String of Fate

Chapter Sixty Two

I grabbed the bread and started running but I had been too slow. There was a yell from the baker and when I turned the corner, I realised that he was following me. I was in big trouble if I got caught. Luckily, I probably knew the streets better than most people. I'd lived on them for five years after all. I crossed the street in front of a carriage close enough that it should have stopped the baker in his tracks – and ran into a man walking. "Sorry, sir!"

I was about to continue running when my arm was grabbed. The baker had caught me but the carriage should have stopped him. I saw his arm raised above his head to strike me – it wouldn't be the first time I had gotten hit for stealing – but his wrist was caught by the gentleman that had stopped me, who was holding out a few silver coins – which would be very expensive for a loaf. "There is no need for violence against a young girl. This should cover the cost of your bread. Now, go back to your shop."

"Thank you, Lord Kensington." The baker replied, letting me go and disappearing with the money from the Lord. I was too surprised to move because Lord Kensington had saved a street rat like me. Why? Was he actually mad? I hadn't heard any rumours of the great Lord Kensington being mad. I held the loaf of bread in front of me as he turned to me.

"Come with us, little girl. I'll get you a better breakfast than bread." He smiled down at me, taking my hand as if he didn't want me to run off again. The person with him, who I assumed was his butler, protested (quite rightly, too) but Lord Kensington just turned to him. "Alfred, its fine. I see potential. Plus, mother will love her."

I gathered that I would need to go with him, just to say thank you, and he had promised me breakfast. I would never say no to free food. It was extremely hard to come by when you lived on the streets. I just thought that the bread would go to waste if I took it with me.

"Can you wait, please? I have something that I must do first." I asked. The Lord thought for a moment before nodding and I rushed into the alley to see Skipper sitting there. The ten year old was still adapting to life on the streets since he'd only just been made homeless. I held the bread out to him. "Hey, Skipper. Take this. Don't eat it all in one go, though. Some Lord is taking me with him and I don't know when I'll be back."

"Thanks, Matilda! Are you sure that you're gonna be okay?" Skipper questioned, taking the bread from me carefully. He'd gotten really attached to me in the past week that he had been on the streets, but I guess that just meant that he was worried about me. It was nice to have someone worrying about me.

"I'll be fine! Tough as old nails, me. Bye, Skipper! I'll probably see you in a bit." I told him, ruffling the hair on his head and giving him a big smile. Then, I headed back to the street and stopped in front of Lord Kensington. "I'm ready now, Lord Kensington."

After a quiet carriage ride to a very big house, Alfred and Lord Kensington led the way inside and into one of the probably many reception rooms. There was a woman sitting in an armchair by the window, taking in the view whenever she looked up from her sewing. She had been concentrating on that, but she looked up when Lord Kensington entered. Alfred stayed in the hallway and I felt that it was best to stay with him. "Henry, darling! You're back!"

"Yes, mother. I didn't find anything of interest in the shops. However, I did find something of interest on the street. Come in!" Lord Kensington replied and I realised that I should have followed him into the room. I walked in, deciding to stand next to Henry. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Mother, this is – I forgot to ask your name."

"My name is Matilda, Ma'am. I am thirteen years old." I told them both, bowing a little to the woman. I would have done a curtsey but every time I practiced it, I fell over, so, that probably wasn't best in this situation.