He stayed in the ditch until he was certain Terry couldn’t spot him in the rear-view mirror, and then had a bit of a struggle to get himself and the bike back on to the road. His heart was still thudding, and the sweat was stinging his eyes. He’d have to be very careful from now on, because Terry might turn around and come back.

After a drink of water and a big bite out of a sandwich, he climbed back on his bike and continued on his way. He reckoned he had about another hour or two before he reached his destination, but he was beginning to wonder how he’d manage to track anyone once it got dark. The thought of being alone out here at night was a bit scary, and he wished then that he’d asked Billy to come with him.

He cycled on, growing increasingly more tired. He stopped again, finished the sandwiches and took another long drink as he surveyed his surroundings. It looked as if the road ahead was all downhill, so he could freewheel for a while and save his legs.

His hat blew off and dangled from the strap, buffeting his back as the bike sped down the hill and he gave a whoop of sheer joy. But when he reached the bottom and saw the long, steady climb ahead of him, he gave an inward groan. He’d only been this way before in the ute, and hadn’t realised there were hills like this.

Undeterred, he climbed off the bike and began to push it. His calf muscles tightened and his knees began to ache as he plodded along, but he kept his gaze fixed to the ground, not wanting to be daunted by how much further he might have to go.

Danny was about halfway up when he heard the sound of many engines behind him and only just managed to throw himself and the bike into the bushes at the side of the road before they were drawing parallel. He pressed himself to the ground and watched in amazement as the fire truck and bowser rumbled past, followed by a huge convoy of more trucks pulling bowsers, utilities of every size and colour, cars and even a few horses and carts.

He knew what it meant and, as he remained hidden in the fronds and clinging vines on the side of the road, he realised he’d been so intent on his mission that he hadn’t smelled the smoke before now.