Read Chapter 6: — THE CHOICE

The next morning they prepared as if for a storm.

Food first. Then cleaning supplies. Bottled water. Batteries. Thermometers. Bin bags. Disposable gloves from a hardware shop. A pair of skiing goggles because proper protective eyewear had vanished from every chemist in Ravensbridge.

At an outdoor store, Ethan found two lightweight waterproof coveralls.

"Those are for sailing," the clerk said.

"Today they're for driving nurses."

The clerk, a student named Ben, stared at him.

"You're doing that?"

"Trying to."

Ben disappeared into the stock room and returned with another set of goggles.

"Take these at staff price."

"I can pay full."

"I know. Take them at staff price."

When Ethan noticed Ben had only a cloth mask, he gave him two surgical masks from Tom's supply.

The exchange embarrassed both of them.

Outside, Maya said, "You realise this is how it starts."

"What?"

"One person gives something to another person, who gives something to someone else. Soon we're living in a sentimental television advert."

"You married me. You knew the risk."

At home, they established rules.

Ethan would change outer layers at the door. Masks went straight into a sealed bin. Hands washed before touching anything else. The car would be disinfected between passengers. Windows stayed cracked whenever possible.

Maya wrote the rules on paper and taped them beside the door.

"You forgot one," Ethan said.

"What?"

He took the pen.

COME HOME.

Maya read it and looked away.

"That's not a rule."

"It is now."