My Name Is Rose Read Online Free PDF

shoot rabbits and Esme used to make the most delicious stews with them. But this rabbit lived in the most dangerous place Rose could think of, and she wanted it to survive more than anything else. She willed it to stay in the grass as the plane drew closer then stopped, like a huge monster casually eyeing up its prey, waiting to pounce.
    The plane’s engines accelerated, the noise becoming almost unbearable. Rose watched the rabbit tear away through the grass. If only I could do the same , she thought. Mrs Luca gripped her arm. She tried to free herself, but the grip became tighter. She fixed her gaze back on the window. The plane began to rumble along the runway, faster and faster, shaking furiously, until with one scarcely noticeable movement it left the ground and Rose could see the airport buildings below and small clouds scudding by.
    â€˜I hate that bit,’ said Mrs Luca.
    â€˜I hate you,’ Rose mouthed, unseen.

Chapter 8
    Somehow, Rose slept through most of the flight. She had been surprised by how smooth it was. Once they were up in the air, it didn’t seem as if they were moving at all and she had begun to relax a little. It was bumpier in their wagon when they were on the road, especially if one of the wheels hit a pothole, which happened quite often.
    Mrs Luca sprang to life as soon as the plane straightened up and the seat belt signs had gone off. She tried to placate her husband, who complained over and over that it was impossible to get comfortable. He demanded to be given a drink the minute the cabin crew became active after take-off, and grumbled about the meal that was served. When he dropped off to sleep, Mrs Luca turned her attention back to Rose, leaning across her to point out mountains and marvel at the clouds, and chattering continuously about countries they had visited, their home in England and what they would do when they arrived. The more Rose failed to respond, the more she talked, as though desperate to fill the void. Rose closed her eyes in the hope that she would leave her in peace, and found herself drifting off, unable to resist the gentle drone and the almost imperceptible, soothing motion of the plane.
    When she woke up, it was to discover that the flight was almost over.
    â€˜You had a good sleep,’ said Mrs Luca. ‘It’s only twenty minutes now till we land.’
    Rose scowled and stared out of the window. She was astonished at how many houses she could see below, row upon row of them, and a maze of roads with cars beetling along. So many cars! In the distance there were fields – green, manicured fields with sheep and cows dotted about. She followed the meandering trail of a river, and remembered how she used to go paddling with Rani whenever Nicu stopped the wagon by a waterway. Nicu loved to fish and would settle down on the bank some distance away from them, so that their shrieks of laughter and the maelstrom they created when they played wouldn’t disturb his musing, or ruin his chance of catching their supper. Once, Rose recalled, Rani had filled a bowl with water, crept along the riverbank and tipped it over Nicu’s head. Rose had laughed until her sides ached at the look of shock on her father’s face.
    She wondered what Victoria would be like. I bet she won’t be fun like Rani. I bet she won’t want to play with me.
    A sudden juddering bump and a deafening whoosh of engine noise blew Rose’s memories to pieces. She tried to get out of her seat, but was held back by the belt. She was certain the plane was going to explode, that she was going to die. Why is everyone just sitting there? Why don’t they do something?
    She turned to her guardian just as the noise cut out and the plane slowed right down, taxiing to a halt.
    Mrs Luca opened her eyes and clapped her hands. ‘That was a good landing, wasn’t it?’ she said.
    Rose hardly dared look out of the window again, so afraid was she of the unfamiliar