John had been true to his word and Jamie alternated his peeling and chopping duties with work outside in the kitchen garden; and this was what he enjoyed the most. There was still no sign of any ride-on mower, but Jamie was content to lose himself in the weeding, cultivating and harvesting of all the many fruits, vegetables and herbs which flourished in the well-stocked garden. Most of them he’d never heard of before, let alone tasted. Today, he was gathering herbs to dry, for use during the winter. The mingling scents of basil, mint and rosemary were making him hungry, so he stuffed a couple of mint leaves into his mouth to chew on. That should keep him going until it was time for lunch.
Jamie mused that he would probably be happy to remain here for the rest of his life. Sure, he missed certain things – alcohol, girls and privacy were his top three – but those were minor in comparison with the safe and secure life he now enjoyed. Sure, the rest of the people here were all a bit lifeless, but Jamie reasoned that it was because they had found peace. They were no longer troubled or anxious. They had found a safe place in this troubled world.
His leg was healing quickly and he had already discarded his crutches. A slight limp remained, but the doctor he’d seen last week had told him he should be walking normally within a week or two. Jamie stood and picked up his full basket to bring back to the kitchen. The sun burned the back of his neck, his throat was parched and he could do with a cup of water. As he walked, he sought out the shade of a line of sycamores, their leaves hushed in the still air.
Last week had been his naming ceremony – Jeremiah had been right about his name being changed – and now Jamie was called Jamie no longer. He didn’t miss his old name. What had it ever brought him? Nothing but misery. He had needed a fresh new name to go with his fresh new life. Jamie had thought his new name might’ve been James, but apparently there was only one James around here. Made sense he supposed. No, Jamie’s new name was now Jacob.
He and a handful of other men had been taken to the cathedral where James Grey had conducted the ceremony himself. It had been a humbling and emotional experience. Jamie grasped the metal cross which now hung around his neck. It had been presented to him when he’d received his new name, and Jamie treasured it. The only problem was that the chain from which it hung irritated his skin, and there was now an angry red weal around his neck which itched and burned. They weren’t allowed to remove the cross ever – not even when they went to bed – and so Jamie was forever trying to rearrange the chain so that it sat on top of his clothing, away from his bare skin. It was impossible though and the metal kept slipping back. Perhaps it was divine punishment for his sins. It was a small price to pay.
Jamie nudged open the narrow back door that led to the kitchen. Strangely, there were voices within. Inside, John was talking to two robed men. They turned to look as Jamie walked through the door, but he avoided eye contact and placed his full basket on the table, picking an empty one up and turning back around. He would forgo the cup of water for now. These men looked important and he didn’t want to hang around as they might think he was eavesdropping.
‘Jacob, wait.’
After a moment’s hesitation, Jamie realised John was addressing him. It would take him a while to get used to this new name of his. He stopped and turned.
‘Come here.’
Jamie walked toward John. He felt the men’s eyes on him and wondered what they were doing here and why John needed to speak with him.
‘This is him?’ one of the men asked John. ‘This is Jacob?’
John nodded.
‘We have spoken to the doctor and he says you are fit and well. He assures us your leg is healed. Does it trouble you at all?’ the man said to Jamie.
Jamie shook his head.
‘Good. You will come with us now.’
Jamie thought he’d misheard and remained standing when the men began to head to the door.
‘Come.’
Jamie looked at John who nodded. John’s expression was one of regret and acceptance. What did his expression mean? Why did Jamie have to leave? Perhaps it was temporary and he would be coming back. But the look on John’s face told him otherwise.
Woodenly, Jamie put one foot in front of the other and followed the two strangers out of the back door and into the sunshine. He wished he’d been brave enough to take that cup of water now. The heat was punishing and his nerves made it feel worse. The two men were silent, but Jamie wouldn’t have expected anything else. He wanted to ask where they were leading him, but his mouth remained shut, his throat dry. Besides, they wouldn’t have replied anyway.
They left the courtyard and the kitchen gardens, following a long wide pathway which ran alongside a row of buildings, across a bridge and along the river. At least there was a slight breeze here. Jamie’s neck itched and he attempted to wipe the sweat away from the inflamed skin with his muddy fingers. His mind was numb and he couldn’t even begin to think where they might be going.
They began to head away from the river and into a lush, green water meadow bisected by a huge metal fence which stretched off in both directions. They were now walking toward a sturdy-looking metal gate and, as they approached, one of the men took a set of keys off his belt. They waited as he deftly unlocked it. Once through, he relocked it and they continued walking. So now he was locked out of The Close. Would he be going back?
There was no one else around and Jamie’s nerves intensified. Perhaps they were actually kicking him out of The Close. Maybe his confession wasn’t a secret anymore and they had decided they couldn’t shelter a murderer. But how could Jamie go back to a life on the outside after sleeping in a comfy bed and eating three meals a day? The thought filled him with panic. Better to die. Maybe that would be his lot anyway. Or maybe they were going to hand him over to the army for justice. That would be another fate worse than death. He had to stop speculating; he would soon find out. He simply had to be patient.
The grass swooshed around his ankles as they walked unhurriedly through the meadows. Jamie wasn’t sure how long they travelled for, but it must’ve been at least an hour, when up ahead he spied something glinting in the sunlight. A wall. A high metal wall. Maybe it was a compound. As they walked, the wall came into focus. It was part-brick, part-metal and it must have been about twenty feet high. It reminded him of the Charminster Compound, only there were no people outside and there wasn’t the usual accompanying stench. The only thing Jamie could make out was a faint sighing hum, like the gathering breeze you might hear before a storm, but there was no wind on his face and the air was still. What was this place? Was it a compound? A prison? Or was it someplace worse?
Chapter Twenty
Riley
The guards’ AV was a mess. I cleared some papers and bits of machinery off the passenger seat and shoved them onto the back seat, which was covered in a whole heap of other crap. Drumming my fingertips on the steering wheel, I tried to quell my nerves. I really didn’t want to spend time alone with Luc, but I had no choice.
He walked toward me with long, loose strides, taking his time. Once he got close I restarted the engine and slid my sunglasses down over my eyes. He wasn’t smiling when he got in.
‘I told Liss and Anna they shouldn’t be out here working,’ he said. ‘They look like they’re ready to drop. Honestly, they’re half-starved and totally exhausted.
‘No, I think keeping busy is probably better,’ I countered. ‘There’d be more time to worry if they were home doing nothing.’
‘Mmm, I s’pose.’
‘How’s your hand?’ I asked.
He lifted it off his lap and looked at it. The blood on the cloth had darkened.
‘S’alright.’
‘D’you want to stop off at the surgery? Get it looked at?’
‘No. It’s fine.’
I threw the AV into reverse, swung it back and then slid it into first, heading out to the exit.
Soon we were outside the perimeter. No sign of any dogs today. The silence between me and Luc was ve
rging on awkward, but I didn’t know what to say that would sound natural, so I stayed quiet and kept driving. I still needed to warn Lou about FJ’s army and I knew Luc would try and stop me seeing her, so I decided I wouldn’t ask him about it. I’d just do it.
‘You okay, Riley?’
‘Yeah, fine.’
‘You’re very quiet.’
‘So are you.’
‘Worried about FJ?’
‘What? Nah.’ I turned to give him a half-smile. Truth was I was bloody petrified of FJ, but I hadn’t really let myself think about him. There was so much going on that I hadn’t had time to focus on why he was coming here. The perimeter would keep me safe and so would Pa and Luc and all the guards and our friends. If, against the odds, he did somehow make it past all of them, I would sort him out myself. He was only a boy, nothing more. A boy with too much power.
The circular shape of the Charminster Compound soon came into view. It seemed less daunting than usual and I wasn’t sure why. Maybe because it was more familiar now I knew some of the people who lived in its shadow. As we passed the gypsy encampment and drew closer to the compound, it was apparent that the metal entrance gates were shut. There were no people or vehicles hanging around outside on the ramps as usual. We drove past The Walls and I kept glancing across to see if I could spot anyone I knew, but the few faces I saw were unfamiliar ones.
Driving straight up the noisy metal ramps, I came to a stop outside the gates. Nothing happened. No one came out.
‘Use the horn,’ Luc said.
I pressed it once, a crease of noise in the smooth silence. We waited. I pressed it again. After a few seconds, one of the smaller side doors opened and two armed guard stepped through. One trained his weapon on the windscreen while the other examined the AV. I buzzed down the window.
‘Step out of the vehicle,’ the second guard said. ‘Hands where I can see them.’
Luc and I did as he asked, raising our hands in the air. The first guard trained his weapon on Luc and gestured for him to stand next to me. Luc walked around to my side of the AV. This wasn’t usual protocol for the compound, but I guessed they’d upped security since the riots.
‘Afternoon,’ the second guard said, stepping forward and eying me and Luc. ‘This isn’t your vehicle.’
‘It’s a perimeter guard vehicle,’ I replied. ‘We’re here on guards’ business.’
‘Your name?’
‘Riley Culpepper.’
He nodded. ‘We’re not allowing entry or exit today.’
‘Why’s that?’ I asked.
‘There’s been some . . . unrest.’
‘You mean the riots?’ I said. Well that explained the heightened security.
He nodded.
‘We’re not here to come inside,’ Riley said. ‘We’ve come from the perimeter to warn you.’
‘Warn us?’ The guard raised an eyebrow.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘James Grey’s men are on the march again. They’re coming this way.’
‘Okay,’ he said, scratching his cheek. ‘Thanks for the warning.’
I looked at Luc and then back at the guard. The other one still had his weapon trained on us. ‘So . . . aren’t you going to do anything about it?’ I asked.
‘Like what?’
‘Uh, like tell your superiors. Triple security. Warn people. Make some kind of plan.’
‘A plan?’
‘Your radio’s down,’ Luc said.
‘How did you know that?’ the guard snapped, taking a step closer to us. ‘How did they know that?’ he said to the other guard.
‘Because our perimeter has been trying to contact you to warn you about what’s coming,’ I said, starting to lose my patience.
‘This is Riley Culpepper, Johnny’s daughter and I’m . . .’
‘You’re Luc Donovan!’ the guard said, his attitude shifting. ‘I know you.’
‘So Grey’s army’s coming here?’ the other guard said, concern creeping into his voice.
‘We don’t know that they’ll bother you,’ I said, ‘but yes, they’re expected to come down this way around Christmas Eve. We tried to contact you, but your radio’s down.’
‘It’s being fixed,’ he replied. ‘How do you know they’re coming? What do they want?’
‘It’s a long story,’ Luc said. ‘But they’re coming for the perimeter. You might get lucky,’ Luc said. ‘They might not stop here.’
‘Thanks for the warning,’ the guard said. ‘We’ll pass on the message. You need to turn around now and go straight back. Stay safe.’
‘Thanks,’ I replied. ‘We okay to get back in our vehicle?’
‘Sure.’ He turned and walked back to the door. The other guard backed in after him, his gun trained on us the whole time. The door clanged shut and the silence of the afternoon enveloped us once more.
‘Looks like they believe us now,’ Luc said. ‘Let’s go.’
We got back in the AV and slammed the doors. I started up the engine and reversed us back down the ramp. ‘Just gonna make a quick stop at The Walls to warn Lou.’ I braced myself for an argument.
‘Thought you might,’ Luc said.
Well that was a turn up – he didn’t kick off. ‘They’re pretty exposed out here,’ I said. ‘It’s a shame they can’t stay inside the compound until FJ’s gone.’
‘They wouldn’t want to do that,’ Luc said.
‘How do you know?’
‘They chose to live out here. They could’ve got jobs inside anytime they wanted, but they prefer to live their way.’
‘Yeah, but this is a slightly different situation. They’re in real danger.’
‘They’re always in danger. It’s how they live. But they’ll appreciate the warning. At least they’ll be able to stash any valuables away before Grey’s army strips them clean.’
I nosed the AV towards the camp and pulled up at the entrance. Two men and a woman were chatting by the wire fence. As soon as they saw us, they stopped talking and tightened their grips on their weapons. The woman came forward. She had dark hair and large silver hooped earrings. Her eyes shone a startling blue in her brown weather-worn face.
‘Wait here,’ I said to Luc.
‘Yeah, right,’ he replied.
I got out of the AV and Luc did the same.
‘It’s okay, it’s only the firewood girl,’ the gypsy said to the men. She turned back to me. ‘Who’s your friend?’
‘Hi. This is Luc.’
‘Firewood girl?’ Luc muttered, turning to me with raised eyebrows. ‘You didn’t!’
‘Let’s talk about it later,’ I hissed.
‘Unbelievable.’
‘Is Lou around?’ I asked the woman.
‘Sure. Come in,’ she replied. ‘No weapons.’
We’d already stashed our weapons under the seats. One of my pistols was strapped to my ankle, but they didn’t need to know about that. I locked the AV and we strode into the camp. The men nodded at us.
‘You know where you’re going?’ the woman asked.
‘Kind of.’
‘She’ll either be at home or at the gathering place. Head toward the 'pound wall, taking every left turn.’
‘Thanks.’
‘My pleasure, lovey.’
Luc and I headed into the encampment. We’d attracted the attention of a group of children who stared and pointed, scampering along beside us. I recognised one of Lou’s brothers.
‘Hello . . . Joe, isn’t it?’
‘Hello,’ he said. ‘My sister said she’s coming to the perimeter to teach you the slingshot. Can’t you use one?’
‘No, I’m afraid I can’t.’
‘But you’re a grown up,’ he said, staring at me in horror and disbelief at my lack of skills. ‘I’m really good on the slingshot,’ he said. ‘Everyone knows you’ll starve if you can’t use one. You better get some lessons quick. Who’s he?’ Joe pointed at Luc. ‘He your boyfriend?’ At this, the children all broke out into squeals of laughter.
> ‘This is Luc.’
‘Hello,’ Luc said. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘You her boyfriend?’ he repeated.
I was interested to hear how Luc would answer that question, but he was saved by the timely appearance of Lou.
‘Now I know you’re stalking me,’ she said. ‘Either that or this place is swankier than the perimeter and you can’t get enough of it. Maybe all the rumours are a lie and it’s actually a total dive in there.’ She came over and we hugged.
‘This is Luc,’ I said.
‘Hey,’ she said. ‘Welcome to The Walls. Got time for a chat and a brew?’
I looked at Luc, who shrugged.
‘A quick one,’ I said to Lou.
‘We’ll go to the gathering place. Reece’ll wanna see you too.’
We walked with her through the narrow paths, chatting while fielding questions from the children, who were growing more outspoken with every step.
‘That’s enough!’ Lou snapped at them. ‘Go and pester someone else.’
The children grumbled, but did as she asked, melting away into the camp until it was only the three of us left. The tall metal post of the gathering place soon came into view and we followed Lou into the massive tent.
Walking inside, we attracted all the usual stares, but this time they didn’t feel quite as menacing. I even got a couple of polite nods. It felt chillier in here than last time and I noticed the wood-burner wasn’t lit. Lou saw me shiver.
‘We only light the stove when it’s really freezing,’ she said, scanning the room until her eyes landed on a group of men sitting cross-legged on battered cushions at the far end of the tent.
‘There’s Reece,’ she said.
We crossed the space, picking our way through clusters of people, some sitting, some standing, their cloudy breaths hanging in the frigid air. Luc stayed by my side and I felt the tension pulsating off him. I found myself wanting to take his hand, but then I remembered I was still pissed off at him. As we approached the group of men, Reece looked up and caught my eye, his face registering surprise, and then his expression softened into a smile. His gaze shifted to Luc and his smile hardened.
The Perimeter Page 14