Ben glanced towards the distant black rocks of Morgan’s Reach and then back over his shoulder to the smoke that was still billowing, and the flames that were voraciously devouring the last line of trees. ‘I’ll get through to Blackall, Barcaldine and Windorah again and see what’s keeping them. I can’t spare anyone here just yet.’

‘Righto. But make it quick, mate.’

As Jake cut the connection, Ben got through to Emily who was still manning the two-way back in Morgan’s Reach. ‘Any word on how soon we can expect relief?’

‘They’re on their way, and should be with you very soon,’ the schoolteacher replied. ‘I told them to divide up so both fires can be dealt with at the same time. I hope I did the right thing.’

‘Yeah, you did. Thanks, Emily.’ He was about to end the call when he had a sudden thought. ‘Where’s Django? Did he go with Jake to Carey Downs?’

‘Um, he’s … Well, he’s gone tracking,’ she replied warily.

‘What!?’ Ben’s jaw tightened in fury.

Emily cleared her throat. ‘Danny’s gone missing,’ she said in a rush. ‘No one’s seen him since this morning, and Becky’s frantic.’

‘Bloody hell,’ hissed Ben. ‘That’s all we need.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Keep me posted, Em – and if Django does find him, lock the little bugger in Jake’s cell until I get back. That boy needs a serious talking to.’

‘I can’t do that,’ she gasped. ‘Rebecca would have a fit.’

‘At this moment I have more important things to worry about,’ he snapped and, without waiting for her reply, he cut the connection and returned to digging the trench.

But the knowledge that Becky must have searched all the usual places for Danny and not found him meant she had to be at her wit’s end by now, and it made him regret his bad-tempered reaction. Django was one of the best trackers in the district and would find the boy, he was sure of it – and yet the thought of Danny alone out here with two fires raging, the day closing in and all the dangers that could befall such a youngster filled him with dread.

*

The nightmare was one he’d had many times, and although he was desperately trying to wake from it, it held him prisoner – just as he had been a prisoner on that terrible day.