Free Darkest Before Dawn by Gwen Kirkwood Page B

upheavals in her young life. I want to give her security and let her know she is loved.’
    ‘I’m sure she knows that already. It is so clear to us that you adore her and she seems to feel the same about you.’
    ‘I’m all the family she has, really.’

    After a lot of consideration, Billy decided travelling on the bus would be one more challenge to overcome. Mounting unfamiliar steps still made him nervous but most of the buses had lower steps these days.
    ‘I could give you a lift to the Academy,’ his mother offered as soon as she realized that was where he wanted to go.
    ‘I don’t know how long I shall be. I’m planning to talk to Mr Fisher and I promised to find out if any of the folks I knew have younger sisters starting at the Academy for when Kimberley Wilshaw goes there after the summer. They will be returning to Scotland soon.’ He sighed. ‘Anyway, Mum, my pin leg is never going to go away or grow into a proper leg. I have to try and be a bit more independent before I go off to university in September.’
    ‘Yes, I suppose so, Billy, but do be careful, dear.’
    ‘I will, don’t worry, Mum.’
    He was surprised that Kimberley’s aunt and his mother seemed to be keeping in touch with regular emails since the Wilshaws returned to Gloucestershire and he knew he couldn’t let them down. He would have been more surprised to know that Ellen Wilshaw and his Uncle Alex had been in contact even more frequently, and not always to do with business either.
    At the Academy, he went first of all to see Mr Fisher, the careers adviser, who had visited him in hospital.
    ‘No, no, sir,’ he laughed, ‘I haven’t come to tell you I’ve changed my mind about my course in spite of your persuasive arguments. I still want to farm and my parents are coming round to the idea.’
    ‘We’re all glad you’re alive, Billy, and I’m pleased to see your old spirit returning. You never did let things beat you.’
    Billy explained about Kimberley moving to the area and Mr Fisher promised to see what he could discover about next year’s intake while Billy went to see some of his old classmates and teachers. He was walking along the corridor towards the exit when a familiar voice called his name.
    ‘Hey, Billy, wait for me, please!’ Fenella Lennox hurried towards him. Billy paused warily, but Fenella was smiling broadly. ‘You don’t know how good it is to see you, Billy. And I’m amazed how fast you’re walking, and how erect you are. Mum will be so pleased when I tell her I’ve seen you.’ The shrill ringing of the bell startled them both. ‘Drat! I’m supposed to be going to English for the last period. Still, I can skip it for once. Even Mrs Taylor will understand when I tell her I wanted to talk to you while I have the chance.’
    ‘The chance?’ Billy repeated coolly, still wary. He was more hurt than he liked to admit that Liam’s sister had never been in contact during all the weeks he had been struggling to learn to walk, then back home, trying to do the jobs he had once done so easily. He frowned. ‘What do you mean the chance to talk to me? I haven’t been for a holiday to the moon.’
    ‘Oh, Billy, I don’t blame you for being bitter when your whole life has been turned upside-down, but I’m amazed at how well you’re managing. I’m reallypleased I’ve run into you here. Even my father can’t prevent me talking to you in school. Shall we go into the prefects room?’
    ‘You said you were going to come to the hospital again? I suppose the sight of a fellow in a wheelchair with a stump of a leg stretched out in front was enough to put you off too,’ he said bitterly. Fenella stared at him.
    ‘Some vet I shall make if something like that puts me off,’ she scoffed. ‘I wanted to visit you, but that day I got a lift with your sister my father had been at the vets and he drove back through the town, instead of along the old by-pass. I don’t think he can bear to go down that road since