Read Cassie for Free Online Page B

raised it to Cassie’s lips.
    For a while no one spoke. The park was beautiful, the trees bowing in a gentle breeze, the river winding and glittering, people sprawled out in relaxation or simply wandering along the paths. A fountain drew a gathering of children who ran into the edges of the wetness and shrieked with pleasure.
    It was Ivy who broke the silence.
    â€˜So what’s first on the agenda, then?’ she said. ‘Now you’re here.’
    Fern sighed. ‘Too many things on the agenda,’ she said. ‘Job, house, getting Cass into school. That’s the priority. We’ll start first thing in the morning, won’t we kiddo?’
    â€˜What sort of a school? A special school?’
    Fern tossed an olive into the air and caught it in her mouth. Cassie shrieked with laughter. Fern smiled.
    â€˜Gets you every time, doesn’t it sweetheart?’ She turned back to Ivy. ‘Yes, it should be a special school. It should have special teachers, a special principal, special students. I don’t want anything less for Cass. What about Holly’s school? Is that any good?’
    â€˜It’s got a good reputation.’
    â€˜Well, we’ll try there first, then. Interview them. See if they’re special enough. Hello!’
    A child hovered at the edge of the blanket. He was about six. Soon he was joined by another child, maybe a year younger. Judging by their faces, they were brother and sister. The boy stuck a dirty finger up his nose and twisted. He pulled it out and rubbed the slimy ball between his thumb and index finger. But he didn’t take his eyes from Cassie. The girl stared with large, round eyes.
    â€˜Why’s she in a wheelchair?’ the boy said suddenly.
    â€˜Cassie can’t walk,’ said Fern.
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜Cassie has something called cerebral palsy which means her body doesn’t do what she tells it to do.’
    â€˜Why does she wave her arms around?’
    â€˜Same reason.’
    â€˜Can she talk?’
    â€˜Yes. She’s talking now.’
    The boy twisted his face up and considered this for a moment.
    â€˜She’s not. She’s yelling.’
    â€˜That’s her way of talking.’
    â€˜I don’t know what she’s saying.’
    â€˜I do. You have to learn it. If you were around Cassie long enough, you’d understand her as well.’
    â€˜So what’s she saying, then?’
    â€˜That you’ve got snot on your fingers.’
    The boy looked down and wiped the snot on his shorts.
    â€˜Is she stupid?’
    â€˜No. Cassie is very smart.’
    â€˜Oh. Okay. See you.’
    â€˜Bye.’
    The boy toddled off back towards the fountain. The girl stayed where she was, so the boy came back and yanked her by the arm. Ivy laughed.
    â€˜Do you get a lot of that?’
    â€˜Yes,’ said Fern. ‘Kids just ask. And when you give the answers, they accept them.’
    â€˜And adults?’
    â€˜Ah, adults. Well, they’re the real problem.’
    Holly
    My name is Holly Holley and I hate going into a movie when it’s already started. Even if it’s just the pre-show with all those dumb ads and annoying previews.
    Amy is late. I keep checking my watch and tapping my foot. Neither seems to help. Finally, she bursts into the foyer, all sweaty and dishevelled.
    â€˜Holly, I’m so sorry I’m late,’ she pants.
    â€˜It’s okay,’ I lie.
    â€˜Mum was running late.’
    â€˜Whatever.’ I head for the entrance. ‘Let’s go in.’ I’ve already picked up popcorn and drinks.
    Amy scampers at my side. She takes the two cardboard drinks containers while I fish out the tickets.
    â€˜What’s the movie?’ she asks.
    â€˜A romantic comedy. Kate Hudson is in it.’
    â€˜Isn’t that the one you said was absolute garbage last week?’ ‘It gets better on second viewing.’
    â€˜But this is my first