Charles Darnay decided to take his family out to France for a week. They were accompanied by Mr. Lorry, and Miss Pross. Doctor Manette had a serious line of patients, and wasn't able to go.
One sunny day, Lucie and Charles decided to go on a date. Mr. Lorry went to deal with some bank issues, and Miss Pross babysat little Lucie.
The day was hot and stuffy, so Miss Pross took a walk with (little) Lucie. They went to an outdoor café and watched the people. Lucie looked at the children her age running around in the streets. They were dressed in rags and were begging.
"Can we give them money?" Lucie asked Miss Pross.
Miss Pross was turned away from her, and was deaf, so she couldn't hear Lucie. Lucie took a piece of bread from the table and slipped away.
She crossed the street to give it to a little boy who looked about five. Some bourgeois knocked into her, making her drop the bread. The bread was kicked and rolled down the street. Sighing, Lucie ran after it.
Eventually, she realized she should just give up. Lucie looked around at the streets of Paris. They had always visited Paris, and she was rather familiar with the streets. Lucie was walking back when someone bumped into. Lucie felt a cold hand on her neck and her necklace snap off.
"Hey!" Lucie said, wheeling around. The culprit took off running, and Lucie followed him. He led her to the back streets of Paris, the place where gangs hung out.
Lucie skidded to a stop when she came to a dead end. She glanced up and saw a foot on a roof, running out of sight. Lucie sighed and turned around. She froze, terrified. There was a large man, walking around. He hadn't noticed her yet.
Lucie backed up into the shadows, her eyes trained on the man. She flinched when she felt a hand over her mouth and on her wrist. Turning her head she saw a boy her age.
Follow me, he mouthed. He still held her hand as he crept away from the guy, Lucie trailing behind him. When they left the ally, they took off running down the street.
After what seemed like a mile, they stopped and caught their breath.
"Thank you," Lucie said smiling.
"It was nothing," the boy said. He stuck out his hand, "I'm Gavroche."
"Lucie," they shook hands.
"New here?" Gavroche asked.
Lucie shook her head, "No, we take vacation here. I live in London though."
"Sweet! I've always wanted to go to London!" Gavroche said, grinning. He glanced up at the sky and Lucie did too. The sun was beginning to set.
"We're a long way away and it's getting dark," Gavroche said. "The dark's nothing for me, but you should go inside somewhere."
"Do you have a home?" Lucie asked, and then scolded herself. Although she was dressed in a simple dress and shawl, it seemed outlandish to Gavroche's raggedy pants and shirt.
"Well, it's a home of sorts," Gavroche grinned wickedly. He started walking again and Lucie followed him. They walked in a comfortable silence, until they came to a large elephant.
"Wow," Lucie said, "I've never slept in an elephant before!"
Gavroche laughed and went to the base of the statue. "Navet, throw the rope down!" he cried out.
A rope came spiraling down. Gavroche went up first, to show Lucie how to do it. Lucie went up with some difficultly. The rope was rough in her hands and her dress made it hard for her to climb. When she got to the top, Gavroche and his friends pulled her up.
"We have a small room, of sorts," Gavroche said. "You can sleep in there."
"Thank you," Lucie said. She crawled through and saw the nest of blankets. Lucie took one and curled up in it. She could hear the sounds of tiny feet scurrying around and small conversation. Lucie closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.