DAY 2

Nigel tip toes around to next door and puts a packet of paracetamol wrapped in a bow through the letterbox. He will later receive some Anadin Extra in lavish gift-wrapping, from Brianna. By the end of the week, it spirals and climaxes with a dubious looking, bubble-wrapped bottle of ethanol, which Nigel occasionally opens and just sniffs, but dares not drink.

Who caught COVID-19 from who is still a mystery, but there is also a chance Nigel picked it up at the bookies. He does not say anything to Brianna about that. Nor does she divulge the fact that last Friday, she took a swig straight from a shared rosé bottle two days before her aunty tested positive when her hangover did not dissipate. They’ve both got it now, so whatever.

Kendall stares at his wife, Lizzi. She keeps chewing, a single noodle swinging from her mouth. On the TV, an interview with an angry care home owner draws to a close. The newsreader is caught off guard when they return to the studio. Kendall does not break the stare. Lizzi eventually sighs and turns to him.

“What?” She sighs.

“The biggest mistake the government has made-“

“Oh I can’t- just…” She snarls garbled consonants into her knitwear as she marches upstairs to get away from him as he shouts after her,

“…was to assume the general public had any common sense!”

And with that, he slaps his belly and reaches for another biscuit, a self-satisfied grin etched across his tiny, red face.

 Errol is the first out. His slippers make for silent footsteps across the car park as the nursing-home staff are busy taking in a food delivery. Then it’s Ayanna, giggling, gripping the strap of Errol’s dressing gown as they make for the dirt track to freedom. Bruce makes no effort to keep his voice down as he shuffles along behind them, grumbling about the fees their relatives have to pay to keep them in here when it’s this easy to escape.

When Ayanna saw the 2nd lockdown headline on the living room TV, the look she shot to Errol said it all. No more. Not alone. Not again. They’d promised that if this came to pass, they were getting out, no matter the grave risks. Seconds after they turn right at the top of the trail and cross into the woods behind the sheep, the delivery van emerges and drives back towards the city. The three have not felt this alive in years.