Breaking Britain (Completed)

Chapter 56

56
Sunday 6th January 2030
07:30

There was a knock at the door, it sounded like a timid knock, tainted with caution. Although, the intensity of it showed no malice, it was enough to stir the stomachs of those inside.

Junior John, Clarise Milford and her mum were in the kitchen. Martha Milford was frying some sausages, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Clarise was busy setting the table, when the sound resonated.

'I'll go', Martha said, placing her cup of tea down on the counter.

'I should come with you', Junior intersected.

Martha nodded and added, 'but stay out of sight'

Clarise tapped Junior's arm and he stepped behind Martha. She said nothing, but handed Junior the sharp knife she had been using to cut up some mushrooms. Junior took it.

Martha could see a figure outside her door, through the hazed glass insets. She opened it slightly and recognized her neighbor John Green.

'Hi John. What can I do for you?'

John looked her in the face and breathed a huge sigh of relief. 'Thank God you're fine', he said honestly, 'we were worried about you, with all the violence on TV last night'.

Martha looked upon his white face. She could see he was genuinely concerned, but also knew that John was the only one strong enough in the neighborhood to risk coming to her door in plain view.

'Would you like to come in?', Martha said, opening her door wide and at the same time looking over his shoulder and noticing a few shuffling of curtains across the road.

John smiled and stepped in, shutting the door behind him. Junior stepped out of the shadows, in a sign of strength. He had met Mr Green before and although he had come across as genuine and friendly, Junior watched him with caution.

'What happened to your face?', John asked Junior, surprised to see him standing there.

The concern John showed caught Junior off guard and for a moment, he couldn't recall how he had managed to get his scratches, burns and bruises that occupied fifty per cent of the surface of his face.

'I was at the hospital'

John immediately knew what Junior was referring to and nodded.

Martha lead John into the kitchen, where John paused seeing Clarise wasn't looking as stunning as she usually did.

'Are Dale and Jimmy okay?', John asked, his concern showing again.

'Yes, we're fine', John turned to see Dale standing there. His hair was wet, having just come out of the shower.

'Dale, good to see you're fine', he stepped over and shook his hand. Only one year separated John and Dale. However, standing there, next to each other, the difference seemed around ten or fifteen years. John had a youthful look, which came from playing rugby and attending the gym six times a week. His partner and two teenage sons were very similar in build. Dale imagined they attended the gym together, as some sort of family bonding.

'What brings you here, John?', Dale asked getting straight to the point. After everything he had witnessed the previous night, Dale had gained an overnight distrust of white people.

John smiled. 'I came to make sure you were fine and to say, if you ever have any trouble, give me a call and I'll be straight over to help you. I'm sure everyone round here feels the same way'.