The Littlest Timelord: Cracks in Time

Chapter 27

"Dark night. Very starry", the Doctor commented as they stood outside Vincent's cottage.

"It's not much. I live on my own. But you should be okay for one night. One night", Vincent told them.

"We're going to stay with him?" Amy asked the Doctor.

"Until he paints that church".

"Watch out. That one's wet", Vincent said, pointing to a painting.

"Elise, look", Amy said. Amy and Elise stared at the painting. "It's called Bedroom in Arles. If you draw and practice every day, maybe you could paint like that one day".

It was rather simple in Elise's eyes, but she liked the colors.

They entered Vincent's home and were surrounded by his paintings.

"Sorry about all the clutter", he said.

"Some clutter", the Doctor told him.

"I've come to accept the only person who's going to love my paintings is me".

"Wow. I mean, really. Wow", Amy said.

"Yeah, I know it's a mess. I'll have a proper clear out. I must, I really must. Coffee, anyone?"

"Not for me, actually", the Doctor said.

Vincent placed a coffee pot down on a painting.

"You know, you should be careful with these. They're precious", the Doctor told him.

"Precious to me. Not precious to anyone else".

It made Elise sad that he didn't think his paintings were worth anything. They were beautiful.

"They're precious to me", Amy told him.

"Well, you're very kind. And kindness is most welcome".

"Right, so, this church, then. Near here, is it?" the Doctor asked.

"What is it with you and the church?"

"Oh, just casually interested in it, you know."

"Far from casual. It seems to me you never talk about anything else. He's a strange one."

"Okay, so, let's talk about you, then. What are you interested in?"

"Well, look around. Art. It seems to me there's so much more to the world than the average eye is allowed to see. I believe, if you look hard, there are more wonders in this universe than you could ever have dreamed of."

The Doctor smiled. "You don't have to tell me."

After Vincent had fixed himself a cup of coffee, Elise and Amy went outside to look at more of the paintings. While they were looking at one, something invisible knocked Amy to the ground. Amy screamed as Elise looked around, but there was nothing there.

Vincent and the Doctor came running out to check on the two girls.

"Amy? Amy? Elise, what happened?" the Doctor asked.

Elise shrugged.

"I don't know. I didn't see it. I was having a look at the paintings out here when something hit me from behind. I don't think it hit Elise."

"It's okay. He's gone now and we're here."

Vincent looked behind Amy and started shouting, "No! No!"