Free The Perimeter by Shalini Boland

since.
    ‘I’ve got a req order from Pa,’ I said.
    ‘Hang on then.’ He went back into the hut and a moment later the right-hand gate swung slowly inwards. As soon as the gap was wide enough, I slipped through and followed Denzil into the chilly hut. He stamped his feet and crossed his arms, shoving his hands under his armpits for warmth.
    ‘How can you stand it?’ I asked. ‘It’s like an ice box in here.’
    ‘It’s not too bad. I do a lot of running on the spot and I stand outside in the sun when I can. Anyway, what can I do for you? You said you’ve got an order?’
    ‘Yeah. For some timber and transport.’
    Denzil ran his finger down the chalk board on the wall. ‘I don’t have a record.’
    ‘No, you won’t have. It’s a last minute thing. After yesterday’s trouble at the compound, we’re delivering some supplies over there to calm things down. Pa’s sent me here, while he gets some other stuff.’ I knew I was starting to babble, and forced myself to stop.
    Denzil looked at the forged order, appearing to think for a while.
    ‘D’you need me to get Pa over here?’ I asked. ‘I don’t mind. But he sent me to save time and going to get him will take a while.’ A light sweat broke out on my forehead. I would be in so much trouble if I got caught. Taking supplies could get you locked up. Kicked out of the perimeter even . . .
    ‘Nah, that’s okay, Riley. I’ve got his signature. That should be good enough. Go around back and see Pauly, he’ll sort you out with what you need.’
    ‘Cheers, Den. We’ll have to catch up properly when I get back. Come over for a cuppa when you get some free time.’
    ‘Sounds good. You and your dad go careful. I hear it’s pretty volatile in the 'pound these days.’
    ‘We’ll be okay.’
    ‘I know you will, girl. You’re badass.’ He laughed and I couldn’t help joining in.
    ‘What are you like, Denzil.’ I gave him a last smile before heading round the back of the big house to get what I’d come for.
    Half an hour later, I was driving out through the perimeter gates into the wasteland of Bournemouth. I’d done the journey with Pa so many times in the last few weeks that I didn’t feel nervous out here anymore. All I felt was an anxious fluttering that Pa would find out. But I knew he had a million and one meetings to occupy him today, so hopefully my little foray would go unnoticed. The flatbed had been loaded up, a huge green tarp stretched over the top, but my illicit truckload hadn’t even made a tiny dent in the perimeter’s giant timber mountain.
    The truck was a way harsher ride than the AV and much less secure. I hoped I wouldn’t run into any bandits. My Saiga lay across the passenger seat just in case and I also had two revolvers and my knife, so I wasn’t too worried. I hummed a tune to myself while I negotiated the bumps and dips of the heath, squinting against the sun’s glare and wishing I’d thought to bring my sunglasses.
    It dawned on me that I wouldn’t be able to simply drive up to the gypsy camp with a truckful of firewood. They’d take one look and strip it clean in minutes. Then Lou might be left with nothing. And I wanted her to benefit. To at least get the credit for such a big haul. This meant I would have to park up somewhere, walk into the camp alone and try to find Lou first. Not ideal.
    If I carried my machine gun, they’d treat me as a hostile, but if I left it behind, I’d be vulnerable walking outside on my own. I didn’t feel safe enough with only the revolvers. I really hadn’t thought my plan through properly. Maybe this whole thing hadn’t been such a good idea after all.
    Once I was within half a mile of the compound, I cruised up and down the area looking for somewhere to park the truck. But this was exposed ground. There were no buildings or trees to conceal a large vehicle, or even a small vehicle for that matter. The landscape was all frosted earth and rocks. It was no good – I would have to