Doctor How and the Deadly Anemones by Mark Speed Read Free Book Online

yourself well yesterday.”
    “Acquitted? Nah, that was months ago. It was more like they dropped the charges in the end, to be honest. Oh.” Kevin cleared his throat. “Oh, you mean I acquitted myself well in the spot of bother we had yesterday? Well, yeah. Thanks. I didn’t realise the word was out on the street.”
    “Hmm,” said the figure.
    A drop of water fell from the ceiling and made no noise as it hit the slimy floor.
    “As I mentioned, I need your help,” said the Doctor.
    “The great Doctor How needs my help. It is a rare thing indeed.”
    “Yes, a rare thing. Only a being with your particular skills could assist us in this rather awkward matter.”
    “I’m intrigued, Doctor. Go on.”
    “I’ll be blunt. I don’t think you ever met the Plenscas. New Rindan consul and her husband. Nice couple. They were staying in Du Cane Court. The long and short of it is that they got themselves eaten by some polyps they’d been growing for their holy week. Whilst that’s a tragedy in itself, it does present me with a slight inconvenience. The polyps…”
    “Have escaped into the human culture.” The figure sighed. “How utterly tiresome.”
    “Quite. Whilst they’ve just eaten a fairly substantial meal –”
    “The honourable consul and her husband.”
    “Exactly. I rather fear they’ll have a spurt of growth and –”
    “Start eating the local flora and fauna.”
    “I couldn’t have worded it more delicately myself.”
    “Like, you mean eating people . Yeah?” said Kevin.
    “If you must be so direct, yes,” said the Doctor.
    “And this is where I can be of assistance?”
    “I was rather hoping you would.”
    “Hmm. I don’t get out much these days. I prefer to stay here. Especially with summer approaching. Energy conservation is an underrated activity, you know. Especially in one’s retirement.”
    “I appreciate that. You also have the advantage of not being – how can I put it? – substantial enough for the polyps to even attack.”
    “Hmm. I’m probably toxic to them too. So if they did manage to take a piece it’d be the last thing they ate.”
    “Yes. So, what do you say? Are you in?”
    “I can’t do it all by myself. At least, I don’t think so. One needs two entities for this sort of thing, and… as I say, I need to conserve energy.”
    “Trinity says she’s up for it. She likes the taste of them.”
    “Dear Trinity. Yes, I would very much like to work with her again.”
    “Excellent. Can I just… leave you to it then? Obviously I’ll have a chat with Trin and the three of us can liaise. I mean, you can drop me a text and I’ll see what I can do to get Trin to you as and when you need her.”
    “Of course. Don’t expect me to sort this one out in the next few hours, or maybe even days.”
    “No, not at all.”
    “I don’t move as fast as I used to.”
    “I appreciate that.”
    “I am getting quite old now.”
    “But I do have every confidence you’re the right entity for the job,” said the Doctor, brightly.
    “You flatter me, Doctor.”
    “Not at all.” The Doctor fished around in his pocket and took out a tiny triangular wafer. He tossed it towards the figure, who didn’t even attempt to reach out and catch it. The wafer fluttered to the floor without a sound. Kevin saw it glint in the faint light and then disappear.
    “Is that what I think it is?”
    “Yes, a communicator. Let’s keep in touch a little more closely. Trin has one.”
    “Roger. Wilco,” said the old man with a tinge of humour. “Can I persuade you to stay for refreshments?”
    “It’s very polite of you to offer, but you know I can’t possibly. The toxicity. Deadly.”
    “I understand. But I have to offer.”
    “Yes, you do. Thanks again. Cheerio.”
    “ Au revoir , Doctor.”
    The Doctor turned to Kevin and, with a new brightness to his voice said, “Excellent! Let’s be off.”
    Kevin turned to the figure to say goodbye, but it had disappeared. “What the