The dogs continued barking wildly, and as much as the girls loved animals, they were quite unnerved by their seeming ferocity.
She looked back to the man. “I’m really sorry, we didn’t know if any of those things would be in here. Knocking doesn’t tend to be a good idea these days.”
The woman laughed, “Ha, you got that right,” she said lowering her gun. She reached for the barrel of the shotgun the man was still pointing at the two girls, and pushed it down. He turned to look at her sharply. “They’re just girls, Dad.” He lowered the shotgun further.
“Enough!” he shouted, and the two dogs immediately stopped barking and went to lie in their beds. “Well. What do you want?” he asked gruffly.
The woman raised her eyebrows. “Please forgive my dad. I’d like to say this whole end of the world thing has been an ordeal for him, but he was just like this before, too.”
The back door slammed shut and an older woman and younger man walked in carrying two heavy boxes.
“What’s going on here?” asked the woman, looking down at the javelins on the floor.
“We’ve got visitors,” the younger woman replied.
The older woman put her box down on the table and pushed past the brute of a man. “And who might you two be?” She had a warm face with a red, cheery complexion.
“I’m sorry,” Robyn said. “We didn’t mean to barge in. We were just looking for somewhere to stay. My sister’s injured and she needs to rest.”
“Injured?” the woman asked, walking up to Wren. “What’s wrong?”
Wren lifted her t-shirt to show the red gauze. “It was healing, but it tore this morning when…”
“When what?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Well don’t you worry about that now. Let’s get you seen to. Annie Oakley there,” she said pointing towards the young woman in the black vest, “was studying to be a doctor before all this started. Let’s get you into one of the bedrooms and she can take a look at you. Brendan, you get a pan of water on the stove.” The younger man she had walked in with immediately headed to the sink and primed a pump before turning on the tap to fill a pan. “Thomas…” she said looking at the huge man still holding the gun by his side, “you’re…no bloody use anyway at the sight of blood. You get on with whatever you were doing before our guests arrived. My name is Isabel. Come on, let’s get you comfortable,” she said, guiding Wren in the direction of the hallway.
“We’ve got rucksacks,” Robyn said.
“Thomas, help the young lass with her rucksacks will you?”
Robyn and Thomas left the kitchen and walked across the yard. “I am very sorry, it’s just we’ve had a bad few days. We were watching the house for a while; we didn’t think anyone was here.”
There was an uncomfortable silence as the giant just walked beside her. They collected the rucksacks and headed back to the house. When they re-entered the kitchen, it was empty apart from Brendan, who was stood by the stove waiting for the pan of water.
“Is that a wood-burner?” Robyn asked.
“Yes,” Brendan replied with a smile. “There’s a well, too, so we’ve got our own water supply.” The smile quickly disappeared from his face as he saw the glare from Thomas, and he turned back to the stove to watch the water.
Robyn turned to look at the big man, who simply pointed towards the hall. She guessed that was her cue to leave, and placed the rucksack down on the floor before making her way to the end bedroom. Wren was lying on the bed with her t-shirt rolled up. The younger woman was examining the wound.
“We’ve got some surgical alcohol and other supplies in our rucksack,” Robyn said.
“Don’t worry,” the younger woman said, “We’ve got plenty.”
“I’m Robyn. That’s my sister, Wren.”
“We’ve already met,” the young woman said, smiling. “I’m Kayleigh, and this is my mum, Isabel.”
“Nice to meet you,” Robyn said.
“This wound. It’s not too bad. It has stretched a little and that’s caused it to start bleeding again, but it’s nothing too serious. A little bit of rest and you’ll be fine. I’ll clean it up, put some fresh butterfly stitches and a bandage on, then you just need to take it easy,” she said, looking at Wren.
“We will. As soon as we find somewhere. I appreciate you doing this after we broke into your house and everything.”
“It’s like you said, knocking isn’t a great idea these days. So, what happened to you guys? How did you wind up here?”
Robyn began to recount their story. She was still talking long after Brendan had been in with the hot water, long after the wound had been washed and dressed, and she was still talking when Isabel and Kayleigh went back to the kitchen and began preparing dinner. By this time, Brendan and Thomas had joined them for the finale where Wren had fearlessly led all the creatures back into the doctor’s surgery and made the leap of death.
“That’ll probably have been Tolsta. Sounds like it, anyway,” Thomas said, as he sat down at the kitchen table and the two collie dogs went to him to have a fuss made of them.
“Well, anyway, after that, we just walked and walked until we saw this place,” Robyn said.
“Wow! That is some journey,” Kayleigh said.
“And what were you hoping to find?” Isabel asked.
“We just want somewhere safe, and we figured there are less people in the country, so there’ll be less of those things.”
“Well, the two of you can stay with us for a couple of days, until Wren’s wound heals, anyway,” Isabel said.
“Really? Thank you. We’ll be out of your hair as soon as it does, and I’ll earn our keep for both of us. Anything you need doing around here, I’ll do.”
“Everybody works on a farm; we’ll put you to good use, don’t you worry.”
Wren joined them at the table for dinner and they all talked until the sun went down. Robyn and Wren were given the end bedroom. They had to share a double bed, but that was not really a hardship, considering what the alternatives were.
“What do you think?” Wren whispered.
“I think they’re good people. I think we’re safe here. We can get a couple of good nights’ sleep at least, and then when you’re better, we head out and try to find a place of our own.”
“Thomas scares me,” Wren said.
“I think he’s just quiet. It’s Isabel who seems to run things.”
“It’s a shame. I was really hoping this place was going to be empty. It would have been perfect. Especially with the wood-burning stove and the fresh water supply. We wouldn’t have wanted for anything.”
“We’ll find somewhere, Wren, don’t worry, we’ll find somewhere.”
✽ ✽ ✽
The next morning they were woken by clattering in the kitchen. Wren looked at her watch; it was a quarter to six. “Oh man! So much for a sleep in.” They quickly got dressed and headed down the hall. They were both greeted with a hail of good mornings as everyone else in the house was already up and alert. They were served plates of sausages, mushrooms, and beans with a doorstep wedge of bread and butter. By the time they had finished, it felt like their waists had expanded two sizes.
“Most important meal of the day,” Isabel said, smiling. “Well, we’ve been talking it over, and Robyn, you’re going to be helping Thomas, Brendan and Kayleigh today. Wren, you’re going to be with me.”
“What will we be doing?” Robyn asked.
“You’ll see,” Isabel said with a smile.
The two sisters looked at each other. They did not like the idea of being split up, but they were out of options. These people had welcomed them into their home, given them a bed for the night, tended Wren’s wounds and fed them. Now it was time to start repaying the debt.
The dishes were cleared, the kitchen tidied, and four of them disappeared out of the door and into the waiting Land Rover. Wren stayed in the kitchen with Isabel and the dogs.
“Don’t worry, they’ve g
ot the hard work today; you and I have got the easy jobs,” Isabel said.
“What is it you actually farm here?”
“Well, soon after the Prime Minister’s speech that told us...well, you know what it told us, all our stock was bought under a compulsory purchase order. We used to farm sheep, but they all went. Y’see, an awful lot of the UK’s food was imported, and when things turned bad, they brought some measures in, which, in hindsight, might not have been the smartest. But anyway, what’s done is done. As well as getting paid for the sheep, they issued us with vouchers for all sorts of plants, machinery, and equipment. We exchanged ours for twenty polytunnels. What we didn’t realise at the time was that the twenty polytunnels didn’t actually exist. They were waiting to be manufactured. A representative actually came to visit us from the ministry of agriculture. He told us how it was going to be farms like ours which would help rebuild the country, and they were going to do everything they could to support us until things were up and running again.”
“So, what happened?” Wren asked.
“Well, we got a care package to tide us over until the polytunnels were ready.”
“What was the care package?”
“A cheque for a thousand pounds and a big box of assorted seeds.”
“When was that?”
“About five months ago.”
“And you never got the polytunnels?”
“Oh no, they arrived,” Isabel said.
“When?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“Oh my god! How have you survived?”
“Well, thankfully, we had a couple of sources of income. Our outgoings went down a lot. It’s expensive to look after sheep…feed, vet bills, and so on. We managed. We went back to a lot of the old ways. How Thomas’s dad and grandad survived. This place has been in the family for generations.”
“But things will be okay now though? I mean you can start growing again?”
Isabel laughed. “Eventually.”
“What do you mean? I thought the Polytunnels had arrived.”
“The components have, Wren. They don’t come ready assembled. That’s where your sister’s going today. She’s going to help with putting the first one up.”
“So how long will that take?”
“I don’t ask Thomas things like that. He’s not a man of many words, and often when I ask a question, I wish I hadn’t bothered. It will be done when it’s done.”
“And what are we going to do?”
“Well, I don’t see the supermarket opening anytime soon, so you and I are going to do a different type of food shopping,” Isabel said, smiling.
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.”
Isabel placed a large shopping bag over her shoulder, and a backpack over the other one, carefully placing one of the shotguns inside. They walked out into the yard, and even though it was early, the blueness of the sky told them it was going to be another beautiful day. Wren followed Isabel across to one of the outbuildings. She disappeared for a short time only to re-emerge with two fishing rods.
“We’re going fishing?”
“Among other things.”
✽ ✽ ✽
The four of them broke for lunch at just past twelve o’clock. They were dripping in sweat as the sun beat down. They had been digging and preparing the ground to lay the foundation for the first polytunnel. Thomas was the only one who truly knew what he was doing and he had to give constant instructions to the others, but he was content that they were good workers and not taking that much more time that a team of builders would take.
They passed a large bottle of water between them and ate thick slices of bread covered generously with homemade damson jam. “You work well for someone from the city,” Thomas said.
“I had a part-time job before. My dad always said there’s no point doing something unless you give it your all, no matter what it is,” Robyn said.
The big man nodded appreciatively. “Sounds like a smart man. Lots of work to do here...lots.” He said looking at the masses of frames and thick Perspex sheets that were piled in one corner of the field. “Going to take some time.” Robyn didn’t know what to say; she just nodded and handed the bottle of water back to him. He took another long drink before climbing back to his feet. “Well, the day’s wasting,” he said, getting back to work.
“I think you just got Dad’s nod of approval,” Kayleigh said, smiling.
✽ ✽ ✽
It was late afternoon when Isabel, Wren, and the dogs began their journey back from the river. They had spent the day sat on the river banks getting to know each other and trying to catch dinner. Having managed to bag three decent-sized salmon, their mission was accomplished. Now as they walked back through the woods, Isabel came to a stop and pulled out a plastic bag from her backpack. She stood in front of a tree whose branches looked like they were dying, and cut off big clusters of strange looking mushrooms.
“Aren’t they poisonous?” Wren asked, watching her.
“There are lots of poisonous mushrooms and toadstools; you really need to know what you’re doing, but these, my dear, are most definitely not poisonous. In fact, when I fry these for us, I can guarantee you’ll be looking out for them from now on.”
Wren examined them a little more closely. “I’ve never seen anything like that in our local supermarket.”
Isabel let out a chuckle. “I dare say. The sheer wealth of what you can eat from the wilds that you don’t see in the supermarket would shock you.” She finished removing the mushrooms and held the healthy-looking collection up in front of her. “I mean, look at this place for example,” she said, gesturing around the woods. You’ve got nettles for nettle soup; Hawthorns, you can eat the leaves and the berries; Ramsons…you put those in stews, casseroles, and soups for flavouring, and that’s just what I can see standing here. There is a world of food that people don’t eat anymore. Don’t worry, we’ve got a few tins in the cupboards at home, and we’ve got some spuds growing out back and a few other bits and pieces, but if we save as much of that stuff as we can for a rainy day and live off the woods and the river until the polytunnels start producing, we’re going to be fine.”
“It sounds like you’ve got it all planned. I hope we can find a place near here so Bobbi and I can come visit.” Isabel looked at her long and hard before breaking out into a wide smile.
“Come on, let’s get back. The workforce will want their dinner on the table for when they get home.”
“Thank you for today, Isabel. I’ve enjoyed it,” Wren said.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel good. The wound feels fine.”
“Another couple of days and you should be a lot better.”
Wren smiled, not wanting to think about going back out on the road for the time being.
✽ ✽ ✽
They all ate well that night, the conversation flowed, and it was with reluctance that they left the dinner table. Robyn and Wren insisted on clearing the dishes and washed them in clean, albeit cold, water. They made tea which they drank with powdered milk, and Wren brought out the last packet of Oreos from her rucksack for everybody to share round. Before everyone made their way to bed, Isabel embraced the two sisters and told Wren they would try a different spot and catch even more salmon tomorrow.
In bed, Wren and Robyn recounted the events of the day to each other before passing out with tired but contented smiles.
A knock at the door woke them up the following morning. Light was already pouring in through the curtains, and Isabel came into the room carrying mugs of tea for them both. The two sisters quickly sat up in bed, and Isabel set the tea down on the bedside table and turned to the girls with a serious look on her face.
“When you’ve got washed and dressed, will you come and join Thomas and me in the kitchen?” she said before heading back out of the room.
Robyn and Wren looked at each other with concern. Were they being sent back out on the road already? Th
ey did as they were asked, and walked into the kitchen with trepidation. Thomas and Isabel were sat at the table waiting for them.
“We’re going on a little ride,” Thomas said, standing up and taking the car keys from the peg on the wall.
Wren looked at her watch; it was just past six o’clock and there was no sign of Kayleigh or Brendan. “Is something wrong?” she asked, as she and Robyn followed Thomas out to the Land Rover.
“You two get in the back, Her Majesty always rides in the front,” he said, with something approaching a smile on his face. Some people did not suit smiles, and it was almost as if Thomas was trying his on for the first time.
Isabel climbed into the front seat and put on her seatbelt. “Where are we going?” Robyn asked.
“You’ll see,” Isabel replied without turning around.
Wren looked at her sister. What was going on? Both of them began to feel nervous. The Land Rover started and pulled out of the yard and onto the road. It travelled for about ninety seconds before turning left, and up a small drive. The drive led to a wide gate, and beyond the gate stood a white cottage, beyond the cottage was a small loch. Even at this time of morning with a new hot day looming, the midges were out in force and Wren and Robyn batted them away as they got out of the car.
Thomas brought out another key from his pocket and opened the front door. They all walked in; there was a small table in the entrance with a selection of leaflets about what to do and where to visit in the surrounding area. Next to them, there was a red, leather-bound book with Visitors on the front in gold lettering. Isabel led them farther down the hall and into the living room, which had hardwood floors and a large, wood burning stove. She opened the patio doors and they stepped out onto a small decked area. In front of them was a lawn that led down to the loch. There was a path at either side of the house, and beyond that lay woodland.
“What is this place?” Wren asked.
“You know I told you we had other forms of income? Well, we own a couple of holiday cottages in the area. This is one of them, only, I doubt we’re going to get many bookings any time soon.”
The End of Everything Box Set, Vol. 1 [Books 1-3] Page 18
