Free I Dream of Zombies by Vickie Johnstone Page A

behind.
    “Bugsy the bed,” remarked Ellen.
    Marla turned and nudged her arm. “I could have guessed!”
    “I have a bad back.”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah!”
    “So, what brought on this visit?” asked Hilda when they were all seated comfort ably on the plush brown sofa. “It was very late notice.”
    “Sorry,” Marla began.
    “Oh, I don’t mind, it’s lovely to see you, but I was just surprised.”
    “I missed you,” said Ellen , making up an excuse. “And I asked Marla to drive me. I’m too skint to get the train at the moment.”
    “That’s a shame. But your job is going alright?”
    “Yes, yes, I love it,” Ellen replied, smiling broadly. Her eyes lit up thinking about it. “I love teaching and the kids are so cool. I’m teaching primary school classes, and many of the children are bright and the ones that aren’t really try. I think I only have one naughty boy!”
    “Well, that’s good. Lucky you’re not teaching teenagers,” said Hilda. “Ah, teenage girls...”
    Marla laughed. “Guess we were hell on legs.”
    “Something like that. Why do you think I have all these white hairs? They skipped the grey stage.”
    “I thought that was only after Chris came along,” said Ellen with a cheeky smile.
    “Now you might be right there... but no, he’s a good boy, Chris. I’m surprised he went travelling though. I thought he would be too shy for that kind of thing, but his friend, Alan, is very friendly and I think he convinced him. I’m glad he’s seeing the world. That’s something I wish I’d done when I was young.”
    “You still could,” Marla suggested.
    “Oh no, I’m far too old now. A trip to the seaside is good enough for me.”
    “I was wondering,” as ked Marla, changing the subject, “do you know of anyone who has come down with the flu here? We’ve kind of got an outbreak of it in London.”
    “Yes, I saw that on the news. They think it’s that avian flu again. I guess it will only be the older people at risk,” Hilda replied. “You know, the very young, like babies, and the very old.”
    “Well, we’re okay,” said Ellen, smiling.
    “But no, come to think of it, I can’t think of anyone. I’d have noticed too, it being summer and all.”
    “Well, that’s good. I was worried,” said Marla.
    “Ah, don’t worry about me,” Hilda answered, getting up. “I get my regular flu jabs now. That’s one great thing about being an OAP – no winter flu – and then there’s my free bus pass. Now that’s living the dream!”
    Ellen giggled.
    “Would you girls like a sandwich and some cake, or I could cook something?”
    “No, I’m fine, don’t worry,” said Marla. “Just a bit of cake would be great. It’s getting quite late.”
    “Me, too,” Ellen agreed. “Cake with my coffee. Do you need any help?”
    “No. You tw o sit there and make yourself at home. You’ve had a long drive. What is it? Four hours?”
    “ Five and a bit,” said Marla. “I’ll probably sleep like a log tonight.”
    “Always do down here . I don’t know why you live in London. Too many people and everyone is always in such a rush. They’d sooner knock you over than say hello. I’ll be back in a mo.”
    “Well, she seems fine,” said Ellen once Hilda had left the room.
    Marla let out a breath of air. “Thank God. I was starting to really worry. That’s so funny she’s using email.”
    “Yeah, I wanna see those pictures of Chris. Maybe he did the best thing in leaving the country right now.”
    “Think so. Wish I was in Thailand.”
    “Bit hot though.”
    “Yeah, I guess,” said Marla, getting up and looking out of the window.
    “What are you looking at?”
    “Nothing in particular. Just trying to remind myself what normal looks like.”
    Ellen smiled. “How long do you want to stay?”
    “Maybe we should check the news tomorrow and head back late evening.”
    “So soon?”
    “Did you want to stay longer?”
    “Well, yes, as we’re here,” Ellen replied.