He looked from the dead pit bull down to the German shepherd.

“You do this?”

“Earlier.”

Arran snapped out of his weird mood. He knew he had to put on a brave face. It was important not to show any weakness. They had nothing in their camp the Morrisons crew could want, but there was always a danger that they might lose some good fighters if the Morrisons thought they’d have a better life in the rival supermarket.

“You look pretty messed up, man,” said Blue, staring at Arran and then at Freak. “Was it the dogs?”

“No,” said Arran. “Grown-ups. At the pool. Don’t go up that way.”

“Never do,” said a big, slightly stooped kid who looked almost like a grown-up. He was Mick, the Morrisons equivalent of Achilleus. Their top fighter.

“There’s been a lot of attacks lately,” said Blue.

“Too right,” said Arran. “They’re getting desperate.”

Blue looked at him. “There’s been some trouble up at Waitrose,” he said.

Ollie’s heart caught in his chest. His stomach flooded with acid. Now what?

“What sort of trouble?” said Arran.

“Some sort of an attack. There’s been grown-ups hanging around all day.”

“Oh crap,” said Arran, and he ran off down the road, the rest of his group struggling to keep up.

The Morrisons crew had been unusually friendly and helpful, Ollie thought. Which probably meant that they were getting scared. When it came down to it, the kids had to stick together.

The grown-ups were the real enemy.

They’re back!” Josh ran up to Maxie.

Maxie’s heart thumped against her ribs. She had been desperate for Arran to get back, but she was also terrified of what he would think. He had left her in charge and she had mucked up.

She didn’t want to show how she was feeling in front of everybody. She couldn’t lose it twice in one day.

“Get the gates open,” she said, pleased that her voice sounded strong and clear. “Who’s on lookout now?”

“Callum,” said Josh.

“I didn’t really need to ask, did I?”

“He practically lives up there.”

“Get someone to ring the bell,” said Maxie.

“I’ll do it.” Josh hurried off. In a moment Maxie heard the clang of the bell that told everyone to get ready to open the gate.

Maxie went over to the speaking tube. She banged on it to alert Callum, then called into it.

“Callum?”

“Yeah.”

“Can you still see Arran and the scavs?”

“They’re nearly here.”

“Is it safe to open the gates?”

“Yeah.”

There was a pause and then a shrill whistle.

All clear.

Soon afterward there came the sound of the steel shutter being cranked up. The shutter was the old security gate that blocked off the main entrance to the store. It was operated by turning a big wheel set into the wall.

Maxie stood there, listening, but not daring to look. Trying to slow her breathing and take control of herself. Once the shutter was up the gate crew could move out into the mall and open the barricade.