Gary Russell - Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor: Death of the Doctor

From the makers of Doctor Who
Series created by Russell T Davies

Written by Gary Russell
Based on the script by Russell T Davies

BBC CHILDRENS BOOKS

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

Penguin Group (Australia) Ltd, 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria, 3124, Australia
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Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa

Published by BBC Childrens Books, 2010

Text and design Childrens Character Books, 2010

Sarah Jane Adventures BBC 2007

www.thesja.com

BBC logo & BBC 1996. Licensed by BBC Worldwide Limited

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-40-590806-1

It was a fairly normal weekend in Bannerman Road. So far.

Of course, normal can mean different things to different people. To Haresh Chandra, normal meant it was a good day to go outside, and wash the rather smart car that he drove. Gita, his wife, was inside their home, going through invoices and bills relating to Bloomin Lovely. That was the name of the florist business she ran from a small shop on the Parade, up near Park Vale station. Although, Haresh had noted more than once, she seemed to run it from their kitchen table more often than not. The kitchen was Hareshs domain he loved cooking and after a hard day being headmaster at Park Vale Comprehensive School, there was nothing he liked more than to come home, turn the oven on and whip up something exceptional for Gita and their seventeen-year-old daughter Rani.

But when Gita was in bills and invoices mode, the kitchen was lost to him for the day, so the open air, a hosepipe of water and a soft sponge to shine up his car always seemed the best option. As for Rani, she was where she always was when not studying for her exams. She was over with their neighbour and friend, Sarah Jane Smith. Haresh often wondered why Sarah Jane took such an interest in Rani and her friend Clyde. Haresh was never sure he quite trusted Clyde - he was a bit of a joker at school. Haresh had to acknowledge that Clyde had never actually done anything to upset his daughter, so he opted to keep quiet, but always kept an eye on the boy.

Haresh glanced over at Sarah Janes big corner house, number 13. The little green car she drove was in the driveway so he knew they hadnt gone anywhere, but she had been in there quite some time. Then he remembered it was Saturday afternoon of course, it was the regular Saturday afternoon call from Sarah Janes son, and Hareshs former star pupil, Luke. He was at Oxford University a year early yes, he was that brainy and would soon be home for a long weekend. But in the meantime, he was always the dutiful son and got in touch. Poor Sarah Jane missed him dreadfully, but at least they were in regular contact.

With a smile at Lukes success, Haresh went back to washing dirt and stuff off the front of his car.

Over the road, in the attic of that big house, Sarah Jane, Rani and Clyde were, as Haresh had guessed, grouped around a laptop, talking to Luke over the webcam. If Haresh had been with them, he might, however, have been alarmed and surprised to see that the attic also played host to a number of alien artefacts and devices Sarah Jane had accumulated over the years that she had spent either travelling in time and space with her old friend the Doctor, or since she had taken up her unofficial role as defender of Earth. From an attic. In Ealing. With Rani, Luke and Clyde. And Mr Smith, the huge, sentient alien supercomputer built into the chimney stack.

Mr Smith had actually been the topic of the initial conversation with Luke. He and his robot dog, K-9, had suggested some new upgrades to Mr Smiths software, but Mr Smith wasnt convinced they were necessary. Sarah Jane reckoned this was more because his old sparring partner K-9 had suggested them, but she wasnt going to press the point. And when the one-liners between Mr Smith and K-9 had got just a little bit beyond witty one-upmanship, she had changed the subject.

Well, I hope youve finished all your coursework, Sarah Jane said to Luke.

Luke clapped delightedly from his small study in Oxford. Ha! Sanjay owes me five quid, he laughed. Cos I bet him youd say that!

Sarah Jane smiled tightly. I see.

But Clyde leaned towards the screen. And who is Sanjay?

Luke paused for a second, as if thinking how best to describe his friend. Well, hes in a room just down the hall. Hes brilliant, we just clicked right away. Hes studying biology and hes so clever, hes like my best mate.

Rani glanced at Clyde and could see a look of surprise cross his face. For years, Clyde had been Lukes best mate. They shared so much, and were such very close friends, it had to be hard for him to accept that Luke might have made new friends. Especially so quickly.

Luke carried on. I mean, hes smart, but so cool too and he makes me laugh. Great jokes and lines. In fact, I think hes the best mate Ive ever had in my life.

Luke paused and stared out of the laptop screen. And then let out a huge whoop of laughter and rocked back in his seat, almost disappearing from view. Oh, thats brilliant, he shrieked, and then reappeared pointing at Clyde. Your face! Gotcha!

It had been a joke at Clydes expense.

What? Clyde asked. I dont getwhat?

But Sarah Jane and Rani were laughing too, and Sarah Jane gave Clyde a hug. Even K-9 in Oxford flashed his eyes as if sharing the joke.

Thats a classic, Rani giggled.

And Clyde realised hed been had. Luke was teasing him, and he stared hard at his friend in Oxford.

No way! Forget next weekend, swot-boy, he said, trying to sound cross, but then joined in the laughter. Oh, you are so on your own. Clyde smiled as Rani ruffled the top of his head. Right, thats war, Lukey-boy. Ill get you for that, when you least expect it.

Luke just smiled back. Bring it on, he said.

The laughter was interrupted by Mr Smith, suddenly making a loud pronouncement.

Emergency broadcast! he said, instantly silencing everyone. UNIT armed forces are converging on this house, Sarah Jane. Right now.

Haresh had been joined by an excited Gita when the noise began. Other neighbours were standing by their houses or gathering on the corner. Old Mrs Kuthrapali was there (of course she was, it might be gossip-worthy), so was Mr Lawrence and his fluffy dog. The Frasers were gathered around their careveryone was staring at Sarah Janes house, which was now surrounded by a group of black Landrovers with UNIT insignia emblazoned on their doors and bonnets. Black clad soldiers with red berets, guns slung over their shoulders, were pouring out.

Haresh and Gita had encountered UNIT before in connection with Sarah Jane Smith, so they werent quite as surprised as everyone else was, but neither of them was quite sure what UNIT were. Some kind of special military department, Haresh had gathered last time, which Sarah Jane must have encountered through her journalism. But he always got the impression that it wasnt exactly a very warm connection, and Sarah Jane certainly seemed to share his concern that men with guns near Rani and Clyde wasnt that good an idea.

What do you think Sarahs done now, my darling? Gita asked Haresh, while peering at a tall, well-built soldier stood closest to them. Should we ask him?

Haresh sighed and eased his wife back towards their house. Im sure Sarah Jane will deal with it.