Chapter Six

Beck's Perspective:

For the next five days, we all fell into our newest routine. At six, Andre and I would wake, get dressed, collect the gloves Tori had made for him out of my old pair of trousers, then head out. I'd drop him off at the lumber yard with a cloth sack of bread and cheese, plus a penny for the tea cart, before making my way down to Paxton Goods. Eventually, Matthew started standing in the doorway, waiting to greet me. Talking to him for a while, I'd continue job hunting.

When Friday finally hit, I showed up to find an older man behind the register. On the other side of the shop, Matthew was taking inventory. He glanced at me over his shoulder, but otherwise continued his task. I'm on my own in this.

"Morning, son. I haven't seen you around these parts." The man smiled benignly. I could see the similarities between Matthew and his father, particularly in the eyes. Unlike Matthew, Mister Paxton's hair had grayed.

"My family just moved to London." I gave Mr Paxton the same story I told his son. Upon giving my name, some recognition seemed to spark.

"Ah, Mr Oliver. You're the boy my son's mentioned. He said you were determined to find work and I see that he's not mistaken. Here every day, promptly at eight."

I smiled widely, trying my best to come across as friendly as Matthew. Somewhere once, I was told mirroring your conversational partner gets the best responses out of people. While I doubt mimicking Mister Paxton will go over well with him, he may just like me more if I remind him of his son. "I just want to do right by my family and I can see yours is a good, respectable shop. I had hoped you'd have something for me, even if it's part-time."

"Nothing part-time around here, Mister Oliver. If you work here, it'll be eight till seven, Monday through Saturday. Holidays off, of course."

Something about his expression and turn of phrase encouraged me. I held out my hand. "Should I call you boss?"

I regretted wording it this way immediately. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

"Mister Paxton is fine." He shook my hand. "Lucky for you, I just lost one of my stock boys. Welcome aboard."

He chuckled at the clear relief on my face. Right away, he put me to work with his son. While Matthew took inventory, I organized the shelves, using the schematic put together of the store's stock. After that, I was sent to organize the back. I did it all, far too grateful to complain, even if the work involved cleaning an outhouse. Thankfully, it shouldn't.

Later, when the shop closed at seven, I was walked out by Matthew. He nudged my shoulder in a friendly way. "Persistence pays off. How about dinner. My treat."

He pointed at a passing food vendor. The little meat pies looked and smelled delicious. It would certainly put a smile on everyone's faces. I pulled out the shilling Mister Paxton had paid me with. "I can cover myself. I'll buy a few for my family."

"Now, you live with your wife, your two sisters, your brother and brother-in-law. Correct?" Matthew asked.

"Yes."

"I always wished I had siblings." He admitted a little sadly. "Let me help. They're only a penny a pop."

Matthew ended up paying for his own pie plus mine, leaving me to buy five more. Each was wrapped in parchment paper, making it easier to carry back to Old Nichols. Matthew walked me a few blocks, before waving and heading back to the shops near Cheapside.

It was dark when I returned. When I entered the flat, you'd think I was carrying gold the way I was swarmed. I sat the pies on the table and locked the door. "Eat up."

Andre ate his the fastest. One look and I could tell his day was brutal. It made me wish I'd bought him a second one.

"How was the lumber yard?" I asked, falling into a seat."

"Like nothing I've ever done. Sun-up to sundown, six days a week."

"My day turned around." I pat Andre's back. "I'm the newest stock boy at Paxton Goods. It's a general store near Cheapside. Eight till seven, six days a week. A shilling a day, so seven a week."

"A shilling a day!" Andre balked. "They're only paying me five a week!"

We all shushed him. It doesn't take a genius to know money shouldn't be mentioned loudly around here. I continued. "And I'm getting along with Mister Paxton's son, Matthew. I think it's why I got the job in the first place."

"What about you? You got back before either of them did." Jade turned on Robbie.

He blushed. "I'm trying. Everywhere just keeps shutting the door in my face."

"Of course they are. You're built like a shop mannequin." Jade retorted.

"I am not!" Even as he denied it, Robbie laughed. We all did, in desperate need of some good humor.

"Even if Robbie can't find anything for a while, we're good. We're making twelve shillings a week, collectively." I spoke softly. "That'll cover the room and food, no problem."

"What do we do if one of you lose your job?" Tori asked, her eyes on Andre's hands. The gloves she made help, but aren't as helpful as a pair of leather ones would be.

"We'll save all we can and rely on it when that time comes. Let's try to be hopeful."

"But realistic." Andre added.

After that, we spent the remainder of the evening talking, trying to recall stories to make everyone laugh. Even Jade cracked a smile. Later that night, the storm really picked up, practically shaking the building. Robbie huddled into the cot with me, shaking like a leaf from the cold. When the blanket was thrown over him, he settled down.

Jade shivered loudly enough to shake the frame of her cot. "It's always freezing. Can't we light the stove?"

"Not unless one of us wants to stay up minding it." I yawned.

An hour passed. I was nearly to sleep when I heard the familiar sound of Cat's labored breathing. A flash of lightening lit up the room, revealing that everyone else had gotten to sleep. Cat looked tense as she dreamed. I reluctantly got out of the cot and crossed the room to her side of the big bed. She flinched in her sleep, holding up one of her arms. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I spotted a small scar on her inner arm, near the elbow.

Taking her outstretched hand, I gave it a gentle shake. Her eyes fluttered, but didn't open. She immediately settled down, her breathing returning to a normal level. I returned to my place beside Robbie, exhausted.

Cat's Perspective:

I woke up after sunrise, my head aching. I had that nightmare again...A vague memory of someone standing over me flit across my mind. Unlike the dream, this presence was comforting.

I gripped my head, trying to assess my pain. A combination of dehydration and me missing over a week of my medication. I shut my eyes, trying to fall back asleep, only for Tori to speak.

"The boys already left?"

"I think so." I pulled my wrist out from under my pillow, to check my little watch for the time. We've been relying on it and the cellphones to tell the time. Once they all die, we're sunk. Luckily, I very recently replaced the battery in my wristwatch. It also has an alarm function.

Jade breathed heavily, still sound asleep. Tori, taking a page out of her book, rolled away and snuggled up with the pillow she shares with Andre. I did the same. It was hard with the headache, but I did end up falling back asleep. This time, my dreams were peaceful.

All three of us woke back up with a start as someone knocked firmly on the door. Bess called from the other side. "Rent due."

My eyes welled with tears, the headache still not gone. I got up and threw on my clothes. Not bothering with my shoes, I opened the door for her. "Just a moment."

"Four shillings for a week." Her smile faltered as she appraised me. "Ye alright, miss?"

I nodded. If I feel this bad, I can't imagine how I must look. I reached into Tori's purse on the table, pulling out exactly four shillings. I handed them to Bess. I eyed the cloth in her hands, smelling bread. She handed the loaf to me. "Thank you, Bess. You've been so kind."

"I can 'member me own youth." She smiled warmly. I appraised her, guessing her to be no older than twenty-five. But, with a husband and several kids, I suppose she no longer feels youthful. "Whateva's botherin' ye, get betta. If ye need anythin', call for me."

She smiled again before heading down the stairs, holding her long skirts up to avoid tripping.

I locked the door and turned to face the room. "We're paid up for the week."

Sitting the loaf on the table, I unwrapped it and pulled a hunk of it off to eat. Still warm. The smell of it tempted Tori and Jade out of bed. They each took a piece. Tori smiled. "Bess makes amazing bread. It's better than the beans, anyway."

"We've gone through a whole sack of them. We should rely on them as much as we can. It'll save us money."

"I'm not eating anymore beans..." Jade grumbled. "...ever."

The food on my stomach helped some with the headache. When I could bear to, I considered the various ways I could make the beans more palatable. Among the items we've purchased for use, we picked up a block of dried soup stock. Mixing the two together could make a nice soup. If we had an onion, it might actually be enough to temp even Jade. I considered taking a penny and going to purchase one.

"We should go check the road for vendors." Tori suggested.

I recalled a vendor selling potatoes the other day. Agreeing, I finished getting ready and wrapped my shawl around my shoulders. Tori bundled up in her thick dress. The two of us left Jade in the flat and headed down to the road. A ways away, we could see Robbie standing at the doorway of the local bakery. We made our way down Old Nichols, stopping at a corner where a vendor was selling some kind of meat.

"Trotters! Trotters!" The older woman crowed. She held out the meat for us to view. "Trotters? Three pence."

Tori and I shared an uncertain look, but ultimately decided to buy one. We carried it back with our bare hands. When we returned to the flat, Jade looked at the meat with revulsion.

"Is that a pig hoof?"

"I think so." I sat it on the cloth on the table. Taking a fork, I started shredding the meat off into a pile. It took well over an hour to get it all off. I threw it into the pot with beans and a piece of the soup stock block, making the Victorian equivalent of franks and beans. Adding some salt and pepper, I was just finishing it up when Robbie returned.

"Smells good." He smiled.

"Find a job?" Jade demanded to know.

"No." He frowned. "But, I might have one later this week. The bakery's usual delivery boy is sick or something."

Robbie headed over to the chamber pot and pulled it out from under the bed. Jade stood up. "Not so fast! Your guts are gonna kill us all. Use the outhouse."

"I can't help it!" He blushed. "All we have to eat is beans and cheese. I was gonna pull it out on the landing."

"No. Use the outhouse." Jade shooed him out of the room.

When he returned several minutes later, he looked downright nauseous. "It smells in there..."

"Better than making the room smell." Tori wrinkled her nose. All of us are struggling with the chamber pot and outhouse. But, it's better than stinking up our living quarters.

Andre and Beck got back just after sunset. Pouring the soup into the bowls and jars we have, we ate it, enjoying the inclusion of some proper protein for once. Beck added his shilling to the coin pocket in Tori's purse. Andre pulled out a few smaller coins and added them as well.

"What is this?" Beck lifted the bone and cartilage off the table before dropping it.

"Trotters." I grimaced, trying my best to enjoy the taste and not think about the fact we're eating a pig's foot.

"Whatever it is, it's amazing." Andre happily took seconds. By the time most of us climbed into bed, we'd finished the pot.

Later in the evening, we all settled down in bed. As everyone fell asleep, one by one, I rolled my face into the pillow. My headache, a dull pain for most of the day, started to flare up again. I bit my lip, trying not to wake anyone. I covered my mouth, nauseous. I leaned over the side of the bed and pulled the chamber pot out from under it. Someone had peed in it, but nothing worse. Still, the smell made me gag.

I felt a hand on my back as I heaved. I glanced up into the dark, barely making out Beck's silhouette. He whispered. "What's making you ill?"

"I haven't taken my meds in over a week." I explained through my gagging. "It was just a little headache at first. Now, it's really bad..."

I finally threw up. I pushed the chamberpot back under the bed, apologizing. He rubbed my back. "Don't apologize...why didn't you tell us you were hurting?"

I continued to lay at an angle, in case the nausea flares up again. Beck kept rubbing my back. It helped.

"Everyone is dealing with so much..." My voice broke as tears filled my eyes. Someone stirred in their bed, but didn't wake. "Surviving is all we have time for."

"I always have time for this." He assured me.

I sniffed. "This is a nightmare..."

"I know."

"I'm so scared, Beck." My voice broke again. Tori shifted in bed. If she woke up, she didn't say anything.

"What exactly has you scared?" Beck murmured. "Shelter? We've got it. Food? We have enough. Just being here? We are going to get back home. I promise."

I chewed on my lip, my mind whirring with all my darkest thoughts. I looked into the darkness, at the outline of his face, the full truth dying in my throat. "I just am..."

He was silent for a long moment. "Whatever you're worried about, I promise it'll be alright. We'll make it through this."

I nodded, forgetting he couldn't see me. "Y-yes we will."

"Cat, I don't know how best to reassure you. But, I truly don't think you have anything to be worried about. We're doing this. It's going to be okay."

I had to bury my face to muffle a sob. It took a minute, but I eventually got a hold of myself. "Thank you...I'm starting to feel better...You should go back to sleep."

He didn't move, continuing to rub my back as I tried to settle myself. At some point, the headache subsided and I drifted off.

A week passed before Robbie finally found work at that bakery, making four shillings a week running deliveries. A week after that and we were in a proper routine of work for all six of us. In the end, we decided to visit the local factories in search of what they call 'peace work'. One gave us the makings for match boxes, as well as a little bottle of caustic smelling glue.

We spent all day around the dining table, putting the little boxes together. This work didn't earn near what the boys were bringing in. After returning about five hundred boxes to the factory, we were lucky to come home with six pence. We kind of gave up after that. The glue had started to burn our hands and singe our nostrils.

It was shortly after the doss-house got another set of pigs that we began to seriously consider whether we wanted to continue living here. The smell, combined with the filthy air, had been wrecking havoc on Robbie's respiratory system, making the use of his inhaler even more necessary. In the end, we started scanning the paper for rooms to rent.

"We've got to find something within two days, to avoid paying another week's rent." Beck pointed out, flipping the page. "It doesn't have to be any bigger, but we should try to upgrade as best we can while keeping it near the price we're currently paying."

"Anyone else get the feeling we're paying above market value?" Jade muttered, glaring at the shut door.

"It's a doss-house. The ones living here are desperate." Beck said. "If I wasn't so worried about Robbie killing over, we'd stay longer."

"What about Church street?" I leaned over Beck's shoulder, pointing at a listing for a two room flat there. "Seven shillings a week."

"The air is definitely cleaner there." Beck glanced up at me. "Well, you'll potentially be getting to live a dream, Cat. We just might be moving to Church street."

I tried to return the smile, wanting to cry a little. That overpowering desire to be here, to be on Church street, had withered away in the light of our new reality. "I suppose so."

"We have tomorrow off. After we wake up, I'll inquire." Beck carefully tore out the listing for the flat. "Is there anything else we've been neglecting?"

"Bess finally commented on our lack of corsets." Tori pointed out. "Even she wears one. Maybe, we better. Especially if we're moving to a nicer area."

The newspaper included a listing for a brand new corset priced at three shillings. Beck shut the paper. "It'll have to be used ones from Petticoat lane. We can all check tomorrow."

"Are we really moving?" Jade asked. "Don't get me wrong...I hate it here. But, is trying to find a nicer place worth the risk?"

"A good point..." Beck began. "Should we risk the safety for better air quality?"

Shaking his inhaler, Robbie put it back in his pocket. We could all hear him wheezing, answering the question on all our minds.

Yes. It's worth the risk to make sure one of us doesn't die from an asthma attack.

The candle we all were reading the paper by flickered as the wax got lower to the table. Giving up, we all got ready for bed. On his way to the cot, Beck brushed by me, holding my shoulders to keep me from stumbling. I smiled up at him, still grateful for him comforting me.

"How's work been?"

"Better, now that I've memorized the stocking schematic. I'm not allowed anywhere near the register, though." Beck leaned his head to the side, popping his neck. "But nothing's too heavy for me to lift and my boss is nice."

"More important than corsets, we should get Andre some better gloves for work." Tori announced to the room. Are there any at Paxton Goods?"

"Not that I've seen. Paxton mainly carries dried goods, household necessities and the like."

"I'm fine, really." Andre rubbed his raw fingers together.

"You're not fine. It's bad enough you're doing this kind of work without proper modern safety measures. At least have the proper equipment." Tori touched the tip of Andre's nose. "That's an order."

The cheesy smile on Andre's face left no doubt that he's still very in to Tori. Once this is all over, I know they'll get together.

"My boss mentioned inviting me over for dinner." Beck told us as he slid into bed beside Robbie.

"That's good, right? You must be impressing him for him to invite you into his home." Tori grinned. "We really are doing this, aren't we? We've got work, money coming in, a place to stay and plans to potentially upgrade. I'm proud of us."

"Always the annoying optimist, Vega." Jade quipped. Her bed squeaked as she rolled, trying to get comfortable. I laid still while Tori worked to make room for Andre.

"Someone has to be." Tori shrugged. "I really am proud of us...and we'll get home soon. That, I'm going to keep banking on. We should start walking back to that alley once we live on Church street. See if we can get back."

"We will." I agreed. We just have to. The possibility that we're stuck here...truly stuck...it's too horrible to imagine.

"Don't look so worried." Beck murmured. He had his eyes on my face as I chewed on my nail. "We will get home. That's not up for debate."

I nodded. "Yes, we will."

As promised, Beck inquired into the flat for rent on Church street. When he'd secured it, he returned and let us know. We looked over the flat, considering what all we could get away with taking.

"Did it have furnishings?" Tori asked.

"Similar to here, with a large bed, a cot, table and chairs."

"Can we take the soup pot?" Jade asked.

"It's not ours." Tori fretted.

I bit my nail. "I watched a documentary where modern families lived in a doss-house like this. When one family had to leave for lack of rent payment, they left in the night without saying anything."

"Timothy and Bess have been really helpful." Tori sat on the bed, hugging the bedpost. "Do we really want to run off like that?"

"If we tell them we're leaving, they may expect money. It's only one day till rent is collected. We better wait till very early tomorrow morning and head out. If we wake at five, we should get up before even Timothy does."

This plan came from Beck. He did a circle around the room, collecting candles, jars, utensils and anything of use. He organized it on the table.

"We'll take all that?" Tori worried her bottom lip.

"We'll have to. We'll leave the soup pot. It's gotta be the most expensive thing here. We can't risk taking it."

We spent the afternoon making our escape plan. All of us stayed up late, too anxious to sleep. Finally, we all passed out shortly after eleven.

Beck's Perspective:

The alarm on Cat's watch went off at five, waking me up. I got out of bed and gently woke the others, nearly getting myself hit by Jade. We all got dressed and gathered up what we could realistically take...Jars, three forks, three spoons, two blankets and a pillow. After some discussion last night, we even decided to take the chamber pot, on the off chance the unit doesn't have one. Stepping out on the landing, we quietly crept down the stairs. While the rest went to wait on the street, I sat the key to the room on the little table at the entry to the doss-house.

Outside, we all hurried, wasting no time. With our better understanding of the city and the ability to take the main thoroughfares, we got to church street just as the sun began to rise at six. Collecting our new flat key, we headed up and made ourselves comfortable.

"It's not much...but it's better than Old Nichols." I sat in a chair at the table while the girls went to check the other room. The whole first room is smaller than the doss-house flat, with just enough room for the kitchenette, stove and dining table for four. In the back, the room is a bit more spacious. Even the bed and cot are bigger, making up for the loss of the extra one we had access to.

Everyone unpacked their things and placed them in the bedroom's dresser. As promised, we'd found the girls some cheap corsets. Whether they're comfortable or not, I can't say. At least no one can say anything about them not wearing one.

"You should head to work." Tori handed Andre the worn leather gloves we'd found at the thrift market on Petticoat Lane.

"Yeah..." He grimaced. Taking the little rucksack packed with his lunch, he left with Robbie. I checked Cat's watch. "I'll leave in half an hour. Remember to lock up and not answer the door for anyone. We're paid through the week."

Tori put the kettle we bought on to boil, having filled it with water from Old Nichols before we left. She filled the bowl and pitcher on the table with it, handing me a bit of cloth. "Clean up. Your boss seems to care more."

"He's what you call a proper English merchant." I sighed, wiping my face down. Running the brush from Tori's purse through my hair, I grabbed my lunch sack and left for Cheapside.

At the end of my shift, just as I was preparing to leave, Mister Paxton clapped a hand on my shoulder. "You've done well, Mister Oliver. I've never seen the shop so clean. Tell me, can I trouble you and the wife to come over for dinner? We'd be happy to host you."

I smiled awkwardly, already prepared to agree. It would likely be seen as a slight if I were to refuse. "We'd be delighted. When should we call on you?"

"This evening, if it's not too short notice. Say, eight?"

"Eight o'clock." I nodded. Shaking his hand, I took the written address, left the shop and practically ran back to Church street. I found the girls gathered around the table, cleaning their faces and hands with the bowl and pitcher, plus a bar of soap I brought back from work the other day. A pot of beans was simmering on the stove.

I shut the door before bending over, huffing. Jade raised a brow. "You ran back here or something?"

"Yeah." I panted. "It's time to mingle to keep my job. My boss invited me over for dinner. Gotta get ready."

"You'll have to tell us all about it." Tori sighed, her eyes on the pot of beans.

"He's not wealthy by any means. It'll probably not be too grand." I looked at Cat. "You get ready, too. You're invited."

"I am?" Cat exclaimed at the same time Jade demanded to know why.

"Fake wife is invited." I looked at Jade firmly.

Jade seethed. "And that's Cat. Of course."

Jade stormed over to the door and opened it.

"Don't go far!" Tori pleaded with Jade.

"I'll be on the landing." Jade grumbled before shutting it.

I shared an awkward look with Cat. With little time to waste, we took turns stripping down in the bedroom and giving ourselves sponge baths. When she came out, she was dressed up in her green dress. "It's all I have to wear."

"It's perfect. Don't worry. If my boss cared about anyone wearing the same outfit everyday, he would've reprimanded me by now."

Tori got up and helped Cat brush her hair. Using a hair tie and a few pins from her purse, she created a flattering braided bun. She used a tube of lipstick to give Cat some color on her cheeks. Wrapping her in the shawl, Tori stepped back. "All done. You look cute. Don't worry."

She did. The hunter green color of the dress really brings out the remaining red in Cat's mahogany hair.

I held out my arm for her to take. "Ready?"

"Ready." She nervously followed me out the door, past Jade and down to the street below.

On the way, I explained everything she'd need to know. She repeated after me. "Mr Paxton's son is named Matthew. Mr Paxton's wife is named Martha and Matthew isn't married."

"Correct." I checked our surroundings, keeping an eye out for street signs, printed on plates bolted to buildings. It took a bit of time, but we eventually made it to the Paxton home, located on a side street near Cheapside. We headed up the stairs of the building and knocked on the first door on the right.

The door swung open, revealing Mister Paxton. He gave us both an easy smile. "Welcome. Come in, please."

He ushered us in, where his wife was waiting to greet us. She kindly took Cat's shawl and draped it over an old coat rack. I looked around the modest little apartment. The front room was comprised of a kitchen area near the door and a living area to the left, all furnishings surrounding a fireplace. Diving the two paces was a dining table big enough to seat six. Rather than the sparse atmosphere of our own flat, this one feels warm, inviting.

Matthew appeared from a back room, his smile wide. "Good to see you, Beck. This must be your wife."

He held out a hand to Cat, who looked at me nervously before taking it. Matthew turned her hand and kissed the back of it. Cat blushed.

"I'm happy to be here. We both are." I matched his smile.

"Dinner is ready." His wife rushed over to the counter and picked up a serving bowl. She placed it in the center of the table. From the smell of it, it's some kind of ham stew.

"Please, take a seat." Mister Paxton held a chair out for Cat. When she was seated, I took the chair beside her. The food was quickly served, everyone hungry. Aside from the ham and pea soup, Mrs Paxton served rolls with real butter.

For the first couple minutes, I completely lost myself in the taste of everything. Clearing my throat, I smiled at our gracious cook. "It's delicious."

Mrs Paxton beamed. "I'm glad you like it. It's an old recipe my mother taught me. The secret is plenty of lovage leaves."

I smiled, having no clue what the heck that must be. Whatever it is, it far exceeds anything we've eaten since going back in time.

"Tell me, how did you two meet?" Mrs Paxton asked.

"Oh, Martha. Must you learn everyone's story?" Mister Paxton playfully teased her.

I froze. That hadn't been something I discussed with Cat. I can't very well tell the truth.

"We met by a planter of daisies. It was raining and I forgot my umbrella. Beck lent me his." Cat answered.

I turned to look at her, surprised. With her description, the memory came back. It was our first day at Hollywood Arts. School had been such a rush, if I had seen Cat that day, I wouldn't remember. The first time we actually spoke is after school, when I saw her huddled under the awning, next to a planter of daisies, rain pouring down. I hadn't gotten my car yet and was planning to walk home with my umbrella. When I saw her, looking lost, I approached her and offered my umbrella.

"Here. Take mine."

I smiled. "I still remember your smile."

Cat looked up at me, her cheeks a little flushed.

"How sweet." Mrs Paxton cooed. "As for us, I met my Albert in school. We were what you'd call sweethearts."

"We still are." Mister Paxton smiled warmly at his wife.

That encouraged Mrs Paxton to continue her gushing for the rest of dinner. After the plates were cleared, smaller plates of some type of boiled pudding was brought to the table.

"After we finish, let us play a parlor game."

"Charades!" Matthew exclaimed. "No, blindman's bluff."

"Charades it is." Mister Paxton encouraged us to enter the living area and sit on either the sofa or one of two chairs. Sitting next to Cat, I watched as Matthew got up first.

He held up a finger.

"One word." Mister Paxton smile.

Holding out both hands, Matthew mimed out reading something large.

"A newspaper." I guessed.

"Correct." Matthew took his seat.

I got up, not sure at all what to go with. I've played charades before, but never with the limitation of it having to be something a Victorian would be able to guess. I looked around the room, spotting a set of wooden knitting needles poking out from a thick cloth bag. I held up a finger.

"One word." Cat leaned forward.

I mimed rolling up a ball of yarn.

"Yarn!" Matthew exclaimed.

"Don't shout, my boy." Mister Paxton admonished him.

I held up two fingers, indicating that it's close.

"Something to do with yarn..." Mrs Paxton thought.

"Knitting." Cat guessed.

I tapped my nose. "Correct."

Cat clapped her hands as she got up. I took her spot on the sofa. I felt a little nervous letting her choose a word, but the look of absolute glee on her face is worth having to explain whatever she's about to choose. This is the happiest I've seen her in a while. Her smile is a welcome sight.

She held up one finger.

"One word." Mister Paxton said.

Cat mimed wrapped her arm around someone and smiled.

"Hug?"

She shook her head and wrapped her other arm around another imaginary person.

"Family."

"Friends?" I guessed.

She grinned. "Correct."

The next hour or so went by with us playing this game. After it concluded, Mister Paxton handed little glasses to everyone and poured some kind of alcohol into them. I sniffed it. Brandy. I took a sip, giving Cat a worried look. She's probably never had alcohol in her life.

"It's brandy." I told her softly. "You don't have to drink it."

She took a drink of it anyway. Her eyes widened and her nose wrinkled as the amber liquid hit her palette. "It tastes spicy."

I nearly laughed. Drinking on mine, I kept an eye out as she braved her own glass. As she finally managed to finish it, her face began to look flushed.

"My goodness, that may have been a bit strong for you." Mrs Paxton looked at Cat with mild worry.

"I'm okay." Cat smiled widely. "It's kind of spicy, like rum. My brother let me try some when I was fifteen."

I looked over at her, startled. "Did he, now?"

Mrs Paxton laughed. "Well, so long as you are alright. My first drink was given to me by my brother as well."

Slowly, Cat's smile began to fade. I instinctively took her hand and leaned in. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, her jaw tightening. I looked nervously up at my boss. "I'm afraid alcohol doesn't agree with her."

"Oh, you poor thing. Let me make some tea." Mrs Paxton hurried into the kitchen area.

Matthew sat his own drink aside. "Brandy was never my favorite, either."

Returning with a porcelain cup and saucer, Mrs Paxton handed it to Cat, who carefully sipped on it. Slowly, she began to look a little better. I put an arm around her.

"It was so kind of you to invite us. I think I'd better get her home." I stood up with Cat. I had to practically pull her entire weight up. Luckily, she remained standing without assistance.

Mister Paxton stood. "Of course. I'm glad you could make it. I'll see you on Monday."

Mrs Paxton took the tea cup from Cat and went to fetch her shawl for her. I took it and wrapped it tightly around her. Giving our goodbyes, we left the flat and headed down the stairs. We had just reached the street when Cat turned to look at me.

"I'm so sorry, Beck." She sounds like she's crying. Though in the dark, I can't be sure. I put my arm around her and led the way to a street light up ahead, stopping underneath it.

"Don't apologize. You did amazing. We got through the meal and even played a parlor game without either of us breaking our accent."

She managed a small smile, only for it to fall. A gust of wind passed us, causing her to step into my arms. She huddled against me, wrapping her arms around me. I hugged her back. "Let's get back."

She sniffed. Pulling her face back, I wiped her tears away with her shawl.

"Kay kay." She fell to my side and let me lead her down the street.

On the way, I kept looking down at her, worried. "What exactly made you sad?"

She sniffed. "My brother."

"Your brother?"

She rested her head on my arm as we walked. "My dad sent him away before he left."

I looked down at Cat with compassion. She had told me about her dad leaving following some 'incident'. What that could be, I can only guess.

"May I ask why he sent your brother away?" I immediately regretted asking. I don't want to make her feel worse.

"I don't feel well..." Cat began to lean more of her weight on me. Concerned she'd up and fall over, I leaned down and hooked my arms around her back and behind her knees, lifting her up in my arms. She immediately settled into my hold, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I should have taken that brandy from you. I'm sorry."

She laid her head on my shoulder. For the next couple minutes, I walked us back in silence. Just when I began to question whether she had fallen asleep, she spoke.

"My brother tried to kill me."

I froze in place. Holding her tightly, I looked down at her face. "What..?"

Her lips formed into a grimace. "He...hurt himself when he thought my parents were going to send him back to the institution. He wanted to die and go to some place called the Otherworld. He wanted to take me with him."

She held up her arm and started rolling up the sleeve just as we reached another street light. In the dim light, I could barely make out a strange scar. My stomach turned at the sight of it. She sniffed again as the tears returned.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I pulled her as tightly to me as a dared.

She let out a low sob. "I didn't want it to be real..."

My head snapped up as voices carried from a side street. I continued to head back to the flat. I could see it up ahead. I shushed her, unsure of what else to do. "Ssh. I'm here."

Reaching Church street, I carried Cat up the stairs and to our flat. Tori opened the door.

"What happened?" She exclaimed.

"Mrs Paxton gave me brandy." Cat mumbled, looking a little more nauseous than she did when we first left the dinner.

I hurried in and sat Cat in one of the dining chairs.

"Cat couldn't handle the gin at the doss house. Why did you let her drink brandy?" Tori scolded me.

"I'm sorry." I grabbed a scrap of cloth and wet it with the bowl and pitcher. Kneeling in front of Cat, I wrapped it around the back of her neck. She quickly got up and rushed towards the chamberpot by the door, where she threw up most of her dinner.

Tori rubbed Cat's back. "Let's get you to bed."

Helping Cat to her feet, Tori led her to bed. Taking off my boots, I followed, my thoughts on what Cat had told me. Her own brother tried to...I can't even finish that thought. And this whole time, she's kept it to herself. Her mother's abuse, her father leaving, her brother's attack...How can she even handle all this pain? Whether the others realize it or not, Cat really is one of the strongest people I've ever met.

Sliding into the cot beside Robbie, I stared at Cat as she got into bed, her complexion back to its usual pale tone. She looked up at me in time to meet my eye. She gave me a small smile just as Tori blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness.