20

Dan liked the nickname and preferred it immensely to Twitch. Apparently he had lost his leg in a farming accident as a teenager and that had perked several ears up. He had grown up in the country on a dairy farm, had farming knowledge. Lived off the land? Good. They would need someone with more knowledge than them, all admitting to being city dwellers.

"I like the idea of the campers" Clive said as they finished up breakfast "It will mean going near a main town though, nothing close to a rental place in these backwaters."

"We can't all go" Andy agreed "we estimate needing five campers right? So we need five of us."

"Agreed. I suggest me, Andy, Mickey, Ben and Brian" Martha pointed around the table. "That leaves plenty to care for the kids and protect those of us still here."

Brian looked more than slightly shocked to be included in the list and it did not go unnoticed by Andy who watched him squirm in his seat while clearly trying to think of a way out of it. Finally Andy said "Dan. Maybe you should come instead of Brian. Since you will be driving one for yourself, best you pick one suited to your leg?"

The relief on Brian's face was also not missed, nor was Dan's delight in the suggestion.

"Sounds great… yeah." Dan said happily "Happy to help out and it's great to be able to choose one that is comfortable for me. Not many even think about my leg."

"Your leg?" Tish looked down and her eyes widened "Dan. You only have one leg."

"Hence the Lieutenant Dan reference" Andy said softly making her face palm as she really was not firing on all cylinders without coffee. "Don't worry Tish. We will also look for coffee."

"God, the things we took for granted. I would get up, shower and do my makeup. Then listen to the radio while I get my first cup of coffee, make some rolled oats or toast. Then wander down to the corner newsstand for my daily dose of rubbish" Tish sighed softly "I would give anything now to read of some horse loose in the uptown traffic during the morning school run."

"I know. The world may never go back to what it was" Andy said gently as he reached out to pat her hand "But we still have tomorrow. We can build a new world. For these kids here, we have to try sweetie."

"You are a nice man" she smiled.

"And he's mine" Martha said loudly, stilling the table. Then Martha added "they both are. Mickey and Andy … they are with me."

"You never did share" Tish smiled softly to show she didn't mind, sure her man was still out there somewhere waiting for their paths to cross. She just hoped he was as attentive.

"Look … let's find a phone book. Can't Google can we" Clive interrupted the moment with reality "If we can find an advertisement for the Campers, we will find an address for the yard. Right?"

"Logical" Mickey nodded his agreement as he settled back in his chair "Very tasty scrambled eggs this morning Mama Francine. Thank you."

"Glad you have an appetite for them. Having chickens with us is a boon … we do need more food though" she rose to start packing up the breakfast things, scraping the leftover eggs into the bowl for the dog who was happy to have any leftovers on top of his morning biscuits.

"Wouldn't mind another dog or two either" Cliff added "This fella hates Meaters. Lets me know if any are near. We need some that can shut up and stop barking or they might give away our position but still good enough to buy us some time."

"But then … at the cost to the dogs if they stand their ground or attack the Meaters?" Andy pointed out and Cliff looked horrified at the thought, reaching out to rub his dog's head.

"I have a harness for him in the backpack, never thought… you're right. He might attack a herd of them or something if he thinks we are in danger. I kept him shut away… I've not tested him in the open with them. Shit. I don't' wanna lose my dog."

"When we get where we are going … wherever that is. Maybe when we are settled down we can get us some more, like to patrol the perimeters." Andy said happily as he chewed on a bread roll "Maybe… like a big pack of teethy ones that can rip Meaters apart."

"Really?" Mickey laughed as he threw a roll at Andy then rose, "gotta go spell Leo on watch so he can get these kids sorted to move out."

"Seriously" Andy called after him "Big ones with sharp bloody teeth!"

Mickey's laugher faded as he walked away and Andy turned to the children to add "And good hearts."

"I love doggies" Coral said softly, her little hands scrunching like she might be petting one. "My Granny had one."

"Me too" Andy winked at her, hoping like hell he had enough teeth to protect these kids until then.