45
The crowd didn’t stir as Gail and Patrick approached, too intent on the scene being played out before them to notice. When Gail went to move closer to them, Patrick touched her arm, shaking his head, finger to his lips. She frowned, then he signalled for her to wait, and she understood. “We have to be careful,” he said, tugging at her arm, forcing her to crouch. “I’ll try and find another way through. I’ll give you some sort of signal if I find anything. Try and stay hidden. If they see us, God knows what will happen.” Keeping low, he moved way off to the left, skirting around the crowd. She wanted to follow him, or do something, anything. Just standing there, listening to the assembled mob braying and hollering, it was more than she could take.
Beyond the crowd, an orange glow lit up
