by Vance Huxley
Harold didn’t spin it out, he walked to the end of the pyre. Suzie handed Harold the torch after pulling off the cover and Casper was there with a gas brazing torch to set it going. “Fare Thee well, Sue.” Ten times Harold repeated that, one torch going in under each person, and then he marched back to the middle. Though his step faltered for a moment as Faith straightened and saluted, briefly.
Harold stood to attention, his best Army version, and recited the words. He couldn’t look at all those faces while he did, so Harold looked over them, at the bypass. There, some of the soldiers on the rails had straightened and a few were saluting. That was tremendously reassuring because it meant, to Harold, that despite the new rules those soldiers still identified with the people down here. Then his eyes blurred.
When he’d finished Harold turned to the flames and saluted as well. This time he stayed at the front of the mourners. Harold held his salute until Sharyn’s arm came round him and took him back into the crowd. There people did the same as before, patted his back and said well done or spoke about one of the victims. Nobody seemed ambivalent about the words this time. Maybe that was a tradition already. Everyone watched, deep in their own thoughts, as the flames took firm hold and a wall of fire hid the ten people from sight.
* * *
“Come on, Harold. Time to go home.” Sharyn hooked her arm in Harold’s, and Daisy caught hold of his hand. Hazel had Daisy’s other hand and Wills was on Sharyn’s other arm as they made their way clear of the crowd. The mourners were breaking apart a little now, though Faith, and Suzie, and probably a few others would be here for some time yet.
Liz offered a bit of charred bacon on a plastic fork. “It’s a bit overdone, Harold.” Tears were still trickling down her face. “I’ll be giving you your hug later, since you asked.”
“I’ll skip the bacon thanks, but the hug will be welcome. See you later, Liz. Where’s Casper?”
“He’s staying to keep an eye on those who aren’t likely to leave for a while.
In case they need a safe hug or someone to scream at.” Liz looked past Harold at the pyre. “Making cleavers? You did all right, wimp.”
“You too, mouse.” They walked up the road and into the house. Daisy and Wills ate, but nobody else had an appetite. Harold spent an hour drawing pretty places for Toby, and Sue, and Vince, and everyone else to live in. Then he had to read a story of course. Though from the bright eyes watching him leave the bedroom Harold thought there wouldn’t be any sleep yet. Probably colouring, since a quick look later sometimes found Daisy fast asleep still laid on an open page, crayon in hand.
* * *
The TV was showing more action this evening. In fact the damn thing was showing edited highlights of the fighting from the night before. Highly edited, as could be seen when Orchard Close came on the screen.
“The Army is being forced to act to defend the surviving enclaves of decent citizens who are being besieged by rebels and terrorists.”
Onscreen a tank lumbered past the end of the access road and ‘NO ENTRY Without Invitation’ was clear on the barricade beyond. So was the clean tarmac, or clean if nobody looked closely at the stains or the potholes the cannon had created.
“These citizens will not be disturbed by the Armed Forces. Instead, measures are being taken to help them. Before that it is essential that the violence is contained.”
Onscreen, tanks ran through a barricade and personnel carriers followed, spitting fire. The rear doors opened and soldiers swarmed forward, shooting at the defenders.
The next clip was of a shopping centre with ‘No Shoppers Allowed’ and ‘Shoppers will be Hung’ painted on the walls in large letters. A line of women were standing along the roof, waving at the soldiers. Some had machetes and baseball bats.
“Where there is resistance, we will be ruthless. Where the inhabitants are acting purely in self-defence, they will be left in peace. Steps are being taken to regularise the situation for the law-abiding.”
Harold was worried. “This could be a real problem. The TV is showing the assholes where we all are.”
“Maybe not. There was no indication where we actually are, or that shopping mall.” Sharyn sighed. “In some ways it’s a pity, we could do with finding our neighbours.”
Onscreen a crowd swarmed over a personnel carrier. The camera pulled back to show a tank was aiming its main gun at the personnel carrier. There was a gout of flame and smoke, and the crowd were swept away. Literally plucked off the armoured vehicle and thrown in heaps on the ground.
“The Armed Forces will be ruthless when faced with any attempt to interfere with attempts to restore order.”
“What the hell was that, Harold?”
“What they used out here to clear the road out there, Sharyn. Canister. The tanks used it when we put up the road blocks in London. I saw them fire canister twice and I never want to see that for real again.” Harold was frowning a little. “That shopping centre was the one we came past on the run into the city. There were bodies swinging from lampposts. I don’t think they’re all that innocent.”
“You tied people to lampposts once, Harold. Then shot them. Actually Holly gelded one and he might have preferred hanging.”
Harold winced. “Fair enough point. Whoever is in there has also had the idea of putting women on show.”
“Seems to work for them as well. The place was left alone.” Sharyn gave a little smile. “A shopping mall? What are the chances of taking us all for a bit of retail therapy?”
“Close to nil. It’s a good distance and regardless of what the TV says, the Army won’t get all the, what do they call them, terrorists and rebels.” Harold scowled. “There could be scores of them out in those ruins over our wall.”
“What about our lippy and such, and when someone wants a slinky new dress?” Sharyn looked pointedly at the ragged cloth showing Harold’s knee. “Or maybe a new pair of jeans.”
“Lippy and eye shadow aren’t a problem. The women who came on runs with me stuffed their pockets with that sort of thing, and other women’s products. They headed for the bathroom at the run when we went into a house, and I didn’t hear any flushing.”
Harold gave a little smile. “They also brought hundreds of those little disposable razors. Not just for legs. I was told that regardless of stereotypes most women prefer their men smooth for the up-close action.” He looked at his knee. “I’m wearing clothes to destruction because the shops are shut. Once I’ve got two tatty pairs I can patch one with the other.”
“You’ve got a pair with blood on and half a leg missing. I reckon they classify as tatty. Ask Kerry to sort it out. She can embroider and she brought her sewing machine as her luggage allowance instead of clothes.” Sharyn’s little smile was back. “Who wants you smooth for close-up and what’s wrong with electric shavers?”
“They were worried about the electricity going off, and so am I.” Onscreen a building crumpled as the tanks blew away the corners and the troops and armoured vehicles moved in. “One solid hit on a substation or one of those things giving a pylon a nudge in passing and we’re frying dinner over a candle.”
“Yeuk, no. No more barbecue for a while. The stink from across the road would turn some of us vegetarian if there were enough veggies.” Sharyn poked Harold’s waistline. “This is your paradise. Burgers and chips because a lot of the freezers had both. Not so much frozen lettuce about.”
“Nor freezers now.” Harold stretched. “I really don’t want to watch another couple of hours of the whole city dying building by building. I’m going for a walk to plan soldier boy things. Those damn walls need to be stronger for a start.” Harold stood. “Don’t wait up sis. I’m going to sit in the study and clean guns and make new ammo for a bit when I get back. It’s a sort of therapy.”
“Definitely soldier stuff. I’m going to bed soon because Daisy will be up at the crack of dawn. Where did Hazel go?”
“She asked if it was all right to go to Betty’s. Alfie and Veronica are meetin
g there to have a memorial game on the computer. Toby’s favourite game.” Harold frowned and sat down again. “Is that normal, because at the pyre I wondered about something that captain said?”
“What exactly, apart from no and hard luck.”
“When I said about pyres, he asked if we were Pagans. I said no but just now some people were putting locks of hair on the pyres.” Harold sighed. “There were also mementoes, like the grave goods that were found in old tombs, and a few threw food on there.”
“The food was Liz’s bacon which was only fit for the fire. People often used to put something in a coffin anyway, before the lid went on.” Sharyn thought a moment. “You may be right in some ways. That was more brutal, not like the clean, quiet, antiseptic service and carefully concealed furnace.”
“Even Faith put something on there, though she sort of sneaked it on.”
“If you mention that I’ll do sister things to you. That was a toy soldier. Toby liked soldiers long before you turned up.” Sharyn sighed. “Now get off and check sentries or whatever, or you’ll be fretting all night.”
“Yes sis. I hear and obey.”
Though tonight the therapy didn’t work. There were faceless people among those Harold shot and stabbed in his sleep, and now he actually had lost count. Or rather, he couldn’t count if he wanted to because he didn’t know who he’d hit in the chaos. Somehow, that was even more horrific.
* * *
“Harold, Harold.” Harold smiled.
“Yes, Hazel?”
“Can you go to the gate please? A big tank thing stopped and Emmy thinks they took the beer.”
“Good.”
“No, it’s not that. She says the man stood at the end of the building where he was hidden from the bypass. He pointed inside the house. Then he blew her a kiss, then he pointed again. She doesn’t think it was just thank you.”
Harold could picture Hazel. She’d be hopping from one foot to another out there. “All right Hazel. Please tell Emmy I’m on the way.” Harold heard footsteps racing away. Harold had told those with radios to not use them for anything regarding the Army, and this qualified.
All the way to the barricade Harold wondered what the hell they’d left. It could be anything from frilly underwear to a sack of spuds so he gave up. “I’m coming with you.” Emmy preened. “He blew me the kiss, after all.”
“Bitch. Only because he couldn’t see me.” Sal pouted, then laughed. “Come on, it’s ages since a strange man sent me gifts.” Emmy and Sal bantered as the three of them walked down the access road and Harold peered into the shadowed interior. The present wasn’t easy to see since it was covered in sacking. Harold pulled the cover clear and stood speechless for long moments.
“Well, what is it?”
“Possibly life for one or two inside Orchard Close. These are exactly what I asked for. They’ve even taken them out of the big boxes with red crosses so nobody will realise what we’re carrying.” Harold held up a packet. “Antibiotics, wound powder, dressings, oh bless them. If the tanks come back all of you line up and blow them a kiss.”
“Patricia was talking about those, antibiotics. If they get near enough I’ll give them a real kiss. Come on, let’s get them shifted.” Sal reached forward for the heap.
“Not yet. Just wander up there and fill half a dozen carrier bags with bricks or something else you can dump here. Get Casper to help you bring them down here. Then we amble back up with the same filled carrier bags, but full of goodies. Otherwise those nice soldiers will get into a lot of trouble, because this isn’t allowed.” Harold shooed Sal with both hands. “Put those down or in your pockets and get gone.”
“What if someone comes before then, so see what we’ve been doing?”
Harold smiled. “They won’t come in. Fella and young woman in private place? Heavy breathing and suchlike if they get close? They might peek round the door but won’t interrupt if the couple are hugging.” Sal laughed and turned to go.
“Take your time, Sal. After all I’ve just been told there will be hugging, and heavy breathing, and I want time to find out about suchlike.” Emmy smiled happily. “Who knows what we could be up to when you get back. Just knock before entering, please.”
“I said only if someone is coming.” But Sal was on her way, laughing, and a smiling Emmy was advancing. The hug was a nice gentle one and then Emmy stepped back and turned to the heap of medication.
“Right, let’s see what’s here.” Emmy glanced at Harold and winked.
“I’m confused. Possibly relieved but after the build-up possibly a bit let down.” Harold was grinning because he really had been worried about just how full on some of the girl’s club seemed to be. Now he knew they were just winding him up.
Emmy stepped in close for another hug and this one was a bit stronger. She whispered in his ear. “There are at least five of us who would love to get you somewhere private. Just to see what a hug might lead to. Some, like me, are still grieving and aren’t ready to try that yet, and maybe never will be. Some are definitely ready right now so be careful who you suggest suchlike to.”
Her breath was warm on Harold’s neck as Emmy giggled. “You have been warned.” She pulled back a bit and her lips were soft on Harold’s just for a moment. “There, so I can claim some suchlike went on. Just to wind the rest up a bit.”
“What about Curtis? I thought, well, you seem to get on.” Harold had thought the pair were getting along better than it now seemed.
“Ah, well. A lot of us girls get a bit tempted by a bad boy, if one is available. Maybe not to settle down with and raise rugrats, but perhaps to get her fingers singed a bit.” Emmy became dead serious. “I like Curtis, but I also wonder about singed fingers.” She turned back to the medication.
Harold stared at her back. Bloody hell! He definitely wouldn’t mind a private hug or two with some of the girl’s club, including Emmy. Maybe some suchlike eventually if the hugging went well, but that sounded like a hunting pack. Worse than that, if he got caught by the wrong one, was he ready for rugrats? Just what a bloke needed with his sister watching from the end of the road. Harold started wondering which five and quickly abandoned that. Inspecting medicine was safer.
* * *
“Knock, knock. Can we come in? Do you need time to adjust anything?” Harold stood up from where he was bent over the heap, sorting it into smaller piles.
“Just a moment.” Harold turned to see why and Emmy wrapped her arms round him. Harold hugged back and suddenly this wasn’t at all chaste. Warm lips connected and Harold kissed back because, dammit, he wanted to kiss Emmy. Especially with what she’d said still buzzing in his head. Then Emmy leaned back and slowly licked her lips. “There, that deals with heavy breathing. After Halloween I wanted to find out if I’m ready and sorry, not yet. Though once I am, you’d better start running.”
Her second kiss was softer and then Emmy turned away and called out. “All right, my whatevers are straightened and tucked in. You were a bit too quick though.”
Sal came in with Casper, then stopped and a big smile spread over her face. “Only just too quick from the colour of his face, and how long you took to tuck.” She sniggered. “His breathing is a bit heavy as well. You’ll have to explain about whatever later.”
“My lips are sealed. Come on, give me a couple of the bags.”
Casper was looking questions so once they’d delivered the carrier bags to a delighted Patricia, Harold pulled him to one side. “Emmy sort of wanted to test the water, so to speak. It’s too soon for her.”
“I could have told her that.” Casper was smiling but still curious. “So you’ve decided on making a play for Emmy?”
“Not really, though I do really like her. It’s just that I don’t know which ones want some fun, which ones want a permanent arrangement, and which ones are winding me up. I’m not very good with commitment, especially the rug-rat type. It doesn’t make for restful sleep, especially with Sharyn at the end of the road.” Harold chuckled
. “I shouldn’t complain, should I? I should be bloody smug with two or three girls interested.”
“You can’t count. It’s nine, though some are only teasing and some of the others are doing what Emmy was, wondering how they feel. Not all of them have you at the top of their list, but there’s a competitive side to that now.” Casper sniggered. “No, I’m not telling which are which because Liz would kill me. She’s rolling about laughing at them, or winding them up. Now get going before they think I’m competition for their bad boy.”
“I’m not really a bad boy.”
Casper patted Harold on the back. “Dangerous works the same, apparently, so hard luck. Liz agrees with that assessment. She says you’re an alien killing machine, but it’s reassuring having one parked at the end of the road.”
Harold got going, though in quiet moments he did start to wonder who was serious.
* * *
After four nights of watching tanks and armour smash barricades, and days where the TV showed a ring of steel around the city centre, everything changed. “They’re pulling out.”
Harold came through to look at the TV and Sharyn was right. Every last vehicle and man was pulling out of the city centre and heading towards the boundary in small convoys. Behind them they left a charnel house. “They could have burned the bodies.” Harold knew his disgust showed but this was disgusting. “It’s probably an economy measure.”
In the background as the vehicles pulled out heaps seethed with crows and ravens and buzzards. The black heaps were mottled as seagulls joined the feast, and even at a distance the scurrying dots of rats were visible.
Sharyn winced, then thought about it. “You might be right.” She stared. “Look at those heaps, there must be thousands of bodies. Why didn’t the idiots surrender?”
“I told you what the tank man said. The armour was chasing them home.
The other armour coming in must have done the same until the mobs were neatly bottled up together. Right back where they started in one big mob.” Harold hesitated over the next bit, but pushed on. “We’ve seen how the pictures of what happened here were chosen. Who can say if that lot tried to surrender in the end and were killed anyway?”
