Doctor Who: Paradise Towers (19 page)

‘Poor Pex,’ Mel sighed sadly.

‘Indeed, poor Pex,’ agreed the Doctor comfortingly. ‘But look, Mel, they are all here. Caretakers. Rezzies. Kangs. That would never have happened before. Perhaps now they will all start working together.’

‘... in death he was brave and bold as a Kang should be. Hail Pex...’

Fire Escape and Drinking Fountain came up to the Doctor and Mel. They were not yet part of the ceremony because they had had a more pressing task. Removing the Kang wallscrawl from the TARDIS. They reported that the job was now done.

The Doctor and Mel could finally depart.

‘Build High for Happiness, Doctor.’ Fire Escape gave the Kang salute and then handed the Doctor a timely farewell present. His much battered brolly which had been found when Kangs and Caretakers had been cleaning out the Basement.

‘We are sorry you must go, Doctor – and Mel,’ Drinking Fountain blurted out, still awkward at admitting the affection she felt for them. She held up a blue sash. ‘We have made you an Honorary Kang, Doctor.’

The Doctor smiled and regarded the sash. ‘A Blue Kang or a Red Kang?’

‘Both.’ Grinning, Fire Escape took the sash from Drinking Fountain and showed that its reverse was coloured red.

‘In that case,’ the Doctor replied, placing the sash around his neck, ‘I will be honoured to wear it.’

In the background the chanting continued. Soon Fire Escape and Drinking Fountain would join the others. The Doctor and Mel took one last look round Fountain of Happiness Square and then they knew it was time to go.

‘All my best wishes for the future of Paradise Towers!’ the Doctor called as he and Mel entered the TARDIS. The two Kangs waved farewell and then melted into the disparate group still celebrating their first communal act.

A second later the TARDIS had dematerialised – revealing on the wall behind where it had stood a brand-new Kang wallscrawl. There had been more elaborate wallscrawls before but few as heartfelt. It showed a picture of Pex’s weapon over a Red Kang sash and a Blue Kang sash interlinked. And underneath the two words:

PEX LIVES.

• Front cover
  
• Rear cover
  
• Title page
  
• Copyright
  
• Contents
  
• 1 The Last of the Yellow Kangs
  
• 2 No Visitors
  
• 3 Tea and Cakes
  
• 4 The Chief
  
• 5 This Way and That
  
• 6 Brainquarters
  
• 7 Come into My Parlour
  
• 8 The Illustrated Prospectus
  
• 9 The Basement
  
• 10 The Pool in the Sky
  
• 11 Kroagnon
  
• 12 Farewells