My Name Is Rose by Sally Grindley Read Free Book Online Page A

mirrors, and several brushes and combs were laid out on its ornate top. There was an armchair that looked far too decorative to sit on, and a huge wardrobe and chest of drawers for her to keep her clothes in.
    â€˜We’ll go shopping as soon as you feel strong enough and fill them up for you,’ Mrs Luca suggested. ‘I’m sure you’d like that, wouldn’t you? And Victoria can come with us to help choose. Victoria knows what young people are wearing at the moment. We don’t want you to look out of place, do we?’
    She patted the bed and indicated that Rose should sit down with her. Rose did as she was asked, perching uncomfortably on the edge.
    â€˜We want you to be happy here, Anna,’ Mrs Luca said. ‘We want you to think of us as your family. I know it will be hard for you at first, but I hope that in time . . . We can’t replace your real family, of course, but we’ll do our best to make you feel at home.’ She gazed at Rose. ‘Can you say something, Anna? Can you tell me how you feel?’
    Rose was shocked. The direct question took her aback, plunging her into turmoil. She got up from the bed and stood helplessly in the middle of the room, pushing her fist against her mouth. Mrs Luca came up to her and tried to hug her.
    â€˜I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘That was foolish of me. I won’t ask you again. You don’t have to talk until you’re ready.’
    A noise behind them made them both turn.
    Victoria was hovering in the doorway. She cleared her throat and said, ‘Is it my turn to have some time with you now, Mummy?’ She looked Rose up and down. ‘You’ll be all right on your own for a bit, won’t you?’
    Rose nodded, more than grateful for the suggestion.
    â€˜Of course, darling. I’m coming now,’ Mrs Luca gushed. ‘Why don’t you put your things away and have a rest before dinner, Anna?’
    Rose nodded again and watched them leave. As they did, she heard Victoria say to her mother, ‘She’s not another of your projects, is she, Mummy? She looks like a Gypsy to me.’

Chapter 11
    The one thing that excited Rose about her tour of the Lucas’ estate was the stable yard and horses. She had grown up with horses and had learnt to ride at a very young age, cradled at first between Nicu’s powerful arms, then taking off on her own as soon as she was strong enough to grip with her legs. Philippos was a gentle giant of a horse, who had been with the family since Rose was three and could only manage to call him Peepops.
    One day, Esme told her that ‘Philippos’ meant ‘friend of horses’. Rose thought this was hilarious.
    â€˜He’s a horse!’ she cried. ‘Of course he’s a friend of horses!’
    She loved to ride him bareback across fields, galloping through the high grass, and along empty country lanes, lulled by the clip-clop of his hooves. There was no feeling like the sense of freedom it gave her, and she knew Philippos loved it too. His head bobbed up and down, his ears were alert and he whinnied softly over and over again.
    When he pulled the wagon, he obeyed Nicu’s every instruction, tuning in to the sound of his master’s voice, happy to be tethered to his family’s home. At night, he stood quietly by the side of the wagon, like a sentry on guard, while his family slept.
    Philippos was dead. Rose caught a glimpse of his long white mane as he reared and screamed. She blanked her mind.
    Mr and Mrs Luca owned ten horses! There were hunters and hacks and cobs of all sizes and colours. Rose was instantly drawn to a chestnut cob and walked over to stroke its flank.
    â€˜Do you like to ride?’ Mrs Luca asked her.
    Rose nodded.
    â€˜Then you shall.’ Mrs Luca smiled. ‘But that horse, Snooty, belongs to Victoria, together with Griffin, the grey she’s taken out. What about this one here? He’s called Kosta.