The Girl of Colours (Book TWO)

The New Chapter

"Mum, don't go." Sky begged me as I was in my room, packing a bag. "Why do you need to go?"

"It's my dad, Diamond, if my dad needs me, then I have to go." I told her, shoving in as much as I could fit, having to leave my guitar and violin, because it just wasn't practical for the transport I was about to go through with Mr Smith. "I won't be long, I'll come back as soon as possible. You'll get to meet Granddad, too."

My daughter ran and hugged me tight, and I hugged the 12 year old back, kissing her hair. "I don't want you to go. Dad goes back to uni soon as well, what if you don't come back in time?"

"Then you'll have to put up with Clyde, Rani and Nana." I told her firmly. "Poppet, do you remember, when I was younger, my dad, he, he accidentally left me in France? And that's why in my records, Mr Smith has listed me as half French, because I still slip into the language at times?"

She nodded. "Yeah, it's why I'm learning it so quickly. Why?"

Sighing, I stroked her hair softly, sitting down with her on the bed. "Sky, I didn't see my dad for 10 years, after that, another 6, and after that, another 10. After everything, it was about 30 years, before I came back to the TARDIS, when I could finally leave. I couldn't do that to you, ever. You're my little girl, Sky. If he hadn't told me to come alone, I'd be bringing you with me. You and your dad."

"I'll miss you."

"I know, poppet. Do you know, what Amelie means?" I asked her softly, and she shook her head. "It means brave. It's French, as usual, and it means brave, because it's something I wanted you to be. A brave girl who could look up to the sky and always know where, and who she is, to never be afraid. Think you can do that for me while I'm gone?"

Sky nodded, and hugged me again as Luke came to the door, looking nervous about me going. Furthest we'd ever been apart, probably, and I didn't even know where I was going. "Mr Smith's found the right coordinates. Utah, near Lake Silencio. He's ready when you are, love."

Getting to my feet, I wrapped my arms tight around him, not wanting to let go. "I'll be back soon, I promise." 

"You'd better be. I've got a surprise for you when you get back." He told me, pressing his lips into my hair, before pulling back to kiss my lips too. "I love you so much, be careful, please."

"I will be." I nodded, feeling that amazing warmth I felt whenever we were together. "I need to go, I'm running out of time."

Sky came and took my hand as we went into the attic, Sarah Jane, Clyde and Rani already waiting. "You got everything? Psychic paper, map, bug spray?" She asked, fussing over me right away, checking my clothes and my bag. "Money, water, food, phone?"

"Mum, she's fine, she knows what she's doing." Luke smiled fondly, and I hugged her tight, then Clani. "She's not going to be long. Right?"

"Nope. Well, I could be, because hey, time travel, but no. I'll be back to see Sky start year 8." I told them, hefting my bag up, and swapped my glasses for the prescription sunglasses I picked up. "Luke, look after Sky, and please, please, do not challenge her to another Minecraft battle, because she will win. Mr Smith?"

There was no hesitation from the super computer. "Teleporting. Goodbye, Calliope."

I waved as the light engulfed me. "I love you all, I'll be back soon."

Then I was gone, travelling through light to Utah, and I realised Mr Smiths mistake the moment I was there. Because I was 3 feet up in the air. "Shit!" I yelped, crashing hard to the ground beside a ginger woman, a tawny haired guy, and my dad, wearing a stupid hat. "Mr Smith, I am going to rip out your circuits!"