Georgia by Lesley Pearse Read Free Book Online

to ambush her. Flinging her satchel over her shoulder she ran round the corner past the spot of yesterday’s incident and paused, weighing up the area.
    The wide grass verge between the pavement and the road was ideal for a soft landing, the trees good for cover. Her heart was thumping with fright, but she hid her satchel behind one tree, herself behind another, and waited.
    ‘She must have run like the bleedin’ wind.’
    Georgia suppressed a nervous giggle as one of the girls’ surprised voice reached her. She didn’t dare look out until they were right by her.
    ‘Either that or she’s hiding in some gateway till we’ve passed.’ She recognized the coarse voice as Bev’s, the blonde bully. ‘I’ll give her an extra pasting for that, the scheming black bastard,’ she added maliciously.
    Georgia managed a peep from behind the trunk. Three of the girls checked each garden. The girl with the greasy hair hung back slightly, as if her heart wasn’t really in it. The other two were either side of Bev, copying her actions as though they had no minds of their own. One was quite attractive in a sulky, voluptuous way, with dark, long hair. The fourth girl in the group was mousey blonde, smaller than her friends with sharp features and a brace on her teeth.
    Georgia waited until they were less than five feet from her, took a deep breath, screwed up her fists and stepped out in front of them.
    ‘Looking for me?’ she said, balancing on her toes.
    ‘Yes, you little shit,’ Bev was clearly taken by surprise, she blinked furiously, the late afternoon sun in her eyes.
    ‘Planning to hit me again?’ Georgia tried to keep her voice low and seemingly unruffled.
    The four girls looked at one another in surprise.
    ‘That’s fine with me as long as it’s fair,’ Georgia said. ‘One of you against me, the others mustn’t join in.’
    ‘You cheeky little bitch,’ Bev spat at her. ‘Who the hell do you think you are?’
    ‘I don’t think I’m anyone,’ Georgia said stoutly, moving lightly on her toes like a boxer. ‘I know perfectly well who I am. Georgia Anderson.’
    The girl with greasy hair laughed nervously and was already moving back, away from the others.
    In groups of twos and threes, other girls were turning the corner. A buzz of excitement went up, calling for others to hurry and in moments a large circle was forming round them.
    Georgia was afraid now. There was nothing to stop all these girls ganging up on her. She would have to act tough to get their approval.
    ‘Well, which one of you is going to give me the pasting?’ Georgia said, looking directly at each of the ringleaders. This time the dark, attractive girl fell back. Her face growing a little pale.
    Georgia focused her attention on the mousey blonde.
    ‘You is it?’ she said arrogantly, ‘Or do you want to back out too?’
    The girl had a look of panic in her pale eyes. She glanced round at the other two girls, who merely shrugged their shoulders, and fell back with them.
    Bev stood alone now, a slight tic in her cheek as though nervous. She was big and heavy, but she didn’t look quite so confident now she knew she had no backup.
    The crowd was tense, everyone waiting to see if this new kid was really foolish enough to fight.
    ‘Looks like you and me then,’ Georgia smiled charmingly, fixing her big, dark eyes on Bev’s small, mean ones.
    ‘You cocky little cow,’ Bev sprang heavily at her.
    Georgia waited until she was almost upon her then jumped lightly to one side. Bev stubbed her toe on the edging to the grass verge and nearly fell on her face. A roar of approval went up from the crowd and Georgia turned slightly to grin at them.
    Bev recovered quickly and turned to catch Georgia again. Once again Georgia dodged. Bev’s hand came out to grab her hair, but her fingers couldn’t grasp the tight braids. Quick as a flash, Georgia pulled up her knee and jammed it up into Bev’s stomach, kicking out at her shins as she moved