Back in the reception, Lindsay is still there, and the girls are still on the sofa, but all the men have gone apart from Ian, stationed near the front entrance. I walk towards the girls but before I reach them, Dan calls me from the first floor above.
“Boss, up here.”
I swerve, run up the stairs then go around to the right and join him at the windows overlooking the front courtyard. He doesn’t say anything, just nods his head in the direction he is looking.
Having just seen the state of the courtyard on the big screen downstairs, I shouldn’t be surprised and shocked by what is spread out before me, but I am.
The mass of Rabids down there is astonishing; the cars that I hit and from which we can still hear the alarms can hardly be seen. Neither can the Discovery. All have Rabids swarming over them, like a mass of flies in a swarm. The courtyard is about a third full at the moment and filling up constantly. Most Rabids are trying to get to the main entrance where vicious fights are breaking out here and there between them.
At the front of the mass, by the entrance, the throng is tight and Rabids from farther back are climbing over the top to get closer to the front. At the front, they are already two bodies high.
Dead eyes look up at us looking down on them.
If they carry on like this, they will reach this level and if they do, are these thick glass windows going to keep them out?
The lift pings, the doors slide open and Stacey gets in, followed by me with Emily back in my arms.
"See you in a minute," I say to Dan and Lindsay who will wait for the next one; these lifts aren't big enough to take us all. I reach out and press number seven but the lift doors don't close until I have pressed my security card onto the panel next to the lift controls. The doors then close and the lift starts to rise.
“How are you doing, Stacey?”
“I’m okay, Andy, thanks, but I am worried about my parents. I tried ringing them while Emily and I were sat on the sofa, but it kept going to answerphone.”
“They tried to ring me about half an hour ago, which is positive. I am sure they are alright, so let’s try them again when we are upstairs.”
“Okay, Andy. I will. I am relieved that we finally got here; it does feel safer, so thanks again for bringing me.”
“Don’t be silly, Stacey; you are virtually part of the family, there is no need to thank me. I mean it. In fact, I should be thanking you for your help with this bundle of hair.”
We both smile and then the lift pings again and the doors slide open. As we get out, I press the Ground button to get the lift down to Dan and Lindsay as quickly as possible. This is the only lift that comes up to the seventh floor.
The seventh floor of the Orion Building is where all the major decisions for the company are made. Directly outside the lift, there is a mini reception area solely for this level, with a reception desk and sofas. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the courtyard below, then behind the reception are various conference rooms, guest toilets and a small kitchen for taking care of the guests.
To the left of reception, there is a wall with a security door. I turn, still holding Emily and we head toward that door. Again, I get my access control card out ready to open the door, but as we approach, it opens.
“There you are, I’m so relieved to see you all.”
Catherine, my Personal Assistant, walks through the door towards us and—as ever—she is looking radiant. She is wearing a slim red dress with sleeves that come to just above her elbows. The dress has a black trim that seems to match the colour of her shoulder-length hair perfectly; today, it is straight, by the way, but is often curled. And of course, she is wearing matching black accessories and stiletto shoes. But it is her stunning smile that wins the day as always, especially with her matching red lipstick. She is a glamorous, sophisticated woman; many people take this to mean she is either 'up' herself or hair-brained, but this is far from the case. I find her highly intelligent, organised and grounded. This may make her sound too good to be true, but it’s not—or maybe I’m just a bit biased.
Catherine comes over to us and gives me a kiss on the cheek and squeezes my arm, then her attention turns to the girls.
“Hi, Emily! I hear you have had a frightening time getting here, but your dad tells me you have been very brave, haven’t you?” Catherine says softly to Emily who is now sitting up in my arms.
“I tried to be brave, Catherine, but the horrible monsters were trying to get us in the car, and it was very scary.”
“It sounds very scary. They are horrible aren’t they, but they are locked outside now, and I bet you are hungry, aren’t you?”
“I am hungry. Have you got something to eat?”
“I certainly have, Emily!” Catherine turns to Stacey.
“Hi Stacey, it’s good to see you again. Are you okay after that horrible journey?”
“Yes, thanks, I think so, but it was a relief to get here.”
“I should think it was.”
The lift door behind us opens and Dan and Lindsay emerge, chatting away.
“Everything okay, Dan?” I ask.
“Yes, Boss. Everyone is in their positions and will report any developments, but they will be relieved to get more firepower just in case.”
“So will I; let’s get that sorted.”
Catherine turns to lead the way through the door into the main area of the seventh
