Chapter 16 – Countdown to Freedom

'Do you hear that?' Karen whispered to Adam as he awoke from an all-to-brief sleep.

'Hear what?' he strained but couldn't work out what she was referring to. 'I don't hear anything!'

'Exactly! And there are no more tremors either. The storm has passed!'

'Are you sure it's not going to start again?'

'I don't think so. Look, the sun is shining through the curtains. That hasn't happened any other day in here so far!'

'Well, blow me down…or preferably not!' he excitedly put his arm round her and gave her a kiss.

The Commissioner entered the staff room at eight o'clock to find it empty. He went on to the canteen to see if the police team were there, and after discovering they were not had been informed by Catherine that their last known location was the science classroom. He opened the door at twenty past eight and was surprised to see them all slumped and bedraggled. They all woke up and sat up straight at the sound of the door and attempted to straighten out clothing and hair when they saw who had entered. The team had worked into the early hours of the morning and had ended up putting their heads down on the desks once they could do no more as they were too tired to make their way back to the hall, gym or medical room.

'Good morning team. I take it you have been putting everything into solving this murder case?' he began, looking round at them all.

'We certainly have' confirmed Jack, feeling embarrassed. 'There is just one piece of the puzzle left to solve but it could be a long shot to solve it today if we are getting out of here'

'I am a little disappointed, I must admit' said the Commissioner, 'but I am sure you will not rest until you have found this final piece, Inspector?'

'No, indeed Sir!' The others, who the inspector could not see, gave each other despairing looks as they were so tired.

'Now, Inspector, the whole hall is impatiently waiting for today's weather update, in fact they are chanting for you to give it and have been doing so for half an hour. Can I disturb you from your rest now to give it before there is a riot?'

'S-sure. Florence, are you ready?'

'Yes, Inspector' she stretched her sore back and neck and left the room with Jack.

The whole school had now woken up and everyone was excitedly looking out the windows at the bright sunshine. In the gym children were jumping up and down and asking if they could go to the beach later on. In the hall people were talking about the food, drink, showers and sleep they were going to have and more and more were joining in the chant of 'Mooney, Mooney, Mooney!' as they waited for Jack to come on the tannoy. When the tannoy finally crackled on, the shouting was so loud that only those close to the speakers heard it. Some of those people began turning the volume knobs up so that it was heard by the entire hall. There were anticipatory cheers as Jack's voice began.

'Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Well, I'm delighted to say I have good news this morning. The storm has finally passed, and it is now safe to leave the school…'

'Hurray!' massive cheering erupted throughout the building and people danced and hugged each other. They began to gather their belongings together.

'But could all visitors please remain where you are until the buses for your hotels are called. They will come to the door one at a time…'

'Awww!' The mood dampened a little as the instant mad rush out was thwarted.

'Residents who live within one mile may leave and make their way home by foot, however we would recommend waiting until the army have been out in the town to see what damage, if any, has been done. Those who were permitted to bring cars to the school car park are advised not to drive away until the roads have been checked for debris. Further announcements will be made as and when this information becomes available and the buses are mobilised…'

'I hope our hotel's still standing!' gasped Jenny. 'I don't think I could take any more days and nights living like this!'

'Oh no, I left my gold watch in my room!' remembered David.

Similar panics arose among the tourists, while residents began to worry about their homes and any relatives who were not in the school with them.

'…For now, the canteen remains open and is serving basic drinks and rations for breakfast. Thank you for your attention and for your patience in these matters. Inspector Mooney out'

'Merci de votre attention et patience' Florence completed the French translation and the tannoy was switched off.

An hour later, the populous in the school had calmed down somewhat and had resumed their conversations, reading, games and other activities while they waited for the next announcement. The police team were sitting in the canteen drinking weak, lukewarm tea, having exhausted all the leads they could work with on the murder case. Nikki was telling them about her workplace in London.

'It's called the Thomas Lyell Centre' she said. 'We used to be part of a university before pathology services were privatised. We now have our own office in a side street'

'How big a team of pathologists work there?' asked Florence.

'There are just two pathologists, myself and Thomas who is the head of the centre. We also have two forensic scientists, Jack and Clarissa. Our Jack is Irish too, by the way' she said, looking at Jack. 'from Belfast'

'Aha, you can't get away from us Irish Jacks!' he laughed. 'There are plenty of us on both sides of the border!'

'How many post-mortems do you do every day?' asked Ruby, and J P shook his head at this question.

'It varies. Anything from three to six although it can be more if, for example, there has been a major incident'

'And is this other Irish Jack good looking or is he as old as our one?' Ruby got more head shakes when she asked this question.

'Hey!' Jack feigned offence.

'I would say so, as would his many admirers!'

'Mmm, hmm!' they all laughed.

'But I'm not interested in him in that way' she quickly added. 'We keep things strictly professional and besides, he's into boxing which I am not keen on, and I have a boyfriend'

'Boxing is very popular in Ireland' Jack informed them. 'Hard to avoid enthusiasts. My brother used to do it as a teenager and a few of my nephews and one niece do it now'

'It's not something I've ever fancied trying' said J P.

'Softie!' teased Ruby.

'Is it a popular sport for girls?' Nikki asked him incredulously.

'It is these days. They encourage diversity'

'And so they should!' stated Ruby and Florence high-fived her.

'Inspector, Detective Sergeant!' the Commissioner approached their table. 'Time for the next announcement if you please!'

'Excuse us' said Jack as he and Florence left them once again.

The Manchester group had returned to the hall after their own all-too-familiar breakfast of rations and sat down on their mats again.

'I hope we don't have too much longer to wait' groaned Pete.

'The island is very small' Karen assured him. 'It shouldn't take them too long to do the damage assessment, surely?'

At that point the tannoy crackled and this time everyone heard it clearly.

'Ladies and gentlemen' began Jack 'I am pleased to inform you that the storm did not inflict the extent of damage that was feared. The only casualties were the three beach huts on the west beach which were not prepared for the storm as they are not currently occupied. All homes, hotels and other accommodations are unaffected and ready for you to return to…'

There was loud applause at this.

'…Those who brough their own vehicles are now free to leave, but please be aware that there are numerous stray signs, bins, roof slates and other similar debris on the road. Volunteers are welcome to help clear these items…'

'I don't think I have the energy for that!' Adam lay back on his mat.

'What's your excuse?' Jenny joked, also putting her head down for a few minutes as she had need.

'The first of the buses should be outside the door within the next half hour. Tourists returning to hotels should wait for these. That will be all for now'

'Well, that's our cue to go' said Brian Ormsby to the group. 'We drove over from our villa in our hire car. We'll be going now, but it has been lovely to meet you all and playing games with you made our time here more bearable'

'Thank you for all you did for us' said Pete and gave Brian a man-hug.

'We'll probably get ourselves freshened up and catch up on some sleep today and tonight' said Tania. 'But perhaps tomorrow evening we will set up the barbecue at the back of the villa. You are all very welcome to come over'

'That would be lovely' said Karen.

'Look forward to it' said Adam.

'Great, well, we'll see you then' continued Brian. 'In the meantime, thank you for your company and I hope you don't have to wait too much longer to get out of here'

'We hope so too!' said David.

'It was nice to meet you too, Daisy' said Jenny. 'I hope you haven't been too bored with us?'

Daisy smiled and didn't say anything.

'She's quite shy' said Tania. 'But talks a lot on social media!'

'Don't they all?!' Jenny agreed.

'Well have a good rest and we'll see you tomorrow' said Pete. They all hugged and the Ormsby's left. Once out in the car park, Brian and Tania loaded up the car with their belongings while Daisy took out her phone, plugged in the charger and finally had the opportunity to have another look at the photos she had taken of her holiday up until the day of the evacuation.

'Mum?' Daisy called to Tania as she went to get in the passenger door.

'What is it, love?' she asked her daughter.

'Look at this photo I took the night we arrived at the school. Isn't that…?'

Tania looked at the photo and gasped. 'We need to show this to the police' she said, taking the phone from Daisy.

'What is it?' asked Brian

'Look' Tania showed him the picture and he also gasped.

'Mum, my phone!' complained Daisy.

'Sorry Daisy, I know it's hard for you to be without your phone' said Brian. 'But this is very important, and your mum is right, we need to show it to the police straight away' and they went back into the school to seek the police team.

Over the next hour buses began to be announced and the school gradually emptied. There were now less than one hundred people left and they all occupied the tables and chairs in the canteen. A team of volunteers had begun to clean the hall and gym. The Manchester group were among those remaining, and Jenny suddenly noticed Tiffany sitting on the ground in a corner and wondered whether she should go and speak to her or leave her alone as she seemed to want the day before. Her thoughts were interrupted by Adam;

'What's taking them so long? It's been ages since the last bus was announced!'

'Perhaps all the buses are out taking people to other hotels and they are waiting for one to come back?' suggested Karen.

'Something's going on!' Pete looked round and drew their attention to J P who had come in to speak to Catherine. He handed her what looked like a box of food provisions. The group could not hear their conversation, but it was obvious it was of a serious nature. It lasted around fifteen minutes after which J P left and Catherine started preparing sandwiches with the items that had been delivered to her.

'Are they keeping us here until after lunch time? Why?' asked David.

Another half hour went by before there was another announcement. It was now a quarter to noon.

'Good morning ladies and gentlemen. We apologise for the delay but the bus for the Honore Palace is now waiting at the front door…'

'Hurray!' the remaining refugees finally got up to leave.

'…However, could Tiffany Smith, Adam Williams, Karen Marsden, David Marsden, Jenny Gifford and Pete Gifford please remain and report to the staff room immediately. Thank you'

'What? No way?! What now!' the groups' patience was running thin.