Finally, yesterday, the government froze all prices and wages, effectively putting the UK economy on hold. They also secured an undisclosed but eye-watering large loan from the World Bank, rumoured to be well in excess of two trillion US dollars, a figure I cannot even begin to comprehend.
I must avert my eyes from my phone screen before the entire refreshed and energised feeling I was basking in when I arrived downstairs is extinguished completely.
“Happy days, eh?” Catherine says from beside me as my phone plonks onto the table in front of me.
“Very,” I reply, rolling my eyes.
“Don’t wallow in it. You were positive when you came down, remember that,” she says, taking my hand in hers.
“I’m trying, believe me, I’m trying,” I reply with a somewhat forced smile.
Catherine smiles back at me, with a smile that I can only wish, mine was as convincing as.
Josh announces that breakfast is nearly ready, and I look around the table, noticing that Stacey still hasn’t come down from her room. I go to get up from the table to go and get her, but I hear a door slam from upstairs and then footsteps crashing down the stairs. The noise takes us all by surprise and in unison, we look towards the kitchen’s entrance.
“Andy!” Stacey cries as she bursts into the kitchen, her phone to her ear, looking as though she has seen a ghost. “It’s my mum!”
Stacey’s words hit me like a thunderbolt. I am flabbergasted, frozen for a second, unable to answer her.
“Andy, she wants to speak to you!” I hear Stacey say as she thrusts the phone across the table towards me.
Quickly pulling myself together, I reach out to take the phone from Stacey’s shaking grasp.
“Hello, Karen, is that you?” I ask redundantly as I get up from the table and leave the kitchen, which has fallen into complete silence apart from the sound of sizzling.
“Andy, thank God. Yes, it’s me,” Karen replies, her voice quiet and croaky.
“Where are you, and how are you?” I blurt.
“I’m still at work inside our building, with Jim. We’re wiped out but okay; we’ve been hiding in a storage room, but we don’t know what to do now. The zombie creatures seem to have vanished, so we snuck into one of the offices to use the phone. The power is out so our mobiles died, and we couldn’t risk moving before. What shall we do? Can you still come and get us?”
“We did come for you in a helicopter, but the building seemed to be overrun,” I tell her.
“I think we heard the helicopter flying around the building, but we couldn’t risk coming out. It was too risky then.”
“I don’t know what I can do, Karen; we escaped to Devon.” The line goes quiet for a moment, but in the background, I hear Karen becoming upset. “Karen?” I say into the phone.
“Andy, it’s Jim. I’m sorry to put pressure on you but can you tell us what to do?”
“Hello, Jim...” is all I can think of to say for a moment.
“Are you there Andy?”
“Yes, sorry Jim, I was thinking. Are the zombies still in the building? Can you get outside?” I ask.
“They’re still inside, we can hear them on other floors occasionally.”
“Shit,” I say out loud before I can stop myself. “So, you’re safe where you are for the moment?”
“I think so, we’re in a small office and we’ve got the door barricaded.”
“Can I phone you back? I need to think,” I ask.
“You won’t be able to phone us, it’ll just go through to the main switchboard,” Jim tells me.
“Okay, let me think.”
“Take all the time you need, Andy.”
A minute or two passes before I speak again, my mind racing to think of some way to help them, but I come up empty-handed of any plausible suggestions. “Jim, can you phone me back? I need to think this through properly. Say in an hour?”
“Yes Andy, we can do that. Anything you can do to help us; we’re desperate to see Stacey again.”
“I’ll try my best, Jim, you know that.”
“Yes, Andy, we do, thank you. We’ll phone you back in an hour, yes?”
“Yes, in an hour.”
I pull the phone away from my ear, my head spinning. I don’t move from the spot, unable to contemplate the barrage of questions that will surely come when I go back into the others. Eventually, I sit down on the sofa that’s behind me in the lounge, trying to calm my thinking, staring at the floor.
“Andy?” Stacey says quietly from the door across the room. Her face looks desperately at me for any positive news, news that I don’t have for her.
I look up at her and smile. “They are alive, Stacey; they are still inside their work building, but they are alive. That’s good news and they are going to phone us back in an hour. That is all I can tell you at the moment; I need to think it over, okay?”
“Please help them, Andy,” she begs me, tears rolling down her cheeks.
I get up and go over to her, putting my hands on her shoulders to look her straight in the eyes. “I will do whatever I can, Stacey, I promise you that.”
“Thank you,” she snivels.
“Come on, let’s go and see the others,” I say, directing Stacey back to the kitchen.
Thankfully, everybody lets Stacey and me sit down before anyone says a word and Josh even starts to put the breakfast out.
“What’s happening Dad?”
Unsurprisingly, it is Emily who is the first to ask a question and I tell her and everyone what I know, not that it satisfies my little girl’s curiosity.
“They have to get out and come here with us, don’t they, Dad? Stacey is really missing them.”
“Yes, I know she is, and we’re going to try and figure a way out to help them. But we need to think about it. It isn’t going to be easy for them to get out of London, you know that Emily, don’t you?”
“No, it won’t be easy, but you’ll think of something, Dad, you always do,” Emily says while she fiddles with her knife and fork.
No pressure then, I think to myself as my young daughter inadvertently applies it. The table goes silent with all eyes on me, waiting for my response to Emily’s innocent interrogation.
“I’m trying to think of a way to help them Emily, but it’s going to take time. Now let’s have breakfast while I think and then after breakfast, Josh, Alice, Catherine, and I will talk about it, okay?” I say looking at Stacey.
Stacey nods her understanding and Emily says, ‘okay, Dad,’ while Josh brings the plates over.
“Emily, it’s a nice day outside, so why don’t you and Stacey go and play for half an hour while we clear up the dishes?” I say when breakfast is finished.
“So, you can talk, you mean?” Emily answers.
“Yes Emily, so we can talk while we’re clearing up.”
“Okay,” Emily replies and jumps down from her chair. “Come on Stacey, let’s leave the brainboxes to think.”
“Stacey, can you leave your phone with me? I’ll call you when they phone back,” I ask, and she leaves it on the table where she was seated before she takes Emily’s hand to go outside.
“The poor girl; I feel so sorry for her,” Catherine says as soon as the back door closes.
“We all do,” Alice agrees.
“So, any ideas anyone, because I’m struggling?” I confess.
“Let’s give Lieutenant Winters a call, see if he can help?” Josh suggests.
“I don’t think that’s an option,” I reply.
“Why? There may be troops in that area who could get them out,” Josh points out.
“The area is in quarantine, so even if there are troops there, they won’t be going into random buildings to get civilians out,” I answer.
“Then we go and get them. Perhaps the Lieutenant can arrange for us to borrow a helicopter?”
“Josh, Winters is only a lieutenant, he won’t have that authority. Even if he wanted to help with an escape plan for two people he’s never m
et. When he worked under Colonel Reed, he had more power than he should have had for a lieutenant. Colonel Reed is dead, along with any extra authority Winters had. I don’t think we can count on Winters for any help, not this time,” I explain.
“No, you’re probably right,” Josh concedes. “But we’ve got to do something, for Stacey’s sake.”
“I’m not sure there is much that can be done, unfortunately,” Catherine volunteers.
I don’t say anything, but Catherine may be right in this instance, as much as it pains me to admit it. Karen and Jim are stranded; the best they can do is try and hold out until it’s over and London is liberated if that is ever going to happen. Stacey will be devastated, but what can we do from our holiday cottage on the coast in Devon?
I am just about to have my say and admit that Catherine is right when Alice says something.
“What about the river?” She says, out of the blue.
“The river?” I ask. “What do you mean?”
“Can we use the river? My father’s best friend from his university days lives right on the river with his wife, in Richmond. Their house backs straight onto the Thames. He worked in the diplomatic service for the US government; he was based in London and they never went back to the States when he retired. They have a small river boat, I know, as I’ve been out on it plenty of times. Stacey’s parents’ building isn’t far from the river, is it?” Alice explains.
“What are you suggesting? That you use his boat to sail into London to mount some kind of rescue mission?” Catherine asks, bewildered.
“It’s an idea,” Alice replies.
“A damn stupid one!” Catherine states angrily. “Isn’t it Andy?”
I don’t answer for a moment while I consider Alice’s suggestion. The very last thing I want to do is go back into London. I dread even thinking about it. But I asked for ideas and Alice has given me one, which I am forced to consider on its merits.
“Dad?” Josh says.
“Andy, you can’t possibly be considering this!” Catherine insists.
“We have to think it through if we want to help Karen and Jim,” I explain.
“It’s one thing trying to help them and quite another setting off on a suicide mission for them! I know how you feel about Stacey; I feel the same, but this is madness. Think of your daughter,” Catherine says exasperatedly.
“I am thinking of her, as well as Stacey. I am not even saying it’s possible but let’s consider it. Please calm down so that we can talk about it, see if it’s viable,” I ask her.
“Fine! You’re all nuts, anyway. Addicted to the thrill of the danger.” Catherine has her last say but then does calm down…some.
“Okay, let’s assume we decide to go for it, what would be the obstacles?” I ask.
“Would they let us use the boat?” Josh starts us off.
“I’m sure they would. They are a lovely couple and if they don’t, then we will have to insist, but I don’t think that will be an issue,” Alice assures us.
“The army isn’t just going to let you sail up the river like it’s the bloody boat race or something. The river will be cordoned off, surely?” Catherine makes a very good point.
“It will definitely be cordoned off by armed forces, but the river will be in use for operations, I’m sure of that. We would have to blag our way through the cordon. I’ve done it before, on more than one occasion,” I offer.
“Oh, I’m sure you have, Mr Superhero!” Catherine hisses sarcastically.
“Thank you, Catherine,” I respond gently. “So, say if we get through the cordon, we follow the river until we get as close to their building as possible. That is when it’ll get dangerous, but we do have one advantage…”
“Here we go,” Catherine interrupts me sarcastically, rolling her eyes, “Andy’s superpower!”
“It’s not a superpower Catherine, but it is an advantage,” I reply.
“Come on Andy, you don’t know if it even still works. Just because the infected ignored you on that day doesn’t mean they still will. They could be tearing you to bits as soon as they see you, and you’d deserve it!” Catherine’s anger builds.
“Excuse me, what did you just say? I’d deserve it?” Now it’s my turn to sound angry and hurt.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it; you know I didn’t,” Catherine says, looking at me with a wounded expression. “I just don’t want to lose you, any of you,” she says, looking up to Josh and Alice.
“I know you didn’t mean it,” I say, taking her hand. “We are just talking it through, don’t forget. We don’t know if whatever it was that stopped the Rabids attacking me still works, but it did work. I could walk right past them.”
“That was then, this is now.”
“Okay, let’s assume for the sake of argument that it does still work. I go ashore once we reach our destination, go to the building, enter it, find Karen and Jim, and then bring them back to the boat. Josh and Alice will cover our escape.”
“Simple; I don’t know what I was worried about!” Catherine says. “If you think it’s going to be that easy then you’re all completely crazy.”
“No one is saying it’s going to be that easy; we sure as shit know it won’t be. It’s just a basic outline. That phone is going to ring any minute and we need to tell them if we have something, or we don’t. If we do, we are going to have to form a detailed plan of the mission. So, Josh, Alice, what do you think?”
“I think it’s the beginning of a plan and we should look at it closer,” Josh offers.
“Me too,” Alice agrees.
“It’s a barmy plan, if you’re interested to know my opinion,” Catherine says.
“Okay. I’ll tell Karen and Jim that we are looking into a plan, but we need more time to work out the details. I’ll tell them to stay put and phone us back in say… two hours?” I suggest.
“Agreed,” say both Josh and Alice.
“This is too much,” Catherine says, getting up from the table, angrily grabbing my plate from in front of me.
“What do you suggest we do then, Catherine?” I ask.
Josh and Alice look at each other apprehensively; they can feel trouble brewing, just as I can. They quickly make their excuses and leave the kitchen, like rats leaving a sinking ship. Josh gives me a grimace as he goes and mouths good luck as he disappears.
“Please don’t be angry Catherine,” I say when we are alone. “I just feel like I’ve got to do something to help Stacey’s parents.”
Plates crash together in the sink as Catherine turns on the hot tap, but she says nothing. I go up behind her and put my arms around her waist and my head nuzzles into the side of her neck.
“That won’t work,” Catherine says, pulling her head away from me. “I know you want to help them, but does that have to include putting yourself in so much danger?”
“I can’t think of another way. Can you?”
“No, but perhaps that means there isn’t a way, and they will have to try and ride it out themselves, like everyone else. And you shouldn’t be encouraging your son either, never mind Alice.”
“They had already made their decision to report back for duty. They could have been back on the front-line tomorrow and you supported that, remember?” I point out.
“That’s different and you know it, Andy!”
“Why’s it different? Them going back on duty could have been just as dangerous or even more so.”
“That was them going back on duty and not on a foolish rescue mission,” Catherine says, unrelenting.
“We are the only chance Karen and Jim have, Catherine.”
“And what about your hospital appointment this afternoon?”
“I will have to rearrange it when I get back,” I tell her.
“If they’ll let you.”
“Of course, they will. Listen, I don’t want us to fight.”
“Neither do I. I’m just afraid,” Catherine says and turns to me.
“I know, it’s not somew
here I’m in any rush to go back to. But I feel I’ve got to, for Stacey’s sake.”
“Promise you’ll come back to me,” Catherine says, looking into my eyes.
“I promise,” I tell her and pull her in close to me.
Chapter 6
After we have talked, Catherine calms down and comes to accept that we are going back to London despite the danger. I made her another promise, that if my apparent invisibility to the Rabids has gone, we will turn the boat around and head straight back. It was an easy promise to make because the whole mission is dependent on my concealment. If we get there and the first Rabid I see attacks, there is no way I will be able to go into the building and we will have failed. There is no way around that, not with just the three of us.
Karen and Jim rang us back and their relief that we were working on a plan to get them out was overwhelming for them. I had to make them understand, however, that we could only try our utmost to reach them but absolutely nothing was guaranteed. They were almost in shock when I asked them to phone us back in two hours and I passed them over to Stacey.
Then came the hard part, speaking to Emily and telling her that Josh, Alice, and I were leaving to help Stacey’s parents. She took the news far better than I had expected, she was happy that we were going to get Stacey’s parents back. I didn’t go into detail with her though, and I certainly didn’t tell her of the dangers we would inevitably have to tackle.
“Dad’s going to get your mum and dad for you, with Josh and Alice!” Emily exclaims to Stacey when she joins us after finishing on the phone with them.
Capital Falling | Book 4 | Sever Page 6