(please keep in mind that none of this has been edited or proof read. It remains unchanged from when I wrote it during last years nano. So please note that there will be typos and grammatical errors. I apologise in advance.)

Chapter Five

 The next morning dawned brighter than it had for several weeks. Sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling upon the lonely occupant sat upon the bed. Millie Clancy sighed and rolled away. There were dark rings around her eyes and she felt the urge to yawn every few seconds but nothing would let her sleep. Every time she tried, the blonde would startle into terrified consciousness as blood, gore or her father’s distressed face would appear in her mind.

When she could not take the stillness any more, she threw the blankets back and rolled herself from her bed. It took her a moment to orientate herself before she stumbled though the gloom towards her wardrobe. Quickly removing an outfit her father would not approve of, Millie got dressed.

Exiting her room in a pair of breeches that had once belonged to Percy, a long shirt and a flexible corset she tiptoed down the corridor and headed for the lesser used exit. The servants knew that she left the house on her own but usually her father wasn’t around to know if she were missing. He probably wouldn’t know then if she left because he was obviously unwell but she decided to stay on the side of caution. An angry father was never good for anyone in the household.

Taking the service stairs which led down into the kitchen, Millie peeked around every corner before she turned and made sure that every move she made was quiet. Even her breathing was nothing more than a soft whisper, lost over the clutter and bang of the kitchen staff in the morning. She was almost out of the rear entrance when she saw Percy. He was leant against the back wall, his eyes closed as he waited.

Millie shook her head and resisted the chuckle that wanted to escape. He always knew.

Closing the door softly behind her, the young Clancy then flew over the grass that separated her from her friend. She heard one of the windows open on the house as it gave a great creaking lurch before banging open. Millie winced and ducked her head as she ran before shooting a tentative glance over her shoulder. Ms Wright had stuck her head out of her bedroom window and was frowning at her retreating back. And yet she didn’t say anything, she just raised a hand and waved before focusing on the man whose direction I was running in and sending him a nod.

She knew that direction and embraced it, sending a polite wave in return before picking up the pace.

Percy tried to smile when she finally reached him but it wavered. Instead, he stretched out his arms and pulled her into a firm hug that the teen didn’t even know that she needed. But she did and as he held her tightly she felt a few more tears leak from her eyes and dampen her cheeks.

“Thanks Cogs,” she whispered, pushing back enough so that she could stare up into his dark eyes. He nodded but didn’t say a word.

It took a few minutes until she could compose herself but the man, who looked a little worse for wear himself, stood up straight and held her the entire time.

“Better?” He questioned as she dried he cheeks and then proceeded to shake out her limbs. The blonde nodded her head in response.

“Let’s go. I don’t want to be here at all today.”

Nodding his head in acceptance, Percy crouched low, weaving his fingers together to form a cradle for her foot like he had the day before, and gave the slender woman a boost over the wall. It was easier to get out this way as Percy’s height and strength allowed him to simply jump and pull himself over the wall, Millie usually relied upon the tree some twenty metre away but usually came out the other side with scratched and scrapes upon her arms and legs.

Jumping down into the street beyond the pair immediately covered their heads and moved into the traffic that was pouring down the streets in a steady stream. It was easier to follow the flow that try and battle against it which is why the pair often had to double back of themselves to keep heading in the right direction.

Eventually they came to a large field on the outskirts of town. It was firmly situated within the slums but due to the constant parties and competition, the less wealthy populace spent much of their time ensuring it remained in good condition. It was one of the few places where everyone could gather without the need for money.

Today, it was as much about socialisation as it was checking out the competition. For the purpose of the day, Cog and Stretch had brought along their teams last project, a clockwork dog that understood simple commands due to the delicate balance of wires and colds within its internal infrastructure. What Millie liked best about it however was the exoskeleton which had been engraved by the three of them with unique designs.

Essentially this was the black market of Portside. As the pair stepped into the throng, they could see several stalls set up offering things from expensive meats that were difficult to acquire within the region to scrap metal that they had probably stolen from a factory somewhere but which they could see for a large sum. It was a lucrative business and if Millie hadn’t been born into wealth she might have considered it as a way to get the sought after monies to pursue her passion. Today however she was shopping, not selling.

Percy detached himself from her side, taking the money bag that she proffered and dissolved into the crowd after a jaunty wave. She shook her head and then headed off to the side when Madame Mo liked to set up shop.

Under the wooden shelter that had been constructed by the seller’s sons, Madame Mo sat back in a chair with an easy smile watching the people pass by. Spectatorship was the older woman’s favourite sport and often told Mimi, as Millie was known around these parts, all about the latest dramas.

“Hey Mo, have you got any more of the hair shine?” the blonde questioned as she pulled out her money bag and shook it so the woman knew she meant business.

Mo, who had been acting cool and collected only moments before, allowed her wrinkled face to form into what approximated a smile but was difficult to tell with the woman’s shrewd face.

“And what other things will ye be wanting lass?”

Twirling a lock of her hair around her finger, Millie let loose a giggle.

“You know me too well.” She replied, her voice laced with amusement. “I need wire; silver and copper would be good. As much of it as you can get and some rubber like the kind they use at Clancy’s, if you catch my drift. I’ll also need six bottles of hair shine, a bottle of polish, oh and a box of your freshly imported chocolate.”

Mo nodded her head, her eyes getting a distant look as her fingers drummed on the table.

“I can do that. The rubber will take a few days but the rest I can get over to you tonight. Does that sound fair?” The crone pushed herself from her chair and held her hand out for the younger woman to shake.

“Price first, and then we deal.” Millicent knew from experience that if you didn’t agree on a price you would end up paying double the worth.

Mo let out a husky chuckle that told of her serious love of her pipe and copious amounts of gin – all off the clock of course.

“I’ll take twenty for the lot,” Mo said, her lips twitching as she folded her arms across her chest.

Millicent cocked her head to the side. She could probably knock at least two pounds off of the total amount if she really wanted to persist but then again, she probably had more money than everyone here sitting in her vault at the bank or even within her safe at home.

“You have a deal. I’ll give you ten now and then the rest when the other half of my order gets delivered. Do we have a deal?”

Mo positively slapped her hand into mine, shaking it firmly before she began putting together the necessary items. She knew that there was no way she would get a better deal; the blonde was always the one who paid more than everyone else. They thought it was due to their hard sell but really it was because she could afford to. She had heard them talk about her when they thought she wasn’t listening. Most there thought her to be a fool for not haggling which was why they always bent over backwards to appease her. They used her for her money and she used her money to get the best that she could.

“Deal.” The old woman said as she shook hand with her before letting go and holding out her palm expectantly.

“One second,” Millie murmured before putting her hand inside of her top and pulling out the pound notes that she had slipped down there for safe keeping. It was the only way to ensure that you didn’t get pickpocketed in this town for one would surely notice if someone had their hand up their tunic.

She counted out the slips, slapping each into the eager woman’s hand as she added. “There you go, ten pounds,”

The old woman recounted it, her liver spotted hands trembling as she handled the money. No doubt she was thinking of the meal she and her family would eat that night. “CHARLIE.” Mo bellowed, plopping herself back into her chair when she had confirmed the amount. The chair groaned in protest but the woman ignored it and simply wriggled side to side.

A young red head boy of fourteen detached from the crowd. His adorable face had a line of freckles across his nose which only added to the red head stereotype. Still he ambled over to what was most obviously his grandmother if their resemblance was clue enough, and stood there with his arms folded across his chest. Mo rolled her eyes and sighed.

“I need you and your brother’s to fill an order for this young lady. It needs to be done now otherwise you don’t get your cut which also means no beef stew for dinner. Do you understand?”

The boy who had been a dejected puppy only seconds before suddenly perked up.

“Beef? We’re having beef?” The incredulity in those words was enough to make the happy smile wipe off of Millie’s face.

“Yes, now get moving before I give you something to smile about boy.” Although her tone was rough, the boy just laughed and shook his head at his crazy grandmother. Then, with a happy skip to his step, he launched back into the crowd to look for his brothers.

“I will be over at the metal stall if you need me but you know where it all needs to go. I’ll take the chocolate now though.” The tall girl used her height to her advantage and picked up the box of chocolates that Mo always kept for her should she want them - which as it happened - was every time she ever visited the market.

Laughter followed her back as she took Charlie’s lead and disappeared into the crowd, chocolate in hand, to find her friends.