He tilted my head back in his hands, and gazed into my eyes.

"Hear what I say, Rose, you can always trust me. I will never ever hurt you," his pleading voice etched under my skin. I could feel the imaginary knife withdraw and the wounded hole close as I held him again. My arms finally tightened around his chest, a submission of my belief in him.

"Do you think I could really spend the night with another girl and then come to your room and hold you like I did?"

"I hoped not," I whispered as tears welled in my eyes.

"What happened in your room was so unbelievable for me, I was in a daze. I felt like I was in the most fantastic dream for the rest of the day, and I couldn't stop thinking about you. That you had held me, and touched me the way you did. I know it sounds crazy but I feel like I've been waiting for you my entire life," he laughed softly in my ear.

I drew my head back to see him. His eyes were softly shining and his lips were parted slightly, I could feel his wonderful breath on my cheek.

I smiled, and my hands cupped each side of his head as I pulled him towards me and to kiss his soft beautiful lips.

"Oh Rose," he moaned and kissed me so fiercely I stopped breathing for a moment.

His lips moved softly across my face, his breathing was more rapid now, and I felt dizzy as I returned his deep passionate kisses.

He reached a hand behind, across the middle of my back and pulled me in tightly to him, his hot enchanting body joined to mine as if nothing could separate or part us again.

His sudden jerk back stopped me.

"Rose," he whispered. "We have to stop."

"No," I replied. "I don't want to."

"I know, I don't either but we must. You don't have control yet."

He nodded, his eyes wide in wonder, his pupils dilated with his passionate fire.

"Control?" I said in mock horror.

"Control of your gift. If you get too carried away, your gift could hurt me. Kill me, even."

I jumped away as if stung, and the hurt showed in his expression.

"Oh god, I'm sorry. I didn't think," I uttered in surprised distress.

"I know. It's okay. We can still do this but you have to be careful," and he cradled me again and bent his head to kiss me again.

"Wait," I pushed his arms away, and moved backwards along the bench. I closed my eyes and felt down inside to the well that held my gift. It was still there, unmoved, unaltered, buried deep.

"You're in luck. It hasn't moved, you're safe," I giggled back in a whisper.

"That's a really good sign!" He drew me close again, crushing my lips against his in delight. My fingers were combing through his hair as I held his head close, unyielding and immovable as I kissed his cheekbones and his jaw.

"Rose," he whispered in blissful excitement. "Don't ever let us be angry with each other again."

I held him then, tightly as he put his head on my shoulder, his lips brushed against my ear. To feel him in my arms again, this rich moment of sheer pleasure was all I wanted. I finally felt complete. There was nothing that could part us now.

We sat whispering for a while, laughing now familiarly, and enjoying our close union when Morgan's phone rang. He groaned and reached for his jacket pocket, one arm still around my waist.

"Hello? Hi Jez. You're joking, is she okay? Okay, mate, we'll be right there."

I could tell from his tone that something terrible had happened.

"What's happened? Is it Daisy?" I said with fear in my throat.

"No, it's Mira. She's been in a bike accident. They're taking her to the hospital right now."

"Mira! Oh no!" I cried and grabbed my bag. Morgan was more collected than I was.

"Go wait by the bike, I'll just go and pay. Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine," he said as he darted inside.

Jez was waiting for us at the hospital entrance. We sprinted to him as quickly as we could from across the full car park.

"What happened?" Morgan asked, catching his breath.

"We're not sure. None of us can see her yet," Jez replied but his eyes were sorrowful.

"What about her parents?" I asked, my voice quaking a little.

"They're here already. She's being examined; we don't know how bad it is."

We walked in through the double doors, past the registrar's office. The stark white bare walls of the corridor seemed never ending, and luminosity filled every crevice from the bright halogen lights. We turned into another corridor, then more until we arrived at her room. Two chairs were outside, Hannah, and Mira's brother Jason were already there standing next to the one filled chair. I recognised Mr Butler, Mira's dad; he looked haggard and distressed as he sat quietly with his head down. The hospital sounds echoed around the hallway, though nobody was talking, but Mr Butler sat so still with his feet together and a cardboard filing box on his lap.

I knelt down in front of him so he could see me clearly. "Mr Butler?" I whispered. "Do you remember me?"

He looked up and a faint smile brushed his face.

"Of course I remember you, Rose. You were only a tiny thing when I saw you last." He motioned his hand half a metre high from the ground and I laughed.

"Can you tell me what happened?" I said gently.

"She wanted to do some errands after we finished at the office. I left in the car, and she took her moped. It's an hour's drive for her so I got home sooner. I was already there when the police called," he was distraught, that was clear. He looked down again as if he'd forgotten what he'd said.

"Do you know how it happened? How is she?"

"I don't know. Her mother is in there with her now. We'll find out soon enough," he dazed out again and looked at the box. "She wanted me to give you this, said it would be useful."

I turned quickly seeing Jez and Morgan over my shoulder, then took the box from Mr Butlers shaking hands. I passed it to Morgan, who put it under his arm.

I grasped Mr Butler's hands in mine and kissed his knuckles. "Thank you, Mr Butler. I'm sure Miranda will be fine."

He smiled as I used Mira's full name and I let his hands go to stand and face the boys.

"We've got it," I whispered and they nodded. It should have been something to cheer about but now wasn't the time.

The door to Mira's room opened and Mrs Butler was in the doorway.

"Rose, she'd like to talk to you," she said bluntly and sat next to Mr Butler telling him that Mira would be fine and make a full recovery.

"Okay," I offered, and shut the door behind me.

I was shocked at what I saw. Mira had a bandage around her forehead, a neck brace holding her head still, one arm in a sling, and a few grazes across her cheek. The blood had turned dark red but the skin was still visibly torn up. Beside her the saline drip slowly pushed salt water into her bloodstream, and the bedside cabinet already had a bottle of juice.

"Mira, you've been here two minutes and you've already finished half the Robinson's," I chuckled and lifted up the bottle so she could see.

She laughed, and then winced.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," I said and sat on the chair already drawn up to the bed.

"Rose, I have to tell you something," she croaked, and winced again as if talking and movement was painful.

"Take your time," I insisted. "There's no rush."

"No, listen. The car that hit me was Aiden Deverill's red convertible. I thought you should know."

"Tell me what happened?"

"I was already in Warminster, almost home. The car overtook me on the main road near the private school, and then it turned left onto a side road. I waved thinking it was Aiden. It must have double backed onto another road because at the next junction he ran straight into me. He didn't even attempt to stop."

I had no words for this. I stared at her in bewilderment. What she was saying was unbelievable. How could Aiden possible do this? Except, after Morgan's story, it made it all the more possible. But why Mira? Why would Aiden want to hurt Mira?

"Mira, do you think someone knew what you were taking away for us?"

"No, there was nobody else in the office. Dad wouldn't tell anyone, and I was the only one who used the photocopier all day. Do you think it was because of the maps and plans?"

I looked down into my own lap. This was something else that was my fault. She should never have brought the plans with her. It would have been better to post them, or something else.

"I'm so sorry, Mira. This is my entire fault!" I quelled my tears, already springing into my eyes. Mira didn't need to see that. "What has the doc said, about your injuries?"

"That I'll be fine in a couple of days. Luckily my bike took most of the impact, and even luckier, my helmet saved my life. I've got a dislocated shoulder but that's about it. Rose, it's not your fault, please don't blame yourself," she attempted a smile at me but the graze on her cheek must have smarted at the movement.

"I'll come and see you tomorrow, okay?" I leaned down and kissed her cheek. She smelled as though her body was fairly drugged up so I brushed my fingers gently over the wound on her cheek and saw it disappear, now perfect skin. It was all I could do for her and she didn't seem to notice. "I'll let your dad and Jason in. They're dying to see you. Be well."

"Thanks, Rose," she smiled weakly.

I blew a kiss at her and motioned for Jason and Mr Butler to enter as I left the room.

I made it to the car park before I screamed with rage and stamped my feet. The car park was almost empty, but a few passers-by gawped at my outburst before continuing on their way.

My skin felt prickly, I could feel my blood heating up as I grew angrier and soon I was brimming over with it. I was fury, I was rage, and I yelled again into the sky and only stopped when I felt Morgan's arms holding me still, like an anchor. He didn't need to say anything, but he let me get it out of my system. I twisted round out of his grasp as Hannah and Jez ran towards us, both with worried expressions.

"Rose, what did she say?" Hannah cried out.

"Someone knew. Somehow someone knew what she was bringing home. We have a spy, and I want to find out who it is," I barked back at them. "The car that hit her was Aiden's."

I paced around again as thoughts and possibilities crowded my head.

"It's got to be Lucie," Jez suggested. "She was there this afternoon. She heard everything."

"But didn't Debbie say that her father had a meeting with Ben, she mentioned it at the picnic," Hannah offered. "But Debbie wouldn't do that."

"It doesn't make sense. Who would do that to Mira? She has no enemies, she's one of the nicest people I know," I proclaimed. "The only people I trust here is you three, and Mira."

"So what do we do?" Jez asked.

"We carry on, but one of you must tell Debbie and Lucie that it's off. If either of them is spying on us I don't want them anywhere near us tonight."

Morgan put an arm around my shoulder, this time I didn't shake it off. "I'll do it. They'll listen to me." He kissed my head gently. Jez and Hannah didn't seem surprised by his sudden show of affection.

"Okay, where's the box?"

Jez produced the square cardboard container from his inner jacket. "It's here. I need to grid reference the maps first before I bring it over."

"No, there's no time. We all go straight to Morgan's," I said insistently.

"But we still need supplies, the torches and stuff?"

"Okay, give me the box. You go home, don't stay longer than ten minutes, and go straight to Morgan's after. Don't stop anywhere on the way."

"Okay, Hannah, you coming with?"

Hannah reached for me and drew me into a tight hug. "It'll be okay, Rose. You'll see. Mira will be fine and we'll sort the other stuff out."

I nodded, she was right. While I was in Hannah's enormous embrace a car drove by slowly. Pritchard and Archer were inside, dressed as civilians. One of them held a thumb up in question. I did the same in return. They drove on without stopping.

"Let's go," Morgan ordered and we all separated. Hannah and Jez went to their car, and Morgan dragged me by the hand to the bike. My body still shook in fury, and my hands were clumsy as I put on the helmet and sat on the bike. We cruised back to Daisy's, this time passing the entrance and tucking into the side lane around the corner directly onto Morgan's driveway.

I was pacing again inside his cottage. Morgan had quietly put the kettle on and was now making tea as I scratched my fingers through my hair again and again.

I stamped my foot again and cursed. The rage was still burning inside me, I couldn't bear it. To think that someone had intentionally tried to hurt one of my friends made me so angry I felt like a rabid horse, chomping and chomping on the bit.

It took most of Morgan's effort to try and drag me to the sofa, and settle me down. Once I took a sip of tea I felt calmer, the realisation finally sinking in that what was done couldn't be undone. There was nothing in my power that could change anything.

The next time I saw Aiden Deverill though, he would have hell to pay for what he'd done, and I only hoped the time would be soon.

- Chapter Thirteen -.

It was dark outside when Hannah arrived with Jez in tow, laden with other bags, rucksacks, coats and the box we had been so keen to see the contents of. Hannah carried a takeaway pizza box as per our initial plan. Hopefully it would fool whoever was watching outside the houses.

Morgan cleared away room in order for us to all sit around his table, Hannah perched on the sofa arm and Jez propped himself on the floor, as he unfolded the large map showing the underground tunnels of the town. He'd grid referenced all his information onto this map and soon we were all poring over it, pointing out landmarks that we knew to be on the surface.

"So, we're here," Jez pointed to a small circle in the maze marking a tunnel entrance. "Daisy's house is here, and they both join this long tunnel under Cradle hill, leading into the town. The next entrance is at the church. Then if you turn left, and travel about a mile, it ends at the old orphanage site on the edge of town. The other direction goes under the high street and joins another tunnel which has an entrance at the Council building and then the old corn market."