Alien Virus (5 page)

“That’s just it Emily. We’re in two
different boats. On the same sea, but in two very different
vessels, going in two different directions. You don’t want to get
into mine, and I’m not prepared to get into yours. I’m sorry
Emily.” And with that he stood up, grabbed his coat from behind his
chair and left without looking back – leaving her open mouthed.

***

Seven

We made good time and arrived in Edinburgh
around nine. Although Tony had given me his address, it seemed
better to go to Audrey’s flat first. I thought Sandi would be more
comfortable with Frank’s mother.

Finding a quiet side road for the car, we
walked briskly to the apartment and rang the bell. Audrey’s
surprise turned quickly into a broad smile.

“Kevin – I didn’t expect you back so
quickly. Come on in.”

“Thanks.” Audrey closed the door and
double–locked it.

“I’ll put the kettle on…”

“Audrey – this is Sandi – the one I told you
about. We work together.” I was careful not to say ‘former
partner’. The old lady smiled again and warmly shook her hand.

“Welcome to Edinburgh dear. Is this your
first time here?”

“It is. I’ve always wanted to come, though.
Kevin’s told me plenty about it over the years.”

“It’s a grand city – you’ll enjoy it. Now,
you two put your feet up and relax, and I’ll make the coffee – or
would you prefer something stronger?”

“Coffee would be fine,” said Sandi –
answering for both of us. My expression was noticed by Audrey
though, and she brought a bottle of Cognac with the coffee.

“Have you seen the news today Audrey?” I
asked as she poured the drinks.

“No – I usually catch it around ten. Is
there anything I should know?”

Sandi and I looked at each other – to see
who would talk first. It was Sandi.

“We’re on the run Mrs Peters – from the
Police.” Audrey nodded in understanding.

“Och, we’re all on the run dear. What’s your
particular crime?”

We started to tell her the story of Sandi’s
collapse at work, and the hospital rescue. After about five minutes
there was a coded knock at the door.

“Tony,” said Audrey getting to her feet.”
After a few seconds Tony entered with Kate. She was more radiant
than ever.

“Kevin! What are you doing here?”

“We’re just telling Audrey what happened –
you’re just in time.” I felt Sandi’s eyes watching me and Kate very
closely. She introduced herself.

“Hello – I’m Sandi.”

“Oh hi – I’m Kate. Kevin’s mentioned
you.”

“A mention – oh, that’s pretty good for
Kevin.”

I couldn’t hide my attraction to Kate, and
Sandi couldn’t hide her resentment of the situation. That was just
how it was. Tony was meanwhile talking seriously to Audrey. After a
few minutes, she went into the kitchen and Tony greeted us.

“Well well – what do we have here! It’s my
duty as a citizen of this country to turn you in to the nearest
Police Station.”

“So you’ve heard then Tony?”

“I should think everyone in the UK has heard
about it. You’ve got to keep your heads low now I’m afraid. But
perhaps it’s for the best.”

“What do you mean?”

“Before I tell you that, aren’t you going to
introduce me to your partner in crime?”

“Oh sorry. This is Sandi. Sandi, Tony.”

“How are you Sandi? You’ve been through a
bit of an ordeal I hear.”

“Oh, Kevin’s driving isn’t as bad as they
say.” They all laughed at my expense. The
humo
u
r
warmed everyone to Sandi straightaway.

“So what happened to you two?” asked
Tony.

I was about the restart the story when the
coded doorbell rang again.

“That’ll be Gareth,” said Kate, getting up
to answer the door. The big man entered with a very serious
expression on his face. Something was obviously troubling him. But
seeing Sandi, he totally forgot about Emily, and the room lit up as
they cast eyes on each other. I thought we’d need a crowbar to
separate them. But I tried
humour
instead.

“Gareth’s the one who hit me over the head
with a table leg down at the farm,” I quipped. The big Welshman
gave me a sort of ‘ha ha very funny’ look.

“Mmm – I’m beginning to like him already,”
said Sandi.

“It wasn’t his head, it was his shoulder,”
Gareth clarified defensively.

“Well – better aim next time Gareth,” she
added.

We all sat down, and Sandi and I finally got
to tell everyone our story. At the end of it, Tony’s mood was quite
serious. Everyone seemed to know when it was time to listen to
Tony.

“What happened to Kevin and Sandi is
definitely for the best. Kate and I have been talking tonight about
how we need to progress from here. Frank had the right idea in
getting the message out – he just didn’t have the backup to do it.
If we’re going to make everyone aware of the virus, we’re not going
to do it sitting on our backsides. We’ve got to get out there – and
that’s bound to mean people coming after us. So far, we haven’t
committed any crimes, and we’ll keep things that way as far as we
can. Despite the fact that Kevin took Kate out of hospital, he
didn’t break the law – providing she wished to be discharged. So
there’s no problem there – as long as we all stick together. But if
necessary, we will break the law – if that’s the only way. Now,
what about accommodation – where are you two staying for the
night?”

I hadn’t given that any thought until
then.

“We’ll probably check into the same hotel I
stayed in last time,” I said.

“No no – you can’t do that,” replied Tony.
“It’s not safe for you anymore; and, as I’ve said, we’ve got to
stick together now.”

“Sandi can stay with me,” volunteered Kate.
“I’ve got a spare room.”

“And Kevin can bunk up in my Penthouse Suite
– if he doesn’t mind sharing.” We nodded in agreement and we
thanked both Gareth and Kate.

“Good – that’s all arranged then. Let’s get
together again tomorrow evening – if that’s all right with
everyone. Can we meet here again Audrey?”

“Anytime’s fine with me Tony.” We all nodded
and said good night. I gave Gareth a lift to his flat, and Sandi
went in Kate’s car. It had been a long day and both Sandi and I
were glad to put our heads down for the night.

***

Eight

The next day, things took a turn for the
worse. The proposed legislation banning salt in all restaurants and
cafés became law with immediate effect. Moreover, all bags of salt
sold in shops and supermarkets would have to carry government
health warnings. And the government said they intended to bring in
further anti–salt measures in the very near future.

At his Minto Street home, Tony sat in his
dressing gown in front of the television with a large mug of black
coffee – contemplating the news. This wasn’t the government doing
this – it was the virus, and it was obviously stepping things up
now. To him, the fight against the virus was more like a game of
chess than anything else. Only the consequences of losing the game
were unthinkable. How intelligent was it? He knew that the virus
could influence Man’s thoughts once in the nervous system. And he’d
recognized that it was but one entity with billions upon billions
of units – each part somehow linked to the rest. But could it know
what
he
was thinking – someone who was, for all intents and
purposes, free from the virus?

His mind wandered to Gareth. His closeness
to Emily had put him at risk. The virus could jump from one person
to the next by close physical contact – kissing would be enough –
and Gareth could be in danger if he allowed his sodium levels to
drop. Tony was glad Gareth had made the break with Emily, but he
needed to be monitored. He made a mental note to ask Kate to check
Gareth’s blood for traces of the virus as soon as possible.

When he had first heard about the virus
through Frank Peters, Tony had thought his friend was crazy – as
most people did. An alien invasion of microbes that could – and
would – destroy Man. It was too far-fetched. Then he read an
article in Nature about organic matter from earth being found on
other planets in the far reaches of the solar system. If it could
work that way round, why not the other? Western diseases had been
transmitted to Asian and South American Countries in the fourteen
and fifteenth centuries by seagoing Europeans. Entire populations
were decimated by these alien diseases, for which they had no cure.
And in more recent times, Asian bird flu had threatened Western
populations.

Bird flu was nothing more than the virus, of
course. And immunizations against it were useless because the
immunizations contained the virus. The idea was naturally to
administer a tiny amount of the disease so that your immune system
would go into overdrive, wiping out the soupçon, and then
memoris
e
how to
control or destroy the disease when you were exposed to it in large
quantities.

But there was no vaccine to combat this
virus. The only thing to prevent it was to stop eating or drinking
anything that contained it, and ensure that your sodium levels did
not drop too low. But with the new government regulations, passed
by people controlled by the virus, it was increasingly difficult to
get the salt they needed.

Tony washed and got dressed for work. He
didn’t know how much longer he could continue teaching at the
University. But for now, he needed the money – as did the
others.

*

Sandi slept well and didn’t wake until after
eleven. Kate had left a note saying she’d gone to work and left
some breakfast out for Sandi. The flat was bright and modern,
situated in Corstorphine – not far from the Botanical Gardens.
Sandi thought a walk there later would do her good.

She helped herself to Muesli and soya milk –
which suited her fine. She’d grown up allergic to dairy products,
and her mother used to buy soya for her when she was a child. She’d
tried a few times to conform and drink cow’s milk – and even goat’s
milk at one time – but she always had the same reactions: sickness,
headaches and rashes. So now she knew to stay away from it for
good.

I was thinking about Sandi when I woke up at
Gareth’s place. On the drive up to Scotland, it had crossed my mind
that because we were getting on so well, perhaps we should try
getting back together. But seeing Kate in Edinburgh again, I knew
that I had to move on and let go of the idea of Sandi and I
reuniting. And that had strangely drawn me closer to Sandi. Our
relationship now felt more like brother and sister than
ex-partners. The situation in London at the hospital had made a
difference too; now we had a common enemy.

Gareth stirred in the next room. I heard him
go into the bathroom and turn on the shower. I wondered how he got
involved in the group and made a mental note to ask him later. Then
the phone rang.

“Shall I get it?” I called towards the
bathroom. He didn’t hear me, so I picked up the receiver
anyway.

“Hello…”

“Who’s that?” I didn’t recognize the voice.
I obviously didn’t want to say who I was – not after the media
reports on Sandi’s abduction.

“A friend of Gareth’s. Who’s speaking?”

“It’s Emily. Is Gareth there?” I put down
the receiver and opened the bathroom door, knocking first.

“It’s someone called Emily on the phone for
you Gareth.”

“Oh shit! Tell her I’m on my way to work –
I’ll call her back later.” I did as directed. She didn’t sound very
pleased, but said ‘all right’. Gareth came out of the shower, dried
his hair in a hurry and dressed quickly.

“Sorry, ex-girlfriend. I’ve got to run now –
I’ll see you at Audrey’s tonight. Help yourself to breakfast – if
you can find any. I don’t usually have the time.” And he was gone.
I got dressed myself and looked at the newspapers lying around.
Gareth had circled quite a few articles – nearly all about salt and
the government’s new legislation. Things were getting tougher.

I thought Sandi would be up by now and
called her mobile.

“Hello..”

“Sandi, it’s me.”

“Oh, hi Kevin – I was just on my way
out.”

“Where to?”

“The Botanical Gardens. Kate’s flat is very
close. I thought the walk would do me good.”

“Would you like some company?”

“Yes – if you think it’s safe.”

“I’ll wear a hat – and dark glasses,” I
replied.

“Okay – hope I can recognize you!”

“I’ll wear a red carnation too. There’s a
small tearoom in the gardens – I’ll meet you there if you
like.”

“Okay, bye.”

I didn’t think it would be too dangerous to
be about in Edinburgh, but I did take my sunglasses and one of
Gareth’s bobble hats I found lying around. (A green and red one
that proclaimed ‘Wales Forever’). It was much too big for me, but
did the trick. I didn’t think even my own mother would recognize me
in that.

*

It was years since I’d been in the Botanical
Gardens. The last time was when I was with a student girlfriend
call Sarah, a music student who showed me a lot more than the
tropical plants. Sandi was waiting for me in the tearoom as
arranged, with a cup of green tea with lemon.

“Mmm – that looks good. Think I’ll have the
same.” I ordered the tea and sat opposite her.

“How did you sleep?” I asked.

“Great – how about you?”

“I slept like as baby… cried all night and
wet the bed.”

“Hope Gareth changed your nappy,” she
said.

“Actually, I didn’t see him ‘till this
morning. He had a phone call from someone called Emily and rushed
off to work.”

“Emily?”

“Yes. Apparently it’s his ex-girlfriend – so
don’t worry. She’s history.”

“There’s nothing between me and…”