Thank you for reviews had a bit of a block to see where this was going hope its OK :)

WARNING: Bit of violence but nothing major.

Chapter 5

Charles – 1878

Two years later and he was still on stage still trapped like one of Sabrina's snakes helpless to his own situation. Griggs on the other hand was loving it more money, a bit of fame and a safe hold for his dodgy doings, he was becoming very problematic Charles had already caught him stealing twice from the other performers. He was horrified he had only stolen once a sweet from the corner shop when he was six, God he remembered how his mum had walloped him, but he had never done it again. He couldn't shop Griggs in he was very matey with Harry both of them petty criminals, it was a pointless argument.

His only release was a young lady called Betty Dawes at 17 years of age they had been secretly courting for two months. He still couldn't believe he had her, especially after their first meeting. He saw her across the backstage and melted she was a cousin of one of the acrobats, enquiring after a job as the theatre's secretary. Deep green eyes and red curls that cascaded she was the image of stereotypical Irish. He knew she was different the way she had brushed past Griggs and the other males lusting after her like she could already see their intentions.

She came in early February he was sorting some ropes out behind the scenes grumbling after finding out that Griggs was in some form of bother again, he fails to remember what now. She had walked across like a fine lady with an education holding out her hand with no glimmer of nervousness.

"Hello, I am Betty Dawes I am looking for a Harry Moor? Is he available to speak to at the minute?"

And he just stood there like a fish out of water, gaping, while his brain was screaming say something you idiot.

"Are you quite well? you look very flustered" Her caring manner and deep searching eyes left him reeling, that emotion had been alien to him for two years near enough. He felt someone poke him in the back.

"Umm...Hello..My name is Charles Carson" He finally took her hand shaking it gently "Harry isn't around at the minute...Um..Nice to meet you Miss Dawes" Well he thought that could not have been any worse if he had tried.

"Its very nice to meet you Mr Carson"

"Charles, Charles is just fine" He hated the formality of Mr Carson it was for people with respect and at the moment he had none what so ever.

"Then Betty is just fine with me Charles" Her smile was infectious he had never met anyone quite like her. "You don't know where Helios is do you? I would like to speak to my cousin If Mr Moor is not available"

"Oh your Helios' cousin, he said he was expecting you he is currently not in either but if you would like to take a seat I am sure they won't be long" He felt slightly safer Helios was a cobbler's son from Leeds she can't be upper class like he thought she was, middle class at a push. "would you like a drink?"

She had sat down on one of the cardboard boxes looking at him intently like he was a creature from the new world, "No thank you it's quite all right..."

"Mrs Dawes I presume?" Harry had walked in double taking when he saw her, a small smile flitting over his lips almost like when a fox spots a chicken a lusting, it made Charles' skin crawl. She stood up and took Harry's hand, and was led to his office.

"Good Day Charles" She smiled over her shoulder and he just raised his hand he had no chance if Harry had his teeth in her.

He smiled, after many meetings in the corridors and quick little talks he had asked he to luncheon at a local restaurant, as usual he went completely to pot around her. He remembered stuttering and umming when he saw her stood there dressed up in a flannel print dress, a vision of beauty he thought no one could be prettier. They had just stepped out together today walking through the theatre like a long married couple every man had glared at him everyone of them had tried their luck with her to no avail. Griggs was seething it was surprising he hadn't punched Charles to the ground by now.

"Have you seen that new secretary Charles?" Griggs had said before going on stage the same day he had met Betty, "A catch don't you think I am defiantly going to have a go a women like that should be on my arm the envy of everyone else, my new property" he had laughed. All throughout this Charles had just stopped blood pressure rising, Griggs sounded just like Ernst, Charles had to physically stop himself from throttling Griggs.

"She is not an object Grigg's she has opinions and feelings and no women should be treated as property" he spat out glaring at him.

"This my friend is why you will never get laid unless you pay for it you are far to nice" At that moment the curtain went up, it had just saved Grigg's from having a broken neck.

Two days later and after blanking Grigg's for the same time Charles was walking to the offices to drop off some papers for Harry to look at when he heard a noise. He stopped to listen, Grigg's voice he knew it probably trying to convince Betty that he hadn't been paid when he had.

"Come on darling me and you could have something good" Charles froze "you may sit there like the bloody virgin Mary, all pure but I am a man and you will give me what I want, or I will take it by force" Grigg's was lent over the desk leaning over Betty being upfront in her face, leering at her, she looked terrified, suddenly he went round desk and picked her up pinning her against the wall, kissing her forcefully. Charles banged into the office pulling Grigg's off her and chucking him to the floor.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING?" Charles was seething.

"Oh get over yourself you sad man we had a disagreement that's all" Grigg's still had a stupid smile on his face like he had achieved something, Charles just wanted to knock his head off .

"I think Helios might kill you first you IDIOT!" Grigg's lost his cool and walked out muttering something.

"I am NOT A FRIDGED WHORE" Betty just glared at him finally remembering what happened "GET LOST JUST GO" Grigg's had walked out then admitting defeat. Charles picked up a handkerchief from his pocket passing it to her. She took it gratefully sobbing silently.

"I am sorry you shouldn't have to deal with that"

"You have no need to apologise, Griggs is a character to say the least" He stared at her apologies for something that could never be her fault, from that moment he knew he wanted to be more than friends.

He shivered still haunted by that moment, he smiled at her on his arm like he was someone important.

" I still can't believe someone like you would want to step out with someone like me"

"Charles what do you mean? Someone like you?" She looked worried.

"I mean who am I a performer you could do so much better" he smiled sadly.

"I am not having that to me you are a someone, a gentleman and we will get out of here together each step of the way" Her optimism was infectious, he kissed her passionately in front of everyone not caring, she responded smiling happily up at him. Life was looking up slightly he knew what happiness was and he wasn't letting it go.