Author's Note: So sorry I have taken forever to update. School has gotten in the way of writing. I know, I know, not a very good excuse. Sorry for the short chapter here but I hope to have the next one up before the end of the month. Please tell me how you like this chapter!

Chapter Eleven: Saving Ginger

After several days in her sickbed, Kathryn was able to get up and move around. Dodger never left her side. Soon Fagin started getting on to Dodger about earning his keep. Kathryn heard the two of them fighting about it at night. It's all my fault, she thought, if I hadn't come he wouldn't be in trouble.

Dodger was forced to go out on the job again the next day. He was loath to leave Kathryn but knew if he didn't, Fagin might turn him out. Then who would take care of her at all? While he was in town, he decided to go by the place he and Kathryn used to visit Ginger. "I suppose hearing about Ginger would make her feel better," he said to himself.

When he arrived, a horrible sight met his eyes: Ginger looked even worse than before. Her eyes were rimmed with white, her hips were sunken and her feet were cracked and needed shoes. Her mane and tail were tangled and filled with cockleburs and manure. Dodger walked up to her and patted her shoulder. "It's all righ', girl, I'll ge' you outta 'ere," he told her and ran back to tell Kathryn.

"Kathryn, Kathryn," he shouted as he ran in the door, "I need to talk to you about Ginger." Kathryn came over to him from the fire and sat by him at the table.

"What is it, Dodge? What happened to her?" she asked.

Dodger hesitated, he didn't want to hurt Kathryn or make her want to do something rash to save the horse. "She looks bad, Kathryn, we 'ave to save her when you're bet'er."

"No! We can't wait, we must save her now, I can walk short distances with only a bit of help."

Dodger considered her for a moment before he decided he wasn't going to win. "Alrigh'," he said finally, "get ready. We'll leave whenever you're set."

Kathryn nodded and hurriedly washed her face and changed into clothes fit to go out in. "I'm ready!" she calls to Dodger. He joins her at the door and they walk out into the streets of London together.

"So, just how are you thinking we are going to rescue her?" Kathryn asks timidly.

"I'm not sure," Dodger says a bit taken aback, "I figured you had it all under control."

"I'm afraid I haven't given much thought to the matter," Kathryn replied sadly, "We'll just have to do our best to come up with something." They continued walking for a while in silence. Then Dodger burst out, "I've got it!"

"Got what?"

"What we're going to do with Ginger of course! I know a rich old gen'lman who'll take her for me. He's a nice one, he is, and he'll take righ' good care of her."

"That's just brilliant, Dodge!" Kathryn cried, not realizing that she'd called him by his affectionate name. They quickened their pace and soon made it to where Ginger was usually tied. They were forced to wait awhile in the ally as Ginger and her cab were not tied. After about an hour, the cab pulled up and the red-faced cabby got out and walked into the pub.

"Now," said Dodger, "you get in the cab and I'll untie her. It won't look as suspicious if we drive her instead of lead her." Kathryn nodded in reply and climbed into the cab. Dodger soon joined her and clucked to Ginger as he gathered the reins. "C'mon girl," he said, "we're taking you to a much better 'ome." Ginger seemed to know this and started along at a smart trot.

Soon they reached the rich man's house and Dodger told Kathryn to wait with Ginger while he talked to the old man. Waiting was hard for Kathryn and she was anxious the whole time; shifting from one foot to the other and nervously saying nonsensical things to Ginger and herself.

About a quarter of an hour later, Dodger returned with a kind looking, grey haired man behind him.

"Kathryn, this 'ere is Mr. Brownlow, he is going to take Ginger and give her a good 'ome. He's been looking for a good cart-horse and I told 'im that Ginger'd be a righ' good one once he feeds 'er up a bit." Kathryn bobbed a quick curtsy with a look of unmistakable joy on her face.

"Oh thank you, sir!" she cried, wanting to say more but not finding the appropriate words. Dodger came over to her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"We'd bes' be goin' now, sir," he said with a tip of his hat, "I thank you very much for taking the horse, and hope she does good work for you." With that, he turned Kathryn and led her home.