Fall of the Cities: Planting the Orchard

by Vance Huxley

  “Nothing Sarge, except the chips.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Ah, well.” The private stopped and visibly braced before replying. “I’m a bit young and not her type, Sarge.”

  “Then you’d better check the other young lady. Perhaps you’ll have better luck.” There was some sniggering and even laughter from behind the sandbags and the visible soldiers were smiling. The sergeant didn’t even look back. “Anyone who finds that funny should remember there’s miles of kerbstones up here that need polishing.” Silence and straight faces followed his words but Harold had to smile, just a little one. After all he was safe from the kerb polishing.

  Harold’s search was a bit more robust but eased off after Harold whispered “you’re not my type either.” The three moved up and Sarge inspected the chips himself. Then he looked past Harold.

  “What are they doing? The women down there.”

  “Just reminding you that they live there. So you understand if we get a bit violent over protecting them when trouble comes to call.”

  “When? Not if?”

  “They’ll come when the easy targets are all gone in the middle of the city.” Harold looked at his bowl. “I may as well eat these if you don’t want them.”

  “These have been commandeered now by the Army.” Sarge smiled. “Since Thatcher didn’t go green or puke. Hang on, let me check.” Salt and vinegar went into the dish and Sarge chewed happily. “Thatcher, take the rest for the lads to inspect.” The sergeant eyed Harold. “You’re in charge then?”

  “Sort of. You wanted one person so I’m it. You could have a committee?”

  “No thanks. So what are your lot doing looting those houses?”

  “Commandeering vital resources before they are destroyed by the elements.” Harold shrugged. “Since normal services are not being resumed and you lot allowed the yobs to burn the supermarkets down.”

  “We didn’t allow them to do it. We have orders to stay out and let the police deal with it.” Sarge scowled. “Something to do with Human Rights.” Harold stared and this time Sarge shrugged. “Lawyer crap but that’s what we’re told.”

  “You’ll still shoot the bad guys if they’re armed, right? Because we’re relying on that.” Harold hadn’t expected Human Rights to get into this. That could mean any sort of lunatic regulation.

  “Not if it’s knives and hatchets or clubs. Those are allowed as civilian self-defence weapons. We will shoot anyone, even those women, if they’re carrying a firearm. Providing we can confirm they are carrying one.” Sarge gave Harold a long look. “That includes air weapons because it’s difficult to tell the difference in a hurry. Though according to our instructions, bows and crossbows are allowed.”

  “Crossbows?” Harold was stunned.

  “Not my decision.” Sarge looked out across the houses. “The women can go back in now. We’ve got the message.” Harold turned and waved at the women looking his way, and most waved back. Then he gestured ‘go away’ and shooed them indoors. Several waved again and Hazel produced a salute and an extra double handed wave before turning away. When Harold turned back Sarge had a smile. “Little sister?”

  “No, probably an orphan and she’s moved in with my sister and her two kids.” Harold took a deep breath. “About ten of the girls and women are the only survivors of a whole block of flats. The looters came for women. The arses told the residents they’d trade, young women for the safety of the rest. The next night the bastards came back and insisted. Those ten broke out in a minibus, yes that one down there, when the door of the flats went in and the mob came through.”

  Sarge scowled again and the anger in it wasn’t aimed at Harold. “We get strictly limited news. Seriously though, even knowing about those women we can’t come off the bypass to help you.” Sarge looked out over city. “If you knocked down the first row of damaged houses beyond the occupied ones, we could see better to shoot. Should we see a firearm.” He shrugged. “Though I wouldn’t suggest it.”

  “Though someone might just come up with it now. Thanks.”

  “We can still only shoot those with firearms, unless they come into the zone. That’s why the bulldozers knocked everything down in the zone, so we can see to shoot. Your nearest back gardens are only just outside, so don’t come over there for any reason.” Sarge looked left and right. “You’ve got clear ground either side. It’s a pity you aren’t allowed a machine gun since that’s a lovely field of fire. Ah, another little bit of a warning. If somebody does give you an AK or any other automatic weapon, don’t fire it. Our orders are to use artillery if we hear automatic fire regardless of collateral.” The look Sarge gave him left Harold in no doubt about how serious that warning was.

  “Or bloody napalm.”

  Sarge nodded. “Or napalm. Please don’t make me do that. Are you making one of those enclaves here?”

  “What enclaves?”

  “Our reports say they’re springing up here and there. Groups of people, sometimes gangs who’ve seen a golden opportunity but some are just pissed off citizens. They build a barricade and maybe a wall around their patch and declare independence.”

  “Independence of what?” Harold had seen barricades, but that was a whole step further.

  “How should I know? They stop anyone going in without a search and as far as I know the police ignore the whole thing. There’ll be real trouble in the end.” Sarge wasn’t talking to Harold for just a few seconds, he was talking almost to himself.

  “What about?” Harold stopped himself to get back to real information. “Doctors don’t come anyway, nor the post. Are any of the hospitals still open?”

  “One. I didn’t tell you this but don’t risk the trip. The Army are evacuating everyone and everything from there. No, I don’t know where to. Now look what you’ve done. A couple of chips and I’ve got a loose mouth.” Sarge gave a rueful smile. “That was a really clever move, getting the women out there. So was bringing those two.” Liz and Emmy were chatting to the soldiers though they were being kept outside the sandbags.

  “They volunteered, and I only asked the women if they’d mind.” That reminded Harold of a request of Sharyn’s. “The widow wants to fly a Union Jack. Is there any objection?”

  Sarge went very stiff and formal. “I hope you are not asking if we would fire on the flag?”

  “Christ no. I just didn’t know if there was some new law or regulation.”

  Sarge relaxed again. “As long as it’s flown properly. Don’t take the piss. Ah, Army widow, sorry.” Sarge smiled. “Don’t put the flag where it gets in the way of shooting at an armed intruder. What regiment?”

  “The Rifles. He was in the Ukraine and came home in a body bag.” Both sighed at that because economies meant that soldier’s bodies did come back that way, not in a coffin.

  Empty dishes were being passed back to Liz and Emmy, accompanied by big smiles. Harold nodded that way. “Keep the salt and vinegar though we can’t promise a lot of chips. The supply depends on how many we rescue or commandeer.”

  “Hah. Yes. In the British Isles chips might be considered a vital resource. Wouldn’t want too many coming up here anyway.” Sarge gave a little frown. “The lads would brag and then there’d be questions and snap inspections, that sort of thing. Can’t have those innocent boys fraternising.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. You are not actually described as the enemy, but the rules of engagement as in actually speaking to anyone in there are very close to that.” Sarge nodded towards the city. “I’m relieved to meet you because your lot seem civilised. That’s really why I wanted to see you, to weigh up what the neighbours were like.” Sarge looked over and raised his voice. “You lot, are you soldiers or schoolboys who’ve never met a real woman?” The soldiers were suddenly all official and standing straight. Sarge whispered “schoolboys” to Harold and winked.

  “So are we square, Sarge?”

  “Yes, Mr Miller. I suggest the ladies wear tightish jeans next time
and no jackets if it’s warm enough. If not they could take the jackets off when we stop them, it saves having to search them.” Sarge had a little smile showing. “Then no more of the lads will get their horizons broadened.” Sarge turned to smile at Liz and Emmy. “Thank you, ladies.” Sarge went back over the sandbags which was a definite hint.

  Liz waited until they were halfway back. “Did it work?”

  “Which bit?” Harold grinned at her. “You’re not my type and a bit young anyway?”

  Liz sniggered and Emmy smiled. “He was being so careful not to touch anywhere even close to a bit risky. I could have hidden ten poncy pistols.”

  “Don’t ever try it because some soldiers will enjoy searching. Though if we get that sort I’ll send you back rather than put up with it.”

  Emmy glanced back. “They seemed nice enough?”

  “That sergeant has those under control. I’ve seen some soldiers that would take full advantage.” Three names came to Harold’s mind immediately.

  “What did the sergeant want?” That was Liz, she loved to know everything first.

  Harold gave a short laugh. “To know if we’re setting up our own little kingdom. There’s a lot of it about he reckons.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll explain to everyone at once, OK?” The rest of the walk was in silence.

  Chapter 9:

  Berry Beer

  “Are we doing that?” Harry senior paused. “We already are, I suppose. Though I don’t want to declare independence. I’m British and proud of it.”

  “No need for declaring independence. In fact we’ll be flying the flag to prove we’re still a part of the Union. Even if we’re a bit cut off from the rest.” Sharyn smiled and gave Harold a thumbs up.

  “More cut off than we thought. Toby has finally connected his computer and there’s a problem with the phone lines.” Faith, Toby’s Mum, waved a hand at her son. “I’ve no idea why but he can’t play his games or talk to his friends most of the time.”

  Toby knew his cue. “It’s the speed on the lines. Maybe because the landline here is an old one, though I would have thought that posh houses like these would have a good connection.” He frowned. “The government said there was a minimum established everywhere now, and this is too slow. It’s as if everyone is using the system at the same time and they can’t be.”

  The meeting was being held outdoors and everyone turned to look at the stretch of empty, damaged buildings. There were a lot less people on the system now than there had been for a long time. “Can you fix it, Toby?”

  “No. It’s to do with the line or the exchange. Some of the houses use the Virgin network, with the fibre optics. Those are all dead. Not a flicker.” Toby looked around hopefully but nobody had any idea of how to help.

  “Does it really matter if Toby can’t play games?” Seth asked, but others were nodding.

  “It matters when we need information from the internet and there isn’t any. Medical help would be a blessing since I’m only a trainee.” Patricia smiled. “I‘m qualified up to Band Aid, and maybe bandages, but if it gets serious get on the www sharpish.” She frowned. “Maybe Toby could download a lot of that sort of information now, so I don’t have to wait?”

  “Where to find a brewery would be a good bit of information if we are going to hide in here. The cans will run out and I’m not the only one who enjoys a pint.” Seth stared back at the smiles. “I didn’t see anyone throwing that wine-making gear away even if none of us can use it.”

  Casper looked over. “Didn’t you suggest getting a brewer, Harold?”

  Harold nodded. “Yes. We should try to recruit a builder as well, and any other skills that might come in useful.”

  “A real building type joiner for starters, or a cabinet maker. I can fix up shelving, handyman stuff but I don’t build kitchens or put on roofs.” Finn looked around. “We should double up where we can.”

  “We can take apprentices?” Rob looked round and smiled. “It might not seem glamorous, but when the loo is blocked, guess who you need?”

  “Won’t happen so much now we’re rationing loo paper.”

  “Won’t happen at all in our house, nor will a loo roll shortage. Oh.” Susan blushed because she’d just announced what had been unofficial up to now. Rob and Susan were sharing a house but being very coy about how official that was. “Anyway, Rob has put in a bidet. Ladies, I recommend you get on the list.” Susan hid her blush against Rob which caused a few more smiles.

  Rob answered the question in a lot of eyes. “If we take out any bidets we find and bring them here, I can probably fit them everywhere in time. That really will cut down on loo paper usage.” He smiled at Harold. “But I could do with an apprentice in that case.”

  Harold thought that was a good idea. “We could end up with two of every skill.” Harold nodded towards the trainee nurse. “Patricia had the right idea. Everyone make a list and pass it to the computer fanatics for downloading. That’s Toby, Alfie, Hazel and Veronica, the young teens. Anyone older who is willing to carry out straight searches?” A lot of hands went up for that. “Good. We’ll need lists and rotas for finding out since it will be a slow job according to Toby. Scrounge any printers and ink if we find them.”

  “What about the wall idea, all around the houses?” Holly was another of the rescues from the minibus, and keen on defence.

  “We’ll knock down any garages and sheds close to the edge and throw any loose bricks in a long heap along our boundary for now. It’s more important to get the food out of the ruins. There’s still no hint of when we’ll have any fresh supplies.” Harold looked over at Seth. “Though getting a brewer or any other skillset will get some priority from me at least.”

  “I want a crossbow.” Gabriela’s severe olive face showed exactly why. She was still going through a breakdown over leaving Abraham to die, and now the young woman wanted payback. The idea of a weapon she could use and the Army would allow had caught her imagination. “Then I don’t have to hide it. That lot out there owe me a life.”

  “Not just you Gabriela, but we can’t go hunting them. There are too many.” Harold spoke gently because a lot of the survivors had at least some sympathy with that point of view. Others wanted to pull the covers over their heads and wait for it all to go away and neither were practical. “Though any sports shop that stocked them can go on the list. Ski clothing might be handy if the electricity goes off this winter.”

  “There’s just too much all at once.” Sharyn was looking despondent. “There’s not enough of us. What if the electricity does go off? Half the houses don’t have a proper fire with a chimney. How do we cook because you all saw the TV? The news said that the gas will be turned off if the pipelines can’t be fixed.”

  “We can use bottled gas?” Liz pointed across the road towards the mobile home park. “Those things use bottled gas. Hell, I use it for heating metal. Put a gas merchant on the search and we’ll nick the lot before anyone else gets wise.” Liz looked towards the mobile homes. “We should strip those places of everything like that. I think there are gas fridges and I’ll bet that office has spare gas bottles.”

  “Good thinking. Sort out a few people and start tomorrow while I start on trying for the brewer at least. If the right person still answers his phone.” Harold looked around. “I know you hate this, and so do I, but we need those lists and someone to put them together.”

  “Collate them? I can do that.” Hilda, one of the original residents, gave a brittle smile. “That was my job at one time until the pay stopped coming. I can’t do this macho stuff and I’m not strong enough for scavenging, so at least I’ll be useful.”

  “Everyone is useful, Hilda. Some of us must have brains considering the size of Casper’s brawn, just to even up.” Liz smiled and several others laughed at her comment. The meeting broke up though Liz spoke quietly to a few as they left. Harold walked back home with Sharyn because he had a phone call to make.

  * * *

  �
��Hi there Mr Pilsworth. It’s Harry Miller.”

  “Hello Harry. I already know about the robbery. Someone took the weapons and the ammunition, everything. It must be one of the members because there was no sign of a break-in. Five members aren’t answering their phones including you. At least I hope it was members, I wouldn’t want criminals to have them.”

  Harold thought about that for a few moments and decided against confession. “I didn’t answer because we had to get out. Our neighbours were burned out and we were next.”

  “Really? Are your sister and the children safe? Where are you?”

  “We’re on the outskirts away from the worst of it. You could join us?” Harold thought another man who could shoot would be a huge advantage.

  “No, no. Our estate have barricaded themselves in. I don’t like the people who have done it. They’re a rough lot, but they won’t let the rioters in here.” Mr Pilsworth sighed. “I haven’t told them I’ve got a rifle and a bit of ammunition because they’re already waving hand guns about and, as I said, they are a rough lot.”

  “I’d hide the rifle in case things turn nasty if I were you, and not mention the club.” That was a bit selfish but Harold didn’t want some ‘rough lot’ in the city getting a man who could shoot and keep their weapons in good order. Though those with weapons probably already knew how. “What I really called about was for the phone number of the Dog and Stoat. Have you any idea?”

  “Maybe. What do you want Sam for?”

  “I thought he might want to get out of the city. The same offer goes for plumbers, builders, electricians, any of those types. We’re trying to build a little community.” Harold crossed his fingers.

  “I don’t know. Maybe. Sam was robbed you know. He got out of the back but they smashed the place up and stole the stock. Hang on, I’ll have a look. We used to book the Rifle Club Christmas party there.” There was a short silence. “Here you go. Have you got a pen and paper? You can give me your number as well because the recognition thing doesn’t work on mine anymore.”