Soul Fire

they look so right together, far more right than Ade ever
looks with Sahara.
    The music builds to a crescendo and Cara leans back from her waist, her leg raised against his body, and her hair hanging down like a sheet of white silk.
    The music stops. They stay like that. I look away, because it feels like I shouldn’t be watching. Even when the other dancers stop for a drink, they’re like statues in the middle of
all that movement.
    Finally Ade pulls her back upright and I wait for them to get the giggles.
    They kiss.
    Oh, no. Tell me this isn’t happening. Not here . . .
    They don’t stop. Not for bloody ages. Finally, the music starts up again, and it breaks the spell. They stare at each other.
    I’m pretty certain I’ve just witnessed their very first kiss. What have they done? Anyone could have seen them.
    I have to get out of here, before they see me . A line of tourists on orange bikes pass in front of me, and I use them as cover to get away. There’s a multi-tiered fountain, topped
by two gilded horse statues that blaze in the afternoon sunlight. I run past it, then round to the right, towards the boating lake.
    ‘Sorry!’ I say, as I barge into someone. ‘ Lo siento .’
    ‘Alice?’
    The someone is Sahara. She’s holding onto my arms. Her face is bright red, and her underarms are ringed with sweat.
    ‘Are you OK, Sahara? You look really . . .’ Desperate! I think, but I don’t finish my sentence.
    ‘I’m fine.’
    ‘Are you sure?’ Her pupils are huge, even though the sun is shining brightly. She could be on drugs. Might she have seen Ade and Cara, like I did?
    ‘It’s the heat. It doesn’t agree with me. I’ve been walking and walking and now I’m dehydrated.’
    ‘We could get some water, there’s a kiosk . . .’ Then I realise I can’t take her to that kiosk as it’s too close to the bandstand. ‘Or maybe you should go
back to the hostel.’
    ‘That’s what I’m trying to do,’ she snaps. ‘Have you seen the streets? The crowds are doing my head in, and they’re putting up crash barriers already. There
are ambulances parked all the way up the main road. It’s worrying, Alice, don’t you think?’
    ‘I’m sure it’s safe, Sahara. They wouldn’t let it happen otherwise.’
    She looks dubious. ‘People are different here. Wilder. Unpredictable .’
    ‘The Spanish?’
    ‘Yes, but not just them. Us, too. Maybe we’re all different when we’re away from home. All at risk.’
    I stare at her. ‘Look. We’ll be fine if we stick together. I mean, I know Zoe’s been going on about keeping safe, but she’s been before and she survived just
fine.’
    Sahara sighs. ‘I suppose so.’
    ‘Do you want me to come with you, back to the hostel?’ At least that way I can make sure she doesn’t go anywhere near the bandstand. Though I also need to stay focused on what
I’ve promised to do for Javier.
    She shakes her head. ‘No. I’m not going to ruin your day, too.’
    I try not to look too relieved. ‘If you’re sure . . . I think the exit’s the way you just came, Sahara.’ I point away from the bandstand. ‘Here, borrow my
map.’
    She takes it from me. ‘Thanks, Alice. I probably do need it. I feel like I’ve been wandering around this park for hours without getting anywhere. ’
    Did she spot her boyfriend dancing with Cara while she was getting herself lost? I dismiss the idea. Sahara can’t seem to keep anything to herself, so I’m sure she’d have told
me if she had.
    I sit on a bench for a few minutes till she’s disappeared into the crowd. There’s a guy on the bank opposite me, juggling with flaming torches. Every time he drops one, he smiles. A
ring of scorched grass surrounds him.
    Everyone wants to play with fire. Cara and Ade kissing in public, Lewis chasing hackers, even Zoe, if we’re right and it is her who set up Burning Truths to try to get justice for
Tim.
    And I’m no different. Trying to solve Meggie’s murder, offering to see Javier’s family, even though I could make things worse, not better.
    But the alternative is to feel nothing, do nothing. And my sister’s death has made me realise what a waste that would be.
    I text Cara: Came looking for u. Found u! U seemed a bit busy for lunch so thought I’d leave u to it. . . also, just bumped into S!!! Sent her in opposite direction.
C u at the hostel later, xxx
    She texts back almost immediately with a smiley face and a long row of kisses.
    Time to look for Javier’s