Grey Moon
Chapter six
The Proper Moon
[Exercise book — Ana, London. School has closed; she keeps the book herself now. Around Day 143.]
Things I am in charge of now
Since school stopped I write the list in the morning so I don’t forget any.
- Wake Mama. She sleeps in the day now even though the day is not for sleeping. You say it three times and then you open the curtain. Granny says let her rest, but if nobody wakes her she does not wake up by herself. I tested it.
- Granny’s tablets, the white one and the two little ones, with breakfast. Granny used to do them. Now she says you do them, love, you’re quicker. Her get up and go has got up and went, she says, and laughs. I don’t laugh because it is true.
- Eggs. Granny knows the man, but now I go, because the queue is long and Granny can’t stand up that long any more. You take the eggs and put the money in the tin. He trusts us.
- Feed Mr Biscuit. This one is easy. He reminds me.
- The phone. It has to be off most of the time so there is some left for when Papa rings. It got down to eleven once and I was frightened, so now I am strict.
Mama did not eat the toast today, but she said good girl when I brought it, which she always says. I am keeping this book like Marko keeps his.
[Exercise book — Ana, London. Around Day 145.]
The moon
I am still checking it. Mama said the English moon would be the proper one, but it is the same moon. I have checked thirty-one nights. I write down if it is bright or not bright. Bright means you can see the garden without the light on.
I noticed a thing. The day after a bright night Mama is harder to wake. I thought it was a coincidence. Granny taught me that word. But I marked it, and now it is four times. Four is a lot for a coincidence.
I asked Granny if the moon can make you tired. She said only werewolves, love, and that I worry like an old woman, and put the kettle on. So I did not ask again.
But I am still marking it.
[Public information — issued by London Councils on behalf of the London boroughs, with NHS England (London). Day 146. Posted to households and at GP surgeries, libraries and Tube stations.]
Accompanied Departure: more centres now open
We know that many people across London are waiting longer than any of us would wish. To help with this, further centres will open from Friday.
You do not need an appointment and you do not need to ring ahead. Please just come along. Bring some form of ID and, if you have it, your NHS number — though no one will be turned away for the want of either.
Someone may come with you to the door. We are sorry that, for reasons of space, they cannot come any further. There are quiet rooms at every site and step-free access throughout. Tea is available.
Please go to the centre nearest you. The new sites are at the ExCeL — the old Nightingale hall — the Olympic Park, and Alexandra Palace, alongside those already open at Olympia and Wembley. A list is kept on the council website for as long as we are able to keep it up to date.
Getting about London is not what it was. Several Tube lines are suspended and the buses run when there are crews for them. If you find a centre closed, it is closed for want of staff, not shut for the day; please do not wait outside in the hope it reopens.
The chaplaincy and the telephone support line are still here, though the line is now open mornings only.
Our staff and volunteers are very few now, and they are giving everything they have. Please be kind to them, and thank you for your patience.
[Exercise book — Ana, London. Around Day 147.]
The big children
On the egg road there are children who are not slow. They are by the shut shops, older ones and some little ones, and the older ones look after the little ones. They have a pram with no baby in it, for carrying things.
One girl talked to me. She talks fast and I get about half. She asked where my grown-up was and I said at home, and she said something with “sound” in it that I think means all right. She gave me a biscuit, and another one to share. I did share it.
They are always there now, and the slow people mostly are not. I don’t know whose children they are. Maybe nobody’s.
Their English is not my English. Mama’s English is the slow kind, for me. Theirs is the fast kind, for each other. I am learning some of it. “Safe” is one. They say it when you go and when you come.
I did not tell Granny about them. I am not sure why. I just keep it in the book.
[Exercise book — Ana, London. Around Day 148.]
Mama did not wake today. I said it three times and opened the curtain and said it three more. She is breathing. I checked.
Granny is in the chair. She said she would just rest her eyes. That was the morning, and it is dark now, and she is still resting them. I did the tablets but she did not take the little ones.
I have turned the phone on. I am going to ring Papa even though it is not an emergency. I will say it quick so the battery lasts.