Thanks Lil, I'm glad someone else thinks the same way I do! ;) and thanks for the tip too, I'll try and get some more detail in the next chapters :)

Bit short I know, so I might upload one or two more chapters tonight~ nellen x

"Thank you." He broke away from her, smiling and kissing her hand, "I'll sleep better tonight. Outside yeah, but better all the same."

"Outside?" Flora frowned, gently removing her hand from his grip. She was vaguely aware of the darkening sky, more focused on listening to his answer.

"Well yeah, why else would I do this?" He chuckled, tapping his guitar lightly with his foot.

"But you have a house…"

"Had," he corrected, "I had a house. But I couldn't exactly keep up with payments from behind bars could I? The repo guys took most of my stuff, apart from the clothes on my back. I've still got some money, enough to get by at least, but I've got a lot of debts to pay and stuff," he trailed off, shrugging nonchalantly. "I've done it a lot, 'sides, it's a nice night for it anyway."

It wasn't. It really wasn't.

"Well, stay with me then," Flora pleaded, already beginning to worry about him. She had a habit of that, worrying. Some might say she worried too much, although she'd always brush it off as being polite and caring.

"No, no, I couldn't, not after what I did," he replied quite firmly, as though convincing himself of it too. "If it gets bad I'll find a stranger's sofa to crash on, they seem to like me round here."

"Clive, please, stay at mine, just until you get sorted, please," she begged, genuinely concerned for his well-being now. She was only just beginning to take in his physical appearance properly since she'd met him again today, already a bit shocked at how thin he had gotten, and how pale and tired he looked. A few bruises littered his arms and neck, but he seemed concerned by none of this, quite content with his busking life.

He shook his head, "I can't. But can you promise me something?"

"Yes," she nodded, "anything."

Surely it wasn't right to be this nice to a kidnapper. But most kidnappers didn't apologise, she sighed inwardly, most kidnappers weren't Clive.

"Promise we can keep in touch, like, we can be friends and stuff," he smiled uncertainly, that same, hopeful smile he had worn a lot during this exchange.

"Obviously," she returned his smile, hugging him once more before checking her watch. "Oh my look at the time, I said I'd be back for five!" she wailed, turning to leave.

"I thought you lived alone now?" The lad frowned, catching her arm before she ran.

"I do, but the Professor said he would call at half past, ahh I can't remember which way I came from!"

"Well here, let me help you," Clive began gathering up his things, flashing her that smile again, "where do you live?"

"Harkley Lane," she mumbled, tightening her coat as a cool breeze picked up.

"Oh I know where that is, it's not far from here, come on," he took her hand, leading her gently away from the square, "I'll get you home."

"Thanks again, and please, if you ever need anything, just come here," Flora tried to smile again as they stood on her doorstep, but the worry was adamant in her voice.

"I will, and, thanks again for forgiving me," he returned her smile, kissing her hand once more, "goodbye, Flora, it was nice to see you."

"It was nice to see you too Clive."

The lad flashed her a final sad smile before turning to leave. Flora stood and watched him as he walked down the street, bag on his back and guitar on his shoulder.

"He'll be okay," she whispered to herself, closing the door softly behind her to prepare for her visitor, "he'll be okay."

Clive sighed, as he took a final look down Harkley Lane. He wished he had said yes to a bed for the night, he truly did. But he couldn't shake the guilt from his stomach, and as long as she was so nice to him, he doubted it would go away any time soon.

Guilt wasn't the only thing burning in his stomach however, hunger was present as usual. He began counting out the change he had successfully collected, then remembered the notes he'd received from the drunk. He pulled them from his pocket, trying to guess how many there were. There had to be at least 30 pounds worth there, sure, and he began to imagine what he could buy.

"No, I should save them…" He frowned, as his mind wandered past all the useful things he could get and straight to booze and food and cigarettes. He sighed, tucking the notes back into his pocket, "another night, perhaps."

He then returned to counting change, taking a fiver's worth of coins and putting the rest in with the notes.

"I should at least get another bottle of water for tomorrow."