Work Text:
MISSING: LONDON GIRL, 16, LAST SEEN AT WIMBLEDON COMMON
“Ian,” said Barbara, staring in horror at the photo next to the headline. “That’s Dorothea Chaplet. Dodo. She was in my class last year.”
“Oh, Barbara.” Ian had been grading homework, but he put the red pen down in order to come over and give her a hug.
“She was such a sweet girl,” Barbara said into his shoulder. “Always so energetic, though I got the feeling her home life wasn’t the happiest. I was sorry when she left school.” Her voice cracked. “That poor child.”
Ian patted her back.“I hope she’s all right.”
“All right?” Barbara repeated, slightly incredulously. “Ian, what sixteen-year-old girl who goes missing is all right?”
“We were missing for a year,” Ian pointed out. “We were all right.”
“Yes, well. We weren’t sixteen.” Barbara pulled back to wipe her eyes. “And I hardly think Dodo has been carried off in a time-traveling police box.”
“It’s not impossible.”
“No. Very unlikely, though.” Barbara sighed. “She was always so curious about the world. It would be nice to imagine she’s just exploring the universe with the Doctor.”
She shook her head. Silently, Ian handed her a handkerchief.