Racing back through the boat, Leanne flung open the hatch and tumbled onto the deck. She fought with the awning, and the boat rocked as she jumped on to the jetty and turned towards the glow on the horizon. She had assumed it was the sun going down, not registering that it was in the wrong place. It was really happening. The Empress was on fire.

Rex Russell refused to look at the falling embers as he and his wife stumbled between rows of seats to reach the other side of the auditorium. The fires at ground level were nothing compared to what he had glimpsed raging above their heads. He should have acted sooner.

Carrying his granddaughter, he called over to the writhing crowd that surrounded the main exit and begged people to stop pushing. Things were getting desperate and he could see a child being lifted over heads and passed along. Between ragged breaths, he urged those closest to him to follow, but they wouldn’t listen, or didn’t hear.

Rex paused before beginning their final journey. They would have to step out into the open to reach the last accessible exit. His heart felt like it was about to give in.

‘Put me down, Granddad,’ his granddaughter urged him. ‘I can walk.’

Rex did as he was told, knowing they could move faster, and they did move fast. In no time at all, they were halfway across the auditorium, getting closer to safety. His family were going to make it, but before relief could lighten his step, guilt slowed Rex’s pace. He cast his gaze across the damaged stalls. Was he thinking of that little girl again, or had movement caught his eye?

Through the swirls of smoke and dust, Rex watched a grey figure rise up from the carnage like a statue coming to life. When it struggled to move its limbs, he realised there were two figures, the smaller draped in the other’s arms. He couldn’t turn his back. Not this time.

‘You go ahead,’ he said to his wife, pressing their granddaughter’s hand into hers.

‘Wait, what?’ His wife was aghast, then realised what had caught his attention.

‘I’ll be right behind you. Please. Just go!’

Rex didn’t wait for a response. If his wife had held his gaze a moment longer, he would lose what little courage he had. He cut across the rows of seats and climbed over debris, vaguely aware of water droplets falling onto his bald head. High above him, there was the hiss of water turning to steam. The fire brigade was tackling the blaze, but this was not the time for Rex to stand down.

‘Help me!’ the living statue called out.