The Artist and the Doctor

Chapter 27

The watch opened with a quick snap and several gold sparks flew out of it. My mom jumped slightly when one of the sparks shocked her right hand causing her to lose her grip on the watch. The fob watch plummeted to the floor, but was quickly snatched up in the hand of the Doctor.

"That's odd, it's never shocked me before." My mom stated, rubbing her hand. "It doesn't even work properly."

The Doctor studied the watch with a bewildered expression on his face. His grey-green eyes flickered between the watch and my mom several times.

"Doctor, what's wrong?" I asked, studying the expression on his face. It was like he was expecting something to happen yet nothing did. I couldn't put my finger on it.

The Doctor ignored me and ran up to my mother searching her eyes for something. "Do you remember?" He asked suddenly.

My mom stared back at him in confusion. "Remember what?"

"Do you remember anything after opening the watch? Anything at all?" He was slowly starting to grow frantic.

"What on earth are you talking about? Of all the times I've opened that watch, I just wanted to know why it never worked." My mom stated.

"You've opened this before?" The Doctor asked in shock.

"Of course. I've had it my whole life, I was bound to open it at some point." She argued.

The Doctor suddenly began rummaging through his pockets and emptying the contents out on the table. I shook my head in embarrassment at the small pile he had made consisting of a small rubber duck, a Barbie doll, some sort of metal circuit, the ultraviolet light and a glowing seashell. Finally he pulled out a stethoscope and looked to my mom. "This probably sounds weird, but I'm going to have to check your heartbeat." He stated putting the plugs in his ears.

"What?" My mom and I asked in unison. No... she can't be a... no, what am I thinking?

"It's just a precaution." The Doctor assured.

With a shrug my mom let him listen to her chest. A huge smile suddenly graced his lips after listening to both sides of her chest.

"You're good, nothing's wrong." The Doctor confirmed stuffing the stethoscope back in his pockets. "Are you sure you don't remember anything? Nothing unusual or out of ordinary?"

"No, I can assure you that I have no idea what you're talking about." My mom answered laughing it off. "Now if you'll excuse me, my husband is probably wondering where I've gone."

"Do you mind if Claire and I hold on to this?" The Doctor asked holding up the watch.

My mom eyed us carefully before nodding. "Don't lose it." She warned and with that, my mom gave me a quick hug goodbye before seeking out my father.

As soon as she was out of sight I turned to the Doctor. "What was that all about?" I asked.

The Doctor pursed his lips in thought as he glanced around the room. People were starting to pile onto the dance floor. An excited grin immediately swept over his face. "I'll tell you after the dancing."

Before I could protest he dragged out onto the dance floor just as the intro to Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners blared out. "Doctor, we have to discuss this! What's going on?" I shouted to him over the pounding music.

"Come on Claire!" He laughed before throwing his arms in the air. He started shaking his arms and head in sync while bobbing up and down while walking towards me.