I Dream of Zombies (8 page)

“One egg or two?” asked Hilda as Marla sauntered into the lounge looking dishevelled.

“Just one and some cereal for me,” she answered, running her hands through her matted hair. “But I’ll make it.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah, no problem, Mum. Do you want anything?”

“No, your sister and I ate a couple of hours ago,” Hilda answered, cocking an eyebrow at Ellen, who grinned.

“What time is it?” asked Marla, looking surprised.

“Nearly eleven.”

“Wow,
I guess I needed some sleep. Anyway, I’ll just go eat something.” Yawning, Marla sauntered into the kitchen, pausing to stretch on the way. Outside the window a handful of starlings were flocking around the bird feeder, which was huge and many tiered, resembling a mini Mecca for the feathered variety. Standing on tiptoe, she gazed towards the pond. It still contained goldfish, so Sandy the cat hadn’t had his wicked way.

“Talk of the devil,” Marla exclaimed as something furry tickled the bottom of her leg. “How are you little boy?” she asked, bending slightly to ruffle his fur. A loud
purr filled the air, sounding like the ripple of an engine. “Ah, I’m not so happy this morning. I fancy whatever you had for breakfast,” she said, noticing the cat leap on to the breakfast bar. “Now you know you’re not allowed up there, cheeky.” She waved her hand and Sandy got the idea. He landed with a small thud on the lino. “Right, egg,” she told herself, grabbing a small saucepan and filling it with water. Popping the egg inside, she placed it on the hob to boil. “Toast...”

“Marla!”

Almost dropping the bread she had just grabbed out of the toaster, she yelled back, “What do you want? Changed your mind?”

“No! Just come and see this!” Ellen replied.

“Damn it,” grumbled Marla. Hastily buttering a slice of toast, she bit the corner and headed into the lounge, trailed by Mr Furry Pants.

Hilda looked
her way and muttered, “Plate!”

Marla turned tail and walked back into the kitchen.
Noticing that she was being shadowed, she found a plate, buttered the other piece of toast, placed both items on the plate, and returned while trying not to trip over His Fluffy Highness, who was dead set on achieving just that she surmised by his behaviour.

Ellen
glanced up. “Look! You missed the beginning, but they’ve introduced a curfew in London. Breaking news from the government. There has been a spate of murders.”

“There must
have been a lot if they’ve done that,” said Marla, sitting down on the arm of the sofa. A glance from her mother made her shift her bottom on to the seat. “It doesn’t make sense. London has always had murders.”

“Shush and listen,” informed Hilda. “It isn’t a serial killer or anything like that. The
killings are unrelated and gruesome, they were saying, and they’re in different places, dotted all over London. Unusual was another word they used.”

“Shush, Mum,” Ellen
mumbled.

The government has
issued a warning to the people of London to take care when out and about in public places, and after dark in particular. There have been an unusual number of murders in various parts of London over the last two nights, which seem to be increasing in number and ferocity. The public has been warned not to approach anyone who is acting in an aggressive manner and to ring the police immediately. There are several offenders whom you should not approach under any circumstances. We will have artist impressions and photo-fits for you in a moment.

It is believed that the
recent outbreak of avian flu is causing some people to become aggressive and dangerous. The flu has now spread across the capital. So far we have no reports of cases in other parts of the country. There are, however, reports abroad in France, Italy and Portugal. We have unconfirmed reports in Sweden and Germany. We will turn to our scientific advisor, Dr. Archibald, for more details on this. Dr. Archibald, tell me, how is it possible for a virus to make someone violent? “David, now that is an interesting question...”

“Is the curfew for the whole of London?” Marla asked Ellen.

Her sister nodded. “They mentioned that five people were murdered the day before yesterday. It was kept out of the news. But it rose to thirty-six yesterday. Most of them were at night time. Apparently, there were eighty-nine in the whole of 2012. Anyway, the government held talks about it, and they decided to release the information today and instigate a curfew. There will be more police on the streets, patrolling, they said, and they are planning to make use of the army.”

“Have they arrested anyone?”

Ellen nodded. “But they said it was difficult. They warned the public not to approach anyone who seems dangerous or committing a crime. They said the perpetrators were, quote, ‘unnaturally aggressive’, whatever that means.”

“How long is the curfew for?”

“Didn’t say,” Ellen replied.

“When does it start?”
asked Marla.

“Well, it’s summer time, so they’ve introduced it from
9 p.m. while it’s still light. And it’s in force until 6 a.m.”

“So no one can go out around those times?”

“No, unless people are working, I guess. I don’t know what’s going to happen about that,” said Ellen, thoughtfully. “They are also reducing transport during those times so that drivers can be at home.”

“Right...
This is so weird.”

“It’s like being at war,” remarked Hilda, who had been listening to the scientific advisor speaking. “Even that so-called expert doesn’t really seem to know anything. Maybe you shouldn’t go back to London. Safer here.”

Marla smiled. “I was thinking of coming back, if it’s okay. I’ve left Peter and...”

“I never liked that boy,” Hilda cut in. “Too shifty looking and he seemed very self-centred.”

“Yeah, I know,” Marla remembered with a slight smile. “You were right there! Anyway, I sorted out some things from the flat, but I left most of that stuff at Tommy’s,” Marla replied. “I thought we’d drive down here at the weekend, but he wasn’t ready, so we...”

“Tommy
who was in the army with you?” enquired Hilda. “Ah, fine boy he was. I always thought you two...”

“Yes, Mum,” Marla replied, rolling her eyes, “b
ut he’s not a boy now. He’s pushing forty.”

“Very good-looking chap, if I remember rightly.”

“Still is,” said Ellen with a grin.

The two of them laughed while Marla cringed. “Oh
, shit, the egg!” she blurted out before leaping off the sofa and running towards the kitchen.

“What do
you
want to do, Ellen?” her mother asked her.

She shook her head. “Not sure, but my things are at Tommy’s too. I guess we should go back. Once they catch
the people who committed these crimes it will be safer at home. We’ll be fine. London is a big place after all.”

“Think the same people are doing this
?”

“No idea, Mum. It doesn’t make any sense to me. By the way, have you been having any, erm, weird dreams lately?”

“No, dear, I can’t say that I have. Have you?”

Ellen nodded. “Yep, but it’s probably just stress,” she lied. There was no way she was going to worry her mother by telling her about her nightmares and what they had seen in the supermarket. Whatever her fears, th
ere had to be an explanation. If the government was acting and introducing measures then surely they knew what the problem was. And if they were working on a cure for the virus, which she guessed they would be, then one would be found soon. It was probably a strain of the avian flu, as they said, and there was probably already an antidote for that.

“You okay, love?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking about stuff.”

Hilda nodded.
“Maybe we should go out and get some air, petal. What do you think? Take a walk over the park?”

“I’d like that, Mum. Just let me get dressed.” Ellen stood up and walked out of the room. As she went towards the stairs, Marla waved her hand above her head. Ellen went towards her, mouthing
a silent, “What?”

“What the hell’s going on?”

Ellen shrugged. “You’re asking me? You’re the one with more experience of
that
world. If the army is getting involved, it must be serious, right?”

Marla nodded. “I’m scared
it means the government doesn’t have control of the situation, but the other half of me thinks they are behind it. Why aren’t they naming the virus or explaining exactly what it is? They say it might make people aggressive, but they don’t know, or do they? Did they make the virus?”

“Stop it, you’re scaring me. I’m going for a walk to the park with Mum. We need some air. I think Mum is stressing because she doesn’t want us to go back to London, which I can understand. Why don’t
we just ask Tommy to come here?”

“Because I’m not sure if he will,” Marla replied. “He’
ll want to check on his family and his kid. He can’t be in two places at once.”

“Where do they live?” asked Ellen.

“Carlisle.”

“Right… a
nd his parents?”

“Scotland,” said Marla. “They moved there about a decade ago. His dad is Scottish.”

“Oh, yeah, Armstrong...”

“Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s making plans to go already.”

Ellen shrugged. “Okay. Well, I’m going to get dressed and head out with Mum. Come if you like, or maybe think of what you want to do. I’d rather stay here, but I want my things as well. Can’t he just post them? Box it all up.”

“That’s an idea,” added Marla, but t
hen she remembered the guns she had requested. That left no option but to go back.

Marla and Ellen collected their luggage from the back of the jeep, and headed for the entrance to Tommy Armstrong’s Cars. The ‘Closed’ sign was still up and the glass doors were not budging. “Good for him,” said Marla, changing direction and walking up to the side door, where she rang the bell.

Tommy answered the door looking uncharacteristically worried and tired. “Hey,” was all he
uttered before turning and heading back up the stairs. Marla closed the door and followed him up, with Ellen trailing behind.

“How was your mum?” he asked. “I thought you might opt to stay there. Safer.”

“Yeah, like I said on the phone, I considered it, but then you’ve got the guns and ammo I asked for, and God knows what else, so I didn’t want to ditch you with all that. Plus I figured I might need it,” Marla replied.

“You’ve got guns?”
gasped Ellen, looking taken aback.

Marla nodded. “Safeguard. I was scared something
bad was coming and I think it’s arrived.”

“Did you watch all
of the news last night?” Tommy asked.

“Yep, and this morning,”
she replied. “I saw the body count has gone up.”

“I’m going to lie down,” said Ellen, heading into the
spare bedroom while the other two went into the lounge.

Marla dropped
her backpack in a corner. “How’s your family?”

Tommy swept his hand over his
forehead. “I was worried, but I spoke to them. They’re all fine. They’ve been watching the news and are more worried about me, being in London. My son doesn’t really know what’s going on – he’s been told there’s a flu outbreak, but daddy is immune!”

Marla gave a sm
all smile. “Good for your ex. Nice story. You want to go visit them?”

“Yeah, but I’m thinking of getting some supplies in. Then
, if the curfew is extended to daytime, I’ve got everything I need.”

“Good idea.”

“I’m heading out soon, so if you want to come we can head for a different supermarket than the one you went to. You’ll see police and soldiers on the streets now, and fewer regular people. It’s kind of weird.”

Marla nodded. “Yeah, I saw some driving through. Totally different atmosphere when you hit London.
Things seem to be changing fast.”

“Okay, I’ll grab my keys and we’ll go. See if Ellen fancies it,” he added, ducking out of the room.

**
*

On the way back from the supermarket,
Tommy’s phone beeped and he checked it. There was a message from his friend, Pete: “Check the TV or internet. Man, things just went mental!” He dropped the phone in his lap and glanced in the rear-view mirror.

“What’s up?” Marla
questioned, noticing his expression change from alright to downright miserable.

“A mate just t
exted me to check the news,” he answered. “Something crap has happened.”

She leaned back in her seat and stared out the passenger window. “Great.”

“Some guy over there has collapsed. Look, there on the pavement. It’s getting worse by the minute,” Tommy mumbled as he turned down the next road. Three more streets and he was home. “I’m going to hate leaving this place, but I think up north is a better option. You?”

“Mmm, I was thinking about
going back to my mum’s in Cornwall.”

“Have you called
Peter?” he asked.

Marla shook her head. “No, I guess I should. I need to do something about the flat.”

“He’s texted me a few times, asking questions. I blew him off for your sake.”

“Cheers for that.”

Did you tell him about the dreams?”

“No,
because he didn’t believe Ellen’s or the guy on the television, so I didn’t fancy being laughed at.”

Tommy turned off the engine and
leaned back in his seat for a moment. Marla expected him to say something, but he just sighed and got out of the car. She followed him inside the house. As they reached the top of the stairs, Ellen poked her head out of her room and asked, “How did it go?”

“No problem
,” said Tommy. “Nothing weird.”

“Cool,” she replied, smiling. “I was reading and just chilling out, and I rang Mum to tell her that we’re okay. I think
she was worrying.”

Marla
smiled. “Thanks.”

“The news was crazy though,” Ellen added. “More attacks reported. They still say there’s a flu epidemic and t
he murders are unrelated. There’s a big demo going on in Trafalgar Square and another group are going to march on Downing Street. People are demanding to know what’s going on and protesting against a curfew. There’s even looting – windows smashed and people vandalising buildings.”

“That must be what my mate was texting me about,” Tommy guessed.

“It was bound to happen. They can’t just tell people what to do with no explanation,” said Marla, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fancy a cuppa, sis?”

“Sure, I’ll make it,” Ellen offered. “Tea, coffee, juice?”

“A beer,” said Marla with a grin. “I figure I deserve one.”

Tommy raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“For braving the supermarket after my last visit. I think I should get an award just for that.”

“Okay, you sit down and I’ll put the shopping away,”
offered Tommy, taking the bags from her hands. “I’ll head out and get the rest from the boot.”

Marla grinned. “Cheers, Tommy. You’re a star.”

“You stocked up,” remarked Ellen.

“I’m not taking any chances,” he replied. “I need to visit my son tomorrow. First stop
, and then up to see my folks in Scotland. Quick round trip and I’ll be back down here, and we can see how things are then.”

“What’s Marla’s plan?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Not sure. Best ask her.”

***

Marla gazed at her mobile phone for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and dialling his number.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Peter, it’s me, Marla.”

“Where the hell are you?” he asked. “I read your note, but it didn’t say when you were coming back or where you are now.”

“I’m sorry. Look
, I’ve been a bit stressed… erm, I wanted to speak to you about something important. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I didn’t really know how to say it.”

“Right,” he replied, his tone flattening. “So what is it, exactly?”

“Us,” she answered.

“Us?
Uh-huh?”

“Yes, I don’t think
‘us’ is really working anymore… as erm, ah, well, you know, a couple,” she said, stumbling over her words.

“I agree,” he snapped.

Marla blinked, taken aback. “Oh.” She stared at the ceiling for a second and back down at the floor again. “Oh. I see.”

“Yes
, I totally agree with you. I’ve been meaning to speak to you about this for months actually.”

It was her tur
n to sound surprised: “Really? Oh.”

“Yes, you see I’ve been seeing a woman from work…”

She breathed in. “A woman?”

“Yes.”

“From work?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Who?”

“Does it matter?” Peter asked.

Marla thought about it for a second and although she was shocked, he was right, it really was of no consequence, but then she was still curious. “Yes. How long have you… erm been seeing her?”

“About five months,” he answered. “Well, maybe a little longer. Karen
started working in my department about six months ago.”

“Oh.”

Everything clicked into place. From Marla’s point of view, the relationship had been gradually sinking over that period of time, although if she were to be completely honest, things had not been great for a year, but she had chosen to ignore it. That explains why he had not been interested in anything in the sex department for a very long time, Marla pondered.

“Oh,” she said
again, glancing at her left hand.

“Is that all you have to say?” Peter asked. “Do you want to know anything else about her?”

Marla coughed. “Not really.” Her pride was hurt, even though it should not have been as she had wanted to break up with him, she reasoned, but the realisation that he had deceived her for such a long time made her feel nauseous. “You should have told me.”

“I know,” he mumbled, and for a second she pictured him as a dog with its tail between its legs, knowing it had just peed on the carpet in front o
f its owner. “But I couldn’t help myself,” he added.

That
is just the most ridiculous excuse!
Marla laughed, but it was a hollow sound, and she leaned back against the wall. “So, I guess we’re on the same page at least. I want out and you want out.”

“
It appears so,” Peter agreed. “What do we do now?”

“Well, I wish you’d told me you were shagging someone at work. I might have wanted to have an affair
myself! Instead I’ve been walking around feeling guilty for months on end because I didn’t want to hurt you! Even though you’ve been acting a bit of an arse.”

“Sorry, I guess these things happen.”

“These things happen?” she asked, a bit louder than she intended. “These things
happen
? Well, I can tell you what isn’t happening and that’s you staying in my flat any longer.”

There was silence on the end of the phone
.

“Peter…?”

“What do you mean?” he muttered, his voice sounding shaky.

“I’d like you to leave,”
Marla said calmly. “I’d like you to pack everything that you own and please leave. Today if you will. I have my key, so please just throw yours through the letterbox as you go.”

Peter coughed.
“But where am I supposed to live?” he demanded angrily.

She sighed.
“That isn’t my problem. There are hotels. We both know you earn a packet. And then you could always stay with your bit on the side…”

“I see,” he said. “You’re jealous.”

Marla laughed, unable to believe her ears. “No, I’m not jealous, I’m just relieved. I feel really relieved. It surprises me, but I really, really am. I’m free and I’ve no reason to feel guilty anymore. You’ve kind of made my day.”

Peter
went completely quiet.

“
Well, I’m going to go now, Peter, so it would be great if you could leave tonight before I’m back tomorrow. Have a nice day. Bye.”

Marla hung up and stretched both arms in the air, feeling
as if a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders.