Thorns And Roses

Chapter Nineteen

Walking through the streets of London, Toby and Beth made their way back through the market place when all of a sudden Beth spotted a scruffy yet adorable looking dog with floppy ears wandering around in front of them.

"Oh, a dog!" She cried, running over and kneeling in the puddles to shower the canine in affection.

Toby approached and stood nervously as Beth stroked the dogs head and patted his body. The pooch was obviously very comfortable being touched and wagged its tail happily, enjoying the attention. Toby knew right away the dog was probably a stray given its skinny frame and dirty fur, though there were some remnants of a torn collar around his small neck so he must have belonged to someone once.

"I think he likes me." Beth grinned, then she looked to Toby who seemed apprehensive around the creature "He won't bite, look he likes being stroked. Come and pet him." She reached up and took Toby's wrist, making him flinch a little as she gently pulled him closer.

Cautiously Toby approached and bent to pat the dog on the head. The canine rubbed affectionately against the two of them and the children giggled as he tried to lick their faces.

"Oh, you're so cute!" Beth wrapped her arms around the dog's neck in an embrace. "I wish I could take you home with me, but mother wouldn't like it."

Toby stood from his position on the floor and happened to glance around him when he spotted a man in a bowler hat and high collar looking at them by a flower stall. As soon as Toby's eyes met his, the man looked away and moved around the stalls, appearing to be shopping for something. Toby frowned, a peculiar sense of unease washing over him. 

"Beth..." He said quietly "I think we should go now."

Sighing the girl nodded and gave the dog one last hug and stroke "Bye doggy." She stood and soon after she did the pooch began wandering off towards the food stalls and disappeared out of sight. Beth surveyed her now wet and muddy skirts fearfully, she was going to get in big trouble for that when she got home. Oh well, the more she annoyed her mother the better.

The pair made their way through the London market and Toby made a habit of stopping every now and then, pretending to look at some stalls to see if the man followed them. He did. Beth hadn't seemed to notice but was becoming annoyed by how many times Toby wanted to stop and look at things when all she wanted to do was go home.

Toby was far too focused on keeping the strange man in his sights to be bothered by her short temper and angry glares. The closer Toby looked at this man, the more uneasy he became. His low hat and high collar concealed a lot of his face but he could still make out strands of blonde hair poking out from underneath the hat and cold blue eyes scanning the surrounding market. What scared Toby the most was that his eyes seemed to be glued on Beth.

Becoming very scared for them now, Toby surprised her by grabbing Beth's hand and pulling her close so he could whisper to her "That man in the brown cap is followin' us - we need ta go, now."

"What?" She squeaked, automatically turning to look around her but Toby stopped her, begging her to not make it obvious.

"Let's just go, if 'e follows we can run." He told her. Beth nodded, her eyes wide and afraid but she listened. 

Toby took the lead and kept his gaze over his shoulder as they strode away from the stall. They were walking away rapidly and as soon as the man realised this he began to follow them again, picking up his own speed. When Toby saw him practically jogging after them, he grabbed Beth's hand again and yelled "Run!"

They sped down the streets and out of the market place into the much quieter streets. To his horror, Toby realised that the man was chasing after them. He led Beth by the hand down a hill and in a different direction to the one they came. He intended to head for the busy pubs where there would be more people and safery in the crowds. He also didn't want to lead this man to the shop where his mum would be, he couldn't show this man where they lived.