A Gypsy Secret by D.A. McGrath

Author:D.A. McGrath
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D.A. McGrath
Published: 2018-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Several hours later, Clara’s mum and Peter picked her up from the train station and drove her home. Peter spent the entire – thankfully short – trip telling Clara about how he’d progressed through a dozen levels of his game while she was away, and he’d got loads of cool stuff for his warrior to fight with.

“Really?” asked Clara, distractedly. “That’s cool.” She was looking out of the car window at the familiar surroundings. She loved going to stay with her aunt, but she loved coming home even more.

After unpacking her things, Clara left the house and walked up to the hilltop clearing. As she breasted the hill she was disappointed, but not entirely surprised, to find Luke wasn’t there. What did I think? she thought. That he’d be sitting up here pining for me?

“Tch,” she said walking to the back edge of the clearing. She peeked, nervously, out in the direction of the scrubland. She wasn’t sure if she was more afraid the Gypsies would have moved on, or that they would still be there. She held her breath as she gazed out. Then she let out a whoosh of relief. Happiness bubbled in her stomach as she gazed fondly down on the eight caravans in the clearing and saw several familiar figures moving about the campsite. Okay, so they were still there – she still had the opportunity to speak to him. Clara’s knees gave way in relief and she flopped down onto the grass.

Then she heard a bark behind her. She didn’t have the chance to turn before Bob pounced on her and started licking her frantically. It appeared that he’d missed her and was glad she was back.

“Argh!” said Clara, throwing her arms up in defence as the dog pushed her over on to her back in his enthusiasm. “Bob, stop it.” And she started to splutter with laughter. Bob was a heavy dog and she could hardly breathe with his weight on top of her. She rolled onto her side to make him slip off. Not to be put off, he jumped back to his feet and continued to try and lick her.

Clara took a handful of his scruff in both hands and held him steady. She gazed into his eyes. “Calm down,” she said as sternly as she could while trying not to laugh, then pulled him into a big hug. He did calm down after that, sitting with his body leaning against her, his tail thumping periodically, as he gazed up at her with his soft brown eyes. After a while, he lay down and dozed off. Clara stroked him absentmindedly as she wondered what to do about Luke.

And then, as if her thinking about him had conjured him, he appeared over the brow of the hill.

Clara’s heart leapt. Where had he appeared from? How had he known she was here? Gosh, it was good to see him. He had the same floppy haircut, the same jeans and T-shirt, albeit a bit grubbier than they used to be, with what looked like oil stains on them.

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