Splendor's heart hammered so hard from alarm that when she managed back through Topaz's bedroom door and half way along the landing, she could hardly walk further. But she needed to keep going at all costs.

"Jesus, Splen, watch me bloody foot. Bleedin' broken in' it?"

"I thought that was your leg?"

"Well, it's one of 'em. Anyway, whot does we got ter go fer? Whot's wrong wif this place? Look, I never nicked nothin' if that's whot yer think? Anythng whot's gone ...