One good thing is that I can head to the Hall, pick up my stuff, and then head over to Pela's. Or should I just go there now? Might look a bit odd if I rock up to her place with all my possessions. I am already on her bad side. Let's not make it worse.

She did not have to travel too far for work—well, ex-work. The gas and peat lighters are out. In the poorer parts of town, they burn peat. Lasts a long time but has a bit of a weird smell, and the thick smoke clings to your clothes. I need to smell my best.

Arrive at her housing block and try to remember which floor is she on? Think, think. Is she on the third or fourth floor? I think it was the fourth. I went down one, two, three, four flights of stairs this morning. Phew, that was an effort, climbing four flights of stairs. No one is around; it is a bit early. No one will have knocked off work yet. Now, which room was it? Think stupid. Four or five? Knock and take my chances. I reach four and knock. Wait for a little, no answer.

That did not help. Try room five. If it is not Pela's, they might tell me for sure if Pela is in four or on the third floor. Someone would surely notice her; she is quite beautiful.

Knock, knock, knock. I see one or two heads pop out of other rooms. They see me, and like a flash, they duck back inside. Wonder why. The door opens, and it is Pela. Yes, luck is on my side right now!

She looks at me, glares at my face, and says, "What did I say—" She looks down at my chest. Fan-bloody-tastic, I still have my Watch tabard on. I forgot to take it off after Corbin's. "Sorry! I didn't know you were an officer of the Watch. I didn't mean what I said this morning."

"May I come in, Pela?"

"Sure. Again, I'm sorry. Please don't arrest me," Pela pleads. "I didn't know you were part of the Watch."

When I enter the tidy room, I see the bed I was in earlier. Pela closes the door. I turn to her to present the bouquet of flowers. "It is me who should say sorry. I have come to apologise for being rude and disrespectful to you this morning."

She takes the flowers from my hands, and I can see a single tear forming at the corner of her left eye.

"I am so sorry, Pela. I should not have implied that you were a prostitute. I am ashamed of what I said. Please forgive me."

She looks at me with a look that I did not expect—gratitude. "I thought you were going to arrest me because of my threat to your … um … manhood."

"You had the right to threaten me. I think your words were 'cut my balls off'. I'm glad you are restraining yourself, and I am sorry for what I said."

Wondering why she is so quiet, just looking at me, I ask, "Are you alright? I have not done something else wrong, have I?”

She smiles at me and says, “No, you stupid man. You’re the first person who implied that I was a whore and then came back to apologise. You brought my favourite flowers too. I know most people think of these as weeds, but I love them. They remind me of living in my family caravan.”

“I thought you might be a quarterling. I’m half-human myself.”

“Please come and sit down, so we can talk.” We both move over to the table. Sitting down across from a beautiful woman—makes my day a whole lot better. “See, isn't this nicer? Did you go to Corbin's place first?”

I look into her gorgeous blue eyes and reply, “Yes, he wanted me to pay five hundred slips for his loss of business. I laughed in his face.” She laughs at that. She has such a delightful giggle. “Well, I pulled out my Watch tabard and made him think I could shut down the bar.”

“You did that?”

“Sure did. He was a bit of a dung-head thinking I could be a person who had that sort of power!” She has such lovely eyes—I could lose myself in them. “Ahem, sorry, back to why I am really here. I am sorry again for what I said and implied.”

“Silly man, I have already forgiven you. You came to my rescue—”

I interrupt, “And then you came to mine.”

She smiles, then scowls. Wow, that is a cute wrinkle. “Don't interrupt me, or I might become enraged and cut off your manhood.” She laughs. I'm glad she is joking because I like them where they are now. “Well, it’s getting late. How about I find a vase for these and make us some tea and a spot of supper, and you tell me about the rest of your day. Do you have sugar or milk in your tea? The milk is fresh today.”

I am lucky. Not only does she forgive me, but now she is making me a drink and something to eat! Wondering why she wants to know about my day—oh well, who cares! “Just black and three sugars will be fine.” Look at me, being all civilised. “I got a job working for the Watch, as you can tell by the tabard and all. But there is some weird stuff happening. First off, my new boss ...”

Pela places a board of cheese, dried meat, and a couple of loaves of bread on the table. “The tea will be ready in a moment. You can wash your hands in that sink.”

Did not registered the sink that last time I was here. But who could blame me—being threatened with the removal of your manhood does not make you very observant. This is amazing. Running water; a marvellous invention indeed. Did not have it in the orphanage where I grew up. I look around for something to dry my hands with. Pela, noticing, just points at a dishcloth. She is a perceptive lady.

Supper is simple, but damn I am starving. Be a good boy and finish your mouthful before you talk. “So, have you put any thought into where you are going to be looking for work now?” I ask.

“No, I am thinking of looking at some of the other taverns in the area.”

“Have you thought of applying at the Hall? I know Bertude, the bar mistress, is sort of okay.” I smile at her. I can see a glimmer of hope in her eyes—those beautiful clear eyes. “I could have a word with her tomorrow if you like? One good thing about it is there are enough 'heroes' around to stop the arseholes.”

“That would be great. Even if she has nothing available, I would appreciate you asking. I mean, since you are the reason I lost my last job.”

“Again, I am so sorry—”

She grins. She was pulling my leg, damn her.

Acting forlorn, I say, “Fine, fine, make fun of poor old me. I come here with my heart on the table, and you just give it a good kick.”

“Oh, I didn't mean it. I’m sorry, I was just—” Now I’ve got her. I start laughing. “You cheeky fellow! I thought … Damn you.” But now she is laughing too.

“What can I say? This be part of my charm, lovely lady.” That receives a giggle. “I know this is a little sudden but is that offer of me staying still on the table? I mean, I'm willing to pay rent, and just someplace in the corner is excellent. Everything above board, not going to make that mistake again.”

“Calm down, of course, I’ll consider it. I know you lost your bed at Corbin's, not including the money.” She presses her lips together. “I heard you paid two silver slips for two nights and were going to work double shifts as well. The common room was only thirty copper bits a night—you were ripped off!”

“What? I was charged nearly ten times the reasonable price and was going to be working for free too? I am an idiot!”

“Maybe, but you thought you were getting a good deal, even if you are a fool.” Then she smiles at me. That smile makes my day every single time. “So, where are you staying now?”

Sweet, this was where I wanted the conversation to go. Fingers crossed, she lets me stay. “Nowhere yet, but I was really hoping to find a place soon.”

“Well, I don’t have a lot of room, but—”

“I understand. I am not looking for much, just a corner on the floor, and when my pay comes through, I can pay some rent. How much would be acceptable?”

She looks at me, and her face softens a bit. She gets up and fetches a bottle of wine. “Let's have some wine, and you convince me why I should let you stay.”