The Artful Dodger

Chapter 14

In the morning, the boys were awoken by the strong sunlight that flooded through the dirty window. The whole room felt hot and stuffy and this meant that for once, the gang of pickpockets actually wanted to go out. Fagin awoke only minutes after the boys at the commotion, and came out of the den, stretching like a cat.

"Breakfast, boys. Then you'll go out and pick a few pockets- but be careful, you've seen what happens when you're not..." said Fagin, glancing towards Rose.

Rose was mournfully sitting alone on her bed, and when Dodger saw this, he walked over and put his arm around her.

"You alright?" he asked worried.

"Dodger, I need to talk to you." she said, pushing his arm from her shoulders.

"What?" asked the Dodger, looking hurt at the rejection of his arm.

"I know we've only been together for a few days, and I do really like you, but I can't be with you anymore." said Rose. She was unable to look him in the eye.

The Artful Dodger's heart stopped. Was she breaking up with him?

"Why?" he spluttered, confused at the sudden nature of the breakup.

"It's not safe, Dodger. Since I've met you, I've lost everyone I care about, and I've worked out, from my talk with Nancy, that if I hadn't met you that day, both Peter and my father would still be alive."

Dodger gulped. He knew it was true, but he had no idea other people had come to the same conclusion. He tried to take Rose's hand, but she stood up, walked away and did not look back.

His world was ending. The girl that he really cared about had broken up with him. How would they run away together? Were they not friends anymore? And finally, she knew that it was all his fault that her whole family had died. This was Dodger's worst fear.

He watched her sit down with Paul and Oliver at the table, looking miserable, but nowhere near as miserable as Dodger felt. He stood up and plodded over to Charley and Davy, not his usual bouncy self.

"You alright there, Jack Dawkins?" asked Charley, and when he did not get a reply- "Everythin' alrigh' with you an' Rose?"

"She broke up with me." said Dodger, slumping forward on the table, hiding his face.

"Now that's a pity..." said Davy, "I hate it when that 'appens. Once I was going out with this pretty girl called Georgina, you remember her?"

Dodger and Charley nodded, recalling her. She had curly brown hair, a cheerful smile, and was always kind and friendly to everyone. However, Davy talked endlessly about her, and they were getting bored of this conversation.

"Davy, I know everything about this 'eartbreakin' romance, and so does Dodger 'ere. Change the story!" said Charley.

Davy looked hurt.

"But I don't understand why you broke up? I know you said she disappeared, but I've seen her a lot as of late!" said the Dodger.

"We never broke up, as I said she just disappeared one day. I want ter see her again! You said you've seen her around? When?"

"Loads, Davy! You never broke up with her! Oh, what a laugh! You'll have to sneak up and scare her with me!" laughed Charley, tickled by the fact that Davy was so clueless about his own relationship.

"She wouldn't like that, Charley. Let's go and find her, quick!" Davy said, standing up and putting on his hat.

Dodger was slightly cheered up by the ridiculous situation that Davy was now in, but when he caught Rose's eye, he remembered all that had been said and this returned the heavy weight to his chest.