Harry reached forward and shook Nigel’s hand. “I know I can. Thank you. And if that thug tries to get free, you have all of our permissions to throw him on the fire.”
Nigel nodded and Harry made towards the stairs, starting to climb them one by one. As he ascended, he thought about whether or not it was really a good idea to leave the modest safety of the pub. After what Jess and Jerry had said happened to their friend, Ben, and the fact that something outside was strong enough – and crazy enough – to throw a human being through a window, Harry was half-expecting to be met by fire breathing dragons the moment he set foot into the snow. Not to mention giant plumes of impossible fire climbing into the sky while people burn to death on crosses. He tried not to think about it too much, but deep down he understood that something was very wrong with the world, or at least his small part of it. One thing for certain though was that they would all freeze to death without a constant fire going, so there was little choice really. Any way Harry looked at it, the risk of death was definitely better than the certainty of death. Whatever it was outside, he would have to face it.
It was time to start facing his problems.
“Harry Boy, I take it you’ve been informed of our grave situation?”
Harry entered the bar area to find Lucas still watching over Damien. “Yeah, they told me. Nothing’s going right tonight is it?”
“You can say that again. Still, I’m guessing you’re a fella with a plan.”
Harry nodded. “And you’d be right. Kath and I are going to go raid the supermarket for supplies. I wanted to ask you to come along.”
Lucas’ reaction was unexpected. The man seemed afraid. “Well, um, you sure that’s the best course of action now, Harry Boy? Should I not stay here and keep an eye on the womenfolk?”
“Nigel will do that. Plus, Jerry is over by the fire with Peter.” Harry moved forward and placed a hand on Lucas’ shoulder. “I really need your help, Lucas. We need the bags of coal they sell at the supermarket and I won’t be able to carry them all on my own.”
Lucas shuffled uncomfortably, but slowly seemed to come round to the idea. “Well, okay, I guess. I have little choice in the matter, do I? Can’t let an honest fella like yourself down. Bring on the snow, I say.”
Harry patted Lucas on the shoulder again. “I really appreciate it. Anyway, we’ll be fine. Quick in and out, military style. Like you said earlier, I’m Major Jobson and you can be Captain Fergus.” Harry snapped off a mock salute and stood straight.
Lucas chuckled. “Sounds like a plan. I just can’t help but worry about bumping into something unpleasant out there. I’m not the bravest man, you know?”
Harry understood the man’s fear; in fact he felt it himself. “I’ve been trying not to think about it too much,” he admitted, “but it’s either a quick trip to the supermarket or waiting until we all freeze to death. Besides, we’ll go out there armed. Anyone – or anything – that tries it on will soon regret it.”
Lucas clicked his fingers and did a little jig. “I like your spirit, Harry Boy. When do we depart?”
Harry shrugged. “No time like the present.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A baseball bat and a handful of kitchen knives – that was the best they could do. Harry hadn’t expected guns or a flamethrower, but still hoped for something a little more intimidating than kid’s toys and cutlery. Still, what they had was better than nothing.
“Right,” said Harry, handing the baseball bat to Kath and arming himself and Lucas with a chef’s knife each. “The plan is to get across to the supermarket quickly and quietly, sticking together at all times. Once we get there it’s over to you, Kath, because you know where everything is.”
Kath nodded and took over. “Our main priority is, of course, the coal, so we will gather that first. There’s some on the shop floor, but it would be prudent to ignore that and get the main supply from the warehouse. However, once inside, no one touches anything without my say so.”
“Would you mind if we breathe the air,” said Lucas.
Kath planted her hands on her hips. “If you’re not going to obey my rules then we can just forget the whole thing.”
“Fine,” said Lucas. “Although, we could just tie you up like our young friend, Damien, and take the keys for ourselves.”
Kath stared at Lucas and seemed worried.
Lucas chuckled. “Just pulling your leg.”
Harry slid off his stool and straightened himself up. “Okay, Nigel, you keep an eye on everything here and we’ll be back as soon as we can. Jerry, you make sure that Damien stays tied up nice and tight.”
“No,” said Jerry. He was holding the fire poker down by his thigh and shaking his head. “I’m coming with you.”
Before Harry had time to object, he found that Jess had beaten him to it. “Are you insane?” she asked her friend.
Jerry was still shaking his head. “No, I’m not. Just tired of being useless. That’s all I ever was when Ben was around and I’ll be damned if I’m going to carry on being like it now he’s gone.”
“That’s very noble,” said Harry, “and we all understand you wanting to honour your friend, Jerry – but there’s no need to take the risk. We’ve got it covered.”
“Dude, I don’t really know you and you sure as hell don’t know me, but one thing you’ll learn real soon is that all of the shit me and Jess told you about is real. None of you have seen the dude in the hood up close, but I have.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “What’s your point?”
“My point is that I am more qualified than you to go out there and face the crazy, so what right do you have to tell me anything?”
Harry shrugged and started to wonder if he actually had the energy for this. “We don’t have time to argue,” he said wearily, “so I guess you’ll be coming along too.”