Apart from the nearby sewage works, the side of the river they were on was devoid of buildings for as far as they could see. However, the opposite bank was occupied by a row of large, luxurious homes, the gardens of which stretched down to the river, often marked by a deck, a boathouse or a jetty. There were boats moored at some of these, not canal boats, but small rowing boats and motorboats.
"What do you think, Lise? Can we get across?"
"Not sure, the river looks deep and fast moving. If we really have to, we could probably swim it, but I still think a canal boat would be way better if we could find one. They're bigger and stronger and more fuel efficient. Let's go a bit further up?"
"Your plan, your call," Anita nodded.
As they headed along the edge of the river, Lisa's thoughts drifted to the last time they'd walked along a riverbank together, after abandoning Brian and the X-Trail outside Coventry. She was pretty sure that this was the same river. She had a vague recollection that the Avon started somewhere in Northamptonshire and passed through Warwickshire and Stratford-on-Avon on its way to join the Severn at Tewkesbury.
It felt a bit like being reunited with an old friend after a long time apart. It had led them to safety then, and she was sure it would do so again now. So much had happened and so much had changed since then that it might as well have happened in another lifetime. Their world had changed forever. They had been changed forever by it. They were completely different people now from the two dishevelled and frightened girls who had picked their way along its muddy edge with no idea what was happening to them and what to do next. Now they were bold, resilient and clear-headed. They had a plan. They knew what they were doing. Slowly, but surely, they were adapting to their environment. And, like the river, Lisa felt that they were also bigger and stronger, with more power and more momentum.
She was jolted out of her reflections when Anita, who was a few steps ahead, stopped and turned back with a big smile, pointing at the river ahead. Lisa looked up to see a long, blue and white canal boat straddling the width of the river. It appeared to be caught at one end in some roots on the bank.
They approached. It looked deserted. Anita was fast. Scampering down the riverbank, she hopped nimbly across the exposed roots onto the small front deck of the boat. Lisa was slower, edging carefully down the steep bank and negotiating the slippery knot of twisted tubers. By the time she joined Anita on the boat, the younger woman had already opened the door and was peering inside. The smell was choking. Anita turned to Lisa her eyes wide and her hand raised in a warning gesture.
The infected rushed from the interior, knocking Anita off balance with a screech of rage. The decimated carcass of a small, grey-haired woman in a gore-splattered, yellow tee-shirt and blue jeans grabbed her by the throat and pushed her backwards, teeth gnashing inches away from her face.
For a split second, Lisa considered going for the gun that was firmly secured in the back waistband of her trousers, but instead seized a handful of hair, pulling the head back and away from Anita's face. Although some hair ripped away from the rotting scalp, she got enough of a hold to give Anita space to bring both her knees up and plant her feet in the centre of its torso. She pushed her legs out hard and fast, propelling the creature back against the edge of the boat.
Its upper body swayed precariously over the water. For a moment it looked as though it might not go in, but Lisa provided a helping hand by lifting its ankles and deftly tipping it over. It entered the water and disappeared under the surface with a surprisingly small splash, more of a plop really. When it reappeared, it had already been carried a few metres downstream by the strong current. They watched its bobbing head drift into the distance.
"That was a close one." Anita rubbed her neck.
"You've got to slow down, Nita. Just slow down and think!"
They turned their attention back to the boat. Peering inside, they could see into the living and galley area of the boat. It was empty, but they couldn't see beyond into the sleeping area.
"Let's go over the top." Anita was already clambering up the side of the boat onto the roof.
"Take it easy. Slow down!" Lisa followed her.
They crept along the roof to the cockpit at the other end. The double doors were ajar, and some steep steps led down into the boat. The smell was strong again and they could hear movement inside.
"Another one," Anita whispered.
"I don't fancy tackling it in there. Too tight."
"Let's lure it to the bow end like the other
