‘Here!’
My voice croaked.
At the far end of the tunnel I saw a tiny pin-point of light.
‘I’m coming.’ Paula’s voice: the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.
‘Down here. Mind how you come. There’re rats.’
‘I’m coming.’
The light moved steadily towards me, growing brighter. A minute or so later Paula dropped on her knees beside me, and caught hold of my hands.
‘Oh, Vic!’
I drew in a deep, shuddering breath and tried to grin at her, but my face felt frozen.
‘Paula! Jeepers! Am I glad to see you! How did you get here?’