It had been three weeks since Nancy's death and Bill was struggling to come to terms with his loss. Fagin had tried his best but Bill refused to get involved with his newborn son who still hadn't got a name. Fagin and Dodger were worried by Bills lack of interest and feared he would do the unthinkable.

"Bill we need to discuss the infant. You need to name him." he said and Bill shot him an glare which showed to Fagin how dangerous he could be.

"I will decide what I will name it not you." He spat and he began drinking his whiskey while Fagin could see Daniel Quilps widow Betsy, who was now remarried to a handsome, kind hearted gentleman, smiling at him and waving to which he returned. The infant boy was nestled in his arms and Fagin was stunned at how much the child resembled Nancy with tufty black hair. The child was adorable. Fagin wished that Bill had felt the same paternal instincts as he was.

Ebenezer was at a loss. He had been going over the accounts and was shocked to find that the business was not making many profits, he was furious. He needed to do something and fast. He saw Bob walking uo the street and tapped his quill on the edge of his desk, waiting with bated breath, the rest of his workers were writing with their heads down. Bob was twenty minutes late. He had to make an example of him.

Bob rushed in putting his hat and coat on the coat rack,

"Sorry I am late Mr Scrooge, My tiny tim is ill again, I was really worried." Bob stammered and Ebenezer stood up,

"Not good enough Mr Cratchitt. That is the second time this week that you have come late." He said in a matter of fact tone. Bob shook his head sadly

"I'm so sorry Mr Scrooge, I really am, I didn't mean to fall behind."

"I'm fining you. I will expect some payment off you by the end of the week and may it be a lesson to you. Now sit down!" Ebenezer spat as he got back to his desk and continued writing, Bob sighed heavily, as if he wasn't struggling enough?

What would Emily say?

Bill was sitting in the alleyway holding his son in his arms. The child was crying because he was hungry and it was driving him mad, he couldn't cope with the noise. Fagin and Dodger were nowhere to be seen and he didn't know what to do.

He could do it. he could choke the child and say he had died of natural causes. He grabbed a piece of string and was about to tie it round the child's neck when the baby grabbed hold of his thumb and stopped crying immediately. Bill was stunned. He had been trying all afternoon to stop the child's cries and now it had happened. He found himself smiling and he threw the string on the floor while Bullseye lay at his feet and fell asleep. Bill felt the tears come to his eyes as he cuddled his son while Fagin finally came back with some milk and blankets.

"Sarah Gamp gave me the blankets and Mrs Cratchit gave me some milk. He should be fine now." Fagin said with a relived tone to his voice.

"Where's Dodger?" Bill asked as the baby settled in his arms following his feed, Fagin smiled,

"Down the market." He said as he sat down watching the other pickpockets chatting away to each other, he wondered about Oliver. He had officially been adopted and was living a good life with Mr Brownlow. Fagin missed him and wished him well. Suddenly Dodger rushed in carrying a large sack and fagin stood up,

"Ah Dodger, what have you got for me?" He said as he rubbed his hands together, Dodger dropped the sack,

"Found this large piece of Ham. It was just waiting to be pinched, I managed to take it as soon as the butchers back had turned." Dodger said proudly and Bill looked up.

"Ham. I like that. That's what my boy will be called. Ham Sykes." He announced with paternal pride and Fagin raised his eyebrows as did Dodger but they were both relived that the baby had a name at last, even if it was after a piece of meat.

Little did they all know how brief their happiness would be.