Two years had passed and Honoria was secretly still grieving for the loss of her child, not knowing that her sister had taken the child as her own and named her Esther Summerson. Honoria wondered what it would have been like if her daughter had lived, if Captain Hawdon had stayed. But there was nothing she could do. Still her life had changed in eighteen months. She was now married to Sir Leicester Dedlock, a wealthy and much older gentlemen and she was now a very wealthy lady. She should have been happy, Leicester didn't know about her secret and it was going to stay that way now. Yet she was unhappy, trapped within her own emotional insecurity, longing for her lost child, a child she knew she would never see.

"Bill you do love me don't you?" Nancy asked as she sat on the edge of the bed where her lover slept. Bill sighed heavily,

"Course I do, I'm living with you aren't I?" He spat before he sank back against the pillows. Nancy smiled and looked out of the window. Oliver was now living with a kindly gentlemen called Mr Brownlow who had witnessed what had really happened and had taken him home when he fell ill. Nancy was happy that he had found happiness at last but she knew that Fagin and Bill wanted him back and had spent the last two years trying to think of ways to bring him back despite Nancys protests that he remain where he was. It had caused endless arguments between the three of them.

She walked through the busy street and examined the stalls as usual. She saw a familiar face through the crowd and smiled. Rose Daylie, who was the same age as Nancy, hugged her friend. She was beautiful, pure and innocent and had many admirers.

"Lovely to see you Nancy. Oliver cant wait to see you. He's told me what a dear friend you are." She said happily and Nancy grinned,

"How I missed that little angel." Nancy responded and the two girls walked together.

Nancy was unaware that someone was watching her.

Betsey Trotwood was taking a walk in the local park with her friend Mr Dick, she had a rough morning after several people had used donkeys over her garden even there was a sign clearly stating no donkeys allowed.

"Mr Dick, what shall we do today?" She asked as she linked arms with him. Mr Dick thought for a moment then he answered,

"I would go and visit your good friend Miss Havisham."

She smiled at him, everyone always said he was like a child and should be an asylum but there was no way she would allow it to happen, he was her dear friend. They had recently returned to her estate following the wedding of Sir Leicester Dedlock and Honoria Barberry. Betsey had noted that Jacob Marley had looked like death and she had encountered Old Martin Chuzzlewit, something that she wished she hadn't done. No one knew why she was unable to interact with him.

"Lets return home Mr Dick. We Need tea, well see Miss Havisham another day." She said softly as they returned home, Mr Dick wondering what had suddenly caused his only friends sudden unhappiness.

Bob Cratchit was working late. Jacobs health had been so bad that he hadn't turned in for the past week, leaving Ebenezer to work alone. Not that he minded that one iota. Bob was about to leave when an middle aged woman by the name of Mrs Dilber walked in.

"Begging you kindly good sire. I'm to say that Mr Marley aint expected to live through the night and if Mr Scrooge wishes to take leave of him he should come at once. His breathing is very queer when he is breathing at all." She said solemnly as she left quickly.

Bob went into Ebenezer's office where he could see that Ebenezer was still working and writing up the accounts.

"Mr Scrooge Mr Marley is dying, he wants to see you." Bob said softly and Scrooge kept working.

"If he's dying then there's nothing I can do about it." Scrounge said and Bob sighed but then scrounge stood up and grabbed his coat.

"But if there is any possessions available I will have my share. Lock up on your way out." And he headed to Jacobs.

When he arrived Mrs Dilber was standing with an elderly solemn looking gentlemen.

"Are you the doctor?" Scrounge asked and the man shook his head,

"I'm the undertaker." Scrounge swallowed and headed upstairs.

Jacob was laying in bed, looking deathly white and drenched in sweat. Ebenezer sat on the bed and looked at Jacob, secretly saddened that this would be the last time he would see him.

"Have you been given the last rites?" He asked and Jacob weakly nodded.

"What did you want to see me for?" He asked and Jacob weakly whispered,

"Save save save yourself."

"From what? Save myself from what?" He asked irreparably, a look of puzzlement on his face but before Jacob could answer, his body went limp and he ceased breathing.

The undertaker came in and Scrooge left saddened and with Jacobs words echoing in his ears.

Nancy returned from visiting Oliver later that night, encountering Dodger and Little Nell who were playing nearby. She sat on the bed. Today had been an unusual day to say the least and Nancy got the impression that she was being watched. The feeling sent shivers down her spine as she undressed. What if someone was watching her through a window?

"Nancy."

She turned around and saw Bill walking towards her, Nancy wondered if he was going to get rough with her. She braced herself. But surprisingly, he was gentle with her. He caressed her arms and she looked into his eyes.

"Nancy, I will never let anyone hurt you. You are my girl. No one elses and As long as I live, you are mine." He whispered softly and Nancy realised just how beautiful he was underneath the dirty clothes, the facial hair and the angry demeanour that possessed him.

"I feel the same Bill. You know I do." She whispered as they started kissing, allowing them to undress each other and as the night wore on, they consummated their love on the pile of rages.