Empty World by John Christopher Read Free Book Online Page B

laughing, and asking questions he was hard put to answer. Susie made no contribution but sucked a thumb contentedly, staring up at the ­ceiling.
    They wanted to be kissed goodnight, or Tommy at least, and he did that and tucked them in. Thenhe went downstairs, and thought about ways of helping them to survive.
    Food and shelter were the fundamentals. Tommy had been very good at picking up the use of the tin-opener: fortunately it was of a kind that was relatively easy to operate. He must get in a really big stock of tinned foods; or perhaps take Tommy along to the shop and show him how to forage for himself. Then clothes. They obviously could not manage with the ones he had washed, even in the summer. There was no clothes shop in Winchelsea. He could go into Rye, but it would be easier and made more sense for him to go back to Trojan’s Platt. He did not much fancy venturing upstairs into the presence of the dead parents, even though he had grown used to death and corpses, but there would be clothes there to fit them though probably nothing that would be of much value for the winter. They would have outgrown last year’s and next year’s would not yet have been bought.
    Thinking of that he felt a sudden quick despair. What chance was there, in reality? They might survive the summer months if he left them a large enough supply of food, but how could they possiblycope with winter? If they did not starve, the cold would finish them off.
    Neil shook his head. It was hopeless, but he would not abandon hope. From what he had seen in this brief acquaintance he judged Tommy to be a bright boy, capable beyond his actual years. Providing they could get through the winter, spring would find Tommy nearly a year older and that much more resourceful. And Susie would be big enough to travel with him, as long as they went by easy stages. They would find more food that way: there must be large stocks in Rye and even more in Hastings.
    Neil went back to the looking glass above the mantel. The sun had gone down and the room was shadowy, but he was fairly sure there was still no change. That meant little: the deterioration, when it did come, was often rapid. Three more days of usefulness? He stared into the glass no longer seeing himself but thinking hard.
    For a start, this place was no good. Water still flowed from the taps but there was no knowing how long that would last; and although he could open up the old town well and show Tommy, using it would be too difficult and dangerous for a child. And it wastoo far from an adequate food source. No, it would have to be somewhere else—somewhere with a spring or stream close by and to which, in the short time remaining, he could bring the essentials to keep them alive.
    He felt relaxed; more at peace than he had been for a long time. He went into the bedroom where the little ones were and found them both asleep, with their covers kicked off. He replaced them, and Tommy mumbled something without waking up.
    Looking down at them, he wondered what the odds were. A hundred to one against, or a thousand? Worth taking, anyway. And first things first: he would go and get clothes for them.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Neil was up soon after six. Sunshine slanted in at his window, promising another fine day. He found Susie sitting up; she smiled as he came into the room. He woke Tommy, and set him to the task of washing and dressing himself and his sister.
    After they had breakfasted, off corned beef and biscuits, he explained to Tommy that he had to leave them for the day. The boy looked unhappy, and he explained that he would be looking for a better placefor them to live in. Tommy accepted that, but wanted to come with him. Neil told him he was needed to stay and look after Susie. He did not argue with that, but said:
    â€œYou will come back, Neil, won’t you?”
    Neil had scrutinized his morning face. He said with confidence:
    â€œDon’t worry. I’ll come