The Girl in the City Read Online Free PDF Page A

veins. The policemen were right there, just a few feet away. They hadn’t spotted her yet, but even if the man didn’t call out to them, it wouldn’t be long before they looked in her direction. She twisted in the man’s grip.
    “It’s okay, little one,” said the man. “I’m not going to hurt you or turn you over to Transport.” He knelt down in front of her. The movement put him back within range of her feet, and she kicked at him again, catching him on the side of the leg. He frowned at her, but his eyes were filled with amusement. “My name is Isaac.”
    Leah ignored him.
    Isaac raised his eyebrows. “It would be polite to tell me your name, now that you know mine.”
    Leah looked away, focusing on the dusty ground at her feet.
    “I don’t want to have to call you ‘little one’ forever, little one.”
    Leah raised her eyes.
    “Please?” he asked.
    “Leah.”
    The man smiled, and it made his eyes sparkle. They reminded Leah of her father’s, although his were blue, not emerald green like Isaac’s.
    “Well, Leah, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
    “Okay,” said Leah.
    The corner of Isaac’s mouth turned up a little more, and he snorted. He let go of one of Leah’s wrists and took hold of the bag. “I think that food belongs to me.”
    Leah stared at him, her eyes cold, but she let him slip the bag off her shoulder. Maybe if she gave him the food back, he’d let her go.
    “That is quite a feast you’ve got there. Do your parents know you’re out here stealing food?”
    “My mum’s dead.”
    Sorrow filled Isaac’s eyes. “I am sorry to hear that. What about your father? Does he know?”
    Leah shook her head.
    “He would not approve, I take it?”
    That was an understatement. Leah shook her head again.
    Isaac lifted the bag to his face and took a deep sniff. He let out a sigh. “My wife baked that bread, I would recognize her recipe anywhere. Lord, that smells good, doesn’t it?”
    Leah nodded, and her stomach growled in agreement. Isaac smiled again. Leah looked over his shoulder and gasped. One of the policemen had seen them and was walking across the square, an inquisitive frown on his face. Isaac saw Leah’s reaction and turned. When he saw the policeman, he moved his hand so that it was wrapped around hers, and stood up.
    “Good afternoon, Officer,” said Isaac.
    The policeman didn’t bother with any pleasantries. “What’s going on here?”
    Leah took a deep breath and prepared to run as soon as she got the chance. Isaac must have noticed because he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
    “Just having a conversation with a friend, Officer.”
    The policeman frowned. “A friend?”
    “Yes,” said Isaac. “A friend.”
    The policeman looked at Leah. His eyes narrowed. She could see the suspicion on his face, and she tried to look casual, innocent. She didn’t recognize him, and thankfully, he didn’t seem to know her, either. If he’d been one of the many policemen she’d encountered during her adventures around the City, things might have gone badly. But after looking her up and down a couple of times, he returned his attention to Isaac and nodded towards Leah’s bag. “What’s in there?”
    “Lunch,” said Isaac. “Fresh bread and some smoked ham. My wife baked the bread. Would you like some?”
    The policeman hesitated but shook his head. He looked at the handcart, and Leah was sure he’d notice the gaps where she’d pulled out the loaves. She was about to make a break for it when one of the other policemen called from across the square. All the wagons had been unloaded, and the Amish were almost ready to leave. The policemen were heading towards the gate to let them out.
    The policeman took one last look at Isaac, a glimmer of contempt in his eyes, then turned and strode across the square towards his associates. Leah breathed a sigh of relief. It was a few seconds before she realized Isaac was still holding her hand. She yanked it free and backed away from