great-grandkids on my birthday."
Another awkward silence filled the room.
Everyone was saved from second-hand embarrassment when the Doctor's phone started beeping. He immediately pulled it out to thank whatever had saved him.
The motion camera.
He cleared this throat, glancing at Clara. "I… um… the cats…"
"It's fine, I'll just get dinner ready while you check on them," she replied, smiling as she stood up.
He mimicked her actions. They hurried off into the kitchen, leaving the three guests puzzled.
"Where is he going?" Dave asked, exchanging looks with his mother.
"It's probably quicker to go through the back or something," nan replied, shrugging it off.
In the kitchen, John was about to explain the real reason he used his pets as a distraction. "The camera just picked up movement and it's Missy," he explained, debating whether he should return to his house.
"Maybe she's just wandering around?"
"No, it looks as if she's looking for me," he said, handing Clara his phone which showed a live feed of the hallway.
She stared at it for a few seconds. "I think you should go and come back here as soon as you can," she suggested.
"That's what I thought," he replied, hurrying off once more.
As soon as he opened the back door, the Doctor was greeted by the sight of his sister rummaging through his fridge.
"Oh, there you are," she muttered, not even glancing in his direction. "What were you doing in the garden?"
"I thought I heard something," he lied through quick thinking, avoiding looking at her. "Thought it might be Dr Bosswald's cat."
"You mean your girlfriend?"
He forced a frown.
Missy then found an unopened box of chocolates in the back and pulled it out. "I'm taking these."
"Be my guest," John sighed, treading upstairs to check on the cats. He knelt in front of their cage. "Just bear with me for a few more hours," he whispered.
"When are you planning to have the turkey?" Missy yelled from downstairs.
"Do we really have to dine together?" he whined.
"I didn't spend hours on it only for it to rot."
The Doctor ran a hand through his silver curls. Why couldn't he just have a quiet Christmas dinner with Clara and her family? Why did Missy have to be so… Missy? He loves his sister, but that woman gets on his nerves sometimes. "We can eat together in an hour or two," he yelled back.
Returning downstairs, he decided to switch on the television so that he could pretend to be watching television while waiting for his sibling to go back upstairs.
"I think Shrek in on BBC," Missy commented, taking a bite of a piece of chocolate.
He turned around to face her. "Do I look like I'm twelve to you?"
"You behave like one," she answered, walking up the steps.
The Doctor waited until he heard the door close before dashing back to the garden. Climbing over the fence, he straightened his jumper before stepping inside the house.
Laughter could be heard coming from the dining area.
"And then the eggs went flying across the supermarket!" Nan exclaimed.
Clara glanced to her right and she caught a glimpse of John entering the kitchen. They made eye contact and he rushed over to her side.
"I hope I didn't intrude and miss anything," he murmured, sitting next to his partner.
"No, Nan was just telling us how she accidentally sent several eggs flying across Tesco," she explained, silently hoping that everything was still under control.
John chuckled. "Sounds like fun."
Dinner went by smoothly despite the couple receiving a few snarky remarks from Linda. Dave had slowly warmed up to John and the mathematician ended up talking about black holes. Nan was more than happy to receive a free lecture from her future grandson-in-law.
Clara would call it a victory. Things went according to plan. All the Doctor had to do now was to return to his home and then sneak back to hers so he could stay for the night. The plan sounded simple in their heads, but not with Missy lurking around.
They had retreated to the kitchen once more with Clara eager to open their Christmas present from Dave and Nan.
"What do you think it is?" she asked, holding the white envelope with both hands.
"I'm guessing concert tickets?" he replied. "Or maybe tickets to a show?"
"Maybe," she murmured, opening the envelope carefully.
It was a neatly folded piece of paper. Unfolding the document, she scanned the contents, eyes wide. "They got us tickets to Kuala Lumpur," she revealed, finally looking up.
"What?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"We're flying there next year in April… even the hotel is sorted."
John took the booking confirmation from Clara. "Two weeks," he read. "This is nice of them."
Suddenly, Clara laughed. "This is probably Nan's plan in order for her to have great-grandchildren."
The Doctor merely gave her a confused look. Was it too early to talk about children? They keep bumping into the topic, but he didn't want to make her feel awkward, so he decided to remain silent.
"I was joking," she said, wondering if John dislikes children.
"I know," he answered awkwardly, handing back the letter. "Right, I have to return home now before Missy suspects something."
"Good luck sitting through another Christmas dinner," Clara commented as she followed him outside to the back garden.
The Doctor took the first step up the wooden box. "If I'm honest, I don't think I can eat another turkey," he confessed. "Your grandmother just kept forcing me to eat."
"She has a habit of doing that."
"I'll see you very soon," he stated, bending down and giving her a peck on the lips.
"Your Christmas present will be waiting."
He shot her a suggestive look.
She burst into a fit of giggles. "Not what I meant, but we'll see."
"We'll see?" he repeated, climbing over the fence.
Out of the blue, a torchlight was shone into John's face, and he nearly lost his balance while trying to cross over to his side of the garden. Quick thinking saved him as he held onto the fence.
"Well, well, well," Missy muttered sarcastically, moving the light back and forth between John and Clara. She was dressed in a pair of fluffy slippers and a white robe "What do we have here – a secret rendezvous?"
Fuck.
They're fucked.