Finding people through binoculars, Verity quickly discovered, was probably easier when one wasn’t panicking to the point that a tremendous headache was forming behind her eyes. Everybody was blurry – presumably clumping at the edges of their respective stands as they too tried to assess the damage – and finally, finally Verity caught sight of Mr Abercrombie.

It quickly became clear to Verity that the worst had not happened. She was already anticipating the monstrous panic attack she would have to deal with later but a wave of relief washed over her the likes of which she had never felt before in her life.

“Here,” she said in a shaky voice, hands trembling as she held out the binoculars. “They’ll help.”

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