December 22: "Christmas shopping" (from Domina Temporis)
Part 3
Tom and Bailey arrived at the Christmas market and met up with Wiggins and the other boys. They stuck together as a group, keeping their hands in their pockets to avoid accusations of stealing. They wandered past various booths and stalls, sometimes excitedly discussing some wares or other. Tom kept glancing at Bailey, clearly concerned that the other boy would go back on his word to the doctor and pinch a coin or two off a wealthy gentleman or sneak off with someone's wares. Bailey glowered back at the smaller boy.
"Aha!" cried Wiggins at length, when they reached a merchant selling little notebooks. "One of these ought to be perfect."
"Not very exciting," said Bailey.
"Practical, though," Wiggins countered. "And within our budget."
"Let's look around some more before deciding," one of the other boys suggested.
The others agreed and they continued their search.
Ultimately, though, the coins scrounged together by a few street lads would not buy anything more exciting than a notebook. They found a lovely little engraved pencil to go with it and Wiggins paid for both items out of their group funds.
"Well, then," he said to his little gang when they once again stood at the edge of the market. "Now we have only to wrap them."
Tom looked around. "Hey, has anyone seen Bailey?"
To be continued...