Free Cowgirl by G. R. Gemin

stomachs,” said Darren. “Four!”
    Mam grunted.
    “Jane ate tons and tons of grass.”
    “It’s a cow, Darren,” Mam said. “It’s not Jane, it’s a cow.”
    “People call their pets names, Mam, don’t they?”
    “It’s not a pet, though, is it? It’s a cow, for God’s sake! What you two don’t get is that it’s difficult enoughfor me to make ends meet without my eighty-yearold mam looking after a cow!”
    “She’s got loads of help,” said Darren. “Me and Jamie are helping too.”
    “If you want to help you could tidy your room, do your own washing and get dinner underway, yeah? Charity begins at home. Ever heard of that?”
    “No. What’s it mean?”
    I couldn’t help smile.
    “It’s not funny, Gemma!”
    “Mam, it’s not forever,” I said. “She’s happy being so busy, and she was so sad when Ruby died.”
    “I never would have thought I’d say it but I wish that dog was still alive.”
    “I don’t,” said Darren and me at the same time.
    “You two been sponsored to disagree with me or something? And are you going to eat that pork chop?” she asked me.
    “No, Mam. I’m veggie now. It’ll save you money, won’t it? Whatever vegetables you cook I’ll eat.”
    Mam shook her head.
    “Hey!” said Darren. “We can tell Dad about Jane tomorrow!”
    It was a bank holiday and I’d forgotten about visiting Dad.
    “I’m sure he’ll be fascinated,” said Mam. Shesighed. “I don’t know, a useless bloke in prison and a mam with a cow in her backyard –’ appy days.”
    Later, when I was in my room, I tried the flute for the first time. But all I could get out of it was a stupid hooting noise.
    “
Gemma!”
Mam shouted.
“What the hell’s that noise?”
    “Nothing!” I yelled back.
    I looked at the lovely silver tube and said to myself, “It’s just a flute I’ll never be able to play.”

T WENTY T HREE
    We sat facing Dad at a table among the other prisoners with visitors. I never felt comfortable being there. All the prisoners met their visitors in the same room. I hated that – sometimes you’d see people crying or having an argument, and it was tense all the time.
    Dad was looking fit and well, though his hair was in a ponytail which was well embarrassing.
    “Should see her,” said Darren. “Massive, she is.”
    “What’s this?” Dad asked.
    “What he says – a cow at my mam’s.”
    “Joke, is it?”
    “No.”
    “Looking well, Claire,” he said to Mam.
    “Well, it’s all the sun I’m getting, and restaurant food.”
    Mam’s sark bounced off him. “In the gym all the time now,” he said, “and I’m up to a hundred press-ups.”
    It irritated me that he didn’t ask about the cow – it’s not like you hear someone’s got a cow in their backyard every day.
    “She makes cheese and butter too,” said Darren.
    “Who does?”
    “Gran, with the milk from Jane.”
    “Who’s Jane?”
    “The cow,” I said. “All the neighbours are helping out, even Morris.”
    Dad nodded, but I could tell he wasn’t interested. “Hundred sit-ups too – rock hard, my stomach,” he said as he slapped his belly. “You’ll be well impressed, Claire. New man for you when I’m out.”
    “Can’t wait. What’s his bank balance like?”
    “Course I need loads of protein. So when I’m out I’ll be eating this cow.”
    He laughed, but me and Darren didn’t.
    “Your daughter’s a veggie now,” said Mam.
    “What? Won’t last long.”
    “I am, Dad. Don’t want to eat animals any more.”
    I felt proud, like I was announcing it to everyone.
    “You will if you’re hungry enough.”
    “No, I won’t.”
    He was beginning to annoy me.
    “I’ll bet you a tenner you’ll eat a burger by the time I get out.”
    “Robbie,” said Mam. “Betting got you into enough trouble without you betting with your own daughter.”
    “I’m only saying, love. I’m on your side.”
    “There’s no sides, Rob. When you get out you’ll be back in the real world, and