My Name Is Rose Read Online Free PDF Page A

murderess for all you know.’
    â€˜Now you’re being ridiculous. Does she look like a murderess?’
    â€˜I don’t know what a murderess looks like, and neither do you.’
    Mrs Luca rolled her eyes. ‘She’s only a child. And you would know more about murder than she does,’ she muttered.
    â€˜What was that?’ Mr Luca demanded, but he was interrupted by the loudspeaker.
    â€˜Our flight’s being called,’ Mrs Luca said quickly. She didn’t wait for her husband to reply, but began to push Rose along a wide corridor. ‘I’m dying to show you the house and the garden, and for you to meet Victoria, and the dog, Crumble. He’s such a fun dog. A pedigree Norfolk terrier. Think of it – three hours on a plane and then you’ll be at the beginning of a brand new life.’ She squeezed Rose’s shoulder. ‘We’ll be just fine together, won’t we?’
    She wasn’t expecting a response, and Rose didn’t give one.
    They reached the departure gate and were called to board the plane ahead of the other passengers. Rose felt as if all eyes were on her as she was helped from her wheelchair by two flight attendants, who guided her down a long, cold, metal tunnel. The thought crossed her mind that there might not be an aeroplane at the end and that she might be about to disappear for ever. She was relieved, therefore, when they came to an archway where a smiling woman in a smart uniform greeted her.
    â€˜Welcome on board,’ she said. ‘I’ll be looking after you during your flight.’
    She ushered them to the front of the plane and helped Rose into a seat that Rose thought was more like an armchair. Mrs Luca settled next to her, while her husband sat across the aisle. Rose was surprised at how big the cabin was, and was more convinced than ever that it would be impossible for the plane to leave the ground. Other passengers were filing in and being shepherded to their places. They all seemed perfectly calm to Rose as they chatted and made themselves comfortable, opening up books and magazines, or resting their heads and closing their eyes.
    â€˜Let me do your belt for you,’ said Mrs Luca. She leant over and fitted two straps together round Rose’s waist. Rose immediately wanted to undo them and jump up, but Mrs Luca explained that everyone had to wear a seat belt while the plane took off. ‘Just in case it’s bumpy. We don’t want you falling out, do we?’ She laughed loudly, failing to realise that it was the second time she had made the same joke.
    Rose held on to the arms of her seat and listened intently when one of the cabin crew explained what to do in case of an emergency. It was a lot to take in. She was sure she would forget how to inflate her life jacket, even if she were able to find it under her seat.
    And then the engines roared into life. Rose felt her heart hammering inside her chest as if it were trying to get out. Her stomach lurched with the sudden backward movement of the plane. Why is it going backwards? When Mrs Luca took hold of her hand and squeezed it tightly, Rose didn’t resist.
    The plane swung slowly round and began to move forward. Rose dared herself to look out of the window. They were passing by a line of stationary planes, their noses locked into the building Rose’s plane was leaving behind. In between were wagons piled high with luggage, forklift trucks shifting boxes, and various security vehicles with lights flashing. Now the plane, still moving slowly, was leaving them all behind.
    â€˜We’ll finish taxiing in a minute and then prepare for take-off,’ said Mrs Luca, breaking through Rose’s thoughts.
    Rose could see the runway stretching away into the distance, bordered on either side by grass. Something moved in the grass. It was a rabbit. Rose gasped when she saw it. The rabbit was close to the runway where the plane was heading. Nicu used to