She caught his face, turning it back to face her. "Stop that," she ordered him, like a lieutenant. "Do I look like the sort of girl who wants a big, strong man to protect her?" she asked. "Do you think that's why I like keeping you around? That's not how I operate, darling. Never has been, never will be."

Why were men so thick? Even Time Lords, apparently, could be utter rubbish sometimes. But this self-pity was not a good colour on him. She didn't like it one bit.

"If I'm already targeted, so be it. But if I'm going to go," she said, "then I'm going to go on my own terms. And they seem to include you."