by Steve Howrie
The next problem was finding her. All I could do was follow the signs, looking for intensive care. I was regarded with suspicion on a couple of wards, but made a quick exit – apologising as if I’d taken a wrong turn. Then, on the second floor, I saw the sign: ‘Intensive Care’. I’ve always believed that if you want to get away with something, do it positively. In most cases, no–one will question you.
So I grabbed one of the empty wheelchairs at the entrance to Intensive Care, and wheeled it in, greeting anyone I encountered with a smile. It didn’t take me long to find Sandi – she was in a room on her own. I took the chair in and closed the door behind me, pulling across the blind on the door.
Sandi was out cold, by the looks of things, with a drip attached to her arm. Without any doubt, this was not a saline drip. I didn’t have much time – I had to wake her up and get her out of there. I talked softly but urgently to her.
“Sandi, Sandi, it’s me – Kevin.” She didn’t respond, so I slapped her gently across the cheeks. She grimaced and groaned. Removing the drip, I lifted her out of bed and on to the wheelchair, putting a blanket from the bed around her. She was obviously sedated with something.
Wheeling her carefully out of the room, I tried to make a quick but quiet exit. But as I went through the doors, one of them banged and a nurse called out.
“Hey, what are you doing? Where are you going with her?” I didn’t want to stay to explain, so I ran with Sandi down the corridor as fast as I could, pursued by the nurse.
I got to the lift just as it opened. A nurse was waiting to go down, but I pushed her aside and got in, pressing the ground floor button frantically. The doors closed just as the nurse from Intensive Care reached the lift, and I saw her angry face for just a moment.
As the doors opened on the ground floor, I sped towards the exit without looking back. For all I knew, the nurse could have informed security, and I had to get out as quickly as possible. My taxi was still there, and the driver helped me get Sandi inside.
“30 Fulham Road – the legal way this time.” The driver seemed almost disappointed.
As we pulled away, I could see uniformed men rush out of the hospital and point in our direction.
***
Five
I took Sandi back to my flat. I knew it wouldn’t be safe for long, but it was better than Sandi’s place. The police were bound to go there first – and then to our office – and that would lead to my apartment.
She was in pretty bad shape. I put her to bed and let her rest for a while; but it couldn’t be for long: we had to get out of London as soon as possible. After about an hour I heard her moving. I went in and she was awake, looking up at the ceiling – and then at me.
“Kevin?”
“Yes – glad you still recognize me.”
“I feel like I’ve been hit by a horse,” she said, feeling her head. “How did I get here?”
“I brought you – in a taxi, and that.” I pointed to the wheelchair.
“Oh, god…” It was all starting to come back to Sandi now. I got her a drink of water and sat her up in the bed. She sipped it slowly.
“Do you remember what happened?”. She thought for a moment, waiting for the images to come back to her.
“I went into work to catch up on a few things – things I should have done on Friday. Trevor was there, sorting out his accounts. I remember him giving me a coffee. It didn’t taste quite right – I thought it could be the water, you know how it is. I must have drunk about half. Anyway, the next thing I knew I was feeling very hot – and then that feeling you get when you’re about to faint. A sickly feeling. The next thing I knew I was in a hospital bed. Do you think I was drugged?”
“It sounds like it.”
“By Trevor?”
“Possibly.”
She took another sip of water. I suddenly remembered about salt and got some from the kitchen.
“Take some of this.”
“I will – but I just need a drink first. I’m so thirsty.” I filled up her glass.
“I’ve got to tell you about Scotland.”
“Oh yes! I’d forgotten.”
“But it’s not safe to stay here. Do you think you’ll be all right to travel?”
“Where to?”
“Edinburgh.” She thought for a moment, weighing up her own condition.
“I think so. When do we need to go – and for how long?”
“As soon as possible – but I don’t know how long for. Until it’s safe to come back, I guess. There’s some people I want you to meet in Edinburgh.”
“What about work?”
“Being drugged by the boss wasn’t enough for you then?” She nodded in understanding.
“I’ll get dressed.” Then a sudden thought. “Well, I would if I had any clothes.”
“Ah! Now you’re going to think this is very strange...”
“Kevin…” she said in the playful reproaching voice that always endeared me to her. “What have you done?”
“Nothing. It’s just that… remember those times you used to stay over, and you said it would be a good idea to have a change of clothes in my flat so you could go straight to work?”
“And you never thought to give them back? They’re hardly your size, Kevin.”
*
As we drove up the M1 en route to Edinburgh, I told Sandi all about my trip to Scotland and the people I’d met. It was nice being alone with Sandi again – it seemed like our past differences were forgotten, and we seem to be getting on better than we’d done for years. After talking for a bit, we put on the radio, enjoying the music and banal chatter. Then a news item caught my attention, and I turned up the volume.
“Police are looking for a man, in his late thirties, who abducted a woman from a hospital in London. The woman was in Intensive Care and her life could be at risk. The man is journalist Kevin Lee and the woman Sandi Green, though they may be using aliases. Full descriptions of both people are on the Metropolitan Police’s website. The public are advised not to approach the couple as the man could be armed and dangerous. Anyone with any information as to their whereabouts is asked to contact their local police station, or telephone…”
“Jeeze…they didn’t waste any time, did they?”
“Why are they doing this Kevin?”
“It’s not them doing it Sandi – well not directly anyway. It’s the virus – the alien virus.”
“I know you believe this, Kevin, but it’s difficult to take in. I can’t help thinking that we could be making a terrible mistake.”
“Despite what happened to you at the office?”
“I don’t really know what happened there. I know I could have been drugged – but why? If it was Trevor, what has he got to do with all this? How would he know anything about us looking into Frank Peters’ death?”
“You’ve just got to forget that people are doing this – they’re only following orders from their virus–infected minds. And it’s not unusual for extraterrestrial things to come to Earth. Every day small stones and dust hit the Earth from outer space. Is it so difficult to imagine that a virus from another planet was carried by solar winds to the Earth? We have lots of viruses on the planet already – why not another one from outside our solar system?”
Sandi was pensive for a few minutes. I knew it was difficult for her to take in. She was always the down–to–earth one in our relationship. She liked to discuss feelings and emotions, watched Audrey Hepburn movies, and read things like Cosmopolitan and 50 Shades of Grey. I, on the other hand, got enthusiastic about the paranormal, ancient civilizations and black holes. It was amazing we stayed together for as long as we did.
But here we were side-by-side again – on the run from the authorities, to meet people I hardly knew and Sandi had never met, with the aim of eradicating an unseen alien virus from this planet – before it eradicated us all.
***
Six
Tony Stood on Carlton Hill looking down on a busy Princes Stre
et. It was dark, and the street lights had the feel of Christmas. Would they ever see another Christmas, he wondered. What the fuck were they going to do? He was glad to have met Kevin though – they desperately needed more help. He drew on his cigarette telling himself for the thousandth time that it was his last, but knowing it wouldn’t be. Perhaps they should follow Frank Peters lead and go out on the streets, go door-to-door telling people about the virus. It did bring Kevin into the ranks, after–all. But it got Frank killed too. Win one, lose one aren’t very encouraging statistics – not when your numbers are so low. No, if they’re going to get the message out, they’ve got to get to people in their millions. And the only way to do that is by radio, television – or the internet. The internet, yes. Frank had wanted to do that, but Tony was much more cautious. ‘What if they trace website, or the twitter account – or whatever – to us? In no time at all, we could be arrested for one reason or another.’
He didn’t realize that he’d spoken the last thought aloud until he heard Kate’s voice behind him.
“Arrested for what, Tony?”
He turned to face her with a sort of guilty grin.
“For setting up a website to tell everyone about the virus.”
“ I thought you were against that?”
“Yes, I was. But I’m beginning to change my mind.
“Well, in the first place, it’s going to be traceable to us – particularly if we want email contact. Second, 99.99% of the people who look at the site are going to be infected by the virus, and will either take no notice – unless you call laughing their socks off ‘noticing’ – or try to have us stopped by the authorities. And thirdly, I haven’t a clue how to set up a website, and I don’t know how we’re going to find a virus–free soul to set one up for us.”
“Okay, I know I haven’t thought this through fully, but I think we should consider it. What other options do we have?”
Kate was quiet for a moment. She looked away from Tony across to Princess Street and pondered. He was right – they had no other options – except books and leaflets perhaps. But then who would distribute them? Their main priority was not to get caught – otherwise, it was all over – the virus would have won. She sighed deeply and turned back to Tony.
“Yes, you’re right. Maybe Kevin could help with a website – his magazine must have one, and he might know someone we could trust. If someone could set up the basics, we could add the juicy stuff.”
“You mean the bits where we say We’re all doomed?”
“Yes, that sort of thing.”
“Well, we’ve got to do something. I’ll get in touch with Kevin tomorrow.”
They were both quiet for a few minutes, watching the shimmering lights below, the cars making their way from Princes Street up South Bridge, or down Leith Walk, and people milling about in the street below.
“You’d hardly know there was anything wrong with this planet, would you?” Kate shook her head. Tony continued, “And yet, there’s a time–bomb ready to go off – and it’s ticking inside every one of those people.”
*
Gareth paid for the drinks at the bar: a bottle of Carlsberg and a Vodka-coke, and took them over to the dark woman who was sitting on her own at a table in a dimly-lit corner.
“Thanks Gareth.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You’ve been very quiet tonight – is everything all right?”
“Fine, yes. I’ve just had a few things on my mind, y’know. Work things”
“Can you tell me about them?”
Gareth squirmed a little in his chair and frowned. “Not really – it’s difficult to explain.”
“I’m a good listener – you know that.” Gareth did know that. But he couldn’t really tell her what was on his mind – not without betraying the secrecy of the group. His relationship with Emily was becoming more and more difficult as the weeks went by. Since he’d found out about the virus, all his dealings with people had suddenly changed – but most of all his relationship with Emily. She’d accepted him not eating meat any more fairly easily – a lot of her friends were vegetarian; and she even tolerated his over–use of salt, as she saw it. But she told him clearly that she could never, ever go veggie herself – and she was becoming increasingly suspicious of his meetings in Morningside. He said he played rugby down there. Then one morning (after staying over at her place), he said he was going straight to the rugby pitch for a match – but he didn’t have his rugby kit with him. Her first thought was that he had another woman.
Gareth loved Emily, but he knew the relationship wasn’t going to work – not unless she could ‘come over’ to his side – which would be his dream come true. But now he couldn’t see that happening, and he felt under increasing pressure to end the relationship before he said something he shouldn’t. But that wasn’t going to be easy. He looked back at Emily. She was still waiting for an answer.
“Hello, is there anyone home?”
“I’m sorry it’s just that... it’s not really about work at all – it’s about us.”
“Emily’s heart started to pound quicker. She didn’t like the sound of this – not one bit. Ever since meeting Gareth on the rebound from a previous relationship, she had been happy – happier than she’d been at any other time in her life. She didn’t want to lose him now – not now, not ever.
“What about us?”
“It’s the veggie thing…”
“If you want to give it up, that’s fine by me. I won’t think you’re a failure.”
“No, it’s not that… I don’t want to give it up; I want you to give it a try.”
“Gareth, we’ve been through this before. I’ve told you I don’t want to – and you said you respected that.” Now he had opened this can of worms, he had to see it through to the end – whatever that was.
“I know that…. but that was then.”
“What do you mean – ‘that was then?’” she challenged him as he squirmed again.
“I’m not comfortable with you… you know, eating meat. And then there’s the salt thing…”
“Look, I’ve been very tolerant with ‘the salt thing’ – particularly now they’re saying that any amount of salt is too much. I’ve stopped already…”
“What? That’s very dangerous Emily – please don’t do this!”
“You’re taking it too far, Gareth. And I respect you for sticking to your principles – you know I do. Only don’t try to inflict your views on me. Killing yourself is one thing – trying to make me sink in your boat is another.” Gareth looked at his feet and nodded to himself. Then he looked up at Emily squarely. He knew what he had to do.
“That’s just it Emily. We’re in two different boats. On the same sea, but in two very different vessels, going in two different directions. You don’t want to get into mine, and I’m not prepared to get into yours. I’m sorry Emily.” And with that he stood up, grabbed his coat from behind his chair and left without looking back – leaving her open mouthed.
***
Seven
We made good time and arrived in Edinburgh around nine. Although Tony had given me his address, it seemed better to go to Audrey’s flat first. I thought Sandi would be more comfortable with Frank’s mother.
Finding a quiet side road for the car, we walked briskly to the apartment and rang the bell. Audrey’s surprise turned quickly into a broad smile.
“Kevin – I didn’t expect you back so quickly. Come on in.”
“Thanks.” Audrey closed the door and double–locked it.
“I’ll put the kettle on…”
“Audrey – this is Sandi – the one I told you about. We work together.” I was careful not to say ‘former partner’. The old lady smiled again and warmly shook her hand.
“Welcome to Edinburgh dear. Is this your first time here?”
“It is. I’ve always wanted to come, though. Kevin’s told me plenty about it over the years.”
“It’s a grand city – you’ll enjoy
it. Now, you two put your feet up and relax, and I’ll make the coffee – or would you prefer something stronger?”
“Coffee would be fine,” said Sandi – answering for both of us. My expression was noticed by Audrey though, and she brought a bottle of Cognac with the coffee.
“Have you seen the news today Audrey?” I asked as she poured the drinks.
“No – I usually catch it around ten. Is there anything I should know?”
Sandi and I looked at each other – to see who would talk first. It was Sandi.
“We’re on the run Mrs Peters – from the Police.” Audrey nodded in understanding.
“Och, we’re all on the run dear. What’s your particular crime?”
We started to tell her the story of Sandi’s collapse at work, and the hospital rescue. After about five minutes there was a coded knock at the door.
“Tony,” said Audrey getting to her feet.” After a few seconds Tony entered with Kate. She was more radiant than ever.
“Kevin! What are you doing here?”
“We’re just telling Audrey what happened – you’re just in time.” I felt Sandi’s eyes watching me and Kate very closely. She introduced herself.
“Hello – I’m Sandi.”
“Oh hi – I’m Kate. Kevin’s mentioned you.”
“A mention – oh, that’s pretty good for Kevin.”
I couldn’t hide my attraction to Kate, and Sandi couldn’t hide her resentment of the situation. That was just how it was. Tony was meanwhile talking seriously to Audrey. After a few minutes, she went into the kitchen and Tony greeted us.
“Well well – what do we have here! It’s my duty as a citizen of this country to turn you in to the nearest Police Station.”
“So you’ve heard then Tony?”
“I should think everyone in the UK has heard about it. You’ve got to keep your heads low now I’m afraid. But perhaps it’s for the best.”