It's night-time, and there's call for discussion in both households.

(Shot of Rose and John sitting at the table.)

Rose: "So how was soccer training?"

John: "Michael's really coming along. I've never seen him have so much fun."

Rose: "You enjoyed watching him, huh?"

John: "I never said I wouldn't. I just have work to do, to provide for this family. Miranda doesn't work, so I need to do what I can to keep the money rolling in. And Miranda has no problem with that – in fact she encourages it."

Rose (cautiously): "John ... I get the feeling that Miranda really is in charge of this household. You might have some influence, for example in the values that you instil in your kids – values I don't entirely agree with, by the way – but in other cases, I get the feeling that you're just doing what Miranda tells you to."

(John is quiet for a moment.)

John: "She's always been a very demanding, controlling person. When I first met her I admired that about her – it was what made her so strong. But I suppose there are times when I find I can't speak my own mind. As a couple, we're meant to agree on everything."

Rose: "Not necessarily. You wouldn't believe the differences between the Doctor and me. While we both share the same passion for adventure, there are still parts of his life that I don't know about. And I'm sure I have fetishes that must seem completely alien to him, which would make sense, considering. But that doesn't mean that we can't get along and work things out together. In some cases, one person speaking their mind has saved the other person from making a terrible decision."

(John looks at Rose inquisitively.)

(Shot of the TARDIS console, where the Doctor is frantically working.)

The Doctor: "Come on! Surely if I take some of the power from the dimensional-stabilisers and transfer it into the time rotor it'll give off enough energy to..."

(Miranda comes into the room.)

The Doctor: "Oh, don't you ever sleep?"

Miranda: "I could say the same about you. You're wasting your time, you know. I've completely disabled this apparatus from functioning."

The Doctor: "Since when did you get so smart?"

Miranda: "I've told you how much I like structure and order in my life. If you just logically follow the instructions in the manual then it's really quite basic. I can set an oven-timer – why can't I do this? Plus I obviously have plenty of free time up my sleeve."

(The Doctorraises an eyebrow.)

The Doctor: "You actually seem to have lots of potential, Miranda Smith."

Miranda (slightly blushing): "God gave women the ability to manage time efficiently, multitask, etcetera. That way they are trained to be good mothers and wives."

The Doctor (rolling his eyes): "Is that all you ever think about? Can't you get it into your head that the universe is so large, and there's so much more you can achieve?"

(Miranda walks up to the Doctor.)

Miranda: "You don't get it, do you? The human race would have never advanced as far as it did if there hadn't been good, stable families with caring mothers to guide the way."

(The Doctor ponders this for a moment.)

The Doctor: "But you talked about multitasking – why couldn't you work and look after kids?"

Miranda: "When it comes to my children, they require my full attention. I just want to protect them, can't you understand that?"

The Doctor: "I can understand where you're coming from, yes. But I also want my children to enjoy their lives, all 13 of them. And even if they only had one, I wouldn't want them to waste a second of it."

(Miranda shakes her head.)

As the week progresses, it seems that both families are settling into their new routines, though they still find it hard at times.

Romana (to camera): "I'm SO BORED! The furthest we've travelled so far is into town to buy some groceries. Mind you, I've really enjoyed spending time with Lisa. It's weird to make a real friend and keep them, knowing that they're still there."

David: "I've been playing cricket at lunchtime with the guys at school. I've never played before, but they say I'm a natural. I wonder where I get it from?"

The Doctor (to camera): "I've noticed that the kids, Romana especially, are really capitalising on the idea of making friends. Since I was a bit of an outsider when I was a kid, it's something that I never really took much notice of. And Rose barely ever sees her friends anymore. I guess I forgot that the companionship one gains from friends is something completely different to spending time with your parents."

(Shot of the Doctor heading off to work – shot of the Doctor at work.)

The Doctor (to camera, as he types on the computer): "Here I am at my job. I sit at a desk all day and type stuff into the computer, and occasionally get phone calls. It's still a strange feeling to be standing still, not moving. I can feel time passing around me, and know that with each second I could be stepping onto New Earth, chatting with Agatha Christie, or exploring the pyramids."

(Shot of Miranda and the family sitting at the dinner table.)

Miranda: "How was everyone's day?"

David: "I bowled my mate Daniel in cricket!"

Romana: "Lisa introduced me to her friend Jane, and we chatted all through lunch."

(The Doctor smiles, somewhat understanding the work a parent does so that their children can be happy.)

In the Smith household, preparations are underway for the big weekend.

(Shot of the family standing in the lounge room, with Rose standing looking at them.)

Rose: "Okay. The party's tomorrow, and we've got a lot of work to do. So – who's doing balloons?"

Michael: "I am, Miss Rose."

Rose: "Good. Streamers?"

Jennifer: "Me. Can I invite Molly over after school to help put them up?"

Rose: "What a good idea! An extra pair of hands is always useful. I take it you kids have received your RSVPs?"

(The kids nod. Meanwhile, John is just standing there, dumbfounded.)

Rose: "Well done. Now, I'm getting the rest of the party supplies tomorrow during the day. The caravan's arriving then too, so I've got to make sure I'm at home when that comes. If not I could ask one of the neighbours to look out for it. You kids have also got to find time to pack, since you won't have much time beforehand. Remember, we're all going to Michael's soccer game in the morning and then we're hitting the road! So maybe you could get a few things together now, okay?"

Jennifer: "I've never packed a bag before."

Rose: "Yes, of course. Okay, why don't you just go to your room and I'll help you in a minute."

(The kids run off. John scratches the back of his head.)

John: "Isn't this a bit much?"

Rose: "What? Doesn't your wife so stuff like this? I thought your wife was the structured, ordered one."

John: "Yeah – when she's got a carefully laid out plan that she's been working on for weeks in order to iron out any flaws."

Rose: "Ah. Well that's where the difference between me and her lies. Living with the Doctor, you've got to make use of the short amount of time you have. It involves a lot of improvisation, communication and cooperation."

John: "But doesn't it get tiring – all this running about? Don't you ever want time to sit down and relax?"

Rose: "Have you ever felt that rush of adrenalin, John? Been so excited that you feel like you can do anything? That's how my life feels – and I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes it's quite fast-paced, but the amount that you learn in that time and the growth you experience makes it all worth it. And even in little tasks like preparing a party, you realise how much things can work out if you can together as a team. Not just adults ordering the kids around, but everyone pulling their weight and feeling like they're equally part of something. Speaking of which – while I help Jennifer pack, how about you help Michael?"

John: "Okay."

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