I just shook my shoulders. I was pleased that we had at least got out of that situation, but what would be next? Things were bound to get worse. People were going crazy just because they wanted to survive. I knew it was probably going to get more unpleasant as the days went by.
"Right... get back into the caravan... all of you. Lydia, follow our van in future and we must not stop for nothing this time unless I say so. Got it?" Tim commanded.
I agreed with him and saw Lydia nod in agreement with us.
Tim and I got back into the van whilst Lydia started up the caravan. We wanted to get as far away as possible now.
We drove for miles until we couldn't go no more. We got off the motorway and drove down a small lane where we could see some trees and some fields. We were somewhere near Berkshire. So, Tim said we should stop for the night and rest. It was pitch black outside already. The darkness would be our downfall I thought, as we parked up behind some bushes. We didn't want any more surprises. We wanted to sleep peacefully.
As I got out of the van, I noticed something in the distance. It looked like a building. I remembered the binoculars that I had packed and was inside my bag. I fetched them and looked into them. It was a castle of some sort from what I could see.
"Hey, Tim, look into these and tell me what you see." I asked.
I watched as Tim peered through the binoculars.
"Wow... there's a castle or some kind of fortress out there." Tim said with a smile.
"Yeah, I thought so too. Do you think it's worth looking into? Perhaps, we could sleep there tonight." I asked Tim.
"Joe, did you bring any torches, because I've only got one with me."
"Yeah... I've got three torches in my bag." I replied.
I remembered packing them.
"Okay... perhaps, me, you and Nick should go take a look now and check it out." Tim said eagerly.
"I'll come too and Alan can if he wants." Tim and I turned to look at Aiden, Janice's brother. He'd been very quiet up until now.
"You sure?" I asked Aiden.
"Course," he answered.
"I'd rather stay here." Alan said as we all looked at him.
"Okay then." I answered.
Tim walked over to Lydia and spoke to her quietly for a minute and then came back to us. I wondered what Tim had said, but from the look on Alan's face, I could see he was dreading everything that was about to happen or what might happen in the near future. His expression on his pale face was pure terror. To me, he looked very unstable and about to crack at any moment. His nervousness was starting to show us how afraid he was and I worried that the younger ones could see it too. I hoped that Alan wouldn't be a problem for us all.
I got my axe and gave out torches to the others. The four of us were about to start our walk to the building in the distance. I hoped it would go well.
10. Lydia Brown - The Motor Home
I wanted to go with Tim and Joe, but it seemed I was needed here. Everyone was seemed calm. Janice sat with Ellie in the back with the kids; Molly, Rebecca and Sean. They all sat around the table chatting quietly. They seemed a friendly bunch and I thought we would all get on.
The back of the motor home had two overhead single beds on either side of the sitting area with curtains for privacy. Further down at the back, there were sleeping areas with two double private bedrooms, along with two bunk bed areas made private with curtains. It was roomy and luxurious with a full kitchen, bathroom and living area, so we felt quite comfortable and safe.
The long, black motor home had belonged to my parents who had loved and treasured it as their second home. I remembered the days they would take me on holiday in it. We had travelled everywhere. We had been to seaside towns all around England, Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland and many more places during my school days. They had invested all their money into it and I believed it had cost them a lot to buy it.
I looked around me. I could see Alan looking nervous. He wouldn't stop moving about. He seemed distraught. He had just lost his parents like myself. He must be devastated. His expression was bleak and it disturbed me.
I watched him closely. He was tall with dark brown hair and a stubbly moustache and beard that appeared shabby. His eyes seemed forlorn and tired. I wondered if there was anything I could do to help him relieve the pain he was feeling, so I decided to try and talk to him.
"Alan..." I called out to him.
He looked at me with deep blue eyes. He was handsome I thought. He looked as if he had a caring manner about him, but I didn't want to trust him just yet.
"Alan, come sit over here with me." I said as I patted the seat next to me.
Alan came over and sat down.
"Are you feeling okay?" I asked.
"Sure. Why do you ask?" He replied with a weak, slow voice.
"Well, because you seem upset and nervous. Are you?" I got right to the point.
"I don't know how I feel at present. I've just lost all my family and the world has gone to hell. How am I supposed to feel?" He was definitely going through the strain of it all I thought. I could hear the sadness in his voice.
"I know how you feel. I've just
