Vulture's Gate by Kirsty Murray

you want to go to Vulture’s Gate and find your dads but I’ve got another proposal for you. I’ve been thinking about it a lot these past few days and I want you to seriously consider what I’m about to offer.’
    Callum stared at Mollie warily.
    â€˜So, what I was thinking, boy, is, if you give me a chance, I could be a father to you. Teach you ’bout permaculture. How to make this place work, how to take care of yourself and Bo.’ For a moment, Callum softened towards the old man. ‘Thanks, Mollie. But I’ve already got a father. Two fathers. I don’t need another one.’
    â€˜You’re not listening to me. I can offer you a safe home. Not something you’ll find in Vulture’s Gate. You can’t take that girl there. She needs looking after.’
    â€˜Mollie, I do not need looking after,’ said Bo.
    â€˜Now I know you’re a proud young missy,’ said Mollie. ‘And that’s something I like about you. My own mother and my wife were proud women. It’s a lovely thing in a gal. Which is why I’ve got something to propose to you too, Bo. Something important.’
    Clumsily, Mollie stretched across the table and took Bo’s hand. He held it tightly as he began to speak, though he kept his eyes closed, as if what he was saying required every ounce of his concentration.
    â€˜I know I’m an old coot and you’re still a strip of a girl. But in a year or less, you’ll start changing, filling out, turning into a woman.’
    Bo tried to pull her hand free but Mollie wouldn’t let go. He looked up at her now, his blue eyes watery, his gaze determined.
    â€˜A woman is better off having a man to protect her, Bo. Be a long while before Callum is a real man. So you and me, we should get married. I’ll treat you right, take care of you. You’ll be safe here with me. That’s what a husband is for – to safe-keep his wife. I’ll husband you, be a father to Callum and then, when my time is over, Callum will still be young enough to take my place. Be your husband in my stead. Maybe follow on as a father to those sons you and I will make together one day.’
    Bo wrenched her hand free and jumped up from the table, catching the tablecloth by its edge and bringing all the crockery to the floor with a crash. ‘I don’t want to be your wife!’ she shouted.
    â€˜You’re crazy, old man,’ yelled Callum, kicking his chair aside and snatching a knife from the scattered cutlery. Brandishing the weapon, Callum backed away from the table with Bo beside him. But Mollie moved quickly, stepping between them and the doorway, slamming the door shut and barring their escape.
    â€˜Nature’s way, kiddies. This is Nature’s way. The ancients, they gave the young girls to the old men, ’cause they were the ones that knew how to care for them. I can help you both. Save you. It’s only natural that you should be my wife, Bo.’
    â€˜Keep away from her, you filthy old man,’ shouted Callum.
    â€˜Listen here, runt . . .’ said Mollie, knocking the knife from Callum’s hand and twisting his arm behind his back.
    Bo stuck both her fingers in her ears and shut her eyes. ‘Stop it! Stop it! ’ she cried, her voice a piercing wail of misery.
    In the silence that followed, they heard Mr Pinkwhistle at the door, scrabbling at the timber.
    Mollie released Callum, as if he’d finally realised the full import of what had happened.
    â€˜Settle down, settle down,’ he muttered, raising his two hands in the air in a sign of surrender. ‘No need to make a decision right away. Plenty of time. You two have a think about everything I’ve proposed and we’ll talk about it in the morning.’
    Back in their hut, Callum turned on Bo. ‘See, I told you. Tomorrow, we’re out of here.’
    Bo nodded but she lay down on her bed and covered her face with her