‘Was I rejected?’ she sighed unhappily. ‘Was it me teeth?’

*

Back in the sooty alley in Bradford where the strange box had first appeared, the Doctor stood on the threshold with Clara. Close by were Jenny, a heavily veiled Madam Vastra, a helmeted Strax – and Ada Gillyflower. After some little time in the unhealthy atmosphere of the place, the box’s paintwork was rather more black than blue.

Vastra was holding the carboy of deadly crimson venom. She handed it to Strax.

‘Another one for the vault!’ he said cheerfully.

‘Right!’ said the Doctor. ‘London. We were heading for London, weren’t we? Great Exhibition?’

‘Was there any particular reason?’ asked Clara.

‘No,’ said the Doctor, pulling a wounded face. ‘Thought you might … like it.’

‘Yeah. Maybe had enough Victorian values for a bit.’

The Doctor shrugged. ‘You’re the boss.’

‘Am I?’

‘No! Definitely not. Absolutely not. Go on, in, in, in!’ He ushered her inside the box, then turned to address the others. ‘I’d love to stay and clear up the mess but, you know … ’

Ada smiled tenderly. ‘I know, dear Monster. You have things to do.’

The Doctor stepped closer to Ada and took her hand. ‘And what about you?’

Ada’s sightless eyes were a little moist now, even as she seemed to look towards a new horizon. ‘Oh, there are many things a bright young lady can do to occupy her time.’ She pressed her hand onto the Doctor’s. ‘I shall step out of the darkness – and into the light.’

‘Good luck, Ada. I think you’ll be just … splendid.’

He kissed her on the cheek then turned to Vastra, Jenny and Strax.

‘Well, thanks a million you three. As ever. Have some Pontefract cakes on me. I love Pontefract cakes! Vastra –’ he tossed her a small, silvery object – ‘portable perception filter. Stick it in your ear. Can’t have you roaming around in a veil all your life. You too, Strax!’ He threw one to Strax.

‘Oh, Doctor!’ cried Madam Vastra. ‘I don’t know what to say!’

‘Ah! Superb!’ said Strax. ‘Perhaps I will one day put it to good use in tracking you down and killing you for the greater glory of Sontar.’

‘Yeah, said the Doctor. ‘Whatever. See you around, I shouldn’t wonder. Like Mrs G said. I do have a habit of turning up.’

He made for his Ship when Jenny put her hand on his sleeve. ‘But Doctor. That girl. Clara. You haven’t explained.’

‘No.’ He avoided her gaze and looked at his boots. ‘I haven’t.’ Then he gave a cheery wave and wiped his fingers over the sooty exterior of the blue/black box. ‘Look at the muck in here!’

And he slipped inside. There was long pause, a sort of thump and then wind began to whip up around the box. From within came a sort of strangulated, grating whine as though someone were dragging rusty chains over the cobbles.