Burning Secrets. Clare Chambers

the water under Kenny’s watchful eye.

      “Don’t all the schools in London have swimming pools then?”

      “Hardly any,” said Daniel.

      This answer seemed to please Kenny. “I thought they would have,” he said.

      Daniel made his way up to the deep end and dived in, surfacing to find Kenny still talking. “Cat’s just had kittens,” he was saying. “Your sister could come round and have a look at them if she wants. Before we get rid of them.”

      Daniel gave a thumbs-up sign, wondering uneasily what form this ‘getting rid of ’ would take, and then began to swim lengths; front crawl, his face well down in the water to discourage further chat. He completed thirty lengths without pauses in record time, aware that Kenny might be wanting to lock up and go home, then hurried into the changing room. He stopped abruptly, looking around in confusion: his bag containing his clothes, wallet and towel had gone.