When I reached the fire drill assembly point it was flooded with our library members. An older lady glared at a small boy who had taken the last spot on the wooden bench. He didn’t even notice. I decided not to get into it as she wasn’t the only one who merited a seat due to age. I checked my phone for the time.

Boss Lady bustled over. “How did we do?”

“We had everybody out in nine minutes. That’s pretty good. Is the fire chief here yet?”

A small red hatchback car pulled up beside us as I spoke. The window rolled down and the driver stuck out his head. “Afternoon, ladies. Everybody out?”

I smiled at our patient fire chief. He had been so helpful while we sorted out the library’s dodgy fire alarm. Warning him in advance also me...

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