Chapter Eight
Things so far had been going well, right up to the second before the explosion of sound echoed along our hall. A startled exclamation, followed by a scream of pain, shattered the nicely developing illusion of peace and preparedness, which until then had prevailed. I beat my Mistress to the kitchen door, passing at a run along the hall.
Ann was sat up on the last but one step, where the stairs made a ninety-degree turn before entering into our hall. She clutched at her left ankle as though it might separate from her foot. Tears of pain rolled down her face, her head bowed.
It should have been obvious to me but I just didn’t see it. I think that I was more shocked at seeing her crying than anything, helping girls after a fall is not really my forte.
Chloe pushed past me,
