The Impossible Boy Read Online Free PDF Page B

waving her umbrella at Gabby. She was a squat, white-haired creature with a sour little mouth and fierce glasses. The skin sagging from her neck
reminded Gabby of an old tortoise she once owned. ‘You won’t get my purse, you little thug!’
    ‘I’m not a thug,’ objected Gabby, one eye on Chas and trying to keep her voice down. The last thing she needed now was to attract his attention. ‘I’m just a girl.
I’m so sorry. Here, let me help you . . . Yowch!’ The old lady’s umbrella slashed through the air like a sword. Gabby snatched back her stinging hand. ‘Hey! That really
hurt! I was only trying to help you up!’
    ‘Only trying to help yourself to my pension, more like!’ squawked the old lady, struggling to her feet. ‘Help!’ she screeched. ‘Police! I’m being mugged! This
is a hate crime! Old people have rights too, you know!’
    ‘I’m not mugging you!’ hissed Gabby. ‘I swear! Please stop shouting! There’s really nothing to be afraid of.’ She almost put her hand over the old
lady’s mouth but thankfully thought better of it. Instead, she put her arm around her shoulder and guided her gently into the doorway of the shop out of view of the rest of the street.
    ‘Listen to me,’ said Gabby, speaking very slowly and clearly. ‘It was just an accident, that’s all. And you’re OK, aren’t you? You’re not actually hurt
in any way.’
    ‘As a matter of fact,’ said the old lady curtly, ‘I
am
hurt. You’ve broken my leg.’
    ‘Broken your leg?’ hissed Gabby through clenched teeth. ‘You’re standing up! You wouldn’t be doing that if your leg was broken.’ She could feel the anger
rising inside herself like steam in a kettle. Why was she standing here arguing with this potty old woman when she had a mission to carry out?
    ‘Well, it certainly feels broken,’ insisted the old lady, rubbing her leg. ‘Or at the very least badly bruised. Either way I shall be doing my best to ensure that you are put
behind bars for many, many years for the wicked crime you have committed today. And listen to me when I’m telling you off, won’t you? Stop gawping into the distance! What are you
looking for? Your manners?’
    ‘Hmm?’ muttered Gabby absently, as she tried to peer over the old lady’s shoulder. She was pretty sure Chas was still there . . .
    A woman emerged from the shop. She was squat like the old lady, burly, with short hair dyed a very bright shade of red. She eyed Gabby, her face stony. ‘What’s going on ’ere,
Mum?’ she asked the old lady in a gruff voice.
    ‘This young tearaway has just assaulted me and tried to rob me blind! Pin her down while I fetch the police.’
    The woman with the red hair rolled her eyes at Gabby. ‘Sorry, love,’ she said. ‘Mum gets a bit confused sometimes. She doesn’t mean any harm by it, really.’ She
took the old lady by the arm and led her away. ‘Come on, Mum. Let’s go to the OK Café for a cuppa.’
    ‘Ooh, yes,’ cooed the old lady. ‘That would be lovely!’
    Mother and daughter strolled away arm-in-arm, serene. Gabby shook her head slowly. The old lady suddenly looked back at Gabby and thrust a bony little finger in her direction. ‘I’m
watching you,
thug
!’ she rasped. And then they vanished around the corner.
    Gabby leaned against the shop door and breathed a colossal sigh. When her temper had subsided and her breathing returned to its normal rate, she peeped around the doorway once more, expecting to
find Chas had vanished.
    But Chas was still there outside the hi-fi shop, absorbed in his window shopping. After a moment he thrust his hands into his coat pockets and set off up the street. Gabby waited for him to get
a safe distance ahead and stepped out of the doorway.
    The street was dotted with shoppers trudging along, plastic carrier bags dangling from their hands. Dusk was fast approaching. The colours of the town were draining away to a uniform slate grey.
Chas trotted over a zebra