‘So, if it’s going to happen every fifteen years or whatever, that means this goes on forever. Each new generation getting infected. If we ever had kids, they’d have to go through what we’re going through now … God. I was hoping that learning about this stuff would make it less scary. It’s the opposite …’

‘I ain’t having no kids,’ said Kyle. ‘No way, man.’

‘Oh, I am so disappointed,’ said Brooke. ‘I wanted you to be my baby-father.’

‘You’re funny,’ said Kyle, and he actually laughed, a genuine laugh. ‘I like you.’

‘That’s really made my week,’ said Brooke. She was silent for a minute. Then she said, ‘Seriously, though – we’ve got to stop them. Otherwise, us kids – we’re never going to survive this, are we?’

Chapter 46

46

Ed was aware of the day slipping away. Of losing time. Everything he’d learnt about the disease had terrified him. He should be back in London, not chasing around out here. Brooke was right – they had to stop St George’s army. He had a good mind to simply drive out of here and head towards town. Tell Sam he’d tried and failed.

He decided this would be his last shot. If the kids here were no help then it was time to steer east instead of west.

The sun moved steadily across the sky. Kyle and Ebenezer couldn’t stand the tedium and got out of the car. They found an old tennis ball in the long grass near the fence and spent ages chucking it to each other, gradually moving further apart. Lewis really did nod off this time and Ed moved into the back of the car to sit with Brooke.

This was the first proper chance they’d had to be alone together since Ed had arrived at the museum, and it was a good opportunity to catch up. If nothing else it would kill some time. They both talked about what they’d been through in the last year, good times and bad. Brooke really had changed a lot. Grown up. Got some sense into her head. She’d always been smart – street-smart – but she’d never been exactly wise. Here in the car, alone, with nobody to score points off, she got through to Ed.

Ed tried to keep the conversation light and to steer clear of any of the really heavy stuff that had gone down. He didn’t want her to know how he’d changed as well. It seemed to him that what she’d gained he’d lost. She’d become more human and he’d become less. He’d become harder and more cynical. To the outside world he was good old Ed, sensible and nice. To himself …