The Enemy

‘Be ready in a jiffy.’

Sam felt warm and safe and sleepy. He was on the verge of crying. He looked across at Nick, who was sitting on the bed. Nick winked and his face creased into a smile. Sam smiled back.

‘So what were you doing, all alone down there?’ Nick asked, taking out a tobacco pouch and rolling a cigarette.

‘I’d gone into the station to get away from some grownups,’ said Sam, yawning. ‘Then I got stuck down there. Every time I tried to get out there were more of them.’

‘They’re like big old rats,’ said Nick, making a sour face. ‘The sick ones. We’re pretty safe round these parts, though. They’ve learnt to leave us alone. They don’t bother us none.’

‘Why didn’t you two get sick?’ asked Sam. ‘We thought everyone over fourteen had got ill.’

Nick shrugged. ‘Du

‘So you were by yourself, young Sam, were you?’ Rachel asked.

‘We got split up,’ said Sam. ‘I was trying to find my friends. They were on their way into London to Buckingham Palace.’

‘What on earth for?’

‘It’s safe there.’

‘Yeah?’ said Nick. ‘First I heard about it. Mind you, I ain’t been over that way since this all started.’

‘So, these friends of yours?’ said Rachel. ‘Are there many of them?’

‘About fifty, I think.’

‘Fifty?’ said Nick. ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? We never found that many kids together nowhere.’

‘You’ve found other kids then?’ said Sam. ‘Alive?’

‘Yes, we have,’ said Rachel, bringing a bowl of soup over to Sam. ‘We look after ’em. We fix ’em up and we feed them and we make sure they’re safe.’

‘So where are they all now?’

‘Safe,’ said Rachel. ‘Now eat.’

‘Why do you stay down here?’

‘We just do. We hid out here to start with and just sort of got stuck. That’s enough questions now, you need some food inside you.’

Sam scooped up a spoonful of soup and blew on it. It was thin and brown but smelt good.

‘Just vegetables, I’m afraid,’ said Rachel, ruffling his hair. ‘Whatever we can find in tins.’

Sam tasted the soup, which was watery but delicious. His whole body shuddered with the delight of it and he instantly felt a warm glow in his stomach.

‘You don’t look too bad,’ said Nick, watching him eat. ‘You’ve been managing to survive all right?’

As he ate, Sam told them everything that had happened since he’d been captured.

‘Shame you got split up,’ said Rachel, sitting down next to Nick and taking his hand.

‘Is the palace a long way from here?’ Sam asked, spooning up the last of the soup.

‘Quite a journey,’ said Rachel. ‘Right the way across London.’

‘When I’ve had a rest,’ said Sam, ‘will you show me the way?’

Rachel laughed. ‘What are you talking about? A little lad like you can’t go traipsing off across London all on his own.’

‘Would you come with me then?’ said Sam. ‘To the palace?’

‘I don’t know about that,’ said Nick. ‘We’re settled here.’

‘But they’re growing food and everything,’ said Sam. ‘Adults like you would be really useful.’

‘It’s a dangerous journey. I think it’s best you stay here.’

‘Oh,’ said Sam, ‘but I can’t stay. I mean, thanks and everything for the food. It’s very nice, but I can’t stay here. My sister –’

‘We’ll see.’ Rachel cut him off. ‘Don’t you worry about that for now. You just eat your soup, and then you look like you could do with a nice little snooze. Am I right?’

‘Yes,’ said Sam. ‘But I really must find my sister.’

‘All in good time,’ said Nick and he got up to collect the empty soup bowl that Sam had licked clean.

Sam sat there, his stomach gurgling happily. His eyelids dropped down then flickered back up again.

‘I’m very sleepy,’ he said.

‘Why don’t you lie on the bed?’

‘Yes, I’d like that.’

Rachel took him to the bed and settled him down, sitting next to him, stroking his hair. Nick stood behind her, smiling. The cat, Orion, sat nearby, also watching him, with black shining eyes.

‘When you wake up,’ Nick said, ‘we’ll have a good old chinwag, eh? See what’s to be done with you.’

‘Mmm…’

‘My brave little soldier,’ said Rachel.

Sam was asleep.

30

The bloody ma

They’d been through the menswear on the floor below and picked it clean. And now as they searched through the women’s casual wear section there were squeals of delight. Blue had been right. It had certainly lifted everyone’s spirits, but if they were attacked while they were vulnerable it would soon wipe the smiles off their faces. And she’d get the blame for letting them come in here.

Although most of the stuff was too big for the smaller kids, they still grabbed anything they could. As they came across each fresh batch the excitement rose as they snatched at the clothes and argued over them, ru

Maxie found an Agnes B top and some trousers that looked like they’d fit her. She slipped them into her backpack. She would change later, when she was sure it was safe. She was too anxious now. The thought of being ambushed when she was half naked didn’t excite her. She pictured herself being chased around Selfridges with her trousers round her knees.

She spotted a black leather jacket and was irresistibly drawn to it. She looked at the label – Belstaff. It was sturdy and well made, had several useful pockets and would offer some protection. At least, that’s what she told herself. In truth, she just liked the look of it. She put it on and tried to look at herself in a broken mirror. She couldn’t see very well in the half-light. A little big, but it fitted OK.

‘That’s nice. It’s like mine.’

Maxie turned to see Sophie watching her, her bow at the ready in her hands.

‘You think I’m taking it so I can look like you?’

‘That’s not what I meant. I only meant I liked it.’

‘Why should I care whether you like it or not?’

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.’

‘Didn’t you? I know what you’re doing. Trying to ingratiate yourself. Trying to make friends. Well don’t bother. We’ll never be your friends, Sophie. OK? Not after what you did.’

‘All right. I know how you feel, Maxie.’

‘No you don’t.’

‘Just leave it. I’m sorry.’

‘You think you’re so great, don’t you?’ said Maxie. ‘In your leather jacket with your bow and arrow. Well, you’re nothing. The only person you’ve killed with that thing is Arran. Great. Well done.’

‘Listen, Maxie,’ said Sophie, and Maxie could sense the emotion in her voice, as if she was on the verge of tears. ‘I know we can’t be friends. But we do have to find a way to get along.’

‘Why? I never wanted you with us in the first place.’

‘Fine. Be like that. I thought you were cleverer, though.’