Struggling, she managed to grab the telephone: dialled 999.
"Welcome to the all-new one-stop emergency service," the automated voice said. "Press 1 for ambulance, press 2 for fire, press 3 for police, press 4 for coastguard, press 5 if your call is not urgent, press 6 to hear these options again or please hold to speak to an advisor." Then: Vivaldi.
Pressing 1, she drifted in and out of consciousness. Blood from her stomach knife wound coursed all around her.
"Thank you. Press 1 for gunshots, 2 for road accidents, 3 for stabbings, 4 for..."
But she heard no more.
"Welcome to the all-new one-stop emergency service," the automated voice said. "Press 1 for ambulance, press 2 for fire, press 3 for police, press 4 for coastguard, press 5 if your call is not urgent, press 6 to hear these options again or please hold to speak to an advisor." Then: Vivaldi.
Pressing 1, she drifted in and out of consciousness. Blood from her stomach knife wound coursed all around her.
"Thank you. Press 1 for gunshots, 2 for road accidents, 3 for stabbings, 4 for..."
But she heard no more.
