First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2018
Published in this ebook edition in 2018
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Text copyright © Steven Camden 2018
Cover design © Leo Nickolls
Cover illustration © Leo Nickolls
Steven Camden asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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Source ISBN: 9780008168384
Ebook Edition © 2018 ISBN: 9780008168391
Version: 2018-01-25
For Lenny,
your music sparked a fire in me
and I am forever grateful.
I love you, man x
Contents
Prologue
You’re almost twelve.
Staring through the fire at Sean. The tips of the flames lick the top branches of the bush you’ve both spent all day hollowing out.
You’re holding the stolen aerosol can. Sean’s nervous smile.
Your willing apprentice.
He can’t see me, even though I’m standing right next to him.
You look at the can. Then at me. The flames dance in between us.
“ Do it ,” I say.
You smile at Sean, then throw it in.
I’m sensing resistance.
You are? That’s weird.
You don’t think this is useful?
I’m sure it’s amazing.
That tone is what I’m talking about.
You don’t like my tone?
It’s not about what I like, Thor. This is about you. Your anger.
Who’s angry?
Shall we start?
I thought we had.
Why don’t you begin by telling me how you’re feeling, right now?
Right now? I’m feeling tired.
OK,