The Human Condition

to point the car forward and go. And that's what we're going to do eventually. Next summer, if we're still here, we're going to find a motorhome like the one Michael and Emma used to have. Then I'm going to fulfil my ambition and drive right around the coastline of our little country. It will be a complete waste of time but who cares, we've got nothing better to do. Michael used to say to me that all we can do now is make the most of the time we have left. That's exactly what we're going to do.

AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION

    Appendix i

    AMY STEADMAN

    Is not a named character in the novels, but she appears in PURIFICATION as the figure on the other side of the airfield fence which grabs the recently re-animated corpse of Kelly Harcourt. "Eight weeks ago this creature had been a young, intelligent and attractive clothing store manager with a bright future ahead of it. Now it was a mud-splattered, half-naked, emaciated collection of brittle bone and rotting flesh."

    JIM HARPER

    Is one of the first six survivors to settle on the island of Cormansey in PURIFICATION. He is introduced when Michael arrives on the island and is seen collecting and burning bodies with another survivor, Bruce Fry.

    SHERI NEWTON

    The shopping mall where Sheri Newton works is the mall which is looted by Nathan Holmes and Bernard Heath in THE CITY. Sheri joins the group of survivors in the university and leaves with them to find the military base (although she is not mentioned by name). She also stays with the group when they travel to the airfield and, subsequently, Cormansey. Michael mentions her arrival when he is searching for Emma.

    SONYA FARLEY

    Eventually reaches the survivors in the university in THE CITY. The birth, and subsequent death of her baby is a tragic and significant event. The baby's death from the infection brings the group to the harsh realization that the human race now has very little chance of survival.

    HARRY STAYT

    Plays a major part in PURIFICATION. Another one of the first group of six survivors to arrive on Cormansey, his physical strength, confidence and enthusiasm make him perfect when it comes to clearing the island of bodies and preparing the place for the arrival of the survivors from the mainland. He is also mentioned in `The Last Flight' � further evidence that he remains an important member of the island community.

    JACOB FLYNN

    It's not clear at what stage Flynn joins the survivors at the airfield in PURIFICATION. He shows his true (unpleasant) colours when he is unable to get on the plane and leave the mainland when the fence is brought down by the dead.

    BRIGID CULTHORPE

    A strong, confident and determined character, Brigid soon takes charge of Cormansey when she arrives with the first group of survivors in PURIFICATION.

    PETER GUEST

    Guest is one of the group of survivors from the university in THE CITY. The office where he used to work is, in fact, less than a mile away from the university campus. Guest struggles more than most with the loss of his family, so much so that he is not mentioned by name until the group flee from the military base at the beginning of PURIFICATION. Although a nervous and irritating individual, he plays an increasingly important role in getting the survivors to the airfield and, later, in making Cormansey habitable.

    JACKIE SOAMES

    A loud and colourful character, Jackie is one of the driving forces behind the group of survivors gathered at the airfield in PURIFICATION.

    GARY `TUGGIE' KEELE

    A lazy coward who's confidence was shattered when his wife left him for another man. Keele now struggles to take any responsibility, and the prospect of flying the survivors to Cormansey in PURIFICATION terrifies him.

    JULIET APPLEBY

    Has spent much of the first thirty-nine years of her life trying to blend into the background. She lives and works in Rowley and made her way to the airfield at an early stage. Given her demeanour and lack of confidence, it is hardly surprising that she is left behind when the survivors attempt to leave the airfield in PURIFICATION.

    KAREN CHASE Is a member of the group of survivors based at the airfield in PURIFICATION. A woman who has had a difficult last few years, the catastrophe presents her with an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and be stronger and more positive.

    PHILIP EVANS

    Philip is discovered at the end of AUTUMN by Michael and Emma. A sad and lonely bachelor, all he knows is the house he shares with his elderly mother