Flare (35 page)

“I’m glad you made it”, he said with a smile, “really glad.  I’m sorry I didn’t come with you”.

I shook my head.  “Don’t take this the wrong way, Jerry, but I’m not.  I don’t think you’re built for what’s happening out there”.

He shrugged and introduced himself to Melody, then in turn introduced her to Harriet who immediately exclaimed over her grubby hair and face.

“Oh my child”, she said with a horrified expression, “did they find you in a mud bath?”

With a quick kiss on my cheek and a grateful smile, Harriet bustled Melody off to clean her up and Ralph closed the door on the outside world, then crossed to a shelf and took down a bottle of brandy and several glasses.

He poured a generous measure into each and soon we were sat around the table, Emily and I taking turns to relate our adventures, glossing over a few bits but mostly telling it for what it was; a story of horror, desolation and loss.

“Well you’re home now”, Ralph said firmly, his huge hand covering Emily’s where it sat on the table, “home and safe”.

Home we might be, I thought as I drank in the comfortable feeling of being surrounded by people I trusted, but with people like the Secretary, the men from Emily’s village and hordes like the one we’d narrowly avoided on the way back,

I knew that our troubles were far from over.