Tim loved Ducky's mother. She was forgetful it was true, but the way she had of coming out with the most random of observations and memories had Tim biting the inside of her cheek more than once to stop herself from laughing – that is, until she was certain laughter was acceptable (she followed Ducky's lead there).

In fact, Mrs Mallard had got it into her befuddled head that Tim was Ducky's illegitimate love-child – by all account the mild-mannered doctor had quite the life story that made a love-child more than believable.

"Finally Donald," Mrs Mallard had clapped her hands in glee when she had walked into the kitchen to find Tim assisting with the deserts, "A grandchild. And not just that. But a girl. Oh you clever boy,"

Tim had watched in wide eyed fascination as Mrs Mallard had stumbled her way over to her son, and pinched his cheeks in a show of her approval before shuffling over to Tim.

Tim who had a pie slicer in one hand and the serving spoon in the other stood almost terrified for a moment when Mrs Mallard had stopped in front of her, gave her a teary smile and wrapped her frail arms around her.

She had just stood frozen with her arms stretched out holding the utensils.

Ducky finally made a move from his slack jawed astonishment and had come to her rescue, gently peeling his mother from her and explaining once again just who she was.

"This is Timothy, Mother. She is one of the agents from work," he had patiently explained loudly.

"Where have you been hiding her, Donald?" his mother had demanded, batting him ineffectively on the shoulder, "And what sort of a name was Timothy to call my granddaughter,"

This did cause Tim to blush. If Ducky had been her father she had no doubt he would have given her a girl's name instead of landing her with a boy's name all her life because he was disappointed that his child was born with the wrong 'bits'. Her father had no doubt been sadly disappointed to find that giving her a boy's name did not miraculously fix that for him.

"She is not my daughter mother, she is a workmate,"

"Nonsense, Donald. Now hush, I need to spend some time getting to know her," with that Mrs Mallard – "You must call me nana," – had turned from her son and took the slicer and spoon from her hand to thrust into his, "You never mind that, my dear, Donald will serve desert while we have a nice long talk,"

Her hand had been grasped by fingers that were all bone and she had been led from the kitchen while Ducky had followed in a panic.

"I am sorry, Tim," he hissed, "She will get bored soon," he assured her.

But Mrs Mallard had not got bored and was firmly set in her belief that her ungrateful offspring had purposefully been keeping Timothy from her.

Ducky say sipping on tea, his face flushed while Timothy took it in her stride. After all as far as eccentric grandparents – real or no – went, Mrs Mallard was in competition with Penny and at the moment she couldn't see who would win as both were equally so in their own way.

So Timothy just sat and listened with rapt attention as Mrs Mallard went from one story to the next and Tim found that the elderly woman had lived a fascinating life.

"Mother, I am sure Tim has had quite enough for one day," Timothy had been lost in Mrs Mallard's words and nearly jumped at the intrusion of Ducky's voice.

She glanced at the clock that sat ticking on the mantelpiece and her eyes widened. It was nearly seven and she hadn't even spoken to Ducky about her request yet.

Ducky came forward and helped his grumbling mother to her feet just as the doorbell rang and someone shouted hello.

A smiling – but obviously worn out – woman appeared in the sitting room door, her blue uniform announcing her to be a carer belonging to the 'Sunshine Assistant Group'. Sounded like one heck of a name to live up to. It made Tim feel tired just looking at the emblem on the woman's jacket.

"Now, Miss Davies is here to see you ready for bed," Ducky walked his mother – who waved happily at Tim – to the carer and handed her over.

"And how are you today, Mrs Mallard?" Miss Davies asked cheerily as they walked slowly out of sight.

"That is my granddaughter, you know?" Tim could hear Mrs Mallard confide in the other woman, "And unfortunate name but a lovely girl. My Donald –" her voice grew fainter.

"I am terribly sorry Timothy," Ducky rushed out, a frown creasing his forehead, "I have no idea what got into her,"

Tim rushed to assure him that there was nothing for him to be worried or sorry about.

"I loved listening to her stories. I can see were you get the habit from now," she smiled and he huffed out a chuckle.

"Still I am sorry you were placed in such a position,"

"Ducky, I honestly didn't mind…I don't mind," and she didn't.

After getting over the initial shock of Mrs Mallard holding one of her hands in one of her own and using the other to pat or stroke it, while she looked at her as though she had hung the stars she had enjoyed the older woman's attention and stories.

Ducky seemed to finally accept that she had, in all honesty, not been scarred for life by the experience and she followed him into the kitchen. Tea, it seemed, was a staple of the Mallard day both at work and at home.

"She usually gets bored or forgets after a short time," he continued, as he prepared a fresh pot and set it on a tray complete with sugar, milk and two cups and saucers – Tim paled at the sight of all the breakables, "But she took a shine to you, my dear,"

Not knowing what to say to this Tim nodded her head mutely and followed Ducky back into the sitting room.

"I am sorry for the delay but if you have no objections, how about we have out little discussion now, hmm?"

"Of course,"

"Wonderful. But first things first," Ducky reached for the pot.

I LOVED the episode when Ducky brought his mum into work with him so when I had Tim going to their house for a meal things kind of went off track once again.

I don't think I will be going into the nitty-gritty of their discussion but let's assume that after Tim tells Ducky how she came to her decision etc he agrees to fill the position of emergency contact and proxy. Cool? Cool!

As always guys, comments are greatly appreciated and keep my fingers typing.

Take care everyone, and have a lovely weekend.

:)