The Secret. Ariana Chambers

shoulders.

      ‘Oh my God. If she doesn’t stop with the PDAs I’m going to hurl up my hotdog!’ Holly says, shaking her head with disgust.

      I look around at the others. They’re all as baffled as I am by Izzy’s sudden display of affection towards Eve.

      ‘But how did the rucksack get there?’ I ask pointedly.

      ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Vivien hisses. ‘All that matters is that poor Eve has it back.’ She pats the blanket next to her again. ‘Come on, Eve. Come and join us.’

      Eve follows Izzy and Stephen over and sits down on the blanket. She looks about as comfortable as a mouse that’s just entered a lion’s den.

      For the rest of the evening we have to watch as Izzy, Vivien and Stephen launch a suck-up fest in Eve’s honour. It’s not until we get in our tents to go to sleep that I finally get the chance to speak in private to Holly.

      ‘Why do you think they’re sucking up to Eve?’ I say as soon as we’ve zipped up our tent and climbed into our sleeping bags.

      Holly shrugs. ‘I don’t know. All I do know is that it must be bad.’

      I burrow down deeper into my sleeping bag but it’s impossible to get warm. The uneasy truce that seemed to exist since the fire is definitely over. The Blood Witches are up to something, and their powers are greater than we thought. I hug myself tightly and prepare for another night of fitful sleep.