My Name Is Rose Page 3

  Rose had no idea what she meant but gave a brief nod. She felt sorry momentarily for this woman with her bad-tempered husband.

  They said goodbye to Petr and made their way to have their papers and baggage checked. Mrs Luca placed her hand on the back of Rose’s head and tried to look relaxed, while Mr Luca wiped sweat from his forehead and demanded that the attendant let them through speedily because his daughter needed the toilet. They both seemed relieved when their papers were handed back to them and the check-in attendant wished them a good flight.

  Mrs Luca wheeled Rose to a window so that she could watch the planes taking off and landing. Rose had always wondered how a machine so big and heavy could stay up in the air. The thought of being inside one absolutely terrified her. At the same time, she was fascinated to know what the world would look like from high above, to know what it would be like to fly through the clouds. She started as a huge plane decorated with the flag of her country left the runway. For a brief moment, it felt as though her country was abandoning her. She raised her hand as if to pull it back, but dropped it again quickly.

  ‘Not long now, Anna,’ said Mrs Luca. ‘I expect this will be the most exciting thing you’ve ever done. I know it was when I first flew. Of course, we fly all the time now.’

  ‘The hanging about never gets any better,’ grumbled Mr Luca.

  ‘At least we can be grateful that our flight’s on time,’ replied Mrs Luca. ‘The worst thing is when it’s delayed for hours.’

  The knot of anxiety in Rose’s stomach began to tighten. Was it too late to resist what was happening? Could she try again to find a voice to tell people that she was being taken away against her will?

  ‘This leg’s giving me agony again,’ Mr Luca moaned. ‘It’s going to be a nightmare on the plane.’

  ‘No worse than it will be for Anna,’ said his wife, without looking at him.

  ‘Don’t make such crass comparisons, Daphne. She’s young, she can adapt. If you keep fussing over her she’ll wind up as spoilt as Victoria.’

  ‘I’m not fussing, George. Can’t you see the poor thing is anxious? And so would you be if you hadn’t flown before.’

  ‘You don’t know that she hasn’t flown before. You don’t know anything about her. She could be a murderess for all you know.’

  ‘Now you’re being ridiculous. Does she look like a murderess?’

  ‘I don’t know what a murderess looks like, and neither do you.’

  Mrs Luca rolled her eyes. ‘She’s only a child. And you would know more about murder than she does,’ she muttered.

  ‘What was that?’ Mr Luca demanded, but he was interrupted by the loudspeaker.

  ‘Our flight’s being called,’ Mrs Luca said quickly. She didn’t wait for her husband to reply, but began to push Rose along a wide corridor. ‘I’m dying to show you the house and the garden, and for you to meet Victoria, and the dog, Crumble. He’s such a fun dog. A pedigree Norfolk terrier. Think of it – three hours on a plane and then you’ll be at the beginning of a brand new life.’ She squeezed Rose’s shoulder. ‘We’ll be just fine together, won’t we?’

  She wasn’t expecting a response, and Rose didn’t give one.

  They reached the departure gate and were called to board the plane ahead of the other passengers. Rose felt as if all eyes were on her as she was helped from her wheelchair by two flight attendants, who guided her down a long, cold, metal tunnel. The thought crossed her mind that there might not be an aeroplane at the end and that she might be about to disappear for ever. She was relieved, therefore, when they came to an archway where a smiling woman in a smart uniform greeted her.

  ‘Welcome on board,’ she said. ‘I’ll be looking after you during your flight.’

  She ushered them to the front of the plane and helped Rose into a seat that Rose thought was more like an armchair. Mrs Luca settled next to her, while her husband sat across the aisle. Rose was surprised at how big the cabin was, and was more convinced than ever that it would be impossible for the plane to leave the ground. Other passengers were filing in and being shepherded to their places. They all seemed perfectly calm to Rose as they chatted and made themselves comfortable, opening up books and magazines, or resting their heads and closing their eyes.

  ‘Let me do your belt for you,’ said Mrs Luca. She leant over and fitted two straps together round Rose’s waist. Rose immediately wanted to undo them and jump up, but Mrs Luca explained that everyone had to wear a seat belt while the plane took off. ‘Just in case it’s bumpy. We don’t want you falling out, do we?’ She laughed loudly, failing to realise that it was the second time she had made the same joke.

  Rose held on to the arms of her seat and listened intently when one of the cabin crew explained what to do in case of an emergency. It was a lot to take in. She was sure she would forget how to inflate her life jacket, even if she were able to find it under her seat.

  And then the engines roared into life. Rose felt her heart hammering inside her chest as if it were trying to get out. Her stomach lurched with the sudden backward movement of the plane. Why is it going backwards? When Mrs Luca took hold of her hand and squeezed it tightly, Rose didn’t resist.

  The plane swung slowly round and began to move forward. Rose dared herself to look out of the window. They were passing by a line of stationary planes, their noses locked into the building Rose’s plane was leaving behind. In between were wagons piled high with luggage, forklift trucks shifting boxes, and various security vehicles with lights flashing. Now the plane, still moving slowly, was leaving them all behind.

  ‘We’ll finish taxiing in a minute and then prepare for take-off,’ said Mrs Luca, breaking through Rose’s thoughts.

  Rose could see the runway stretching away into the distance, bordered on either side by grass. Something moved in the grass. It was a rabbit. Rose gasped when she saw it. The rabbit was close to the runway where the plane was heading. Nicu used to shoot rabbits and Esme used to make the most delicious stews with them. But this rabbit lived in the most dangerous place Rose could think of, and she wanted it to survive more than anything else. She willed it to stay in the grass as the plane drew closer then stopped, like a huge monster casually eyeing up its prey, waiting to pounce.

  The plane’s engines accelerated, the noise becoming almost unbearable. Rose watched the rabbit tear away through the grass. If only I could do the same, she thought. Mrs Luca gripped her arm. She tried to free herself, but the grip became tighter. She fixed her gaze back on the window. The plane began to rumble along the runway, faster and faster, shaking furiously, until with one scarcely noticeable movement it left the ground and Rose could see the airport buildings below and small clouds scudding by.

  ‘I hate that bit,’ said Mrs Luca.

  ‘I hate you,’ Rose mouthed, unseen.

  Chapter 8

  Somehow, Rose slept through most of the flight. She had been surprised by how smooth it was. Once they were up in the air, it didn’t seem as if they were moving at all and she had begun to relax a little. It was bumpier in their wagon when they were on the road, especially if one of the wheels hit a pothole, which happened quite often.

  Mrs Luca sprang to life as soon as the plane straightened up and the seat belt signs had gone off. She tried to placate her husband, who complained over and over that it was impossible to get comfortable. He demanded to be given a drink the minute the cabin crew became active after take-off, and grumbled about the meal that was served. When he dropped off to sleep, Mrs Luca turned her attention back to Rose, leaning across her to point out mountains and marvel at the clouds, and chattering continuously about countries they had visited, their home in England and what they would do when they arrived. The more Rose failed to respond, the more she talked, as though desperate to fill the void. Rose closed her eyes in the hope that she would leave her in peace, and found herself drifting off, unable to resist the gentle drone and the almost imperceptible, soothing motion of the plane.

  When she woke up,
it was to discover that the flight was almost over.

  ‘You had a good sleep,’ said Mrs Luca. ‘It’s only twenty minutes now till we land.’

  Rose scowled and stared out of the window. She was astonished at how many houses she could see below, row upon row of them, and a maze of roads with cars beetling along. So many cars! In the distance there were fields – green, manicured fields with sheep and cows dotted about. She followed the meandering trail of a river, and remembered how she used to go paddling with Rani whenever Nicu stopped the wagon by a waterway. Nicu loved to fish and would settle down on the bank some distance away from them, so that their shrieks of laughter and the maelstrom they created when they played wouldn’t disturb his musing, or ruin his chance of catching their supper. Once, Rose recalled, Rani had filled a bowl with water, crept along the riverbank and tipped it over Nicu’s head. Rose had laughed until her sides ached at the look of shock on her father’s face.

  She wondered what Victoria would be like. I bet she won’t be fun like Rani. I bet she won’t want to play with me.

  A sudden juddering bump and a deafening whoosh of engine noise blew Rose’s memories to pieces. She tried to get out of her seat, but was held back by the belt. She was certain the plane was going to explode, that she was going to die. Why is everyone just sitting there? Why don’t they do something?

  She turned to her guardian just as the noise cut out and the plane slowed right down, taxiing to a halt.

  Mrs Luca opened her eyes and clapped her hands. ‘That was a good landing, wasn’t it?’ she said.

  Rose hardly dared look out of the window again, so afraid was she of the unfamiliar things she might be confronted with. When she did, she saw the runway and alongside it a wide stretch of grass. It was so like the runway she had left behind, she half expected to see the rabbit. She gazed long and hard, willing it to appear, but it didn’t.

  ‘Let me help you take your belt off, Anna,’ said Mrs Luca, leaning across and fiddling with it.

  Rose pushed her hands away yet again and opened the catch herself.

  ‘I’m glad to see you’re being independent.’ Mrs Luca said graciously. ‘We’ll soon have you fit and well, then you’ll be able to do everything for yourself. I know how tedious it is having to rely on everyone else to do things for you.’

  As they made their way off the plane, Mrs Luca turned to her again. ‘Welcome to England, Anna,’ she said.

  This is it, then. Rose grimaced. Nobody even knows I exist any more.

  Chapter 9

  Rose couldn’t believe her eyes when the chauffeur-driven car they had hired drew up in front of a pair of high wooden gates, which opened as if by magic to let them through. On the other side, a long, yellow gravel drive – seemingly almost as long as the airport runway – stretched ahead of them, ending in a circular sweep around a fountain shaped like a whale, its open mouth gushing out water. The house at the top of the drive was so big that Rose thought it must be a hotel.

  ‘At last,’ said Mrs Luca. ‘Welcome to your new home, Anna. I can’t wait to show you around.’

  ‘Never mind that,’ said her husband. ‘Let’s just get inside and have Marina run a bath for me. This leg’s killing me.’

  ‘Think how much worse it would be if we weren’t able to travel first class,’ observed Mrs Luca.

  ‘What do I care how much worse it might have been?’ growled Mr Luca.

  ‘Anna’s not making a fuss and I’m sure she couldn’t have been comfortable,’ Mrs Luca continued.

  ‘I wish you’d stop these pointless comparisons,’ Mr Luca snapped at her. ‘She’s a child. It’s easier for her.’

  He pushed open the door of the car and ordered the driver to help him out. At the same time, the door of the house opened. A young woman in a grey uniform appeared.

  ‘Ah, Marina,’ Mrs Luca called. ‘Come and give Anna a hand, will you?’

  Marina hurried down the steps and came towards them.

  ‘Welcome back, sir, ma’am,’ she said. ‘We’ve missed you.’

  ‘It’s good to be back,’ said Mrs Luca. ‘And this is Anna, the young girl I told you about. Help her into the house, would you?’

  Marina smiled at Rose. ‘Take my arm, miss,’ she said. ‘I can take your weight.’

  Rose shook her head. I can stand on my own two feet. I’ve had enough of being treated like an invalid.

  ‘Don’t be stubborn, Anna, please.’ Mrs Luca intervened.

  Just at that moment, though, a tall, fair-haired girl, several years older than Rose, ran from the house and towards the car.

  ‘Daddy! Mummy!’ she cried. ‘You’re back! I’ve been so worried about you.’ She threw herself into her father’s arms. ‘Poor Daddy,’ she said. ‘How’s your poor leggy?’

  ‘It’s been a nightmare, darling. A double break and muscle damage, according to the medics, but I’m sure it’ll mend more quickly now I’m here.’

  ‘I hope they’ve thrown the other driver in prison,’ said the girl. ‘And how are you, Mummy?’

  ‘I’m fine, darling. A few bumps and bruises, but nothing serious. Now, let me introduce you to Anna. Anna, this is our daughter, Victoria.’

  The girl stared hard at Rose, then shrugged. ‘I still don’t know why you had to bring her here,’ she muttered.

  She turned her back and continued in a language that Rose didn’t understand, her voice tight and harsh. Mrs Luca responded in the same language, her tone light and placatory. She attempted to take her daughter’s arm, but the girl pulled away and slipped her arm through her father’s instead. The two of them walked towards the house, sending the woman in grey ahead of them to make a pot of tea, leaving Mrs Luca to shepherd Rose while the chauffeur brought their luggage.

  ‘My daughter’s a little overwrought,’ Mrs Luca explained to Rose. ‘The poor child has had to cope without us for three months and she’s very emotional.’

  Rose watched the girl as she walked ahead of them and took an instant dislike to her. She had an arrogance, a self-assurance that showed itself in the swaying of her hips and the tossing of her hair. She was slim, her long limbs bare and brown. She was wearing a lacy white blouse and a pair of pink shorts pulled in at the waist by a silver belt. Nicu would have told her to cover herself up, that she was exposing too much flesh. Once or twice, she peered round at Rose with a look of sheer disdain, before pulling her father closer to her in a statement of possession.

  Rose was used to such looks. She was a Roma, after all. They had long since ceased to bother her. Esme and Nicu had taught her to expect far more than disdain from the gadje, or non-Roma.

  ‘Simmering hatred is what we get from a lot of people. We might just as well be vermin the way they feel about us,’ Nicu used to say. ‘They don’t know anything about who we are individually, they just judge us as a group.’

  ‘Some of our kind deserve their bad reputation,’ Esme would occasionally respond to Nicu’s rantings. ‘There are rotten apples in every basket and they spoil it for the rest of us.’

  ‘There are plenty of rotten apples among the gadje. We don’t judge all of them by that.’

  The truth was that they kept away from the gadje as much as possible.

  ‘We’ve been shoved from place to place, from country to country, ever since time began,’ Nicu often told his family. ‘We’re outsiders. We don’t fit in because we don’t lead our lives the way the gadje think we should. As if there’s only one way.’

  Rose felt a shock of unease as she approached the front door of the Lucas’ home. She was entering enemy territory. It had been bad enough sitting with them on the plane and in the car. Now she was going to live with them. Her family would have been horrified. She hesitated on the doorstep as Mrs Luca took her elbow and ushered her in, and wondered whether anyone would chase after her if she tried to run away.

  ‘Don’t be shy, Anna. You’re with friends here. You’ll soon feel at home and then I’m sure you’ll find your voice again. I can’t wait for that
moment. We’ll have to have a celebration when it happens.’

  Mrs Luca pushed her forward into a huge hallway, where a wide central staircase ascended from a marble floor and was flanked on either side above by a galleried landing. There were so many doors leading off the hallway and the landing that Rose wondered where they could possibly all lead and how many people lived behind them. It was like something from a film she had once seen on Uncle Aleksandar’s television and she half expected all the doors to open at once and a chorus of dancers and singers to appear.

  From behind one of the doors on the left she heard the jingle of cutlery, and from close by she heard the voices of Mr Luca and his daughter, followed by peals of laughter. Mrs Luca headed in that direction.

  ‘Come, Anna. We’ll have a well-earned cup of tea, then I’ll show you around.’

  The laughter stopped the minute they crossed the threshold of a large room dominated by a huge open fireplace, whose dark wood surround was ornately decorated with spirals and twists. Mr Luca was sitting in a high-backed leather chair, his daughter perched on one arm with her hand in his.

  ‘Here we are,’ said Mrs Luca, smiling happily and striding towards a leather sofa covered with an animal hide. ‘Why don’t you sit next to me over here?’

  Rose heard the words and thought they were aimed at her. As she sat down, she realised that Mrs Luca had in fact been looking at Victoria when she said them. However, Victoria made no attempt to change places and her mother quickly concealed her disappointment by pretending that she had meant Rose all along.

  An awkward silence descended. It was broken when Mr Luca tutted loudly and tapped on his watch.

  ‘Shall I go and hurry her up, Daddy?’ Victoria asked.

  ‘I’m sure she’s doing her best,’ said Mrs Luca. ‘How have you been coping without us, darling? How’s your schoolwork?’

  ‘Boring, boring, boring,’ said Victoria. ‘What’s the point of learning Latin when nobody speaks it any more?’

  ‘There’s plenty of point and we’ve been through this before. Latin is the root of many other languages and many everyday words derive from it,’ Mrs Luca replied.