Chapter 9
A pound.
A whole pound.
I kneel besides Bella's discarded gown, holding the most money I have ever held at one time. This is a quarter of my yearly wages. As an apprentice, I wasn't guaranteed a wage at all but with the odd jobs I pick up in my limited spare time and the regulars I usually assist my father with, it's all I can scrape up.
A whole pound.
I look over at the sleeping form of the woman gracious enough to want to offer that much money. I know she is the Queen and has endless money to spend but she hasn't come across that way. She hasn't protested or shown distain at anything presented to her. She is the vision of grace and beauty. I hold the note in a tight fist.
I cannot accept it.
It is too much.
As someone who has grown up in a world without money at all, I'm not afraid to declare that it frightens me.
We could eat at every mealtime, everyday, for months! The children wouldn't have to make believe anymore. I tuck the note into my buttoned waistcoat pocket as I jump back up. I glance over at the two sleeping women in the corner. I smile before I quickly vacate the room, closing the door behind me. I descend the stairs slowly as to not alarm anyone. I see a gathering in the kitchen area.
"EDWARD! Are we going now?" Sam shouts across the other conversations in the room, resulting in them all coming to a halt.
I smile at the tyke.
"Yes, Sam. Now go get your coats on or you can't come!" I inform the children. This sets off a little stampede towards the front coat cupboard. I approach Mother slowly as I spot the four idiots dotted around the room. I crouch down next to her.
"We'll be back in a half hour, Mother." Kissing her cheek.
"OK, dear. Here you go, don't forget these!" She hands me my coins from earlier.
Little does she know that they've been outshined.
I take them from her and slip them into my other waistcoat pocket, the one with the broken button that cannot be fastened.
"Thank you. We'll be back soon. Oh, and Alice is approaching her monthly and has been drinking so I'd avoid upstairs until we get back." I explain, hoping I sound as calm and convincing as I tried to. Mother just shakes her head and tuts.
"That girl will never learn." She mutters to herself as we all leave. The four idiots trail out of the house as the three little tots bolt out onto the street.
"Hey!" I call out to them. They trot back and stand in-front of me. "Pick a buddy guys." I say and they all scamper away to the person they want to walk with. Sam grabs Emmett, Alec holds onto Jasper and I find Leah attached to my leg. I chuckle before reaching down to hold her hand. Royce ends up with his arm around Rose and off we go.
Believe me, the streets of London, especially our one, is not a place to take a leisurely stroll. Its a giant cesspool. We swerve in and out of sewage puddles and try to avoid as many flying bowls of water as we can but a few shoes do get wet. I lifted Leah over the majority of the mess but the general dirt and crud of the streets cannot be avoided. As we approached the last of the market traders of the day, I turn to the others. "Here." I said reaching into my unfasten-able pocket for the three pennies. "I've got a challenge for you guys." I handed out the pennies. "Each pair gets a farthing. I wanna see who gets the best final deal of the day, alright?" I say.
"Where are you going?" Rose asks as the others all walk toward the vendors. She stands with her arms crossed and a deep frown on her unwashed face. I bend down to pick up Leah.
"To try and clear up the mess you guys made." I state with a steely voice. I turn before she can reply.