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Chapter 6

There was a ceremony in the city for the victims of Unity in Piccadilly gardens. Hundreds of people had gathered

As victims of Unity, they are told that they may be eligible for compensation. They went to investigate but were turned away from the Unity victims’ office.

“Only those who were interred in the camps were victims,” said the snooty receptionist. “You need to go to the council and apply for benefits.”

Jim was on his way to the council when he learned, via his stretch, that Quinn, the man who was trustee for their house and had tried to help them, had died.

“He was in his forties,” Jim told Annabel. “Apparently he hadn’t seen his youngest child. The child was born after they had transferred Quinn to a camp. They moved him straight from the camp to the hospital where he died.”

“That’s so sad,” said Annabel.

At the council, Jim received the same treatment as at the victims’ office and was told to apply online. He went home and found Aiden Clark waiting for him.

“How are you Jim?” said Aiden. “Glad to see you are settling in. You don’t look happy though.”

“I’m sorry. I just learned today that someone who had tried to help us has died. There was a doctor as well, who was very kind to us. I recently heard he is very ill. Are you coming to Annabel’s concert?”

“Yes, I’ll drive us all there.”

“It’s the second gig she’s got.”

“So I heard.”

“Have you been to the Old Hall before?”

“No, I heard they did a fantastic job on the restoration.”

“At least one good thing came from Unity.”

Aiden drove them to the Old Hall, and the concert went well until there was a power cut. Annabel played the rest of her set acoustically to a room full of candles and then they went home.

*

Jim received a message from the university announcing that they hoped to restart at the beginning of November and they would like him to be a professor again.

“Annabel, listen to this,” he said, going into the bedroom to give her the good news. “What’s wrong with your face?”

“I don’t know. It’s itchy. What does it look like?”

“You have shiny red... or purple.. bumps.”

“Yes, I can feel them.”

“Let’s take you to the doctor.”

“You need to make sure Olivia gets the school bus.”

“Yes, yes, I will. Get yourself ready.”

“And Mr Benn smells.”

“Yes, I’ll move him further away, just get yourself ready.”

It was rainy as they got the bus into town. On the way, they realised a smaller amount had recharged onto their food app than they had expected and, on investigation, discovered that the reorganisation of the system had left them in a worse position than before.

On the way, they noticed that posters of the Assembly First Minister Alex, had appeared all over the place.

When they arrived, Dr Armstrong gave Jim and Annabel a warm welcome.

“How do you like my new surgery?” he asked. “I have a medical assistant and three receptionists.”

“Very nice,” said Annabel.

“Yes, I’m advising the Assembly, they’ll probably give me a position and a big title in the ministry.”

Jim thought about how pale and unwell Dr Armstrong looked, but he was obviously happy.

“Oh, by the way,” the doctor continued. “You remember that Unity police officer, the one who you told me, slapped Annabel? Committed suicide. Anyway, let’s have a look at you both.”

They followed him into the examination room.

“Well, I’m afraid you have eczema. I’ll give you a prescription for corticosteroid cream but good luck in finding some. If not, you could try green tea if you can get hold of any.”

At the chemist, there was a queue. The chemist did not have the cream Dr Armstrong had recommended, but could supply an alternative.

While they were in the city, Jim tried to settle matters with the university. They confirmed he would need to deliver a lecture on 18th November and approved an advance on his salary.

They returned home in a brighter mood than when they had left and Jim set to work moving Mr Benn’s pen.