I smiled at that, too. ‘Same again, please,’ I said. As soon as Lucy had departed, Jac told Sarah that the woman was a Psychology tutor, who’d been here for a month, waiting for an interplanetary lift that never seemed to arrive.

Well, that was a familiar story, and I went on to tell them some of my own history.

As regular readers of my diary (if that’s you, Doctor, put it down now) know, there are certain portions of my life that I can’t readily account for. I tend to gloss over these with a post-it note, but on this occasion I have enough recollections to fill a page, disconnected as they may be. I said all these things, but some of the words may be in the wrong order.

Pint two: I’m arguing with them. ‘But that’s ridiculous. You can’t expect an internal market to operate for any extended period of time⁠ —’

Pint three: They’re laughing at me. ‘There is not a God! Listen, if this coin lands on the same side… several times… then⁠ —’

Pint four: They’re falling over themselves, holding up their hands like anglers talking about the fish that got away. ‘Short and stubby. Well, I’ve only ever encountered five of them, but⁠ — what are you laughing at? Did I say something funny?’

Pint five: They’re listening intently, nodding every now and then. ‘So we had to go away. There were so many of them. I think… I hope it was quick for him.’

Pint six: Sarah is looking at me, concerned and sweet.

‘It’s not far from here, really. Just a quick hopper ride over the hill. I’ve got this really great Alcorian wine that you ought to try. And we could, you know, just hang around for a while. Play tennis. What do you think?’

The next thing I knew, a familiar hand was tapping me on the shoulder, and something cold attached itself to my cheek. I was thinking about Sarah’s offer, and I tried to swat the hand away like a fly, but then, suddenly-I was utterly sober.

I unpeeled the medi-patch that the Doctor had slapped on to my cheek and looked up at him. ‘What⁠ —?’

‘Alcohol dispersion pad. We haven’t got much time, and there’s a lot you need to know.’ He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.

‘Hey…’ Sarah said foggily, gazing up at me. ‘Wait a minute…’

‘Leave her alone!’ Jac was halfway to her feet. ‘Who is this guy?’

‘It’s all right,’ I reassured them. ‘He’s a friend.’ I felt suddenly rather foolish, as if my dad had arrived to pick me up. Rather awkwardly, I shook Sarah’s hand.

‘Thanks for being so nice. I appreciated the offer.’

She shrugged. ‘No problem. I hope it all works out.’ ‘It will,’ I told her. But then I glanced at the Doctor.

‘Quickly,’ he said.