"Fagin, look 'ere, I've got a friend to see you."
An old man rose from the table. He wore a cheery smile as he said "So Dodger, who've we got here then?"
Sam stuck his chin out and stood as tall as he could "My names Sam Matterson sir." Another man stood up and paced towards him. The boy didn't like the look of him with his black leather jacket and cap pulled well down. His face didn't look good either, to Sam he looked slimy. The nasty man walked around him a few times before saying in a rough voice "He's a bit small eh Fagin only skin and bones on the fella."
"Mind Bill what you say. Nance herself looked dead on like this when she came in. Only with long hair Sam!" he laughed at his joke. "You'll grow up little un just like Nancy did… ah speak of the devil and she will come." The manhole opened with the standard phrase and a teenage girl slid in, whipping a few handkerchiefs out her skirts.
"Pickin's are small out there. Too nippy for any normal folk." She glared at Fagin and doing so spotted the newcomer. "Who've we got 'ere then Fagin?"
"Sam Matterson, Nance, our new recruit. Fresh off the streets…"
"I can tell Fagin. No decent clothes, covered in blood and dirt. Get the kid warm else I will."
"You know Nancy this is why I don't normally like women. They always seem to be right." He clapped his hands and turned to the two boys who were standing there like lemons watching it all happen. "Dodger, get Mr Matterson here some clothes and set him a bed. Look sharp now." Both boys darted off as if electrocuted. "What do you think of him Bill?"
"I meant wot I said already Fagin! He's a bit small for my likin' alright?!"
Silence soon joined the group and it felt like hours later when Sam and the Dodger walked in. Sam looked so different; all cleaned up with a long whitey-yellow shirt, short grey trousers, a brown cap, orange neck garment and black boots.
"Why Sam my dear!" exclaimed Fagin. "You look a different man, we must all start calling YOU sir and bowing to you, you look so fine my boy!"
The other two just nodded as the little boy, swamped in his new clothes, joined them at the table. "Here you go," said the old man as he held out a plate for the child to take.
"Wot is it?" he asked as he poked the long, thin thing.
"It's a sausage. You eat it."
"Wouldn't you like some?"
"Course 'ee wouldn't Sammy boy! They ain't kosher!" laughed Nancy as Sam started shoving it down his throat. "Careful now. It ain't goin' nowhere! Slow down, you'll choke else." Sam obeyed her instructions before trying to hide a yawn behind his hand.
"Bed I think Sam. Can't have you sleeping on the job tomorrow, can we now?" remarked the old man before handing the boy a small mug. "Drink up." Sam swallowed it quickly, it was very strong. He stood up to go to bed but sneezed and, with a runny nose, started looking for a spare handkerchief to wipe his nose. There were none he could see that didn't seem to be in use. So he walked up to the nasty man, Bill he thought his name was, and fished his out the pocket. Quickly he wiped his nose before handing it back to him.
Bill stared at the fabric in his hand then at the small boy standing next to him. "Did you just?"
The boy stared straight back. "Yep." Then turning to the open mouthed group he bid them a cheery; "Ni night." before leaving to go to bed. Behind him the three remaining people were in deep discussion. Bill Sikes stood up to leave. Just as he reached the manhole he turned back and said in the most cheery voice anyone had ever heard him say; "I like him. Got guts. Nancy you've got competition as my favourite. Goodbye."
Breaking the minute long silence the remaining man spoke the truth; "Didn't know he liked anyone eh Nance?!"
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