Dreaming of a Blue Box ✧ Doctor Who ¹ ✓

47 - The Empty Child (Part II)

Continuing from 'The Empty Child - Part I'

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ROSE FOLLOWED THE DOCTOR into the house, making sure to stay close to his back when they maneuvered through the kitchen via the back door. She made sure to re-shut it and rejoined the Doctor who was peeking around the corner into the dining room. The house was dimly lit and the table was set for supper. Hoards of food were laid out and each seat, besides two of them, was accompanied by a child, with the same young woman as before with braids at the head.

"It's got to be the black market!" A boy said, rubbing his hands as he examined all the food. "You couldn't get all this on coupons."

"Ernie, how many times?" The girl with the braids snapped and Ernie grew quiet. "We are guests in this house. We will not make comments of that kind. Wash up."

They all laughed except Ernie who whined, slumping in his chair. "Oh, Nancy!"

"So that's her name?" Rose whispered, low enough for the children not to hear them.

The Doctor took her hand. "Come on." And she let him lead her to the two vacant chairs. They stayed low and close to the walls where none of the children noticed.

There was more discussion, then Nancy held up a plate of what looked to be slices of turkey meat. "All right, then." She took one slice and handed it and the serving fork to the nearest child. "One slice each, and I want to see everyone chewing properly."

As it was passed around, the Doctor sat down at the other end of the table, pulling Rose down to his right. "Thank you, Miss." a boy said.

"Thanks, Miss." Another said.

"Thank you, Miss." A third said.

When the plate got to the Doctor he said cheerfully. "Thanks, Miss!" And took two pieces, despite Nancy's wishes.

All the children panicked and rushed out of their chairs. "It's alright," Nancy told them, glaring down at the Doctor. "Everybody stay where you are!"

"Good here, innit?" The Doctor passed the plate to Rose, who didn't take any and placed it back on the table. The Doctor smiled at his plate. "Who's got the salt?

"Back in your seats," Nancy ordered the kids and Rose was shocked at how they all obeyed, slowly sitting back in their chairs and giving them wary eyes. Rose smiled at the nearest little girl at her left and she shyly looked down. "They shouldn't be here, either." Nancy directed at her and the Doctor.

The Doctor noticed all the children returned to eating. "So, you lot, what's your story?" He asked no one in particular.

"What do you mean?" Ernie asked, shoveling some mashed potatoes, without the gravy, in his mouth.

Rose took into account how quickly all the children ate like they were starving. "Are you all homeless?" She asked worriedly, noticing their dirty clothes.

"Why do you want to know that?" Another boy asked her suspiciously. "Are you coppers?"

The Doctor snorted. "Of course, we aren't coppers." He chewed a piece of his meat. "What's a copper going to do with you lot anyway?" He used his fork and waved it around at them. "Arrest you for starving?"

"But it's the Second World War, right? Rose asked the Doctor, who confirmed with a nod. "Shouldn't you all be in the country?"

"I was evacuated." A boy told her. "Sent me to a farm."

"Why did you come back?" Rose wondered.

"There was a man there-"

"Yeah, same with Ernie." The boy who accused them of being coppers told her. "Two homes ago."