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as the sounds from the Cradle wafted almost imperceptibly into the room.
    Eventually Sarah Jane whispered to Jo that she could hear it.
    Jo just nodded. ‘It reminds me of another world the Doctor took me to,’ she said. ‘It was called Karfel and they had this Leisure Garden where the plants sung to you at night, like lullabies…’
    And above the hologram the Shansheeth were watching another image blurring into clarity, showing a lush, beautiful garden, surrounded by beautiful reflective buildings, adorned with paintings and images. People in netted hats tended the gardens and insects and birds and…
    ‘He took me to Italy,’ Sarah Jane was saying. ‘San Martino it was called, in 1492. I remember this magnificent grove – it smelled of oranges and vanilla…’
    And the image the Shansheeth were watching changed, this time into a Mediterranean orange grove, on to which the sun was shining, and a handsome young man was plucking an orange from a tree…
    ‘Deeper,’ Azure hissed as Amaranth’s music grew louder. ‘More memories…’
    And in response words began falling from Sarah Jane and Jo, and the images the Shansheeth witnessed changed each time…
    ‘Drashigs…’
    And a massive multi-eyed reptile tore its way through marshland in Jo’s memories…
    ‘Cybermen,’ said Sarah Jane as an image of Cybermen in an underground cavern took over…
    ‘Axons,’ Jo said, as beautiful golden people shimmered into view, replaced by a large ape-like creature with a gun as she said, ‘Ogrons...’
    Sarah Jane spoke of Zygons and Kraals and Raston Warrior Robots…
    Jo mentioned Autons and Draconians and Sea Devils…
    ‘Daleks!’ both women said at the same time.
    And the Shansheeth stared as the rapidly ever-changing memories being projected before them showed the galactic tyrants both women had faced – and helped defeat – more than once.
    Azure’s eyes blazed with victory at his associates. ‘The trap has worked! Such excellent and sorrowful memories…’
    Some minutes earlier, Clyde, Rani and Santiago had been disappointed to discover that this particular UNIT base didn’t have a canteen and they hadn’t even found a small kitchen to make tea in.
    ‘Even a vending machine would’ve been nice,’ Clyde complained.
    Rani just threw an arm around her best friend. ‘Cheer up, think how much more you’ll look forward to one of Sarah Jane’s cuppas when we get home.’
    Clyde grimaced at the thought, and he explained to Santiago that Sarah Jane was the only person he’d ever met who could actually burn tea.
    ‘How is that even possible?’ Santiago asked.
    Rani shrugged. ‘Luke tried working that one out for months. Somehow, she manages it.’
    ‘So we never let her near the toaster!’ Clyde added. ‘How many times have the fire brigade turned up?’
    They laughed and then stopped. ‘Poor Sarah Jane,’ Rani said. ‘Here we are larking about, talking about tea, and she’s heartbroken about the Doctor.’
    ‘She and my Gran didn’t seem exactly heartbroken just now,’ Santiago said. ‘I don’t think they believe he’s dead at all. I never met him, but always wanted to – maybe take a trip in that TARDIS Gran’s always talking about. Now it’s probably too late.’
    ‘I wish he was here right now,’ muttered Clyde, staring at his hand.
    ‘Yeah, me too,’ said Rani.
    But Clyde shook his head at her. ‘No, I really wish he was here. Cos then maybe he could explain this.’
    And he showed them both his right hand, which once again was surrounded by crackling blue energy, sparking off in all directions.
    Rani glanced around, checking if any security cameras could see them. ‘Clyde! It’s happening again!’
    ‘I know! Has been on and off since we left Bannerman Road! But I can’t say anything, can I? UNIT’d lock me up, dissect me or something.’
    Santiago frowned. ‘Hang on guys. You said “again”?’
    Clyde nodded. ‘Last time we met the Doctor we got stuck in this time