Hurst

["found\therself\tstaring\tat\ta\twart\ton\tthe\tMother\tSuperior\u2019s\tforehead. \u201cThank\tyou,\tStella.\tThat\twill\tbe\tall.\u201d Stella\tpaused\tas\tif\tshe\thad\texpected\tto\tstay\twith\ther\tnew\tfriends.\tShe\tsmiled weakly\tat\tthe\tgroup,\tdid\tan\todd\tsort\tof\tcurtsy\tand\tleft. \u201cPlease\t have\t a\t seat.\u201d\t She\t gestured\t to\t the\t six\t seats\t facing\t her.\t \u201cDo\t help yourself\tto\tcoffee.\u201d\tShe\tslowly\tstretched\tout\ther\thand\tto\textend\ttheir\thospitality to\tthe\tnew\tarrivals.\t\u201cThere\tis\tmilk,\tflatbread,\tapples\tand\tpears\ttoo.\u201d She\twaited\tfor\tthem\tto\ttake\ttheir\tseats\tbefore\tcontinuing.\t\u201cStella\ttells\tme\twe owe\tyou\ta\t debt\tof\tgratitude\t for\treturning\ther\tto\tus.\tFor\tthat\t we\tthank\tyou.\tAs I\u2019m\t sure\t you\t can\t imagine,\t we\t are\t not\t accustomed\t to\t receiving\t strangers\t in\t the dead\tof\tnight.\u201d She\t watched\t in\t silence\t as\t the\t group\t gave\t in\t to\t their\t hunger.\t They\t devoured the\tflat\tbread\tand\tfruit,\ttheir\tfirst\tmeal\tin\tnearly\ttwenty-four\thours.\tWhen\tthere was\tnothing\tleft,\tthey\tslumped\tback\tin\ttheir\tchairs,\tsatiated.\tJoe\twiped\this\tface with\ta\tfrayed\tsleeve\t where\tjuice\tand\tmilk\thad\tdribbled\tdown\this\tchin\tinto\tthe folds\tof\this\tneck. Sister\tTheodora\tleaned\tforward,\tdemanding\ttheir\tfull\tattention.\t\u201cNow\tI\twant to\t be\t perfectly\t clear.\t In\t these\t unusual\t circumstances,\t we\t have\t bent\t our\t rules\t to give\tyou\tfood\tand\taccommodation\tbefore\tyou\thead\tback\tto\tHurst\tCastle.\tStella of\tcourse\tstays\twith\tus.\u201d Zed\t frowned\t at\t Riley,\t puzzled\t by\t her\t choice\t of\t words.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t up\t to\t Stella, don\u2019t\tyou\tthink?\u201d The\tsister\tignored\tZed\tand\tcontinued\tto\taddress\tRiley.\t\u201cThe\trest\tof\tyou\tladies are\tmost\twelcome\tto\tstay.\tYou\twill\tfind\tthat\twe\tare\tmostly\tself-sufficient.\u201d\tShe smiled\t her\t best,\t most\t welcoming\t smile.\t \u201cThe\t local\t stream\t provides\t us\t with unlimited\t drinking\t water.\t We\t have\t a\t small\t generator\t for\t electric\t lights\t in\t the winter.\t As\t for\t food,\t we\t grow\t our\t own\t vegetables\t and\t have\t cows,\t chicken\t and sheep.\t We\t even\t have\t a\t swimming\t pool\t we\t fill\t in\t the\t summer.\t Here\t at\t the Chewton\t Glen,\t our\t residents\t are\t free\t from\t the\t worst\t excesses\t of\t man\t and\t the evil\the\thas\tbrought\tupon\tus.\u201d Riley\t blinked,\t her\t eyes\t narrowing,\t not\t entirely\t sure\t she\t had\t heard\t the\t sister correctly.\t \u201cWait,\t you\t said\t only\t the\t women\t were\t welcome\t to\t stay.\t What\t about these\ttwo?\tAre\tthey\tnot\twelcome?\u201d The\t sister\t cleared\t her\t throat,\t her\t eyes\t remained\t fixed\t on\t Riley,\t piercing\t and cold.\t \u201cOh\t dear.\t Perhaps\t Stella\t did\t not\t explain.\t This\t is\t a\t sanctuary\t for\t women. We\tdo\tnot\tusually\tallow\tmen\there\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cSince\twhen\tdid\tmen\tbecome\tthe\troot\tof\tall\tevil?\u201d\tasked\tZed\taccusingly. The\tsister\tlaughed,\tseemingly\tamused\tby\tthe\tnaivety\tof\tthe\tquestion.\t\u201cSince men\t began\t subjugating\t women\t to\t their\t will.\t Since\t the\t dawn\t of\t time.\t Since","Adam\t corrupted\t Eve.\t We\t have\t chosen\t a\t life\t free\t from\t violence,\t brutality,\t rape and\tmurder.\tMen\thave\tno\tplace\tin\tour\tlives\there.\u201d The\ttwo\tnuns\ton\teither\tside\tnodded\ttheir\tapproval,\tbut\tremained\tsilent. \u201cSo\twhile\tmen,\twomen\tand\tchildren\tare\tdying\tin\ttheir\tmillions\toutside\tthese walls,\t you\t dare\t pass\t judgement\t on\t half\t the\t population?\u201d\t continued\t Zed incredulously.\t He\t rose\t unsteadily,\t gripping\t the\t table\t for\t support,\t his\t chair scraping\ton\tthe\tflagstone\tfloor. \u201cIf\twe\tare\tto\tsurvive\tand\trebuild,\twe\tall\tmust\tmake\tsacrifices.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\thardly\ta\tbalanced\tcommunity,\tis\tit?\tHow\tdo\tyou\texpect\tto\trebuild?\u201d \u201cI\tassure\tyou,\twe\u2019re\tmore\tthan\tself-sufficient.\tOur\tresidents\thave\tlearned\tthe skills\t they\t need\t from\t books.\t We\t no\t longer\t have\t need\t for\t the\t brute\t strength\t of men.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tvery\tsustainable\tthough,\tis\tit?\tWhat\tabout\tthe\tnext\tgeneration?\tHow do\tyou\texpect\tto\thave\tchildren?\u201d\tasked\tRiley. \u201cMen\t still\t have\t one\t small\t role\t to\t play\t in\t our\t future.\t And\t for\t that\t we\t keep several\tfor\tbreeding\tpurposes.\u201d \u201cBreeding?\u201d\tsnorted\tZed.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tnot\tanimals,\tyou\tknow?\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tjust\tlock people\t up\t like\t that,\t like\t you\t would\t a\t bull\t or\t a\t stallion\t and\t let\t them\t out\t when you\u2019re\tready\tfor\tthem\tto\tbreed.\u201d She\tignored\this\tattempts\tto\tprovoke\ther.\t\u201cI\tassure\tyou\tthat\tis\tprecisely\twhat we\thave\tchosen\tto\tdo.\u201d\tShe\tsmiled,\trevealing\teven,\twhite\tteeth,\tunblemished\tby the\t vices\t of\t nicotine,\t sugar\t or\t alcohol.\t There\t was\t something\t about\t her\t that struck\t Riley\t as\t vaguely\t sinister,\t like\t something\t out\t of\t an\t Alfred\t Hitchcock movie. \u201cYou\u2019re\t off\t your\t rocker,\t you\t are.\t Stark\t raving\t bonkers.\u201d\t Zed\t wagged\t his finger\t at\t the\t sister,\t but\t his\t eyes\t had\t started\t to\t glaze\t over.\t He\t seemed\t to\t sway\t a little\ton\this\tfeet\tand\tslumped\tback\tinto\this\tchair.\tHe\twinced\twith\tpain,\tcradling his\twrist.\tThe\tcolour\thad\tdrained\tfrom\this\tcheeks. Unmoved\t by\t Zed's\t weakened\t state,\t the\t sister\u2019s\t thin\t lips\t relaxed\t a\t little\t in triumph.\t\u201cYou\tshould\tget\tthat\tarm\tlooked\tat\timmediately.\tYou\tare\tclearly\tnot\ta well\t man.\t In\t the\t circumstances,\t we\t shall\t forgive\t your\t lack\t of\t manners\t and ingratitude.\tTell\tStella\tto\ttake\thim\tstraight\tto\tthe\tinfirmary.\u201d Riley\t was\t shaking\t with\t rage,\t incensed\t by\t the\t sister\u2019s\t condescension\t and intolerance.\t\u201cYou\treally\tare\ta\tpiece\tof\twork.\u201d \u201cMy\tchild,\tplease\tdon\u2019t\ttake\tthis\tpersonally.\tThe\tworld\thas\tchanged.\u201d \u201cSince\t when\t did\t the\t principles\t of\t kindness,\t charity,\t forgiveness,\t generosity and\tall\tthose\tother\tthings\tthey\tteach\tyou\tin\tSunday\tschool\tcease\tto\tapply?\u201d \u201cWe\tall\tmust\tadapt\tto\tsurvive.\tWe\tare\tin\tunchartered\twaters.\tGod\tcreated\tthis virus\t to\t punish\t mankind\t for\t centuries\t of\t wickedness.\t Rather\t like\t Noah\t and\t the","Ark,\tthe\tsickness\tis\tsimply\tGod\u2019s\tway\tof\tpurging\tthe\tworld\tof\tits\tvices:\twealth, power\tand\tviolence.\tWe\twill\tall\tbe\twashed\tclean,\tso\twe\tcan\tstart\tagain.\tHere\tat Chewton\tGlen\twe\tare\tdoing\tGod\u2019s\twork,\tbuilding\ta\tnew\tArk,\tif\tyou\twill.\u201d \u201cThose\tare\tjust\tBible\tstories,\u201d\tinterrupted\tAdele,\ther\tchildlike\tvoice\tdefiant. \u201cThere\u2019s\tno\tsuch\tthing\tas\tGod.\u201d \u201cSilence,\t you\t impudent\t child.\u201d\t The\t sister\t stiffened,\t ready\t to\t strike\t the\t girl before\tshe\tnoticed\tRiley\tprimed,\ton\tthe\tedge\tof\ther\tseat.\tShe\tsoftened\ther\ttone. \u201cChildren\tshould\tbe\tseen\tand\tnot\theard.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t see?\t The\t virus\t doesn\u2019t\t discriminate\t between\t good\t and\t evil, between\t black\t and\t white,\t between\t men\t and\t women.\t The\t virus\t doesn't\t judge.\t It kills\teveryone.\tThe\tfew\tthat\tsurvive\trun\tand\thide,\tlike\tyou,\there.\u201d \u201cGod\t watches\t over\t us\t and\t protects\t us.\t We\u2019re\t not\t hiding\t from\t anything\t or anyone.\tWe\u2019re\tsimply\twaiting\tuntil\tthe\tpurge\tis\tcomplete\tand\twe\tcan\tstart\tagain. Stella\tis\tvery\tmuch\ta\tpart\tof\tthat\tregeneration.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t who\t you\t think\t Stella\t is.\t But\t I\t can\t assure\t you\t she\u2019s\t not\t the person\tyou\u2019re\tmaking\ther\tout\tto\tbe.\tShe\u2019s\tseen\tthings\tno\tgirl\ther\tage\tshould\tsee. They\t had\t her\t locked\t up\t at\t the\t hospital,\t at\t the\t mercy\t of\t her\t captors.\t She\t was abused,\tmistreated,\tGod\tknows\twhat.\u201d Riley\t pulled\t up\t Adele\u2019s\t sleeve,\t revealing\t the\t collection\t of\t red\t marks\t that covered\ther\tarm.\t\u201cThey\texperimented\ton\tthem,\ttook\ttheir\tblood,\tinjected\tthem. They\thad\thundreds\tof\tprisoners\tthere.\tThese\ttwo\tare\tthe\tlucky\tones.\u201d \u201cWhat\tthey\tdo\tin\tthe\tname\tof\tscience\tis\ttheir\tbusiness.\tThere\u2019s\tnothing\tI\tcan do\t about\t that,\u201d\t replied\t the\t sister,\t adjusting\t the\t folds\t of\t her\t dress.\t \u201cNow\t she\u2019s back\t with\t us,\t Stella\u2019s\t safety\t and\t wellbeing\t is\t my\t responsibility.\t Stella\t means\t a lot\tto\tus\there.\tShe\tis\tone\tof\tthe\tchosen\tfew,\tand\twe\tare\tvery\trelieved\tto\thave\ther back\twith\tus.\tIt\u2019s\tout\tof\tthe\tquestion\tthat\tshe\tshould\tleave\tagain.\u201d Riley\t leaned\t over\t the\t table\t and\t glowered\t at\t the\t sister.\t \u201cStella\t is\t free\t to\t do whatever\tshe\twants.\tNo\tone\tis\tgoing\tto\tstop\ther\tcoming\tback\tto\tthe\tcastle\twith us,\u201d\tinsisted\tRiley,\thelping\tZed\tto\this\tfeet. \u201cAre\t you\t threatening\t me?\u201d\t challenged\t the\t sister,\t seemingly\t amused\t by\t the suggestion.\t \u201cIt\t would\t be\t highly\t inadvisable\t for\t a\t girl\t in\t her\t condition\t to\t over- exert\therself.\u201d \u201cWait.\t Are\t you\t saying\u2026?\u201d\t Riley\t paused,\t turning\t the\t idea\t over\t in\t her\t mind. \u201cYou\tmean\tto\tsay,\tStella\tis\tpregnant?\u201d \u201cPrecisely.\t She\u2019s\t part\t of\t our\t regeneration\t programme.\t She\t was\t impregnated before\tshe\tleft\tand\twe\tare\tmost\tpleased\tto\tget\ther\tback.\u201d","Chapter\tTwenty-eight Riley\t and\t Stella\t waited\t outside\t the\t infirmary\t for\t the\t nurse\t to\t assess\t Zed\u2019s injuries.\tShe\tasked\tabout\tthe\tcircumstances\tof\this\tinjuries\tand\twhether\tthere\twas any\t chance\t of\t blood\t poisoning,\t perhaps\t from\t a\t rusty\t blade\t or\t metal.\t Riley wasn\u2019t\tsure\thow\tit\thad\thappened,\tbut\tagreed\tthat\twas\tpossible. \u201cWe\u2019ve\tput\thim\ton\ta\tdrip\tto\treplace\tlost\tfluids,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tafraid\the\u2019s\tmuch\ttoo weak\tto\tmove\ttoday.\tHe\u2019ll\tneed\tbed\trest\tfor\tseveral\tdays\tto\tget\this\tfull\tstrength back,\u201d\texplained\tthe\tnurse. The\tstrain\tof\tthe\tlast\ttwenty-four\thours\thad\tcrept\tup\ton\tRiley.\tShe\tsuddenly felt\t overwhelmed\t and\t exhausted.\t Stella\t reached\t out\t and\t took\t Riley\u2019s\t hand\t in hers,\t leaning\t her\t head\t on\t Riley\u2019s\t shoulder.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t he\u2019ll\t be\t fine.\t He\u2019s\t a fighter.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\t never\t seen\t him\t like\t this\t before,\u201d\t said\t Riley\t in\t just\t above\t a\t whisper. Inside\tshe\twas\tshaken\tup. \u201cHe\t should\t really\t be\t in\t a\t hospital,\t where\t they\t can\t care\t for\t him\t properly,\u201d continued\tthe\tnurse. Riley\t and\t Stella\t looked\t at\t each\t other\t and\t laughed.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t not\t taking\t him back\tto\tthat\thospital,\tdon\u2019t\tworry\tabout\tthat.\tHe\u2019ll\tjust\thave\tto\tstay\there\tand\tget better.\tWe\tappreciate\teverything\tyou\u2019re\tdoing\tfor\thim.\tIs\tthere\tanything\twe\tcan do?\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\t dehydrated\t but\t the\t drip\t should\t replace\t some\t of\t those\t lost\t fluids\t and deal\t with\t any\t infection.\t I\u2019m\t doing\t the\t best\t I\t can\t with\t what\t I\u2019ve\t got\t here,\u201d\t she said,\tshaking\ther\thead,\ther\teyebrows\traised,\tas\tif\tshe\tdisapproved\tof\tthe\tviolence that\thad\tcaused\tthese\tinjuries.\t\u201cWe\tshould\tsee\tan\timprovement\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d Riley\tgrimaced\tand\tput\ther\thand\ton\tthe\tnurse\u2019s\tshoulder.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tvery good\tto\tus.\tThank\tyou.\u201d The\t nurse\t smiled.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t keep\t an\t eye\t on\t him,\t don\u2019t\t you\t worry.\t You\u2019ll\t be\t the first\tto\thear\twhen\the\tcomes\tround.\tI\u2019ll\ttry\tand\tlet\thim\tsleep\tas\tlong\tas\tpossible. It\u2019s\tnice\tand\tquiet\tup\there,\tso\the\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdisturbed.\u201d The\t main\t staircase\t and\t ornately\t carved\t wooden\t banister\t curved\t round\t as\t it descended\t into\t the\t lobby\t area.\t Standing\t on\t the\t bottom\t step\t was\t one\t of\t the sisters,\ther\tarms\tcrossed,\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tsome\ttime.\tRiley\twas\tstill angry\t from\t their\t earlier\t encounter\t and\t in\t no\t mood\t for\t another\t confrontation.","This\tsister\tseemed\tdifferent;\tshe\thad\ta\twarmer\tdisposition\tthan\tthe\tauthoritarian Sister\tTheodora.\tShe\tlooked\ta\tfew\tyears\tyounger\tthan\tRiley.\tIt\twas\thard\tto\ttell, she\t could\t only\t see\t her\t face,\t but\t Riley\t guessed\t mid-twenties.\t She\t had\t well- proportioned\t features,\t a\t dark\t complexion\t and\t round\t gentle\t eyes.\t Stella introduced\ther\tas\tSister\tImelda. \u201cPlease,\t call\t me\t Sister\t Mel,\t everyone\t else\t does.\t I\t understand\t that\t the\t man you\tcame\there\twith\tis\tnot\twell\tenough\tto\ttravel.\u201d \u201cYou\t could\t say\t that.\t He\t is\t on\t a\t drip\t with\t a\t nasty\t fever.\t Needs\t to\t rest\t up before\twe\tmove\ton.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t most\t regrettable.\t Bearing\t in\t mind\t he\t was\t injured\t saving\t Stella, Mother\tSuperior\thas\tagreed\tthat\tyou\tcan\tall\tstay\tuntil\this\tstrength\trecovers.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tgood\tof\tyou.\tThank\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley,\tgenuinely\tgrateful\tbut\tmindful there\twould\tbe\tconditions\tattached.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tJoe?\u201d The\tsister\tcleared\ther\tthroat.\t\u201cSister\tTheodora\thas\tinsisted\tthat\u2026\u201d\tHer\tvoice trailed\toff\tas\tif\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tquite\thow\tto\tsay\twhat\thad\tto\tbe\tsaid.\t\u201cLook,\twe are\tall\tgrateful\tfor\teverything\tyou\u2019ve\tdone,\tbut\u2026the\tMother\tSuperior\tis\tadamant that\t Joe\t be\t confined\t to\t quarters,\t in\t the\t stables\t at\t the\t far\t end\t of\t the\t complex. Sister\t Theodora's\t decision\t is\t final.\t Our\t terms\t are\t non-negotiable,\t I\u2019m\t afraid.\u201d Sister\tMel\u2019s\tbottom\tlip\tquivered\tever\tso\tslightly,\trevealing\ther\tdiscomfort\tat\tthe awkward\tposition\tshe\tfound\therself\tin. \u201cDoesn\u2019t\t look\t like\t we\t have\t a\t choice,\t right?\t It\u2019s\t the\t sisters\u2019\t way,\t or\t the highway?\u201d\tmocked\tRiley,\tinfuriated\tby\ttheir\tintransigence. \u201cPlease\t don\u2019t\t shoot\t the\t messenger,\t Riley.\t I\t don't\t make\t the\t rules.\t Sister Theodora\tdoes.\tI\tjust\tget\tthe\tunpopular\tjob\tof\tenforcing\tthem.\u201d\tShe\tshrugged. \u201cI\t still\t don\u2019t\t understand\t why\t you\t all\t put\t up\t with\t her.\t You\t could\t leave,\t go someplace\telse.\tWhy\tdo\tyou\tstay\there?\tYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tlive\tlike\tthis.\u201d \u201cIsn't\tit\tobvious?\tBecause\tfollowers\tneed\tsomeone\tto\tfollow.\tSister\tTheodora does\t what\t she\t believes\t is\t right.\t She\t is\t doing\t God\u2019s\t work.\t And\t the\t women\t here respect\ther.\u201d \u201cBut\t the\t whole\t \u2018no\t men\u2019\t thing\t is\t medieval.\t A\t breeding\t programme\t for goodness\u2019\tsake?\tIt\u2019s\tinhuman\tto\tkeep\tmen,\tor\tanyone\tfor\tthat\tmatter,\tlocked\tup like\t that.\t How\t do\t you\t square\t that\t with\t your\t values\t as\t a\t Catholic\t and\t a Christian?\u201d \u201cNone\t of\t us\t like\t it,\t Riley,\t but\t we\u2019re\t doing\t this\t for\t the\t greater\t good.\t And Stella\there\tis\tpart\tof\tthat.\tShe\u2019s\tbeen\tchosen\tto\tbecome\ta\tmother,\tto\tgive\tbirth\tto the\tnext\tgeneration.\tTo\tbe\tpart\tof\tour\tfuture.\u201d Stella\tlooked\tawkward\tas\tthey\ttalked\tabout\ther,\tavoiding\teye\tcontact. \u201cAnd\tdid\tanyone\tstop\tto\task\tStella\tand\tthe\tother\tgirls\twhether\tthey\twanted\tto be\t part\t of\t this?\t She\u2019s\t just\t so\t young,\t for\t goodness\u2019\t sake.\t Being\t forced\t to\t have","babies\tat\ther\tage.\tThey\u2019re\tstill\tkids.\u201d Stella\tlooked\tup,\ther\teyes\theavy\twith\ttears.\t\u201cI\twas\tchosen,\tRiley.\tBut\tit\twas also\tmy\tchoice.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\tI\twant\tto\thelp,\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\tthis,\tto\tmake a\tdifference.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tsee?\tI\tvolunteered\tfor\tthis.\u201d \u201cI\tguess\tnot.\tI\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tall\tcertifiable.\u201d Just\tthen,\tthere\twas\ta\tsmall\tcommotion\tas\tJoe\temerged\tfrom\ta\tcorridor\twith his\t hands\t tied\t in\t front\t of\t him.\t The\t guard\t was\t a\t squat\t buxom\t woman\t in\t a\t blue polo\tshirt\tand\tkhaki\tshorts,\twith\ta\truddy\tcomplexion.\tShe\tpushed\thim\tforcefully from\t behind.\t Joe\t lingered\t for\t a\t second\t beside\t them.\t \u201cThis\t is\t ridiculous. Apparently,\t I\u2019m\t a\t danger\t to\t the\t community\t and\t can\u2019t\t be\t trusted\t to\t keep\t my hands\t to\t myself.\t I\t need\t to\t be\t locked\t up,\t Riley,\t in\t the\t stable,\t like\t an\t animal. These\tpeople\tare\tdoing\tmy\thead\tin.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tso\tsorry,\tJoe.\tListen,\tit\u2019s\tjust\tfor\ta\tday\tor\ttwo\tuntil\tZed\u2019s\tbetter.\tDo\tit\tfor Zed,\tyeah?\tWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tchoice.\tI\u2019ll\tcome\tsee\tyou\tlater\ton.\tTry\tand\tstay\tout of\ttrouble.\u201d Joe\t was\t led\t away\t still\t grumbling,\t prompting\t another\t poke\t in\t the\t back\t from the\t stocky\t woman.\t He\t glanced\t over\t his\t shoulder\t and\t raised\t an\t eyebrow, breaking\t into\t a\t low\t whistle\t mimicking\t the\t theme\t tune\t from\t The\t Great\t Escape, which\t drew\t a\t snigger\t from\t Stella\t and\t Riley.\t The\t guard\t was\t not\t amused\t and hurried\tafter\thim,\ttutting. They\t followed\t Sister\t Mel\t outside\t to\t a\t large\t vegetable\t patch\t where\t three women,\t with\t large\t wide-brimmed\t straw\t hats\t and\t white\t smocks,\t were\t planting potatoes\tand\t carrots\t in\tneat\trows\tthat\tstretched\tahead\tof\tthem\tin\tnewly\tturned earth.\t A\t rusting\t metal\t wheelbarrow\t stood\t next\t to\t them,\t spilling\t over\t with cabbages\tand\tpotatoes,\tstill\tcovered\tin\tearth. It\t was\t still\t early\t morning,\t but\t a\t spring\t sun\t was\t already\t beating\t down.\t Riley rolled\t up\t her\t sleeves\t and\t started\t rubbing\t her\t hands\t together.\t She\t tapped\t the nearest\t worker\t on\t the\t shoulder,\t who\t finished\t her\t planting\t before\t removing\t her gloves\tand\tgiving\tRiley\ther\tfull\tattention.\tShe\thad\ta\tkind,\tgentle\tface,\ther\teyes glinting\twith\tthe\texertion\tof\ther\tactivities. \u201cSorry\t to\t disturb\t you.\t We\t were\t wondering\t if\t we\t can\t maybe\t help\t you.\u201d\t She turned\t to\t Stella\t to\t explain.\t \u201cListen,\t if\t we\u2019re\t going\t to\t stay\t here\t for\t a\t couple\t of days,\tthey\tmay\tas\twell\tgive\tus\tsomething\tto\tdo.\u201d \u201cWe\twouldn\u2019t\tsay\tno.\tThere\tare\tsome\tWellington\tboots\tand\tgardening\tgloves in\t that\t shed\t over\t there.\t You\t might\t want\t to\t get\t changed\t first,\u201d\t said\t the\t woman, sitting\tback\ton\ther\thaunches. \u201cGood\tidea.\tWhy\tdon\u2019t\twe\tgo\tand\tgrab\tthe\tothers?\u201d Riley\tand\tStella\thurried\toff\tto\tthe\torchard\tto\tfind\tMila\tand\tAdele,\twhere\tthey were\ttalking\twith\ttwo\tteenage\tgirls\tin\tthe\tshade\tof\ta\tlarge\tapple\ttree.\tMila\twas","asking\t them\t a\t flurry\t of\t questions\t about\t life\t at\t Chewton\t Glen.\t The\t older\t of\t the pair\t called\t herself\t Gina,\t introducing\t her\t friend\t as\t Lexie.\t They\t were\t both\t local, from\t just\t up\t the\t road\t in\t Christchurch,\t and\t had\t known\t the\t sisters\t from\t their church\tgroup. \u201cNot\t like\t we\u2019re\t particularly\t religious\t or\t anything,\t it\t was\t just\t something\t our mums\t made\t us\t do\t on\t Sundays.\t Course\t they\u2019re\t not\t around\t to\t tell\t us\t anything these\tdays.\u201d\tGina\tnudged\tLexie\tin\tthe\tribs\tand\tthey\tboth\tgiggled\tgirlishly. \u201cSo,\t come\t on,\u201d\t said\t Mila.\t \u201cDish\t the\t dirt\t on\t the\t whole\t \u2018no\t boys\u2019\t thing.\t Two young\tgirls\tlike\tyou?\tPull\tthe\tother\tone.\u201d Gina\t and\t Lexie\t exchanged\t furtive\t looks.\t Lexie\t shook\t her\t head\t at\t Gina, imploring\ther\tto\tkeep\tquiet,\tbut\tGina\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\therself.\tThere\twas\tsomething about\t Mila,\t a\t sense\t of\t mischief\t that\t made\t it\t all\t right\t to\t tell\t these\t strangers everything,\teven\tif\tit\tmeant\tgetting\tinto\ttrouble.\tGina\tlooked\tlike\tshe\twas\tdying to\ttell\tsomeone\tand\twhy\tnot\tthese\ttwo\toutsiders? \u201cRight,\t we\u2019ll\t tell\t you\t okay,\t but\t this\t goes\t no\t further.\u201d\t She\t leaned\t in\t close. \u201cThese\t boys\t we\t know,\t right,\u201d\t she\t gave\t a\t little\t laugh,\t \u201cthey\t live\t just\t round\t the back\tover\tthere,\tin\tthat\tbig\thouse.\tSister\twould\tgo\tmental\tif\tshe\tfound\tout.\tOne day,\t we\t saw\t them\t through\t the\t fence\t and\t had\t a\t little\t chat\t with\t them,\t we\t did, didn\u2019t\t we,\t Lexie?\u201d\t Lexie\t nodded\t coyly,\t her\t fingers\t fiddling\t nervously\t with\t the acne\t on\t her\t chin.\t \u201cAnd,\t we\u2019ve\t met\t them\t for\t a\t drink\t a\t couple\t of\t times.\t They bring\tthe\tbooze\tand\twe\tlet\tthem\thave\tcertain\tfavours\tin\treturn.\tAin\u2019t\tthat\tright, Lex?\u201d\t Lexie\t shook\t her\t head,\t but\t Gina\t was\t emboldened\t and\t wasn\u2019t\t stopping now.\tHer\teyes\tblazed\twith\tbrazenness. \u201cWhat\tsort\tof\tfavours?\u201d\tasked\tAdele\tfrom\ta\tdistance,\thanging\ton\ttheir\tevery word.\tThey\u2019d\tforgotten\tshe\twas\tthere. \u201cNever\t you\t mind,\t little\t one,\t this\t is\t grown-up\t talk.\t Lex\t gave\t both\t of\t them\t a little\tkiss\tlast\ttime,\tdidn\u2019t\tyou,\tLex,\tyou\tlittle\tminx.\u201d Lexie\t was\t mortified,\t her\t face\t flushed\t with\t shame,\t but\t there\t was\t a\t defiance about\ther,\tas\tif\tshe\twas\trelieved\tsomeone\telse\tknew\twhat\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tup\tto.\tThe secret\thad\tclearly\tbeen\tburning\tinside\ther. \u201cBut\t aren\u2019t\t you\t worried\t about\t infection?\u201d\t asked\t Mila\t in\t a\t moment\t of seriousness.\t\u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tknow\tthese\tboys\thaven\u2019t\tgot\tthe\tsickness?\tAren\u2019t\tyou putting\tyour\twhole\tcommunity\tat\trisk?\u201d \u201cI\tain\u2019t\tthought\tof\tit\tlike\tthat.\tSuppose\tyou\u2019re\tright.\tStill,\tif\twe\twere\tgoing\tto get\tsick,\twe\u2019d\thave\tgot\tsick\tby\tnow,\twouldn\u2019t\twe?\u201d \u201cBack\t at\t Hurst\t we\t have\t to\t follow\t quarantine\t procedures,\u201d\t added\t Mila.\t \u201cIt\u2019s dull\t but\t necessary.\t All\t new\t arrivals\t have\t to\t be\t kept\t apart\t for\t forty-eight\t hours before\tthey\u2019re\tallowed\tin\tto\tthe\tcamp.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019d\t be\t in\t so\t much\t trouble\t if\t the\t sisters\t found\t out,\u201d\t said\t Gina,\t clearly","worried. \u201cFound\t out\t about\t what,\t Gina?\u201d\t said\t a\t disapproving\t voice.\t No\t one\t had noticed\t the\t silent\t approach\t of\t the\t Mother\t Superior,\t her\t hands\t thrust\t behind\t her back. \u201cNothing,\tsister.\tWe\twas\tonly\ttalking,\u201d\tsaid\tGina,\tblushing\tscarlet. \u201cI\t doubt\t that\t very\t much.\t You\t will\t both\t come\t and\t see\t me\t in\t my\t office\t after lunch.\t And\t you,\u201d\t she\t said,\t pointing\t at\t Mila\t reproachfully,\t \u201cmay\t I\t remind\t you that\tyou\tare\ta\tguest\there.\tI\twould\task\tthat\tyou\tnot\tlead\tour\tgirls\tastray.\u201d Mila\t started\t to\t defend\t herself\t but\t the\t sister\t cut\t her\t short.\t \u201cStella,\t take\t our guests\tback\tto\tthe\thouse\tand\tgive\tthem\tsomething\tuseful\tto\tdo.\tThe\tDevil\tmakes work\tfor\tidle\thands.\u201d \u201cWe\twere\tjust\toffering\tto\thelp\twith\tthe\tplanting,\u201d\tsuggested\tRiley,\tby\tway\tof support. \u201cIndeed.\t Or\t you\t could\t try\t the\t kitchen.\t Anna\t could\t use\t your\t help\t peeling potatoes.\tNow\toff\tyou\tgo,\u201d\tencouraged\tthe\tsister. \u201cThanks\t for\t nothing.\t Getting\t me\t into\t trouble\t like\t that.\u201d\t Gina\t tutted,\t leaving Mila\topen-mouthed,\tprotesting\ther\tinnocence.","Chapter\tTwenty-nine Four\t vehicles\t parked\t up\t outside\t the\t Ship\t Inn\t on\t the\t quayside\t in\t Lymington. Around\t a\t dozen\t men\t dismounted,\t unpacked\t their\t gear\t and\t headed\t inside.\t The mood\twas\trelaxed,\tbut\tthey\tmoved\twith\tquiet\tefficiency\tand\tpurpose. Will\twas\thauled\tout\tof\tthe\tback\tseat,\this\thands\tstill\ttied,\tand\tmade\tto\twait\tby the\tVW\tvan\twhile\tthe\tguard\tfinished\this\tcigarette.\tHe\twatched\tthe\tman\tin\tblack as\t he\t shooed\t at\t a\t nearby\t seagull.\t The\t seagull\t glided\t a\t few\t yards\t away\t and voiced\t its\t displeasure,\t its\t mocking\t call\t echoed\t back\t from\t the\t row\t of\t buildings that\tlined\tthe\tquayside.\tSeveral\tother\tgulls\tswooped\tdown\tand\tjoined\tthe\tfirst\tin a\t shrieking\t chorus.\t He\t kicked\t wildly\t at\t the\t nearest\t one\t almost\t losing\t his balance. \u201cBloody\tseagulls.\tGo\ton,\tget\tlost.\u201d The\t quayside\t was\t much\t changed\t since\t the\t last\t time\t Will\t was\t there.\t He remembered\t visiting\t yachts\t moored\t three-deep\t at\t the\t jetty,\t fishing\t boats unloading\t their\t catch\t to\t waiting\t lorries,\t children\u2019s\t faces\t daubed\t with\t ice\t cream and\told\tladies\tsitting\ton\tpark\tbenches,\tfeeding\tscraps\tto\tpigeons.\tGone\twere\tthe days\t of\t easy\t meals\t for\t scavenging\t seagulls.\t Like\t many\t creatures\t grown dependent\t on\t humans,\t centuries\t of\t learned\t behaviours\t were\t hard\t to\t shift.\t Yet, old\t habits\t die\t hard\t and\t the\t seagulls\t blindly\t followed\t the\t men\t around, opportunistically\twaiting\tfor\tsomething\tdropped,\thoping\tfor\ta\tscrap\tthrown\ttheir way. The\t guard\t stubbed\t out\t his\t cigarette\t and\t pushed\t Will\t through\t the\t doorway into\t the\t semi-darkness\t of\t the\t pub.\t The\t windows\t were\t boarded\t up\t at\t the\t lower level,\treinforced\twith\twooden\tbatons\tnailed\tin\tplace.\tBehind\tthe\tbar\tcounter,\tthe former\t landlord,\t an\t elderly\t man\t and\t his\t thirty-something\t daughter,\t handed\t out snacks\tand\tdrinks\tto\tthe\tgroup\tfrom\tthe\thospital. Copper\u2019s\tsquad\tset\tup\tcamp\tin\t the\tfamily\trestaurant\tarea\ttowards\tthe\tback. They\twere\t already\t discussing\tthis\tevening\u2019s\tsortie,\tdisassembling\tand\tcleaning their\tweapons,\tloading\tbullets\tinto\tmagazines,\tunpacking\tand\trepacking\tpouches in\ttheir\twebbing\tto\tensure\tthere\twas\tnothing\tloose\tthat\tmight\trattle.\tStealth\tand surprise\t were\t critical\t to\t their\t success.\t One\t man\t unpacked\t an\t ordnance\t survey map,\tmarking\tup\tpositions\tand\tapproaches\twith\ta\tred\tmarker\tpen. The\tman\tin\tblack\tjoined\tthem,\tgreeting\tmembers\tof\tCopper\u2019s\tgroup,\tslapping","one\t on\t the\t back.\t The\t man\t twisted\t round,\t perhaps\t resenting\t the\t unwanted contact,\tbefore\trecognising\twho\tit\twas,\tand\tfeigning\ta\tsmile.\tCopper\twas\tover\tin the\tcorner,\tsmoking\ta\tCuban\tcigar,\ta\tgift\tthe\tpublican\thad\twelcomed\thim\twith.\tIt struck\tWill\tas\ta\tsmall\ttoken\tbut\tan\timportant\tmark\tof\trespect\tfor\this\tposition\tas de\t facto\t leader\t of\t the\t group.\t Copper\t spun\t the\t empty\t cigar\t tube\t between\t his stubby\tfingers\ton\tthe\tdarkly\tstained\tvarnished\tsurface\tand\tlaughed\tat\tone\tof\tthe men's\tbawdy\tjokes.\tHe\tnever\ttook\this\teyes\toff\this\tleader,\tstudying\this\tmovement and\teasy\tmannerisms\tlike\ta\tvulture\twatching\tits\tprey,\tbiding\this\ttime. \u201cAny\t sign\t of\t the\t Hurst\t team?\u201d\t asked\t the\t man\t in\t black.\t He\t stood\t in\t front\t of Copper,\t legs\t wide\t apart,\t like\t a\t cowboy.\t Attached\t to\t his\t belt\t was\t a\t large\t bowie knife\tin\ta\tsheath\twith\ta\tblack\tleather\tstrap\tsecured\tto\this\tthigh.\tThe\tstrap\tlooked uncomfortable\tto\tWill,\tpoorly\tfitted\tand\tpulled\ttoo\ttight. \u201cNo,\tnothing.\tComplete\twaste\tof\ttime.\tWe\twaited\tall\tnight\tand\tcame\there\tat first\tlight.\u201d \u201cWhere\tare\tthey?\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tthey\twent\tvia\tNew\tMilton.\tOr\twe\tgot\tthere\ttoo\tlate,\twho\tknows?\u201d \u201cIt\t doesn\u2019t\t matter\t now.\t We\u2019ll\t find\t them\t sooner\t or\t later.\t We\t know\t where they\u2019re\theading.\tAre\tthe\tboats\tready?\u201d \u201cYeah.\tWe\u2019re\tgood.\tWe\u2019re\tset\tto\tleave\tat\t dusk.\u201d\tHe\t snatched\t the\tmap\tfrom the\t other\t table\t and\t laid\t it\t out\t in\t front\t of\t them,\t smoothing\t out\t the\t creases.\t \u201cOur pilot,\t Trevor,\t says\t it\u2019s\t no\t more\t than\t half\t an\t hour\t from\t here.\u201d\t He\t pointed\t to\t the fisherman\u2019s\tquay\ton\tthe\tchart.\t\u201cTide\u2019s\twith\tus.\tWe\u2019ll\thead\tround\tin\tthree\tgroups. First\tgroup\u2019s\twith\tme\tin\tthe\tR.I.B.\tWe\u2019ll\ttake\ta\twide\tsweep\tpast\tthe\tsalt\tmarshes and\t out\t into\t the\t main\t channel\t before\t swinging\t up\t here\t and\t attacking\t from\t the south\t at\t what\t should\t be\t slack\t water.\t We\u2019ve\t got\t all\t the\t gear\t you\t wanted,\t and Griff\there\thas\tdone\tsome\trock\tclimbing\tin\tthe\tpast.\tHe\tsays\tthat\tthe\tcastle\twall shouldn\u2019t\t be\t a\t problem.\t Then\t your\t group\t stays\t inshore\t and\t brings\t the\t main group\tvia\tthe\tsheltered\tKeyhaven\tside\tand\twait\tfor\tour\tsignal\tby\tthe\tmain\tgate. According\tto\tour\tfriend\there,\u201d\the\tpointed\tat\tWill,\t\u201cresistance\tshould\tbe\tminimal. Couple\t of\t guards\t at\t the\t main\t gate,\t two-man\t patrol\t on\t the\t wall.\t Once\t they\u2019re taken\tcare\tof,\tthe\tcastle\tis\tours.\u201d \u201cGood,\t good.\t Well\t done,\t Copper.\t I\t can\u2019t\t wait\t to\t see\t the\t look\t on\t their\t faces. Remember,\twe\tneed\tthe\ttwo\tgirls\talive.\tAs\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tthem,\twell,\tI\u2019ll\tlet\tyou and\tthe\tboys\thave\tsome\tfun.\tLet\toff\tsome\tsteam.\tSave\ttheir\tleaders\tfor\tme.\tThey know\twhat\u2019s\tcoming\tto\tthem\tafter\ttheir\tlittle\tjaunt\tlast\tnight.\u201d At\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tbar,\tnext\tto\ta\tsmashed-up\tcigarette\tmachine,\tthere\twas a\tdusty\told\tpiano.\tOne\tof\tthe\tmen\tfrom\tthe\thospital\twandered\tover\tand\tlifted\tthe lid.\tHe\ttried\ta\tcouple\tof\tkeys\tand\tfound\tthe\tpiano\twas\tin\trelatively\tgood\tworking order.\t Flexing\t his\t fingers,\t he\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t get\t his\t bearings\t and\t launched","into\t the\t introduction\t to\t Skyfall\t to\t the\t muted\t cheers\t of\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t assembled company.\tThey\tstopped\twhat\tthey\twere\tdoing\tto\tlisten\tin\tawe.\tMusic\twas\tsuch\ta rarity\tthese\tdays. Copper\t took\t a\t long\t draw\t on\t his\t cigar\t and\t blew\t a\t perfect\t smoke\t ring\t that glided\t across\t the\t table\t towards\t the\t man\t in\t black.\t A\t broad\t grin\t stretched\t across Copper\u2019s\t face.\t He\t must\t be\t relishing\t the\t thought\t of\t flexing\t his\t muscles\t and getting\tsome\taction,\tthought\tWill. Will\t made\t himself\t comfortable\t on\t the\t bench\t seat\t under\t the\t window, wondering\thow\ton\tearth\the\tcould\tget\ta\tmessage\tto\tHurst\tto\twarn\tthem\tbefore\tit was\ttoo\tlate.","Chapter\tThirty Tommy\tleft\tthe\tlighthouse\tand\thurried\tafter\tJack.\tTerra\tand\tSam\twere\talready\ton board\t the\t Nipper,\t stowing\t their\t luggage\t and\t topping\t off\t the\t fuel\t tanks\t from\t a five-gallon\tyellow\tjerrycan. Since\temerging\tfrom\ttheir\tmeeting\twith\tLieutenant\tPeterson,\tJack\tand\tTerra had\tboth\tbeen\tmonosyllabic.\tTommy\twatched\tthem\twhispering.\tWhat\twere\tthey keeping\t from\t him?\t He\t already\t had\t a\t hundred\t unanswered\t questions\t buzzing around\this\thead. \u201cBut\t I\t still\t don\u2019t\t understand.\t Why\t is\t Peterson\t gathering\t together\t all\t the leaders\t from\t each\t camp?\t To\t discuss\t what\t exactly?\t Are\t they\t here\t to\t rescue\t us? Are\tthey\tpart\tof\ta\trelief\tmission?\tPlease,\tJack,\u201d\timplored\tTommy. \u201cThe\t American\t told\t us\t it\u2019s\t all\t classified,\t for\t our\t ears\t only,\u201d\t said\t Jack.\t \u201cHe said\tit\u2019s\ta\tmatter\tof\tnational\timportance.\tWe\u2019re\tnot\tmeant\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit,\teven\tto you.\t All\t you\t need\t to\t know\t is\t that\t we\u2019ll\t be\t gone\t for\t a\t night.\t That\t there\u2019s\t a \u2018Summit\u2019\tbeing\theld\ton\tthe\tIsle\tof\tWight\tand\tthat\tTerra\tand\tI\tare\tinvited.\u201d Terra\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t Tommy\u2019s\t shoulder.\t He\t was\t almost\t beside\t himself\t with curiosity.\t \u201cListen,\t I\t know\t this\t is\t killing\t you\t not\t knowing,\t but\t it\u2019s\t for\t the\t best. There\t are\t people\t who\t don\u2019t\t want\t this\t meet\t to\t happen.\t People\t who\t would\t do anything\tto\tstop\tthis\talliance.\tTrust\tno\tone,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\the\tsaid.\tThere\tare\tother forces\tat\twork\there\tthat\tshould\tnot\tbe\tunderestimated.\u201d \u201cWhat\t other\t forces?\u201d\t asked\t Tommy.\t \u201cDo\t you\t mean\t like\t the\t French?\t Or\t are we\ttalking\tthe\tRussians,\tor\tmaybe\tthe\tChinese?\u201d \u201cHe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay,\tTommy.\tBut\tit\tstands\tto\treason\tthat\tthe\tAmericans\u2019\tpresence here\t will\t attract\t others,\t both\t good\t and\t bad.\t Anyway,\t listen,\t we\u2019ve\t already\t told you\t too\t much.\t You\u2019re\t to\t tell\t no\t one\t about\t any\t of\t this.\t If\t people\t ask,\t say\t that we\u2019ve\t gone\t to\t see\t Anders\t on\t the\t Charlotte.\t There\t could\t be\t spies,\t even\t here\t at Hurst.\tPeople\twho\twould\tkill\tfor\tthat\tinformation.\u201d \u201cOkay,\t okay.\t But,\t Jack,\t you\t know\t we\t can\t be\t trusted.\t How\t long\t have\t we\t all known\teach\tother?\tTwo\tyears,\tgive\tor\ttake?\u201d Jack\t smiled\t in\t sympathy\t but\t turned\t on\t his\t heels\t and\t started\t walking\t again. There\t was\t nothing\t more\t to\t say.\t Jack\t climbed\t the\t small\t steps\t covered\t with\t old carpet\t and\t half\t hurdled\t the\t Nipper\u2019s\t gunwale,\t athletically\t for\t a\t man\t of\t his advancing\tyears.","\u201cTrust\t me,\t Tommy.\t This\t is\t good\t for\t Hurst.\t You\t know\t we\u2019ve\t been\t trying\t to broker\tan\talliance\twith\tthe\tother\tsurvivor\tgroups\tfor\tmonths.\tThis\tis\tour\tchance. If\tthe\tAmericans\tcan\tpull\tit\toff,\tit\twill\tensure\tpeace,\ttrade\tand\tco-operation\tfor months,\tmaybe\tyears.\tEven\tif\tthere\u2019s\tthe\tsmallest\tchance\tof\tthat,\twe\tneed\tto\tbe there,\tat\tthe\tnegotiating\ttable\twhen\tthat\tdeal\tis\tbrokered.\u201d \u201cAnd\tif\tit\u2019s\tnot,\twhat\tthen?\u201d\tcautioned\tTommy. \u201cWe\u2019ve\t got\t to\t try,\t Tommy,\t you\t must\t see\t that.\t Hurst\t is\t isolated\t and\t weak\t on its\town.\tJoining\ttogether\twould\tsecure\tour\tfuture.\u201d Tommy\tnodded\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\ttoo\tconvinced.\tTerra\tcame\tup\tbehind\thim and\t put\t her\t arms\t around\t his\t shoulders.\t \u201cListen,\t we\t promise\t to\t tell\t you everything\twe\tcan\twhen\twe\tget\tback.\tUntil\tthen,\tyou\tand\tNathan\tare\tin\tcharge. Try\tand\tkeep\ta\tlid\ton\tthe\trumour\tmill,\twon\u2019t\tyou?\tWe\u2019ll\tget\tword\tto\tyou\twhen we\u2019re\ton\tour\tway\tback\ttomorrow\tmorning.\tBut\tremember,\tthe\ttransmitter\trange isn\u2019t\tgreat\tso\tyou\u2019ll\tprobably\tsee\tus\tbefore\tyou\thear\tus.\u201d Tommy's\tbody\tlanguage\tspoke\tvolumes.\tHe\thated\tbeing\tleft\tin\tthe\tdark\tlike this.\t He\t stood\t shoulders\t slumped,\t forlornly\t watching\t their\t final\t preparations, like\ta\tscolded\tchild. Sam\t cast\t off\t the\t bow\t as\t Jack\t unlooped\t the\t mooring\t line\t at\t the\t stern\t and handed\t it\t to\t Tommy.\t The\t Nipper\u2019s\t bow\t drifted\t out\t in\t the\t tide\t as\t Jack\t hurried back\t into\t the\t wheelhouse\t and\t put\t the\t engine\t lever\t ahead\t slow.\t The\t Nipper responded\t with\t a\t churning\t of\t water\t astern,\t propelling\t her\t slowly\t out\t into\t the main\t channel,\t heading\t east\t towards\t Cowes\t and\t Osborne\t Bay\t beyond.\t Tommy raised\t his\t hand\t in\t farewell\t and\t watched\t them\t disappear\t from\t view\t behind\t the lighthouse. **** Jack\tknew\tthe\tway\twith\this\teyes\tclosed.\tHe\u2019d\tpassed\tOsborne\tHouse\ta\thundred times,\t the\t former\t residence\t of\t Queen\t Victoria.\t He\u2019d\t visited\t the\t National\t Trust property\t with\t his\t teenage\t son\t many\t years\t ago.\t Back\t then,\t Osborne\t House\t had been\t maintained\t in\t all\t its\t Victorian\t splendour\t and\t open\t to\t the\t public.\t It\t was\t a bygone\t relic\t of\t the\topulence\tand\tprosperity\tof\tthe\tBritish\tEmpire\tpreserved\tin aspic\t for\t future\t generations.\t Jack\t remembered\t the\t place\t well\t from\t his\t previous visit.\t The\t stately\t home\t encapsulated\t all\t the\t glory\t and\t decadence\t of\t the\t British Empire\tat\tits\theight\tin\tthe\tnineteenth\tcentury.\tBack\tthen\tthe\tEmpire\thad\tcovered a\tquarter\tof\tthe\tentire\tglobe.\tHe\tremembered\tthe\ttour\tguide\ttelling\tthem\tproudly that\t in\t Victorian\t times\t \u201cthe\t sun\t never\t set\t on\t the\t British\t Empire\u201d.\t The\t whole place\t spoke\t volumes\t about\t the\t unbridled\t patriotism\t that\t prevailed\t at\t the\t time. Right\t now,\t he\t snorted,\t the\t British\t could\t barely\t manage\t a\t cup\t of\t tea,\t let\t alone","rule\tthe\tworld. Until\t the\t breakdown,\t Osborne\t House\t had\t been\t a\t popular\t visitor\t attraction with\t beautiful\t landscaped\t gardens,\t manicured\t lawns\t and\t ornamental\t ponds. Planted\torchards\tran\tdown\tto\ta\tbeach\tthat\tlooked\tback\tacross\tthe\tSolent\ttowards the\t mainland.\t Sam\t and\t Jack\t had\t moored\t off\t that\t beach\t for\t a\t swim\t so\t many times,\tsunbathing\ton\tthe\tforedeck\tof\tthe\tNipper\ton\ttheir\tway\tback\tfrom\tfishing trips\tor\tvisits\tto\tNo\tMan\u2019s\tLand\tFort. Jack\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t had\t become\t of\t Osborne\t House\t itself.\t He\t imagined\t it was\t likely\t home\t to\t a\t group\t of\t some\t description.\t The\t Isle\t of\t Wight\t and\t its islanders\thad\tsuffered\tterrible\thardship\tand\ttotal\tcollapse\tof\tlaw\tand\torder,\tsame as\t everywhere\t else.\t They\t had\t been\t hit\t hard\t by\t the\t virus,\t but\t their\t isolation\t had somewhat\t insulated\t them\t from\t the\t resulting\t chaos\t and\t violence\t that\t followed. The\tsense\tof\tunity\tand\tcommunity\tafforded\tby\tits\tisland\tstatus,\ttogether\twith\tits physical\tseparation\tfrom\tthe\tmainland,\tmeant\tthat\trival\tgroups\twere\ta\tlittle\tmore willing\t to\t work\t together.\t There\t were\t fewer\t raids\t and\t less\t pressure\t from\t a starving\tpopulation,\tless\tcompetition\tfor\tresources. On\t his\t travels,\t Jack\t had\t met\t several\t different\t groups\t on\t the\t island.\t There were\tdozens\tof\tthem,\tscattered\talong\tthe\tcoastline\tand\tinland.\tThe\tIsle\tof\tWight was\t rich\t in\t farmland,\t with\t hundreds\t of\t greenhouses\t growing\t tomatoes, cucumbers,\t and\t other\t vegetables\t and\t fruit.\t It\t had\t its\t own\t vineyards,\t breweries and\tdairy\tfarms,\tmeaning\tthere\twas\tan\tabundance\tof\tfood\tin\tthe\tearly\tdays,\twith groups\t gathered\t around\t farm\t buildings\t and\t smaller\t villages.\t Yet,\t over\t time\t the crop\t yield\t had\t collapsed.\t Most\t of\t those\t greenhouses\t had\t fallen\t into\t disrepair, growing\t wild\t and\t untended,\t with\t hundreds\t of\t hectares\t of\t vegetables\t rotting\t in the\tground.\tRipened\ttomatoes\tdied\ton\tthe\tvine,\twith\tno\tone\tleft\tto\tharvest\tthem. Jack\thad\theard\twhispers\tof\ta\trising\tpower,\ta\tman\tthey\tcalled\tBriggs.\tLike\tso many\ton\tthe\tmainland,\topportunists\twith\ta\tthirst\tfor\tpower,\tBriggs\thad\tformed\ta colony\t of\t former\t inmates\t from\t Parkhurst\t Prison,\t near\t Newport\t at\t the\t centre\t of the\t island.\t He\t had\t begun\t to\t expand\t his\t sphere\t of\t influence,\t forming\t alliances where\t possible.\t He\t gave\t short\t shrift\t to\t those\t who\t stood\t against\t him.\t Would Briggs\t be\t present\t at\t this\t gathering\t of\t leaders?\t It\t seemed\t plausible.\t Jack wondered\twhich\tof\this\tfriends\twould\tmake\tthe\ttrip\tto\tOsborne\tand\twhich\twould stay\t away,\t suspicious\t of\t change,\t of\t outsiders,\t of\t the\t Americans,\t preferring\t to keep\tthings\tas\tthey\twere. Terra\tjoined\thim\tin\tthe\twheelhouse\tand\tput\tan\tarm\taround\this\twaist.\tShe\tput her\t head\t on\t his\t shoulder\t and\t gave\t him\t a\t little\t peck\t on\t the\t cheek.\t Terra\t loved their\t infrequent\t trips\t away\t from\t Hurst\t where\t they\t could\t be\t relaxed\t in\t each other\u2019s\t company,\t free\t from\t the\t prying\t eyes\t and\t expectations\t of\t others.\t At\t the stern,\t Sam\t stood\t coiling\t the\t mooring\t lines\t and\t stowing\t the\t food\t and\t supplies","they\t had\t loaded\t in\t the\t lockers.\t He\t watched\t them\t with\t some\t small\t degree\t of affection.\tHe\thad\tonce\tconfided\tin\tJack\tthat\tTerra\treminded\thim\tof\this\tmother.\tA proud,\t fiercely\t Catholic\t woman,\t resettled\t on\t the\t south\t coast\t of\t England\t from Wexford\tin\tsouthern\tIreland.\tJack\tknew\tSam\u2019s\tfather\thad\tdied\twhen\the\twas\tvery young,\tyet\this\tmother\twas\tstoic\tin\ther\tgrief.\tShe\tsimply\tgot\ton\twith\tit,\tholding down\tthree\tcleaning\tjobs\tand\tlooking\tafter\tfour\tchildren\tunder\tthe\tage\tof\tfifteen without\t complaint.\t Terra\t had\t that\t same\t indefatigability\t and\t quiet\t resilience\t he knew\tSam\tadmired. Sam\tpoked\this\thead\tround\tthe\tdoorway\tto\tthe\twheelhouse\tand\ttapped\tJack\ton the\t shoulder.\t \u201cI've\t been\t wondering\t about\t those\t Americans.\t Why\t do\t you\t think they\u2019re\treally\there?\u201d Jack\tshrugged\this\tshoulders,\ttrying\tto\tbat\taway\tthe\tquestion.\tHe\twasn't\tin\tthe mood\tfor\ta\tlong\tdrawn-out\tdiscussion.\tSam\ttapped\t him\t on\tthe\t shoulder\tagain. \u201cWhat\twas\tso\tspecial\tabout\tthe\tIsle\tof\tWight\tthat\tthey\twould\torganise\ta\tmeeting at\tOsborne\tHouse?\u201d Jack\t shook\t his\t head,\t claiming\t ignorance,\t but\t he\t had\t been\t thinking\t the\t same thing\thimself.\tHe\tlooked\tover\this\tshoulder\tat\tSam.\t\u201cBest\tthing\twe\tcan\tdo\tis\tnot get\tour\thopes\tup\tand\tget\ton\twith\tit.\u201d Sam\t nodded\t and\t stooped\t to\t pick\t up\t a\t long\t thread\t of\t seaweed,\t throwing\t it over\t the\t side,\t before\t wiping\t the\t slime\t on\t his\t trousers.\t Behind\t them\t Hurst\t grew smaller\tby\tthe\tminute\tuntil,\twhen\the\tlooked\tback\tagain,\tit\twas\tjust\ta\tblack\tline on\tthe\thorizon.\tA\tcastle\tsurrounded\tby\tthe\ttidal\twaters\tof\tthe\tSolent,\tand\tthe\ttide was\tjust\tbeginning\tto\tturn.","Chapter\tThirty-one Sam\t engaged\t the\t windlass,\t and\t the\t anchor\t chain\t rattled\t out\t of\t the\t forward locker,\tsplashing\tinto\tthe\tsheltered\twaters\tof\tOsborne\tBay.\tAt\tthe\tstern,\tJack\twas breathing\t heavily\t as\t he\t used\t a\t foot\t pump\t to\t inflate\t a\t six-person\t grey\t inflatable Avon\t dinghy.\t He\t squeezed\t the\t sides,\t gave\t another\t few\t pumps\t and\t secured\t the nozzle\twith\ta\ttwist\tas\the\tdetached\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\tpump\those. Between\t them\t they\t manhandled\t the\t inflatable\t over\t the\t side.\t Holding\t the painter\tloosely,\tthe\tdinghy\tflopped\ton\tto\tthe\tsurface\tof\tthe\twater,\tskating\ta\tfew metres\tbefore\tjerking\tback.\tJack\tlowered\tthe\tstainless\tsteel\tladder\tand\tsupported Terra\tas\tshe\tclambered\tdown,\thanding\ther\tthe\trucksack\tand\tholdall. Sam\t passed\t Jack\t the\t wooden\t oars\t which\t he\t inserted\t one\t at\t a\t time\t into\t the hard\t rubber\t rowlocks.\t Jack\t anchored\t his\t feet\t against\t the\t sides\t of\t the\t inflatable, took\t a\t quick\t look\t over\t his\t shoulder\t to\t get\t his\t bearings\t and\t started\t pulling\t for shore. \u201cKeep\t your\t eyes\t peeled,\t Sam.\t We\u2019ll\t signal\t if\t we\t need\t you.\t First\t sign\t of trouble,\tcast\toff\tand\thead\tfor\tdeeper\twater.\tWish\tus\tluck.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\t be\t fine.\t Terra\t will\t keep\t you\t on\t the\t straight\t and\t narrow.\t See\t you tomorrow.\u201d The\t blades\t of\t the\t oars\t dived\t gently\t beneath\t the\t surface\t and\t drove\t them forward.\tIt\twas\tno\tmore\tthan\tfifty\tmetres\tto\trow\tand,\tsheltered\tfrom\tthe\tsouth- westerly,\t they\t surfed\t the\t shallow\t waves,\t gliding\t gracefully\t inwards.\t When\t they were\tthree\tmetres\tout,\the\tstowed\tthe\toars\tand\tthey\tcoasted\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tway\tin, bumping\t gently\t on\t to\t the\t sandy\t beach.\t Jack\t stepped\t ashore\t in\t his\t dark\t blue, leather-lined\t boots,\t standing\t ankle-deep\t to\t help\t Terra\t before\t reaching\t to\t grab their\tbags. They\t dragged\t the\t dinghy\t above\t the\t tide\t line,\t littered\t with\t seaweed,\t flotsam and\tjetsam,\tfrayed\trope\tand\tplastic\tbottles.\tHe\ttied\tthe\tpainter\tto\ta\tlarge\tiron\tring secured\t to\t a\t concrete\t post.\t The\t lower\t branches\t of\t an\t ancient\t oak\t caressed\t the surface\t of\t the\t water\t as\t each\t wave\t came\t to\t a\t gentle\t end,\t swirling\t amongst\t its foliage. They\t started\t the\t climb\t up\t to\t the\t main\t building,\t passing\t an\t old-fashioned bathing\tcarriage\twhere\tQueen\tVictoria\tand\ther\tladies\twere\tsaid\tto\thave\tchanged to\t enter\t the\t water,\t their\t modesty\t preserved,\t unseen\t by\t other\t bathers.\t A\t \u201cPunch","and\tJudy\u201d\tbooth\twas\toverturned\tby\tthe\twinter\tstorms,\tpaint\tpeeling\tfrom\tits\tred and\t yellow\t stripes.\t Its\t bright\t red\t wooden\t roof\t was\t holed\t in\t several\t places, revealing\t where\t an\t entertainer\t would\t have\t operated\t multiple\t hand\t puppets\t for the\t delight\t of\t small\t children\t and\t grown-ups\t alike.\t They\t climbed\t the\t dusty\t path past\t thickly\t wooded\t slopes,\t arboretums\t and\t meadows\t filled\t with\t wild\t flowers, fields\tof\tpoppies\tand\tdaisies. They\t caught\t their\t first\t glimpse\t of\t the\t grand\t Italian-style\t palazzo\t house\t with its\t twin\t towers\t and\t sweeping\t steps\t leading\t up\t to\t the\t terraces,\t courtyard\t and entrance\t above\t them.\t The\t Victorian\t gardens\t were\t once\t the\t pride\t of\t the\t island, boasting\tflowers\tfrom\tall\tover\tEurope,\tsurrounded\tby\tshrubs\tbeautifully\tclipped and\t shaped.\t Today\t the\t flower\t beds\t were\t overgrown\t with\t weeds,\t the\t shrubs yellow\tand\tbushy.\tThe\tornamental\tponds\tand\tfountains\twere\tdry\tor\tclogged\twith algae\t and\t weed.\tA\tkoi\t carp\t lay\tbelly\tup,\ttwitching\ton\tthe\tsurface,\tbloated\tand rigid.\t Jack\t wondered\t why\t no\t bird\t had\t helped\t itself\t to\t a\t ready\t meal\t and\t then noticed\thow\tsilent\tit\twas\there.\tThere\twere\tno\tbirds. They\t walked\t past\t magnificent\t statues,\t many\t of\t which\t were\t bullet-ridden; handy\t targets\t for\t bored\t guards\t with\t nothing\t better\t to\t do.\t Some\t statues\t were missing\tarms\tor\tlegs,\tothers\twere\tmore\tor\tless\tdestroyed.\tTerra\tlooked\tnervously at\t Jack\t but\t he\t patted\t her\t on\t the\t back\t reassuringly\t as\t if\t to\t say\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t going\t to\t be fine.\u201d On\t the\t top\tlawn,\t a\trusted\told\tSikorsky\thelicopter\tperched\t proudly,\tits\trotor blades\t drooping\t languidly\t towards\t the\t grass.\t It\t barely\t looked\t airworthy,\t and Jack\tdoubted\twhether\tit\thad\tmade\tit\tvery\tfar.\tIts\tpilot\twas\tleaning\tlazily\tagainst the\tcockpit\tdoor\twatching\tthem\tboth\tclimb\tthe\tsteps\ttowards\thim. A\t guard\t at\t the\t side\t entrance\t waved\t them\t over\t and\t patted\t them\t down\t for weapons\t or\t anything\t else\t secreted\t about\t their\t person.\t He\t was\t thorough, thrusting\t his\t gloved\t hand\t deep\t into\t the\t furthest\t recesses\t of\t the\t rucksack.\t When he\twas\tsatisfied,\the\tthanked\tthem\tboth\tand\tpointed\ttowards\tanother\tguard\tby\tthe doorway\t to\t a\t stone-paved\t corridor\t that\t echoed\t with\t their\t footsteps.\t The\t walls were\t lined\t with\t empty\t picture\t hooks\t and\t outlines\t of\t the\t framed\t portraits\t and artwork\tthat\thad\tonce\thung\tthere.\tJack\twondered\twhether\tthey\thad\tbeen\tlooted or\tsimply\tremoved\tfor\tstorage. A\t magnificent\t reception\t room\t took\t Terra\u2019s\t breath\t away.\t It\t was\t like\t walking into\tan\tIndian\tpalace,\tcomplete\twith\tivory\tcarvings,\tshields\tand\tswords\tmounted on\t the\t wall.\t Many\t were\t engraved\t silver\t and\t ornate\t copper\t works.\t Several\t of these\ttrophies\twere\tmissing,\tleaving\tdusty\toutlines.\tTerra\tstood\tand\tstared\tat\tthe ceiling,\tbeautifully\tsculpted\tin\twhite\tplaster.\tShe\thad\tnever\tseen\tanything\tlike\tit. Jack\ttugged\tat\tTerra\u2019s\tsleeve\tand\tguided\ther\ttowards\tthe\tassembled\tgroup\tat the\t far\t end\t of\t the\t room.\t The\t local\t men\t were\t well\t dressed,\t beards\t trimmed\t and","hair\t combed\t or\t brushed\t back.\t They\t were\t talking\t animatedly,\t cut-glass champagne\t flutes\t in\t their\t hands.\t At\t the\t centre\t of\t the\t group\t holding\t court\t was Lieutenant\t Peterson,\t wearing\t full\t dinner\t dress.\t His\t military\t whites\t and\t medals were\tresplendent,\this\tcap\ttucked\tunder\this\tleft\tarm. Peterson\t broke\t off\t his\t conversation\t to\t welcome\t them\t both.\t \u201cGentlemen,\t I\u2019d like\t to\t introduce\t you\t to\t Jack\t and\t Terra\t from\t Hurst\t Castle.\t Jack,\t I\t suspect\t you already\tknow\tmost\tof\tthese\tguys.\tThis\tis\tour\thost,\tJohn\tSimpson.\u201d Jack\t nodded\t and\t shook\t hands,\t a\t little\t awkward\t with\t all\t this\t formality. Peterson\thanded\tTerra\tand\tJack\tglasses\tof\tchampagne\tfrom\ta\tsilver\ttray\tand\tled them\tround\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tgroup. \u201cI\ttold\tyou\tI\tshould\thave\tput\ton\ta\tfrock,\u201d\twhispered\tTerra,\tself-conscious\tin her\ttired\twoollen\tjumper\tand\tblue\tjeans. \u201cYou\tlook\tbeautiful,\u201d\the\treplied,\tsqueezing\ther\thand. \u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme\twe\twere\tcoming\tto\ta\tparty?\u201d She\t wore\t no\t make-up\t other\t than\t the\t lipstick\t she\t had\t the\t foresight\t to\t apply before\t leaving\t the\t Nipper.\t As\t the\t only\t woman\t here,\t Jack\t had\t no\t doubt\t she would\t light\t up\t the\t room.\t Terra\t had\t spent\t most\t of\t her\t life\t surrounded\t by\t men. She\t thrived\t in\t a\t man\u2019s\t world.\t She\t always\t got\t what\t she\t wanted.\t There\t was something\t self-contained\t about\t her,\t a\t bold\t confidence.\t She\t knew\t just\t when\t to turn\ton\tthe\tcharm,\tto\thave\tpowerful\tmen\thang\ton\ther\tevery\tword,\tbut\talso\twhen to\tstand\tfirm.\t Jack\t had\tnever\tmet\tanyone\tquite\tlike\ther\tbefore.\t He\twatched\t as she\t flirted\t conspicuously\t with\t their\t host,\t touching\t his\t arm\t and\t laughing\t at\t his laboured\tattempts\tat\thumour. More\t people\t were\t arriving\t all\t the\t time\t and\t the\t room\t reverberated\t with conversation\t and\t the\t sound\t of\t popping\t champagne\t corks.\t Jack\t stood\t by\t the window,\t observing\t the\t group.\t He\t had\t to\t pinch\t himself\t to\t believe\t what\t he\t was seeing.\tPeople\twere\tacting\tlike\tthe\toutbreak\thad\tnever\thappened,\tgetting\tswept up\tin\tthe\tmoment.\tThe\tchampagne\twas\tgoing\tstraight\tto\this\thead.\tThe\tbubbles, the\tfizz,\tthe\twhole\tthing\tmade\thim\tfeel\tnauseous. Terra\t spotted\t him\t standing\t alone\t and\t made\t her\t excuses,\t breaking\t off\t from conversation\tto\tjoin\tJack.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tup,\tJack?\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tlook\tlike\tyou\u2019re\tenjoying yourself.\u201d His\t eyes\t darted\t around\t the\t room,\t checking\t to\t see\t if\t anyone\t else\t felt\t this whole\t evening\t was\t a\t little\t surreal.\t \u201cThis\t all\t feels\t contrived,\t Terra.\t The champagne,\t the\t cheer.\t It\u2019s\t like\t none\t of\t them\t know\t what\u2019s\t going\t on\t in\t the\t real world,\tover\tthere\ton\tthe\tmainland.\u201d Terra\t smiled,\t but\t recognised\t Jack's\t discomfort.\t \u201cOh,\t they\t know\t all\t right. They\u2019ve\thad\tit\tjust\tas\tbad\tas\tus.\tThey\u2019re\tjust\tputting\ton\ta\tlittle\tshow\tfor\tour\tVIP American\t friend.\t A\t taste\t of\t British\t razzmatazz.\t That\u2019s\t all.\t Why\t not\t enjoy","yourself,\t let\t your\t hair\t down?\t Drink\t their\t fine\t wine,\t enjoy\t their\t canap\u00e9s,\t hear what\tthey\thave\tto\tsay.\tCome\ton,\twhere\u2019s\tthe\told\tJack\tI've\theard\tso\tmuch\tabout? The\tone\twho\tcould\tdrink\tthe\tpub\tdry\tand\tstill\tride\ta\tbicycle\thome\tto\tbed?\tCome on.\u201d She\t playfully\t nudged\t him\t in\t the\t ribs\t and\t reluctantly\t he\t responded\t to\t her encouragement.\t They\t rejoined\t the\t others,\t recharged\t their\t glasses\t and\t forgot themselves,\tat\tleast\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile. There\twas\ta\tsmall\tcommotion\tin\tthe\tcorridor\tas\ta\tlate\tarrival\tprotested\tloudly about\t being\t searched.\t With\t a\t loud\t greeting\t that\t silenced\t the\t whole\t room, Captain\t Anders\t Bj\u00f8rklund\t from\t the\t Maersk\t Charlotte\t strode\t in,\t his\t arms\t raised high,\t First\t Officer\t Victor\t by\t his\t side.\t Anders\t walked\t straight\t up\t to\t Jack\t and slapped\t him\t on\t the\t back\t before\t hugging\t his\t friend.\t He\t ignored\t the\t trickle\t of champagne\tthat\tdribbled\tdown\this\tback\tfrom\tJack\u2019s\tglass.\tVictor\u2019s\tgreeting\twas a\tlittle\tcooler.\tHe\tappeared\tbored\tand\taloof. Last\t to\t arrive\t was\t Captain\t Armstrong,\t accompanied\t by\t two\t other\t Royal naval\t officers.\t They\t were\t formally\t attired\t in\t navy\t mess\t dress,\t dark\t blue\t dinner jackets,\t bow\t ties,\t all\t brass\t buttons\t and\t gold\t braid.\t The\t captain\t stiffly\t saluted Lieutenant\t Peterson\t and\t then\t warmly\t shook\t hands\t with\t the\t assembled\t guests, introducing\t himself\t and\t his\t officers.\t Jack\t watched\t this\t incongruous\t exchange over\tAnders\u2019\tshoulder\tand\tdespite\tthe\tobvious\tcharade,\the\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tbut\tfeel a\t renewed\t sense\t of\t hope.\t He\t wondered\t whether\t the\t combination\t of\t these\t two military\torganisations\twould\tbe\tsufficient\tto\trestore\tsome\tsemblance\tof\torder\tto this\t blighted\t region.\t His\t eyes\t narrowed\t as\t he\t studied\t their\t body\t language\t that oozed\tbravado\tand\tconfidence.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\taround\tthe\tblock\tenough\tto\tknow\tthat appearances\t were\t deceptive.\t Most\t military\t men\t he\t knew\t couldn\u2019t\t organise\t a piss-up\tin\ta\tbrewery. One\tof\tthe\tofficers\tdid\ta\tdouble\ttake\twhen\the\tspotted\tTerra,\texcused\thimself from\t his\t group\t and\t tapped\t her\t on\t the\t shoulder.\t She\t turned\t around\t and\t looked surprised.\t He\t seemed\t delighted\t to\t see\t her.\t \u201cGood\t heavens.\t I\u2019m\t sure\t we\t know each\tother?\tYou\u2019re\ta\tfriend\tof\tAllan\u2019s,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\u201d Terra\t looked\t back\t at\t him\t blankly,\t regaining\t her\t composure.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry, you\u2019ve\tgot\tme\tthere.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\u2026\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\tknow,\u201d\the\tcontinued\tconfidently.\t\u201cWe\tmet\tat\ta\tparty\ta\tfew\tyears\tback. Deborah,\tno,\tDebbie,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tsearching,\ttrying\tto\tmake\tthe\tconnection. Terra\tblushed\tand\tglanced\ttowards\tJack.\t\u201cI\tthink\tyou\thave\tme\tconfused\twith someone\t else.\t Excuse\t me.\u201d\t She\t drained\t her\t glass\t with\t a\t shaking\t hand\t before rejoining\t Jack.\t She\t feigned\t a\t smile,\t but\t looked\t decidedly\t uncomfortable.\t \u201cSilly fool.\t Thought\t I\t was\t someone\t else.\t Could\t you\t get\t me\t another\t champagne, please?\u201d","\u201cSure,\tcoming\tright\tup,\u201d\tsaid\tJack,\tpatting\ther\ton\tthe\twrist.\tOn\this\tway\tto\tthe bar,\the\tnoticed\tthe\tofficer\tstill\tstaring\tin\tTerra's\tdirection.\tHe\tseemed\tpositively bemused\tby\ther\tfailure\tto\trecognise\thim.","Chapter\tThirty-two The\t dinner\t had\t been\t delicious.\t Grilled\t trout\t followed\t by\t spit-roasted\t chicken, complete\t with\t all\t the\t trimmings.\t Each\t course\t was\t washed\t down\t with\t a succession\t of\t fine\t wines,\t the\t like\t of\t which\t Jack\t had\t never\t tasted\t before,\t each requiring\t a\t different\t glass.\t Even\t the\t cutlery\t had\t been\t overwhelming.\t Three separate\t forks,\t knives\t and\t spoons,\t all\t of\t different\t shapes\t and\t sizes\t in\t polished silver,\tfit\tfor\ta\troyal\tbanquet.\tHe\thad\twatched\this\tpartner\tcarefully\tto\tensure\the chose\t correctly.\t He\t quickly\t figured\t out\t that\t if\t he\t started\t from\t the\t outside\t and worked\this\tway\tin,\the\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\ttoo\tfar\twrong. When\t the\t plates\t had\t been\t cleared,\t their\t host,\t John\t Simpson,\t stood\t and formally\t welcomed\t everyone\t before\t inviting\t Lieutenant\t Peterson\t to\t say\t a\t few words. The\t American\t officer\t wiped\t the\t sides\t of\t his\t mouth\t with\t a\t napkin,\t touched John\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tand\tshook\this\thand\tbefore\tslowly\trising.\tHe\tlooked\taround the\troom\tat\tthe\tforty-plus\tguests,\tmaking\teye\tcontact\twith\tseveral\tof\tthem\tbefore starting\tto\tspeak. \u201cLadies\tand\tgentlemen,\tyou\thonour\tme\twith\tyour\thospitality\tthis\tevening.\tIt is\t some\t time\t since\t I\t have\t enjoyed\t an\t evening\t quite\t this\t much,\t in\t surroundings anything\tlike\tas\tgrand\tas\tthe\tformer\tresidence\tof\ta\tKing\tand\tQueen\tof\tEngland. For\tthose\tof\tyou\twho\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tme,\tmy\tname\tis\tLieutenant\tPeterson.\tI\tam\tthe commanding\tofficer\tof\tthe\tUnited\tStates\twarship,\tthe\tChester,\tan\tArleigh-Burke class\t guided\t missile\t destroyer\t currently\t at\t anchor\t just\t off\t Portland\t Bill.\t I\u2019ve spent\tthe\tbest\tpart\tof\tthe\tlast\ttwenty\tyears\tserving\tmy\tcountry,\tsailing\tthe\tseven seas.\t My\t daddy\t was\t a\t navy\t man.\t You\t could\t say\t I\t have\t salt\t water\t in\t my\t veins. During\tthat\ttime,\tI\u2019ve\tseen\taction\tno\tless\tthan\tseven\ttimes\tin\tIraq,\tAfghanistan and\t Syria.\t I\t had\t the\t honour\t of\t serving\t alongside\t Her\t Majesty\u2019s\t Royal\t Navy\t on countless\t missions\t and\t exercises,\t including\t a\t six-month\t secondment\t to\t the destroyer\t HMS\t Daring.\t I\t have\t visited\t the\t White\t House,\t met\t the\t president, visited\tsome\tof\tthe\tfinest\tembassies\tin\tthe\tworld.\tI\tguess\tI\tnever\tthought\tI\u2019d\tsee anything\t like\t that\t again,\t so\t this\t evening\t has\t been\t nothing\t short\t of\t spectacular, and\tfor\tthat\tI\t thank\t each\tand\t every\tone\t of\tyou,\tbut\tparticularly\tour\thost,\tJohn Simpson.\u201d Peterson\tinvited\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\troom\tto\tjoin\thim\tin\tanother\tround\tof\tapplause.","He\tchecked\tthe\tscribbled\tnotes\the\thad\tin\tfront\tof\thim\ton\ta\tsmall\tjotter\tpad\tand flipped\tto\tthe\tnext\tpage. \u201cBut\tlet\u2019s\tget\tdown\tto\tbusiness.\tWe\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\there\tfor\ta\tparty.\tI\tinvited\tyou here\t to\t discuss\t the\t future.\t I\t know\t a\t lot\t of\t you\t have\t a\t million\t questions,\t and\t I thank\tyou\tfor\tyour\tpatience\tand\tfor\tcoming\there\ttoday.\u201d He\t took\t another\t sip\t of\t water\t and\t then\t drained\t the\t glass,\t his\t hand\t shaking almost\timperceptibly.\tHe\tproceeded\tto\trecount\ttheir\tstory\tsince\tthe\tUSS\tChester left\t her\t homeport\t of\t San\t Diego\t for\t the\t last\t time\t nearly\t three\t years\t ago.\t Their tour\t of\t duty\ttook\t them\tto\t the\tMiddle\tEast,\tpatrolling\tthe\t shores\tof\t Yemen\tand Ethiopia,\tprotecting\tcommercial\t shipping\tagainst\t pirates.\tThey\thad\tmade\t stops in\t Egypt,\t Sudan,\t Qatar\t and\t Kuwait.\t When\t the\t first\t outbreak\t occurred,\t the Chester\twas\tordered\tto\thead\twith\t all\tavailable\tspeed\tto\tKarachi\tin\tPakistan\tto provide\thumanitarian\taid\tand\tto\tairlift\tUS\tservice\tpersonnel\tfrom\ttrouble\tzones. \u201cWhen\t the\t evacuation\t order\t came,\t it\t came\t too\t late\t for\t my\t crew.\t Many\t had already\t been\t in\t contact\t with\t the\t locals\t in\t the\t performance\t of\t their\t mandated duties.\tMuch\tof\tthe\tlocal\tpopulation\twas\talready\tinfected.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tthe\tscale of\tthe\toutbreak\tbecame\tclear,\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate.\tDespite\tour\tbest\tefforts\tto\tenforce quarantine\tand\tinstigate\tsecurity\tprotocols,\tthe\tvirus\twreaked\thavoc\ton\tboard\tthe Chester\t and\t there\t were\t one\t hundred\t and\t fifty-two\t fatalities,\t including\t our commanding\tofficer,\tXO\tand\tchief\tengineer.\tThe\trest\tof\tthe\tcrew\tbarely\tmade\tit out\tof\tKarachi\talive.\u201d He\tbowed\this\thead\tand\tpaused\tto\tgather\thimself\tbefore\tproceeding. \u201cI\t know\t we\u2019ve\t all\t had\t it\t bad.\t We\u2019ve\t all\t suffered.\t We\u2019ve\t all\t lost\t friends\t and family.\tI\thave\ta\twife\tand\ttwo\tkids\tback\tin\tCalifornia.\tI\thaven\u2019t\theard\tfrom\tthem in\t more\t than\t two\t years\t since\t the\t US\t went\t dark\t and\t all\t civilian\t communication ceased.\u201d There\twere\ta\tfew\twhispers\tat\tthis\tdisclosure.\tMany\tamongst\tthem\tstill\tclung to\t the\t belief\t that\t the\t global\t outbreak\t had\t been\t contained\t and\t the\t US\t had\t been better\tprepared\tand\table\tto\timmunise\tand\tstop\tthe\tspread,\tat\tleast\tbetter\tthan\tin the\tUK.\tPeterson\tappealed\tfor\tquiet. \u201cThe\treason\twe\tare\there,\tas\tI\ttold\teach\tof\tyou\tpersonally\twhen\tI\tvisited\tyou in\tyour\tcamps\tand\thomes,\tis\tto\tmake\ta\tstand\tagainst\tthe\tvirus,\tright\there\ton\tthe Isle\tof\tWight.\tThis\tisland\tis\tone\tof\tthe\tbiggest\tin\tthe\tUK\tand\twas,\tuntil\trecently, the\t second\t most\t populous.\t It\t means\t the\t island\t is\t uniquely\t qualified\t for\t our purposes.\u201d He\tpaused\tto\tlet\this\taudience\tdigest\this\twords.\t\u201cCamp\tWight,\tas\tit\twill\tnow be\t known,\twill\tbe\tthe\t first\tof\tmany\t such\tbases\twe\t will\t need\t to\t build,\tbut\t first we\u2019ll\tneed\tto\tcreate\ta\tvirus-free\tsafe\tzone\there\ton\tthe\tisland\tas\ta\tlaunch\tpad\tfor a\twider\tclean-up\tof\tthe\tUK\tmainland.\tNone\tof\tus\tshould\tbe\tunder\tany\tillusion\tof","the\t scale\t of\t that\t challenge.\t It\t will\t take\t months,\t maybe\t years,\t but\t if\t we\t work together\twe\twill\tsucceed. \u201cOur\t first\t job\t is\t to\t secure\t the\t Isle\t of\t Wight.\t Then\t we\t can\t set\t up\t quarantine zones\t to\t process\t newcomers.\t That\t means\t building\t accommodation,\t providing humanitarian\taid,\tensuring\tsecurity\tand\tsafety,\thealth\tand\thygiene.\tCamp\tWight will\t be\t a\t fresh\t start\t for\t the\t UK\t and\t one\t we\u2019ll\t look\t to\t replicate\t throughout Europe.\t Gibraltar,\t Cyprus,\t Majorca,\t Iceland,\t Sicily.\t To\t be\t successful,\t we\t will need\t to\t train\t civilians\t to\t perform\t the\t roles\t needed\t to\t get\t the\t generators\t back online,\t to\t secure\t running\t water,\t to\t restart\t food\t production,\t to\t plant\t crops,\t to nurture\tlivestock,\tto\tbuild\ttowards\tself-sufficiency\ton\tthe\tisland.\u201d A\t dissenting\t voice\t from\t the\t back\t shouted\t out,\t \u201cWhat\t if\t we\t don\u2019t\t want\t the island\tto\tchange?\tWhy\tgive\tup\teverything\twe\u2019ve\tworked\tso\thard\tfor?\tWhy\tshare it\twith\tthousands\tof\tothers\tfrom\tthe\tmainland?\u201d Peterson\tcould\tnot\tquite\tmake\tout\tthe\tperson\u2019s\tface\tbut\tlistened\tand\tnodded. \u201cI\tcan\tunderstand\tyour\tconcern.\tAnd\tyou\u2019re\tright.\tWhat\tI\u2019m\tasking\tyou\tto\tgive up\t is\t substantial.\t But\t the\t opportunity\t it\t presents\t is\t also\t significant.\t Whatever your\tprivate\tand\tpersonal\treasons,\tthis\tis\ta\thuge\tchance\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\ta\tfresh\tstart for\t your\t country.\t You\t would\t each\t play\t leading\t roles\t in\t the\t reconstruction.\t I\u2019m sure\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tspell\tit\tout\tto\tyou\tall.\tLadies\tand\tgentlemen,\ttogether\twe\tcan relight\tthe\tfires,\tkick-start\tthe\tengine\tand\tbroadcast\tan\tinvitation\ton\tevery\tradio signal\tto\tcome\tand\tjoin\tus\there\ton\tthe\tisland.\tThis\tis\tour\tchance\tto\tbuild\ta\tnew world.\u201d There\twere\tseveral\tnods\tand\tmurmurs\tof\tapproval,\tone\told-timer\tmumbling, \u201cHear\thear.\u201d \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t need\t me\t to\t tell\t you\t that\t this\t country\t has\t been\t sent\t back\t to\t the dark\tages.\tWe\thave\tno\tfunctioning\tgovernment,\tno\tpolice,\tno\tinfrastructure,\tno cell\t phones,\t no\t computers,\t no\t electricity.\t Your\t whole\t country\t lies\t in\t ruin. Waiting\tfor\ta\tcatalyst.\tI\u2019m\there\tto\ttell\tyou\tthat\tthat\tcatalyst\tis\tyou.\tIt\u2019s\tup\tto\tall of\tus\tto\tlean\tin\tand\thelp\tget\tthis\tisland\tand\tthis\tcountry\tback\tonline,\tto\tlearn\tnew skills\t and\t to\t train\t others\t to\t do\t what\u2019s\t needed.\t That\t effort\t starts\t right\t here tonight.\u201d Anders\t stood\t and\t cheered,\t raising\t his\t half-empty\t glass\t of\t vodka\t to\t the lieutenant,\tinviting\tothers\taround\thim\tto\tjoin\tin\tthe\ttoast.\tHis\tfellow\ttable\tguests remained\tseated,\tfrowning\tat\this\tdrunken\tinterruption. \u201cMy\t good\t friend\t Captain\t Bj\u00f8rklund\t has\t agreed\t to\t provide\t whatever\t support he\t can\t offer.\t Through\t God\u2019s\t grace,\t the\t Maersk\tCharlotte\t is\t anchored\t not\t five miles\t from\t here,\t fully\t loaded\t with\t humanitarian\t aid\t that\t was\t en\t route\t to\t Sierra Leone.\t I\u2019m\t told\t the\t ship\u2019s\t manifest\t lists\t temporary\t shelters,\t tents,\t medical supplies,\t rice,\t dried\t food,\t bottled\t water,\t vehicles\t and\t more.\t Of\t course,\t we\t still","need\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tunload\tthe\tcontainers.\u201d The\t lieutenant\t led\t a\t round\t of\t applause\t for\t Anders,\t who\t acknowledged\t their appreciation\twith\ta\twobbly\tbow\tand\this\tbest\tattempt\tat\ta\tsalute.\tPeterson\tturned his\tattention\tto\tCaptain\tArmstrong.\t\u201cIn\taddition\tto\tthe\tCharlotte\twe\tare\tworking hand\t in\t hand\t with\t our\t friends\t in\t the\t Royal\t Navy.\t Captain\t Armstrong,\t over\t to you.\u201d The\t British\t officer\t rose\t slowly\t and\t adjusted\t his\t starched\t collar\t and straightened\this\tbow\ttie.\t\u201cLadies\tand\tgentlemen,\tI\tknow\twe\u2019d\tall\tlike\tto\texpress our\tappreciation\tto\tLieutenant\tPeterson.\tI\tam\tconfident\tthat\tthe\tarrival\tof\tthe\tUS Navy\twill\ttip\tthe\tbalance\tback\tin\tour\tfavour.\tAt\tPortsmouth\tnaval\tbase,\twe\thave no\tshortage\tof\thardware\tbut\twe\thave\tvery\tfew\ttrained\tpersonnel.\tWith\tyour\thelp we\tcan\tmake\tuse\tof\tthe\tvast\tresources\tthat\tlie\tmothballed\tin\tour\tdockyards\tand stores.\u201d A\tsmall\tmovement\tto\tJack\u2019s\tright\tcaught\this\teye.\tA\tshadow\tpassing\tan\topen doorway,\t a\t face\t darting\t from\t view.\t Jack\t thought\t nothing\t of\t it\t and\t turned\t his attention\tback\tto\tCaptain\tArmstrong. \u201cOur\t first\t priority\t is\t to\t establish\t Camp\t Wight\t as\t a\t refugee\t centre\t capable\t of accommodating\tmany\tthousands,\tif\tnot\ttens\tof\tthousands,\tof\tsurvivors.\u201d He\t walked\t over\t to\t a\t detailed\t map\t of\t the\t Isle\t of\t Wight\t which\t had\t been crudely\tpinned\tnext\tto\ta\tportrait\tof\ta\tnineteenth-century\tnobleman\ton\thorseback. He\tgrabbed\ta\tbilliards\tcue\tthat\twas\tleaning\tnext\tto\tthe\twall\tand\tpointed\ttowards the\teastern\tend\tof\tthe\tisland. \u201cHere\t at\t Ryde,\t the\t British\t will\t be\t responsible\t for\t ferrying\t survivors\t from Portsmouth\tand\tGosport\tto\tour\tProcessing\tCentre\tCharlie,\twhich\twill\tbe\tcapable of\t processing\t up\t to\t five\t hundred\t people\t at\t a\t time\t in\t quarantine\t zones\t here\t and here,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ttapping\tthe\tmap\tfirmly\twith\tthe\tcue. He\t turned\t and\t gestured\t towards\t Peterson.\t \u201cIn\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t island\t at Cowes,\tthe\tAmericans\twill\ttake\tover\tthe\troute\tfrom\tSouthampton\tto\tProcessing Centre\tBravo.\tAnd\tlast\tbut\tnot\tleast,\tthe\tislanders\tthemselves\twill\thandle\tCamp Alpha\t at\t Yarmouth.\t We\t intend\t to\t set\t up\t HQ\t at\t St\t Mary\u2019s\t Hospital\t with\t a\t clean zone\t to\t the\t immediate\t south,\t with\t accommodation\t for\t up\t to\t five\t thousand people.\t New\t arrivals\t will\t be\t assessed\t based\t on\t their\t experience\t and\t skills\t then assigned\t to\t special\t units\t tasked\t with\t reconstruction,\t logistics,\t food\t production and\tsecurity,\tto\tname\tbut\ta\tfew.\tThe\twhole\toperation\twill\tremain\tunder\tmilitary control\tuntil\ta\tfunctioning\tcivilian\tgovernment\tcan\tbe\tformed.\u201d With\t a\t nod\t towards\t his\t British\t counterpart,\t Lieutenant\t Peterson\t took\t over. \u201cNone\t of\t us\t should\t be\t under\t any\t illusions\t that\t this\t will\t be\t easy.\t We\u2019ll\t need\t to defend\t Camp\t Wight,\t day\t and\t night,\t to\t ensure\t no\t craft\t approaches\t the\t island without\t authorisation.\t Our\t friends\t at\t Hurst\t will\t set\t up\t a\t blockade\t to\t prevent","unauthorised\t vessels\t from\t entering\t the\t protected\t zone,\t while\t the\t eastern approaches\twill\tbe\tpatrolled\tby\tthe\tRoyal\tNavy. \u201cAnd\t should\t any\t other\t group\t take\t an\t unwanted\t interest\t in\t Camp\t Wight,\t we are\twell\table\tto\tdefend\tourselves.\u201d Their\thost\tsitting\tat\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\ttable\tled\tanother\tround\tof\tapplause\tas\tthe guests\tnodded\tand\tmurmured\ttheir\tapproval\tof\tthe\toutline\tplans. Captain\t Armstrong\t continued,\t \u201cLadies\t and\t gentlemen,\t we\t start\t work\t in\t the morning,\t meaning\t tonight\t is\t for\t celebration.\t So\t please\t charge\t your\t glasses.\t I give\tyou\tCamp\tWight.\u201d As\t chairs\t scraped\t back\t and\t everyone\t stood,\t the\t dinner\t guests\t repeated\t in unison,\t\u201cCamp\tWight\u201d\tbefore\tfinishing\ttheir\tdrinks. Terra\tcaught\tJack\u2019s\teye,\tmouthing\t\u201cWow\u201d.\tJack\tsmiled\tand\traised\this\tempty glass\tin\ta\tsilent\ttoast. Peterson\t introduced\t a\t scientist\t with\t wiry\t grey\t hair\t from\t the\t University\t of Southampton\u2019s\t Centre\t for\t Biological\t Science.\t Professor\t Nichols\t pushed\t his glasses\t higher\t up\t the\t bridge\t of\t his\t nose\t and\t addressed\t the\t room\t in\t a\t faltering voice. \u201cFrom\t what\t I\t have\t observed,\t the\t Millennial\t Virus\t shares\t many\t similarities with\t the\t Spanish\t flu\t pandemic\t at\t the\t end\t of\t the\t First\t World\t War.\t Spanish\t flu infected\tclose\tto\tone\tbillion\tpeople\tand\twas\tresponsible\tfor\tsomewhere\tbetween fifty\tmillion\tto\tone\thundred\tmillion\tdeaths.\u201d He\tpaused\twhile\this\taudience\tnodded\tand\twaited\tfor\thim\tto\tcontinue. \u201cThis\t latest\t strain\t of\t the\t flu\t virus\t is\t an\t even\t more\t effective\t killer.\t It\t passes quickly\t from\t person\t to\t person.\t Different\t strains\t make\t prevention\t and immunisation\t programmes\t difficult.\t The\t virus\t is\t capable\t of\t adapting\t and bypassing\t the\t body\u2019s\t immune\t system\t and,\t so\t far,\t has\t proven\t resistant\t to\t all known\t treatments.\t Without\t the\t facilities\t or\t staff\t to\t undertake\t a\t proper\t medical study,\tour\tbest\tchance\tis\tto\tavoid\tall\tcontact\twith\tthe\tvirus\tand\tto\tmaintain\tstrict quarantine\t for\t new\t arrivals.\t I\u2019ve\t volunteered\t to\t lead\t a\t newly\t formed\t research team\tat\tSt\tMary\u2019s\tHospital\tjust\tup\tthe\troad\tin\tCowes.\tProviding\tthe\tmilitary\tcan provide\t us\t with\t the\t necessary\t resources\t there\t is\t no\t reason\t why\t we\t can't commence\t trials\t for\t a\t vaccine.\t Although\t I\t would\t caution\t that\t this\t could\t take several\tyears.\u201d Suddenly,\t there\t was\t a\t scuffle\t at\t the\t back\t of\t the\t room.\t Raised\t voices\t heard above\t the\t dinner\t table\t chatter.\t A\t muffled\t cry\t from\t one\t of\t the\t guards\t as\t he\t was unceremoniously\t dumped\t on\t the\t floor.\t He\t clutched\t at\t his\t throat,\t spluttering\t for breath,\t blood\t pouring\t from\t between\t his\t fingers.\t A\t figure\t wearing\t a\t balaclava stepped\tfrom\tthe\tshadows\tand\ttook\tup\tposition\tby\tthe\tentrance,\ta\tknife\tglinting in\this\tright\thand.","Jack\tstood\tand\tshouted\tat\tthe\tguards\tby\tthe\tother\tdoorway\tbut\tit\twas\talready too\tlate.\tThey\twere\twrestled\tto\tthe\tground\tand\tdragged\tfrom\tsight.","Chapter\tThirty-three A\t tall\t heavy-set\t figure\t in\t a\t grey\t T-shirt\t advanced\t menacingly\t towards\t Peterson and\t Armstrong.\t Two\t henchmen\t kept\t pace\t just\t behind,\t brandishing\t shotguns\t to deter\t any\t wannabe\t heroes.\t The\t two\t navy\t officers\t were\t unarmed\t and\t stood perfectly\tstill. \u201cEverybody\tshut\tup\tand\tsit\tdown.\tJamie,\tyou\u2019re\ton\tcrowd\tcontrol.\u201d The\tBritish\tofficer\tseemed\tundaunted,\tstudying\this\tadversary\tas\the\twaved\ta matt\t black\t pistol\t lazily\t between\t their\t heads.\t The\t man\u2019s\t arms\t and\t neck\t were richly\t tattooed\t with\t intricate\t patterns,\t passages\t of\t text\t and\t colourful\t scenes\t of snakes,\tswords\tand\tfull-breasted\twomen. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t remember\t seeing\t your\t name\t on\t the\t guest\t list.\t Who\t are\t you?\u201d challenged\tArmstrong. \u201cNever\t you\t mind,\t navy\t boy.\u201d\t He\t looked\t around\t the\t room\t at\t a\t sea\t of frightened\t faces,\t Jack\u2019s\t included.\t A\t few\t of\t the\t guests\t recognised\t the\t heavily tattooed\t man,\t whispering\t his\t name\t under\t their\t breath\t as\t if\t his\t reputation preceded\thim.\tBriggs\tnodded,\tpointing\tthe\tgun\ttowards\tthe\twhispers,\twagging\ta finger\tin\tdisapproval. \u201cNo\tone\tthought\tto\tinvite\tBriggs,\teh?\u201d\tHe\ttutted.\t\u201cShame\ton\tyou.\u201d \u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\tBriggs,\u201d\tinterrupted\tPeterson\tquietly,\tpuffing\tout\this\tchest. Jack\tfound\tthe\tAmerican\u2019s\texpression\thard\tto\tread.\tPeterson\thad\tclearly\tmet his\tfair\tshare\tof\tbullies. \u201cCareer\tcriminal,\tbarrow\tboy\tturned\tgangster.\tYour\tfile\tsaid\tyou\twere\tserving eighteen\t years\t for\t armed\t robbery\t before\t some\t well-meaning\t genius\t cut\t you loose,\t together\t with\t all\t the\t other\t inmates\t of\t Park\t Hurst\t prison\t who\t survived,\u201d said\tPeterson\twithout\tblinking. \u201cCall\tit\ttime\toff\tfor\tgood\tbehaviour.\tSo\tyou\u2019re\tthe\tseptic.\u201d Peterson\tlooked\tpuzzled,\tpretending\tto\tbe\tunfamiliar\twith\tthis\tprovocation. \u201cI\t forgot\t you\u2019re\t not\t from\t around\t here.\t Septic\t tank?\t Rhymes\t with\t Yank,\u201d\t he sneered.\t \u201cBit\t far\t from\t home,\t aren't\t you?\t This\t ain\u2019t\t your\t turf,\t mate.\t You\u2019ve\t got no\t place\t ordering\t people\t around.\t Haven\u2019t\t you\t heard?\t I\t run\t things\t round\t here. You\twant\tsomething,\tthen\tyou\ttalk\tto\tme.\u201d There\t was\t a\t murmur\t from\t the\t guests\t that\t he\t silenced\t with\t a\t raised\t finger. \u201cShut\tit.\tI\u2019ve\thad\tenough\tof\tyou\tlot.\u201d","\u201cThen\tmay\tI\tsuggest\tyou\tgo\tback\tto\twhatever\thole\tyou\tjust\tcrawled\tfrom?\u201d interrupted\tthe\tcaptain,\tattempting\tto\treassert\this\tauthority.\t\u201cThis\twhole\tisland\tis under\tmilitary\tcontrol.\tYou\thave\tno\tright\tto\tbe\there.\u201d Briggs\tlaughed,\tturning\taway\tand\tshaking\this\thead\tbefore\tlooking\tback\twith a\tdeadpan\texpression.\t\u201cWho\tput\tyou\tjokers\tin\tcharge,\teh?\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tgive\ta\ttoss what\tyou\tthink.\tNothing\u2019s\tgoing\tto\thappen\ton\tthis\tisland\twithout\tmy\tsay-so.\u201d Briggs\t wandered\t between\t the\t tables,\t eyeballing\t the\t other\t dinner\t guests\t in their\t dusty\t mothballed\t finery.\t He\t stopped\t behind\t one\t of\t the\t island\t leaders,\t a portly\t man\t with\ta\t red\tface,\t and\treached\tfor\ta\thalf-eaten\troast\t potato,\tmopping the\t gravy\t from\t the\t plate.\t He\t chewed\t noisily\t with\t his\t mouth\t open,\t licking\t his fingers.\t He\t placed\t a\t hand\t on\t each\t of\t the\t man\u2019s\t shoulders\t and\t began\t kneading the\t back\t of\t his\t neck.\t The\t islander\t was\t perspiring\t heavily,\t beads\t of\t sweat forming\t on\t his\t forehead.\t He\t glanced\t from\t side\t to\t side\t at\t his\t fellow\t guests, appealing\tfor\ttheir\tsupport. Briggs\t grabbed\t a\t fork\t and\t in\t one\t fluid\t movement\t jammed\t it\t down\t into\t the man\u2019s\t hand,\t embedding\t it\t in\t the\t plump\t flesh.\t Briggs\t ignored\t the\t man\u2019s\t high- pitched\t wail\t and\t snaked\t a\t thick\t tattooed\t arm\t around\t his\t neck,\t dragging\t him backwards\t off\t his\t chair.\t The\t man\t kicked\t helplessly,\t ruffling\t an\t ornate\t rug\t with his\t neatly\t polished\t brogues.\t Briggs\t dumped\t him\t on\t the\t ground\t and\t raised\t his pistol. \u201cWant\t to\t know\t what\t happens\t to\t people\t who\t double-cross\t me?\t You\t lied, Bairstow.\tYou\tthink\tbecause\twe\u2019re\tconvicts,\twe\u2019re\tall\tstupid,\tdo\tyou?\u201d The\tfat\tman\ton\tthe\tground\twas\tshaking\this\thead,\this\thands\traised\tin\tdefence. \u201cWhen\tyou\tdo\ta\tdeal\twith\tBriggs,\tyou\tpay\tup,\tor\tbad\tstuff\ttends\tto\thappen. Well,\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tget\twhat\u2019s\tcoming\tto\tyou.\u201d He\tfired\ta\tsingle\tshot\tand\tthe\tman\tbent\tdouble,\tclutching\tat\this\tabdomen.\tA sad,\t almost\t disappointed\t expression\t settled\t in\t his\t eyes\t as\t a\t red\t stain\t formed around\t his\t midriff\t and\t his\t body\t went\t limp.\t There\t were\t gasps\t of\t disbelief\t from the\t dinner\t guests,\t who\t recoiled\t in\t horror,\t pushing\t their\t chairs\t away\t from\t the blood\tthat\tbegan\tto\tpool\taround\this\tbody. Captain\t Armstrong\t stepped\t forward,\t spitting\t with\t indignation,\t pointing angrily\tat\tBriggs.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tbrave.\tShooting\tan\tunarmed\tman.\tYou\tcoward.\u201d Briggs\tparried\this\tintrusion,\tpistol-whipping\tthe\tnaval\tofficer\tacross\tthe\tface, leaving\ta\tbloody\tstreak\tacross\this\tcheek.\tArmstrong\tfished\ta\twhite\thandkerchief from\this\ttrouser\tpocket\tand\tpressed\tit\tto\this\tface\tto\tstaunch\tthe\tflow\tof\tblood. \u201cYou\t and\t who\u2019s\t army?\t All\t your\t men\t are\t dead,\t captain.\u201d\t He\t laughed\t in\t his face.\t \u201cYou\t really\t think\t a\t bunch\t of\t sailor\t boys\t can\t match\t my\t army\t of\t street fighters\tand\tcareer\tcriminals?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso.\tI\u2019d\ttake\tone\tof\tmy\tboys\tfor\tten\tof yours.\tI\u2019ve\tspent\teight\tlong\tyears\ton\tthis\tbloody\tisland.\u201d","Peterson\tplaced\thimself\tbetween\tBriggs\tand\tCaptain\tArmstrong.\t\u201cYou\tshould know\t that\t I\u2019ve\t dealt\t with\t Somali\t warlords,\t drug\t barons\t in\t Columbia,\t guerrilla fighters\t in\t Syria,\t Afghanistan,\t and\t Iraq.\t You\u2019re\t a\t bunch\t of\t convicts\t with shotguns,\t nothing\t more.\t I\t have\t a\t Navy\t Seal\t team\t expert\t in\t weapons,\t tactics, counter-terrorism\t and\t explosives\t I\t can\t summon\t at\t a\t moment\u2019s\t notice.\u201d\t He clicked\this\tfingers.\t\u201cI\thave\tdrones\tthat\tcan\thunt\tyou\tdown\twhen\tyou\tleast\texpect it.\tPrecision\tweapons\tthat\tcan\ttake\tout\ta\tvehicle\ttravelling\tat\t50mph.\tTrust\tme, mate,\u201d\the\tsaid\tthe\tword\t\u201cmate\u201d\tin\tas\tgood\ta\tcockney\taccent\tas\the\tcould\tmanage, \u201cyou\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\thope\tin\thell.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\t take\t my\t chances.\t You\t really\t want\t a\t war\t you\t can\u2019t\t win?\t My\t lot sabotaging\t your\t relief\t effort\t at\t every\t opportunity?\t Smuggling\t sick\t people\t from the\tmainland\tand\tletting\tthem\tloose\tin\tyour\tprecious\tCamp\tWight?\tDo\tyou?\u201d \u201cListen,\tBriggs,\tthis\tvirus\tis\tbigger\tthan\tany\tlocal\tfeud.\tIt\u2019s\ttoo\timportant\tfor petty\tsquabbles\tto\tinterfere.\tWe\u2019re\tfacing\tan\textinction\tevent\tfor\thumanity.\tTotal annihilation.\t Please,\t lay\t down\t your\t weapons\t and\t join\t us.\t You\t can\u2019t\t win,\t you know\tthat.\tAnd\tthere\twill\tbe\tplenty\tof\tother\tbattles\tto\tfight.\tI\u2019m\tsure\twe\tcan\tfind suitable\tjobs\tfor\tyour\tmen\tthat\twould\tkeep\tthem,\thow\tshall\twe\tsay,\tentertained.\u201d Briggs\tcame\tand\tstood\twith\this\tnose\talmost\ttouching\tthe\tAmerican\u2019s,\ta\tsnarl on\this\tlips.\t\u201cYou\treally\tthink\twe\twant\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\tyour\tlot?\tDon\u2019t\twaste your\tbreath.\tWhy\tdoesn\u2019t\teveryone\tsit\tdown\tand\tmake\tthemselves\tcomfortable, shall\twe?\tWe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\twork\tout\ta\tdifferent\tkind\tof\tdeal.\u201d Out\tof\tsight,\twithin\tLieutenant\tPeterson\u2019s\ttrouser\tpocket,\ta\tmicro-transmitter was\t flashing\t red,\t broadcasting\t a\t distress\t signal.\t Every\t sixty\t seconds\t it\t buzzed lightly\tagainst\this\ttrouser\tleg\tto\tconfirm\tits\tactivation.\tEven\tnow\ta\trescue\tteam on\ta\thigh\tstate\tof\treadiness\twould\tbe\tscrambling,\tready\tto\tbe\ton\tsite\tin\tless\tthan ten\tminutes.","Chapter\tThirty-four Sam\u2019s\tcuriosity\thad\tgot\tthe\tbetter\tof\thim\tand\the\u2019d\tignored\tJack\u2019s\tinstruction\tto stay\t with\t the\t boat.\t He\t was\t crouched\t behind\t a\t hydrangea\t bush,\t peering\t through the\tgrand\twindow\tof\tthe\tstateroom\twhere\tthey\twere\tholding\tJack\tand\tthe\tothers. There\twas\tnothing\the\tcould\tdo\tbut\twatch. He\tcaught\tsome\tof\tthe\tconversation\twhenever\tthe\ttattooed\tman\tin\tthe\tT-shirt approached\t the\t window\t or\t when\t the\t wind\t dropped\t and\t the\t trees\t grew\t still.\t He noticed\ta\tguard\tbound\tand\tgagged\tby\tthe\tmain\tentrance\twith\ta\tswarthy-looking guy\t standing\t over\t him,\t keeping\t an\t eye\t out\t for\t any\t late\t arrivals\t to\t the\t Osborne gathering. Sam\tracked\this\tbrains.\tWhat\tcould\the\tdo?\tLight\ta\tfire?\tCause\ta\tdistraction? Set\toff\tthe\tfire\talarm\tand\tthen\ttry\tand\tsteal\tinto\tthe\troom\tunseen?\tHe\tgripped\tthe old\t service\t revolver\t Jack\t had\t entrusted\t him\t with.\t It\t was\t a\t useful\t deterrent\t if nothing\telse.\tIt\tdeserved\tto\tbe\tin\ta\tmuseum,\twhich\tironically\twas\texactly\twhere they\t had\t found\t the\t weapon,\t along\t with\t muskets,\t suits\t of\t armour,\t swords\t and instruments\tof\ttorture\tsalvaged\tfrom\tnearly\tfive\thundred\tyears\tof\thistory. In\t the\t distance\t Sam\t heard\t a\t faint\t mechanical\t sound\t but\t it\t was\t gone\t again before\the\tcould\tlocate\tits\tsource.\tIt\tsounded\tclose\tand\tfar\taway,\tall\tat\tthe\tsame time.\tIt\twas\tnearly\tdark\toutside\tand,\twith\this\tback\tto\tthe\tbush,\the\twas\tfairly\tsure he\t couldn\u2019t\t be\t seen.\t He\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t was\t going\t on\t in\t the\t stateroom,\t but from\t the\t looks\t on\t people\u2019s\t faces,\t they\t were\t scared.\t The\t man\t with\t the\t tattoos paced\taround\tthe\troom,\tjabbing\this\tfinger\tin\tpeople\u2019s\tfaces,\tlecturing\tsomeone. Sam\tkept\twatch\tfor\tsome\ttime,\tpondering\this\tnext\tmove.\tHe\twas\tstraining\tto hear\twhat\twas\tbeing\tsaid\twhen\tfootsteps\tbehind\thim\tmade\thim\tfreeze.\tWithout disturbing\t the\t flower\t heads,\t all\t he\t could\t make\t out\t from\t his\t cramped\t position, were\tdark\tshadows\tadvancing\tdeliberately\ttowards\thim,\ttheir\tfaces\tobscured\tby helmets\tand\tgoggles.\tThey\tmoved\tfluidly\tas\tone\tconnected\torganism,\ttaking\tup position\twith\ttheir\tbacks\tagainst\tthe\tbrick\twall\tof\tthe\tbuilding.\tSam\twas\tonly\ta few\tfeet\taway\tholding\this\tbreath,\thoping\the\twas\tinvisible\tin\tthe\thalf-light. One\t of\t the\t men\t walked\t straight\t up\t to\t the\t bush\t where\t Sam\t was\t crouched within\t and\t put\t his\t finger\t to\t his\t lips.\t He\t removed\t his\t headset\t and\t gestured\t for Sam\t to\t come\t out\t from\t his\t hiding\t place.\t Sam\t dropped\t the\t gun\t and\t came\t out, holding\t his\t hands\t up.\t The\t soldier\t grabbed\t him,\t spun\t him\t round\t and\t roughly","pushed\thim\tdown\ton\tto\this\tknees. He\t drew\tSam\u2019s\t arms\tbehind\this\tback\tand\t secured\t both\thands\t together\twith what\t felt\t like\t a\t cable\t tie,\t doing\t the\t same\t with\t his\t legs.\t The\t soldier\t stuffed\t a piece\t of\t cloth\t in\t Sam\u2019s\t mouth\t and\t whispered\t in\t his\t ear.\t \u201cStay\t down\t and\t you\u2019ll be\tfine.\tDon\u2019t\tmove,\tokay?\u201d\tSam\tnodded,\treassured\tby\tthe\tAmerican\taccent\tthat they\twere\tfriendly. Sam\t saw\t them\t move\t off\t towards\t the\t main\t entrance.\t A\t few\t seconds\t later\t he heard\t the\t soft\t pop\t of\t a\t silenced\t weapon\t as\t the\t guard\t went\t down.\t One\t of\t the team\tcaught\tthe\tguard\u2019s\tbody\tand\tweapon\tbefore\tit\tcould\tclatter\ton\tthe\tground. The\tteam\tmoved\tout\tof\tsight,\theading\tinside.\tSam\twhispered\ta\tsilent\tprayer as\t he\t lay\t prone\t on\t the\t ground,\t incapacitated.\t The\t grass\t was\t already\t damp\t with evening\t dew.\t A\t loud\t explosion\t made\t the\t windows\t rattle\t but\t not\t shatter.\t An American\t voice\t shouted,\t \u201cLay\t down\t your\t weapons\t and\t surrender.\u201d\t A\t volley\t of small\t arms\t fire\t answered\t their\t demands.\t Sam\t craned\t his\t neck\t towards\t the window,\tdesperate\tto\tsee\twhat\twas\thappening.\tHe\tcould\tsee\tsmoke\t and\tbright flashes,\tthen\tall\tthe\tlights\twent\tout. In\t the\t half-light,\t Briggs\u2019s\t men\t didn\u2019t\t stand\t a\t chance\t against\t highly\t trained soldiers\t with\t night-vision\t goggles.\t The\t window\t nearest\t Sam\t shattered\t into\t a thousand\t pieces\t as\t a\t grenade\t exploded\t nearby.\t He\t was\t stunned\t for\t a\t few seconds,\this\tears\tringing. The\t fire\t fight\t seemed\t to\t move\t to\t a\t different\t part\t of\t the\t building\t and\t then grew\tlouder\toutside\tbeyond\tview,\theading\tinto\tthe\twoods,\taway\tfrom\twhere\tthe hostages\t were\t being\t held.\t Perhaps\t a\t few\t of\t the\t terrorists,\t if\t that\u2019s\t what\t they were,\t had\t gotten\t away,\t thought\t Sam.\t There\t were\t several\t further\t shotgun\t blasts from\tinside,\ta\theart-rending\tscream\tand\tthen\tsilence. After\t what\t seemed\t like\t an\t eternity,\t the\t soldiers\t re-emerged,\t escorting Peterson\t and\t two\t others\t to\t safety,\t lowering\t them\t down\t next\t to\t the\t wall\t by\t the front\tentrance.\tSam\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\ttheir\tfaces. The\t soldier\t who\t had\t bound\t Sam\t jogged\t over\t and\t flashed\t a\t torch\t in\t his\t face before\tremoving\tthe\tgag\tfrom\this\tmouth.\t\u201cTalk\tfast.\tWho\tare\tyou?\u201d \u201cMy\tname\u2019s\tSam,\u201d\the\treplied,\this\tvoice\tcracking.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tone\tof\tthe\tgood\tguys, came\there\twith\tJack\tand\tTerra\tfrom\tHurst\tCastle.\tThey\u2019re\tmy\tfriends.\u201d The\t soldier\t dumped\t him\t back\t on\t the\t floor\t and\t double-timed\t it\t over\t to\t the main\tgroup,\twhere\ta\tmedic\twas\tchecking\tthe\thostages\tand\ttreating\ttheir\tinjuries. He\tspoke\tin\ta\tlow\tvoice\twith\this\tsergeant\tand\tLieutenant\tPeterson\twho\tnodded in\tSam\u2019s\tdirection.\tThe\tsoldier\trelaxed\ta\tlittle\tand\twandered\tback,\tflicking\topen a\t knife\t to\t cut\t the\t ties\t securing\t Sam\u2019s\t hands\t and\t legs,\t hauling\t him\t back\t to\t his feet. \u201cNothing\tpersonal,\tjust\tdoing\tmy\tjob.\u201d","Sam\tnodded.\tThe\tblood\twas\trushing\tback\tto\this\textremities\tand\the\tfelt\ta\tlittle faint\tbut\tunharmed. \u201cThere\u2019s\t someone\t over\t here\t wants\t to\t talk\t to\t you,\t will\t you\t come\t with\t me, sir?\u201d Sam\t followed\t the\t soldier,\t his\t legs\t stiff\t and\t leaden.\t He\t spotted\t Jack\t propped up\t against\t another\t hostage\t and\t bent\t down\t to\t comfort\t him.\t Jack\t looked\t a\t bit bashed\tup,\twith\ta\tblackened\tface,\tsplit\tlip,\tand\tblood\tsoaked\tdown\this\tright\tside. Peterson\t interrupted\t their\t reunion.\t \u201cGentlemen,\t I\t suggest\t you\t come\t with\t us. We\t can\u2019t\t vouch\t for\t your\t safety\t here.\t Briggs\u2019s\t men\t were\t easily\t scared\t off\t but they\u2019re\tlikely\tto\tcome\tback\tin\tgreater\tnumbers.\u201d Jack\t looked\t up\t with\t fire\t in\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cWait,\t what\t about\t Terra?\u201d\t he\t said, seizing\thold\tof\tPeterson\u2019s\tarm,\tto\tthe\tprotestation\tof\tthe\tmedic\ttrying\tto\tdress\ta cut\ton\tJack\u2019s\tforehead. Peterson\tlooked\tconfused. Jack\t continued,\t \u201cTerra?\t The\t woman\t I\t came\t here\t with?\t What\t happened\t to her?\tWe\tneed\tto\tgo\tback\tand\tlook\tfor\ther.\u201d \u201cJack,\t there\u2019s\t no\t time.\t Listen\u2026\u201d\t He\t took\t a\t deep\t breath,\t choosing\t his\t words carefully.\t\u201cI\tsaw\ther.\tBriggs\ttook\ther,\talong\twith\tsome\tof\tthe\tothers.\tWe\tcouldn\u2019t get\tto\ther.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Jack\tlooked\texhausted\tand\tdistressed.\t\u201cWill\tshe\tbe\tokay?\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttake\tit\tif they\tdid\tsomething\tto\ther.\u201d \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t promise\t you\t that,\u201d\t said\t Peterson,\t shaking\t his\t head.\t \u201cBut\t if\t they\u2019ve got\tany\tsense\tthey\u2019ll\tlook\tafter\ther\tand\tmake\ta\ttrade.\tWe\u2019ve\tcaptured\ta\tcouple\tof theirs.\tShe\u2019s\ta\tsmart\tlady,\tJack.\tShe\u2019ll\tdo\twhat\tit\ttakes\tto\tstay\talive.\u201d Peterson\tturned\ttowards\tthe\tspecial\tforces\tteam\tleader.\t\u201cSergeant\tJones,\tyour team\t stay\t behind\t to\t secure\t the\t area\t and\t help\t with\t the\t clean-up.\t I\u2019ll\t take\t Jack back\tto\tthe\tship\tto\tget\tpatched\tup.\tSam,\tyou\twant\tto\ttag\talong\tand\tkeep\tthe\told man\tcompany?\u201d Sam\t nodded\t enthusiastically\t and\t they\t both\t followed\t Peterson\t and\t his\t men through\t the\t wood\t behind\t the\t house,\t across\t a\t golf\t course\t and\t down\t a\t slope towards\t a\t hidden\t valley\t where\t the\t helicopter\t had\t landed\t to\t maintain\t the advantage\tof\tsurprise\tand\tstealth. Sam\t put\t his\t arm\t around\t Jack\u2019s\t shoulders,\t supporting\t his\t weight.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sure she\u2019ll\tbe\tfine.\tHave\tfaith.\u201d Jack\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tthis\tguy,\tSam.\tHe\u2019s\t delusional,\tthinks the\tisland\tbelongs\tto\thim.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\ta\tsurvivor,\u201d\treassured\tSam. Jack\u2019s\t chest\t was\t wracked\t by\t another\t coughing\t fit.\t The\t medic\t said\t it\t was smoke\t inhalation.\t They\t limped\t a\t few\t feet\t behind\t the\t others\t to\t find\t their\t ride","back\tto\tthe\tship.","Chapter\tThirty-five Zed\twas\tdreaming.\tIt\twas\ta\tfitful,\trestless\tsort\tof\tsleep\the\u2019d\tbeen\ttrying\tto\twake from.\t It\t was\t as\t if\t he\t was\t trying\t to\t climb\t out\t of\t a\t giant\t Petri\t dish\t with\t smooth slippery\tsides.\tEvery\ttime\the\tnearly\treached\tthe\ttop,\the\u2019d\tlose\this\tgrip\tand\tslide back\tdown\tagain.\tThe\tpit\twas\tan\tinferno,\tsweat\tdripped\tfrom\tthe\ttip\tof\this\tnose. Drip,\t drip,\t drip.\t It\t wouldn\u2019t\t stop.\t His\t skin\t was\t prickling,\t pulsating\t with\t sores that\tappeared\tand\tdisappeared\ton\this\thands\tand\tforearms.\tHe\tsteeled\thimself\tone more\ttime\tand\tclambered\tup\tthe\tcontour-less\tsurface.\tHis\tpalms\twere\tdamp\twith perspiration.\t There\t was\t a\t tingling\t sensation\t in\t his\t fingertips.\t Just\t as\t he\t felt himself\tbegin\tto\tslide\tback\tdown,\the\tthrust\this\thand\tinto\tthe\tair,\tstretching\tevery sinew.\tA\twoman\u2019s\thand\tgrabbed\this\tand\tpulled\thim\tclear. Zed\t opened\t his\t eyes\t and\t found\t Riley\t sitting\t patiently\t by\t his\t bedside.\t She looked\t so\t peaceful.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t closed.\t He\t gingerly\t flexed\t his\t fingers\t and\t a wave\t of\t pain\t shot\t up\t to\t his\t shoulder,\t making\t him\t wince.\t The\t bandages\t were clean\tand\tblood-free.\tThe\tpain\tfelt\tstrangely\treassuring.\tA\treminder\the\twas\tstill alive. Riley\t placed\t Zed\u2019s\t hand\t back\t down\t on\t the\t bed\t sheet\t and\t went\t to\t find\t the nurse.\t His\t throat\t was\t parched,\t his\t lips\t cracked\t and\t blistered.\t There\t was\t a\t glass of\twater\ton\tthe\tbedside\ttable\twhich\the\tdrained\tin\tone\tgulp. The\t nurse\t bustled\t back\t into\t the\t room.\t She\t fumbled\t in\t her\t top\t pocket\t and inserted\ta\tdigital\tthermometer\tinto\this\tright\tear,\twaiting\tfor\tthe\telectronic\tbeep. \u201cIt\u2019s\t99.4\tdegrees,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tnurse,\tshowing\tthe\tread-out\tto\tRiley.\t\u201cHis\tfever\thas come\tright\tdown.\tWe\u2019ll\tkeep\tyou\tin\tone\tmore\tnight.\tYou\u2019ll\tbe\tback\ton\tyour\tfeet in\tthe\tmorning,\tdear.\u201d Riley\t thanked\t the\t nurse\t who\t seemed\t distracted,\t staring\t blankly\t over\t her shoulder\tbefore\tturning\tbrusquely\tto\tleave.\tRiley\tpoured\tanother\tglass\tof\twater and\thanded\tit\tto\tZed,\twaiting\tfor\thim\tto\tdrain\tit\tagain. \u201cYou\tgave\tus\tquite\ta\tscare\tcollapsing\tlike\tthat.\tLooks\tlike\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tquite\tas indestructible\tas\twe\tthought.\tHuman\tafter\tall\tthen?\u201d\tjoked\tRiley. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tremember\tmuch\tafter\twe\tgot\there.\tHow\tlong\twas\tI\tout?\u201d\tasked\tZed. She\t checked\t her\t watch,\t a\t black\t plastic-looking\t Casio\t she\t never\t took\t off. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tasleep\tfor\tabout\teighteen\thours\tstraight.\u201d He\traised\ta\tsingle\teyebrow\tquizzically.\tThe\tdividing\tlines\tbetween\tdream\tand","reality\thad\tbecome\tblurred.\tWith\tthe\tdrugs,\the\twas\tno\tlonger\tsure\twhat\twas\treal and\twhat\twas\timagined.\tIt\twas\tall\trather\tdisconcerting.\t\u201cThe\tfever\tgave\tme\tthe worst\t dreams.\t I\u2019m\t sincerely\t hoping\t that\t the\t three\t witches\t who\t have\t been tormenting\tme\tin\tmy\tsleep\tare\tnot\treal.\u201d \u201cOh,\t the\t sisters\t are\t all\t too\t real,\t I\u2019m\t afraid.\t You\t don\u2019t\t know\t the\t half\t of\t it. Everyone\u2019s\t terrified\t of\t them.\t They\u2019re\t trying\t to\t force\t Stella\t to\t stay.\t They\t say she\u2019s\tpart\tof\tsome\tweird\tcult\tbreeding\tprogramme,\tthat\tshe\u2019s\tpregnant.\tOh,\tand then\tthey\u2019ve\tgot\tJoe\tlocked\tup\tbecause\the\tcan\u2019t\tbe\ttrusted\taround\tall\tthese\tsex- starved\twomen.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll\tbe\tloving\tall\tthe\tattention.\tHe\u2019s\tnever\thad\tmuch\tluck\twith\tthe\tladies.\u201d He\ttried\tto\tsit\tup\tstraight\tbut\tthe\tstrain\ton\this\tface\twas\tpalpable. \u201cHey,\t hey,\t easy,\t fella.\t You\t need\t to\t rest\t up.\t Avoid\t tiring\t yourself\t out.\t I brought\tsome\treading\tmaterial\tfor\tyou.\u201d She\tdumped\tthe\tsmall\tpile\tof\twell-thumbed\tmagazines\ton\tthe\tbedside\ttable. Zed\t picked\t up\t the\t top\t one.\t Its\t cover\t was\t ringed\t with\t stains\t from\t half\t a\t dozen coffee\tcups.\tHe\tflicked\tthrough\tgrainy\timages\tof\thalf-remembered\tcelebrities\tin swimwear\t photos,\t shot\t through\t telephoto\t lenses\t by\t the\t paparazzi.\t Page\t after page\tof\tsmug\tfake-tan\tcouples\tposing\tin\tfront\tof\treplica\tGreek\tcolumns\toutside their\t country\t houses,\t dripping\t in\t gold\t jewellery.\t Precocious\t young\t children dressed\tin\tRalph\tLauren.\tThe\tupper\tclasses\tplaying\tpolo\ton\thorseback\twatched by\tminor\troyalty.\tHe\tturned\ton\this\tside,\tshaking\this\thead\tin\tdisgust. \u201cHey,\tit\u2019s\tbetter\tthan\tnothing,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley.\t\u201cThe\tonly\tother\tthing\tI\tcould\tfind were\t copies\t of\t the\t Bible\t and\t I\t didn\u2019t\t think\t you\u2019d\t want\t that.\u201d\t She\t went\t through the\t stack\t and\t found\t what\t she\t was\t looking\t for,\t a\t vintage\t Top\t Gear\t magazine. \u201cThis\t is\t probably\t more\t your\t thing.\t Nuns\t on\t bikes,\t special\t on\t the\t Stig\t and\t an interview\twith\tRichard\tHammond\thimself.\u201d Zed\u2019s\t face\t was\t pale,\t his\t skin\t drawn\t and\t paper-thin.\t He\t looked\t much\t older with\tgrey\tcircles\tunder\this\tclear\tblue\teyes\tand\ttwo\tdays\u2019\tworth\tof\tstubble,\tgiving him\ta\tlived-in\tlook\tthat\tRiley\tsaid\tshe\tfound\tpleasing. He\tflicked\tthrough\tthe\tpages\tof\tFerraris\tand\tLamborghinis,\treasonably\tpriced cars\t and\t beautiful\t landscapes,\t burned\t rubber,\t winding\t roads,\t tarmac\t stretching into\tthe\tdistance.\tThe\tcolour\tseemed\tto\tflood\tback\tinto\this\tcheeks\tas\tmemories came\trushing\tback\tlike\tsoothing\twaves\tof\tsound.\tThe\tcorner\tof\this\tmouth\tturned upwards.\t\u201cI\tused\tto\tlove\tthat\tshow.\tSeems\tlike\ta\tlong\ttime\tago,\tdoesn't\tit?\u201d\tHe leaned\t back\t and\t sighed.\t \u201cTo\t think\t people\t back\t then\t were\t so\t obsessed\t with material\t possessions\t like\t cars,\t houses,\t clothes\t and\t gadgets.\t Remember\t the shopping\tchannels\ton\tTV?\tFull\tof\tchintz.\tHow\tcould\tnormal\tsane\tpeople\tspend hours\tgossiping\tabout\tcelebrities,\twho\u2019s\tdating\twho,\twho\u2019s\twearing\twhat?\tIt\twas all\tso\ttrivial,\tjust\ttittle\ttattle\tfor\tthe\tmasses.\u201d","He\t rolled\t on\t his\t back\t and\t turned\t towards\t Riley,\t suddenly\t aware\t of\t how heavy\this\thead\tfelt,\tleaning\tback\tagainst\tthe\tpillow.\tHe\tgazed\tdeep\tinto\ther\tgrey- green\teyes,\ta\tserious\tworld-weary\tlook\ton\this\tface.\tIt\twas\tlike\tthe\taccumulated strain\tof\tthe\tlast\tfew\tmonths\thad\tcaught\tup\twith\thim\tand\the\thad\tgiven\tin\tto\this exhaustion. \u201cIt\twas\teverything\tI\tdetested,\tRiley.\tIt\twas\tall\tso\tsuperficial.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tlook back\t now\t and\t wonder\t what\t it\t was\t all\t about?\t None\t of\t it\t mattered.\t It\t was\t just stuff.\t It\t felt\t like\t some\t people\u2019s\t lives\t were\t a\t shallow\t veneer,\t a\t topcoat\t that masked\t something\t rotten\t just\t below\t the\t surface.\t Scratch\t your\t fingernail\t across the\tpaint\tand\tthe\ttruth\trevealed\titself.\tYou\trealised\tthat\tyour\twhole\texistence\twas skin-deep.\t Beyond\t the\t routine\t of\t work\t and\t life,\t there\t was\t just\t a\t hollow emptiness.\u201d Riley\thad\tnever\theard\thim\ttalk\tlike\tthis.\tThey\thad\tspent\ta\tlot\tof\ttime\ttogether on\t the\t road\t or\t back\t at\t camp.\t Zed\t was\t not\t normally\t one\t for\t soul-searching\t or philosophising. \u201cEveryone\t needs\t someone\t or\t something,\u201d\t agreed\t Riley.\t \u201cIf\t you\t don\u2019t\t have that,\tthen\tsure,\tlife\tcan\tfeel\tquite\tempty\tat\ttimes.\u201d She\t encouraged\t him\t to\t go\t on.\t After\t a\t short\t pause,\t lost\t in\t his\t thoughts,\t he continued\t staring\t up\t at\t a\t stain\t on\t the\t ceiling\t where\t water\t had\t discoloured\t the paintwork. \u201cBack\tthen\tI\thad\ta\twife\tand\tfamily,\tyou\tknow.\tLiving\tin\tCroydon.\tIt\twas\tmy own\tfault.\u201d\tHe\tpaused,\tswallowing\thard.\t\u201cI\tmade\tsome\tpoor\tchoices,\ttook\tthem for\t granted,\t put\t my\t work\t first.\t I\t came\t home\t one\t day\t and\t they\t were\t gone.\t No note,\t no\t forwarding\t address.\t I\t had\t no\t idea\t she\t was\t even\t unhappy.\t Should\t have realised.\t Then\t all\t this\t happened\t with\t the\t virus.\t Times\t like\t this,\t I\t find\t myself thinking\t about\t them,\t where\t they\t ended\t up,\t wondering\t what\t I\t would\t do differently.\tWhether\tthey\u2019d\tstill\tbe\talive\tif\twe\u2019d\tall\tstayed\ttogether.\tBut\tit\u2019s\ttoo painful.\tKnowing\tI\twasn\u2019t\tthere\twhen\tit\tmattered\u2026\u201d\tHis\tvoice\tfaded\taway. \u201cHey,\t we\u2019ve\t all\t lost\t people,\t yeah?\t It\u2019s\t best\t not\t to\t think\t about\t it.\t Anyway, you\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tnew\tfamily\tnow\tat\tHurst.\tA\tnew\tstart.\u201d He\t nodded\t weakly,\t still\t lost\t in\t his\t memories.\t \u201cYou\t think\t everything\u2019s\t fine, until\t it\u2019s\t not.\u201d\t He\t took\t another\t sip\t of\t water,\t swallowing\t painfully.\t \u201cDo\t you remember\t the\t London\t riots\t back\t in\t 2011\t just\t before\t the\t Olympics?\u201d\t he\t asked, pausing\t before\t continuing.\t \u201cPeople\t I\t knew\t thought\t that\t was\t the\t start\t of\t the revolution,\t that\t the\t working\t classes\t were\t ready\t to\t rise\t up\t and\t tear\t it\t all\t down. Take\tback\tthe\tstreets\tfor\tthe\tpeople.\tFight\tback\tagainst\tthe\truling\tclasses.\tReject a\tlife\tof\tpoverty,\tmediocrity,\tsubservience.\tDid\tI\tever\ttell\tyou\tI\twas\tthere,\tRiley? A\triot\tin\tCroydon,\tfor\tGod\u2019s\tsake.\tI\tsaw\tit\ton\tmy\tdoorstep,\tand,\tsuddenly,\tit\twas all\t just\t so\t tangible.\t The\t social\t fabric\t stretched\t to\t breaking\t point,\t there\t within","touching\tdistance.\u201d Riley\tnodded. It\t had\t been\t some\t time\t since\t he\t had\t thought\t about\t that\t time\t in\t his\t life.\t The world\t had\t been\t different\t back\t then.\t Life\t had\t meaning.\t Between\t family\t and\t his work\tas\ta\tcontractor\tfor\tthe\tMinistry\tof\tDefence,\the\thad\treal\tpurpose. \u201cI\t was\t living\t in\t America\t then,\u201d\t said\t Riley,\t \u201cbut\t I\t remember\t seeing\t the summer\triots\ton\tthe\tnews\tand\tthinking\t\u2018How\tdid\tthat\thappen?\u2019\tNo\tone\tsaw\tthat coming.\u201d \u201cIt\t was\t terrifying\t and\t exciting\t all\t at\t the\t same\t time.\t Bit\t like\t 9\/11\t and\t the attack\t on\t the\t Twin\t Towers.\t A\t slow-motion\t car\t crash.\t You\t couldn\u2019t\t look\t away. Like\twitnessing\ta\tfold\tin\thistory,\tlive\tand\ttelevised.\tThe\tearth\u2019s\trotation\tknocked off\tits\taxis,\talbeit\tfor\ta\tsecond.\tIt\twas\tthe\tsame\twith\tthe\triots,\ta\tmoment\tin\ttime. When\t it\u2019s\t gone,\t it\u2019s\t hard\t to\t explain.\t But\t in\t the\t end\t that\t passion\t and\t fervour melted\taway.\tThe\tcrowds\twent\thome\tand\tthe\tstatus\tquo\tresumed,\tmore\tor\tless.\tIt was\t all\t just\t forgotten.\t Everything\t changed\t and\t yet\t everything\t stayed\t the\t same. No,\t I\u2019m\t wrong,\t something\t did\t change.\t CCTV\t saw\t to\t it\t that\t all\t those\t hooded figures\t who\t helped\t themselves\t to\t the\t latest\t sportswear,\t all\t those\t ringleaders throwing\t stones\t at\t the\t police,\t all\t those\t looters\t smashing\t down\t shop\t windows and\t helping\t themselves\t to\t flat-screen\t TVs,\t were\t rounded\t up\t and\t prosecuted.\t It was\tan\tunprecedented\ttriumph\tfor\tBig\tBrother\tand\tthe\tstate.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\twhat\tyou\tdid\tbefore\tall\tthis\tthen?\tWorked\tfor\tthe\tgovernment?\u201d\tShe waited\t for\t him\t to\t respond,\t but\t he\t ignored\t the\t question.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t deluded\t if\t you think\trevolution\twas\tever\tgoing\tto\thappen\tin\tthis\tcountry.\tDream\ton,\tcomrade.\u201d \u201cNo,\t that\u2019s\t where\t you\u2019re\t wrong,\t Riley.\t This\t country\t may\t have\t the\t longest history\t of\t democracy\t of\t any\t nation,\t but\t one\t thing\t that\t made\t it\t robust\t was\t a pressure\t valve\t of\t strike\t action,\t rioting\t and\t civic\t protest.\t In\t my\t book,\t those\t are the\t hallmarks\t of\t a\t high\t functioning\t democracy.\t But\t that\t discontent\t and\t civil disobedience\t always\t fell\t short\t of\t revolution\t because\t boring\t old\t British\t reserve got\tin\tthe\tway.\tThings\tnever\treached\ttheir\tnecessary\tconclusion:\ta\tchange\tin\tthe status\t quo.\t The\t closest\t this\t country\t ever\t came\t to\t revolution\t was\t tearing\t down the\t railings\t outside\t parliament\t in\t the\t nineteenth\t century.\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head with\tan\tironic\tsmile.\t\u201cFunny\tto\tthink\tthat\tthe\tvirus\tdid\tmore\tto\tchange\tthe\tworld than\t a\t lifetime\t of\t campaigning\t by\t socialists.\t It\t tore\t down\t the\t social\t fabric\t and replaced\tit\twith\tmob\trule.\tWho\tknows\twhat\tcomes\tnext?\tThe\tvirus\tpressed\treset on\tthe\tworld\torder.\u201d Riley\t bent\t forward\t and\t straightened\t his\t pillow\t as\t he\t obligingly\t leaned forward.\t\u201cHey,\tbig\tman,\tless\tof\tthe\tdoom\tand\tgloom.\tAll\tyou\tneed\tto\tdo\tis\tfocus on\tthe\there\tand\tnow.\tThat\tother\tstuff\twill\tdrive\tyou\tmad.\tConcentrate\ton\tgetting better.\tLet\tsomeone\telse\tworry\tabout\tthat\tother\tstuff.\u201d","\u201cI\u2019m\tdone\tworking\tfor\tthose\tpeople.\tThey\tchewed\tme\tup\tand\tspat\tme\tout.\tI was\t just\t meat\t for\t the\t grinder.\t After\t all\t this\t time,\t I\u2019ve\t come\t to\t realise\t that\t it\u2019s man\u2019s\tprerogative\tto\tcrave\tpower\tand\tto\texploit\tthe\tweak.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink?\u201d \u201cFor\t sure.\t Have\t you\t never\t wondered\t where\t the\t virus\t came\t from?\t Someone, somewhere\tmust\tknow.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\tthe\tgovernment?\u201d \u201dThere\u2019s\ta\twhole\tmilitary\tand\tcivilian\tinfrastructure\tthat\ttracks\toutbreaks\tlike these.\t Ever\t heard\t of\t Porton\t Down?\t Up\t near\t Salisbury.\t It\u2019s\t not\t far\t from\t here. Hundreds\t of\t scientists.\t Bit\t like\t the\t CDC\t in\t Atlanta\t or\t the\t World\t Health Organization.\tWhat\tthey\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tisn\u2019t\tworth\tknowing.\u201d \u201cAnyway,\t who\u2019s\t to\t say\t that\t the\t future\t will\t be\t the\t same\t as\t the\t past?\t The slate\u2019s\tbeen\twiped\tclean,\u201d\tsuggested\tRiley,\ttrying\tto\tlighten\tthe\tmood. \u201cTrue,\tbut\tyou\tcan\tbet\tthat\tthe\tsame\toperating\tsystem\treboots\tand\tthe\tstatus quo\tis\trestored.\tEverything\tchanges,\tbut\teverything\tstays\tthe\tsame.\tWhat\thope\tis there\tfor\tpeople\tlike\tus?\u201d \u201cYou,\t my\t friend,\t need\t to\t get\t some\t rest.\t We\u2019ve\t all\t been\t through\t rough patches.\t I\t remember\t this\t one\t time\t when\t I\t was\t a\t teenager,\t I\t got\t followed\t home after\t school.\t This\t guy\t came\t up\t behind\t me\t and\t tried\t to\t throttle\t me,\t drag\t me\t off somewhere,\tbut\tI\tfought\tback.\tI\tstamped\ton\this\tfoot,\tkneed\thim\tin\tthe\tgroin\tand then\tran\tand\tran\tuntil\tI\tgot\thome.\tFor\tweeks\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tleave\tthe\thouse.\tBut\tin\tthe end\t I\t figured\t that\t it\t was\t up\t to\t me.\t I\t never\t wanted\t to\t feel\t afraid\t again,\t so\t I\t did self-defence\t classes.\t I\t kept\t fit\t and\t strong.\t Made\t sure\t I\t could\t look\t after\t myself. No\t one\t else\t is\t going\t to\t do\t that\t for\t you.\t I\u2019ve\t never\t looked\t back.\t That\t day changed\tme.\tIt\twas\tan\tawakening.\tMaybe\tthis\tis\tyours.\tTrust\tme,\tthe\tworld\twill look\ta\twhole\tlot\tbetter\tafter\ta\tgood\tnight\u2019s\tsleep.\u201d He\tforced\ta\tsmile\tand\tyawned,\tleaning\this\thead\tback\ton\tthe\tfreshly\tplumped pillow.\t\u201cMaybe\tyou\u2019re\tright.\tThis\tis\tmy\twake-up\tcall.\tMakes\tyou\trealise\twhat\u2019s important\tand\twhat\u2019s\tnot.\tThanks,\tRiley.\tFor\teverything.\tI\towe\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tpatted her\thand\tand\tturned\ton\this\tside,\tclosing\this\teyes\tagain. \u201cGet\t some\t sleep\t and\t shake\t off\t this\t neg-head\t bullshit.\t We\t need\t you.\t I\t need you,\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\tbut\the\twas\talready\tfast\tasleep. **** Riley\tclosed\tthe\tdoor\tquietly\tbehind\ther.\tShe\u2019d\tnever\tseen\thim\tlike\tthis.\tHe\thad been\t running\t on\t empty\t and\t letting\t things\t get\t on\t top\t of\t him.\t It\t was\t like\t the\t last few\tdays\thad\tdrained\tall\tthat\tremained\tof\this\thope.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tit\tbefore\tduring her\t time\t as\t a\t physiotherapist\t working\t with\t combat\t veterans.\t Physical\t injury","sometimes\timpacted\ta\tperson\u2019s\toutlook\ton\tthe\tworld.\tShe\treassured\therself\tthat the\tcondition\twas\tnormally\ttemporary.\tNormally.\tThe\tsooner\tthey\tgot\tout\tof\tthis place,\tthe\tbetter. It\t was\t dinnertime\t downstairs\t and\t one\t of\t the\t sisters\t was\t ringing\t an\t old- fashioned\tbrass\thandbell,\tsummoning\tall\tthe\tresidents\tto\tthe\thall\twhere\tthey\thad laid\t out\t a\t buffet\t dinner.\t Two\t enormous\t stainless\t steel\t receptacles\t sat\t steaming, fresh\t from\t the\t kitchen.\t The\t smell\t was\t sensational.\t Fresh\t vegetable\t soup\t and\t a rich\tbeef\tchilli\tserved\twith\tfluffy\twhite\tbasmati\trice.\tAny\thot\tdinner\twas\tone\tto be\tsavoured. Two\t scrawny-looking\t women,\t with\t mean\t faces\t and\t skin\t wrinkled\t like\t old leather,\twere\tslopping\tgenerous\tportions\tonto\tbowls\theld\tout\tin\tturn\tby\tthe\tnext person\tin\tline.\tThey\treminded\tRiley\tof\tthe\tschool\tdinner\tladies\tat\ther\tsecondary school,\t with\t grey\t checked\t aprons\t and\t unfashionable\t hairnets.\t One\t of\t the younger\t girls\t was\t in\t charge\t of\t rationing\t one\t piece\t of\t bread\t and\t one\t slice\t of Victoria\t sponge\t cake\t for\t dessert.\t Apparently\t the\t cake\t was\t a\t rare\t treat,\t it\t being one\t of\t the\t women\u2019s\t birthday\t today.\t Adele\t ran\t up\t and\t joined\t Riley\t from\t where she\u2019d\tbeen\tsitting\twith\ttwo\tother\tyoung\tgirls\tabout\ther\town\tage. \u201cHey,\t kiddo.\t What\t ya\t been\t doing?\t Staying\t clear\t of\t the\t God\t squad?\u201d\t asked Riley. Adele\tlooked\tpuzzled.\t\u201cI\tsuppose.\tWhen\tare\twe\tgetting\tout\tof\tthis\tdump?\tIt\u2019s so,\tso\tboring\there.\tNo\tone\tlets\tyou\tdo\tanything.\tIt\u2019s\tall\t\u2018do\tthis,\tdo\tthat,\tdon\u2019t\tdo this,\t don\u2019t\t do\t that\u2019.\t Work,\t work,\t work.\t My\t fingers\t are\t red\t raw\t from\t peeling potatoes.\u201d \u201cYou\tpoor\tthing.\tSounds\tterrible.\tHave\tyou\teaten\talready?\u201d \u201cYeah,\talthough\tthe\tfood\u2019s\tdisgusting,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\ttoo\tloudly,\tto\tthe\tscorn\tof\tthe one\t of\t the\t dinner\t ladies.\t Adele\t stared\t back\t defiantly\t but\t then\t turned\t away,\t her cheeks\tflushed.\tRiley\tcarried\ther\ttray\tto\tthe\tfar\tend\tof\ta\tlong\ttable\twhere\ta\tgroup of\twomen\twas\tdeep\tin\tconversation,\tignoring\ttheir\tpresence\tuntil\tthey\tsat\tdown anyway. \u201cI\tsaw\tZed.\tHe\u2019s\tfeeling\ta\tlot\tbetter.\tReckon\the\u2019ll\tbe\tfit\tenough\tto\tmove\tfirst thing\tin\tthe\tmorning.\tHave\tyou\tseen\tthe\tothers?\u201d \u201cStella\twas\tat\tevening\tprayers.\tI\tsaw\tMila\toutside\thelping\tin\tthe\tgarden.\u201d Out\tof\tthe\tcorner\tof\ther\teye,\tshe\tnoticed\tthe\tMother\tSuperior\theading\tin\ttheir general\t direction.\t Her\t habit\t was\t so\t long\t she\t appeared\t to\t glide\t between\t the tables,\t pausing\t to\t make\t small\t talk,\t doing\t her\t bit\t for\t community\t relations.\t She paused\tat\tRiley\tand\tAdele\u2019s\ttable,\taware\tof\teyes\twatching\tfurtively\tfrom\tall\tthe surrounding\tgroups. \u201cI\t do\t hope\t you\u2019re\t settling\t in\t well.\t In\t time,\t I\u2019m\t sure\t you\t will\t come\t to appreciate\thow\twe\trun\tthings\tround\there.\u201d","\u201cWe\u2019re\tnot\tstaying.\tAs\tsoon\tas\tZed\u2019s\tbetter,\twe\u2019re\tleaving.\u201d \u201cWe\twere\trather\thoping\tthat\tyou\u2019d\tdecide\tto\tstay\tfor\ta\tlittle\tbit\tlonger.\u201d \u201cNot\t unless\t you\u2019ve\t softened\t your\t views\t on\t men\t in\t the\t last\t twenty-four hours?\u201d \u201cActually,\t quite\t the\t opposite.\t Their\t presence\t has\t provided\t a\t useful\t reminder of\twhy\twe\testablished\tthis\tcommune\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace:\tto\tprovide\tsanctuary\tfrom oppression.\tNothing\thas\tchanged\tfor\tany\tof\tus,\tnor\twill\tit\tany\ttime\tsoon,\tif\tthat\u2019s what\tyou\u2019re\thoping.\tIt\twas\tonly\tyour\tkindness\ttowards\tStella\tthat\tmade\tus\tbend our\t rules.\t As\t soon\t as\t your\t friend\t is\t well\t enough,\t the\t men\t must\t leave.\t As\t I\u2019m sure\tyou\tcan\tunderstand\u2026\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand,\u201d\tRiley\tinterrupted,\tinfuriated\tby\tthe\thigh-handedness\tof the\t sister.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t never\t understand.\u201d\t Those\t around\t them\t fell\t silent,\t turning\t their attention\tto\ttheir\tconversation. \u201cWell,\t in\t that\t case,\t perhaps\t it\u2019s\t better\t that\t you\t are\t leaving.\t We\t have\t tried\t to open\t your\t eyes,\t but\t if\t you\t choose\t not\t to\t see,\t then\t I\t cannot\t help\t you.\t My\t dear, turning\t a\t blind\t eye\t to\t evil\t doesn\u2019t\t make\t evil\t disappear.\t By\t ignoring\t something you\t sustain\t it.\t Until\t you\t take\t a\t stand,\t men\u2019s\t brutality\t will\t only\t get\t worse.\t The only\t person\t you\t are\t fooling\t is\t yourself.\u201d\t She\t turned\t and\t with\t a\t swish\t of\t her starched\thabit,\tshe\tbrushed\tpast\tthem\tand\twas\tgone. Riley\t clenched\t her\t fists,\t ready\t to\t explode,\t aware\t of\t others\t watching\t her. When\t she\t had\t regained\t control\t of\t her\t emotions\t she\t glanced\t across\t the\t table\t at Adele\t who\t was\t pulling\t a\t face\t at\t her,\t eyes-crossed\t and\t tongue\t lolling\t on\t her bottom\t lip,\t trying\t to\t make\t Riley\t laugh.\t It\t worked.\t Riley\t shook\t her\t head\t and leaned\tin\tto\twhisper\t\u201cSilly\twoman.\tWho\tdoes\tshe\tthink\tshe\tis?\u201d After\t dinner,\t they\t stacked\t their\t plates,\t put\t their\t trays\t back\t in\t the\t rack\t and wandered\t outside,\t engrossed\t in\t conversation.\t Riley\t was\t telling\t Adele\t all\t about life\t at\t Hurst,\t their\t routines,\t the\t people\t she\t would\t meet,\t the\t views\t over\t the\t sea and\tsurrounding\tcoastline.\tIt\twas\ta\tbeautiful\tclear\tevening,\ttheir\tshoes\tcrunching on\tthe\tgravel\tas\tthey\twalked\ttogether,\tside\tby\tside,\tAdele\u2019s\thand\tfinding\tRiley\u2019s and\tfalling\tinto\tstep\twith\ther. They\t headed\t through\t the\t courtyard\t past\t several\t parked\t vehicles\t looking\t for Joe\twho\twas\tsaid\tto\tbe\tin\tone\tof\tthe\toutbuildings,\tlocked\tup\twith\tthe\tother\tmen. The\t guard\t from\t earlier\t was\t sat\t outside\t the\t stable\t block,\t reading\t a\t paperback novel\twith\tembossed\tlettering\t on\tthe\tfront,\tsome\ttrashy\tromance.\tShe\traised\ta single\t finger\t to\t acknowledge\t their\t presence\t as\t she\t finished\t her\t page.\t Without saying\ta\tword,\tshe\tgot\tslowly\tto\ther\tfeet,\tbeckoning\tthem\tto\tfollow. At\t the\t back\t of\t the\t building\t block,\t along\t a\t crumbling\t old\t brick\t wall\t were some\t gabled\t doors.\t She\t wrestled\t with\t the\t padlock\t before\t unhooking\t the\t latch and\t swinging\t the\t door\t open\t just\t wide\t enough\t for\t the\t two\t visitors\t to\t squeeze","through.\t As\t she\t closed\t and\t locked\t it\t again,\t she\t called\t out\t in\t a\t gruff\t voice\t that they\twere\tto\tknock\twhen\tthey\twere\tdone\tand\tshe\u2019d\tcome\tback\tand\tlet\tthem\tout again. Inside\t it\t was\t surprisingly\t dark.\t A\t single\t window\t was\t covered\t with\t cobwebs and\t years\t of\t accumulated\t grime.\t It\t took\t a\t couple\t of\t seconds\t for\t their\t eyes\t to adjust\tbefore\tlocating\tJoe\tin\tthe\tdarkness.\tHe\twas\tlying\ton\ta\tlow\tcamp\tbed\twith his\tarms\tbehind\this\thead\tdaydreaming. \u201cHow\t you\t doing,\t trouble?\u201d\t asked\t Riley.\t She\t sat\t on\t the\t side\t of\t the\t bed, leaning\t back\t against\t the\t bare\t brickwork.\t A\t shiver\t rippled\t through\t her\t back\t and shoulders.\t She\t hugged\t her\t knees\t tightly.\t Adele\t kept\t her\t distance,\t seemingly unsure\tof\therself\tin\tJoe\u2019s\tcompany. \u201cCan\u2019t\t complain,\u201d\t said\t Joe\t with\t a\t sigh,\t pulling\t his\t sweater\t down\t over\t his bulging\tstomach. \u201cFor\tsomeone\twho\u2019s\tbeen\tlocked\tup\tin\ta\tdingy\tstable\tyou\tsound\tsurprisingly cheery.\u201d He\tsmiled\tand\trolled\ton\this\tside.\tThere\twas\tan\tunexpected\tglow\tabout\thim. \u201cWell,\t can\u2019t\t say\t I\u2019ve\t ever\t been\t anywhere\t like\t this\t before.\t Not\t sure\t I\t want\t to leave\tso\tsoon.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\tWe\tcan\u2019t\twait\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthis\tdump.\u201d \u201cThe\t women\t here\t are\t not\t like\t any\t I\u2019ve\t met\t before,\t just\u2026to\t die\t for.\u201d\t He sounded\tdreamy,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tjust\twoken\tup. \u201cHave\tyou\tgone\tsoft\tin\tthe\thead?\tWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\u201d \u201cOh,\t they\u2019ve\t kept\t me\t pretty\t busy.\t I\u2019ve\t barely\t had\t a\t moment\t to\t myself.\t I\u2019m now\ta\tfully\tsigned-up\tmember\tof\ttheir\tbreeding\tprogramme.\u201d Riley\tlaughed\tin\tshock.\t\u201cPlease\ttell\tme\tyou\u2019re\tkidding?\u201d \u201cNope,\t not\t a\t bit\t of\t it.\t Two\t visitors\t today\t already.\t All\t wanting\t the\t same thing.\u201d\tHe\tput\this\tarms\tbehind\this\thead,\tlooking\tvery\tpleased\twith\thimself.\t\u201cNo complaints\tfrom\tme.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tmore\tthan\thappy\tto\toblige.\u201d \u201cGross,\u201d\tsaid\tAdele.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tdisgusting.\u201d \u201cNot\tto\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tJoe\tdefiantly.\t\u201cBest\tthing\tthat\u2019s\tever\thappened.\tI\tfeel\tlike\ta gigolo.\tNever\thad\tsuch\tfun.\tNever\twant\tto\tleave.\u201d \u201cYou\t look\t like\t you\u2019ve\t died\t and\t gone\t to\t heaven,\t you\t dirty\t dog,\u201d\t said\t Riley, laughing.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tgrim,\tJoe.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tfind\tit\tdemeaning?\tIt\u2019s\tborderline\tinhumane keeping\tyou\tand\tthe\tothers\tlocked\tup\tlike\tthis\tand\tbeing\tforced\tto\tmate.\u201d\tHe\twas smiling,\tenjoying\ther\tsuperciliousness,\tlistening\t intently\tto\t her\tprotestations\tof injustice\tand\tmorality.\t\u201cBut\they,\tI\tcan\tsee\tit\u2019s\tpointless\targuing\twith\tyou.\tYou\u2019re like\ta\tcat\tthat\u2019s\tgot\tthe\tcream.\u201d \u201cToo\tright.\tBeyond\tmy\twildest\tdreams.\u201d She\tlaughed,\tin\tspite\tof\ther\tfeelings.\tRiley\ttold\thim\tabout\tZed\tand\tthe\tothers.","\u201cAs\tsoon\tas\tZed\tis\tfit\tenough\tto\twalk,\twe\u2019re\tout\tof\there.\tWith\tor\twithout\tyou.\tIf you\t want\t to\t stay\t here\t and\t live\t like\t this,\t fair\t play.\t But\t we\t need\t to\t get\t back\t to Hurst.\u201d Joe\tnodded.\tIt\tfelt\tlike\tdays\tsince\tthey\u2019d\tleft\tHurst,\tbut\tin\treality\tit\twas\tless than\tforty-eight\thours. Riley\t became\t pensive,\t thinking\t about\t their\t friends\t back\t at\t the\t castle, suddenly\tworried\tat\thow\tlong\tthey\thad\tbeen\tgone.\t\u201cThey\u2019ll\tbe\twondering\twhat\u2019s happened\t to\t us\t by\t now.\t Those\t guys\t from\t the\t hospital\t are\t sure\t to\t come\t looking for\tus,\twhether\tthey\tfollow\tthe\ttrail\there\tor\tgo\tstraight\tto\tHurst.\tIf\tthis\tplace\tgets attacked,\t we\u2019re\t all\t too\t vulnerable.\t It\u2019s\t a\t miracle\t they\u2019ve\t lasted\t this\t long,\t unless someone\tis\tprotecting\tthem.\u201d \u201cCan\u2019t\twe\tstay\ta\tfew\tmore\tdays?\tI\u2019m\tjust\tbeginning\tto\tlike\tit\there,\u201d\tpleaded Joe. \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tlive\tlike\tthis.\tYou\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tjob\tto\tdo.\tBack\tin\tthe\treal\tworld.\tHurst needs\tyou.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\trespond,\tbut\the\tknew\tshe\twas\tright.\t\u201cOkay,\tokay.\tJust\tcome\tand\tget me\tin\tthe\tmorning\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tready\tto\tleave.\tIf\tI\u2019m\tnot\ttoo\tbusy,\tI\tsuppose\tI could\tcome\twith\tyou,\ttear\tmyself\taway\tfrom\tall\tthis\thard\tlabour.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tspirit.\tEnjoy\tit\twhile\tit\tlasts.\u201d Riley\tpatted\tJoe\ton\tthe\tcalf\tand\tsauntered\tover\tto\tthe\tdoor.\tShe\tlingered\tfor\ta second,\t taking\t in\t the\t squalor\t of\t Joe\u2019s\t confinement,\t light\t streaming\t through\t a large\thole\tfrom\ta\tknot\tin\tthe\twood.\tShe\trapped\ther\tknuckles\tloudly\ton\tthe\tstable door\tand\twaited\tfor\tthe\tguard\tto\tlet\tthem\tout. \u201cSee\tyou\ttomorrow,\tstud.\u201d","Chapter\tThirty-six At\t ten\t o\u2019clock\t sharp,\t the\t bell\t for\t curfew\t rang\t and\t Riley,\t Mila\t and\t Adele\t were escorted\tback\tto\tthe\tdrawing\troom\tthat\tserved\tas\ttheir\tdormitory.\tEvery\tresident was\t expected\t to\t be\t in\t her\t own\t room,\t with\t lights\t out\t by\t ten\t thirty.\t It\t reminded Riley\tof\tthe\tsummer\tactivity\tcamps\ther\tparents\thad\tsent\ther\ton,\tbut\twithout\tany of\tthe\tfun. It\thad\tbeen\tan\tenjoyable\tevening\twith\tRiley\tand\tMila\tas\tguests\tof\thonour\tfor a\t whole\t programme\t of\t entertainment\t organised\t by\t the\t Chewton\t Glen\t social committee.\t A\t general\t knowledge\t quiz\t was\t followed\t by\t an\t open-microphone style\t session,\t rounded\t off\t with\t a\t reading\t from\t Charles\t Dickens\u2019s\t Great Expectations\tby\ta\tyoung\tgirl\twith\tan\taccomplished\ttheatrical\tvoice. Adele\t fell\t asleep\t on\t a\t sofa\t waiting\t for\t the\t grown-ups\t to\t finish\t their conversations.\t Riley\t struggled\t to\t lift\t her\t limp\t body.\t Her\t skin\t was\t the\t colour\t of milk,\t almost\t translucent\t in\t the\t dim\t light\t of\t the\t candle\t Stella\t carried,\t leading them\t back\t to\t the\t drawing\t room\t where\t they\t were\t sleeping.\t She\t made\t sure\t they still\t had\t blankets\t and\t pillows\t and\t then\t stood\t aside\t as\t one\t of\t the\t guards\t locked them\tin\tfor\tthe\tnight. Riley\t covered\t Adele\t with\t a\t blanket\t and\t settled\t down\t into\t the\t armchair, adjusting\t the\t cushions\t behind\t her\t head.\t She\t stared\t at\t the\t empty\t leather\t sofa where\t Zed\t had\t slept\t the\t previous\t night.\t She\t had\t checked\t in\t on\t him\t again\t after dinner\t but\t he\t was\t still\t spark\t out.\t A\t plasma\t drip\t was\t attached\t to\t his\t arm, replenishing\t lost\t fluids.\t His\t complexion\t was\t regaining\t some\t of\t its\t usual\t colour as\tthe\tmedicine\tworked\tits\tmagic. Riley\tclosed\ther\teyes\tand\twas\tjust\tdrifting\toff\twhen\tsomeone\tstarted\tringing the\tdinner\tbell\twith\tan\tunmistakeable\tdegree\tof\turgency. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton?\u201d\tasked\ta\tstartled\tMila,\tsitting\tbolt\tupright. Riley\traced\tover\tto\tthe\tdoor\tand\tstarted\tbanging\ton\tit,\trattling\tthe\thandle\tand shouting\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\ther\tvoice,\tbut\tthere\twas\tno\tanswer.\tThey\twere\tin\ta\tremote part\t of\t the\t hotel,\t way\t down\t a\t long\t corridor,\t far\t from\t the\t main\t living\t quarters. Mila\t joined\t her,\t peering\t through\t the\t keyhole\t but\t all\t she\t could\t see\t was\t the\t far wall\t and\t a\t doorway\t to\t another\t room.\t Riley\t pushed\t her\t out\t the\t way\t to\t see\t for herself.\tIf\tit\twasn\u2019t\ther\timagination,\tthere\twas\ta\tthin\tveil\tof\tsmoke\tbeginning\tto form,\tdrifting\talong\tthe\tcorridor,\tjust\tunder\tthe\tceiling.\tShe\tbanged\tharder\ton\tthe","door.\tIn\tthe\troom\tabove,\tthey\theard\tfootsteps\tand\tsomething\theavy\tfalling\tover. Mila\tunfastened\tthe\tlatch\ton\tthe\tsash\twindow\tand\ttried\tto\theave\tit\topen\tbut noticed\tsecurity\tbolts\theld\tit\tlocked\tin\tplace.\tTheir\tonly\toption\twas\tto\tsmash\tthe glass.\tMeanwhile,\tAdele\tbeat\tout\ta\trhythm\tat\tthe\tdoor.\tShe\tsaid\tthe\tsmoke\tin\tthe hallway\t was\t hanging\t heavier\t from\t the\t ceiling,\t slowly\t filling\t all\t skylights, apertures\t and\t recesses\t moving\t towards\t them\t down\t the\t corridor.\t The\t smell\t of burning\twood\tand\tplastic\treached\tthem\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\tSomeone\twas\tringing the\t bell\t again,\t more\t insistent,\t this\t time\t more\t distant.\t Had\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t hotel residents\tforgotten\tall\tabout\tthem? Riley\tpicked\tup\ta\tplastic\tchair\tand\ttested\tits\tweight.\t\u201cStand\tback,\tI\u2019m\tgoing to\t break\t the\t glass.\u201d\t She\t had\t a\t practice\t swing\t and\t then\t threw\t the\t chair\t with\t all her\tmight\ttowards\tthe\twindow. One\tof\tthe\tchair\tlegs\tfolded\tinwards,\tcoming\toff\tsecond\tbest\tin\tthe\tcollision against\t the\t frame\t of\t the\t original\t sash\t window.\t It\t bounced\t back\t harmlessly without\t making\t any\t impact\t on\t the\t glass\t itself.\t She\t tried\t again,\t this\t time\t with Mila\u2019s\t help.\t Instead\t of\t throwing\t it,\t they\t used\t the\t chair\t leg\t as\t a\t battering\t ram. With\t the\t first\t attempt,\t the\t glass\t cracked\t diagonally,\t but\t did\t not\t break.\t Their second\t effort\t shattered\t the\t glass\t into\t a\t dozen\t pieces\t and\t the\t lower\t half\t of\t the pane\t broke\t on\t to\t the\t thick\t pile\t of\t the\t carpet\t and\t flowerbed\t outside.\t They knocked\tout\tthe\tremaining\tpieces\tand\tlaid\ta\tblanket\tover\tthe\tframe\tto\tcover\tthe remaining\t shards.\t They\t lifted\t Adele\t through\t the\t empty\t window,\t still\t groggy from\tsleep,\tpassing\ther\twith\tsome\tdifficulty\tto\tRiley\tstanding\ton\tthe\tother\tside. With\t the\t extra\t weight\t of\t her\t load\t Riley's\t feet\t sank\t deep\t into\t the\t earth,\t as\t the pointed\tthorns\tof\ta\trose\tbush\tscratched\tat\ther\tarms. In\t the\t cool\t night\t air,\t it\t was\t strangely\t quiet\t on\t this\t far\t side\t of\t the\t building. The\tlight\twas\teerily\tbright\tand\tstrangely\tincongruous.\tAn\torange\tglow\tlit\tup\tthe sky\t that\t reminded\t Riley\t of\t the\t fifth\t of\t November,\t fireworks\t night.\t She\t half expected\t to\t find\t a\t towering\t bonfire,\t explosions\t in\t a\t million\t colours\t and shimmering\tsparkles\training\tdown\tabove\ttheir\theads. She\tgrabbed\tAdele\u2019s\thand\tand\ttogether\tthey\traced\tround\tto\tthe\tother\tside\tof the\tbuilding\tto\tfind\ta\thive\tof\tactivity.\tSmoke\twas\tpouring\tfrom\ttwo\tof\tthe\tupper windows\ton\tthe\tsecond\tfloor,\tcurling\tinto\tthe\tnight\tsky.\tFire\thad\tbroken\tthrough the\t roof\t in\t one\t section\t further\t down.\t Twenty\t women\t passed\t bucketload\t after bucketload\tof\twater\thand\tover\thand\tdown\ta\thuman\tchain.\tEach\tbucket\twas\tsent slopping\ttowards\tthe\tFrench\tdoors\tthat\tled\ttowards\tthe\tlobby\tarea\tand\tstaircase to\tthe\tupper\tfloors. With\t a\t shudder,\t Riley\t remembered\t Zed.\t He\t was\t likely\t still\t in\t the\t infirmary on\t the\t second\t floor.\t In\t his\t weakened\t state,\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t possibly\t get\t out\t on\t his own.\t As\t she\thurried\tinside\t heading\ttowards\tthe\tstaircase,\tSister\t Georgina\theld","her\thand\tup\tto\tstop\ther.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ttoo\tdangerous.\tNo\tone\u2019s\tallowed\tup\tthere.\u201d The\tsister\twas\tright.\tFrom\tRiley\u2019s\tbrief\tstint\tas\tthe\tvolunteer\tfire\tmarshal\tat the\t physiotherapy\t centre\t for\t veterans,\t rule\t one\t was\t to\t get\t everyone\t out\t safely and\twait\tfor\tthe\tfire\tbrigade.\tThe\tonly\tproblem\twas\tno\tone\twas\tcoming\tto\thelp. Either\tshe\twent\tin\therself\tor\tZed\twould\tdie.\tShe\tmade\tup\ther\tmind.\tShe\thad\tto reach\thim.\tIt\twas\tup\tto\tRiley. \u201cTry\t and\t stop\t me,\u201d\t she\t said,\t pushing\t past.\t The\t sister\t lunged\t for\t Riley\u2019s sleeve\tbut\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate.\tRiley\ttook\tthe\tstairs\ttwo\tat\ta\ttime.\tShe\tpassed\ta\tgaggle of\twomen\tcoming\tback\tdown,\ttheir\tbuckets\tempty,\tready\tto\tbe\trefilled\tfrom\tthe ornamental\tponds. On\tthe\tfirst-floor\tlanding,\tthe\t line\tof\twomen\tbent\tright\t towards\tthe\tcrackle and\troar\tof\tthe\tfire.\tShe\tcould\thear\traised\tvoices\tshouting\tinstructions,\ta\tnote\tof panic\tas\tthey\tfought\tto\tregain\tcontrol.\tRiley\tshielded\ther\tface\tagainst\tthe\tstifling heat.\tShe\tcould\tsee\tflames\tnot\ttwenty\tmetres\taway\tdown\tthe\tcorridor\tin\tone\tof the\t bedrooms\t on\t the\t first\t floor.\t The\t infirmary\t was\t on\t the\t next\t floor\t up.\t The stairs\t were\t deserted\t and\t dark.\t She\t knew\t she\t had\t to\t be\t quick.\t The\t flames\t had already\tbroken\tthrough\tbetween\tfloors. She\twas\thalfway\tup\tthe\tnext\tstaircase\twhen\tshe\tstopped\tdead,\tovercome\tby\ta powerful\t sense\t of\t d\u00e9j\u00e0\t vu.\t Instinct\t told\t her\t what\t she\t needed\t to\t do.\t Diving\t into one\tof\tthe\tbathrooms\tshe\tgrabbed\ta\tbath\ttowel,\tsoaked\tit\tin\ta\tbowl\tof\tgrey\twater left\t out\t for\t washing\t hands.\t Wrapping\t the\t towel\t around\t her\t head\t and\t shoulders, she\t poured\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t bowl\t over\t her,\t soaking\t her\t clothes\t to\t give\t her\t some protection\tagainst\tthe\theat. Slowing\ther\tpace,\tshe\ttested\ther\tweight\ton\teach\tof\tthe\tsteps,\tunsure\tof\twhat lay\t ahead.\t There\t was\t a\t heavy\t fire\t door\t that\t gave\t access\t towards\t the\t infirmary. Inside,\t it\t was\t suspiciously\t quiet.\t There\t was\t no\t sign\t of\t flames,\t but\t thick\t smoke hung\t heavy\t from\t the\t ceiling\t all\t the\t way\t down\t to\t waist\t height.\t There\t was\t an impenetrable\twall\tof\theat\tand\tcloying\tfumes.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tsmoke\tcatch\tin her\tthroat,\tas\tshe\tstruggled\tto\tbreathe.\tThe\tcool\ttowel\twrapped\taround\ther\thead was\t already\t steaming.\t She\t hesitated,\t painfully\t aware\t of\t the\t danger\t if\t she continued. Riley\t remembered\t her\t fire\t marshal\t training\t and\t got\t down\t on\t her\t hands\t and knees,\t staying\t low,\t just\t underneath\t the\t layer\t of\t smoke\t where\t the\t heat\t was\t less intense.\t She\t crawled\t along\t the\t carpet,\t clutching\t the\t damp\t towel\t to\t her\t mouth. The\t air\t was\t acrid\t and\t burned\t her\t throat.\t She\t started\t coughing,\t gulping\t air greedily\t and\t feeling\t the\t panic\t begin\t to\t rise\t in\t her\t throat.\t She\t felt\t nauseous\t and retched\ton\tthe\tcarpet. Focus,\t Riley,\t she\t told\t herself,\t you\t have\t to\t do\t this.\t She\t continued\t onwards, feeling\t for\t the\t doorways\t to\t her\t left.\t The\t first\t door\t was\t locked,\t the\t second\t was","the\t nurse\u2019s\t station\t but\t the\t room\t was\t empty.\t Perhaps\t the\t nurse\t had\t taken\t Zed with\ther.\tShe\thad\tto\tbe\tsure. Putting\t her\t weight\t against\t what\t she\t assumed\t was\t Zed\u2019s\t door\t she\t levered\t it open\twith\tsome\tdifficulty.\tIt\tfelt\tas\tif\tshe\twas\tfighting\tagainst\tan\tinvisible\tforce, pressure\tsealed\tagainst\tthe\tsmoke\tand\theat.\tZed\twas\tbeginning\tto\tstir,\toblivious to\t the\t drama\t that\t was\t unfolding\t all\t around\t him.\t As\t the\t door\t began\t to\t close behind\ther,\tit\tfelt\tlike\tall\tthe\tair\twas\tbeing\tsucked\tfrom\tthe\troom,\tas\tif\ta\tvacuum had\tbeen\tbroken.\tShe\tnoticed\tthe\ttop\twindow\twas\tajar.\tThe\tfire\tsucked\tgreedily at\tthis\tfresh\tsource\tof\toxygen.\tIn\tthe\tcorridor,\tshe\theard\ta\tfunnelling\tof\tair\tas\tthe flames\tleapt,\trejuvenated.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tmuch\ttime. She\t shook\t Zed\t by\t the\t shoulders,\t whispering\t his\t name\t softly.\t His\t eyes flickered\t open,\t groggy\t and\t disoriented,\t then\t closed\t again.\t She\t tried\t again, shouting\t this\t time,\t an\t edge\t of\t panic\t creeping\t into\t her\t voice,\t \u201cZed,\t wake\t up, wake\tup.\u201d He\tstirred,\this\teyes\twide,\tblinking\tat\ther,\tstill\tvacant\tand\tfar\taway.\tThe\tnurse must\t have\t given\t him\t something\t for\t the\t pain.\t She\t slapped\t him\t hard\t across\t the face,\t shaking\t him\t by\t the\t shoulders.\t She\t raised\t her\t hand\t to\t strike\t him\t again\t but his\tfree\thand\tgrabbed\ther\twrist\tbefore\tshe\tmade\tcontact. \u201cOkay,\tRiley.\tI\u2019m\tawake.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tno\ttime\tto\texplain.\tWe\tneed\tto\tgo\tright\tnow.\u201d He\tgot\tgingerly\tto\this\tfeet,\this\tlegs\tweak\tand\tunbalanced.\tShe\tsupported\this large\t frame,\t manoeuvring\t him\t towards\t the\t closed\t door.\t At\t first\t the\t door appeared\tlocked,\tvacuum\tsealed\tby\tthe\tdifference\tin\tair\tpressure,\tbut\tshe\thauled it\topen\twith\tall\ther\tmight.\tAs\tshe\tdid\tso\tthe\troar\tof\tflames\tgrew\tsuddenly\tlouder and\tfrom\tthe\tfar\tend\tof\tthe\tcorridor\tcame\ta\tsurge\tof\theat. Riley\t pushed\t Zed\t down\t to\t the\t ground\t and\t collapsed\t on\t top\t of\t him.\t An explosion\t of\t heat\t and\t flame\t enveloped\t them\t and\t swept\t past\t them\t into\t the infirmary,\tblasting\tthe\tdoor\thalf\toff\tits\thinges.\tRiley\tcould\ttaste\tsoot\tand\tburning hair\tin\ther\tmouth\tand\tnose. She\t pulled\t Zed\t on\t to\t his\t hands\t and\t knees\t and\t they\t started\t crawling\t side\t by side\t towards\t the\t stairwell.\t The\t smoke\t was\t cloying\t and\t darker\t now,\t only\t a\t few inches\tfrom\tthe\tcarpet.\tIt\twas\thopeless.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tanything,\ttears\trolling down\t her\t cheeks.\t The\t heat\t behind\t them\t was\t intense.\t Zed\u2019s\t whole\t body convulsed\t with\t coughing\t but\t she\t encouraged\t him\t onwards,\t grabbing\t his\t good arm\tand\thalf\thauling\thim\ta\tfew\tmore\tinches\ttowards\tsafety. The\tfire\t door\tstood\t resolute\tat\tthe\tend\t of\t the\t corridor.\tA\tsmall\t rectangle\tof light\tjust\tvisible\tthrough\tthe\tsmoke.\tThe\twhole\tspace\twas\tnow\tcompletely\tdark. It\twas\tonly\tby\tfeeling\ther\tway\talong\tthe\twall\tand\tcounting\tthe\tdoorways\tthat\tshe realised\tthey\tmust\tbe\twithin\ttouching\tdistance.","Her\t breathing\t was\t coming\t in\t short\t rasps.\t Zed\t had\t collapsed\t beside\t her, unable\tto\tgo\t further.\tIt\tseemed\tto\tbe\tgrowing\thotter\tby\tthe\tsecond.\tThe\tcarpet fibres\t were\t sticky\t to\t the\t touch\t from\t the\t heat\t below.\t The\t whole\t corridor\t had become\t a\t furnace.\t Unless\t they\t got\t moving\t again,\t it\t would\t soon\t become\t their tomb. She\tthrust\ther\thand\tout\tone\tlast\ttime\tand\ttouched\tthe\tflat\tpainted\tsurface\tof the\tfire\tdoor,\tits\tpaint\tfelt\tlike\tit\twas\tbeginning\tto\tblister.\tHer\tfingers\tfound\tthe edge\tof\tthe\tdoor\tand\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tprise\tit\topen,\tforcing\tit\toutwards.\tThe\trush of\tcooler\tair\twas\tdelicious\tand\tintoxicating. Riley\t stood\t and\t fell\t outwards\t on\t to\t the\t landing,\t reaching\t back\t to\t pull\t Zed through.\tThey\tboth\tlay\tthere\tfor\ta\tfew\tseconds\twith\ttheir\tchests\theaving,\tpanting hard,\ttrying\tto\tget\ttheir\tbreath\tback\tbefore\ta\tdarkness\tenveloped\tRiley. She\t was\t dimly\t aware\t of\t voices\t on\t the\t stairs.\t Hands\t helping\t them\t back\t up. She\twas\tbarely\tconscious\tas\tthey\tsupported\ther\tdown\tthe\tstairs.\tHer\thead\trolled against\t a\t supporting\t shoulder\t as\t they\t half\t dragged\t her\t down\t towards\t ground- floor\t level.\t She\t was\t carried\t through\t a\t conservatory\t filled\t with\t pot\t plants\t and acres\t of\t glass\t and\t finally\t outside\t to\t be\t lowered\t gently\t on\t to\t the\t grass.\t It\t felt deliriously\t cool\t and\t moist\t on\t the\t back\t of\t her\t bare\t arms,\t soothing\t the\t burning sensation\ton\texposed\tflesh\tat\ther\twrists\tand\tknees\tthrough\tripped\tjeans. One\t of\t the\t last\t things\t Riley\t remembered\t was\t Adele\t hugging\t her\t tightly around\t her\t neck.\t She\t lay\t there\t staring\t up\t into\t the\t night\t sky,\t watching\t clouds drifting\t lazily\t over\t their\t heads.\t She\t was\t a\t spent\t force,\t every\t last\t ounce\t of strength\tgone.\tThe\tflames\tfrom\ttwo\tupper\twindows\tbathed\tthe\ttrees\tand\tgrass\tall around\ther\tin\tlight,\tcasting\ta\twarming\torange\tglow. As\t she\t drifted\t in\t and\t out\t of\t consciousness,\t the\t upstairs\t windows\t began\t to resemble\t demonic\t eyes\t flaring\t wildly.\t The\t flames\t licked\t the\t outside\t of\t the building,\t making\t the\t iron\t gutters\t and\t fixings\t glow\t and\t spark.\t Alongside\t her, Zed\u2019s\tbody\tlay\tmotionless,\tas\tone\tof\tthe\twomen\tpumped\this\tchest\twith\tthe\tpalm of\ther\thand,\ttrying\tto\tresuscitate\thim.\tRiley\tgrasped\this\thand,\tsqueezing\tit\thard and\tthen\tpassed\tout.","Chapter\tThirty-seven As\t dawn\t broke\t at\t the\t Chewton\t Glen\t hotel,\t the\t fire\t had\t burned\t itself\t out.\t The southern\t end\t of\t the\t main\t building\t was\t a\t scarred,\t smoking\t wreck,\t blackened timbers\t exposed\t to\t the\t pale\t light\t of\t the\t new\t day.\t Laid\t out\t on\t the\t lawn\t were\t a dozen\tbodies\tcovered\tin\tblankets\tand\tsheets\tor\twhatever\tthey\tcould\tfind\tto\thide their\tfaces.\tMost\tof\tthe\tvictims\thad\tbeen\tovercome\tby\tsmoke,\tas\tthey\twaited\tto be\trescued,\ttrapped\tin\tupstairs\trooms\tby\tthe\trampaging\tflames. Riley\tsat\tconsoling\tStella,\ther\tface\tblackened,\thair\tsinged\tin\tplaces.\tJudging by\t people\u2019s\t reaction\t to\t Riley\u2019s\t appearance,\t she\t concluded\t she\t must\t look\t as awful\t as\t she\t felt.\t Stella\t had\t her\t head\t in\t her\t hands,\t sobbing.\t So\t many\t of\t her friends\twere\tgone,\ttheir\tlives\textinguished.\tIt\tseemed\tso\twrong\tthat\tthey\tshould have\tsurvived\tthe\tvirus,\tonly\tto\tbe\tkilled\tby\tsomething\tinnocuous\tlike\ta\tcandle left\t to\t burn.\t Sister\t Imelda\t said\t the\t candle\t might\t have\t fallen\t over,\t out\t of\t its saucer\t and\t on\t to\t a\t carpet\t or\t against\t a\t drape.\t In\t a\t few\t minutes,\t the\t whole bedroom\twould\thave\tbeen\tablaze\tand\tthen\tfrom\tthere,\ta\tfire\tuncontained\twould have\tspread\trapidly\tto\tthe\tother\trooms. Stella\tlooked\tup,\ttears\tstreaming\tdown\ther\tface.\tMila\tsat\tcross-legged\ton\tthe picnic\t blanket,\t hugging\t Stella\t tightly.\t There\t was\t nothing\t that\t anyone\t could\t say to\tmake\tit\tbetter,\tso\tshe\tsaid\tnothing.\tThe\tthree\tof\tthem\tstared\tback\tat\tthe\thotel, as\tit\tsmouldered\tquietly,\tthe\tfire\u2019s\tenergy\tspent. Sister\tTheodora\twas\tbusying\therself\torganising\tothers,\thanding\tround\tcups\tof tea,\t cut-up\t fruit\t and\t blankets\t for\t those\t who\t had\t fought\t so\t hard\t throughout\t the night\tto\tsave\tthe\thotel\tand\trescue\tthe\ttrapped\twomen.\tMila\tstroked\tAdele\u2019s\thair one\t last\t time\t and\t kissed\t her\t gently\t on\t the\t forehead.\t She\t rose\t to\t go\t find\t the others. The\tnurse\thad\tset\tup\ta\ttemporary\tsurgery\tin\tone\tof\tthe\toutbuildings\tthat\thad once\t been\t a\t soft-play\t gym\t for\t toddlers.\t Its\t padded\t floors\t were\t bright\t blues\t and reds\t that\t made\t for\t comfortable\t mattresses\t to\t treat\t the\t walking\t wounded\t and those\t more\t seriously\t injured\t by\t the\t fire.\t In\t the\t corner,\t on\t the\t far\t side,\t Riley found\t Zed\t wrapped\t in\t a\t blanket,\t clutching\t a\t steaming\t mug\t of\t milky\t tea. Someone\thad\tcleaned\this\tface,\tbut\taround\this\teyes\tand\tears\tthere\twere\tstreaks\tof dirt\t and\t singed\t hair\t that\t reminded\t Riley\t of\t the\t 7\/7\t bombing\t victims\t on\t the London\t Underground\t all\t those\t years\t ago.\t There\t was\t a\t look\t of\t terror\t etched\t on","his\tface,\tstaring\tblankly\twith\tunseeing\teyes.\tHe\twas\talive,\tbut\thad\tneeded\tCPR to\tget\thim\tbreathing\tagain,\tovercome\tby\tfumes.\tHe\tnodded\twearily\tat\tRiley\tand blinked\this\teyes\trapidly\tas\tshe\tapproached. \u201cLooking\tgood,\tZed.\tYou\tjust\tcan\u2019t\tstay\tout\tof\ttrouble.\u201d He\t tried\t to\t sit\t up\t but\t the\t strain\t was\t too\t much\t and\t he\t slumped\t back.\t Mila helped\t him\t upright.\t She\t leaned\t him\t back\t against\t the\t bright\t red\t cushions\t that smelled\tof\ta\tnursery.\tThe\tdisinfectant\tdid\ta\tpoor\tjob\tof\tmasking\ta\theady\tblend\tof nappies\tand\trancid\tmilk. \u201cHow\tare\tthe\tothers?\u201d\tasked\tZed. \u201cStella\t got\t out\t early.\t She\t was\t lucky.\t Some\t of\t them\t didn\u2019t\t make\t it\t out\t at\t all. Six\tdied\tin\ttheir\tsleep.\tThey\tjust\tnever\twoke\tup.\tThere\twasn\u2019t\ta\tmark\ton\tthem.\u201d Riley\t shook\t her\t head,\t still\t trying\t to\t dispel\t the\t mental\t image\t of\t those\t women lying\tdead\tin\ttheir\tbeds.\t\u201cIf\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tdie,\tthat\u2019s\thow\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tgo.\tIn\tmy bed,\tdreaming\tof\tbeing\ton\ta\tbeach\tsomewhere\thot.\u201d\tHer\tvoice\ttrailed\toff. \u201cWe\tneed\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthis\tplace,\u201d\tsaid\tZed,\this\tvoice\tcroaky.\tHe\treached\tfor a\t glass\t of\t water,\t clearing\t his\t throat\t before\t continuing.\t \u201cWe\t need\t to\t get\t back\t to Hurst,\tto\tour\town\tpeople.\tWe\u2019ve\tbeen\tgone\ttoo\tlong\talready.\tThey\u2019ll\tbe\tworried about\tus.\tWhat\tif\tthey\tsent\ta\trescue\tparty\tor\tfollowed\tour\ttrail\tinto\ttown?\tThey\u2019d go\tstraight\tto\tthe\thospital.\tWe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tget\tback.\u201d \u201cNot\t till\t you\u2019re\t well\t enough\t to\t move.\t Remember\t what\t the\t nurse\t said,\u201d\t said Riley. \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime\tenough\tto\twait\taround\there,\u201d\tsaid\tZed. \u201cAnd\t we\t can\u2019t\t just\t leave\t these\t people\t in\t their\t hour\t of\t need.\t Look\t around.\u201d She\t extended\t her\t arm\t towards\t the\t twenty\t or\t so\t people\t stretched\t out\t around them.\t Some\t were\t fighting\t for\t breath\t from\t smoke\t inhalation,\t others\t were\t in agony\t from\t burns.\t The\t nurse\t was\t bustling\t between\t them,\t bathing\t limbs\t and foreheads\twith\twet\ttowels.\t\u201cThey\tneed\tus.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\tjust\tship\tout\tafter\tall\tthey\u2019ve done\tfor\tus.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tnothing\twe\tcan\tdo\tfor\tthem.\tThey\tbrought\tthis\ton\tthemselves.\u201d \u201cWhat?\t You\t can\u2019t\t seriously\t be\t suggesting\t that\t none\t of\t this\t would\t have happened\tif\tmen\thad\tbeen\taround\tto\tsave\tthe\tday?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t twist\t my\t words,\t Riley.\t I\u2019m\t just\t saying\t that\t what\t comes\t around\t goes around.\tLet\u2019s\tnot\tforget\tthat\tJoe\tis\tstill\tlocked\tup\tin\tthe\tstables.\u201d \u201cPlease\ttell\tme\tyou\u2019re\tjoking.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\t seen\t it\t before.\t Cosmic\t forces.\t Karma.\t Call\t it\t what\t you\t like.\u201d\t He glanced\t up\t and\t raised\t his\t eyebrows.\t \u201cWhat\t would\t the\t sisters\t say:\t \u2018The\t Lord moves\tin\tmysterious\tways.\u2019\tI\u2019m\tjust\tsaying\tthat\tnatural\tforces\tare\tat\twork\there, rebalancing.\tHoni\tsoit\tqui\tmal\ty\tpense\tand\tall\tthat.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdoes\tthat\teven\tmean?\u201d\tasked\tMila,\tpuzzled.","\u201cYou\tknow,\tthe\tOrder\tof\tthe\tGarter.\tEvil\tcomes\tto\tthose\twho\tthink\tevil.\tYou must\thave\theard\tthat\tbefore,\tright?\tJack\u2019s\tforever\tbanging\ton\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cNope.\tI\tswear\tyou\tmake\tthis\tstuff\tup.\u201d \u201cIt\tjust\tmeans\tthat\tlife\thas\ta\tfunny\tsort\tof\tway\tof\tgetting\tits\town\tback.\u201d \u201cWhatever\t the\t sisters\t think\t or\t believe,\t no\t one\t deserves\t to\t die.\t Just\t because they\thave\tstrong\tviews\tabout\tmen,\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean\tthey\tdeserved\tthis.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tsaying\tthat\tat\tall.\tDon\u2019t\tre-imagine\twhat\tthe\tsisters\thave\tdone\there. This\t isn\u2019t\t the\t fulfilment\t of\t some\t weird\t feminist\t crusade\t for\t female empowerment.\u201d \u201cPeople\tare\tentitled\tto\tcreate\ta\tnew\tcommunity\tbased\ton\tdifferent\tvalues.\u201d \u201cWhatever\thappened\tto\tsexual\tequality\tbeing\tthe\tgoal?\tWhoever\tsaid\tthat\tto be\t happy\t and\t prosperous\t required\t that\t someone\t else,\t an\t entire\t sex,\t had\t to\t be subjugated?\u201d \u201cIf\tpeople\tdon\u2019t\tlike\twhat\tthey\u2019ve\tdone\there,\tthen\tthey\tshould\tleave.\u201d \u201cYou\t mean,\t if\t men\t don\u2019t\t like\t it,\t they\t should\t leave?\t Careful,\t Riley.\t You\u2019re beginning\tto\tsound\tlike\tthem.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t get\t me\t wrong.\t I\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t stay\t any\t more\t than\t you\t do.\t But\t you can\u2019t\tsay\tit\u2019s\tnot\trefreshing\tto\tsee\tthe\tboot\ton\tthe\tother\tfoot\tfor\ta\tchange.\u201d \u201cIt\tjust\tgoes\tto\tprove\tthat,\tgiven\thalf\ta\tchance,\twomen\tcan\tbe\tjust\tas\tabusive and\tprejudiced\tas\tmen.\u201d Riley\t looked\t back\t mockingly.\t \u201cPrejudiced\t maybe,\t but\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t say\t evil, would\tyou?\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tlike\twe\u2019re\tdepriving\tyou\tof\tbasic\thuman\trights,\tforcing\tyou to\t stay\t indoors\t and\t never\t show\t your\t face\t in\t public.\t We're\t not\t saying\t you\t can\u2019t drive\ta\tcar,\tvote,\thave\ta\tjob,\tor\tany\tof\tthe\tother\tstuff\tthat\twomen\twere\troutinely denied\t in\t some\t countries.\t Women\t will\t always\t have\t more\t of\t a\t bias\t towards nurturing\tthan\tmen.\tCall\tit\toestrogen\ttrumping\ttestosterone\tany\tday\tof\tthe\tweek. You\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twomen\tslaughtering\teach\tother\tfor\tbragging\trights.\u201d \u201cAnd\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t say\t locking\t a\t man\t up\t in\t a\t stable\t as\t part\t of\t some\t cult breeding\tprogramme\tis\tvery\tprogressive\teither.\tWould\tyou?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tJoe\tcomplaining.\tHe\u2019s\tlike\ta\tpig\tin\tmud,\u201d\tadded\tRiley. \u201cBut\t surely\t you\t can\u2019t\t defend\t what\t they\u2019re\t doing\t here?\t This\t nightmarish version\t of\t feminism\t is\t abhorrent.\t It\u2019s\t like\t a\t social\t experiment\t gone\t wrong.\t It deserves\tto\tfail.\u201d Adele\tpopped\ther\thead\taround\tthe\tdoorway\tand\tspotted\tthe\tthree\tof\tthem\tin the\tcorner.\tShe\tskipped\tover\tand\tsank\tdown\ton\ttop\tof\tRiley,\twrapping\therself\tin the\t blanket\t and\t snuggling\t down\t in\t its\t folds.\t Adele\u2019s\t arrival\t defused\t the escalating\thostility\tbetween\tthem.\tMila\tshrugged\ther\tshoulders\twatching\tthe\tpair of\t them\t go\t at\t it.\t They\t could\t fight\t for\t hours,\t going\t back\t and\t forth\t like\t this, evenly\t matched,\t exploring\t idea\t and\t counter-idea.\t Mila\t couldn't\t see\t the\t point;"]