Chapter Two

The next morning Nell left just before the sun was up, as usual. Sid was sleeping on the ground next to the embers of the fire from last night. She slipped quietly by him. She wanted to run, as fast as she could, but she made her feet walk. She couldn't help the anxiety and fear she felt. It really seemed like her whole reality was crumbing.

If Sid was back where would she live?

After she dropped Bub off with Mrs. Elliott she made herself put those thoughts away. It was time to get to work, and she needed to have a clear mind. She only hoped Sid didn't come into the bakery again.

Meanwhile across town Sid was just waking up.

"You're gettin' too old to sleep on the ground, Sidney." he groaned to himself.

He stretched and eyed the caravan cautiously. No noise. No movement.

"Hello?" he knocked.

Knocking on your own blessed door, Sidney.

He opened it and went inside. They were gone. For a moment he wondered if he had imagined the whole episode. No, usually naked women weren't telling him to leave them alone in his dreams. Plus, there weren't usually babies.

Father Brown.

He needed to talk to his sneaky friend right away and get this mess sorted out. His stomach grumbled and he thought about breakfast. Why not kill two birds with one stone? He made his way to the prespretary.

"Knock knock." he announced as he rounded the corner into the kitchen.

"Sid!" Father Brown exclaimed, "When did you get here?"

"Last night." he said as he plopped down into a chair at the table, "And funny you should ask because when I went home there was a girl there, and her baby! Thought I'd turned up at the wrong caravan! But turns out, you invited her to stay there."

"Yes, well-"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sid asked as he stuffed a scone in his mouth.

"I meant to. I just...forgot," Father Brown told him.

Sid rolled his eyes. "What am I gonna do?"

"Nell's circumstances are complicated,"

"I could see that," Sid interjected.

"Yes, she didn't have anywhere else to go, and seeing as you weren't at home I thought you wouldn't mind."

"I wouldn't have. But I'm home now so..."

"I'll get this sorted out. I promise. You could stay at Montague. I'm sure Lady Felicia wouldn't mind."

"I don't want to stay at Montague! I want to stay at my own home!"

"Maybe you could stay here for the week. We just won't be able to let the Bishop know of course."

"Naturally." Sid agreed.

"I'll go speak with Nell today."

Sid took another bite of scone to keep him from saying anything he'd regret. Then, he thought about the girl. He didn't want to see her thrown out on the street. He'd never do that. At the same time he really wanted to sleep in his own bed.

Later that day Father Brown went to see Nell at the bakery.

"Nell, I was hoping you had a moment to chat,"

Nell looked to Mr. Elliott who nodded his approval. She wiped her hands on her apron and walked around the counter.

"Father, I thought you said your friend knew about us? Are we going to be thrown out? We have no where else to go, Father!"

The urgency in her small voice melted Father Brown's heart.

"I meant to tell Sid, but I have to confess it did slip my mind."

"Father!" Nell hissed.

"I'll get this worked out. Sid has agreed to stay away for the week while I figure something out."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she shook her head. She knew it was foolish, but she'd come to think of the caravan as her home. She had no right, she understood that, but...

Stupid girl.

Father Brown patted her shoulder. "Fear not." he told her.

Tucking his umbrella under his arm he turned and went on his way. Nell took a deep breath and got back to work, but her mind was never far away from the problem she now faced. With every ringing of the bell on the door her blood ran cold. She was terrified to see Sid again.

What would he say? What would he do? Would he tell anyone what he'd seen last night when he barged in to find her vulnerable?

"Nell," Mr. Elliott's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, "Why don't you fetch Bub and go on home. You look positively dead on your feet."

The old baker gave her a sympathetic smile.

"I don't know how I should take that, but I'm just going to say thank you and take you up on the offer."

"Good. I'll see you on Monday. Try and rest!" he urged her.

Not likely.

That night after Bub was asleep Nell went out to make a fire. She wanted a hot cup of tea. There was a chill in the air. It had rained all day, and the wood was unfortunately drenched. Starting a fire was proving more difficult than she imagined.

Just my luck.

Nell was about to give up when she heard someone approaching. Through the gray mist the figure of a man appeared.

Sid.

Nell stood with her back to the caravan door.

"Relax," he said, "I'm just here to get a few of my things."

She stared at him wide-eyed.

"Do you want some help with that?" he pointed to the non-existent fire.

"N-no." she stammered.

"Come on," he insisted.

He bent down and used his lighter to coax the fire to life within minutes.

"There. That's better,"

"Thank you." she whispered as she watched him carefully.

"Can I get my things now?" Sid asked as he stepped towards her.

Nell opened the caravan door and climbed inside. Sid followed her. He started putting some of his things in a bag. Nell stood protectively next to Bub watching his every move.

"Look, I'm sorry about last night." Sid said.

Nell didn't answer, and he didn't try to make further conversation. He glanced at the baby sleeping on his bed. His eyes flitted briefly to Nell. She looked so sad.

"I'll be on my way." he announced as he stepped outside.

Nell stood in the door and watched as his figure faded into the mist.

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