Chapter Five
Riley
As we drove back to the perimeter, Pa and I were lost in our own thoughts. Life felt weird at the moment. Like we were all waiting for something to happen. For years, life in the perimeter had been predictable and reliable. Safe. But since Skye’s death, everything had changed. For the first time ever, supplies were running low and the fence didn’t feel as solid as it used to. And then there was the FJ situation.
Putting it simply, FJ was a nutter. It wasn’t all his fault. He’d been abducted by a religious cult when he was a kid and had been totally brainwashed by James Grey’s church. Earlier this year, Luc and I had been captured by Grey, but we’d managed to escape when Luc had shoved a fork down Grey’s throat. Gross, I know, but it had done the job and the injuries had resulted in Grey losing his voice. FJ had been selected to speak on Grey’s behalf and had since become known as ‘The Voice of the Father’.
Back in October, we’d managed to take Grey and FJ hostage. We’d done it to try and prevent them from annexing our part of the country. But FJ had got away. Before he’d left, he’d given me some disturbing news – that he knew who had killed my sister, Skye. I didn’t know whether to believe him or not. Luc was convinced he was lying, but I wasn’t so sure.
Anyway, after thinking long and hard about it, I’d eventually told my father what FJ had said to me about Skye. Pa hadn’t replied. He’d simply nodded his head and chewed the inside of his lip. Then he’d stood up and walked out of the room. Grabbed his coat from the hook and left the house.
I followed him. Worried about what he was going to do. I asked him where he was going, but he didn’t reply. Just kept walking. But I knew where he was going. I knew what he would do. He marched straight into the Guards’ House and demanded to speak with the prisoner – James Grey.
The guards let Pa into his cell. Maybe if Roger Brennan had been on duty that night he would have talked Pa out of it. But I doubt it. Grey was in a weakened state. His sudden capture had affected his health and we hadn’t expected him to last the winter. He didn’t even make it through the night. Pa saw to that.
Pa sent me home, so I don't know exactly what happened. And I don't think I wanted to know. It was a pretty insignificant ending for the legendary James Grey. He wouldn’t be missed by many, except perhaps his brainwashed followers.
And it turned out we had lost our bargaining chip for nothing, as Grey hadn’t given my father any more information about Skye’s killer.
Pa and I hadn’t mentioned it since. It wasn’t common knowledge that Grey was dead and we wanted to maintain the illusion that he was still our hostage. Otherwise there would be nothing to stop FJ marching straight down here with his army.
FJ – otherwise known as ‘The Voice of the Father’. But the Father was dead now. So what did that make FJ? He was out there somewhere and he was unpredictable, vindictive and dangerous. He also had a big problem with me. But I pushed that uncomfortable thought from my mind.
The AV blasted out deliciously warm air and my fingers burned as they thawed. Pa turned and gave me a smile.
‘Did you manage to get any trades before the riot?’
‘No. The queues were ridiculous and the traders sold out before I got there.’ I didn’t tell him that I’d given away some of my trades to Lou. If he asked, I’d pretend I lost them in the confusion. ‘Pa,’ I began.
‘What?’
‘Do you know anyone with fuel to trade, for the gypsies?’
‘Fuel?’ Pa said. ‘What sort of fuel?’
‘Wood and stuff. For their fires.’
‘They’ll be lucky. Apart from our stores, there’s nothing around for miles. Everything was stripped and chopped up when Grey’s army came through.’
‘There must be some somewhere,’ I said, staring through the glass at the bleak, grey December landscape, the sky hanging low above the frost-tinged earth. All the summer bracken and bushes had gone. It was a barren wasteland.
‘Look around,’ Pa said. ‘There’s nothing. Whatever we have at home, we need.’
‘Can’t we at least give Lou some of ours? She’s got two kids to look after and . . .’
The AV stopped with a jolt, cutting me off mid-sentence. Pa turned off the engine, plunging us into a sudden eerie silence.
‘Riley,’ he said after a few long seconds. ‘Take a good look at the scenery. Because unless you want to end up living out here with nothing, you better put all thoughts of this misguided charity out of your head.’
‘I’m not talking about a lot – maybe a few logs and some bundles of kindling.’
‘A few logs can be the difference between life and death.’ His voice softened. ‘I know I seem harsh, but if it’s a choice between you and a bunch of strangers, I know who I’d pick.’
Pa’s eyes bored into my own, willing me to see his point of view. But I didn’t agree with him. How could I? We had mountains of timber at home. I’d seen it. Why should I have the protection of the fence and the warmth of the generators? What had I ever done to deserve so much? Nothing. I let my eyes drop to my lap. If Pa wouldn’t help them, I would.
As we approached the perimeter, I gazed at the still unfamiliar red brick wall behind the fence. It had been Luc’s idea to build it – a double layer of security. Since Grey had tried to take over the south, we’d had to think about upgrading our defences. They had bombs and weapons which now matched, if not outgunned, our own armoury. An inner wall would buy us time if they attacked again. It also shielded us from prying eyes. Pa had traded a lot for the extra bricks and we’d also had to dismantle several perimeter buildings. But everyone agreed it was worth it.
Luc was on the gates today. He didn’t usually go on guard duty, but half our guards were currently recovering from some kind of flu virus, so we were short-handed, meaning everyone had to pitch in. I had to admit, he looked really good in a guard’s uniform. Pa drove through the double set of gates, came to a stop and buzzed his window down, letting in the icy air.
‘You okay?’ Luc asked with a worried frown. ‘I heard there was a riot at the compound.’ His eyes flicked to mine and then back to Pa’s.
‘We’re fine,’ Pa said. ‘But the compound’s in a bad way. They’re gonna have to find some supplies from somewhere soon or they’ll tear the place apart. A lot of desperate people over there.’
‘Not good,’ Luc said.
‘No. Anyway, see you later, Luc.’
Luc nodded and then looked past Pa to me. ‘D’you want to come round later, Riley? After my shift? Have something to eat?’
I felt a thud of something in my chest. Nerves? Excitement? Hope? Luc and I had barely spoken since we’d got back from Salisbury a couple of months ago.
And, when we had talked, neither he nor I had mentioned
us
. If there even was an
us
anymore.
‘Erm, yeah, okay. Sevenish?’
‘Cool. See you later.’ He straightened up and waved us on.
Pa closed the window. He didn’t comment on Luc’s invitation.
We cruised up Glenferness and over the bridge. No one else around. Probably all inside trying to keep warm. We turned into our road and Pa nosed the huge AV into the drive. Ma’s face appeared briefly at the window, a smile before she vanished, and then seconds later the front door opened.
As we crunched across the gravel to the house, Pa shook his head at my mother. Her face dropped.
‘No flour?’ she asked.
‘Sorry, Ellie. No nothing. The whole place is a mess.’
‘Oh, that’s such a shame. I was going to bake a cake. Maybe Rita will have some, but I hate to ask. I’ll pop over there later. Come inside, quick. It’s freezing out here.’
She kissed Pa on the lips and kissed me on the cheek, ushering us into the hallway.
‘I’m going next door this evening,’ I said. ‘If Rita’s there, I’ll ask her about some flour for you.’
‘Thanks, darling. That would be great. I borrowed three eggs from Ellen’s mum and if I get the flour from Rita, I should have everything I need. Tell Rita, I’ll bring her over a few slices once it’s baked.’
‘See you girls later,’ Pa said, picking up some paperwork from the hall table. ‘I need to call a meeting.’
‘Okay, darling,’ Ma said. ‘Have fun.’
I shook my head. Ma just didn’t get it. She didn’t seem aware of the dangers or the precariousness of our life. She treated everything like a game and viewed Pa’s business like some kind of hobby he indulged in. But deep down I knew it was her way of coping with stuff. She hadn’t been the same since Skye died. She’d withdrawn into herself and didn’t seem to want to know about the reality of things. Pa humoured her and I tried to do the same, even though her attitude irked me.
The front door slammed behind my father and Ma gave a dramatic sigh. ‘He’s always so busy. We never have time to do anything interesting anymore.’
‘I know, Ma. There’s just a lot going on at the moment. But anyway, I met someone really nice today at the compound.’
‘Oh, yes? Tell me about it.’ She took my arm and steered me into the sitting room. ‘I think we should sit in here like civilised people and light a proper fire,’ she said. ‘What do you think? It’s like the artic in here.’
‘Ooh, a fire sounds nice,’ I said. ‘But we shouldn’t really.’
The hearth was already laid with kindling. A big stack of split logs by the side. We weren’t supposed to light it ever. It was strictly for emergencies only. We used the gennies for light and power, but our main source of heat was from the massive range in the kitchen which was hooked up to radiators throughout the house. However, our place was so huge, that even with the range going, the rooms felt cold. An open fire sounded like heaven.
‘No,’ I said, not giving in to temptation. ‘Let’s sit in the kitchen. It’s warm enough by the range.’
‘You’re right, I know,’ she replied. ‘I just fancied a change from sitting in the kitchen. It gets a bit dull after a while.’
‘I’ll tell you about my new friend,’ I said. ‘That’ll cheer you up.’
She smiled and we left the chilly sitting room for the warmth of the kitchen. Cradling cups of apple tea, we chatted until the light faded. I told her about the girl outside the compound and how she had helped me. I played down the violence though; Ma didn’t need to hear about that. Then I realised it was nearly time to go next door to Luc’s. I stood up and yawned, stretching my arms above my head. I wanted to shower and change before I left.
‘Riley,’ Ma said as I stood up to go. ‘What is going on with you and that boy?’
Her question took me aback. She’d never openly asked me about Luc before. The subject had kind of become taboo. I thought she still blamed Luc somehow for Skye’s death. It was a question I wished I was able to answer better because, truthfully, I had no clue what was going on with Luc and me. We’d had something and then it had vanished.
‘Nothing’s going on,’ I said, walking to the door.
‘That’s a shame,’ she said.
‘You think so?’ I turned.
‘Of course. It’s obvious the boy worships the ground you walk on.’
‘Not anymore,’ I replied.
‘Don’t waste time over-thinking things. I’ve made so many mistakes, Riley. If Luc’s the one for you, then don’t worry about making a fool of yourself. It’s worth the risk. If you let him go, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’
I left the room and tramped up the stairs. Ma’s advice was easier said than done. Me and Luc and our non-relationship was a mess. He’d wanted us to be together, but I’d felt guilty because he’d been Skye’s crush and then we did get it together, but that had ended as soon as it had begun. Right now I had no idea where we stood, except I was pretty sure he was sick of the whole ‘us’ scenario and just wanted to be friends.