eye-witness reports describing fights over food, killings in many cases. This is a truly horrifying scenario, Sean, being played out on every street in every major town and city in the country . . .’
The image cut back to the studio.
‘Diarmid, is there no sign at all of the police or the army out there? I mean, we’re looking at Oxford Street right now, aren’t we?’
‘That’s right, Sean. Wholly unrecognisable right now, but yes, this is Oxford Street. This particular disturbance began at about three in the afternoon around a Metro-Stop supermarket, when the staff attempted to close the store and pull down the shutters. This triggered a riot, which quickly led to the store being rushed and the stock completely looted. I saw people emerging from it hours ago pushing trolleys full of food, and then several fights breaking out on the street as other people attempted to lift goods from these trolleys. This particular riot then spread to the other stores up and down the street, with people, quite unbelievably, storming a sports clothes retailer nearby, and next to that, an electrical goods store. Looking down on this now Sean, one is reminded of some of the scenes we saw during the LA riots in 1992, and also in the aftermath of Katrina in New Orleans. But to answer your question Sean, I have seen absolutely no police or army since we arrived here.’
The image on screen cut back to the studio.
‘Thank you for that report, Diarmid,’ Sean said, looking down at a sheaf of papers in his hands. ‘Those scenes of the rioting currently going on in central London.’
Sean Tillman took a long steadying breath, and then looked up again to camera; the trademark early morning smile that Leona found irritating, but frankly would have loved to have seen now, replaced with a chilling portrayal of grim resignation.
‘There has still been no further comment from the Government since the lunchtime press conference. We have been informed though that the emergency committee, code-named “Cobra”, with full legal authority, is in effect now governing the country. Whether the Prime Minister is steering that committee, or some other minister is, as yet, unclear.’
Leona turned to Daniel. ‘Oh God, Dan, this is so scary,’ she whispered.
Daniel nodded silently.
‘Reports have been coming in from foreign correspondents throughout the afternoon. A similar pattern of events seems to be occurring in many other countries. In Paris, unrest that started in the suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois, has spread across the city, with many buildings now on fire, and reports of many hundreds of deaths amongst the rioters. In New York, the announcement of a city-wide emergency food rationing ordinance was met with demonstrations on the streets that quickly escalated to a full-scale riot.’
Daniel got up. ‘Can I use your phone? I want to try my foster parents again.’
Leona nodded. ‘Sure.’
As he headed out of the lounge to the hall phone table, Jacob stirred. ‘Lee, are we having a big war?’ he asked casually.
‘What? No, of course not!’ she snapped at him irritably. And then noticed from the worried scowl on his small face that even Jake was aware that all was not well with the world. ‘No Jake, we’re not having a war. But things have gone . . . wrong, and people are getting a bit panicky.’
Jacob nodded as he digested that, and then looked up at her again. ‘I want Mum. Where is she?’
Leona smiled, she hoped reassuringly.
I want Mum too.
Daniel returned. ‘There’s no tone on the telephone line. It’s, like, dead.’
‘Dead?’
‘Not a thing.’
‘Who’s dead?’ asked Jake, his lips were beginning to quiver unhappily.
Leona could do without him whimpering right now. ‘No one Jake. No one’s dead. Just play with your cards right now, okay?’
Jacob nodded, but instead of returning to his cards and continuing to sort them into monster and spell decks, he looked up at the TV and watched the flickering montage of flaming cars, and smoke-smudged skylines. He listened to the words, with cocked head, not entirely understanding what was being said, but instinctively knowing that none of it was good.
‘You want to use my mobile?’ asked Leona.
‘Yeah, please,’ replied Daniel.
‘. . . in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan particularly. From what we know, the evacuation of troops from the region is continuing apace, with a steady procession of Hercules transport planes depositing troops at several RAF bases, including . . .’
On the TV screen Sean Tillman suddenly disappeared. The only thing left on screen was the News 24 logo in