Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen by Geri Halliwell-Horner

Author:Geri Halliwell-Horner [Halliwell-Horner, Geri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2023-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The Second Falcon Queen Challenge

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH. MORNING. AT THE GUTTER CLUB.

Rosie swallowed a yawn. What with spying in the night and getting up at the crack of dawn for the Gutter Club, it was going to be an effort to keep her eyes open today. Apparently the task for this morning would be digging up worms and making vermicompost.

“Oh, well done. You’ve cleaned up nicely,” said Ottilie when she arrived and spotted Rosie.

“I know you did it, and yeah, maybe I’m a filthy sponger, but at least I’m not a mean-girl little witch . . .” Rosie said, referring to the cruel meme from yesterday. “What’s wrong with you?” Rosie gritted her teeth.

“That will teach you for dragging me into this. Anyway, it’s more like what is wrong with you? You going to hit me again? Go on, please; then we’ll finally be rid of a sponger. Do us all a favor.” Ottilie smiled and put her face close to Rosie’s.

Rosie trembled. I’m gonna wipe that smug smile off your witch face.

“The white falcon!” called out Ms. Parr.

A shadow passed overhead, causing Rosie to look up. In the sky just above her, a majestic bird swooped and swerved, effortlessly beating its enormous wings. It looked like the same bird she’d seen on her first weekend here—the one she’d imagined was her mother watching over her. Its chest was white, flecked with shining bronze and golden speckles.

“It’s the only one on the whole island, as far as we know. I call her Queen Nike,” Ms. Parr said proudly.

“Nike like the trainers?” asked Charlie. “I didn’t know you were the sporty type, miss.”

“No, not like the trainers, Charlie,” said Ms. Parr. “Nike is the goddess of victory in Greek mythology—the ‘Winged Goddess.’ I thought it sounded apt for such a regal bird. There’s been a white falcon here for as long as anyone can remember, perhaps as far back as the times of the original Falcon Queen, Anne Boleyn.”

Rosie’s ears pricked up.

“Why was she called that?” Rosie asked.

“The nickname originally came from the falcon on her family crest, but she also kept a white falcon as a pet. At this school, the term ‘Falcon Queen’ has come to mean someone courageous and strong, who stands up for what they believe in and stands by their friends. Falcon Queens stand together.”

Like all the women in the Falcon Queen gallery, thought Rosie.

“And what about the lads, then? Don’t we get a mention?” said Charlie.

“Yes, and boys. Everyone stands by this, Falcon Kings too,” Ms. Parr said. “Whoever you are, standing together makes you stronger.

“However, there’s an old saying,” she continued. “ ‘As the falcon flies, Heverbridge thrives.’ As long as there is a falcon here, the queen’s spirit remains strong at Heverbridge. ‘But if the falcon falls, judgment calls,’ which means something bad will happen to Heverbridge. So keep an eye out for our friend Queen Nike—we wouldn’t want anything terrible to happen to her.”

Ms. Parr looked at Ottilie, then Rosie. “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates friends.

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