Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to HiT Entertainment. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter 17

CRASH!

"Twins?" mum exclaimed, shocked.

Bronwyn chuckled, and she placed her hands protectively over her slightly bulging stomach. "I'm not surprised you dropped that teacup, Mary. I can hardly believe it myself!"

"I can," Gareth piped up. "When your mother was expecting Gwen, we thought she was twins."

That sounds about right, I thought, but I wisely kept it to myself.

"Are twins common in your family, Gareth?" dad asked.

"Not really. They're more common on my late wife's side of the family. She was a twin."

"Do you know what gender they'll be?" Gwen asked Bronwyn.

Bronwyn shook her head. "No. Charlie and I have decided to wait and be surprised."

"I hope it's a boy and a girl," I said. "That way, you'll have one of each."

Charlie ruffled my hair. "Smart thinking, Sam."

I pulled a disgruntled face as I fixed up my hair. "If I'm right, will you let me name them?"

Charlie and Bronwyn exchanged a glance. Bronwyn shrugged.

"I'll tell you what. If you're right, you can help us name them," Charlie countered.

I promptly shook hands with him in agreement. Gwen folded her arms crossly.

"That's not fair! I want to name them!"

"Well, you're too late," I retorted. "I got in first."

"Bronwyn!" Gwen whined.

"Stop screaming, Gwen," Gareth scolded. "Sam asked first, so he'll get first choice. If Charlie and Bronnie don't like the names he comes up with, then you can help."

While Gwen continued protesting, I reached across the kitchen bench and I subtly reached into the biscuit jar to grab one of my favourite rock cakes. Seeing me, mum slapped my wrist.

"No, Sam! You'll spoil your dinner."

"But I'm hungry now, mum!"

"Samuel Peyton Jones!"

I quickly put the rock cake back. "That's not fair!"

"It's not my fault if you didn't eat enough at lunch."

"I did, but I'm still hungry."

"Let him have one, Mary," dad said kindly. "He's a growing boy. I was always hungry when I was his age."

"You stay out of this, David! Sam's never going to be well-disciplined if you keep giving him what he wants."

I gave an exasperated sigh as I stood up. "I need to go and help Andrew build our bonfire for tonight anyway."

"Wait for me, Sam!" Gareth said. "I need to light the fire for you boys."

"I can do it," I replied. "I'm old enough now."

"Not without supervision, you can't," dad reminded me firmly. "Off you go. We'll join you later."

"Don't forget your jacket, Sam!" mum reminded me just as I was about to open the front door.

I grabbed my jacket off the coat hanger. "Can I go now?"

"Of course," mum agreed. "Keep a close eye of him, Gareth."

"I will, Mary."

"Don't worry, mum," I hard Charlie say on my way out. "Sam's hopeless at lighting fires. He couldn't even light my birthday cake last year, remember?"

I slammed the door behind me. "I can light fires, Charlie! I'll show you tonight!"

Gareth placed a hand on my shoulder. "I hope you're not thinking of doing anything silly tonight, Sam."

"No," I said with a sigh. "I just wish he'd stop picking on me."

"That's what siblings do, Sam. Let's hurry. We need to get that bonfire built before sunset."

…

The sun was just beginning to set by the time Andrew and I had finished assembling our bonfire, and the effigy of Guy Fawkes, down on the beach. We stood back to admire our handiwork while the townsfolk joined us. I frowned when I saw Station Officer Boyce and Fireman Steele arrive in Jupiter.

Doesn't anyone believe that I know what I'm doing? Fireman Steele has been teaching me. Well, sort of.

"Who's lighting the bonfire this year?" Mrs Sanderson wondered.

"I am!" I said before anyone could speak.

Andrew shrugged. "Let him try. You can give the matches to me once he's given up."

I drew in a deep breath in an effort to try and keep my temper in check. I'll show him too! Gareth handed me a box of matches, and I went over to the bonfire. With fierce determination, I struck a match against the side of the box. Unfortunately, the stick broke in half, so I tried again. The same thing happened.

Fireman Steele came over to me. "Would you like a hand?"

"I can…" I sighed despondently. "Yes, please."

Fireman Steele took the matchbox from me, and he took out a match. "It's simple. Just relax, and hold the match at forty-five degrees while you're sticking it. Like this. See?"

I nodded, and Fireman Steele handed the box and match back to me. This time, I followed Fireman Steele's advice, and I managed to successfully light the match. While the crowd cheered and applauded, I placed the flame against some dry leaves near the bottom of the bonfire, setting it alight. Once the fire had caught hold, I tossed the match into the flames.

"See Charlie! I can light fires!"

Charlie chuckled. "You know I was only teasing you about that, Sam."

"Right. Well, now that Sam has somehow managed to get the bonfire going, let's get the fireworks going as well!" Station Officer Boyce announced. "Fireman Steele? Take charge."

I joined the others, who were watching from a safe distance, as Fireman Steele set up the fireworks. As soon as it was dark enough, Fireman Steele set off the fireworks safely. I stood on the beach along with everyone else, watching the fireworks display in awe.

After the fireworks show, Andrew and I dragged our effigy of Guy Fawkes over to the bonfire. We held it up high as everyone began chanting the same chant that always rang out around the United Kingdom on Guy Fawkes night:

"Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.

By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!"

As soon as everyone yelled out, 'burn him!', Andrew and I tossed the Guy Fawkes effigy onto the bonfire. The wood and cloth immediately began burning, causing the fire to flare up like a beacon.

Charlie placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry I teased you, Sam. I guess you just need some more practice lighting fires. This is one of the best bonfires I've ever seen!"

"Thanks, Charlie. Hey, did you bring any marshmallows?"

"No, but Bronwyn did."

Smiling, I looked at Bronwyn. She handed me a stick and a handful of marshmallows. After I'd placed one of the marshmallows on the stick, I held it over the coals until it caught fire. Then, I carefully blew the flames out before pulling the gooey, sticky mess off the stick.

"I wish we could have Guy Fawkes night once a month, instead of once a year," Andrew said as he munched on his own marshmallows. "It's great seeing the whole town gather for the celebration."

"Yeah, it's great," I agreed. "Don't worry. We'll be gathering again next month, when the Christmas Tree is lit up. I think that's the best part of Christmas."

"Except that it's so cold," Andrew replied with a shiver. "Is it just me, or did it suddenly just get colder?"

At that moment, I heard something growl softly nearby. Cautiously, I stood up and I took a few steps away from the bonfire. Andrew joined me.

"What is it, Sam?"

"Shh! I thought I heard something…"

A few seconds later, I heard the growl getting closer. Turning to my left, I saw the silhouette of a fox creeping across the sand towards us. It was extremely skinny, and it looked like it was desperate to do anything for a good meal.

"Hey! It's a fox!" Andrew exclaimed.

Hearing the shouting, the fox whimpered and shrank back. Seeing the desperation in his eyes, I turned and looked up at Bronwyn.

"Bronwyn? Look at this poor fox," I said. "I think it's about to starve to death. Can we give it some sausages?"

"Of course, we can!" Bronwyn eagerly agreed. "I have some sausages that haven't been cooked yet. Come here, little fellow. That's it! Here you go."

Bronwyn set a plateful of sausages down in the sand. The fox cautiously walked towards it. We watched on as he devoured the sausages. Once he'd eaten them all, he disappeared back down the beach, but not before giving us a satisfied 'yap' in gratitude.