The dragon was bigger than Flicker – more like a fat pigeon. It had grey scales, a neat row of spines down its back and a jagged spiked tail that looked like a lightning bolt. It seemed to be having a whale of a time weaving in and out of the burning flowers. Every so often it opened its mouth and let out a jet of green gas that made the air crackle.

The fire had spread even further now. It had already reached the plants that crept up the barn walls and was slithering its way up to the roof. The dragon seemed to be enjoying every new spurt of flame. It flew alongside as though it were coaxing the flickering heat, urging it to grow bigger still.

Whenever a flower or a vine turned to ash it did a loop-the-loop, sending out green sparks like tiny celebratory fireworks. I had a horrible feeling this dragon was not going to be satisfied till the whole place had gone up in flames.

I had to do something – but what?

I called out, but my voice was a whisper through the choking smoke. I flapped my arms, although what I expected that to do I had no idea. Maybe if I could distract it I could lead it outside. Or maybe Flicker would get the message and shepherd the new dragon out of the barn. But he was so small in comparison and I didn’t like the idea of him getting in the way of one of those green blasts.

I was about to find out whether drawing attention to myself was a good idea or not, because the dragon turned. As it flew towards me its scales and spines all suddenly stuck up and out, making it seem even bigger. Underneath the grey it shone a bright lime green. I couldn’t help thinking it was like one of those pufferfish that blow up like a balloon when they’re scared. I dived for cover as a green jet shot over the top of my head.

I watched as the dragon circled the barn, presumably readying itself for another attack. Now I knew how Ted had felt about being a target for the water balloons. All I could think was, where had it come from? There weren’t any more fruits on the tree yet. This dragon must have hatched in the last crop and not flown off with the others. But why?

Suddenly Liam appeared at the barn door. I held my hand in front of my mouth, trying not to cough on the smoke and give myself away. I couldn’t let him see what was in here. But while he stayed in the doorway I was trapped inside a burning barn.

And then Liam did something that made me hold my breath even more. He lifted his hands to his mouth and blew. A hooting whistle a bit like an owl sounded through the air. And the lime and grey dragon suddenly stopped spewing flames and flapped down towards him. Liam scanned the barn and I saw his eyes finally fix on Flicker. He stood there for a moment, just watching. Then, scowling, he opened his backpack and unceremoniously shoved the grey dragon inside. He muttered something under his breath and then turned and stalked out of the barn.

I don’t know if it was the smoke or seeing Liam with a dragon or realising he had seen Flicker, but I staggered as I headed away from the cover of the hay-bales where I’d been hiding. I lost my bearings and I couldn’t see through the smoke to find the door.

I started to panic. And I felt my knees buckle. Then all of a sudden a crackle of blue sparks lit up in front of my face, clearing the air just enough for me to see Flicker. He flitted down and gripped my sleeve with his claws. I reached out and touched him, focusing my thoughts on his little body rising and falling with every breath. Slowly, he pulled me forward. Coughing and spluttering, I let Flicker lead me, out of the smoke and into the open. To my relief it had started raining. A true downpour that was already putting out the flames. I stood there gasping in the fresh air, my mind still reeling from what I had just seen.

So now I knew Liam’s secret. The problem was, he knew our secret too.