20th Century: 1 (Nostalgia)

Late afternoon sunlight dappled the lawn, but there was breeze enough to keep from overheating, and the sounds of Lucy and Freddy's tennis game drifted with it. The Doctor sipped tea and absent-mindedly ruffled Alex's hair. Such a sweet boy.

"It's all just a question of sacrifice. How much are you willing to give up to get what you want?"

"Give up, Doctor? What a dreadful notion. Why must one give up anything at all?"

"Oh, I don't know. For universal balance? You can't expect everything simply to go your own way, surely? Even in this day and age."

Mrs Rayville gave an indulgent smile.

"It's certainly not an expectation. But if it were to happen, for however limited a time, wouldn't it be churlish to look for some kind of retribution? The fates can be generous on occasion."

"No doubt of that. I think we can all be glad of our good fortune here."

"Very much so. We have much to be grateful for."

Alex found his attention wandering. The older generation could be so dry. He gazed over at Lucy and Freddy, wishing Luke were present to make up a foursome. Alex was not a fan of tennis, but it would certainly be preferable to this dreary conversation. He allowed himself to lay back on the freshly-cut grass and closed his eyes.

"There is nothing quite so unbecoming in a gentleman as ingratitude, I think. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I am not confident of such forthrightness, dear lady. There are many things unbecoming in a gentleman, and who am I to say ungratefulness is the worst?"

There was a pause. Even with closed eyes, Alex could clearly perceive the look on Mrs Rayville's face, and knew the Doctor would quickly shift into placatory mood.

"But you are quite correct. Ingratitude is an unforgivable posture."

"That it is, that it is. Can I tempt you to another slice of Mary's Victoria sponge?"

"You are too kind to me, Charlotte, really. Haven't I always said so?"

"You have indeed, Doctor. My darling Jack used to say just the same. You two sound so alike." A wry look. "As I've told you many times."

"You have. And it is, as ever, my privilege to remind you of him."

Alex considered having another slice of cake himself; decided he had eaten enough. He felt the tickle of a horsefly landing on his nose and swatted it away. Wondered what time it was. Surely the day could not last much longer? For a moment he thought he heard the splashing arrival of Luke's rowboat, and looked up, but it was just wishful thinking. Enough to let him miss some vital fragment of conversation, anyway.

"I don't deny such influence in the least," the Doctor was saying. "But that is not the province of any man. We can only accept things as they are -- and I for one would wish them no other way."

Mrs Rayville's blush was positively embarrassing, and Alex took his leave.
Posted by matt at August 6, 2004 12:44 AM