The Blue Horse by Marita Conlon-Mckenna Read Free Book Online

they were born.
    ‘What about any extra income coming in?’
    Mam shook her head.
    ‘Any savings, bank account, building societies?’
    ‘Just a bit in a box, but it’s gone now.’ A sob escaped from Mam’s throat. She sounded like she was going to break down crying.
    ‘Take it easy, Mrs Connors – Kathleen – I’m here to help you. That’s my job. Will you get another trailer or caravan?’ Miss O’Gorman sounded calm and concerned.
    ‘We haven’t the money for one.’
    ‘Would you think of settling?’
    ‘We’re travellers born and bred, it’s our whole life,’ Mam announced stubbornly. ‘It would be very hard for us to settle.’
    A heavy silence filled the air. Katie sat rigid with curiosity. She put her hands lightly over Davey’s mouth to stop him gabbling so that she could hear.
    ‘But you might have to settle, Kathleen.’ The social worker said the words softly.
    ‘How could we settle?’ Mam whispered.
    ‘It’s very difficult to keep travelling forever and it’s a hard and lonely road. Think of your children, their education, the chance of a job. Autumn and winter will soon be here. A roof over your heads is vital. I’m offering you a house for your family, Kathleen.’
    ‘There’s more to life than school and houses,’ Mam protested.
    Katie listened as the argument went back and forth. Her mother was wearing down. She had sent Hannah off to find Da and bring him here.
    ‘Kathleen, it’s a nice house, and other travellers have settled in the estate. It’s near a school and shops, but I’ll have to have a decision very soon. You’ve gone to the top of the list because of the emergency of your situation, having no home, but I can’t hold this house forever for you, no more than a day or two.’
    Katie watched as her father strode towards the trailer. He almost fell over her in his rush to get inside where he sat down beside Mam. His large hands ruffled his hair – he always did that when he was nervous.
    ‘Ah Mr Connors, it’s nice to meet you.’ Miss O’Gorman held out her hand to greet him.
    In a low voice Mam began to tell him of their conversation and about the offer. Miss O’Gorman butted in, telling him about the estate and one by one listing all the advantages of settling.
    ‘I’m a travelling man.’
    ‘Oh I know that, Mr Connors,’ Miss O’Gorman agreed, ‘but you’re also a man with a wife and family, a husband and a father,’ she added firmly.
    ‘I’m a travelling man. I’ll not live in any house! If you government people want to help, give us a new caravan, that’s all the help we need. We’ll get back on our feet then and back on the road.’
    ‘My department gives people homes not caravans, Mr Connors.’ Miss O’Gorman pleaded her case as best she could.
    Then suddenly, when Katie least expected it, Mam’s voice: ‘I’ve done with it, done with travelling, I want a proper roof over my head and four solid walls. The children to be safe and get a bit of an education. It’s time to stop, Ned!’
    Her father was stunned, then furious. ‘No woman or children will tie me down. I’ll not live in a house like settled people!’
    ‘Well, I’m fed up with being different. I just want to be like the rest of them, I’ve had enough of it all. Miss O’Gorman, fill in those forms please and like a good girl do your best to get us a place in that housing estate.’
    Ned Connors jumped to his feet and stormed out the door. Katie had never seen him in such a temper or so tense and angry. He went off and stood at the edge of the field, his back to them all. Katie looked at his broad, straight shoulders. He was a strong man, well respected and liked by allthe travellers. She longed to run and fling her arms around him and say, Da, I love you, but her instincts told her this was a time he needed to be left alone. For all his kindness he was as stubborn as an old donkey and often there was no getting around him.
    Mam and the social worker chatted away and