Cold

Charley Bates lay in his bed, shivering. It was a nastily cold, bitter night in Victorian London and Charley was especially feeling it, as he didn't have very many sheets or mattresses to keep him warm.

He tossed and turned as he curled up into a ball as an attempt to keep some of his body heat in. It wasn't working.

But he didn't seem to be the only one having trouble with settling down. He could hear his best friend, the Artful Dodger; wriggle about in his bed, possibly also trying to get comfy and warm.

"Jack…" called out Charley, softly.

"Yes, Charley." Whispered Dodger.

"Are chu' 'avin' trouble getting' t' sleep too?"

"Na, I jus' like tossin' an' turnin' in my sleep." Replied Jack, sarcastically. Charley giggled. There was a moment's pause before Charley said;

"I'm cold."

"We ain't never been warm in our entire lives, Charley."

"I know… but for once don't cha wish chu were?"

"Yeah." Sighed his mate. More silence.

"Jack…"

"Yeah, Charley…" groaned Dodger.

"Could I… could I pre'apes get inta your bed…?"

Dodger turned his head to get a better look at Charley's tentative face, the moonlight streaming through the holey cloths used as curtains.

"Chu mad?" asked Dodger.

Charley's hopeful face fell. The look of disappointment made Dodger feel ashamed of his abrupt rejection.

"Oh, alrigh' then." Said Dodger.

And so Charley clambered into Jack's bed, next to him and pulled the sheets from his own bed over the pair of them.

Charley was feeling much warmer already.

~#~

Sorry everyone, I had written this ages ago, but I think I deleted it by accident! Thank you to Lena and Leisel for noticing that!