‘What is it?’ Paula said, scrambling up.
I grabbed her hand.
‘Rats! Now, come on. Don’t be frightened. We’ll lose them.’
Bent double, we ran down the tunnel. The pattering sound behind us grew louder. We blundered on, stumbling over stones, banging against the rough walls, but keeping up some sort of pace. The tunnel curved to the right; turning the corner, we found more head room. After a few yards it was possible to stand upright
‘Stretch your legs,’ I said, and increased my speed, dragging her along with me.
The going was easier now. We kept on, gasping for breath, running blindly into the darkness. The tunnel seemed endless. Suddenly Paula lurched and would have fallen if I hadn’t swung round and steadied her. She leaned against me, sobbing for breath.
‘I’m done!’ she gasped. ‘I can’t go any farther.’
‘You can, and you’re going to!’
I put my arm round her and forced her on, but we had gone only a few hundred yards when her knees buckled and she sprawled on the ground.
‘Give me a minute. I’ll be all right. Just give me a minute.’