by Benson, Tom
“Only Sandy and Flint would truly be able to understand my mindset and motivation when this community was born. Of course, we didn’t meet those two young men until we’d learned hardship in the old tunnel. I know that many of you experienced genuine fear for the first time back then, but I’m sure that you’d now agree it was a healthy way for us to restart. A fright like the one we had was an excellent way to teach us as individuals about our inherent desire to live, and about appreciation.”
A few people in the audience smiled, and many silently nodded their agreement.
“I apologise if that sounded condescending—it wasn’t intended to be. I suppose it’s my abrupt way of saying I’m pleased to be one of you. We’ve come such a long way and achieved so much together. It’s been quite a journey since those hair-raising miles travelled from a beautiful mountainside viewpoint until our safe delivery into the old tunnel. Every person here who was on that coach has been reborn, in my opinion.”
Bill paused to take a sip of water. When he straightened, he became aware of the silence. Every one of the community was focused on his words.
“Of course, apart from those of us who were on the coach, we owe a lot to eight other people. We couldn’t have come to this point without them. There are Norman, and our late friend, Chloe, who dashed into the tunnel to help us. We have Harry, our one-time, recluse, and Sandy and Flint, our soldiers. Of course, we must also remember the three people who stayed to maintain this installation as it was being abandoned; Ramona, Tracey and Des.” Bill smiled and acknowledged the nods from those he’d named. “As you will have guessed by now, Dalwhinnie will shortly have a dentist.” He urged his partner to join him.
Fiona went forward amidst cheers and took Bill’s hand. “I wasn’t too sure about staying with this guy, but he’s proved a steady companion. One of the reasons we want to go to Dalwhinnie is to help establish the fledgeling community, but I have personal reasons.” The slim, auburn-haired woman surveyed the room. “Bill confided in me a few days ago that one of the houses in that small village is fitted as a private dental surgery.”
Audible gasps sounded throughout the room.
Fiona nodded. “Yes, when we’ve got the place fit for purpose, I’ll be happy to have any of you as visitors.”
The laughter was louder than any so far during the meeting.
Bill and Fiona nodded to Tina and left the floor to tumultuous applause.
Tina checked her short list of topics, not wishing to miss anything. “We may not all have gone hiking or sailing to Dalwhinnie or Aviemore, but we’ve become accustomed to the staging posts. They are, of course, Clifton, Achallader and Loch Ericht. Clifton is where there is the old but solid forestry storage building. Achallader is the signal box on its little tower, and, of course, Loch Ericht is where the forest comes quite close to the water’s edge. What’s the other thing—oh, yes, a leopard lives in the forest.”
A few stifled laughs could be heard, and it was the usual suspects, Bill, Sandy and Flint.
Tina smiled and slowly shook her head at the soldiers. “You’ll all be pleased to know that within a few months we’ll have the option of travelling back and forward safely with overnight stops on land. The Clifton storage building and the Achallader signal box will be renovated and made habitable. At the same time, Marie, ably assisted by Norman and his partner Louise have plans to build a log cabin as an overnight stop on the edge of the forest at Loch Ericht.”
Murmurs and gasps followed.
Tina nodded. “I have two final pieces of news for you, and they are regarding the movement of people to and fro. I will be joining the exodus. Apparently, there’s a vacancy for a vet at Eagle’s Nest Farm at Aviemore. I’ve also heard that an ex-teacher is looking for a friendly neighbour to take over the cottage next door.”
Once again, there were gasps at what was unexpected news.
“You might be wondering if there will be any other changes in this wonderful mountain community. I can now tell you about a couple who are coming to make this their home.” Tina enjoyed the total silence and grinned. “Harry has been so many things to us during our time here, while Des and Tracey have worked wonders teaching us about the installation. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that Josh and his lovely partner Amber are sailing this way in the next couple of weeks.”
A hubbub built up rapidly, and the two names were repeated several times.
“From what I’ve been told, Josh will make an ideal apprentice for Harry, and probably Des. Josh will fit in here like a hand into a glove because apart from being technically-minded, he enjoys sailing. Amber, for her part, is apparently a young action woman. She is a fitness fanatic, a sharpshooter and a sailing enthusiast. When I said, these guys would be sailing down here—they’ll be in a dinghy which they’re presently putting through trials.”
Several hands raised.
Tina slowly shook her head. “I think we can call it a day there. It’s Sunday and a non-working day, so we can now all congregate and ask some of the questions we’re bursting to ask.”
22. Auchcarn
The community did precisely as expected and stood or sat around the cafeteria in small groups. Flint stood beside the large map near the end of the long counter.
Bill joined him. “Hey, I thought you and Noreen were staying here.”
“We are, mate,” Flint glanced at the map. “I just had the urge to remind myself of the new locations added to our regional community.”
“It will be good for all concerned,” Bill said. “We’ll have sufficient people in each of our locations to create a neighbourhood and a place for our friends to visit.”
“I think you caught a few people off-guard when you and Fiona announced that you’d be moving on. No matter how you cut it, you became a leader for many of these people when they needed one most.”
“Thank you, mate, and beyond the flattery, it was good to feel appreciated. When the whole nuclear thing kicked off, I was just getting used to thoughts of a quiet life—a time to relax.”
“Well, depending on how much you take on at Dalwhinnie, I reckon you’ll have time to relax, but now, of course, you’ve got a good-looking woman to keep you company.”
“Fiona and I both had our demons when we all started to settle in here. I think it was helping each other that brought us closer together.” He slowly shook his head. “I never thought I’d meet a soulmate who was humorous and strong and a load of other things that are important in a relationship.”
“I’ve noticed that when she’s been on the committee or taking responsibility for a project, she is no-nonsense type.”
“Fiona was a successful private practitioner, and that takes a strong character. The love of my life looks and sounds soft and sweet, but she’s a tough cookie.”
“I’m pleased for both of you, and even if you don’t intend it to happen, I reckon you two will be at the forefront of activities in Dalwhinnie.”
“There will be a lot of work to—”
“See what I mean.”
They both laughed.
Bill said, “Perhaps it was just me, but when there was talk of more babies on the way I couldn’t help notice that Noreen was grinning. Was that her professional midwife smile or is there something you’d like to share?”
Flint glanced to left and right. “Noreen thinks she’s about two months on but we’re waiting until it becomes obvious before we announce anything.”
“Congratulations to you both, and you’ll make great parents. I promise not to breathe a word, although I’m pretty sure that there will be a couple of our female friends who’ll catch on quick.”
“It’s great news about Sandy and Helen, and I reckon they’ll be eager to produce a brother or sister for Peter when they’re settled in Aviemore.”
Bill glanced over his shoulder. “Talking of Aviemore, I still haven’t had my confidential update on a certain crazy woman.”
Flint quietly related how Amber had gone with him on a mission to chec
k and deal with Patsy. An area which came as a surprise to Bill was when Flint explained about the two teenagers making it all the way to Loch Awe before their fateful meeting with the killer in the forest. He gave Bill the truthful version of his visit to Patsy’s latest abode and ended with unexpected details. “When I was in that small house trying to get some sense out of her, I got the impression that she didn’t want any improvements.”
“In what way?”
“There was minimum furniture in the place, so it resembled their cave but obviously with doors, windows and much more room. I could see where she’d enlarged the fireplace to utilise it as a stove. I was pretty sure that the power supply would work, so I flicked a light switch—she told me that she didn’t want electricity.”
“Even if they were left to continue fending for themselves, it would make sense to use whatever resources were available.”
“They’re not exactly stranded even though we destroyed that boat, Adventurer. The River Spey is a natural barrier which prevents them from getting near Aviemore. To get there on foot would be a fifty-mile trek over some rough terrain, which Patsy is no longer capable of tackling. If they go north or northeast, they have over one hundred square miles of mountain, forest and rivers. And on the subject of rivers, it would be hazardous to try swimming across the River Spey.”
“Perhaps one day Patsy’s daughter will locate where the electrical mains unit is in the house and kill herself by accident.”
“I considered that scenario. Early in our conversation, in a moment of compassion for the youngster, I suggested that Patsy ought to show her daughter that they had electricity and explain the advantages and the dangers to her. She shrugged, as you might expect.”
“Did the child see you?”
“No, I wanted to do what had to be done and get away from there.”
“Did you tell Sandy everything?”
“I did give him a little more than the others. The farm community all believed my story that Patsy had arthritis in one hand, and a lame leg when I got there. They know she has a companion, and that it’s a child.” Flint looked around and saw that Sandy was approaching, but someone waylaid him with a question.
Bill said, “What was it that you didn’t tell Sandy?”
“That fucking bitch was wearing combat uniform, Bill—it was from one of the bergens belonging to someone we lost in the heli-pod disaster.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Apart from seeing the bergen in the house, there was one other disturbing thing. The child was wearing a green T-shirt with our unit logo and motto across the back.”
Bill briefly closed his eyes and nodded, remembering that he’d seen those things when he’d gone alone to recce the caves. He’d deliberately not told Sandy or Flint at the time.
Sandy arrived on the scene. “Right, what are you two up to—I’m suspicious?”
Flint smiled. “That is so discourteous, and I thought you were our friend.”
The three men laughed.
Bill recovered from his reverie. “We were just looking at this wall map and thinking that in a couple of weeks, the three of us will be in different locations.”
“Of course,” Sandy said. “At least we’ll be confident of instilling a bit of discipline in each community.”
They all laughed again and attracted the attention of people in other conversations. The three men laughed louder.
Marie approached a table where Bill, Fiona, Calvin and Cherry were chatting together. “Is this a private function or can an independent builder join in?”
“Pull up a chair,” Fiona said. “We were just talking about you.”
“I hope it was all good, or at least interesting.” Marie grinned.
Fiona said, “We’ve been bouncing ideas around for a plan of action when we get to Dalwhinnie. Most of the surviving houses will be fine after we’ve worked out a sequence to make them habitable. Bill has already designated several houses out of bounds until they can be completely emptied and fumigated.”
Marie nodded. “I take it we’re talking about those few in which the owners didn’t want to leave?”
“Yes,” Bill said. “Sadly, I think the best thing to do in at least two cases will be to torch the entire building. I’d rather not go into detail, but apart from those, if I have willing help, I’m prepared to tackle the others.”
“How many houses are there in the village.”
Bill pushed forward a piece of paper with a simple sketch drawn out on it. “I’ve drawn an X over the ones which collapsed. Thirty houses in total will be habitable once they’ve been cleaned and had the utilities reinstated or repaired and tested. There are only a handful of houses near the railway station and then five on each side of Perth Road, which is the approach road to the station. On the main road through the village, all the houses are on one side, and that’s where the ruins of the more modern buildings are. Along the road on the opposite side is woodland.”
Marie said, “I think in most cases, all you’ll need me to do is make a few suggestions and leave you guys to deal with any necessary repairs or conversions. When you say ruins, are we talking about buildings which could feasibly be cleared down to the basic structure and rebuilt?”
“Yes, and even if one or two were taken apart purely for the building materials, it would work in our favour.”
Fiona said, “Victoria has said she’ll pay an early visit to help us catalogue the location of all the fruit and vegetables. Apparently, there are quite a lot.”
Cherry said, “We’ll have Archie living there so the plumbing will see steady improvement. I’ll be checking every house to assess any electrical issues.”
Marie nodded to the dark-skinned beauty. “By the time you’ve finished, Cherry, they’ll be able to see Dalwhinnie at night from Aviemore.”
Everyone at the table laughed, although the idea wasn’t so far-fetched when it was considered there was only a twenty-five-mile distance involved.
ONE MONTH LATER
.
Monday 3rd October
Noreen was in the clinic, checking and rearranging the medical supplies which had been forwarded from the friends who lived farther north.
The door swung open, and a woman with long, wavy red hair walked in, smiling. “Hi, Noreen, I see you’ve had another shipment from Aviemore.”
“Hello, Louise. Yes, Jay-Dee might be settled in Dalwhinnie, but when he heard about them gaining access to a clinic in Aviemore, he couldn’t stop himself. Archie, Jay-Dee and Fiona went up together by boat to salvage medical and dental supplies. Apparently, the building was ruined in the earth tremors years ago, so it was dangerous to climb inside. The guys at the farm spent a couple of days lifting rubble so they could gain access.”
“It sounds like they’ve got a taste for investigating more of the damaged parts of the town.”
“Aviemore is too small to have had a hospital which is why there was a clinic. It was only when they discovered the clinic that one of them suggested something else. They’d already raided the police station, and it occurred that they’d never seen a fire station.”
“Have they found it now?”
“Due to the location and size of the town, once again the building isn’t massive and apparently it’s in ruins, but it was a fire and mountain rescue emergency unit. They intend to explore the ruins of the building because where there are emergency services, there are radios.”
“It would be useful for us to have a couple more at each of our community locations—those on the move could always be in touch.”
“Absolutely,” Noreen said, “but that’s not why you’re here. What can I do for you, my friend?”
“I haven’t told Norman yet, but I have a suspicion I might be—”
Noreen smiled. “Go in there and lie on the bed—I’ll be right with you.”
Ten minutes later, Noreen removed her stethoscope and smiled at her latest patient. “You can cover yourself up now—all three of you.”
> “What?”
“Unless you have a little alien in there with two hearts, Louise, my girl, you’re expecting twins.” She grinned at Louise’s startled expression. “I think you ought to tell Norman so we can see how long it takes for him to tell everybody else.”
“When are you due, Noreen?”
“Twenty-six weeks—so at least my single one will be big enough to be left with Flint while we deliver your two.” She smiled again. “Craig and Anne have another on the way, and I’d bet that Sandy and Helen will be working on producing a brother or sister for Peter.”
Louise said, “Amber has made no secret of it that she’s ready to start a family, and I get the impression that Josh feels the same, but he’s trying to play it down.”
“Yes, we’ll see how much he plays it down when that lovely young woman of his is showing.”
The friends laughed, both well aware of how men tried to act nonchalant about their firstborn when they really wanted to shout it from the rooftops, or in the case of Auchcarn—mountain top.
Tracey sat back in the duty operator’s chair in the Control Room, making occasional notes on Harry’s behalf while he was talking on his HF radio.
“Marianne, I’m delighted to hear such news, and I know everyone else here will be pleased too. It’s great to know that you and Jacob can have a meaningful conversation now. When you’re back in touch, please remember to pass on my regards, over.”
“I will, Harry and thank you for the update on your revised little country. I’m pleased to hear that the gap in the dirty cloud is getting much bigger. I hope you know that both Jacob’s community and mine are insanely jealous—you guys have three locations and we only have one each, over.”
“As long as we remember to work with those ideals that we discussed all those years ago in university, I think we’ll be fine, over.”
“Yes, it seems such a long time ago now. Four young minds full of hope and wanting to change the world. None of us could have realised that we’d be helping to change it because we’d be part of the revised human race, over.”
