It's the End of the World as We Know It by Hatton David

Author:Hatton, David
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

Kristina

I shouldn’t have gone but I was determined to. I knew from the moment I got up on the morning of the camping trip that I wasn’t right. My legs felt dead, like I’d slept funny, but no amount of stamping or walking around would cure it. But this was the last time we’d ever get to go away together as a group. I wanted one last blowout. I also knew it was time to tell Janine, but I wanted to save that until we got home. Let’s go and enjoy ourselves without worry… well except for that massive asteroid hurtling towards us.

​When we arrived at the campsite, I was beginning to feel better but then Dawn suggested a walk. Beacon Fell is only a short climb. It’s a walk you can do in your trainers. Nothing compared to Snowdon or Old Man of Coniston, which I’d also conquered in my time. But I was lagging behind. I was out of breath. If anyone noticed it, they didn’t mention it. I could see them stopping, holding back for me, frustrated that I was holding them up. I used to be the fitter one of the group. The one who would run marathons. I went to the gym twice a week at the university during term time. I think the car accident was a valid excuse for my sluggishness though.

​‘Are you OK, love?’ Janine asked, concerned.

​‘Oh, just getting old.’ She already knew I had achy joints so it was no surprise I wasn’t running up that hill like a Kate Bush number.

​Afterwards we huddled around a fire and tucked into the food and the mountains of booze we’d brought. It was then that I began to feel the spasms in my limbs. I did everything I could to keep it in control. Mostly from Janine, who could always spot my discomfort a mile away.

​‘You’re quieter tonight, are you OK?’ Janine asked. It was starting to get on my nerves. I knew she cared, but when you’re trying to act like you’re fine, the worst thing anyone can do is keep asking if you’re alright.

‘Yes, I’ll tell you if I’m any different,’ I said with a short tone.

I also had Marta continuously glance at me for reassurance, but she knew more than most. Thank God that she wasn’t allowed to say anything.

​I was relieved when Janine finally went to the loo. It gave me five minutes just to relax without her worrying about me. Neil and Marta were debating politics.

​‘We should charge for some hospital appointments or fine people who waste A&E time.’

I always had him down as a bit of a secret Tory. Very much a centrist type of Tory, but a Tory all the same. He just had a slightly different view to the rest of us red-head lefties. Which was surprising given he was brought up on a council estate to a single parent family. Meanwhile Janine and I were champagne socialists; I can hear the eyes roll.

‘But that’s just going to impact poor people,’ Marta replied.

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