Part 48 (1/2)
It was far worse than Jacomina; she thought that her arms would break in the few seconds before Sarre caught Sarel's up stretched arms and hauled him up beside him.
But she forgot the pain in a rush of panic.
It was hideously dark and the loose stones were s.h.i.+fting under her feet again.
If Sarre wasn't quick she might disgrace herself for ever and scream.
She swallowed terror as best she might as he spoke again.
”Scared, Alethea?
' His voice was warm and rea.s.suring.
”We'll have you out in a few seconds now, just do exactly as I say.
' She lifted her aching arms above her head and tried not to think of
the emptiness below her.
”And when I say so, jump, my dear.
' ”Jump?
' her voice rose.
”T can't oh, I can't!
Suppose you don't catch my hands?
I'm lower than the children were.
' Somewhere below her the rubble slid and settled again.
”Sarre, I'm frightened.
' Her voice, which she had managed to keep steady until now, wobbled
badly.
”Of course you're frightened,” his voice soothed her, 'but I'm not going to let you go, that's a promise.
Now take a nice deep breath and when I say so, jump.
Do as I say, Alethea.
' His calm had rubbed off on to her besides, he had promised.
When he said ”Now!
' she jumped, her arms stretched to their utmost, and felt the stones
beneath her scatter as she did so.
His hands were like iron bands round her wrists, her arms were being pulled from their sockets.
”Relax, my dear,” said Sarre in a perfectly ordinary voice, and then
began to haul her up inch by inch, working his hands slowly up her arms
until they were below her elbows.
She hung like that for a second or two while he pulled himself to his knees and then to his feet and then swung her up and out to hold her close in his arms.
He was breathing hard and his heart was pounding.
She could feel it under her ear; it was comforting and made her feel safe again.
When he asked harshly: ”Are you hurt?
' she mumbled into his shoulder that she was fine, fighting a desire to
have a good howl.
”The children?