The Blue Horse Read Online Free

Conor? I fancy that little black plait – you can have the other!’Horrified, Katie swung around. One of the boys had grabbed Bridey and was making scissor actions with his fingers at her hair. Furious, Bridey was trying to kick out at him.
    ‘Dirty tramps,’ jeered one of the fellas. ‘Knackers!’
    ‘We’re not tramps,’ said Katie, ‘we’re travellers.’
    The boys didn’t listen.
    ‘Let go of her,’ Katie demanded.
    ‘Buzz off, Ginger,’ one of the boys shouted at her.
    ‘I’ll hit him for you, Katie,’ Miley said. Even at ten he looked only half the size of the other fellow.
    ‘No, Miley, just keep quiet. We don’t want any trouble.’
    Suddenly – how it happened Katie didn’t know – Hannah ran forward and kicked the boy holding Bridey in the stomach. ‘Take that, you big bully,’ she screamed.
    Shocked and winded, he let go.
    Quick as a flash, Katie rammed the two boys with Davey in the buggy, his melting chocolate icecream staining their T-shirts.
    ‘Run for it,’ she shouted to the others and made a second ramming attack, this time at the bicycles which she shoved off the path. They clattered and scraped as they fell into the road.
    Then she took to her heels with Davey frantically trying to hold on to what was left ofhis icecream.
    She was half-waiting for the boys to grab her, but then she realised a car was hooting – the driver had almost run over the bikes and was out of his car shouting at the boys.
    ‘Run! Run! Run! Keep running!’ she yelled at them all.
    They were exhausted by the time they got to the campsite. Hannah was limping slightly as she had fallen in the rush and badly grazed her knee and hands. She had surprised them all with her burst of bravery. But by the time they reached home, huge, heaving, gulping breaths were taking her over and she was shaking. She was so white Katie could see the veins under her eyes.
    God, wouldn’t you know it. Mam wasn’t there. Hannah was crying now for all the world to hear. Miley and Bridey were telling everyone about the bully boys.
    ‘Bring her over to me, Katie!’
    Nan Maguire was standing at the door of her little caravan with a mug of tea in her hand. Katie handed Hannah up to her. Luckily Davey had fallen asleep with all the excitement, and she moved the buggy so that part of him lay in the shade. She hoped a bee wouldn’t come along and sting him, he was so sticky.
    ‘Uh, uh, uh,’ sobbed Hannah.
    ‘Hush, hush. Little Hannah, isn’t it?’
    Hannah nodded.
    ‘Sit down here quiet a minute.’
    She led Hannah inside to the small seat under the window. It was covered with multicoloured cushions. The old lady took Hannah by the hand and began to stroke her hand, then her arm and finally stood near her rubbing her shoulder.
    ‘Let the tension go, pet, cry it out, no need to be scared, pet, you’re safe here with Katie and me.’
    Hannah sniffed and tried to catch her breath.
    The stroking kept on going round and round in circles and almost in time to it Hannah’s breathing slowed and steadied.
    ‘Put on the kettle there for more tea, Katie, and wet that old towel a bit till I cool off Hannah’s face.’
    Taking the damp material she dabbed gently at Hannah’s tear-stained, dirty face.
    ‘Now, a nice milky cup of tea, always good after a shock.’
    Through the window, Katie could spot Bridey jumping around, trying to see what was going on. Noticing her, Hannah began to brighten up.
    ‘I hear you’re a great brave girl,’ murmured Nan. ‘Is that true?’
    Suddenly shy, Hannah whispered, ‘I suppose.’
    ‘No supposin’ about it. Let me look at your hand, lovey.’ She turned the small hand over each way. The fingers long and narrow, the nails cut unevenly and in need of a good scrub.
    ‘Hmmm.’
    Katie moved closer. Hannah’s eyes were wide and her lips were open with wonder.
    ‘Destined to give love and be loved, a good strong heart that will fight for those you love. Some clouds, some mists, but yet I see the