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Chapter Eight

Emily sat at the table in tears. She called Father Brown and he was there within minutes. Together they sat for a long time thinking of what could have happened. None of it made any sense. The look on Sid's face as they shoved him in the police car broke Emily's heart.

He was terrified. Like a scared little boy.

"I can't sit here any longer. I have to go to him." Emily stood.

"I'll come too." Father Brown reassured her.

On their way out Father Brown observed Percy cleaning up the dinner Sid and Emily never got to enjoy. Something was amiss, and he had a feeling he knew what.

"You go ahead." he told her.

She barely heard him as she ran out to her bike. Father Brown sat his sights on the butler and his sly smile.

At the police station, Emily marched up to the front desk.

"I want to see Sid."

"He's being questioned right now, miss." Goodfellow told her calmly.

"Fine. I'll wait." She planted herself down on the seat and watched the clock. Every second felt like an hour. She could faintly hear Mallory in the next room questioning Sid.

Back at the house Father Brown followed Percy into the kitchen. "What have you done, Percy?" he asked.

"What I had to."

"Sid is innocent." Father Brown was trying to control his anger.

"Innocent? Don't make me laugh, Father."

"She loves him."

"She's an idiot child!"

Father Brown was taken aback by the harshness in his tone.

"She told you to accept Sid or leave, didn't she?"

Percy straightened. "I can't stand the sight of that reprobate. She threatened to sack me. After all the years I've given her father! I wasn't about to let that happen over her girlish hormones."

"You need to tell the truth Percy." Father Brown urged.

"I won't."

"Then, you are lost."

Meanwhile, hours later, Inspector Mallory was having a time with Sid.

"Sooner or later I knew you'd end up in that seat again." he said smugly.

"I didn't do nothin'!" Sid said loudly.

"I don't even need a confession this time Carter."

Sid's pulse seemed to slow considerably, it felt like his blood was freezing. "What do you mean?"

"The stolen items were recovered from your caravan."

"Rubbish!" Sid said, "I haven't stolen anything."

"Oh, you did. I didn't think you'd be so low as to steal from your own girlfriend though. From right under her nose. What she sees in you I have no earthly idea." Mallory sneered at him.

"Steal from Emily? That's ridiculous!" Sid slammed his hands down on the table.

"Keep calm, Carter. You've been through this all before."

"But, I'm tellin' you I didn't steal anything!" Sid shouted.

Emily jumped up at the sound of Sid's voice on the other side of the door.

"Save it, Carter. I've heard it all before." Mallory shuffled his papers and left Sid alone to his thoughts with a slam of the door.

"I want to see Sid." Emily said.

"I'm sorry miss, but-"

"Now!" she demanded.

"That won't be possible." Mallory insisted.

"Please." she begged.

"No! Go home, Miss Kent." he ordered before storming off into his office.

She couldn't think straight, her head was cluttered but through the haze of confusion she realized there was only one person who hated Sid and had access to her belongings.

Emily arrived back at home late. She found Father Brown waiting on her her front steps.

"Father? What are you still doing here?" she asked.

"I need to speak with you. I think I know what's happened."

"Really? So do I." There was venom dripping from her every word. The woman was on a mission and all the Father could do was follow her lead. She slammed the front door and found Percy in his office.

"Get out." she said with authority in her voice.

The butler looked dumbfounded.

"Now!" she yelled. "Go before I call the police and tell them what you've done."

He slowly stood, an indignant look on his face.

"Did you really think I wouldn't put it together?"

Father Brown watched and waited as Percy packed his things.

Tears hadn't stopped flowing, but she was fighting through them. She stood by the front door and waited for Percy to leave. When Father Brown was sure the butler was gone he said his goodbyes as well.

Emily said goodnight and closed the door behind him. Then, she collapsed. How had everything gone so wrong?

Terribly, terribly wrong.

Sid laid on the hard, thin mattress in his cell. How many times had he been in this same cell? Even when he was doing right, he was still accused of wrong. He felt so defeated. He knew things with Emily had been too good to be true. It could never be that good for him. That just wasn't his lot in life.

The next day Father Brown went to the police station to try and tell Inspector Mallory the truth, but he wouldn't hear it. He did, however let him see Sid.

Goodfellow unlocked the door, and Father Brown walked into the cell.

"Hey, Goodfellow, can I get a cigarette?" Sid asked.

"I'll see what I can do." the sergeant answered as he shut the door.

"Mornin' Father. Not particularly a good one..." Sid said dryly as he raked a hand through his hair.

"I have news." Father Brown said. He sat down beside Sid, "I'm afraid it was all down to Miss Kent's butler.

Sid slammed his fists against his legs, "I knew it. That slimey old-"

"Sid!" The Father interrupted.

"Right. Sorry Father."

"So he admitted to planting the loot in my caravan?" Sid asked.

"Yes. He told me."

"Well, get him down here! Convince him to confess!"

"I'm afraid I can't. He's gone Sid. He left town." the Father explained.

Sid could only stare blankly at the wall. "I'm going back to prison, ain't I?" he whispered.

"No. I will not let that happen." Father Brown assured him.

"You can't promise that..." Sid hung his head. "Just go, Father."

Some time later Emily gathered herself and went to the police station again. This time she had a plan.

It was a good thing too, beacuse Mallory was ready for a fight, as always.

Mallory slammed his papers down in front of Goodfellow. "I'm sorry to inform you of this, but it appears your delinquent boyfriend has been stealing from you."

Emily had the feeling he wasn't sorry at all. "No way." she shook her head adamantly.

"The items were found in his caravan. A crystal vase and a gold watch. Not to mention we had an anonymous tip."

"He hasn't stolen anything. I gave him those things!" she insisted.

"Why would you do that?" Mallory asked.

"It's none of your business what I do with my own things." she said defiantly.

"You've got to be joking!" His face was turning a deep shade of red.

"You either let Sid go this minute or I'll have my lawyer on the phone to your superiors telling him you're unlawfully detaining a suspect." Emily said.

Mallory looked from her to Goodfellow, and tossed his sergeant the keys.

"Fine. Cut him loose."

Goodfellow unlocked his cell and stepped aside. "You're free to go, Carter."

Emily ran to him and flung her self in his arms.

"Let's go." she said.

She lead Sid out of the police station. There was a far away look in his eyes. Something she hadn't seen before and it scared her.

"Sid?" she whispered his name.

"I think I need some sleep." he mumbled.

"Of course."

She started to walk with him and felt him let go of her hand.

"I need to be alone."

"What's going on?" she asked.

He took a deep breath, "That shook me up. You don't know what it's like. You don't understand. The thought..." His voice broke. "The very thought of going back to prison. I can't. I couldn't. I'd kill myself before I let that happen! Do you know he accused me of stealing from you?"

"I know. It was Percy, my butler."

"Well, that's just great isn't it? Geez Em!" he threw his hands in the air. "I can't handle this right now."

He walked away into the night leaving Emily standing under the street light alone.

"Sid!"

He didn't answer. He didn't turn around.

I don't wanna know this feeling unless it's you and me.

I don't wanna waste a moment.

And I don't wanna give somebody else the better part of me.

I would rather wait for you.

Don't wanna feel another touch.

Don't wanna start another fire.

Don't wanna know another kiss,

Baby unless they are your lips.

Don't wanna give my heart away.

To another stranger.

Don't let another day begin.

Won't let the sunlight in.

I'll never love again.

Never love again.

Sid was out of cigarettes, but that was the least of his problems. His brain was in a muddle. He'd made a mess of things with Emily. At the time he felt justified.

Terrified.

He considered himself decent enough. So, why was he always landing in the thick of problems even when he was trying to stay clear. He felt completely overwhelmed. He didn't mean to snap at Em, but if her butler hated him so much then how were they ever going to be together?

Any person could see they were total opposites. It was obvious.

But then again, when they were together it seemed so right.

Sid held the whiskey bottle to his lips but didn't take a drink. Instead he laid back on his bed and closed his eyes. Maybe a good night's sleep was all that was needed.

One could only hope.

The next morning at daybreak Sid found himself walking the lane to Emily's house. The sun was barely peaking up over the hills as he knocked on her door. He waited minutes with no answer. He went around to her bedroom window and threw rocks. No answer there either.

He heard the front door open, and ran back around to the front. There she was. Standing on the front steps with her curly hair messy from sleep and wearing only a t-shirt. A t-shirt he recognized to be his.

"Sid? What are you doing?" she asked.

He jogged over to her, "Comin' to apologize." He took her hands, "I'm sorry, Em. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I shouldn't have walked away. I was just-"

Emily slammed into him and pressed her lips against his. She pulled away and touched his cheek.

"You're forgiven."

Sid smirked, "Where did you get this?" he touched the hem of her shirt.

"I, uh..."

"You pinched it?" Sid chuckled proudly.

"Well, yes I suppose I did." she blushed.

"You little delinquent!"

"What can I say, you must be rubbing off on me."

She pulled him closer, "I love you, Sid."

"That's good, because I love you too."

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I'm afraid we have come to the end of this chapter of Sid and Emily's lives. Sequel? Maybe. Not sure yet. Depends on if there is enough interest. In the meantime check out my other Sid fic, and follow me to get updated when I post!