Surviving the Fall: How England Died Read Online Free

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