"We're closed you know. We can't have no one who doesn't work here in here until we've opened." The deep voice of Jarvis the butcher, Bertie's boss, makes me jump back in shock. Bertie turns bright red and mumbles an apology before walking out to the street, pulling me with him. He keeps walking down the road until the red ebbs away from his cheeks. "Sorry about that" he says, staring at his feet and I can't help giggling. A grin spreads across his face and the awkwardness disappears again. "So where have you been?"
"I went down to Bignor-on-Sea. I met a kind family and stayed with my mama." My breath catches and Bertie strokes my cheek comfortingly. "I guess we're both orphans now. Still making our own way, still together" he whispers softly. Then he suddenly pulls his hand away and locks his eyes to mine. "You know you said you want me to be your sweetheart?" I look at him questioningly and he carries on. "What about that foster brother, Jem?"
"I don't know about Jem. I haven't wrote to him since that postcard I sent to you. I sent him the same one."
"But do you still want him to be your sweetheart?" I shake my head solemnly and take his hands in mine. "Just you Bertie." And with that he hugs me hard.