Toby blocked her, clamping the hose under his armpit while he used his other arm to stop her. Miki scanned around like a wild animal. Max wanted to go to her but he was stuck with Suzie, who was screaming now. He was glad when Mum looked towards them, because he knew she was coming back for Suzie, so he dropped his little sister to the ground and took off after Miki.

She was heading downhill to get around all the people. She stopped near Trudi and Liz, staring at the fire. Further down the street, Max spotted Leon’s Toyota.

And there was Kurt, limping up the hill, shoulders hunched, face hard as nails. He looked terrible. His trousers were bloody and torn, and he had a gash on his face, and blood in his hair and all down his neck. Max was the only one who had seen him. He saw Kurt grab Miki’s arm and drag her down the street like a ragdoll. She didn’t want to go: Max could tell by the way she leaned back, like she and Kurt were in a tug of war. But even though Kurt was hurt, he was still strong, and he made Miki go with him.

Suddenly Max knew what to do. He squeezed between all the people, pushing them out of the way. Past the witches hats he felt the heat of the fire against his skin, the flames leaping at the sky. He was looking for Fergus, screaming his name so loud his throat felt like it had been scraped by one of the rasps in Dad’s shed.

There was Fergus with Toby. Max raced up to them, hesitating a moment as his eyes were drawn to the gear hanging from Fergus’s belt: gun, baton, handcuffs, radio, Taser.

Fergus looked down at him, and Max yelled into his ear.

Then Fergus’s eyes shot down the street, and he pulled out his gun and moved faster than Max had ever seen him go. All the people stepped back like a snake had been let loose.

Down the street Fergus ran towards the Toyota, Ken following. Miki was in the passenger seat; Max could see her lopsided face in the windscreen. Fergus and Ken were shouting and pointing their guns at the four-wheel drive. It was like in the movies, but it was happening here. Max was scared there might be a shootout because he knew Kurt had a rifle—everyone knew it. He wanted Miki safely out of the car before the shooting began.

Some sort of struggle was going on inside the Toyota. Miki was trying to grab at Kurt’s arms, maybe to stop him from getting his gun. Kurt’s hand flew at her face, and she cowered like a dog. More shouting. Fergus roared almost as loud as the fire.