There was a horrified screech from behind a pillar and Sam came racing out from his hiding place, 'Where's she gone?' he shouted, 'That wasn't supposed to happen! What have you done?'

Jonathan turned a white and furious face on Sam, 'What have I done?' he repeated, 'Shouldn't that be what have you done?'

Sam choked 'I…I…only meant…yours worked. Vivian didn't even touch her belt…I don't know,'

Jonathan, completely ignoring the crowds of tourists and Time City residents that were casting curious glances at the pair as they hurried past, took hold of Sam's shoulders and shook him hard. 'What. Have. You. Done?' he demanded, through clenched teeth. Before Sam could respond there came a quiet, respectful cough at Jonathan's shoulder. It was Elio. 'Master Jonathan, Master Sam, may I suggest continuing this conversation in my room? I too would like to know where Miss Vivian has gone and how we can get her back before anybody notices that she isn't here,'

With a huge effort Jonathan let go of Sam and turned to face the android. Elio blinked. He had never seen any born human look quite so angry before. Taking Jonathan's elbow he steered him towards the back of the Annuate Palace, hearing Sam's reluctant footsteps trailing behind them. Once in Elio's cluttered room Sam sat in an empty chair and stared gloomily at his feet, all too aware of Jonathan glaring at him while Elio bustled about. Finally Elio handed them both a frothy drink, with a command to drink it, and sat himself on the corner of a table. 'I have sent messages to the Sempitern's office and to Time Patrol to say that you and Miss Vivian are indisposed, Master Jonathan,' he said, 'Master Sam I am afraid that Faber John wasn't in a good mood when I informed him that you were unable to attend his lesson this afternoon,'

'He'll be even less pleased when he finds out that Vivian's gone missing,' said Sam, looking ready to cry.

'Perhaps you could tell us why Miss Vivian has gone missing?'

'I don't know!' shouted Sam, going red in the face and blinking back tears, 'I was…I was…well it doesn't matter what I was, but I'd tinkered with Jonathan and Vivian's belts so that, when they pressed their time-function buttons after lunch it would give them an energe-surge and make them look silly. Jonathan's worked beautifully,' Sam grinned briefly at the memory of Jonathan landing in a puddle, 'But Vivian didn't even touch hers and she suddenly wasn't there! It wasn't me did that, honest, Elio, it wasn't!'

'You did what with our belts?' Jonathan's outraged expression would have been funny if the situation hadn't been so serious. 'Of all the silly, childish…'

'Later, Master Jonathan. Our first priority is to find Miss Vivian,'

'But she could be anywhere!' wailed Sam.


Vivian landed on the base of her spine with a jolt that left her breathless. Closing her eyes she breathed deeply until the pain had dulled to slightly sore, and then opened her eyes again. What she saw made her snap her eyes shut then open, but they weren't lying. She was no longer in Time City and where she was she quite clearly didn't want to be.