False alarms weren’t unheard of at the school—some teenage genius always thought it would get them out of biology—but that never stopped the Fire and Rescue Service sending a truck from Ashton Heights station as a precaution. Pam’s heart performed a sickening flip at the prospect. She had no idea who was on shift, but there was always a slim chance she’d see Steve climbing out of the big red truck. So what if you do? He’ll be too busy to notice you. Both calmed and saddened by the thought, Pam followed fire-drill procedure and led her year-nine English students down the corridor, out of the building and onto the soccer field. It was only when she’d done a head count and was satisfied she hadn’t lost a student along the way that she turned and saw smoke was billowing out of the science building. “Oh my God.” It wasn’t some kid trying to cut out early on Friday. There was actually a fire at the school.
