The Doctor remained quiet, still staring at Ruby. The only indication that he was alive at all and not some pale waxen statue, was a vein pulsing in his temple, marking time, and the lizard-like way he would occasionally lick his lips.
“How long HAVE you been here Doctor Hariman? And what is your ultimate purpose?… It may interest your 'crab-like' brain - ” (The mention of a crab caught the Doctor's attention; his eyes widened, betraying him.). “Ahh... I see I've struck a chord. Well, as I say, it may interest you to know that I am aware of your... 'crustacean' activities and am seeing Reverend Phullaposi shortly. Maybe he will be more... forthcoming in his conversation? Oh, and don't try anything silly with regard to the good Reverend. As you may assume, he has friends in high places. He is not, I repeat, NOT, alone. However, the questions still remain... How long have you been in Widdowshins? And what exactly is the nature of your allegiance with the Nutters?”
“My relationship with Alice Nutter and her ever-so-close family is nothing to do with you. They are simply good and faithful servants to... the community. And as for me... I've been here as long as you. Longer, I dare say. Since time immemorial, in fact. I was here before the very stones that make up the simple homes and dwellings were created. Now, get out of my way, witch, or you may not live long enough to regret it!”
With a strength his outwardly visible frame would belie, he roughly pushed Ruby aside.
At that very moment, Pearl entered the caravan, together with Tobias and Magpie Jack. Hariman shoved past them, too, and kicked open the door of the caravan, making good his escape out onto the road. By the time they had all gathered themselves up, he had disappeared, quite literally, in a cloud of green vapour, into thin air.
“That's the second time visitors have abused my door. It's becoming a habit, and I don't like it,” Ruby snorted.
Chapter 8
Poor Old Hari, the Unhappy Chappy
Later, sitting around Ruby's living room table, (and, yes, all having tea, as usual) Pearl explained how they had received Eddy's frantic plea over the ether and hurried as quickly as possible, to be of any assistance they could.
“And from the look of things we arrived just in the nick of time, before things got really nasty.”
“Quite. Just in the 'Nick' of Time,” Ruby agreed, “Most accurately and appositely phrased, Pearl dear. The Old Nick of Time. Indeed. Any longer, and it might have been the Time of Old Nick.”
The others all looked at her suspiciously; for of course 'Old Nick', is a common nickname for the Devil.
“Ruby... just what has been going on here?” Pearl asked.
Ruby gave her sister and the others a full update of what had happened and why. She explained that the reason Doctor Hariman had reacted so violently, was because he wasn't really a Doctor at all, but something Other – as would become evident before very much longer. Her more immediate concerns, though, were for the Reverend and Dave. She did not think that Hariman would act this evening as he would be too busy consulting with Nutter, Devizes and the like, but all the same, it would be a good idea if Magpie Jack and Tobias were to go and keep vigil outside the Vicarage, just to be on the safe side.
Tobias was not happy about spending all night in a churchyard.
“Herne knows what'll be creeping about in there,” he whined.
Eddy agreed. “For one thing, there'll be you, skulking about, lowering the tone of the entire neighbourhood.”
Tobias didn't bother to reply; he merely flashed Eddy a disdainful glance, and then he and Magpie Jack toddled dutifully off on their way.
Ruby watched the two familiars disappear back down the road, then turned to her sister with a sober expression.
“Pearl, we have preparations to make. I fear we may have our very own Battle of Britain looming, and you, I, Tobias, Eddy and Chen are the only line of defence... Unless, that is, we can persuade David to use his limited brain and see the error of his misguided ways.”
Pearl sighed. She was mentally preparing herself for the fight.
“So are we trusting in David and the Reverend and praying the Almighty?”
“No,” replied Ruby. “We are trusting in the Almighty, and praying for David and the Reverend.”
**********
Immediately after disappearing from outside Ruby's caravan, the Doctor re-appeared inside Alice Nutter's cottage.
“Alice!” He snapped his fingers. “Meeting! Here! Now! Get Devises and the others!!”
“Huh? What?” Alice was confused by his demeanour and tone.
“I SAID NOW, WENCH!!!!” Hariman's eyes rolled, swivelled, bulged, and then transformed; becoming quite serpentine in shape and colour. He was apocalyptic with rage; seething so much that sulphurous yellow smoke started to emanate around him.
Brocken, Alice's raven familiar, took the none-too-subtle hint and flapped raggedly off, out of the window and out of the way.
Alice had never seen the Doctor in a mood like this before; he had always been so calm, so rational and sanguine. She fumbled her mobile phone out of her cassock pocket. Scrolling down the menu of contacts, she saw Liz Devizes' name, pressed the 'Call' button, and heard the familiar ringing tone.
It went on for far too long. Alice could feel herself in the early stages of a panic attack.
Finally, there was a small noise halfway between a click and a bleep, then a slow, creaky, croaky noise, that sounded more like a dry, old, dead tree on a strong windy night than anything human. It was the voice of Liz Devises:
“Oooo... Hello Alice, my dear. I'm a little busy brewing up a spell to blight the
