Jonah and the Last Great Dragon Read Online Free Page A

the Forestry Commission, then?’ Erin demanded.
    â€˜No,’ the man replied calmly. ‘I work for another company. We have interests in this part of Radnorshire. My name is Mike Golding, by the way.’
    Erin’s mistrust was making Jonah feel awkward. He wanted to change the subject before she said anything else. ‘I’m Jonah Drake and this is Erin Morgan,’ he said. ‘Do you know what is causing the smoke?’
    The man ran a hand through his mop of fair hair and sighed. ‘I’m afraid I might do,’ he said slowly.
    â€˜But what is it?’ Jonah persisted. Looking at Mr Golding, he began to suspect that something was very wrong. The stranger looked strained and Jonah felt that he was far more concerned about the fire than he was willing to say.
    Erin eyed the man sternly. ‘Look, if you know something, you ought to tell us. My father and Jonah’s uncle farm over there. If there’s a forest fire, they’ve got to be warned.’
    Mr Golding spoke gently. ‘You’re right. And people will be told, if and when it’s necessary. But if I’m wrong it would be irresponsible to alarm everybody, wouldn’t it? We may find that this is just a slight volcanic incident, which will soon die down.’
    The children stared at each other. ‘There!’ cried Erin. ‘I told you! Oh, this is really awful!’
    â€˜Hey, I said it might – only might – be a slight volcanic occurrence. Please don’t go spreading alarm,’ Mr Golding said. ‘We don’t want a lot of people trampling round in the wood to investigate.’
    Erin flashed a warning look at Jonah. She didn’t want him to say that he had nearly got pulled into the crack in the ground. That would really stir up trouble. He nodded very slightly to show that he understood.
    Mr Golding looked at them gravely. ‘You know, if you both go home and blurt this out, you could create pandemonium in the area, and all for no reason. You can see the flames aren’t spreading to the trees. They are low down in the chasm. Will you keep this quiet for just a few hours? Please.’
    Jonah nodded but Erin frowned.
    â€˜What do you mean by a few hours?’
    â€˜Till, say, ten o’clock tomorrow morning?’
    â€˜No! That’s ages,’ Erin cried. ‘Tomorrow morning will be much too late. The whole forest could be alight by then!’
    Mr Golding shook his head. ‘No, it won’t be. Honestly. If you want to meet me then – by the churchyard, say – I should know for sure what is causing it. Then you could help with the names of the farmers I might need to contact.’ He held up a placatory hand, as Erin began to protest. ‘This isn’t an ordinary forest fire. The flames are deep down, like I said. There’s very little danger of the trees or anything above ground catching fire.’
    â€˜But how can you be sure? And you still haven’t said why – erm – a volcanic incident might be happening.’ Erin was not going to be put off.
    The forester looked at her steadily. ‘No, and I’m not going to. Not till I know whether I am right and not till I am sure that I can trust you!’
    Erin blushed scarlet. ‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbled. ‘It’s just that – well, it’s not very often we see new people just walking about in this valley unless they’re obviously hikers. And the smoke is, like, worrying. You know.’
    â€˜Yes, I do, so don’t feel uncomfortable,’ Mr Golding said, beginning to smile. He turned round suddenly. ‘Oh, idiot! I’ve left my jacket in the porch. I’ll walk back up to the church with you. If it’s OK with you, that is?’
    The children nodded and he fell into step beside them.
    â€˜So, are you both from farming families?’
    â€˜I am. Jonah isn’t, though.’
    â€˜No, I’m just here for the summer