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Mimi snapped the carry cot framework open, testing its stability before she laid it next to Grant. ‘You, and you...’ She pointed to Mr Harding and another man. ‘I’ll need you to help us hold the cot steady and lift him on to it.’
She put everyone exactly where she wanted them, issuing directions to everyone. Grant was lifted carefully on to the carry cot and she tucked the pulse monitor alongside him.
‘I need a coat...’ Everyone immediately started to take their coats off and Mimi smiled. ‘Thanks, guys, just one. That’ll do.’ She took a light waterproof jacket and tied it over Grant, securing the sleeves together under the cot to augment the flimsy-looking straps.
‘Ready?’ Rafe had been keeping an eye on Grant, trying not to notice that Mimi was both unstoppable and magnificent when she swung into action.
‘Yep. I want three volunteers to help with the stairs...’ Mr Harding signalled to two burly men, who stepped forward with him. ‘Right, now. This is what I want you to do.’
Under Mimi’s direction, Rafe and the two volunteers manoeuvred Grant safely down the stairs. Dirty brown water was already sloshing around on the concrete at ground-floor level, and two ambulance men met them at the bottom of the stairs.
‘We need to get a move on. Looks as if we don’t have as much time as we thought...’ Mr Harding was looking anxiously towards the back of the building, which faced the river.
‘Okay.’ Rafe allowed one of the ambulance men to take over his place at the carry cot and turned back up the stairs. ‘You go on ahead; I’ll fetch the medical bag.’
He took the stairs two at a time, glancing behind him when he got to the top to see Mimi, standing alone in the middle of the loading bay. ‘What are you doing, Rafe? We need to get out...’
‘I’ll only be a minute. You go.’
‘Forget the bag; we can collect it later...’ She turned as an ominous groaning came from the back of the building, accompanied by the crash of metal hitting metal.
‘Mimi. Go...’ He shouted the words but she still hesitated, as if she was waiting for him. ‘Now!’
She glanced at the stairs, then the entrance to the loading bay, obviously gauging which she should make a run for. Then she started to sprint towards the sunlight pouring through the entrance.
She didn’t make it.
A loud crack sounded and a metal door at the far end of the loading bay flew off the wall, a great plume of water behind it. It travelled six feet and then crashed down, catching Mimi on the side of her head. Rafe heard her scream above the roar of the incoming flood, and then he lost sight of her.
‘Mimi...’ Her name tore from his throat in a ragged cry as he raced down the stairs. Pausing for one moment to try and locate her, he ripped off his jacket and plunged into the water.
Buffeted by the powerful force of the flood, he waded through waist-high water to the spot where he’d last seen her. Groping for her, almost blinded by mud, he plunged down into the water again and again. Choking and retching as dirty water found its way into his throat, he ducked under the torrent again. If he couldn’t find her, then he too would be lost.
His hand touched something soft. He reached for it and found her arm, and tugged her towards him. Now that the water was reaching the same level as it had been at the back it was calmer and he managed to haul her lifeless body up into his arms. As he did so, a long shape disentangled itself from her leg and Rafe saw it borne away from them in the rush of water.
As he pulled her over his shoulder, it registered at the back of his mind. The dark brown body of the snake, with black zigzag markings. It looked like an adder, but he couldn’t stop to find out. His first priority was to get Mimi out of here, and get her breathing.
He heard her choke, one feeble sign of life, and pushed doggedly forward towards the light coming in through the open shutters of the loading bay. Willing hands were there at the door, guiding him up to dry ground. Carefully, he laid her down on her side, on the bed of coats that had hurriedly been prepared for her.
‘Mimi...’ Rafe cleared her mouth and dirty water dribbled from her lips. Then she choked again, expelling the rest of the water from her lungs.
‘That’s right, honey. Breathe for me.’ She had to breathe. If she didn’t he would suffocate too.
She took one huge gasp of air and then her eyes snapped open suddenly, wide and frightened.
‘All right. It’s all right, Mimi, I’ve got you.’
Her hand moved unsteadily to the side of her face, where blood was trickling from a nasty gash. Rafe caught it in his.
‘I see it. Just lie still for me, honey; you’re going to be all right.’
She started to whimper, hanging on to his hand. Mr Harding was kneeling down on the other side of her, watching anxiously, and Rafe spoke quickly to him. ‘I think I saw an adder in the water. Tell everyone to be careful...’
Mr Harding nodded. The word was passed around the group of men behind them as Rafe wiped the blood from her face, hoping that none of it was the result of a bite.
Nothing. Just the cut, running along her jawline. Mimi was moaning fitfully and Mr Harding caught hold of her hand, talking to her and keeping her still. Rafe turned his attention to the leg of her trousers, which was ripped and soaked with blood.
There was a four-inch cut on her ankle, and blood was pumping from it. Above it, three double puncture marks, just below her knee. The snake, washed out of its home and terrified, had bitten her repeatedly, probably releasing its full supply of venom. Rafe pushed back the instinctive dread which clutched at his heart. No one had died from an adder bite in years.
