were a couple, she was almost certain of that - and Kevin whom they seemed to have adopted between them. The Barker sisters bunked there, all four of them very quiet and introspective. She suspected they held prayer meetings, but at least it was kept over there and in private. Mrs Panhwar, her mother and her two daughters, they spoke a little English - the daughters doing a better job at picking it up. The drilling platform was as good a place as any for the man to find peace and quiet and recover.
He could remain on probation until the anniversary celebration was out of the way, and then she’d have to make a decision. She smiled. The celebration party was just a week away and exactly what they needed after hearing Mr Latoc’s depressing account. There’d been some silly rumours going around over the last year, that a UN force had landed on the south coast of England and was even now organising a major humanitarian effort. A silly rumour that had found traction because one of the women was picking up intermittent signals in Spanish on long wave on one of their wind-up radios. And, of course, there’d been that supposed sighting of a vapour trail in the sky last spring by one of the children. Things like that made everyone feel unsettled; made people want to put down their tools, forget their work assignments and go rushing ashore.
Valérie’s words seemed to have completely scotched those hopeful rumours. Shot them down in the most brutal way. Jenny had felt her heart sinking just like everyone else as he’d told his story.
The party at least was something for them to look forward to; a celebration of Walter’s wonderful methane-powered generator, a reminder that despite all the hard work, the cold winter nights, the monotonous diet, the discomfort, the damp, the wind, the rain . . . they were very lucky. That they were safe, and that slowly, little by little, things would get better again.
‘He seemed really nice, in a sad kind of way,’ uttered Leona.
Jenny sighed. ‘I’ll decide after the party. Anyway, get some sleep, Lee. Don’t forget you’re on morning-chickens tomorrow.’
‘Oh, wonderful,’ Leona huffed, and turned over noisily in her cot.
Chapter 15
10 years AC
‘LeMan 49/25a’ - ClarenCo Gas Rig Complex, North Sea
27 May
It’ll be a lovely celebration this year. Walter brought back dozens and dozens of strings of Christmas lights on this week’s shore run. We’re having it on the production platform because of the open deck space and I’ve had Martha, Leona and Rebecca help me drape the lights all around there. Walter’s run a cable feed off the walkway lights and while we know it all works, we’ve yet to see how pretty it’s going to look when we switch it on.
Our new arrival seems to be mending well. Dr Gupta says the gunshot wound looked worse than it was. He’s stitched up and bandaged. Mostly, she tells me, it’s malnutrition that’s weakened him. He does look a lot better now he’s had a chance to clean himself up and trim that awful beard - at least he doesn’t look like some mad Rasputin character.
Hannah’s very taken with him. She’s really quite sweet, helping him over the lips to doorways. I think she likes the idea of playing nurse and has made Valérie her pet project. She can be a bossy little madam, though; last night in the canteen she was really laying into him for not finishing up the fish in his broth.
Poor chap.
The rain is getting me down. So far this summer it’s been almost constant drizzle and overcast skies. Good for all our crops, of course, and good that we’ve spent less diesel having to refill the freshwater tank so often, but the endless tapping on every porthole, the dripping of water from leaks seems to be everywhere. It depresses me. Reminds me that this is a prison just as much as a safe haven. When there’s enough of a break in those bloody clouds the helipad is usually almost full to bursting with people grabbing a little sun. Not exactly bikini weather with that North Sea wind tugging away at you but it’s so nice to feel the warmth on your face. Close your eyes and dream of a sun-kissed beach, sangria and topaz-coloured water - what I wouldn’t give to walk away from this fucking place.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to tonight, those Christmas lights. They’re going to look lovely.
‘So, it’s