One Penny Surprise (Saved By Desire 1)

“Are you after Sayers?” Toby asked in a small voice, clearly worried about getting involved now no matter what the edible or financial reward was.

“Yes, we are. We intend to arrest him, and his friends, and put them behind bars for a very long time. You are not to get involved with any of that. Right now, we don’t know if the man in the park was killed by the older gang. Just keep your eyes and ears open that’s all I want you to do. Do you understand?”

Both children nodded and looked a little awed and relieved at the same time.

“When this is over, we can make sure that you secure proper jobs and work to earn a real living if that’s what you wish,” Marcus drawled. He wished he could tell them that they would receive schooling to learn to read and write to go with the food and money. However, he rather suspected this would be enough to scare both of them away, so didn’t mention it. Dangling the food and monetary prizes had been more than enough to secure their compliance for now. How far they could be trusted though depended very firmly upon how hungry they were, and how much they considered a penny to be truly worth.

“Do we get an extra penny if we find any of ‘em?” Lucy asked with a frown.

“Of course,” Luke replied on a sigh.

Both children shrugged and nodded. “Fine.”

“Come on then, let’s get you this food sorted out and then you can be on your way.”

“You are not taking us to the magistrate?” the girl asked sidling closer to Marcus so she could snatch an apple out of the basket.

Marcus took it off her and put it back. She glared at him but didn’t speak.

“Now ask properly,” he said calmly.

“What?” she asked with a frown.

Marcus nodded toward the apple. “Ask.”

It took her a minute to realise what he wanted. “Can I have that apple please?” she said somewhat nervously, clearly not used to being polite.

“Yes, you may,” he replied and handed her an apple, and a second one to go with it.

“Thank you,” she muttered before she rammed them both into her already stuffed pockets.

He shared a look with Luke before the men began to package up the remainder of the food on offer and handed equally divided parcels to both children. Luke banged several times on the roof of the carriage and, once it lurched into motion, sat back in the seat while he gave the children details of their next meeting. When the carriage rumbled to a stop, he placed his arm across the door to delay them leaving.

“Where are we?” the boy asked with a frown.

“Back on the street you left,” Marcus replied without bothering to look.

The girl shook her head in disbelief, but patted her pockets with pride and smirked at him. “Do we get food like this next time?” she asked, quite unable to believe her good fortune.

“Of course. We said you would, and we never go back on our word. Now, remember what we said. Keep your mouth shut but your eyes and ears open. Until tomorrow.”

Neither man moved nor spoke as the carriage door was opened and the children clambered down.

“Surprise,” Toby suddenly piped up as he stepped down and turned to look into the carriage with a mischievous grin.

“What?” Luke frowned at him.

“One penny please,” Toby persisted.

“What for?” Luke asked. He wondered what the lad was up to now his feet were back on the ground and had his freedom back.

“Workin’,” Toby replied. “I found ‘er.”

“What?” Luke looked from Toby to Lucy, who was also grinning and holding her hand out. “What?” Luke’s stomach dipped. “Who have you found?” He demanded of the young boy who was waiting for his reward.

“That woman you wanted. She’s over there – look.” Toby nodded to the busy street behind them, to one particular woman busy weaving in and out of the other pedestrians.

“Give them their reward, Marcus,” Luke snapped, his new quarry firmly fixed in his sights.