Burning Secrets by Clare Chambers

haven’t seen him much lately,” she added, hoping that this was a broad enough hint.
    Daniel seemed to be looking out for someone – for James perhaps, or Louie, or just someone more interesting, Ramsay thought with dismay. “I could introduce you to some people if you want,” she offered, brightly, remembering that this was the original purpose of the invitation. “Friends of mine. Nice people.”
    â€œOK, if you like,” said Daniel, “but I’d rather just talk to you.”
    â€œOr we could go and watch the bonfire?” Ramsay suggested, backtracking. She didn’t really want to share him unless she had to.
    â€œBonfire sounds good,” he said.
    But before they had gone more than a few steps they were waylaid by a bunch of Ramsay’s friends. They were wearing rows of fluorescent glow-sticks around their wrists and ankles. Ramsay hoped they weren’t going to start giggling.
    â€œThis is Daniel,” she said, running through the register for his benefit; “Amy, Ellen, Rebecca, Sian.” His gaze flickered momentarily over the faces of the girls as they greeted him, and came to rest on Ramsay with an intensity that made her blush.
    There seemed to be some delay with the bonfire; someone had left the taper on the grass and it was now damp and refusing to light. Cigarette lighters were offered and refused by the official in charge, and there was some slow handclapping from some of the crowd. At last a long spill made of rolled newspaper was produced, and its flame was held against the meths-soaked rag protruding from the base of the pyre.
    They watched, mesmerised, as the bluish flame travelled along the rag and gradually the balled-up paper and twigs inside the wigwam of planks began to catch. Within thirty seconds the base of the bonfire was ablaze, fanned by a gusty wind, and flames were darting and leaping almost halfway up the structure.
    â€œI like watching fire,” Ramsay said dreamily.
    â€œI saw James with Grace earlier,” said Amy casually, and Ramsay felt Daniel grow suddenly attentive.
    â€œAre they going out now?” asked Rebecca, turning to Ramsay for confirmation.
    â€œCertainly looked like it from where I was standing,” Amy replied.
    â€œI didn’t even know you two had split up,” said Ellen.
    â€œForgot to mention it,” said Ramsay, grateful to Amy for bringing up the matter in Daniel’s hearing. “I think they’re very well suited.” She didn’t feel a grain of possessiveness about James. The sooner he got a new girlfriend the freer she’d be.
    The burning woodpile creaked and shifted, collapsing gradually as kitchen chairs and ladders and fence panels and the frightened-looking rocking horse were consumed in the flames. The wind changed direction, sending dense billows of smoke into their section of the crowd. They backed away, spluttering and covering their streaming eyes. Sparks rained down, and above their heads shreds of blackened paper danced in the night sky.
    Watching the fire, Daniel was hit with a sudden panic. “Oh my God. Where’s Louie?” he said, looking around wildly.
    Through the smoke and commotion they saw Fay pushing through the crowd towards them. “Daniel! You better come. Something’s happened.”

Chapter 13
    â€œW E WERE WATCHING the bonfire and she suddenly went really strange,” Fay explained breathlessly, as they hurried through the gardens towards the town square, where Louie had last been seen heading at a run.
    â€œStrange like what?” Daniel asked, his heart thudding in protest. It was his fault: he should have been keeping an eye on her. A bonfire of all things .
    â€œHer eyes were watering. I thought it was the smoke, but then I realised she was crying. ” There was more than a hint of embarrassment in Fay’s voice, as though she had caught Louie dribbling or wetting her knickers. “I asked her what