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She hit the mute button on her phone while Sarah followed her instructions. ‘I’ve had enough of this.’ She hit the button again. ‘Sarah, I’ll be right back. Keep talking to your dad.’

She stormed away, and Callum couldn’t help but track her movements across the car park.

* * *

‘I don’t care about your rules.’ Liv threw her hands up in frustration. ‘There are people in there who need help, and you need to get a medic in there NOW!’

‘We can’t get in safely . . .’

‘I know, I know. You’re waiting for the structural engineers.’ Liv shook her head. ‘How long before they get here?’

‘Maybe another half-hour to an hour.’

Liv shook her head. ‘And then they’ll need time to assess the situation and do their jobs. We don’t have that long.’

‘We have patients in there.’ Callum joined her, backing her up. ‘Sarah’s talking to Jake.’ He added in response to her unanswered question.

‘And from the information we’ve been able to gather, one of them is likely concussed, and the other might well be haemorrhaging,’ Liv explained, her temper fraying.

‘And the other is my daughter. She’s only six and terrified. We have to get in there.’

‘I’ve told you, it’s not safe. I can’t ask my men to go in there.’ The fireman shook his head. ‘We don’t have any choice but to wait.’

‘You might not have any choice, but we do.’ Liv glared at him with such ferocity that even Callum wanted to take a step or two back.

‘I can’t let you go in there.’ He blocked her way.

‘I’m not actually sure that you can stop me.’ She stepped around him.

‘Miss . . .’

‘I already told you, it’s Doctor,’ she snapped back. ‘And emergency medicine happens to be a specialism of mine. Now, we need to get to our patients, with or without your help. Personally, I’d prefer it to be with your help as it would be safer with your backup and your equipment. But either way, I need to get in there.’

‘It’s too dangerous. You could get hurt.’

‘I’m volunteering. I understand and accept the risk.’

‘I’m sorry, but it’s not your decision.’ The fireman did look genuinely sorry.

‘Liv.’ Callum rested a hand on her arm. ‘Maybe we should listen.’

She wheeled on him, forcing him backwards. ‘If it’s too dangerous for me, then you can be sure as anything it’s too dangerous for them. For Sarah. You heard what she said. Neither Cathy or Angela are properly conscious, and at least one of them is bleeding. If you think I’m going to stand here while people are in trouble — while Sarah is in trouble — you don’t know me at all!’ Her gaze softened as she looked at him. ‘I’ll be careful, Callum. You know I won’t do anything to hurt Sarah.’

The honest pain in her eyes ripped through him. Deep in his heart, he did know that. He probably always had. ‘I do. But if you’re doing this, you’re not doing it alone.’ He squeezed her fingers tightly. ‘You’ll probably need help anyway.’

Liv gave him a tight smile and nodded, before grabbing her bag.

‘Under section forty-four of the Fire and Rescue Services Act, I am formally restricting you access to this premises.’

‘Good for you.’ Liv carried on loading up her bag. ‘Not sure if “doctor” trumps “fireman”, but we can argue about it later. You either find a way to get us in there as safely as possible, or get out of our way.’

‘I really am sorry. And I do promise we’ll do our best to get everyone out safely, ASAP. But if you keep pushing, I’ll have to involve the police.’

‘Yeah, good luck with that.’ Callum shook his head and shouldered his kit. ‘Harry?’ He shouted across the car park to the police sergeant. ‘You the ranking officer here?’

‘Yeah, why?’ He jogged over to the three of them.

‘Fancy trying to arrest me or Liv?’