I understood the instruction.

Still, I stood in the rain persuading myself that collecting a bag was different from investigating a leak.

That was the mistake: making an exception before I understood the danger.

I went back as far as the front hall.

The larger suitcase was awkward, its broken wheel turned across the runner.

I reached for the handle.

James’s tie slipped free, and I caught it with my other hand.

An alarm began sounding from downstairs.