Chapter 1.
Amanda sat on Lee's lap. He had pulled her onto his lap just kidding around but she stayed put as they drank a toast to Billy on his birthday. He groused his thanks to Amanda for this impromptu party with the chocolate frosting cake she made herself and the posh bottle of lemonade. Even Francine took a moment out of her busy schedule to have a small piece. She stood slender in a silk blouse and pencil skirt taking nervous nibbles of the calorific treat.
Once the party was over Amanda began clearing up the paper plates, cups and streamers. The new secretary Ashley gave her a shy smile as she helped her. Ashley was young and very pretty. She showed dimples when she smiled and perfect straight teeth. She had only been with the department a short time but she had proved herself very competent and obliging. It seemed she considered no task beneath her, making coffee for anyone who asked and mailing letters.
Once the office was clean Amanda said goodbye to all for the weekend. She was off and was already thinking of her sleep in tomorrow watching Hart to Hart in bed with coffee and toast. The boys were staying with friends and her mother was on holiday in the South of France. She would have the house to herself.
She came out the front door and saw her station wagon just across the street. She was already fumbling in her purse for her keys. It was then that she saw it, a small leather change purse. She picked it up. It was lovely, gold clasp, brown iconic patterned leather. It was just lying there on the step. Strangely it was empty. She was looking for a name or something to identify the owner. Amanda hurried back inside. It definitely looked like something one of the ladies in the organisation would own. The elderly receptionist was on the phone. Amanda tried to explain but she waved her on as she tried to concentrate on her phone call. Amanda frowned in tiredness as she headed back up to the main office. Lee was talking to Billy. He gave her a brief smile as she stepped into the main office.
"I found this change purse just outside,"
Lee was sorting through a folder of evidence. He wasn't really listening.
"Why don't I just leave it on Billy's desk. He'll likely be able to find the owner,"
Amanda headed in that direction.
"Have a nice weekend ye lucky gal, don't do anything I wouldn't do," Lee grinned as he slid some paper into the shredder.
"Laundry, house cleaning. Real exciting stuff like that," she told him as she headed out once more.
"Don't work too hard," he said. He was already stuck into his notes once again.
Lee looked up from his work. He looked at the change-purse still perched on Billy's desk. A sudden realisation came to him. He got up quickly and went towards the office. The blast lifted him into the air. He was blown backwards and crashed into the desk. He landed behind it with computer , books and notes landing down on his head
She was already in her car. She turned the key in the ignition. The blast made her scream and she immediately raised her hands to shield her head. What just happened. All around her car alarms were going off and people were screaming.
With shaky hands she got out of the car. She looked up and choked back a scream. Massive plumes of black smoke rose up from the building . She held a hand to her mouth as she could already feel the heat from the fire inside.
"Oh my God,"
Her words were lost in the shouts and screams of others as there was another smaller explosion.
Lee felt the alarm going off in his head. He wished it would just shut up. He felt nauseated and just wanted to sleep. But a primal need nagged at him. He needed to get up. He raised his head shaking debris from his hair. As he raised himself up blood from a gash on his forehead ran a small river down the side of his face. The room was thick with smoke. He put a hand to his face as he took on a fit of coughing. His stinging eyes picked out the shoes on her feet. He staggered over shielding his face against the flames. He took her around the waist and dragged her towards the door. An exit sign was flashing above it. She was bent over his right arm, he couldn't move his left. White hot pokers of pain were stabbing at him down one side. He dragged her out onto the landing and his feet just went from under him. He leaned on the white washed wall and closed his eyes. The heat ran rivers of sweat down his face to mingle with the blood starting to cake at his chin.
Billy and Amanda found them at the top of the stairs. Billy put his hands under Lee's arms and clamped them around his chest. He dragged him down the stairs to the next level. Amanda took hold of Ashley and dragged her down. They were about to bring them further when the fire team took over and they were moved out of the way. Amanda watched as the men put an large oxygen mask over Lee's face. She suddenly remembered the change purse she had brought into the office. You were supposed to bring it to security. She should have brought it to security. She gasped in a breath as she saw them rip open Lee's shirt. They were doing compressions. He wasn't breathing.
Billy took her by the hand and led her downstairs. Before she knew it she was out on the pavement and they were being manhandled further away from the entrance by more fire personal. She looked back at the building just as they were taking Lee out. There were so many machines and wires. She gave a shaky sigh of relief, as she knew it showed that at least he was alive.
