They were a very diverse group, they had very little in common really except for their love of music. Halleluia Pick-n-mix was the self styled leader of the band and singer. He had a red moheican haircut and his denim clothes were more holes than material. Their critics had said he had a voice like an angel and one day he might start using it. Softly Wetblanket was the guitarist, he would pose for hours on stage with it, sometimes a recognisable note could be heard in the wall of sound. He wore a smart suit with a red button hole. Radio Clockface was the groupÆs drummer, she was SoftlyÆs kid sister and the only one they knew who could play the drums. She was a born again hippy with more beads than the rest of the world it seemed.
Currently the band, known as Soda Flare, were busy rehearsing for a gig that coming Friday night. They went through what they considered the crowd favourites until they ironed out all the errors. Well as much as they thought they could get away with. They stopped suddenly when a blue object began to materialise in the middle of the room. They stared in amazement as it solidified and three people emerged, two men and a woman.
The taller of the two men was dressed in a very long scarf, a hat that perched on his head and a very long grey coat. "I donÆt think this is U.N.I.T. H.Q. Harry." He saw the astonished look of the three band members. "Ah hello, you havenÆt seen a top secret military base around here have you? ItÆs near here, IÆm sure of it." He pulled a green silk bag out of one of his coats many pockets. "Sarah youÆre a good girl, could you go to the nearest newsagents and get an A to Z of the local area and a quarter of mint imperials?"
Sarah Jane Smith, experienced newspaper journalist and galactic errand girl took the bag of money. "Why canÆt Harry do it? ItÆs raining out there."
"What? Let Harry out of my sight? You know we canÆt leave him on his own until his body counteracts the effects of the drug." The Doctor gave Harry a quick once over. "Hmmm still a long way to go there."
"I feel fine Doctor, honestly thereÆs no need to mollycoddle me. We should really be getting back to the Brigadier. His message did say urgent."
"Lethbridge-Stewart is always over reacting to the situation." the Doctor said dismissively.
"He never over reacts. If anything he underestimates the situation and relies on you to bail him out."
"Yes, well IÆm not going to be around forever. Earth needs to stand on itÆs own two mountain ranges. ItÆs no good me dashing to the rescue at the last second every week, not at my time of life."
"I thought you enjoyed being the hero?"
"Yes, but thereÆs nothing to say that I canÆt have a little break every now and then. Everytime I go on holiday thereÆs trouble. Daleks, Sontarans, Cybermen, Ice Warriors and Yeti. You would think they were following me around everywhere I went."
"Doctor, we have company."
"Very good Harry, I was wondering when you would notice. You know I do think youÆre improving after all."
"Yes, ha-ha. DonÆt you think we should say hello? That is the polite thing to do."
"I do think youÆre going to make a complete recovery. Yes itÆs terribly important to make the right impression on people, a good hello is worth a thousand handshakes." He walked over to the awe-struck trio. "Hello, IÆm the Doctor." He raised his hat and lowered it again, then he pulled out a small white paper bag. "Would you like a mint imperial?" When no-one took one he looked in the bag, his eyes widening. He took one out and tasted it. "I donÆt blame you, I should try something new."
Finally Halleluia Pick-n-mix summoned up the presence of mind to talk. "Y...y...you."
"Yes, IÆm called The Doctor. IÆm perfectly nice and really safe."
"Y...y...you."
"YouÆve said that line already."
"You appeared from nowhere!"
"Did I really? Well there you go. My friend Sarah will be back soon then we can leave. Ah, here she is now."
"They didnÆt have any mint imperials Doctor so I got you some jelly babies. Hope you donÆt mind."
"Mind, no. IÆm sure theyÆll be very nice." He tasted one. "These are nice, you both should try one. IÆm afraid these three are still in shock although one of them managed to talk a little bit so my prognosis is fair." Carefully he placed a jelly baby in the hand of the band members before staring at them. "I think it would be best if you forgot us ever being here."
The TARDIS vanished as it had arrived. Once it was gone the three figures slowly came out of their shock. Their memory was fuzzy and they all seemed to have a sweet in their hand. Soda Flare returned to their band practice.
