Chapter 11

One day her brother would learn, one day he would learn that he could not hide anything from her. Perched on a wooden ledge Evie looked down into the notorious Devil's Acre. It was a bustle with people, but these where no the typical people who wondered round Westminster. Devil's Acre was notoriously popular with criminals as the police would not enter so they could run riot with no one to stop them. Despite the criminal activity, Devil's Acre was controlled by the Rooks, the control had given some stability to it but it hadn't stopped all the antics that occurred there. Perhaps the Rooks could stop all the crimes but they seemed more concerned about spending their time in the pub based in the Acre rather than helping the poor who had no choice but to live there. From her perch Evie had a clear view of the pub, she could clearly see her brother. Being that it was the middle of the night Jacob would not be able to see where she had perched, she was completely concealed by the darkness. Although she had pulled up her hood and was using the skill she'd processed which meant by staying completely still people would just fail to spot her should they look up at the perch. As she watched, Evie saw another man join Jacob at the table however she could not quite believe who her twin was having a drink with. The last person she had expected was the man who had threatened to kill both of them. Evie narrowed her eyes as the pair clinked their glasses and downed their respective beers. She had known that Jacob was up to something, he'd been acting funny ever since that blast in Westminster. That had been only a matter of days ago and the authorities still were unsure how it had happened. But Evie could not help but think that perhaps there was a link between the blast and Robert's reappearance. Then again, maybe she was just being paranoid and thinking the worst. The last thing she wanted to do was go around making accusations when she could well be wrong. She gazed at her brother, why had he hidden this from her? Had he known that she wouldn't be impressed? Well, she'd be lying to herself is she didn't admit that she was most certainly not impressed in Jacob's choice to reconcile the old friendship. Evie continued to watch as Jacob let out a roar of laughter, obviously Robert had said something funny. Enough. It was time to confront her brother about this. Although she could have leapt straight from her perch to the wall of the pub, she decided to make it appear as though she had just stumbled across the pair. The last thing she needed was Jacob to accuse her of spying. Jumping down from the perch and lowering her hood, Evie began to make her way into the Acre. Little did she know that a lot could happen in five minutes.

Jacob slammed his mug back on to the table with a loud bang and sprung out of his seat.

"See! I told you! I told you I could still out drink you." Jacob cried.

Robert held his hands up, "Ok, I admit it you can still out drink me."

"Ask any of my Rooks," Jacob continued, "They will tell you that no one has been able to beat me at drinking."

The Rooks behind Jacob nodded in agreement, before returning to their own drinks.

"No no, I believe you Jacob. You remain the drinking champion. You are the champion of this pub."

Jacob grinned before yelling in the general direction of the bartender to more drinks. He fell back into his seat grinning at his old friend. Robert wasn't looking, he was looking out over the Devil's Acre. His attention was soon drawn to a rather nasty looking group of men who were heading towards the pub. From the looks on the men's faces they were not here to make friends, they looked as though they were out to start a fight.

"Oi." One of them called, "Who said you Rooks could come and take over our pub?"

Jacob stood up, "And who said that it was your pub in the first place."

"Since we are the ones who actually live here whilst you lot run merrily back to your rich houses, I say that we own it."

Jacob laughed, stepping forward, "You really think that? Well my friend I think that you are mistaken, this pub is for everyone not just you and not just us."

"I don't care if you think. This is our pub, get out of it or else?"

Jacob sniggered looking round at Robert and the group of Rooks, who were also sniggering. Turning back to the group he smirked at them, daring them to do something.

"Or else what?" Jacob stated, a confident look on his face.

With those words all hell broke loose, the men entering the pub grabbed anything they could get their hands on and launched it at Jacob and the Rooks. In retaliation Jacob and the Rooks launched themselves towards their aggressors and a fight broke out. The innocent ran for cover as the two groups fought. Glass, chairs and even tables went flying as the men used anything they could to beat back their opponents. Robert had managed to conceal himself behind the wall of the pub, he did not really want to be involved in the fight. This was not because he could not handle himself, he was more than capable of handling a fight, but he wanted the opportunity to observe Jacob in combat. If he was going to kill Jacob then he had to be able to know where Jacob's weaknesses where then he could exploit them and kill him. He knew that Jacob was a capable fighter from all those years ago but seeing him fighting now was something else. Jacob's skills in fighting had improved massively, there was something about the way he moved in combat which told Robert that this was where he was most comfortable. It also showed him that killing Jacob may not be as easy as he had first thought.

The fight didn't last long, Jacob and the Rooks easily overpowered the thugs. The thugs skulked away whilst throwing insults and jeers at the Rooks. Robert was quick to re-join the group to make it seem as though he'd been involved. He moved over to Jacob and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Just like old times." Robert said.

Jacob laughed and moved to pick up a fallen chair. As the Rooks poured at more drinks in celebration and Jacob pick up a chair or two, there came a voice. It was the same voice which had belonged to the group of thugs that had just attacked them. Jacob straightened up and turned towards the sound of the voice. It was clear that the owner of that voice was getting further away from them but it was what he said which caught Jacob's attention.

"Oi Darling, why don't you come with us and we'll show you a good time."

There was a pause but Jacob didn't move, he was ready to spring into action if needed. After a moment, the voice spoke again.

"Oh, the strong silent type. I like that in a woman." Another pause, "Alright darling, you win this round but next time things will be different."

A few moments later Jacob found out who the thugs had been shouting at. A very familiar person walked into view, she was looking back at the group of thugs so had not seen who was in the pub. But that would change very soon, meaning Jacob could end up in a lot of trouble.

"Uh oh," Jacob said, his expression was similar to that of a startled rabbit.

Evie eyed the retreating thugs before looking towards the pub. She met her brother's gaze before looking at the person next to him. Robert looked back at her taking in her appearance, he'd not seen her since the blast. The only thing which gave away that she been involved with the blast was the bruise on her right temple, in the centre of the bruise as a wound which had scabbed over.

"Evie," Jacob said, rather nervously, "What are you doing here?"

It sounded as through Jacob was waiting to be lectured by a parent. When in actually fact that he'd not told his twin about his meetings with Robert so he was apprehensive about her reaction. After everything they had been through in London he did not want to fall out with her again. His sister was the most important person to him, he couldn't lose her again.

"I came to find you." Evie said, "What's going on?"

Evie was eyeing Robert, her expression showed clear distrust. For a moment Jacob did not respond, he did not know exactly to say. Perhaps thankfully or perhaps unthankfully, Robert jumped in.

"What's going on here? What's going on here is that I'm having a drink with my old friend. Have you come to spoil our fun as usual?"

Evie folded her arms, ignoring the insult, "You threatened to kill us last time we saw you."

"Well I have changed Evie, people change."

Evie frowned looking between her brother and Robert. Jacob was looking rather sheepish whereas Robert was staring at her with a such confidence. There was something in the look Robert was giving her, something which told her he was hiding something.

The icy exchange was broken as Jacob hurried over to his twin and led her away from the group so they would not be overheard.

"I'm sorry." He said, "I know I should have told you about this. I just did not what to say."

"Don't you remember what he said to you. He meant it Jacob and I find it really difficult to believe he has suddenly gone back on his word." Evie replied.

Jacob hung his head, "I know but… he's my best friend and people do change in time, I mean look at us.. we changed."

Evie looked away, she was eyeing Robert. Although she had been watching the pair secretly for a while, now that she had decided to confront her brother she found that words failed her. She was not sure what to say and was cautious about saying anything which could upset her twin.

"I don't trust him Jacob, how can we believe anything he says?" She said, eventually.

"Trust me then. I will know if he's lying and if he is then… just trust me."

"But why are you with him? There must be more to him coming to London then this story him being a changed man."

Jacob quickly explained about Robert's desire to get revenge on Will Curtis over what happened all those years ago. As he expected Evie still looked unconvinced, bringing her round to the idea of Robert wasn't going to be easy. She didn't trust people easily and she had every right be that way. Evie didn't respond for a moment, her gaze had flicked over to Robert.

"I'll speak to Henry about this when I return to the train." She said, eventually, "He might know if there is any truth to this. Until then –"

"Be careful…" Jacob interrupted, "I know Evie. I'm always careful."

Evie gave him a look which clearly showed that she thought that last statement was complete rubbish, but she said nothing. She made to walk away but Jacob grabbed her arm, preventing her from leaving.

"Are you ok? I heard what those men were shouting at you."

Evie smiled slightly, "It's fine Jacob. I'm never going to let myself be put into that position again."

Without another word Evie slipped from view, Jacob watched her go before rejoining Robert and the Rooks at the pub. He accepted a drink from Robert, missing the slight smirk on the latter's face, and took a swig from it. He was at a loss of what to do, whatever he chose to do he could well run the risk of damaging his relationship with the other person. A glass banging on the table pulled Jacob from his thoughts, Robert had downed his drink in one, which earnt him cheers from the surrounding Rooks.

"Right then Jacob old pal." He said, "Why don't we get down to business? Time to find that Curtis and make him pay."

Slowly, Jacob nodded. The pair got to their feet and left the pub, much to the Rooks disappointment. Robert had a suspicion that Evie was on to him, she had always been the clever one. If she trying to get Jacob not to trust him, he had to stop her. He had to ensure his plan came to be and no one would get in his way. Not even the twin sister of his once friend.