2 Hours Earlier …

Sergeant Miller stretched with a sigh, got up from behind his desk and slowly started gathered up his things, ready to leave for the day. He and his officers had finished processing the gang from earlier and they had been taken away by CID. Walker, Bellamy and Ventress were long gone for the evening and there was nothing that couldn't wait until tomorrow. In the distance he heard the phone ring in the duty room, shrill and insistent. He really hoped it wasn't anything important, that he could leave it to the incoming late shift and get a rare evening at home.

As he left his office and turned into the small kitchen, he could hear the all too familiar confusion in Youngers voice as he conversed with the unknown caller. Curiosity got the better of him and he headed down the passageway into the duty room, ready to rescue the unwitting caller from Youngers ineptitude.

"What? An explosion? In Aidensfield … the police house? No, that cant be right. Ok madam, why don't we start at the begin…" Younger tried, uncomprehendingly.

Sergeant Miller dropped the mug he was still holding and it fell to the ground, shattering on the hard floor. In three quick strides, he crossed the duty room and snatched the phone out of his slow witted officers hand.

"Sergeant Miller here, how can I help you?" He demanded sharply.

"Oh Sergeant, thank goodness … Its Mrs Fowler, Jean Fowler, in Aidensfield. I live just down the lane from the police house, I think there's been some sort of accident… I heard a bang, the loudest bang. And now there's a fire, and it looked like there was an explosion and … I think something awful has happened…" Mrs Fowler spluttered, frantic.

Sergeant Millers blood ran cold. His mind went blank as his brain struggled to catch up with his ears and process the information he was being given.

"So you're telling me there's been an explosion at the police house, yes?" gathering himself after a moments pause.

"Yes that's right. At least I think so."

"Was there anyone in there? What about Constable Walker?" Miller asked urgently.

"Oh I don't know, I don't know," Mrs Fowler replied. "I just saw it over the back fence as I was bringing my washing in and …"

"I'm on my way," Miller interrupted tersely, slamming the phone down. He picked it up again and dialed for the fire brigade, directing them to Aidensfield as a matter of urgency, before turning to Younger.

"Right Younger, I'm going over there. Phone Sergeant Taylor and tell him to get nightshift in immediately. When they arrive send as many of them as possible over to Aidensfield," Miller directed, barely managing to stay calm.

"But …What?" Younger asked, bewildered.

"For gods sake, just DO it Younger," Miller snapped, heading to the door car keys in hand.

The fear he was trying to keep a lid on was bubbling to the surface now, threatening to overflow as he threw on his overcoat and hat and stormed out the door. In the courtyard he rammed his patrol car into gear and raced off down the street, tyres and gearbox protesting loudly against his full throttle take off.

He screeched out onto the main road, fishtailing as he took the junction far too quickly. Lights flashing and siren wailing he accelerated in the direction of Aidensfield, fearful of what he would find when he got there.


Lying among the ruble and debris ejected from the police house, it was all Phil could do to stop Rob running in there.

"Helen … HELEN!," Rob screamed, pulling with all his might against Phils restraining arms.

Phil couldn't even begin to comprehend what had happened. The police house exploding in front of their eyes, but why? How? A gas leak maybe? There surely wasn't any other logical explanation. And judging by his friends reaction, he seemed to think Helen was still inside. But, he realised, Rob had driven up like a bat out of hell shouting for Helen, seemingly with some awareness of what was about to unfold. What on earth was going on?

He snapped back to reality as Rob took advantage of his momentary lapse in attention to try and make another break towards the house.

"No mate, no. You can't go in there," Phil told him automatically, once again using all his strength to pull Rob away from the devastated building.

"But Helen's in there, I need to get her out!" Rob insisted vehemently, once again pulling against Phils grip.

Phil turned to look at Rob, his face desperate. He noticed the streak marks of tears starting to run through the dirt and dust on his face. God knows, he wanted nothing more than to go in their himself if there was even the slightest chance of getting Helen out. But even now the voice at the back of his head was starting to tell him that it didn't look … No, he stopped himself. He couldn't even let himself go there, wouldn't let that possibility enter his mind. They just had to wait for help to come.

"Rob, its not safe mate," Phil told him gently. "We need to go and get help." Out of the corner of his eye, Phil saw bright orange flames start to lick at the corner of the blown out windows.

He heard footsteps in the lane and turned to see Robs neighbour Mrs Fowler run into view.

"Oh goodness me," Mrs Fowler panted, taking in the scene in front of her. "I've phoned the police, they're on their way, and the fire brigade too."

"See mate, its ok, help will be here soon. Its ok," Phil reassured him.

Rob jerked his head in what Phil took to be a nod of assent and slumped to the ground, head in his hands. Phil crouched down next to him and placed what he hoped was a reassuring hand on his friends shoulder.

Looking at the state of the police house he couldn't see how it could possibly be ok, but again, he wasn't going to even consider the possibility that … No, his job for now was to be there for his friend. For now, all they could do was wait.