The Trials and Tribulations of Eustace Turpin

by fEmAleNoMad

Nothing ever worked out like he expected it to. Why else would he be bringing home a baby with him when he was much too old to be dealing with this mess? Perhaps he should start from the beginning. Then again, it still might not make much sense.

5. Act V

Act V: Where There's Silver, There's a Way

"But sir," muttered Barker, "How're you going to get me out? I did it." The prison smelled of mildew, rotting straw and excrement. He leaned closer towards the rusty bars on the cell, and he could barely make out the freckles on Barker's face in the dim light.

"Not so loud," growled Eustace. "Where there's silver, there's a way. Tell me Barker, do you have money?"

"Yes sir, I'm a respectable barber, I get paid well for my occupation."

"Good, we'll need every penny you can get."

"Oh, thank you sir!" he sobbed, "I couldn't be happier."

"Don't thank me, thank Mrs. Andrews."

"Liddy? That woman does so much for me, she's easier to understand, and a real woman, not some flouncy lady." His face contorted in an odd way, as if he was having some sort of epiphany. "I probably should have married her. I love her you know, always did, but life always got in the way. Now it's too late."

"We can always make up for lost time, can't we?" Barker lifted his head, he thought that he'd never hear that warm, feminine voice again.

"Liddy!" She ran over to the bars, and laced her fingers in his. The warden came and fiddled with the bulky keys. He looked expectantly at her, but she shook her head.

"Can't promise you that, love. You'll only be getting just a few 'ours of my company."

He grinned, "That's good enough for me." Eustace noticed that his hat had fallen to the floor. He picked it up, tried to brush off any hay sticking to the brim, and promptly left for the door.