It was a week after the typhus had set in at London. Streets and alleys were damp and silent, shops and stalls closed and abandoned in their poorly states. Curtains, windows and blinds were closed in every house, it would appear the world had ended. In the poorer areas of London, the local bar, The Three Cripples was deserted and closed down too. Everything was deserted, untouched and dead silent. Even those very few fortunate people who had avoided the disease, never dared step out their houses. Already, more than 10 people had lost their fight against the disease, many of them children. But one child who had survived the infectious disease so far, was Nancy, a popular child with the occasional visitors of The Three Cripples' bar. Her mother had also gone down with it but nevertheless cared for her precious daughter first before herself. She had beautifully dark, ginger hair and kind hazel eyes and adored Nancy than anything in the world besides her husband who was now deceased after being tragically murdered in a London alleyway but yet had never been forgotten. Nancy had gorgeous golden hair and hazel eyes, many people said she looked like her mother, even with her golden hair.

"Nancy, dear come away from the window! You should be in bed!" she said.

Nancy had been peeking out the windows looking for any signs of civilisation.

"But mummy, my headache is really bad. It hurts so," Nancy complained, reluctantly climbing back into bed.

"I know, sweetheart. But sleeping will 'elp you. I'm afraid there ain't much more I can do for you," she planted a kiss on her daughter's cheek before going back to her bed too.

When Nancy awoke the next morning, she had to admit she was feeling slightly better. As she clambered out of bed and rushed to wake her mother she realised something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

"Mummy? I'm feeling better today! Can I go out today?" she hesitated, having no response.

"Mummy? Mummy? Are you havin' some fun?" Nancy gently shoved her mother's limp body. Tears formed in her eyes.

"Mummy please wake up…please!" she begged, cuddling in tight. She sobbed for ages, not leaving her mother's side. It was heartbreaking for the little 5-year-old. And confusing. But it didn't take long for poor Nancy to realise that her mother would never wake up again. She stayed at her mother's side for days, keeping herself alive on titbits left in the cupboards and the water from the tap.

After a week, when Nancy had almost fully recovered from the disease, she woke one morning to hear the buzzing of conversation outside. She peeked out the window to see a few crowds of people who had also recovered from the typhus and were chatting to each other.

"Look mummy there's people outside. They've got betta!" mumbled Nancy, lying back down on her bed.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. Nancy rushed to answer it and revealed her mother's friend Mrs Kaylie.

"'ello there, Nance! You look betta! Ows your mother comin' on?"

Nancy sighed and whispered. "She's gone Mrs Kaylie…"

Mrs Kaylie gasped. Nancy broke down into tears.

"Nancy, don't cry. Stay 'ere ok, I'll be in a moment!"

Mrs Kaylie departed and returned with Elizabeth Prude and Charlie Rockford, two favourites of Nancy. Elizabeth knelt down to Nancy.

"Why don't you come to my 'ouse, Nance? I'll give you some breakfast," she suggested, whilst Charlie and Mrs Kaylie investigated inside.

"Ok…but what about Mummy?" Nancy replied

"Your mummy will be taken care of by Charlie and Mrs Kaylie,"

Elizabeth and Nancy strolled along together passing The Three Cripples which had opened once again, and down a small street. As Elizabeth unlocked the door she told Nancy,

"I 'av a daughter 'bout your age, 'er name's Bet. I'm sure you'll be good friend with 'er,"

When Nancy stepped inside, she was greeted by the warmth of the house. A fire was cracking away in the hearth. It was similar to her own house with the cold stone walls and wooden floor. She was lead through into a hallway and then she taken to a small unoccupied bedroom.

"This is where you'll sleep, my dear. You are welcome to stay 'ere for as long as you wish!" Elizabeth smiled. "Bet's room is just next door if you ever need company. I'll go get 'er,"

Nancy sat on her bed and glanced around. She had a small wick chair in a corner, a bedside table, a large table and to her delight, a bookshelf crammed with books. Nancy had always loved reading ever since she had learnt too. Her eyes suddenly met with a pretty young girl about the age of four standing in the doorway. She had long, blonde hair and hazel eyes, she was smiling at her. Nancy adored the girl's blue patchwork dress.

"Hello! I'm Bet, mummy told me you 'ave come 'ere to stay?" the girl introduced herself.

Nancy returned her smile. "Yes! I'm Nancy,"

Bet joined Nancy on the bed.

"You have lovely hair, much betta than mine, it always gets into a tangle," Nancy blushed.

"Why thank-you! I like your hair too! Mummy can sort out the tangles for you! I was just away to go and buy some groceries for Mummy…do you wanna come?"

"Yes please!"

And after that day, Nancy and Bet bonded as best friends.