Surviving the Fall: How England Died

by Stephen Cross

  “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 effect…”

  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 thou
ght 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.

  Saturday 20th May, morning, Leeds to Cornwall

  The next morning, the sun was shining. The blanket clouds that had poured so much rain over the past week where nowhere to be seen. Maybe things were turning around, thought Jack. Some nice weather, some time by the beach. He picked up his acoustic guitar and carried it downstairs to add to the pile for the car.

  “Jack,” called Amy from the lounge.

  “Coming,” he dodged past Annie, ruffling her hair as she ran passed him upstairs.

  “Getting Mr Fred!” shouted Annie.

  Amy was sitting in the lounge, the news on. He frowned. Although not explicitly mentioned, there had been a somewhat unspoken news embargo in the house for the past few days. Why break it today?

  “Have you seen this?” said Amy. Her skin was pale, and her voice meek.

  Jack looked at the TV - images of military vehicles driving through towns and along the motorways. Empty airport lounges and grounded planes.

  Amy said, “They say we should stay in our homes.”

  Jack motioned for her to be quiet, “Let me listen.”

  “Cases of infected have appeared overnight in London, with reports of fighting, riots and panic. The military have been called in to stem the flow of people from London as services struggle to cope with the sudden out flux of people, as tens of thousands people try to leave the capital. The Prime Minister has called for calm, asking people to trust in the authorities and to stay in their homes until further notice. He has asked that people think very carefully about any travel plans until this crisis is resolved, and the cases of the infected in the capital have been contained.”

  Jack shook his head slowly. This is what happens when no-one tells anyone what’s happening. Panic, he thought. Panic and violence, all because the government doesn't trust the people with the truth.

  Amy stared at him. “Well?” she said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I guess we stay here?”

  “No,” said Jack immediately. “We are going on this holiday. You saw what the news said, it’s only London and they are containing it.”

  “But Jack, the Prime Minister said that…”

  “Who cares what he says? Do you really think they are telling people this because it’s the best thing for them?”

  “Well, yes…”

  “It’s not.” Jack picked up the remote control and turned off the TV. “Look, think about it. If this virus is dangerous, where do you think we’ll be safest? Here, Leeds? I’ll bet there are people already on trains and cars with this illness, heading north as we speak.”

  He sat down next to Amy, and rested his hand on her knee. “We will be much safer out in the middle of nowhere for a few weeks, than in a built up area with millions of people. Think about it. The less people, the less chance of us getting ill.”

  Amy breathed out and her shoulders dropped. “That does make sense, surprisingly,” she said smiling.

  Jack hugged her. “Good. Then let’s go soon, before those loons shut down the motorways.”

  “You think they’ll do that?”

  “Maybe. Probably not.” He paused and looked at his wife - there was still uncertainty in her eyes. “You, me, and Annie, by the beach, while all this nonsense goes passes. It will be the safest place to be.”

  Amy nodded, talking another deep breath. “Ok. Let’s do it.”

  “That’s my girl.” Jack kissed her, and she reciprocated with more vigour than she had in a good few years. He realised he felt excited. This wasn’t just a holiday, it was an adventure, one like they used to have.

  Annie ran in with Mr Fred and beamed to see her parents in an embrace. She joined in the hug. “Mr Fred is ready! Let’s go!”

  They made good time and were already leaving Yorkshire behind them within an hour. The traffic leaving Leeds had not been busy - Jack had worried that everyone would be fleeing the cities, but no, at least not in their part of the country.

  The traffic snarled up around Birmingham though. Jack wasn’t surprised, this is where the M40 met the M6, and any traffic from London trying to get north, or to Wales, would be. People trying to escape the threat of a raging virus, for example.

  They played a few games of I Spy, some cards, but Annie soon got bored and restless.

  Jack felt his hands tighten on the wheel. Looking at the odometer he quickly calculated it had taken an hour to travel 4 miles.

  “Maybe we should get off the motorway?” suggested Amy.

  Jack nodded and pulled off on the next junction, which took another thirty minutes to reach.

  Traveling through the A and B roads past Chirenchester, Swindon and heading towards Bath, they made slow time, but managed to avoid any large traffic jams. It was apparent, however, as time moved on from early afternoon to early evening that they would not reach Cornwall until late in the night.

  “We need to stop, find a B&B or something,” said Amy.

  Jack nodded. Annie had had an hour’s sleep, but since waking up thirty minutes ago, her mood had quickly deteriorated.

  They stopped a mile or two past a town called Frome, finding a pub on a country road called The Fox and Hounds. They booked in and after dropping off the essentials in their room, went back downstairs for dinner. The pub was old, low ceilinged with beams, and an inviting fire burned in the corner. A few regulars sat at the bar. No one else was eating.

  They received old fashioned friendly service from the portly landlord.

  “Are you guys from London then? Sounds like you got out in just in time.”

  Jack shook his head. “No, we’re from Leeds. On our way to Cornwall, for a holiday.”

  The landlord laughed. “Fine time to take a holiday. Mind you, probably best to be away from the cities. Things seem to be going to hell pretty quickly.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Amy, glancing at Annie, pleased to see she was engaged with her colouring book.

  “Have you not heard? All over the news. London is ‘Closed’. The military have declared it a quarantine zone. No one in, and no one out.” The landlord shook his head. “People are going nuts. If there wasn’t panic before, there is now.”

  Jack and Amy looked at each other, worry creasing both brows.

  “How can you close London?” asked Jack. “Surely there must be some laws, or something. You can’t just stop people from leaving a city. Bloody hell, this isn’t China.” Jack’s skin flushed.

  “National emergency, they say. They can do anything in a national emergency.”

  “Unbelievable. So what is it, tanks on the street?”

  The landlord nodded. “So it seems. All the roads barricaded. The news stopped reporting on it a few hours ago, but it was all over the internet for a while. BBC site is down now though, lots of sites disappearing.”

  “The same as Brazil,” murmured Amy.

  The landlord continued. “They are talking about extending the zone, shutting of county borders. I’ve even har
d talk of safe camps.”

  “Safe camps?” echoed Jack.

  “Aye. Somewhere to put everyone until the virus is contained.”

  “An interment camp, in other words.” Jack shook his head.

  “Things are going crazy alright,” said the landlord. “If I was you, I’d get off nice and early tomorrow. Get yourselves to Cornwall. You’re best as far out of it as you can get.” The landlord stared at the fire for a moment. “Wish me and the missus could do the same.”

  Jack became conscious that Amy was squeezing his hand tight. He saw the unspoken plea in her eyes.

  “Ok, look, we’ll have our meal, then I think we might get going.” Amy nodded. “Forget about the room. Sorry, but after what you have said…”

  The landlord nodded. “I understand. I’ll get you a full refund.”

  Jack held up his hand, “Don’t worry about it.”

  “No, you’ll get your money back. Get your little one out of it.” He smiled at Annie, who was colouring in a horse with a purple crayon, oblivious. “Now, lets get you your food.”

  Saturday 20th May, night, Cornwall

  The 4x4’s lights carved a path through the country lanes. It was approaching midnight, and following Stewart’s directions had brought them to the far end of Cornwall, now off the main roads and threading their way through narrow lanes, walled high on each side by fields. Jack had to drive slowly as bends came quickly, too sharp to see round. He struggled, tiredness tugging at his eyes. But ever since the landlord had told them how quick trouble was escalating across the country, Jack had been caught with a sense of urgency. He had no wish to be prisoned in a ‘safe-zone’, whatever the hell that was, this far from home. They would get to the holiday park and sit it out for the next few weeks, or, well, as many weeks as it took.

  Jack relaxed as the road opened up to two lanes. The first lights he had seen in a while zoomed passed in the opposite direction, going much faster than they should.