I pulled it from the front of my trousers, slipped it out of the sheath and held it forwards with two shaky hands. I pointed it right at the mayor. The light from our billy lamps glimmered on the blade.

“You’re not locking any of them up, not ever again.” I stepped back towards the van.

“Shame upon any who refuse to send their eldests to camp,” said the mayor. “Shame upon them and their kin. Remember that, Cruise?”

“Camp doesn’t even exist any more.” The knife shook in my trembly fists.

Mayor Anderson stuck out her jaw. “Even so, I’d be pretty worried about my kin right now, if I were you. After all, there are wanderers near Fennis Wick, and they’ve a reputation for setting family homes on fire. We wouldn’t want the Cruise house to be next on their list, would we?”

“Tash? Tasher?” It was Cal in the doorway, all properly dressed now.

“Cal,” said the mayor. “Some kids out here got a hold of your keys. I’m going to have to leave you to it, I’m afraid – got an urgent job needs doing back home.” She looked me right in the eye. “Don’t worry, though, Cal – they won’t get far. Lock them all up when you’ve caught them. You can have the fourth one for free.” Mayor Anderson hurried over to the jeep, jumped inside, and turned on the engine.

I’d be pretty worried about my kin right now, if I were you.

“What the— Tasher? Tasher!” Cal ran out. “Where are you going? Who’s got my keys?”

Mum, Dad, Trig. Back home in Fennis Wick.

I had to get to them.

I had to get home.

“Quick, Maggie – get inside!” Lindi yanked me into the van by my jumper and slammed the door shut behind me.

CHAPTER 33

Cal rattled on the handle.

Thud! Thud! Thud! He banged on the side. “Get out of my van. Get out! And hand over those keys.” Thud! Thud! Thud!

The tinny walls shook.

“What are these?” Shadowy crates were piled up on both sides. Lindi stuck her hand inside one and pulled out a bunch of bananas.

It wasn’t only Mayor Anderson who’d been lying then. Cal hadn’t run out of bananas at all. I held up the lamp. Must be nearly twenty crates full.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The banging beat into my head.

“Is it some kind of plant?” Lindi turned the banana upside down.

“They’re bananas,” I said. “Fruit. Eat one – you’ll feel better. Look.” I put the billy lamp down in the middle of the floor, tucked Mr Opal’s knife away, then tore a banana from Lindi’s bunch. I peeled it open, just like Mum had shown me.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

I offered the banana to Jed. He could barely lift his arm.

“Take it,” I said. “It’ll make you feel better.”

Thud! Thud! Thud!