Billy and the Golden Gate Read Online Free PDF Page B

times – without the glasses framing them they are huge, like two pools of mercury.
    Rufus looks at his clothes. He wipes a bit of the mud off but gives up after the slightest effort; mud is just mud.
    Daisy has turned a little bit green herself and taken a step back. She glares at the troll.
    â€œYou nasty evil monster!” she yells.
    The monster looks at Daisy and his lower lip starts to quiver. Daisy scrunches her eyes and watches the monster suspiciously. He breathes in deeply, a loud unhealthy wheeze trundles through his lungs. He sounds a bit like a dodgy accordion or bagpipe. Daisy’s eyes widen in shock; she tilts her head to one side and stares at him. When the monster wheezes a second time, she says, “Is it you? It can’t be.”
    The monster says nothing but continues to wheeze.
    Billy steps forward and looks at the monster.
    â€œExcuse me, sir, we would like to use the ferry you see.” Daisy turns and looks at Billy mouthing, ‘What are you doing?’
    The monster watches Billy.
    â€œMay we? Please?”
    â€œUrr wharr,” the monster replies.
    Billy looks down at his feet and thinks for a moment.
    â€œOr what? Well, I suppose or nothing. We just need to get to the other side, you see, to the forest and then beyond…”
    â€œNoffren,” the monster says, shaking his head. He looks at Daisy.
    Billy tilts his head, again thinking.
    â€œWell the five of us are friends. We could be your friend too?” Billy reaches into his backpack and pulls out the ball of wool. It still smells of wet sheep and wee.
    â€œMr Monster?” Billy pauses, mulling over what to say next. “Erm, that hole, there.” Billy gestures towards one of the unravelled bits of the monster’s tunic. “I have some wool; I’d love for you to take it and put it to good use, if you’d have it? It’s a bit old, see, and a bit smelly.” Billy gently reaches forward and holds out the ball of wool.
    The monster says, “Loff.” His mouth widens, showing gaping and chipped teeth; he is smiling – oddly, but still smiling. Billy returns the smile and it widens into a grin. The monster takes the wool and smells it. His face takes on a look of ecstasy. “Fankoo.”
    Another pause and Billy replies, “You are very very welcome.”
    Daisy looks at the monster and then Billy. She shakes her head and sighs. She walks over to the monster and tugs gently at his tunic to get his attention. The monster peers down at Daisy.
    Daisy thinks for a moment, then says, “Um, sorry about yelling at you.” She pauses, thinks some more. “Is it you?” she finishes quietly.
    The monster narrows his eyes but then his face softens again and he smiles.
    â€œI’m Daisy.”
    The monster leans forward gently touching Daisy’s chin and says, “Daze-eee.” Now his face is beaming.
    â€œIt is, I know it is, oh Horace 7 ; everyone thought I made you up, that you weren’t real. And then you left. I looked everywhere for you. Mum thought I’d gone cuckoo, why did you leave me?”
    Horace shrugs his solid shoulders, breathes and wheezes, “Wazz time, Daze-eee.” He hangs his head.
    Daisy grabs his hand in hers, though really she can only manage to hold on to his thumb. His hands are so big, they make Daisy’s look like those of a china doll.
    â€œKennot liff forever, Daze-eee, kennot.”
    â€œOh Horace, I miss you. Can’t you come with us?”
    Horace shakes his head.
    â€œI mind the liffing ere, Daze-eee.”
    Daisy throws her arms around him, oblivious to the mud and muck and Horace hugs her tenderly.
    â€œBoat readeee, Daze-eee, frens.” Horace nods his head deliberately.
    Daisy stands straight and says, “I will come back, maybe not today, but I will come back, Horace. I promise.” She pauses. “And when I do, I’ll bring chalk. Can we?”
    â€œYuss, harpskotches 8 ,