Their position should have meant they were one of the first out when the evacuation started, but Peter had chosen that moment to drop his bottle of Coke. It disappeared under the seat in front of them.

‘Leave it,’ she said.

‘But what if a kid picks it up and drinks it?’

‘And?’ She shook her head slowly. Peter the penny-pincher had smuggled two bottles into the theatre and had been very particular about which one he gave to his girlfriend. ‘Did you put vodka in yours?’

He was on his knees searching. Too busy apparently to answer. ‘There, got it.’

‘I thought you were driving home?’ she demanded. ‘It’s your turn.’

‘But you’re not bothered about drinking.’

‘I am now. You’re such a knobhead, Peter,’ she said, using one of the English insults he had come to regret teaching her when they had first met. She turned to check the exit. ‘Look at that, there’s a long queue to get out now.’

‘We can push in,’ he said with a shrug.

‘Or we could use one of the side exits.’

‘But everyone’s going through the foyer,’ he said, pointing with the bottle in his hand.

‘Then you go that way,’ she replied through gritted teeth.

‘I will.’

‘Fine. See you out there,’ Lena said, turning her back on her boyfriend and pushing against the flow.

Anyone hearing their exchange might think that Lena didn’t like Peter, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She loved him with all her heart, but that wouldn’t stop her staying mad at him. They would have a blazing row later and she would exaggerate the hurt. Peter would beg forgiveness and they would make up. And so it would always be.

And as Lena made her way to the side exit that was destined to become blocked by falling rubble, Angela was delayed for a second time.

‘Amelia Parker, what are you doing all by yourself?’ She had spotted the girl sitting in an otherwise empty row.

‘I’m waiting for my mum, miss. She went to the Ladies, but she’ll be back soon.’

‘I think you should come with me.’

‘No,’ the child said, panic in her eyes. ‘I need to wait.’

Angela looked along the aisle to the main exit. Mrs Parker wasn’t going to get through that. ‘I tell you what, I’ll go and see if I can find her.’

21

The meeting wasn’t entirely necessary, but Claudia could do with a boost from her working party disciples. Justin was away on business and she had too much time on her hands. She worried about the shifting sands she had built her new life upon, and her anxiety levels increased every time the phone rang. She should block Leanne’s number and have done with it, but in truth, she was just as uncomfortable when her phone remained stubbornly silent.