Surviving the Fall: How England Died (2 page)

Tuesday 16th May, Leeds

The mood at home was sombre.

“It says here,” said Amy looking up from her laptop, “that thousands are dead already. What do you think has happened?”

Jack shook his head. “I don’t think anyone knows what’s going on. I’m reading here some nonsense about people eating people. It’s ridiculous.”

“People eating people?” Amy scrunched up her face. “Why would you do that in a riot?”

Jack rolled his eyes. “That’s what I mean - It sounds like no one knows what is going on. Annie,” said Jack to his six year old daughter who was climbing over the couch, “can’t you go and play in the dining room?”

“No! I want to play here. What’s a riot?”

Jack ignored her and continued to scan the internet.

“Come over here darling, your Daddy is busy,” said Amy.

Annie reluctantly sat next to Amy on the other couch.

“Hang on… Here’s a link to the latest BBC report.” Jack followed the link.

‘Steven, how are things in Sao Paulo now?

‘Well Sue, I am in a city that is in absolute panic. Buildings and cars are on fire, people are in the streets in force, some in groups, some alone, some trying to escape the city, and others looting stores.

‘The Military and police are trying to keep control but it seems even their numbers are dwindling as the rumours of a terrifying virus are starting to spread. Whether or not these rumours are true is hard to tell as there is no official response from anyone in authority, other than to stay indoors.’

‘Can you tell us more about these virus rumours Steven?’

‘Well, I spoke to a man earlier who said he was trying to leave the city with his family. He told me he had seen some of his neighbours covered in blood, that some of their skin and flesh was actually hanging off.

‘I also managed to speak to a fireman, who told me that his crew were all deserting. He said he has seen people covered in blood attacking others, calling it ‘Devil’s work’.

‘These are only rumours Steven, we must emphasise that?’

‘Yes, as I have said, there has been no official response, and we are dealing with rumours and hearsay at the moment. However, the actions of the government have done nothing to quell these rumours. All air and sea ports have been closed, and it appears that the military are controlling all roads into and out of the city.’

‘Thank you Steven for that report. That was Steven Blacksmith, our reporter in Sao Paulo.

‘To recap, there is no official stance from the Brazilian government on the riots occurring across the country. These riots have now spread to neighbouring South American countries. News blackouts seem to be trying to contain what is happening, but reports are leaking out through remaining internet channels, and through exclusive reports such as ours.’

“Wow”, said Amy.

“What’s a virus?” said Annie.

“It’s like a cold,” said Jack.

“That sounds pretty bad?” Amy said. “I don’t think I even want to go anymore. Not if there is a virus there.”

“No… If that is what’s happening of course.”

“What, you think they might be lying? Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know. This news blackout though…” Jack stood up abruptly. “Anyway, it looks like our bloody holiday is off, no matter what’s going on.”

“Jack…”

Without saying anything, Jack left the room.

He made his way upstairs to his music room. A small box room with a chair, his hundreds of records stacked up on shelves across one of the walls, their many colours and textures taking on the appearance of abstract art. His immaculate Gibson SG guitar and Marshall stack sat in the corner of the room. Next to his chair sat an expensive record player.

He moved his finger along the spines of the records, looking for Led Zepplin IV. He took it out and carefully removed the record from its sleeve. Being careful to hold it only on the edges he blew across it’s surface and, with precise movements, placed the vinyl on the record player.

He turned on the amp of his guitar and sat in the chair, guitar resting on his round belly. With a practiced motion he turned on the record and quickly repositioned himself, so as soon as the music started, he was able to hit the matching notes on this guitar.

Jack closed his eyes and played along, note for note.

As he did for the next song and the one after that.

When the first side of the album finished, he sat in silence and looked at the framed picture on the wall, from a newspaper cutting taken fifteen years ago. A local newspaper had written a glowing review on one of his band’s gigs, noting that the lead guitarist played with a natural verve and ferocity that ‘guaranteed’ he would soon be moving on from small local venues, that the ‘bright lights’ beckoned.

The door opened, it was Annie.

“Annie, what did Mummy tell you, you don’t come into the music room.”

“But Daddy, I have nothing to play with.”

Jack rested his head against the back of his chair. “Ok,” he said. “Let’s go to your room. We can play in there. You might break something in here.”

Annie smiled.

Wednesday 17th May, Leeds

Jack had lost all enthusiasm for the day. He wanted to get out of the office, go to sleep and forget all about Brazil. Having resigned himself to the holiday being cancelled, he had heard enough about Brazil and its bloody virus.

“Hey Jack, how are you?”, Stewart appeared and sat himself on the edge of Jack’s desk, on top of one of his reports. “Pretty bad news about Brazil, eh?”

Jack nodded.

“Look, bad break about this holiday. You need a bloody holiday from this place, who doesn’t?”

Jack smiled and glanced at Stewart again, “Six months we’ve had it booked.”

“Sure, but listen,” he repositioned himself on the desk, coming closer to Jack. “I was talking with my girlfriend last night, and the thing is, we have a holiday chalet in Tullock’s Bay, it’s down in Cornwall. Beautiful, mate, absolutely beautiful place. It’s no Brazil, but…”

Jack turned from his screen to give Stewart his full attention. This actually sounded interesting.

“The thing is, it’s empty for the next few weeks. We usually hire it out, but we’ve had to redecorate, pipes were leaking. So the bathroom isn’t pretty, but everything works. What do you think? You and the family, you’d love it!”

“Really?”

“Sure. It’s perfect for your little girl. There’s a pool, you’re right by the beach. It’s all gated, so safe for her to run around. As I say, it’s no Brazil, but what do you think?”

Jack couldn’t help but smile. This sounded like a break. “Stewart, that sounds great. Just great. Only thought is how much will it cost? With Brazil and everything…”

Stewart held up his hands, “Jack! Don’t worry about it, seriously.” He shook his head at Jack’s protestations. “It’s on the house, I won’t have it any other way. You guys will love it.”

Jack stood up and shook Stewart’s hand. “Thanks. Really, you don’t know what this means. What, with everything happening, it felt like, well, things weren’t great. Thanks so much Stewart, I owe you.”

Stewart laughed. “No worries, as I said, it’s not a problem. I’ll get you the keys tomorrow. Here’s the website,” Stewart scribbled a url on a piece of paper. “Check it out, show your wife.”

“Thanks again Stewart. You’re a… You’re a good mate.”

Friday 19th May, Leeds

Amy pulled the latest load out of the washing machine. Now they were leaving for holiday tomorrow, she only had today to get all the washing finished. She hung up the wet clothes around various radiators in the house - she hoped they would all be dry by tomorrow. The dryer had broke five months ago and they hadn’t got it fixed - they had needed money for the holiday in Brazil.

Jack’s clothes would mostly be in the basket, apart from his hoodies - they would be in the music room. She opened the door and entered carefully. She stepped over a guitar lead and reached for the two hoodies that sat on his seat.

She paused and looked at the newspaper cutting on the wall. She liked the way Jack looked in the picture. He was slim with long hair, and his eyes had a look she hadn’t seen in him for a long time - belief in himself.

It was soon after that photo had been taken that she got pregnant with Annie.

She packed the hoodies into the wash basket and moved into the bedroom. She needed to find the beach towels. Although only May, the weather was promising to be kind next week, and she was looking forward to some beach time with Annie.

She reached in behind the back of the wardrobe, behind her many dresses and pulled out the beach towels. A light blue piece of clothing from between the towels fell to the floor.

It was her old nurse’s uniform. She’d only worn it for a week before resigning to go on tour with Jack.

She stared at the uniform for a moment.

I really must throw it out, she thought.

But not today.

She picked it up and tucked it back in place in the corner of the wardrobe.

Amy continued with the housework, and finished with twenty minutes to spare before having to pick Annie up from school. She sat down for a rest in the lounge and turned on the television.

It was on the news channel. She quickly fumbled with the remote to pick another channel, but still heard
,
“
…
UK government have joined several other European countries and the US to close their borders as of immediate effec
t
…”

Jack sat in his office with his headphones on, watching the latest report from the BBC.

“The Prime Minister has assured the nation that the UK is well protected from the virus, with our island status offering an excellent natural defence. He reminded us that no case of the as yet unidentified pathogen has been recorded in the UK.

“The opposition have criticised what many see as the government’s draconian response, which has seen ships turned away from many of the UK’s ports, planes being denied permission to land, and even a channel tunnel train being stopped from entering the British terminal. Others have commended the Prime Minister for his decisive and brave action.”

Jack rubbed his temples. He hoped that Amy wasn’t watching any of this, she was worried enough as it was. The sooner they got off on holiday the better. They could just ride it all out in Cornwall, relax for a few weeks and then get back home just in time for everything returning to normal.

He tried again to log onto the Brazilian news forum that had been releasing news about the outbreak, but is was still dead. Even American sites were now starting to drop. The United States had their first case two days ago.

He looked at his watch, three hours until home time.

Annie listened carefully as Daddy read to her. She lay in bed with her favourite Teddy, Mr Fred, and she pulled him tight as Daddy got to the exciting bit of the story. She had heard this one many times, and it was her favourite, especially the part when the giant climbed down the beanstalk after Jack, and she knew that Daddy’s other name was Jack, and she liked to think that this story was about Daddy.

Daddy was in a good mood, and Annie was happy. She liked it better when he was happy.

He finished the story and put down the book. He smiled at Annie and grabbed the covers, “Here comes the snuggle monster!” He leaned in wrapping the covers tight around Annie as he gave her a big hug, making the snuggle monster noises. Annie laughed with delight.

Daddy said, “You don’t look very tired young girl? Do you not feel tired?”

Annie shook her head. She had a funny feeling in her tummy and couldn’t stop thinking about two things - one was the holiday, which made her feel good, and the other was what Thomas had said at school today, which made her feel bad.

“Daddy?”

“What is it?”

“When we go on holiday, is there monsters?”

Daddy didn’t look happy any more and Annie wondered if she had said something bad.

“What do you mean, monsters?”

Annie took a deep breath, “Thomas at school today said that his Daddy said they need to go away because the zommies were coming and everyone was going to die and I asked what zommies are and Thomas said they are monsters that eat people and they have come from Brassil. Are the monsters going to be where our holiday is?”

Daddy didn’t say anything for a moment and Annie was sure she had something wrong.

“Sorry Daddy”.

“What are you sorry for? Sweetie, you don’t have to be sorry about anything.” Daddy leaned in and gave her a nice big hug. Daddy felt like the biggest thing in the world when he hugged her.

“I’m scared of the monsters…”

Daddy smiled and said, “Listen, ok, this Thomas, I’ve heard you talk about him before, and you've said he’s a silly boy. Is he a silly boy?”

Annie thought for a moment. Yes, he was silly. She nodded.

“Silly boys say silly things. Things that aren’t true. They like to say them because it makes everyone listen to them. There are no monsters.”

“Really? But the news man also said that the invective were coming in the country.”

“You mean infected, and you don’t have to worry Annie, that just means that there are people who are sick. We aren’t going to see any of the sick people, and there are no monsters.”

Annie thought about this for a moment. Daddy was usually right about most things. “So you mean there are no monsters? I don’t have to be scared?”

Daddy smiled and held her hand tight, “No darling, you don’t have to be scared. Even if there were monsters, do you think that I’d let any of them hurt you?”

Annie knew he wouldn’t. Even when he had a sad face, he was always nice to her. “No, you wouldn’t let them.” She smiled, feeling better.

“I’ll never let anything hurt you Annie, I’ll always be here to protect you, ok? You remember that. Daddy will always be here to protect you, because I love you more than anything in the world. Ok?”

Annie felt the bad stuff leaving her stomach. She knew that Daddy would look after her, and wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, even if they were monsters or the invective.

She could go to sleep now and look forward to the holiday. She hugged Mr Fred tight and kissed Daddy as he leaned in to say goodnight.

He would be happy tomorrow - Mummy and Daddy were always happy on the holiday days.