Autumn Page 0,79

are millions of them out there. Eventually they're going to get through.'

'I don't agree.'

'We'll put a bet on it now and I'll come back next year and see how you're doing.'

Michael didn't find Carl's attempt at black humour amusing.

'Okay, so we're not as isolated as we thought we were here, but we've done all right so far, haven't we?'

'Better than I ever thought we would,' he accepted.

'So why leave now? You're going to get ripped to pieces out there.'

Carl thought for a moment. He had done a good job of keeping his true feelings and emotions hidden from the other two for most of the last week. The pair of them had been so wrapped up in building and protecting their precious ivory tower that they seemed to have forgotten everything else that was ever important.

'I just want to go back to somewhere I know,' he eventually admitted. 'I know I'm taking a massive chance but I think it's worth the risk. If I'm going to spend the rest of my days hiding from those bloody things out there, I might as well hide somewhere close to the place I know best, somewhere I actually want to be.'

'But think about the other risks,' Michael said, his voice tired and low. 'Think about the bodies that are just lying rotting on the ground. Every city will be filled with disease.'

Carl just shrugged his shoulders.

'I don't know anything about that and there's nothing I can do about it anyway. I used to mend fucking twenty-ton presses for a living, doesn't matter if you tell me there's germs and disease about because I can't do anything about it. I'll have to take my chances there just the same way you and Emma will do here.'

'But we're not taking chances...'

'How do you know that? How do you know that there isn't cholera, typhoid or a thousand other diseases that we've never even heard of already here in the air or in the stream or...'

Michael knew he was right. There was no point in arguing.

'You don't have to go,' he said, quickly deciding to change tack completely. 'Please stay here with us. Just do me a favour and think about it for a couple of days at least will you?'

Carl shook his head.

'All I've done this last week is think about this. Look, it's nothing personal. You were the one who kept telling us how important it was to look after ourselves, weren't you?'

'Yes, but...'

'So can't you see that's all I'm doing. You keep doing what's best for you and Emma, and I'll look after myself. We all might be gone tomorrow...'

'Don't talk like that,' Michael interrupted, suddenly angry. 'You can't talk like that if...'

Ignoring him, Carl continued.

'We might all be gone tomorrow but the three of us might still be around in ten years time. I just can't lock myself away in here and sit and wait for something to happen. If all we're going to do is cower and hide for the rest of our lives then we might as well just end it now.'

'I understand what you're saying,' Michael sighed, accepting that nothing he could say or do would persuade Carl to stop. 'I understand completely, but I still think you're a stupid fucking bastard.'

'That's your opinion.'

Michael stood up and took a step closer before stopping again.

'Just stay a little longer, will you? Things might be different again in the morning.'

Carl looked up and managed half a smile.

'That's what scares me,' he mumbled, sounding tired and resigned. 'I can't stay. I have to go.'

Sensing that to prolong the conversation any longer would be pointless, Michael turned and walked back to the house.

By six o'clock Carl was ready to leave. His bike, loaded up with his bags, stood next to the gate. Dressed in the leathers and boots taken from corpse in Pennmyre earlier in the day, and carrying the freshly disinfected crash helmet in his hand, he stood at the front door of the farmhouse with Emma and Michael. This was it. He knew that there was no turning back, and no point in delaying the inevitable.

He glanced at the other two.

'Ready?' Emma asked.

He nodded and swallowed. His mouth was dry.

It was a cold night with a relentless, biting wind. Emma zipped up her fleecy jacket and thrust her hands deep into her pockets.

'Last time I ask,' Michael said, fighting to make himself heard over the wind, 'are you sure about this?'

Carl nodded again.

'Better get on with it,' he said and with