Nell Read Online Free PDF Page B

wastin’ y’r time with the likes o’ her?”
    Frankie made his way through the tables. “I’m not wastin’ time, Sean. Jilly’s a wee lass who loves animals, that’s all.”
    â€œY’ knocked Tommy int’ the dirt.”
    â€œTommy’s a wanker. Jilly’s nothin’ to me.”
    Sean released his breath. “I hope so, Frankie. She’s not only a baby, she’s a Prod. Don’t be forgettin’ that.”
    Frankie handed Jilly her drink and slid into the chair beside her. “I’m not forgettin’ a thing, Sean. Don’t be worryin’ about me. Y’ know where my mind is.”
    Jilly sipped her drink and spoke up. “Frankie’s going to be a veterinarian when he grows up, and I am, too. I’m going to help him.”
    Frankie’s cheeks reddened. Deliberately, he avoided the astonished stares of his friends. “Now, don’t be goin’ around sayin’ that, Jilly.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBbb-bbb”—he struggled for the words—“bbb-bbbe—” He gave up, exasperated. Whenever he most needed them, the words failed him. “You don’t understand,” he managed at last. “Things can change.”
    Jilly understood all too well. Frankie Maguire was ashamed of her. She stared into her drink, stirring the liquid with her straw, wishing she were home.
    Frankie saw her lip tremble and hated himself. She was just a wee lass, and he’d hurt her feelings. But he couldn’t have the lads thinking there was anything more to his relationship with Jilly than a trip into town. A rumor like that would cause no end of trouble. Sucking down the last of his squash, he stood up. “Come on, Jilly.”
    They were nearly home before Frankie remembered the chemist. He was too preoccupied with his own ineptness and her lack of conversation to remember what they’d gone into the village for in the first place. Cursing softly, he pushed back on the pedals to stop the bike. Unprepared for the sudden braking, Jilly tumbled from the handlebars and hit the ground, hard.
    Frankie whitened and dropped the bike to kneel beside her in the grass. “Lord, Jilly, I’m sorry. Are y’ hurt, lass?”
    She shook her head and turned away, hoping he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. But Frankie wouldn’t be dissuaded. Taking her chin in his hand, he gently turned her head. “You are hurt.” His gray eyes filled with remorse. “I’m an idiot. I forgot the chemist, that’s why. Can y’ walk, Jilly?”
    Nodding, she stood and limped over to the bike. Frankie groaned. Jilly’s silence was worse than a thousand humiliations. “I’m sorry, lass.”
    â€œIt was an accident,” she said woodenly.
    â€œI’m sorry for what I said at the pub.”
    She turned and looked at him steadily, a small, wraithlike figure with too-long legs and a curtain of silky, brown-gold hair.
    â€œI was afraid they’d make somethin’ out of it that wasn’t.”
    Her forehead puckered. “What do you mean?”
    Frankie sighed. She wasn’t making this easy for him. “Y’re not old enough t’ understand this, Jilly, but sometimes people my age are more than just friendly with girls. I didn’t want anyone to think that about us. Y’re too young, and even if y’ weren’t, it isn’t possible.” He paused. The puzzled look hadn’t left her face. “Do y’ understand what I’m sayin’, lass?”
    She didn’t. But Nell would. Nell was smarter and older. “Don’t you want to be a veterinarian with me?” she ventured.
    His shoulders slumped. She was too innocent for words, and he was disgusted with himself. Jilly was only eleven years old. Of course she wouldn’t know what he was hinting at. “Never mind. Let’s get y’ home and ice that ankle. Maybe