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St Christophe
7th December 1783
Dear Mother,
I don’t like the Doctor any more. He made Madame Bloom go away.
I feel bad now for never liking her. I really do. But I can’t unwish all the bad things I’ve thought about her now. Or can I, Mother, because I’d really like to?
I saw Dr Bloom’s face then. How much he loved her. How he couldn’t bear to look at that thing on the carpet, that bubbling thing that still had her hair.
I was very angry with the Doctor. I was furious with Prince Boris for making him do it. But I was so cross with the Doctor. I screamed at him.
He just nodded, ever so sad.
‘I am sorry,’ he said to the room. ‘I am really, really sorry. But… Dr Bloom… Johann… it had to be done.’
He had the air of someone who was hoping that what he’d said was just true.
‘The creature in the sea, it was feeding off of you. I had to break that link. Now it’s just a creature. All by itself.’
I wanted to tell him that he was wrong. But he wasn’t listening. He was just staring at Dr Bloom.
‘Open your eyes,’ said the Doctor, gently, pleadingly. ‘Please. Look at me and tell me you know that.’
There was silence in the air. I realised the Doctor wanted Dr Bloom to tell him that everything was all right. That he’d wished his wife away and that… that he forgave him. I wondered then… what kind of man was he? What did he think people were really like?
Dr Bloom shook his head. ‘Has she gone?’ he asked, his eyes screwed shut.
The Doctor grabbed a blanket from the back of a chair, and threw it over the thing on the carpet. I tried not to hear the wet noise it made. ‘More… more or less,’ he said.
The Doctor rested a hand on Dr Bloom’s shoulder. ‘Johann, please… I had to. The psychic link. It’s broken now.’
Which is when Prince Boris cleared his throat. ‘Actually, no. You see, Doctor, I think you’ll find it’s just cleared the way for my link to the creature.’
‘What?’ The Doctor turned, gawping at him.
Prince Boris nodded. ‘I took over from Dr Bloom some time ago, but he and his wife were resisting my influence. Now he isn’t linked to it any more. I have you to thank for that.’
The Doctor just stood there.
I tugged his sleeve. ‘Monsieur,’ I said. ‘I’ve been trying to tell you!’
‘Ah,’ the Doctor nodded. ‘Always listen to children. Sorry, Maria. I’m sorry I didn’t have time for you. So… Boris. Are you evil?’
‘Not at all, my dear sir,’ chuckled Boris.
‘You just chuckled,’ groaned the Doctor. ‘Chuckling’s a dead giveaway in my books. Along with putting your hands on your hips and snogging another man’s wife.’ He stuck his hands in his pockets. ‘So…’ he said. ‘Let me get this right. I’ve just made a dreadful, terrible mistake, haven’t I?’
Prince Boris laughed. ‘Absolutely. Don’t worry about it. We all make mistakes.’
The Doctor turned to Dr Bloom and sighed. ‘I am so sorry.’ He shook his head. ‘Boris. What a shame. I liked you.’
Boris marched over, and patted the Doctor on the hair. ‘And I liked you too, Doctor. But this… this is all such a splendid opportunity. You really must agree. It’s brilliant.’
‘Is it?’ said the Doctor.
‘Oh not this, this little clinic full of sad little people. But no, it’s the thing down on the beach. It’s really ever so marvellous. It’s like a library – it’s absorbed the minds of everyone here. It really is the most intelligent thing in the world. And I’m linked to it. To think I’ve wasted so much of my life. But luckily, when they created dear Kosov to cure me, I became linked to it. I could see into it. I could guide it. I could reach an arrangement with it.’
‘What?’ said the Doctor. ‘You’re what’s been guiding The Familiar all along?’
‘Well, not exactly all along. But… I’ve had a helping hand. I’ve shaped a few decisions. And now it’s ready. It really is. It knows everything – who to trust in government, who is strong, who is feeble-minded, which are the really great armies, the natural leaders, and the weaknesses of every single country in Europe. Down there on the beach is a giant brain ready for war. And it’s going to tell me everything I need to do in order to become the most powerful man in the world.’
‘Oh,’ said the Doctor.
The door opened. And the two Elquitine sisters shuffled in, their eyes blank.
‘Aha! My army!’ laughed Boris, ‘Now then. It’s time for you to go to The Sea, Doctor. The creature would very much like to meet you at last.’
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