UPDATED VERSION
Cat and Frank half carried half dragged Syd back to his house, doing their best to ignore the smirks and laughs from people on their way. I have to say though, Cat thought, it's pretty entertaining to watch Syd go red and mutter curses. This is probably the first time Syd has ever lost in a match, let alone to a GIRL!
"What are you smiling at?" grunted Syd catching her grinning under her cap.
Cat immediately turned her smile upside down and crossed her brows into a frown for good measure. But seconds later her mouth began to tremble and she burst into laughter. Syd frowned and huffed.
"Hilarious Cat," said Frank sarcastically. "I suppose you're very happy about the match.
"I'm sorry, really I am," Cat said through stifled giggles. Way to go Cat! she thought to herself. "It's just that, not only have I won all the bets, but the girl did beat you fair and square Syd."
"I can never show my face again to the boys, let alone Shepherd!" Syd said miserably while biting off dried blood from his lips. "Everything has gone down since I had been betrayed by my #$ *-ing manager!"
"Don't worry Syd," Cat continued, patting his shoulder, ignoring his yelps and winces. I'm sure there would be more matches for you to fight and…er…regain your honour? Besides, technically, the girl didn't win because girls aren't allowed to participate or even enter through the gates."
"I wondered what you were doing there Cat," said Frank pretending to be confused. Cat gave him a shove and he smiled.
"I guess so...uh oh! Here come the boys and Father!" exclaimed Syd as we approached the butcher shop. "Hide me!" he said as he hobbled over to some barrels.
"Hide me?' Frank muttered to Cat.
"I'm afraid, Syd is losing his senses after that match,' she replied shaking her head and watched him trying to cower and hide his huge body behind the small barrels. "He did take quite a tumbling with those kick that girl gave him. Anyway, he looks quite funny, trying to hide like that." She and Frank tilted their head as they stared quizzically at their friend.
"Too late though. He's been spotted!" Frank nodded as Mr. Fletcher briskly walked up to them.
"Syd my boy!" cried Mr. Fletcher, rushing over to Syd. "Straighten yourself up man, what on earth are you doing behind those barrels?!"
Cat and Frank stifled their laughs as Syd slowly emerged from behind the barrels, looking sheepish.
"How was the match son?" Mr. Fletcher continued. "Ooh, got some nasty scars there I see."
Syd looked down and mumbled something.
"What's that? Speak up boy!" Mr. Fletcher commanded.
"He did very good sir!" Frank interrupted. "Isn't that right Cat?"
"Yes of course," Cat said, nodding her head vigorously. "He..."
"Lost" said Syd quietly bowing his head.
"To a GIRL!" blurted out Joe before he could stop himself, as he walked up with Nick behind Mr. Fletcher. He covered his mouth with his hands and changed his face from silliness to strictness. "I…erm…heard some rumors."
Nick scowled at him.
"What! I don't believe it! Is that true?" asked Mr. Fletcher staring at Syd.
"Yes. I-I'm sorry! She was so fast. I was so surprised that she was a girl! You know that I don't fight girls."
Mr. Fletcher stared hard at Syd but then softened and sighed. "I guess that was unexpected," he mumbled. He muttered something and then walked back inside the shop.
Suddenly a rumbling sound came overhead and then thunder. They all looked up and saw rain clouds gathering and slowly over the butcher shop as tiny drops of rain started to fall.
"Today really is a bad day," Nick muttered. Frank tugged gently at Cats arm and mentioned that they should be on their way.
"It'll be alright tomorrow Syd. People might forget what had happened by then," she said, giving his hand a squeeze before following Frank across the road.
Cat and Frank made their journey back home and parted ways at the junction near the Avon Manor. Making her way towards the house she shared with Mr. Sheridan, Cat looked up at the darkening clouds as the rain fell harder, pelting her face with cool drops, washing away the dirt. Truth to be told, I'm quite excited for tomorrow, Cat thought smiling. The new Theatre Royal would be having a grand opening ceremony. It has been 11 months now since the old Theatre had been demolished. I'll still miss the Sparrows nest though. Mr. Sheridan says he has got a surprise for me, though it won't be the same without Perdo.
Cats smile vanished as she thought of her friend out in the Caribbean. It was months since she last heard from him through his letter. He was still at sea, on his way with other slave fighters, to crash a huge slave trade market. I hope he's okay, she thought standing still looking up at the sky through the rain. God knows where he is right now. I hope Jenny is taking good care of him.