Emma's Six- The Final Year

Where are Mum and Mummy going?

Mum and Mummy are checking their appearances over in the mirror. From what they told us, Mum is going to UNIT to start some basic medical training, while Mummy is going to a town meeting about motorway extensions. 'You never know,' she told us when we asked why she was going, 'there could be a story in it.' That seems to be a bit of a lame excuse, but who am I to judge? Luke, Anne, Jane, and I are gathered around Mummy's desk, looking through our books. Mock exams are days away, and we will get our results before Christmas. Most of us want to do as well as we can—most of us.

I'm looking through my history books again. Harry and James are reading books on the couch in front of Mr Smith. Mum and Mummy walk up the stair of the attic and glance over at us. Mummy is wearing her favourite white blouse, a nice dark blue coat and matching jeans as well as her usual black boots. Mum is wearing a red blouse, her green jacket, black jeans and her brown boots. 'See you later, then.'
'Yeah,' Luke says, not looking up from his book.
'You two have a good evening,' I say, looking up from my book. The others look up and wish them a good evening.
'You, too,' Mummy says. 'Bye, K-9!'
'Enjoy your evening, Mistresses.'
'Yeah.' Mum and Mummy walk out of the attic and shut the door behind them.

'Mr Smith,' Jane whispers, 'we need you quickly and quietly.'
'Quickly and quietly,' Mr Smith agrees, sliding out of the wall without his usual fanfare. Sky hurries up into the attic and shuts the door while Anne gets on the phone. She's calling the other queens, Clyde and Rani.
'Yeah? They're off again,' she says. She shuts the phone soon afterwards.
'What can I do for you?' Mr Smith asks.
'Activate tracking devices, Mr Smith,' I say, 'aerial satellite scan.' Mr Smith displays both tracking devices, but we notice only one car is in use.

'So, what was their stories this time?' Catalina asks as she and the others barrel through the door.
'Mum was about medical training with UNIT, Mummy about a meeting at the town hall about a motorway extension,' I say, 'their excuses keep on getting worse and worse.'
'Yeah, we would've believed them a month ago. Why are they lying to us?'
'Maybe it's something we don't want to get into,' Kitty suggests, 'I mean, we've got no idea what they get up to. Besides, aren't our mocks coming up?'
'We've still got days to study,' Clyde points out, 'but we might not get that if Sarah Jane and Ruby are fighting aliens that want to destroy Earth.'
'Clyde does have a point,' I agree, 'I'm afraid the tracking devices are necessary.'
'Veracity levels for both Mistresses were at twelve per cent,' K-9 adds.
'She's heading into town,' Sky says.
'Query, are you using my tracking system to spy on Sarah Jane and Ruby?'
'This is the fifth time they've done it this month. There could be something dangerous behind it!'
'Or they're going on a date,' Luke says.
'Do not put that image in my head,' Clyde says, 'I'm cool with not imagining them kissing, thank you very much.'
'Oh, come on,' I say, 'it's cute. It means they still love each other.'
'Yeah, yeah, I bet you're never like that.' I turn to glare at Clyde.
'Do you want to tell him about the thirteenth of April 1912, or shall I?' Harry asks, looking at James.
'You can do that.'

'What if Sarah Jane and Ruby get in trouble?' Clyde asks, 'we should be alert just in case.'
'This is highly irregular behaviour,' Mr Smith notes.
'Do not exceed your function, Mr Smith,' K-9 says, 'your opinion has not been asked for.'
'That's told you,' James smiles, 'good dog.'
'Affirmative, Master James.'
'They've stopped,' Harry says, looking up at the map on Mr Smith's screen. 'And they're nowhere near UNIT or the town hall.'
'I can get us there,' Catalina says, 'come on, let's go for a drive.'
'Wait. Scan for alien activity in that area, K-9.'
K-9 raises his antenna as he scans the area. 'Negative for alien activity, Master Harry.'
'I am perfectly capable of performing that function, Harold. There is no need to consult the dog.'
'Sticks and stones.'

'Now what?' I ask, 'follow them there?'
'Yeah, let's go,' Catalina says.
'Wait,' Luke says, 'should some of us stay here? If Mr Smith detects any aliens, we could warn you.'
'Great idea. Luke, Sky, will you two be all right with that?'
'Only if Anne stays too. No offence, Anne, but you might do something to attract Mum and Mummy's attention, and we don't want that.'
'Fair enough,' Anne agrees, 'you lot be careful. Mr Smith, K-9, play nicely.'
'Play nicely,' K-9 says as he rolls towards Mr Smith but stopping at the stair. 'Instruction to human children, conduct recreation in socially compatible mode.'
'Oh, be quiet,' Mr Smith says. We all laugh before we leave the attic. Luke, Sky, and Anne see us to the door, and Catalina drives us into town.

We park in a local car park and walk the rest of the way. 'Right, there's the car,' Jane says, 'but no sign of either Sarah Jane or Ruby. Where are they?'
'I can't sense any aliens,' I say, 'that must be a good thing.'
Clyde peeks into a local restaurant. 'No!' He pulls us back away from the window. 'I did not just see that. Be careful!' We take a quick look into the restaurant.

It looks very posh, and sitting at one of the tables for two is Mum and Mummy. They are pretty far from the window, so they don't notice us. 'Oh, no,' Clyde realises, 'they're not gonna...' Clyde's voice trails away as Mum and Mummy lean towards each other and kiss. I squeal in excitement and stand away from the window so I don't attract their attention. Harry, James, and the queens join me by the car. 'Nobody over the age of twenty-two should be doing that in public. Actually, at all!'
'Shut up, Clyde,' Harry says, 'that's amazing.'
'I thought you and James would've said something along the lines of "that is against the will of God" or something similar.'
'No,' James says, 'Emma would start yelling her head off if we said something homophobic. The last thing any of us wanted to face was a mad Emma.'
'Oh, this is brilliant,' Rani says, 'Sarah Jane and Ruby are still in love!'
'What are we going to say?' James asks.
'Nothing. They want to keep it a secret, so we're not going to say anything.' I nod, and so do the others, all except Luke. 'James?'
'Yeah,' James finally agrees. 'And we thought they were hunting aliens!'

We head back to the attic to tell Luke, Sky, and Anne what happened.