Day Six!

The Doctor sucked some air in sharply through his teeth. 'Sorry, not a clue, no idea. Sorry.' Then he grinned broadly, a wide welcoming smile that Beth instantly trusted. 'Ah, but you're my responsibility now. I'll get you back home. I promise.' He winked at her before asking, 'What was the date this morning?'

'December 16th 2009,' she replied. Beth was calming down now, her mind racing to process what the Doctor was implying. 'I've moved back in time?'

'Oh, very good, Beth Summers!' replied the Doctor. 'You're quick. I like quick. And, yep, you've moved back in time! It's December 1859.'

'But... but how is that possible? You don't look as though you're from 1859, you're wearing trainers and your hair doesn't look very Victorian...' Beth laughed despite herself, as the Doctor involuntarily ran his fingers through his hair.

'Umm, well you know how it is, one minute you're knee deep in giant wasps and screeching companions and the next you're taking a stroll on one of the twin moons of Prionia. I've been busy!' Before he could continue, a door off the upstairs landing opened. A smartly dressed man in a butler's uniform emerged and swiftly walked past them and quickly, but deliberately, stepped down the stairs towards the front door.

'Come on, I want to try something,' said the Doctor as he sped after the butler. Hesitating only momentarily, Beth ran frantically down the stairs after her new friend. 'Wow, he's fast' she thought to herself as she caught up with him, breathing heavily.

The butler opened the door and welcomed a lady and gentleman who were standing outside. Beth and the Doctor stood to the side, as the butler's mouth moved but no sound came out and the man silently replied.

'Try to sneak past them out into the snow,' suggested the Doctor.

'But I'm not dressed for snow,' Beth protested as she looked down at her skirt and slippers.

'Just try!' urged the Doctor. Beth moved around the lady, who was now removing her coat, and reached the threshold but could go no further. Try as she might she couldn't step through the doorway.

'My feet won't move, Doctor. I can't step over.'

'So neither of us can leave the house...' pondered the Doctor. Beth turned her head sharply towards the newcomers. 'Oh, don't worry, they can't see or hear us,' said the Doctor motioning to the people stood beside them.

'Whoever did this wants us to stay inside. Now, let's see if we can find something to eat in the kitchen while we plan our next move.' As the butler silently escorted the two visitors to the library, the Doctor and Beth walked across the hall, their footsteps echoing around the house.

'Whatever caused this is way beyond current Earth technology. The TARDIS...'

'The TARDIS?' interrupted the confused young girl.

'My ship, the TARDIS, was drawn here by a temporal signature. As I entered the house there was a flash and I found myself - I dunno - out-of-sync with reality. Some sort of temporal trap. Not being able to hear any sound is a side effect. Or a clue. Or both.'