off.
“I think that’s done its job now. Anyone else out there obviously doesn’t want to join us, so I guess this is it.” He lifted Gracie Fields carefully from the record player and slid the vinyl regretfully back into its sleeve before putting it with the others on the small table.
“Now all we have to do is decide what we’re going to do from now. We can’t stay here forever.”
He was right. This had been a good gathering place, but it was time to move on. It was almost half past two and the day was ebbing away from us, and I for one didn’t want to find myself outside and unprepared tonight. Who knew what the widows would do when night fell?
Dave must have been thinking about the new species amongst us too, although his voice was lighter in tone than I was feeling.
“Well, at least we haven’t seen any out and about yet. That’s got to be a good thing.” He seemed to take comfort in that until John shook his head, resting his thin body on the railings.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it. They’re newborn. How many newborn animals do you know that just get out into the world the minute they arrive? None.” He paused. “And these don’t have any mothers to show them the ropes. Not of their own kind, anyway.”
I nodded, the memory of that flat above the cafe flashing again unwelcome in my head. “And they’ve got a supply of food. At least for a while.”
Despite the sunshine, I think we all shivered.
91
John threw down his butt and ground it out. “They’re going to take a little time to adjust. But personally, I want to get the hell away from here before they start exploring their new world.”
“I second that.” George picked up the dirty glasses and coffee cups to take inside, as if it made a difference now.
“We should go up to the city shopping centre.” It was the first time Katie had spoken. “Get some supplies, like sleeping bags and things. They should have everything we need there.”
She was right. The city centre would be a good place to go. I certainly didn’t fancy working my way through the Stony shops. “That’s a good plan. And there shouldn’t be too many widows around. It’s a working place, not a living place. From what I’ve seen so far, most people got trapped at home.”
George emerged with Nigel in time to catch the end of the conversation.
“Just one problem there, Matt. I don’t have a car, and to be honest, its years since I’ve driven. Probably won’t be much use to you there.”
I grinned at him. “Don’t worry, you can be the navigator.”
“But he has got a point. What are we going to do for cars? I walked here.” Dave shrugged, a little embarrassed by his obvious bachelor lifestyle. “I’ve got one at home, but it’s a little sporty thing. Not really ideal for carrying stuff.”
“We need fourwheel drives. They’ll be the best. Range Rovers or Land Rovers. Who knows where we’ll have to take them, and they’ve got plenty of space.” My adrenaline was starting to pump again with the thought of moving, of doing something.
92
John pushed his hat slightly back on his head, revealing sharp blue eyes. “Well, we’d better go and find some then. Stony’s not a poor town. I bet there’s plenty dotted around. We’ve just got to find three or four and then get the keys.”
The idea of getting the keys wasn’t pleasant. That meant getting into peoples houses, and although I could see the necessity, it was a sobering thought.
Moving slightly forward, Nigel glared at the young man. “Can’t you hot-wire them or something?”
“Just ‘cos I’m under twenty and don’t wear a suit doesn’t make me a criminal. Sorry to disappoint you.” He turned away, but the dangerous snarl was visible. It seemed that it wasn’t only me that had taken a dislike to Phelps.
93
Chapter Eight
Having arranged to meet up again at the large roundabout at the top end of the village in an hour, we split up to find some
“I think that’s done its job now. Anyone else out there obviously doesn’t want to join us, so I guess this is it.” He lifted Gracie Fields carefully from the record player and slid the vinyl regretfully back into its sleeve before putting it with the others on the small table.
“Now all we have to do is decide what we’re going to do from now. We can’t stay here forever.”
He was right. This had been a good gathering place, but it was time to move on. It was almost half past two and the day was ebbing away from us, and I for one didn’t want to find myself outside and unprepared tonight. Who knew what the widows would do when night fell?
Dave must have been thinking about the new species amongst us too, although his voice was lighter in tone than I was feeling.
“Well, at least we haven’t seen any out and about yet. That’s got to be a good thing.” He seemed to take comfort in that until John shook his head, resting his thin body on the railings.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it. They’re newborn. How many newborn animals do you know that just get out into the world the minute they arrive? None.” He paused. “And these don’t have any mothers to show them the ropes. Not of their own kind, anyway.”
I nodded, the memory of that flat above the cafe flashing again unwelcome in my head. “And they’ve got a supply of food. At least for a while.”
Despite the sunshine, I think we all shivered.
91
John threw down his butt and ground it out. “They’re going to take a little time to adjust. But personally, I want to get the hell away from here before they start exploring their new world.”
“I second that.” George picked up the dirty glasses and coffee cups to take inside, as if it made a difference now.
“We should go up to the city shopping centre.” It was the first time Katie had spoken. “Get some supplies, like sleeping bags and things. They should have everything we need there.”
She was right. The city centre would be a good place to go. I certainly didn’t fancy working my way through the Stony shops. “That’s a good plan. And there shouldn’t be too many widows around. It’s a working place, not a living place. From what I’ve seen so far, most people got trapped at home.”
George emerged with Nigel in time to catch the end of the conversation.
“Just one problem there, Matt. I don’t have a car, and to be honest, its years since I’ve driven. Probably won’t be much use to you there.”
I grinned at him. “Don’t worry, you can be the navigator.”
“But he has got a point. What are we going to do for cars? I walked here.” Dave shrugged, a little embarrassed by his obvious bachelor lifestyle. “I’ve got one at home, but it’s a little sporty thing. Not really ideal for carrying stuff.”
“We need fourwheel drives. They’ll be the best. Range Rovers or Land Rovers. Who knows where we’ll have to take them, and they’ve got plenty of space.” My adrenaline was starting to pump again with the thought of moving, of doing something.
92
John pushed his hat slightly back on his head, revealing sharp blue eyes. “Well, we’d better go and find some then. Stony’s not a poor town. I bet there’s plenty dotted around. We’ve just got to find three or four and then get the keys.”
The idea of getting the keys wasn’t pleasant. That meant getting into peoples houses, and although I could see the necessity, it was a sobering thought.
Moving slightly forward, Nigel glared at the young man. “Can’t you hot-wire them or something?”
“Just ‘cos I’m under twenty and don’t wear a suit doesn’t make me a criminal. Sorry to disappoint you.” He turned away, but the dangerous snarl was visible. It seemed that it wasn’t only me that had taken a dislike to Phelps.
93
Chapter Eight
Having arranged to meet up again at the large roundabout at the top end of the village in an hour, we split up to find some
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