John had already been tipped off by a neighbour, which allowed him to escape from being captured by returning home.
John, now Timmy, thanked the captain for his advice and help in disguise, took the bundle of washing and remembering the instruction not to walk like a rich mans son, took care to head for the laundry via various shortcuts and alleyways rarely used by any save stray cats, dogs, and ne'er do wells.
It almost seemed like a game, despite the circumstances, because Timmy couldn't avoid thinking how incongruous it was for him to be pretending to play the role of a beggar boy.
He couldn't really believe this would be a permanent state of affairs, surely there was a
mistake and all would be put right eventually?
He had said as much to the captain but the man had told him in no uncertain terms that he'd better learn to face facts and make the best of it.
The laundry women were expecting him, much to his surprise and bustled him into the hot, steamy back room where the washing was done. There he was told the latest information concerning his parents fate, given a meal and told to sleep upstairs in the attic room.
"Its still early afternoon, I don't need to!" he argued only to be told "From now on my lad you stays out of sight until night time and then we'll see what can be done to keep you safe! When the hue and cry dies down, it'll be time to introduce you to your new friends who will teach you how to stay alive!"
The shock of realising the seriousness of his situation was probably what caused him to fall asleep on the straw mattress that was his bed and stay there until woken again by a girl about his age who told him to come downstairs out into the yard with her where he'd be shown his new mate, as she called him or her.
Timmy's new mate was smaller than he and wiry, he spoke with a broad accent and was forever making quick movements of his hands and eyes, as if on constant lookout for danger which was in fact the case.
"Listen 'ere Timmy, as they calls yer, call me Alfie, it aint safe to stay in one place more'n a day or two at most. The rozzers is always chasing out all the nooks and crannies. So you'd better come along of me and I'll see what we can do to learn you the ropes, alright?
Keep yer eyes open and yer mouf shut and maybe you'll stay alive on the street, 'cos that's yer home now boy, better get the 'ang of it."
If Timmy had not been brought up amidst the flurry of his fathers business with strange customers coming and going at all hours, he might have been overwhelmed by what the boy Alfie told him as they scurried around the streets, showing him all the ins and outs, how to spot danger and avoid it and much more besides.
Fortunately Timmy was observant and a quick study as he proved to Alfies surprise when they settled down somewhere safe and he produced a few items he had picked up during their nocturnal excursion.
"Blimey but you're a good 'un and I never even saw you nick them things neither but watch yerself Timmy it don't pay to get too clever at thieving 'cos that'll get yer caught in no time. Don't trust nobody there's them as would turn you in just to get themselves off the 'ook and like as not they're in the same boat as us."
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