September 1995

Amelia Pond hated Leadworth. She hated England. She hated her new school, her new house and most of all she hated living with her aunt. It was obvious that her aunt could barely be bothered with her. Sharon had just unceremoniously dropped her off here this morning. Had made no attempt to make sure that Amelia got where she needed to go.

Amelia missed her old school and living in Scotland and her old house. But mostly she missed her mum and dad. Her lovely mum and dad that she would never see again.

She fought back tears as she sat with her back against the tree on the playground. Even at six, she knew that the other kids might make fun of her for crying on her first day of school. Maybe, if she didn't cry, she could even make some friends. Having friends would be nice.

Suddenly a little boy thudded to the ground, having fallen out of the tree she was sitting under. He looked to be about her age, with brown hair that stuck up in every direction, a slightly large nose and very pretty hazel eyes flecked with gold.

Grinning broadly, he said, "Hello, I'm Rory, Rory Williams. You must be new here."

"I'm... I'm Amelia Pond. How did you know I was new here?"

Rory shrugged. "I've lived here my whole life. Know everybody in town. Don't know you yet so you must be new." He plopped down on the ground next to her.

Amelia gave him a small smile. "Just moved to town a few days ago. Came to live with my Aunt Sharon."

"Why?"

"My parents died. I had nowhere else to go." Tears pricked at her eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, nervously picking at the grass between them. "Do you want to come over after school? I have a Mum, a Dad and a big brother, we could share."

"Thanks." In the distance the school bell rang signaling that the children needed to come inside.

"Rory, come on, time for school." A tall, lanky man called from just outside the school.

"That's my dad, he's the science teacher here." Rory stood up and held out a hand to help her up. "It's not a big school. I'd bet we're in the same class."

Amy clung to his hand as they crossed the school yard. A friend, she'd found a friend. Maybe Leadworth wouldn't be so bad after all.