Nightmare

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‘Jack!’ screamed Hoyle. He had turned Sophie round so that her face was pressed against his chest; now, keeping a firm grip of her with his left hand, he reached out with his right. He didn’t want to let go of the girl but he couldn’t let his friend fall. His fingers touched the back of Nightingale’s left hand and he took another step forward, grabbing Nightingale’s wrist. ‘Hold on, Jack!’ he shouted.

Sophie was crying, her tears soaking into Hoyle’s shirt.

He felt Nightingale’s hand start to slip from the railing.

‘Jack, hold on!’ Hoyle yelled.

Sophie wrapped her arms around Hoyle’s waist. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, sobbing.

Hoyle reached out with his left hand, trying to grab Nightingale’s other wrist, but Sophie was in the way.

‘Jack, hold on, man!’ he screamed. He pushed Sophie down onto the terrace with his left hand. ‘Stay down, honey, just for a moment, please.’