Chapter six – The Nightwatchman

I'm saying nothing about my waaaaaay overdue absence. There's nothing to say…

Just wanna say thanks to TraditionalRose for this idea she might remember she gave it to me way back.

This chapter is for her

'Sorry Beth, I gotta head off. I'm still helping dad get the apartment back in shape and I promised I'd finish it off today. But I can come back later'

'Don't apologise. Robin, go and help her out'

'Erm, I think I'm fine actually. Knowing Robin, he'd only slow me down'

'Ahem, I'll have you know I am a very good housewife'

'He is actually. Most mums are proud of their smart sons, or their sporty sons, I am proud of my son's feminine side. It means I get to relax'

'Yeah but I'm proud of my sporty side!'

'You won't be when you have kids, trust me'

'Whatever. Look Maz, I really don't mind helping. Then we could grab a pizza or something'

'Seriously, it's mostly my dad's stuff. I'll be fine! I can let myself out'

As she walked to the door she casually swept up the post that was lying in a dish. It was a pile of bills and final demands.

Marian hated the fact she and her dad had all this money while so many other people were struggling everyday. At least they hated it. Most of the rich were bastards who only cared about how to increase their fortune.

That afternoon Marian sat at her desk and filled envelopes with money to pay off all of the Locksley's debts – including most of their mortgage – along with a letter asking all future bills to be sent and addressed to her.

And then she wrote one final letter

Mrs Locksley,

It has recently been drawn to my attention that you are struggling to pay your bills. It's nothing to be ashamed off; it's normal if you ask me.

However, I have taken the liberty of paying all your outstanding bills as well as taking charge of any future ones.

Any problems contact me… somehow. I really hope your son isn't too annoyed. I know how much he likes to be in control and on top of everything. But sometimes, it's just not possible.

I hope you're fully recovered soon

Yours faithfully,

The Nightwatchman

At the head of the letter was her calling card, a small bow and arrow shooting a mask [you know the kind I mean, like what she wears on TV].

The Nightwatchman was an alternate person she'd first dreamed up 2 years ago. She'd leave food for the locals, cards for the patients no one visited and, after time, she began to leave money and pay off small debts.

But this was Robin; he had more than just small debts. And she loved him more than she'd loved any of Israelis she'd helped.

She posted her letters before calling Robin.

'Hey Rob'

'Hey Maz, you finished unpacking?'

'Oh, yeah. Look, do you wanna spend the night?'

'Why, is your dad away?'

'Err, no. I thought you might like to say "hi" actually. Like I did with your mum. The four of us were always close. Remember when we used to joke that our parents would get married and then we couldn't'

'God yeah. We were such idiots then'

'You were… so what do you say?'

'Sure I'll come over, do you have space in your flat?'

'You bloody know we do. Since when is there a penthouse apartment with less than three bedrooms? But you'll be in my room anyway'

'Won't your dad mind?'

'Nope. Like I said yesterday. If I'm happy, he's happy.'

'Ok, I'll be round in an hour.'

RMRM

The three of them were sat in front of the TV eating takeaway. It was the same most nights for Marian and Edward; after a long day at hospital he just liked to relax without the fuss of cooking.

'So Robin, what have you been up the these past years?'

'You know, the normal'

'Which is…'

'GCSEs – they were not fun – having my first drink, albeit illegally, losing my virginity to some randomer after a heavy party and looking after my mum'

'Wow, quite a varied list'

'Yeah, I guess it is. But Mum comes first, every time. Even before Marian'

'Good, blood's thicker than water'

'Right, but she's not exactly stopping me from seeing Maid…Marian'

'Maid Marian?' Edward asked, slightly confused

'Sorry, slip of the tongue. I'm used to calling her Maiden'

'Sweet. I used to call Kate My Angel'

'Guys, can we not discuss me while I'm in the room and trying to pay attention to the TV' Marian complained

'We both know the only thing you've been paying attention to is me'

'You wish Locksley'

'You know I hate that name'

'Yes I do'

Just then Robin's phone rang, he glanced at the caller id,

'Fuck'

'Hmm?'

'Nothing, I just have to take this'

He excused himself and took the call in Marian's room.

'Yes Sarah?' he was annoyed

'Robin, I miss you' she cooed in her sickly voice

'Yeah'

'Are you busy tomorrow?'

'Yes, I am actually. I'm spending the day with an old friend'

'Oh, anyone I know?'

'Not really'

It was true, Sarah hardly knew Marian as anything apart from her victim

'Hmm, guess I'll see you on Monday then'

'I suppose so'

'Don't get cocky with me Robbie. I heard you slept with some girl at Allan's party. Whoever she was, you'd better get over her quickly or your mum might suffer. My dad's not pleased with how much sick time she's had'

'Well, mum's not thrilled about being ill either. She used to be a nurse before she was made redundant and now she works at a supermarket'

'It's a great job'

'Yeah, a whole step up from McDonalds'

And then he hung up.

He looked around Marian's room for the first time. It was still pretty bare apart from a few old photos of him and the gang from years ago. She defiantly needed to update her wall.

'Who was it?'

'Slut'

'What does Sarah want?'

'To remind me how thin the ice I'm walking on is. She knows I slept with someone last night. She just doesn't know it was you. But she will find out and then mum will lose her job. How the fuck do we even try and pay bills then'

'I'm sure it'll all work out. Even if your mum loses her job, it might not be a bad thing; you'd be free from Sarah. Even then, you'd find a way to keep ahead of the bills'

She was desperate to tell him, but he'd only make her take it back.

Edward returned from the kitchen,

'What's this I hear about your mum losing her job?'

'Nothing yet, but who knows what might happen in the next few weeks'

'Well, she's a great nurse. I always need one of those. Heaven forbid she does lose her job, she's welcome to work for me'

'Thanks, she'll love that. Might even make her quit now!'

Next chapter Robin finds the letter

I'm away in the countryside for the next few days so I'll probably get lots penned out and then, hopefully, posted soon

I am SO sorry about the HUGE delay

I'm having major writers block with Office Romance so any ideas welcome

X X X

Hannah