trepidations

[ivegotmypride]

She hadn't needed to use the gun. The next person to walk through the door had been Bill. Nancy'd sorted it out- he'd already agreed to keep her secret long before. Nancy knew, definitively, he was on her side. He hated the old bastard, and he knew what the man did to girls, same as he knew what he did to boys, and he knew what the street was to Nancy.

So Bill had let Jackie stay at their flat for the night- though he got his bed make no mistake. Nancy'd set up as best a spot as she could for Jackie to curl up, and even so she'd fallen asleep with the other girl in her lap, once more. But they couldn't hide away for ever, Bill'd told them that flat out. They had to return to the den. Pretend everything was normal, test the waters and see what Jem'd done told everyone.

She'd hoped, now that they'd had time to cool, she would not have need to bring the pistol along, tucked into her basket like it was nothing.

Comments

[ivegotmypride]

“What is so bloody funny?”

[knowntoherfriends]

"Your lack of faith in me, what raised you up and taught you all you know."

[ivegotmypride]

"You didn't teach me everything. Unless that's what you're going to call it, now."

[knowntoherfriends]

"Such a crass young lady."

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy rolled her eyes, taking another drink of gin.

"What's it matter t'you?"

[knowntoherfriends]

There's a huff.

"I taught you better."

[ivegotmypride]

"I frankly don't care."

[knowntoherfriends]

There was a noise of an annoyed huff from Fagin, irritated by Nancy's crassness.

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy looked at him with disdain as she set the empty bottle down. “What?”

[knowntoherfriends]

"I see where Dodger learned to be so rude to an old man."

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy sniffs At him. “She’s bloody petrified she’ll be stuck with Jem! She’s seen what the streets do to girls. Being polite to someone who wants her there isn’t exactly a priority.”

[knowntoherfriends]

"She could do a lot worse than Jem. Got a good head on his shoulders, that one."

[ivegotmypride]

“He betrayed her. He’ll never have her trust. And I’d reckon you lost hers, too.” She moves for the bottle again only to remember it was empty.

“Hand me that bottle there.” She pointed to one at his elbow.

[knowntoherfriends]

"Why do you bother coming round, drinking me out of house and home."

[ivegotmypride]

“Because I care for the boys. They’re as good as my brothers, and I can’t let em fend for themselves. They need a womanly touch.”

[knowntoherfriends]

There was a sniff. "Our Dodger'll need to be taught all that now."

[ivegotmypride]

“Don’t see the point- I learned it all naturally.”

[knowntoherfriends]

"An' what would be natural for someone who's been forced to pretend to be something other than what they are?"

[ivegotmypride]

“She did it willingly- I never forced it. Not once.” She’s gestures for the gin.

“Wouldn’t be right to force someone into something they didn’t want to do.” Her look could not be more pointed.

[knowntoherfriends]

Fagin does not respond to that but he does hand over the gin

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy noticed his silence.

“Can’t think of somethin’ To say?”

[knowntoherfriends]

"Can't be bothered havin' you twist my words."

[ivegotmypride]

“Try it anyway.”

[knowntoherfriends]

He just shook his head, turning away from her.

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy let out a frustrated cry and rushed toward the old man, not sure what to do when she got there.