Chapter Two
Age 8
In Front of the Library
I remember when I was 8 years old, I met a tall man in a green velvet suit and a blonde woman dressed in out of date clothing. I was outside the local library and was waiting for my dad to pick me up. He was late.
"Why here," the woman asked. "What's so special about London 1993?"
"I have no idea," the man answered.
He was facing away from me.
"Maybe we should go back to the Tardis," the woman said.
"No," the man said. "We were brought here for a reason. I can feel it. I wish I could just figure out what it is?"
The man then turned and looked up at the library. He then stared down at me.
"Little girl, have you seen anything odd or out of place?" He asked me.
"No," I answered while shaking my head.
The man looked at me with wide eyes.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes," I said. "The only thing strange I see is you two."
The man laughed heartily at my boldness.
"Excuse us," the woman said. "But what's your name?"
I gulped and balanced the books in my arms.
"Martha Jones," I answered.
"Hello Martha, I'm Jo Grant," the woman said. "And this is the Doctor."
I looked at the man and his blue eyes sparkled in a way I hadn't seen in two years. I recognized him just as he recognized me.
"It's been a long time, Martha Jones," the Doctor said.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.
"Doctor, you know this girl?" Jo asked.
"We've met a very long time ago," the Doctor said not looking away from me.
I stared back at him.
"Why are you here all by yourself?" the Doctor asked me.
"My mate and I were dropped off an hour ago by her mum. She was picked up ten minutes ago." I answered.
"And why didn't you leave with your friend?" The Doctor asked.
"Because my dad was supposed to come and get me for a family thing, but he's running late," I said as I hung my head low. I was ashamed. Today wasn't the first day my dad forgot me or my siblings.
"I'm sure he will be here any moment," Jo soothed and I nodded.
"Martha," my mother exclaimed. I guessed she got tired of waiting or dad was busy doing something else. So, she decided to pick me up herself.
Jo, the Doctor, and I turned to face her.
"What have I told you about strangers?" Mum asked sharply.
I bowed my head again.
"Excuse me," the Doctor said standing to his full height. "But your little girl was all alone and my companion could not bear to leave her alone. Anything could have happened to her."
My mother went to say something mean but decided against it.
"Thank you, mister?" she said instead.
"Smith, John Smith," the Doctor said. "My companion, Jo Grant."
My mother nodded and then gestured for me to join her. I did so.
"Thank you," I said to the Doctor and Jo.
"You're welcomed, Miss Jones," the Doctor said with a friendly smile. He turned to Jo. "I believe we have served our purpose."
It would be one year before I saw the Doctor again.
END OF CH. 2