A/N: humour is rather lacking in this story. Sorry.

Part 18

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Having escaped from his father, who had insisted on booking into the same hotel, Roderick was deep in thought as he went back to his room in order to brush his teeth. One of his habits was to always do so after a meal.

Daisy watched him as she leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom. "What are we doing today, Roddy?" she wondered.

"We?" he questioned, rinsing his mouth out and then drying his face on a hand towel. "You shall entertain my father for an hour or so. He needs a good walk around the gardens at this time of day. I shall deal with something else entirely."

"But Roddy," she protested as he pushed passed her to get out of the bathroom. "Can't I come with you?"

Why did she always have to sound so petulant?! "No, Daisy. This is grown up stuff." He amended his tone when hurt flashed across her face. "I'm sorry, but I have to do this on my own. It seems that we have Dad for company when we visit my aunt this afternoon, and I need to have a certain matter clear in my head before we go. It's purely business."

"Okay," she reluctantly replied. "It's just… I don't think your dad likes me very much."

"Whatever gave you that idea?" he asked whilst knowing the answer. "Just let him lecture you about the flowers; that will please him."

With a quick peck on her cheek, he was gone and informing his driver to head for a destination in the nearby village.

"Here you go," Jocasta stated as she placed a beautifully decorated mug full of tea in front of Donna. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes thanks," Donna gratefully answered as she accepted the hot beverage. "I was starving." The empty plate sitting on the kitchen table was evidence to support this statement. "I hope John managed to grab something to eat."

"If he has any sense he will," Jocasta commented. "Any idea why his uncle doesn't like him?"

"None whatsoever," Donna admitted. "I mean… you've met John. Can you imagine anyone being upset with him like that? Because I can't."

"It is hard to," Jocasta agreed. "But you never know what might have happened in the past."

Donna snorted her scorn. "That would imply John is a secret murderer or something when the man doesn't have a harmful bone in his body."

"And I assume you would know that by now," Jocasta put forward, "having explored his body during your time together."

What! Donna immediately blushed bright red with embarrassment. Did this mean that Jocasta had guessed correctly? "Oh, I don't know about that…"

"Donna, dear, I may come from seemingly ancient and puritanical times but I know how these things work," Jocasta cautioned, smiling to show that she meant well and supported her friend. "You and John are very tactile, so if you haven't had sex already I would wonder why."

"Well…" It was no good; she would have to come clean. And it wasn't as if Jocasta was her mother, for goodness sake! "Yes, we slept in the same bed together last night." Another flush blossomed across her skin.

Feeling like gloating, Jocasta leaned back in her seat as she sipped her tea; grinning at Donna over the edge of it. "There's no need to be apologetic. I will admit that I'm dying to ask questions but I respect your privacy too much to ask."

"Good," Donna mumbled, still feeling highly embarrassed with this subject matter. "Because I wouldn't tell you anyway."

That was all Jocasta wanted to hear, since it told her loads. "Very well; as you wish. I wanted to get some notes done while I think of them. Do you have any plans for today?"

"Not really. I'm seeing John tonight." Donna sat looking thoughtful. "I'd better phone my mum and let her know I still exist. Afterwards, perhaps we could try out the shops in Audington this afternoon?"

Pleased with that prospect, Jocasta collected up the used breakfast things.

"Okay, I've got to go, Mum. I'll speak to you later. Bye!" Donna ended her phone conversation as she reached the bottom step on the stairs and readied herself to complain about her mother to Jocasta, full in the knowledge she would gain some sympathy.

There was a sudden loud rap on the front door. Puzzled as to who it could be, she cautiously turned the latch and opened the door. She gasped when she saw the visitor standing on the doorstep.

"Hello, Donna," Roderick greeted her. "Sorry to disturb you but is it possible to come in and have a quick word?"

Biting down on the word she'd like to give him, she merely glared at him whilst opening the door wider in invitation. "I suppose so."

"Thank you," he stated as he crossed the threshold and stood on the welcoming mat. "This is quite charming," he commented as he cast his gaze around the living room. "Has your employer lived here long?"

So he wanted to exchange pleasantries, huh? "About seven years or so. Have you been back here in that time?"

"No, I can't say I have," he smoothly replied, and then looked expectantly at her.

"Oh right, would you like some tea while we have this quick word?" she offered, leading him through to the kitchen so that she could put the kettle on.

"That would be lovely," he replied as he obediently followed. "Yes, very nice," he muttered when he saw the kitchen.

"Donna? Did I hear someone come in?" Jocasta called out.

"You did!" Donna yelled back. "Roderick has popped in for a quick word with me."

"Has he?" Jocasta wondered with interest as she appeared in the doorway, and then inhaled sharply when she spotted the man sitting on one of her kitchen chairs; who then immediately stood up to politely greet her.

"How do you do. I'm Roderick Peterson," he introduced himself. "You must be Jocasta."

"Peterson," she echoed as she limply stood there in mild shock. "You never said he was Roderick Peterson," she verbally chastised Donna.

"I didn't know I needed to," Donna defended herself; but this felt a bit off. "Have you heard of him? I did say he was on the telly."

Jocasta found herself under the wary gaze of both Donna and Roderick. "It isn't that, dear, exactly. Please forgive me but I've met P- Roderick here before."

It wasn't as though Roderick had never encountered people behaving like this before, but something was stirring in his memory; something long hidden. "May I ask in what context?"

With an anxious lick of her lips, Jocasta informed him, "You may remember me as Miss Jocasta Pembery."

There was a strangled cry from Roderick as he fought to regain composure. "Miss… Miss Pembery," he stuttered. "You look well."

What the hell was going on?! Donna busied herself making tea whilst overhearing this intriguing twist that was playing in front of her.

"As do you, Peterson. The last time I heard of you, you were heading to the Royal Academy of Music," Jocasta confessed.

Open mouthed, Donna realised how long ago that was and who that made Jocasta. "Do you still take sugar?" she faintly asked Roderick, for something to say.

"Just the one; I've cut down," he answered, still reeling from his shock. "Is the Newberry part your married name or your pen name?" he asked Jocasta.

"Both," she replied, rather tightly. "I would have dropped it at the same as I did my ex-husband but alas, I was fairly well established by then."

"I see," he murmured, still staring at her in shock.

"I'll tell you what, why don't I leave your tea here and I'll bugger off to let you discuss your reunion alone?" Donna offered as brightly as she could as she placed two mugs of tea onto the kitchen table.

"That won't be necessary, my dear," Jocasta decided. "There is nothing further to discuss."

"But…," Donna went to protest, and then thought better of it, since Roderick didn't look very keen either. "So you didn't know Roderick is John's cousin. Small world," she commented as she sat herself down next to him, grasping her own mug. "Funny how it works."

"Yes, highly amusing," Roderick sarkily retorted, returning his attention to Donna. "I wanted to apologise for my father this morning. It was unforgivable of him for making you feel uncomfortable enough to leave. I would have welcomed you staying."

Ignoring the pursing of Jocasta's lips, Donna replied, "I know you would, so there's no need for you to apologise; well, not for that bit anyway. And I know it wasn't me he took offence against. What is his problem with John?"

Both of them pretended not to notice Jocasta silently leaving them on their own. Instead, Roderick sucked in his teeth in thought. "Dad has always had a negative attitude towards John. I wish I knew why." He then covered her hand with his and whispered, "Why didn't you tell me it was Jocasta you worked for?!"

Speaking in equally hushed tones, she answered, "Because I didn't know I had to since you only told me last night about who she might be. Is it a massive problem for you? Just go out there and talk to her, you idiot!"

His expression remained apprehensive. "I can't!"

It was weird to see his confidence deflate in front of her. "You need closure," she insisted.

"What is this? Oprah Winfrey?" he snarked.

"Don't use that tone with me, Brylcream boy!" she snapped back. "From what you said, this has been hurting you for decades. Go on. Go and clear the air."

The sneer stayed on his face. "No. What's done is done. I have other things to worry about now."

"Like upsetting family and taking over the world?" Donna teased for a second. "You're probably right. Is there anything you want me to say on your behalf, when you've gone?"

With a shake of his head, he remarked, "I doubt that there is anything that could work in my favour. Dad was thorough, from what I can gather. I'm here to make amends with you."

If only she could believe the gooey look he was sending her way; but experience told her that he was merely trying to manipulate her behaviour. "I've already told you that I've got a job."

"I am not trying to coerce you into anything," he calmly stated.

"Oh yeah? This is you, not trying to get me to take your job. I suppose you'll be telling me next that your phone call last night wasn't some nasty prank," she blazed.

Oh! She had guessed correctly.

"I was merely making an arrangement," he protested.

"We all know what you were trying to do," she vented at him. "I'm used to you doing it to me, but to try and interfere with your cousin's happiness… That is low."

"Listen to me!" he spat out. "John is not your sole cause for concern."

"It didn't seem that way when you tried to muscle in on us last night. Talking of which, what was that all about? Did you have some sort of secret surveillance cameras trying to catch us at it?" she continued to fume. "Is no one else allowed to touch him but you? If I was vainer I'd think it was me you were after, but I know you only want one thing from me, and that is these!" She wriggled her fingers in front of him as though she were typing on a keyboard.

Horrified with the way the conversation was going, he hurried to deny it. "Donna, no; that is not the case."

Her countenance stayed grim as she queried, "Then what is it?"

"I…" 'Say it!' his conscience screamed at him. "I…," he started to say again; and then he did the fatal thing of looking towards the door. He could detect Jocasta standing just the other side of it, and his courage failed him completely. "I will see you later," he feebly continued. "Are you going to Aunt Verity's? You are welcome to travel with us."

"I'll pass on that little experience, thanks. So, unless you have something else to tell me…?" she goaded him; and gained nothing more than an understanding nod.

To her consternation he took hold of her hand and raised the back of it to his lips to lightly press a kiss there. "Don't ever let anyone say you aren't special, Donna Noble; especially me. I wish I had treated you better," he muttered. Releasing her hand, he strode out without a backward glance.