So, Dodger knows that girl, well, 'stole my heart'… as well as my wipes.

I didn't have to tell him though, he just knew in the way friends know, like in the way I knew about him fancying Nancy.

Sitting down to breakfast Dick was talking rubbish again, and I wanted him, to put it nicely, close his mouth. Forever.

"Dick, the things you know brighten all of us, really, they do, so please, do go on." I said it with as much sarcasm as could be possibly be fitted into a sentence, and yet he beamed with pleasure after I said it.

Then Fagin said something terrible, "Dodger my dear, can you please stay back for awhile after the other boys have gone?"

That meant I would have to spend the day with Dick. Alone.

That's enough to make anyone want to jump off London Bridge. Actually, I could make him walk past that… and I… no, he could accidentally fall off.

I told my plan to Dodger. He grinned and told me it's the best idea I've ever had.

Sadly I'm reconsidering.

Dare not say that to Dodger though.

I'll just pretend I forgot.

"Off you go to work now my dears" said Fagin, so I had no choice but to leave.

We walked along the streets with an unusually long silence, and I was surprised to find myself to be the one breaking it.

"I don't understand why Dick is short for Richard."

"Well, its because…" that had set him off talking again. I left him to it, and thought about that pick pocketing rich girl until I realized Dick had stopped talking.

"I still don't get why Dick is short for Richard."

"Were you even listening to me? Are you even listening to me?"

"Nope" I said, which is a total contradiction, but he didn't even seem to notice (see that long word? I only learnt that a few days ago).

Dick walked off in a huff.

Relief, finally.

Then he walked back.

And started bad mouthing Dodger, calling him things I had never even heard of, but from his tone I knew they weren't compliments (see, another long word I just learnt. I'm becoming quite the learned fellow wouldn't you say?) Stupid saying stuff like that to me, because I'm his best china plate aren't I?

So this time I walked away from him.

I mean, how dare he say that stuff about Dodger, the little…Dick.

It was actually pretty good walking around by myself. Normally I don't get the chance. But I noticed the beauty of the place I live in – sun fighting through the smog, birds choking, the rats crawling through the alleys, the drunks sleeping in doorways, woman screaming from open windows, filthy kids running past… yep, this is the good life. No doubt about it.

I walked past a gentleman who seemed to be just begging to have his pockets picked. So what else could I do?

.o:O:o.

When I got home I had two surprises. I usually love surprises. But not these ones.

First of all, Dick had been caught by the traps.

Second, and most tragic, Dodger had bought someone home.

His name was Oliver Twist.

What a name.

I mean, 'Twist'. You know twist is just another word for hanging right?

Those two things may have been why I was a bit on edge that night.

But luckily I am a master of composure.

Sometimes.

Maybe.

At least not tonight.

But I could be with practice.

Anyway, here is what happened when we sat down to eat.

So there I was sitting between Roger and Dodger (as usual) with Tommy across from me. There were of course others, but they aren't relevant (there I go again with my new words! I swear I could become a scholar at the rate I'm going!). Where was I? Oh yes, I was sitting there, eating bread and sausages that were Fagin's specialty at time, and Tommy gave me this strange look. I don't know why I did it, I couldn't help it. I threw a chair at him.

"Whatd yer do that fer!" Tommy yelled at me.

"Yer looked at me funny… I freaked out…" There was silence for a few seconds, then Dodger – silent, serious Dodger – burst out laughing.

And of course I couldn't help but join in. As usual, I didn't know why I was laughing.

Actually, I laughed so hard that I all but fell off my chair.

Dodger gave me a funny look.

I almost threw a chair at him.

Luckily enough, I was practicing hard at my composure skills.

Yep, give me a chair and shoot me a funny look and I become a lethal weapon.

Just so long as it isn't Sykes.

More Cockney Slang (although most the time it takes longer to say the Cockney version, but anyway). I didn't use very much this time, but here they are;

China Plate: Mate (FYI, one of my friends and I actually use this sometimes ;P)

Twist: Hang

And dissapearingact, note the chair incident! ;P