Davy huddled in the room with his sisters. Mum was dying and there wasn't anything anyone could do to stop it. He felt so helpless watching Beryl, Lynda, and Hazel with tears streaming down their faces. He was too numb to cry. Doris Jones had been sick for as long as young Davy could remember. He knew she was tired and had held on to life much longer than the doctors had ever imagined she could. He just wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. Davy hadn't had the chance to take care of her the way she had always taken care of him and the rest of her family. He had wanted to make enough money to take her away from the wet Manchester climate that had been so detrimental to her health. He longed to be able to show her in ways beyond words how much she meant to him. He wasn't going to get that chance. He jumped when the door opened and his dad appeared.
"She's left us." That's all Harry Jones could say. The family clung to each other in their grief.
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A gentle nudge from Pearl Locker's wet nose brought Davy back to the present. He was in Chip's barn, sitting in a clean, sweet pile of straw. His thoroughbred was watered, fed, and rested. Davy realized the anger was gone. Now all that was left was this overwhelming sadness. He didn't know which feeling he hated worse. The rage was frightening but somehow more comfortable than this melancholy that replaced it. Mum. Cherrie. A wave broke over Davy and he began to sob. He rolled over in the straw and buried his head in his arms. Pearl Locker, sensing his master's distress, stood by and whinnied softly. Man and beast both mourned.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
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