While Mina remained unconscious I went into the kitchen and rummaged for additional food supplies. There was a plentiful supply and so I brought through a plate of food to eat for now, as well as items I could squeeze into my back pack.

The news on the radio switched between events occurring around the world, as well as those occurring in Britain. The outbreak still seemed to be confined solely to London, but having heard how quickly it was spreading around New York I knew it was only a matter of time before that same scenario unfolded here too.

I saw this house had a landline telephone and called my brother. It went to voicemail, and so I left a message to say that my plans had changed. I realised I needed a mobile phone again so that I was contactable. I did not give any indication of where I was to him as I did not want to draw him towards London and danger.

I explored all four floors of the property, and saw that it had a useable attic space too. I had fleeting thoughts of shoring up the house and using it as a base to get through the first few days. I quickly dismissed the idea as I did not want to remain within an already infected area. Having seen how difficult engaging the enemy in combat had been, even for those both armed and trained, I had already made the mental calculation that there would be no easy resolution of this blight that now faced humanity.

I came back downstairs and checked again on Mina. To my surprise her eyes were open and she seemed surprised at her surroundings.

“Where are we?" she asked.

"Somewhere safe for now, somewhere outside the cordon."

She looked towards the window. "Are we outside the infected area?"

"We are outside the other infected area. But the zombies broke through the cordon too."

Mina tried to sit, and then I took both her hands and helped her back to a standing position.

"How do you feel?", I asked

"Like I have been run over", she replied.

"Well, you kind of were."

She took a few tentative steps and reported no pain beyond a mild ache in her back. Outside I heard the creak of the garden gate opening. Mina walked over to the window and gasped.

I looked over to the window too just in time to see it shatter as a zombie jumped head first through it.