Read Cowgirl for Free Online

“This must be, what? Twenty, thirty years after I knew him. But he’s the same. A giant.”
    I looked at the faded black and white picture.He did look like a giant – he was huge, with broad shoulders, and there were Cowgirl’s narrow eyes.
    “I’m sorry to hear things aren’t exactly rosy for you these days,” said Gran.
    Mr Thomas’s face switched back to angry. He glared at Cowgirl. “Why don’t you just tell everything to the local rag?”
    “All I said was—”
    “All you said was too much!”
    She was embarrassed and I felt sorry for her. Gran laid the picture on the table. “I didn’t mean to cause offence, Mr Thomas.” She stood up, scraping back her chair. “We should go.”
    “Right you are,” said Roger, getting up.
    Gran put her hand on Cowgirl’s arm. “You’re from a proud line, Kate. Don’t forget it. I can’t thank you enough, and you’re always welcome to come for lunch at my home, with your mam’s permission, of course.”
    Kerry smiled. “Well, Kate had nothing but good things to say about you. Thank you, Lilly, and you, Gemma.”
    Mr Banerjee helped Gran on with her coat. She didn’t look at Mr Thomas until she had buttoned it up, then she said, “I wish you and this farm well, whatever you choose to do.”
    I was still standing there as they walked out. “I’ll see you in school, Kate.” She glanced up from the picture. I smiled and she nodded.
    I walked outside just as Roger’s car started up with a bang. Gran waved at me and I watched them drive away. The noise from his car faded as I wheeled my bike past the farmhouse. I expected to hear an argument, but I couldn’t hear a thing, as if no one was home. I started cycling and thought about Kate. I felt different about her, even though she was mostly rude to me.
    I was going maximum speed downhill when I remembered Sian and screamed at the wind.

T HIRTEEN
    “So?” Sian was right in my face. “How come you were just standing by while Cowgirl picked on my brother?”
    I wondered why she had it in for Kate. I wanted to be cool and calm, and not feel my legs trembling. Tracy, Karen and Jo were smirking at me over her shoulder, glad that someone else was in deep – I knew that feeling.
    “My gran invited her round, all right?”
    “No, it’s not all right,” she said. “You and Cowgirl mates now, or what?”
    My heart thumped. I knew if I said “yes” Sianwould single me out and I’d be the one on the bus by the window. I’d be the one on my own.
    I felt bad saying, “No.”
     
    I was first out at lunchtime and glad I’d brought my bike. I just wanted to get away. On the way to Gran’s I imagined winning the Tour de France – first woman ever. I went in the backyard, parked my bike and knocked on the back door.
    Gran opened up. “Oh, Gemma.”
    She looked surprised. I went in and noticed she had the table laid with two plates. “Expecting someone?”
    “As a matter of fact I am,” she said, going back into the kitchen.
    I guessed it must be grumpy Roger, but if Gran was getting company, ’specially with Ruby gone, why should I care? She came back from the kitchen with an extra plate.
    “Sorry Gran,” I said, “but I needed to get away from school.”
    “It’s OK. I invited Kate. Something I wanted to ask her.”
    The doorbell went. “That’ll be her.”
    “Kate?”
    “Yes. Let her in, would you?”
    I wondered if I’d missed something.
    “All right?” said Kate as I opened the door.
    “Hello, Kate,” said Gran behind me. “Come into the warm and sit yourself down.”
    I’d gone to Gran’s to get away from school only to find she was expecting Kate without telling me.
    “I’ll get off, Gran,” I said.
    “Oh, nonsense. Sit yourself down.”
    “Not hungry. I was just stopping by on my way home.”
    I went out the back.
    “Gemma?”
    “Got to dash, Gran,” I shouted as I closed the door.
    Standing in the backyard I could feel my eyes go watery. I went to get my bike and gasped.
    It