Set between School Reunion and Invasion of the Bane.
“You’re a good dog, K9.”
“Affirmative.”
She closed the cabinet and gave a loud sigh, not knowing when her best friend would return home. Sarah Jane spent a few minutes wandering around her attic, before discovering a box containing a pile of some old pictures. The first was a photograph of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in uniform.
“Well, here we go again.” She recalled the Brigadier’s remarks from when they witnessed the Doctor regenerating into his fourth body. From dandy to all teeth and curls.
The memories of her time at UNIT were a delightful addition to her career as a journalist. Not just assisting them on various missions, but also using her expertise to foil plots spearheaded by corrupt officials or aliens. These experiences were nonetheless excruciating at times, especially when she had no choice but to investigate alone and get caught in the middle of a conspiracy. Despite having some misgivings, Sarah chose to honour her relationship with the organisation by keeping in contact with the Brigadier; even to this day.
She put the photo aside before noticing another familiar face. Her fellow traveller Harry Sullivan. That nickname “old girl”, he often called her, would nowadays be considered patronising and sexist, but it didn’t really bother her too much. Harry did good as a surgeon – for his friends, colleagues, and others in need.
“Oh, Harry,” she chuckled, “You really were a twit.”
The next photo was of a young woman in a wheelchair, a friend very dear to Sarah who was like a daughter to her.
“Natalie Redfern, it’s been a while.”
The last time she saw Natalie was many months after being rescued by NASA. They had coffee in Ealing Broadway, where Sarah first heard about the new headmaster at Deffry Vale High School – Mr Finch. She thanked Nat and gave her a lift home in her silver Volkswagen Passat estate.
“Well,” Sarah began, reviewing each photo, “I think it’s time to hang them up.”
And so she did, to accompany the framed one of herself with K9 Mark III. She couldn’t forget her old friends, including the Doctor. It was only the beginning of a new life. Working alone.
In memory of the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen, who passed away 10 years ago today.
