Surviving the Fall: How England Died Read Online Free Page A

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 hard 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.
    He noticed Amy checking on Annie, who had fallen asleep a few hours ago.
    Amy whispered, “Jack, I think I’m a bit scared.”
    Jack took his eyes of the road for a second to give his wife a reassuring smile. “I know. It will be ok. Look, whatever is happening, I’m sure it will be resolved in a few days. You know the government, always prone to overplay things, to overreact. We are doing the right thing.”
    Amy nodded. “I suppose. It’s best to be away from it, I guess.”
    “Far away. Is she still sleeping?”
    “Yes, I think she… Jack!”
    Jack didn’t need the shout, he had seen it. He slammed on the breaks and managed to swerve past the minibus that blocked half the road. The car slid from left to right and the sound and smell of burning rubber filled the still night air as they tried to grip the road. Eventually they came to a stop.
    Silence.
    “Are you ok?” Jack managed to say to Amy, his heart beating fast.
    Amy was breathing heavily, her face ashen, her hands gripping the side of her seat. She didn’t respond to Jack but quickly looked into the rear