Dialogue Disasters, scene 3

As they chatted, Vicki noticed Barbara's attention kept drifting up the bank. She knew why, but it was still distracting. Eventually, she turned round in the water and looked for herself. Ian was lying on his side, talking to the Doctor. Vicki was too far away to hear the conversation, but they seemed relaxed.

"I'm sorry," said Barbara, "I didn't mean to do that. It was very rude of me."

Vicki turned back, a knowing half-smile on her face. She liked Barbara, even though she was so hopelessly old-fashioned. The teacher didn't really have much of a sense of adventure, though. Not like the Doctor. The race had been fun, but it was starting to get a bit boring in the lake, just talking. Time to liven things up.

"Hey, Barbara, why don't we play a trick on Ian? Call him down here to help us out, and then pull him in!"

Barbara wasn't convinced. "Oh, I don't know if that's a very good idea..."

"He's still in his trunks, isn't he? I bet he'll laugh about it afterwards. Oh, come on, Barbara! Please?" Vicki could tell that she was wavering. "He's probably had enough of a break anyway; perhaps we could race him too?"

Barbara hesitated. "It seems a shame to disturb him now he's settled, though," she said; but just then Ian stood up. That did it. Barbara quickly agreed, and they signalled for Ian to come back down.

Vicki thought he looked a bit serious as he approached, as if something were troubling him. She wondered if perhaps now wasn't the time for a prank; but it was too late to talk to Barbara about it.

"What can I do for you ladies?" Ian was smiling now; but Vicki had spotted the moment when he decided he wasn't going to share his thoughts with them.

"Why thank you, kind sir," replied Barbara. "If you would be so good as to lend us a hand...?" She raised her arm; Ian swept an imaginary hat from his head and bowed, theatrically. He reached down to her.

As soon as he had a firm grip, Barbara pulled. Ian staggered, but managed to brace himself, his feet right on the edge. "Oh, no you don't!" he said, tugging on her arm with all his strength.

"Vicki, help me!" said Barbara, and the girl moved at last. No time for indecision now. She reached up and grabbed Ian by the ankle, as Barbara was being lifted from the water. It was enough: his foot skidded, and all three of them tumbled noisily back into the lake.

They rose to the surface spluttering and laughing. "Hoo, I needed that," said Ian. He took Barbara's hand, under the water; and suddenly Vicki felt like a gooseberry. "I think I've had enough of swimming for now," she announced. "I'll just go and see what the Doctor's doing."

For a second Vicki thought Ian was going to say something; he had an odd, thoughtful look on his face. But he just nodded. Barbara noticed it as well, and made a point of examining her other hand.

"Goodness, look at those wrinkles! I think it's time for me to get out, too." She looked at Ian. "Coming?"

"Well, we wouldn't want to let the food bars go cold, would we?"

They clambered out of the water.

Next Time:
Scene 4.