The Doctor nodded. He was counting the names as Harry said them.
Once the phone was answered, he brightened.
"Rose Tyler, how're you?"
There was a pause. He could hear her breathing, but she didn't say anything.
"Y'know it's been a year since you've rung. A proper year. Thought you had a TIME. MACHINE."
He sighed. "I know. And something's wrong, or that wouldn't have happened. Have there been big news items? You know the kind."
Spaceships on the Thames. New elected officials no one had ever heard of. Disasters. She'd know what he meant.
The Doctor listened to Rose tell him about 2012. It sounded fairly quiet, in terms of the type of thing he was used to. He could hear her mum chattering in the background, too. At least all was well with Rose.
"So when're you comin' to get me?" she asked.
"I don't know," the Doctor said. "there's something wrong. And until I figure it out, I don't think I should leave. I lost a year. Either the TARDIS put me here for a reason, or I can't..."
He didn't want to finish the sentence. They said their goodbyes.