Read Online Nuclear Midnight by Robert Cole - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Robert Cole
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world may be in this state.’
‘If it is, we'll have to accept that. You can't give up just because the going gets tough!’
‘Why not?’ Alex exclaimed. ‘What's the point of going on?’
‘You can't just quit life like it was some hobby you've lost interest in.’
‘No,’ he agreed. ‘If only it were that simple.’
There was sudden silence after these last words which made him look across to see what she was thinking. She had an almost quizzical expression on her face, as though she could not make him out at all. ‘What are you trying to say, Alex,’ she asked finally.
‘It’s just ... ‘He paused with the effort to condense his thoughts into words. ‘It’s just that I don't want to be responsible for a person's death.’
‘Life, Alex,’ she corrected, ‘a person's life. You have already assumed that we are going to die.’
He threw back his head, his hackles rising swiftly again. ‘I don't assume we're going to die,’ he almost shouted. ‘I'm just scared of someone else depending on me. I'm not a natural leader. I'll probably let you down.’
She nodded, as his meaning became clear at last. ‘I’m not depending on you or anyone,’ she replied firmly. ‘I'll make my own decisions on my future. What happens to me will be my own doing and nobody else's.’
He shook his head. ‘If we continue to travel together, then like it or not, we will be depending on each other, Tina. I'm just saying I don't know how I will react in a difficult situation. Don't you ever feel frightened? Don't you wonder whether you'll have the strength to survive?’
‘Yes, but I can only do my best. If it's not enough,’ she shrugged.
‘The hope's there, Alex,’ she continued. ‘Be strong. We have only to find it. And I think we've as much chance as anybody.’
There was a ring of truth about this. The slate had been wiped clean. It was up to the survivors to inscribe it, if they had the courage. And if they had not, then they could die like the rest. Reluctantly, he turned back from the window to nod his agreement, but to his surprise the chair was empty. Tina had already left the room.
Over the next few days he spent most of his waking hours talking to Tina. Their discussions ranged widely, and whatever the topic, he found her mind alert and her insights deep and probing. He had never met anyone like her. Before long most of the emotional barriers behind which people shield their more delicate feelings were breaking down. The speed at which their relationship progressed scared Alex. He told himself the reasons were obvious. They needed each other. Survival depended on mutual trust and commitment to each other. He wondered in normal times whether he would be this affected by her. Something told him he probably would be.
Tina began to regain her strength and their talk finally returned to their present situation. Both agreed they must leave the Wanes as soon as she was strong enough. The government broadcasts had indicated that the country areas would be receiving no help, at least for the foreseeable future. This meant that the Wanes would need every scrap of food they had stored.
Alex asked Tim for maps and they both set to work finding the places least likely to have been affected by the holocaust. Tim pointed out the location of the village. It was some thirty kilometres east of Taunton, and very nearly on the Somerset-Dorset border. To the west lay the counties of Devon and Cornwall, which had little in the way of military bases, industrial centres or large cities. Wales was in a similar position, except for its southern fringe. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that they would head north to the Bristol Channel and cross over into Wales. Cornwall, it was true, would be closer, but would be more likely to be inundated with refugees than north Wales. Also, the more isolated Welsh hills might not have suffered such heavy fallout as further south. Of course, all such plans could only be
‘If it is, we'll have to accept that. You can't give up just because the going gets tough!’
‘Why not?’ Alex exclaimed. ‘What's the point of going on?’
‘You can't just quit life like it was some hobby you've lost interest in.’
‘No,’ he agreed. ‘If only it were that simple.’
There was sudden silence after these last words which made him look across to see what she was thinking. She had an almost quizzical expression on her face, as though she could not make him out at all. ‘What are you trying to say, Alex,’ she asked finally.
‘It’s just ... ‘He paused with the effort to condense his thoughts into words. ‘It’s just that I don't want to be responsible for a person's death.’
‘Life, Alex,’ she corrected, ‘a person's life. You have already assumed that we are going to die.’
He threw back his head, his hackles rising swiftly again. ‘I don't assume we're going to die,’ he almost shouted. ‘I'm just scared of someone else depending on me. I'm not a natural leader. I'll probably let you down.’
She nodded, as his meaning became clear at last. ‘I’m not depending on you or anyone,’ she replied firmly. ‘I'll make my own decisions on my future. What happens to me will be my own doing and nobody else's.’
He shook his head. ‘If we continue to travel together, then like it or not, we will be depending on each other, Tina. I'm just saying I don't know how I will react in a difficult situation. Don't you ever feel frightened? Don't you wonder whether you'll have the strength to survive?’
‘Yes, but I can only do my best. If it's not enough,’ she shrugged.
‘The hope's there, Alex,’ she continued. ‘Be strong. We have only to find it. And I think we've as much chance as anybody.’
There was a ring of truth about this. The slate had been wiped clean. It was up to the survivors to inscribe it, if they had the courage. And if they had not, then they could die like the rest. Reluctantly, he turned back from the window to nod his agreement, but to his surprise the chair was empty. Tina had already left the room.
Over the next few days he spent most of his waking hours talking to Tina. Their discussions ranged widely, and whatever the topic, he found her mind alert and her insights deep and probing. He had never met anyone like her. Before long most of the emotional barriers behind which people shield their more delicate feelings were breaking down. The speed at which their relationship progressed scared Alex. He told himself the reasons were obvious. They needed each other. Survival depended on mutual trust and commitment to each other. He wondered in normal times whether he would be this affected by her. Something told him he probably would be.
Tina began to regain her strength and their talk finally returned to their present situation. Both agreed they must leave the Wanes as soon as she was strong enough. The government broadcasts had indicated that the country areas would be receiving no help, at least for the foreseeable future. This meant that the Wanes would need every scrap of food they had stored.
Alex asked Tim for maps and they both set to work finding the places least likely to have been affected by the holocaust. Tim pointed out the location of the village. It was some thirty kilometres east of Taunton, and very nearly on the Somerset-Dorset border. To the west lay the counties of Devon and Cornwall, which had little in the way of military bases, industrial centres or large cities. Wales was in a similar position, except for its southern fringe. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that they would head north to the Bristol Channel and cross over into Wales. Cornwall, it was true, would be closer, but would be more likely to be inundated with refugees than north Wales. Also, the more isolated Welsh hills might not have suffered such heavy fallout as further south. Of course, all such plans could only be
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