Winnie Is Not Okay

2.0

So Far...

1869

They landed. Right by the harbour in Cardiff, surrounded by crates and boats. The harbour wasn't exactly up to date but as Winnie needed to vomit seconds after she landed, she didn't really pay attention to that. Turning back she saw Jack throw off his computer.

"Stupid vortex manipulator", he shouted and stepped on it, "It's burnt out!"

Winnie caught her breath, "What now?", she looked around, "Because this is either some elaborate festival or not the twenty-first century."

Jack kneeled down to read the screen and pick the computer back up, "It's 1869."

"What?", she turned to him in complete shock.

"Miss, I beg your pardon", a police officer in an old-timey uniform walked up to them, "Please put on some clothes, you can't just run around all naked in the centre of town."

Before she could analyse her slacks and shirt Jack had thrown his coat over her, "Apologies, Officer. My... companion will make sure this won't happen again."

The officer nodded suspiciously but left them.

"This", Winnie muttered angrily as he left, "This is what feminism did for us, Shereen."

"What?"

"Nothing. Rosie's mate is stupid."

"Well, you're in luck", he said, "You're never going to see her again. Because it's 1869."

"Jack", Winnie glared at him, "I want my mum. Why did they leave us and what are we going to do?"

"We should stick around", he shrugged, "The most likely scenario is that he'll pop up in Cardiff some day to fuel up."

"The rift doesn't even exist yet, Captain", she noticed the spring temperatures, remembering Christmas of 1869, "And he left us. What kind of guy tells you he loves you and then he leaves you to rot on a space station in 200,100 surrounded by Dalek dust?"

"He's not exactly a guy", he shrugged, "Come on, let's get you some clothes."

"I'm not staying Jack", she still let him lead her to some local shop, where they bought her a proper gown with the help of the psychic paper she always had on her. Via the same way she also caught a carriage to London.

1914 - 1950

Winifred worked as a nurse in World War One, opening a path for her to keep her profession going and in the 1920's she worked as a nurse at the Holy Heart Hospital. She met Dr William Mott here, head of cardiology, and learned to love him. They married and had a son.

William thought every day that Winifred was as beautiful as the day he met her. By 1940 that sentiment got stranger though. Because Winnie, who was supposed to be in her mid-forties genuinely still looked like the day they met, like a woman in her early twenties.

And Winnie had noticed, too. She was roaming Earth again for over seventy years by this point. At nearly eighty years old she had had a healthy baby who would probably be older than her soon. And that scared her.

When William got sick, their son was fifteen. Winnie had started dressing and putting her hair and makeup on in a way that made her seem older because she couldn't stand the looks anymore, people thinking she was her son's sister or worse - girlfriend - and her husband's daughter.

When William died her son was eighteen. He had met a wonderful young lady - Eileen - and Winnie saw the two, so in love. She left them with a pained smile in 1950, some weeks after they got engaged. She heard that they were looking for her but she was soon declared lost, presumed dead.

1961 - 1967

Winifred Smith popped up in the records of Oxford university. A minority among the med students there. But after decades of being a nurse and realising with experience she knew more than most of the doctors she worked with she decided it was time.

Although she could have been faking the degree for ages, by simply using the psychic paper, she wanted to do this the proper way. And did she do it.

She graduated in 1967 with a PhD, top of her class.

1971

"Sir, if I may have a word", she knocked on the door to the Brigadier's office.

"Dr Tyler, of course", he smiled when she entered.

Winifred had been working for UNIT for about three years by this point, and barely escaped meeting the Doctor before their time. As much as she would have enjoyed going back on adventure, she would not risk changing their history.

"Have a seat, what can I do for you?", he looked at her with a smile that told her they were in private now.

"Alistair, I was unaware I'd be seeing the Doctor in this position", she started.

"Well", he tilted his head, confused by the statement, "Of course he helps us and we help him wherever possible. But what does that have to do with you?"

"I know him", she nodded, "But he doesn't know me yet. I can't risk changing history."

Alistair looked down, "So, you quit."

She put a paper on his desk, "My resignation is written. I'm gone by the end of the week and I'm hoping to stay with an old friend in Cardiff."

"Winifred-"

"There's one more thing", she interrupted him, "I regret having to tell you this way but you deserve to know. I'm pregnant."

He looked up with wide eyes, "That was one time."

"That's usually enough, Alistair", she tilted her head.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. And yes, I'm sure it's yours", she nodded, "I don't want this to turn into a custody battle. Not all of UNIT has to find out about this little- affair, I'd call it. Obviously I'm leaving so the child will be with me, can't exactly change that right now. But if you want I'm sure we'll find a way for you to see them during weekends and holidays, whenever you can make time."

"I can make time."

"And of course I'll update you", she sighed, "Alistair, I've raised a child before. And I love being a mum. And I know I'll love this child just as much as my first. So I want them to have the best life I can. So I'm just asking you to try for the same."

"Yes. I can make sure you'll receive financial aid, monthly, perhaps weekly?", he seemed all ears.

"That won't be necessary", she smiled slightly, her bank account had been running on some incomes and interest for a hundred years.

He nodded, "Just know, if you want it, there will always be a job here waiting for you."

"Thank you, Alistair. For everything. And do give the Doctor my regards when you see him. I think that will be funny", she smiled and got up, leaving the Brigadier's office for the last time.