The Undead (Book 23): The Fort

by Haywood, R. R.

  ‘Right,’ Peter says without missing a beat. ‘Right you are…to each other you say? Right…’

  ‘Did you hear that, Elvis?’

  ‘I did, Willie. Got the gay doctors so they have. That’s modern that is.’

  ‘Modern as you like, Elvis. Are they good dancers, Peter? That Brendan was gay and he was a good dancer. You’ll have to come over for a dance one night fellas eh?’

  ‘I’m sorry, what?’ Andrew says, thinking first to take offence then realising they’re speaking without any hint of malice.

  ‘Ah, we’ve moved in so we have,’ Willie replies. ‘Across the way there.’

  ‘New neighbours,’ Elvis beams. ‘Gay doctors. Will you fancy that now. Was that Brendan gay was he, Peter?’

  ‘Aye,’ Peter says. ‘Terry’s lad. I think he was.’

  ‘Do you know Brendan?’ Elvis asks, smiling at Andrew and Heathcliff.

  ‘Terry’s lad,’ Willie adds. ‘He’s a good dancer.’

  ‘Big lump he is,’ Elvis says.

  ‘Huge dick. I saw it once,’ Willi says. ‘I said to Elvis, I said I wouldn’t want that up my…’

  ‘Okay, shall we move on,’ Lilly says quickly, ushering them out into the blazing sun to continue the brief tour. ‘The walls have got dozens of rooms in them. Some haven’t been used in years so we’re clearing them out and putting them to use. The clean ones are used as sleeping sections by the children…then over towards the back we have the armoury and…’

  ‘Lilly, come and eat,’ Sam calls from the office door.

  ‘And that is our main office area,’ Lilly adds, guiding them over and into the chaos of the office and four children sitting at the main table eating from bowls. ‘What are you doing in here?’

  ‘Don’t even ask,’ Sam says with a dry laugh. ‘Agatha caught them pilfering sausages from the big pot.’

  ‘Sausages?’ Kyle asks. ‘Have we got sausages?’

  ‘No! The little hotdog things in tins. Agatha put them in with the beans,’ Sam says, holding her bowl out to show them all her beans and mini-sausages. ‘But apparently our four little sods thought they could help themselves and got caught under the serving table covered in bean juice…they’re running poor Subi ragged. Anyway, Peter, nice to see you again. Willie isn’t it? You had that old gun…’

  ‘They both had old guns,’ Joan cuts in. ‘Stenguns belong in museums. Lilly, okay if I take these two up for some new hardware?’

  ‘Please do,’ Lilly says.

  ‘Lilly, I want to talk to you,’ Dr Lisa Franklin says, rushing in through the door, making them all step back. ‘Who are they?’ she asks, glaring at Willie and Elvis. ‘And who are you?’ she asks Peter. ‘Why is there a new camp on the beach and aren’t you the cook?’ she snaps at Kyle.

  ‘That’s a lot of questions in one go,’ Kyle says.

  ‘Lisa, we’ve got a lot going on this morning. Was there something you needed?’ Lilly asks.

  ‘Eat, Lilly,’ Pea says, pushing a bowl of sausages and beans into her hands.

  ‘No, just…well yes,’ Lisa says. ‘Why are you sending new people for medicals.’

  ‘Lilly, we need to know what we’re doing with the toilet block,’ a large man asks, walking in to stop and blink at the already busy offices. ‘The pipes are a mess but Steve’s a plumber, he reckons we can get something rigged up…for the flushing I mean…’

  ‘Okay,’ Lilly says. ‘Peter, this is John…he’s sort of taken charge of our construction side of things.’

  ‘Move your backsides,’ Agatha calls, pushing into the room. ‘Lilly, I know you’re busy love but I’ve lost Kyle and I need more help and we need to know where you want the food stacked now. The first rooms are rammed and the shelving isn’t ready for the next lot…’

  ‘You can’t put food on the floor in a place like this,’ Peter says, rubbing his jaw. ‘Be damp and you’ll have rats and vermin all over the place.’

  ‘That’s what I said,’ John cuts in. ‘It has to be kept off the floor…’

  ‘Lilly?’ Lisa calls, staring at her pointedly. ‘Why are you sending new arrivals to the medical centre when Ann has already checked them?’

  ‘Just a minute please, Lisa. John, the toilet block. Privacy is the first thing, we can use buckets of water to flush for now, then after that we need washing areas…’

  ‘Lilly, we need more shade for the kids,’ someone else calls, rushing into the room. ‘Have we got any more tents?’

  ‘We’re running low on tents,’ Sam calls from the back of the room. ‘Use the gazebos for the kids…’

  ‘And smother them in sunblock,’ Pea adds.

  ‘Where’s the sunblock kept? Is that in the food store?’ the man asks.

  ‘Do ye eat sunblock ye daft twat?’ Kyle cuts in. ‘It’s in the general store rooms up yonder. Now for the love of god will ye start thinking for yourselves and stop bothering Lilly every few seconds with daft questions…’

  ‘Er, it’s called responsibility?’ Lisa points out.

  ‘Hi, sorry guys,’ Colin says, pushing into the room. Permanently red-faced but polite and willing to help where he can. ‘Blimey, busy in here. Er, so the tent situation? What’s happening on that front?’

  ‘If anyone sees any rope will they grab it for me,’ Alf says, pushing his way towards the big table at the back of the room laden with boxes of teabags, jars of coffee, packets of sugar and pans of water heating to make drinks.

  ‘Wow,’ Ann says, walking into the hubbub of noise.

  ‘Coffee, Ann?’ Agatha calls.

  ‘Love one please! What’s going on? We having a meeting or something?’

  ‘That is exactly what we are doing…’ Lilly says. ‘Everyone grab a seat please…’

  Chapter Four

  Day Twenty One

  The Meeting

  ‘Are we ready?’ Lilly calls, bringing a spreading quietness through the room. A few people at the main table. John the builder. Doctors Ann and Lisa sitting opposite each other. Peter and Kyle. Joan, Sam, Pea and a few others.

  ‘Finally,’ Lisa mutters. ‘First question. Why are you sending people to the infirmary when Ann has already checked them?’

  ‘We’ve been through this, Lisa,’ Ann says with more than a touch of frustration.

  Lilly sits down, a notepad and pen laid in front of her. ‘Ann does not have time to complete thorough medical checks on the beach. She can check for signs of the infection and immediate risks to health and that’s it. However, if you wish to come over and assist then I am sure we can complete more thorough checks on the beach and reduce the burden on your services in the infirmary.’

  ‘Okay, first of all.’ Lisa replies, holding a hand up in emphasis. ‘Do not patronise me. It isn’t safe over there. We were attacked yesterday and neither I, nor Andrew or Heathcliff will risk our lives and the medical security of this fort by going over there.’

  ‘In which case we will maintain our current system. In time we may find others with medical training, nurses perhaps, who can assist Ann…’ Lilly says,

  ‘Er no, that isn’t acceptable,’ Lisa says. ‘We are far too busy for every shell-shocked, stressed, blubbering new arrival coming in to tell us they once had a bunion removed…’

  ‘Everyone is busy,’ John cuts in.

  ‘Excuse me?’ Lisa glares at him with open irritation. ‘I don’t think you can compare sawing wood to saving lines and quite frankly, we don’t have time or capacity to deal with every single tiny medical issue! Do you realise how many people have been injured by Lilly throwing grenades about…’

  ‘Whoa,’ Sam says. ‘Do I need to bloody remind you what Lilly did?’

  ‘Killing a bunch of kids is a bit different to running a growing society with complex needs.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Lilly says before the situation can escalate. ‘We’ll do what we can but Lisa, the current process will remain for now unless you can suggest a viable alternative.’

  ‘Yes! Don’t bloody send them t
o the infirmary unless they actually need something.’

  ‘I think Lilly has made it clear we are to remain doing as we are,’ Ann says. ‘Or, one of you can come and give me a hand on the beach.’

  ‘We can talk more on this later,’ Lilly says. ‘The priorities right now are our immediate security and ensuring we have enough supplies to stay alive. Everyone, this man is Peter. He and his men assisted yesterday when we were attacked…they have set up camp outside and will provide our external security.’

  ‘Great. Just what we need,’ Lisa mutters.

  ‘What does that mean?’ Sam asks, looking at Lisa.

  ‘It’s obvious what it means,’ Lisa replies to a sudden quiet spreading through them all.

  ‘Um, so…elephant in the room,’ Colin says, lifting a hand. Lilly looks at him, thinking he looks like a can of Coke Cola. ‘And er, yeah so, shall I just say it?’

  ‘Say what?’ Sam asks.

  ‘You know,’ Colin says with a wince. ‘Don’t want to offend anyone but…’

  ‘But what?’ Sam asks, rubbing her face. ‘Spit it out.’

  ‘He means the big pikey camp that just set up outside your fort,’ Peter says as Willie and Elvis snorts laughs while standing just outside the door.

  ‘Right. Yes, wasn’t going to use that word per-se,’ Colin says carefully.

  ‘Gypsies? Is that the right word?’ Sam asks.

  ‘We were told to use travellers in my old job,’ Pea says.

  ‘Travellers, that’s the one,’ Colin says, pointing at Pea. ‘Everyone happy with travellers?’

  ‘Well, Peter said pikeys,’ John says. ‘Or is that like a black person saying nigger…’

  ‘John!’ Sam sputters, spraying tea over the table. ‘You can’t say the n word.’

  ‘I didn’t!’ John says quickly. ‘I meant…like…I didn’t call anyone a nigger…’

  ‘Stop saying it,’ Sam says.

  ‘Confusing me all this PC talk,’ Agatha says with a huff.

  ‘While we’re on the subject of verbal abuse,’ Lisa says, leaning in to glare at Peter. ‘Your men gave homophobic abuse to Andrew and Heathcliff,’ Lisa continues, pointing at Peter.

  ‘Who did?’ Peter asks, trying to think how Willie and Elvis can get in trouble so quickly.

  ‘When they came in. Saying all queers are dancers…’

  ‘That wasn’t said at all,’ Lilly says.

  ‘Ah, the lads were talking about Brendan being gay and dancing and wanted to know if your gay fellas liked dancing too…’

  ‘That’s homophobic!’ Lisa shouts.

  ‘Jesus, will ye can it with the shouting,’ Kyle cuts in. ‘We’re barely surviving at the end of the world here. Fecking worried about someone asking if they like dancing…Peter, are you happy with the word gypsy.’

  ‘Aye,’ Peter says with an amiable shrug.

  ‘Great and tell ye lads not to ask gay men if they like dancing. Lilly?’

  ‘Thank you, Kyle. As I was saying Peter has also agreed to take on the work we have going on to flatten the land which in turn means we can give workers back to you, John.’

  ‘Oh bless you,’ John says with obvious relief. ‘That’ll help loads…and honestly, I didn’t mean anything when I said nigger,’ he adds, looking about the table.

  ‘John, it’s fine. Stop worrying,’ Sam says, waving a hand at him.

  ‘Just don’t want anyone thinking I’m racist.’

  ‘John! Nobody thinks your bloody racist,’ Kyle snaps.

  ‘Moving on,’ Lilly says again. ‘There are a few things I want done quickly…everyone listen in please…’ she takes the pen and draws a circle on the notepad. ‘This is the fort…this is the sea…this is the bay, can everyone see that?’

  ‘Aye,’ Kyle says.

  ‘Aye,’ Peter says.

  ‘This is where the gypsy camp is…’ Lilly pauses, thinking it sounds wrong to say gypsy camp before shaking her head and carrying on. ‘I want a wall from here to here…’ she adds, drawing a curved but unbroken line from one side of the bay to the other. ‘That will enclose the entire bay…’ she looks up to a sea of faces staring at the notepad and a stunned silence as everyone takes in the huge area she just referenced in her sketch.

  ‘That’s a big wall you’re needing,’ Peter says, rubbing his chin.

  ‘That’s a very big wall,’ John says.

  ‘Aye, it is,’ Kyle replies. ‘Of course, in a perfect world you’ll be wanting a concrete sectional wall…’

  ‘I’ve seen the ones you mean,’ Peter says.

  ‘Aye, they’re used on military bases all over the world. It’s said a good wall is an army’s best friend.’

  ‘I’m sure it is but where are we going to get a twelve feet high concrete sectional wall from?’ Peter asks.

  ‘Most army bases have them. I’ll do you a list I will.’

  ‘You’ll do me a list now?’

  ‘Aye. I just said that. I’ll do you a list.’

  ‘And a cook who isn’t a priest that isn’t a soldier knows where all the army bases are that have concrete sectional walls, is that right, Father?’

  Kyle thinks for a second as everyone in the room looks from Peter to him. ‘Aye,’ he says finally.

  ‘Aye,’ Peter says, rolling his eyes. ‘Now if we can’t find your concrete sectional wall for any reason, would shipping containers do the job for you?’

  ‘Shipping containers you say,’ Kyle replies. ‘Aye. Would. Stacked right they’re good walls they are. Of course they’ll be needing razor wire and other such deterrents.’

  ‘Aye, naturally,’ Peter says.

  ‘Aye,’ Kyle says.

  ‘Aye,’ Lilly says before being able to stop the words coming from her mouth. ‘I am so sorry. I wasn’t mocking you…’

  ‘It’s okay, I already said nig…’

  ‘John! Stop saying it,’ Sam says.

  ‘I just said I said it. I didn’t mean it like…’

  ‘Drink your tea, John,’ Kyle says.

  ‘Indeed,’ Lilly says. ‘Now, there are two main roads in. The seaward road that runs adjacent to the shore, and the other that goes through where the housing estate was…’

  ‘Is that what it was,’ Peter muses. ‘What happened to it?’

  ‘Dave blew it up,’ Lilly says, remembering what Nick told her.

  ‘I bet he bloody did,’ Kyle mutters, earning a look from Lilly before she continues.

  ‘We need to make sure we control access, so my plan is to construct a wall and control those two roads with barriers and vehicle check-points for the initial safety check on entry…then new arrivals can be escorted down to a secondary checkpoint for registration and so forth.’

  ‘Aye. That would work,’ Kyle says.

  ‘Okay, that’s one thing,’ Lilly says. ‘Moving on and we need to address food. Agatha, how are we looking on that front?’

  The big woman sucks air in, shaking her head as she speaks. ‘Plenty right now, but we’ve a lot of mouths to feed we have. At this rate, allowing for new people coming in, I’d say we’ve got about a week’s worth of eating well. More if we ration…’

  ‘Only a week?’ John asks as the ripple of concern goes around the room.

  ‘Lot of bellies to fill,’ Agatha says. ‘That said though, Peter my love, are we feeding your lot too? That’ll cut it down if we do…’

  ‘We’ve enough for now,’ Peter says. ‘Maybe about the same I’d say. A week or so.’

  ‘We need foraging parties,’ Lilly says, bringing the attention back to her. ‘But the priority is emptying the buildings in the bay and flattening that area ready for the wall…’

  ‘We’re going to run out of people,’ John says. ‘Between that and buildings inside the fort…’

  ‘We’ve new people turning up every day,’ Kyle says. ‘Get them rested, fed and put them to work. It’s that simple.’

  ‘Kyle’s right,’ Lenski says. ‘You eat, you work.’

  ‘And look for rope whi
le you’re out,’ Alf adds, lifting his tea mug while leaning against the wall at the back of the room. ‘And some new mop heads, and a few buckets wouldn’t go amiss either. Maybe a new wheelbarrow. Can’t beat a good wheelbarrow. You can use the barrow to put the other things in and bring them back. Barrows are good like that. But mainly the rope.’

  ‘Rope. Got it,’ Lilly says into the sudden quiet of the offices. ‘Those are the priorities for now. We get the wall up and we gather as much as we can…after that is living accommodation. What options do we have to house people inside the fort? John?’

  ‘Crikey, yeah we’ve been thinking on this. Comes down to materials. Wood is the easiest so it’ll be wooden structures…’

  ‘We’ll need a big one for people to eat in,’ Agatha says. ‘And for cooking. We can’t cook in the rain outside.’

  ‘Sorry to place burden on you, John, but that needs to be done as soon as possible too,’ Lilly says after a few seconds.

  ‘This weather worries me if I’m honest,’ Pea cuts in. ‘What if this thing has changed the weather and winter comes early? That sounds stupid but this summer is way beyond anything I’ve ever known…’

  ‘Aye, I guess we can’t rule that out,’ Kyle says heavily, wondering if Henry knows more of exactly what this is.

  ‘All we can do is try,’ John says.

  ‘It’s not a question of trying,’ Lilly says. ‘Failure means people die…’

  Hard words that bring forth another heavy silence. ‘Sure,’ John says. ‘We’ll do what we can.’

  ‘Agatha, are you happy to take charge of the food issues?’

  She nods deeply, ‘yes love, I’ll do what I can.’

  ‘Thank you, Colin the Co…ahem, sorry. I meant Colin, would you take charge of the other rooms please. Bedding, clothes and hygiene supplies. Organise the rooms for them.’

  ‘Wow, yeah sure, happy to jump in,’ he says quickly.

  ‘Great thank you, please report to Lenski on matters relating to the fort if I am not here. Lenski? Are you happy to oversee them?’

  ‘I do this. Yes.’

  ‘Sorry, just so I have this right,’ Colin the Cola says. ‘I like things clear in my mind. Lilly, you’re in charge and Lenski is like your deputy? That about right?’