Slightly concerned about what would happen if anyone else needed to get in - but convinced that it was more important to make the area safe - they blocked the archway with the van and Lisa's car, ensuring that there was no space big enough for anyone, or rather anything, to get through. Then they went back into the house, checking locks room by room, and closing blinds and curtains. Neil checked his emails but there was nothing from her there either.
It was around nine when they stood in the kitchen again. Neil flicked on the TV. An Emergency Broadcast image appeared on the screen. After a few moments silence, a woman's voice spoke.
"This is not a test. Repeat! This is not a test. A state of emergency has been declared in the entire United Kingdom. If you can, stay in your home or find a place of safety. Repeat! Stay in your home or find a place of safety. Ensure that all doors and windows are secure. Await further advice."
Neil turned away and put the put the kettle on.
"I don't know about you, Mate, but I'm parched," he said. "Let's have a cup of tea and think about what we're going to do next."
"Can I try the missus on the land-line?" Rob asked.
"Of course! Mate, I'm so sorry. I never thought. I was just thinking about Lisa. Totally selfish."
"That's ok. I get it, Mate. She's alright then?"
"Yes, she's in Wolston. She's on her way home."
"That's brilliant, Mate." Rob's tone didn't match his words. Neil turned back to making the tea as Rob went over to use the phone.
A few moments later he came back and sat down at the table.
"Can't get through."
Neil put a steaming mug of tea in front of him, carefully pushing a coaster beneath it. Lisa would kill him if he marked the table, national emergency or not.
"Sorry, Mate." He didn't know what else to say.
After they had drunk their tea, they took turns to sleep and keep watch. Rob had a couple of hours first, and Neil took his turn after him. But even though he was exhausted, he couldn't sleep, dozing for ten minutes or so at a time, then waking up again. He kept imagining Lisa out there by herself, kept getting up to peek out behind the blinds, certain that he had heard a car approaching, or the phone ringing.
By early afternoon, he was miserable. It felt wrong just sitting there waiting for her to turn up, but what else could he do? She could be anywhere? The feeling of complete powerlessness was gnawing at his insides. He checked his phone and his emails again. This time, there were a few messages from her sister, Gina, saying that they were safe, and asking them to get in touch, but there was still nothing from her.
By the time it got dark again, he had reluctantly accepted that she wasn't going to get home. Not that day anyway.
Around midnight, he knew he needed to sleep. He felt sick and could barely think straight. Rob had been dozing on and off all day, and offered to stay up to keep watch. As he climbed the stairs to the bedroom, Neil passed the office and decided to check his email one final time. Immediately, his notification pinged and her email address jumped out at him. The message had come in about eleven. She was still safe. Good girl! He opened the message.
Hi Darling, it's me again. I'm still safe. No longer at the farm but in a house in Bubbenhall. Been an awful day, but some great people have helped us. I'm still coming home. It's not going to be easy, but I'm getting closer. We're going to stay here tonight and set out again in the morning. If you get there first, just wait for me. Please just wait there, and I'll come. I promise. If I get there before you, I'll wait for you. Like we promised. I love you so much. Please be ok, my darling. Lisa Xxx
He messaged back immediately.
I'm here. I'm waiting. Tell me exactly where you are, and I'll come for you in the morning. Don't try and make it on your own. Stay where you are! Please! I love you too.
Relief, hope and excitement surged through him. He had a sudden burst of energy. He sat at the computer for an hour, praying for a response. Nothing came back. Disappointment washed over him. His adrenaline trickled away. His eyelids felt like they had dead weights on them.
He went to bed. This time he slept.
Chapter 16 - Day 2 - Attwood Common
He awoke the next day feeling rested and more positive. The voice in his head was telling him that she was going to make it. He had underestimated her. She was smart, resilient and strong. If anyone could pull off something like this, it was her. She was meticulous. He was the stupid one. He would have gone charging through the countryside looking for her, with no idea where she was, and how he was going to find her.
He sat on the edge of the bed for a while as the memories of the previous day came flooding back. The image of the child kept flashing into his head. It was so vivid he felt as though he was living it all over again. The blood was black and shiny, and the little boy's eyes were wide with terror. His screams rang in his ears against the background of moaning, snarling infected. He wondered if the others had made it home, and what had happened to Craig and Ian.
He got up and looked out of the window into the street below. Overnight, the numbers of infected milling around
