Chapter 16
Alan Mainford stood, petrified with amazement. For a second he could not move.
He had read the words "rooted to the spot" before, and they had had no significance for him; but now he knew exactly what the imaginative writers had meant.
Recovering his normal activity, he ran after her, flew up the wooden ladder and reached the landing just as she slammed the door.
"Open the door, Jane."
"Go away." He heard the break in her voice; she was too near to tears for his comfort.
"Open the door or I'll break the lock!"
The key turned, and he went into the darkened room. She had flung herself on the small sofa, her head upon her arms. He gripped her by the shoulders and pulled her upright.
"Now just tell me what you mean about that piece of nonsense. Is that what has been worrying
