With her eyes fixed on a file, Susan hadn't paid attention to anyone in the lift. There wasn't a waking moment when she wasn't working and that included walks down the corridors of the Ministry. As the lift jerked, Susan's eyes didn't leave the page. The fall didn't break her concentration, nor the loud screeching. In fact, it was one word from a familiar voice that pulled Susan from her reading. Her eyes widened and Susan slowly lowered the thick file. Her breath caught in her lungs and pressed against her chest. It felt as though her blood ran cold and panic began to build.
Turning her head, Susan saw her ex-boyfriend for the first time since he stormed out of their house. Words failed her as Susan simply stared at him as though she was truly questioning his ability to exist. Finally, after a few achingly long moments, Susan remembered to breath and let out a shuddering breath. "Seamus," she said in a whisper.