When I got to the Leary Grocery I greeted Mr. Leary at the front counter and when he didn't give me something to do, I headed to my room. The show bill lay on my bed. I picked it up and smoothed it out.

Mr. Leary was still attending a customer when I stepped into the store. I wandered about until the customer left. I walked up to Mr. Leary and said, "Mr. Leary I have a question." I lay the bill on the counter facing him and continued, "I was wondering if it would be alright with you and Mrs. Leary if I could go." His eyes scanned over the piece of paper and said,

"Hmmm. I think. I think it would be best to ask Mrs.Leary." Mrs. Leary stepped from the doorway and said,

"Ask me what?" I pushed the bill in her direction.

"I was wondering if I could go." She picked it up, read it and sighed,

"Well, Katie, we aren't your parents. But, we are responsible for you. And this is rather late at night..." I replied quickly,

"I would be leaving with Molly and one of her brothers. And I wouldn't be returning alone." She bit her lip and said,

"In that case, I don't know why not." She looked to her husband who nodded. "Alright, you may go on the condition that you don't return alone. And we trust you'll be returning at a reasonable hour and you have a key so we won't wait up for you." I smiled and agreed with their conditions. I thanked them and left for my room.

When I told Molly a few days later, she was ecstatic. She jumped and down for a bit before flopping onto my bed and saying wearily, "Now, I have to get one of my brothers to take us. Simon or William. One will say yes."

"I hope so. One of the conditions for me to go was to leave and arrive with the two of you." I sat in front of my mirror combing out my hair. I placed my hat on my head, then I removed my apron and picked up my wicker basket.

"Where are you going now?"

"Delivery. Mrs. Bates."

"Oh, well. My mother was expecting me home about an hour ago anyway." She left via my window again. It had become her favorite way to exit. I would have done the same, but I needed to pick up the items from the store.

It was mid-afternoon and the sun was sweltering. I hurried to deliver the packages to Mrs. Bates who lived quite a ways from the Learys. The interior of the house was fairly cool as Mrs. Bates lived in the basement and when she handed me the change, I was reluctant to face the uncomfortable heat of the outside. I thanked her and left. I pulled my hat brim further down so that I could avoid the glare of the sun. The streets were crowded and my hat made it difficult to see. I kept bumping into people and excusing myself nearly every minute. A heavy-set woman made a rather large fuss over a small bump and dismissed my apology with a snort. As I rounded the corner, I turned to glare back at her and in doing so, bumped into something. Well, to be specific, a person. I looked up to excuse myself for about the millionth time but in my surprise I almost fell over. He steadied me by grabbing me by the shoulders. He opened his mouth to speak but I sputtered,

"Kelly?!" He looked surprised for a second but then smirked and said,

"Do we know each other?" I began quickly,

"Katie Morgan. I have something to tell you..." My voice trailed off as I saw a glimmer of recognition in his eyes turn into an angry flash. Damn. He released me and said in a low voice,

"I don't think I want to listen to whatever it is you 'ave to say. Now if you'll excuse me." He strode past me brusquely. I looked at his retreating back angrily. What an arrogant ass. I looked in the direction home and in the direction he was disappearing. I wondered if it was worth it after he'd so obviously deflected my attempt at an explanation. I sighed in exasperation and began to elbow my way in the direction he was headed. I'd just spotted his cap in the crowd when I felt two hands grip my arms. I looked up in surprise to see two boys standing on either side of me. Both had identical sneers on their faces. One said in a oily voice,

"We just want to apologize for our friend Francis o'er there for his erm rudeness."

"Francis?" I snorted.

"Right, right," said the other in the same tone. "Our friend Francis Sullivan. Oh, didn't he tell ya. Jack Kelly ain't his real name."

"Francis there has been treatin' ladies of your kind rudely for far too long. Wots you say to teachin' him a little lesson?"

"Right miss. How 'bouts you listen to old Oscar here and come along with us. For the good of punishin' Jack of course." I wriggled out of their grip and turned to face them.

"I don't think so," I snapped. I sidestepped them and walked briskly into the crowd. I didn't turn to see if they were following me but chose to quicken my step. And as soon as I was in the thickest part of the crowd, I yanked my hat off and stuffed it in my basket. I took the long way home, looking over my shoulder every so often to check if those odd guys were behind me. I shivered, rubbing my arm. They were unquestionably strange.

Most of my future notes will be on the bottom on the page and for the most time they won't be long because I'm not quite sure what else to add.This will probably change in the future as I get used to this and then you won't be able to shut me up :D

Swindler: I was aiming for this story to be believable (for the most part) so thanks!

Thanks also to Mids-all-the-way for her review :)

Sorry in advance for future editing mistakes, I'll try to fix them quickly