A/N: A new act has been started! Hope you like this one...the adventure begins...

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Act Two: Scene One; Evicted


In which Cat finds herself in some compromising situations...

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I walked slowly down the street towards our house. A man walked past me tipping his hat.

"Afternoon, Miss Royal."

His grin made my skin crawl. The man looked vaguely familiar but I couldn't quite place where I'd seen him before.I carried on shuffling slightly down the street. My mood only mildly dampened by the man.

I spoke too soon.

When I arrived it was to a shocked Jenny gazing into space outside our door.

"Where's Pedro?" I asked catching sight of three small suitcases at her feet.

Sudden realization hit me like a punch to the gut. That man was the landlord.

Oh.

"Jenny, have we been evicted?" I asked tentatively.

She nodded silently.

The whole world I had rebuilt in London came crashing down. Why? Why? Jenny burst into tears.

"I'm sorry!" She gushed. "De man come he ask for rent. I said we no have it. He told Jenny we be out in one week." Her sobs escalated. "Pedro be angry."

"No he won't." I comforted her patting her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault, he just caught us unawares." I wasn't completely sure what to do. This wasn't the strong willed, determined Jenny I remembered.

"Where is Pedro?" I repeated.

She didn't have to answer. A savage Pedro was coming towards us anger eminent on his face.

"Is it true?" He blazed. "I saw the landlord he said -" He stopped short staring at the still sobbing Jenny. "Are you alright?" He gathered her up in his arms stroking her hair and back. "Did he hurt you?"

Jenny shook her head against his chest. Pedro led them through into the ving room sitting himself down with Jenny on his lap on the couch. I picked up the suitcases before shutting the door behind me and joining them, perching on a chair. Jenny told Pedro everything that had happened when the landlord arrived. She told us how the rent had been raised and that the landlord had given us a week to find somewhere else.

"But that's stupid!" I cried out. "We've been late before but we always pay the money in the end. He should know that..." I finished lamely.

"I know." Pedro replied calmly. "I'll go and talk to him – try and negociate."

"He won't take us seriously." I said bitterly. "One black man and two women one of them a former slave."

Jenny sniffed.

"I'll try." Pedro gave me a weak smile.

~*~

I slept badly that night tossing and turning at the days events. Around three o'clock I woke drenched in a sweat a small whimper escaping my throat. Just a nightmare I told myself firmly. But it was terribly realistic. I could still see my friends on the other side of the street laughing and talking in the sunshine. I was on the other side being dragged away by Mr Hawkins – a knife at my throat. No one looked my way as I called out to them.

I got up shakily and noticed that the small bed Pedro and Jenny shared was empty. I walked curiously into the living room only to find them wrapped up in each others arms asleep on the couch.

They were so happy together and just about to start a family. I couldn't be the one to take away everything they had worked hard to achieve. Rushing out of the room I repacked everything again and scrawled a note. Putting it somewhere they would see it I put a few spare coins I had next to it. I read it through once,


Pedro and Jenny,


Don't worry about me. I've gone to Grosvenor Square. You'll have enough money for rent without me.

See you tonight at the Avon's,

Love,


Cat.

I waited until seven before shutting the door behind silently it clicked gently, I set off towards Grosvenor Square hoping to find refuge in the Avon's home again until I found my feet.

Only I didn't get that far.

A big beefy, bull of a man came up behind me I picked up my pace all my senses telling me to run – his pace matched mine. I hoped to lose him in the backstreet's and alleyways no one knew these parts of London better than me. It wasn't the best choice I'd made – this gave him the chance away from the eyes of the stallholders of early morning London. A heavy blow from his fist sent me into unconsciousness.

Just my luck.

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A/N: So what did you think? Good, bad, ok? Who do you think hired someone to kidnap her? Reviews are welcome!