The Shape of the Hole (short story)

The Shape of the Hole was the first story in the Bernice Summerfield anthology A Life of Surprises. It was written by Paul Cornell.

Summary
Leaving her children behind with Jason, Bernice searches for the grave of an old friend throughout the universe. She lands on planets where there are stories of him. She finds Irving Braxiatel on Earth in a wine cellar, who says he doesn't have a brother. On every planet she searches she finds his grave, always empty. She accepts that she will always find an empty grave.

Characters

 * Bernice Summerfield
 * Irving Braxiatel
 * Jason Kane
 * Peter Summerfield
 * Keith Branigan Kane-Summerfield

Continuity

 * One of the ways Benny thinks the Doctor might appear is being found in a safe. He once did exactly that, though not to her. (AUDIO: Thin Ice)
 * This Benny has remarried Jason and has three children: Peter (PROSE: The Glass Prison), Keith and Rebecca (PROSE: Return of the Living Dad et al.)
 * Benny finds the Doctor's grave on Earth, Olleril (PROSE: Tragedy Day), Artaris (AUDIO: Excelis Dawns, The Plague Herds of Excelis), Kyrol (COMIC: Children of the Revolution), and Quiescia (PROSE: Alien Bodies).