Chapter 10

With a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure they've all gone. I make my way to Blackjack's Corner. Run by the father of my best friend growing up, I feel confident this is the place to help me. I push open the door that sounds as if it's never been oiled to find shelves half empty, yet the noise of a crowd. I shift Leah higher onto my hip as I make my way towards the noise. I find the door to the back of the room and knock twice. It opens slightly before swinging open all the way.

"Edward!" exclaims Jacob as he embraces me on the side Leah is not. "What brings you here, Ed?" He asks. Jacob Black, also known as Blackjack Jr. He's taken after his father in organising and running the dodgy dealings of London's slums. He's a beefy lad with the smile of a conniving cat. You need something done, Jacob can handle it...for a price. Luckily that price doesn't apply to me. He slaps me on the back and shuffles us back into the shop section of the building, away from the crowded back room.

"Do I even want to know what's going on in their, Jake?" I joke as we make our way over to the counter. He shifts his gaze towards the little girl looking around in my arms before looking back at me.

"Nope." He replies with a grin. I just shake my head. Same old Jake. "So what can I do for ya, Eddie, on this fine day?" He asks sitting on a stool behind the front counter. I sigh.

"I need some help, Jake." He lights up a cigarette and takes a drag before releasing it.

"I'm listening, Ed."

I place Leah down and point over to the little dolls in a box in the corner. She toddles off happily. I turn back to Jake and run my hand through my hair. I sigh.

"Can you break some cash for me?" I ask. He snorts.

"Is that it? Jesus, Ed, I thought you wanted someone dead or something!" He laughs, slapping the counter. "Course I'll break cash for ya!" He says getting out a rusty biscuit tin. "How much?" He asks, rustling little bags of pennies.

"A quid."

He stops and looks up at me slowly. Now, to a man like Jacob, a pound is nothing.

The illegal shit and risk he takes to make his money, pays him well.

But I'm not Jake.

I've never done anything illegal before. I've never pickpocketed, stolen, or transported goods before. And Jake knows this. He knows me better than I know myself. And for me, this is big.

Jake straightens his back as he inhale trough his nose."That apprenticeship really is paying you well, huh, Ed." He says and thats that. He'll never comment on it again. And that's why Jacob is not only my best friend but is very good at what he does.

I take the note out of my buttoned pocket and hand it over to him. He breaks it down into some shillings and some pennies. I place them all back into my pocket. I nod at Jake and turn to find Leah. She's in her own little world playing with a china faced doll that is almost as big as she is.

"Leah, come on, sweetie." I call and she looks up at me with those innocent eyes. She smiles at me as she toddles over with her new friend in tow. She holds out the doll for me as I crouch down. I take the doll as she smiles even wider. I look back at Jake. "Is the doll for sale?" Not being able to resist those eyes. Jake just smiles.

"She is indeed." Jake says as I lift Leah and her new friend up into my arms. Jake learns forward towards Leah with his cigarette dangling loosely between his lips. "She costs one whole smile." Leah breaks out into the biggest and brightest smile she could give as she claps her hands. I laugh and hold out my free hand for Jake.

"Thank you, Jacob." I say as he shakes my hand and takes another drag on his cigarette.

"See ya around Eddie!" He says as I leave the store.