In general, life's not so bad in Robbie's gang. A little bit of picking pockets, a little bit of housebreaking; all things Jamie's done before, and the company's mostly congenial if you know how to talk their language, which Jamie does. And while it may be on the wrong side of the law, it's a sight less risky to life and limb than most of the legitimate occupations available to a teenager with no money and no proper identity in a town like this
( ... )
"Mickey, Fred -- not you, Fred, you're stayin' with me -- one a you cut 'round to Martlett and the other down to Broad Court. Make sure he can't scarper off that way."
Other Fred and Mickey exchange glances, nod, and head off. Robbie grins at the others. "Come on, then."
Kim's not worried about the group of boys down the street until two of them peel off and disappear, and by then, she hopes it's not too late. The bigger group is between her and Kemble; her only real option is to keep heading west and hope she can get to Great Queen before they can start any trouble.
She tugs her cap down firmly and starts walking, determinedly not glancing over her shoulder.
Robbie's got the trick of walking at a clip while making it look like he's doing a casual saunter. Ginger Fred has a bit more trouble disguising the fact that he's picked up the pace.
Jamie, on the other hand, hasn't much picked up the pace until nervous Skittery, jumpy even with the clear numbers advantage, kicks him in the ankle and mutters, "Keep up, will you?"
"Try to look a bit fierce, will you?" Jamie murmurs back. "You're not going to fright a wet noodle with that face." But he speeds up a little, though he's careful all the same to stay half a step behind the others.
Robbie glances at Fred; Fred pushes forward, into Kim's path, and sticks out a foot to block her way.
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Other Fred and Mickey exchange glances, nod, and head off. Robbie grins at the others. "Come on, then."
Kim's not worried about the group of boys down the street until two of them peel off and disappear, and by then, she hopes it's not too late. The bigger group is between her and Kemble; her only real option is to keep heading west and hope she can get to Great Queen before they can start any trouble.
She tugs her cap down firmly and starts walking, determinedly not glancing over her shoulder.
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Jamie, on the other hand, hasn't much picked up the pace until nervous Skittery, jumpy even with the clear numbers advantage, kicks him in the ankle and mutters, "Keep up, will you?"
"Try to look a bit fierce, will you?" Jamie murmurs back. "You're not going to fright a wet noodle with that face." But he speeds up a little, though he's careful all the same to stay half a step behind the others.
Robbie glances at Fred; Fred pushes forward, into Kim's path, and sticks out a foot to block her way.
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"What do you want?"
"Hullo there, Kim," Robbie responds, grinning.
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