“I hate this part, feeling guilty and knowing that we are now a band of thieves.”
“Ladies, if I might take your burden. Tonight, will you bring me the items we stole and I shall return them myself tomorrow, while you two get your beauty sleep?” Garty extends his offer.
The women’s eyes light up and they both nod vigourously.
“Agreed!” Says Joanne, raising her hot chocolate.
“Agreed, me too!” Princess Miron says, laughing so heartily she almost spills her drink.
“Don’t worry, Garty, for I am used to rising early and I shall be saying goodbye to the animals, sadly.”
Her voice is suddenly sad, yet she is excited. This has been her home for three years now and she loves the job.
“Maybe Father will permit me to come back and work as a volunteer?” she says, seriously. “For I shall have lots of money then, and shall have need of nothing!”
Miron roars with laughter and the others laugh with her until tears stream from their eyes.
Two hours later Garty hears a knock on his door.
Immediately he opens it.
“I brought the things you need to return!” Joanne passes over a dress and a pair of satin shoes, still muddy but dry.
“Or, should I wash them?”
“Come in,” Garty says. He looks around and draws her into his room swiftly.
She is wearing a silken robe and long cotton nightie with tiny buds embroidered on it and a loose tie on her delicate, porcelain neck, compliments of Mrs Bouchée’s spare horde of clothing for all shapes and sizes, left behind over the years of her establishment.
Garty is ready for bed, wearing his open necked shirt and pale long johns. His face glows when he sees his lovely friend. They look into each other’s eyes and their lips touch each others in sweet kisses that they never wish to end. Garty has never felt so powerful or happy in his entire life. Joanne has never felt so beautiful and totally loved by such a handsome and courageous man.
“My Garty,” Joanne mumbles as she drinks deeply of his deep kisses and he loses his mind in her soft passionate lips.
“My Joanne, my beautiful princess,” Garty moans in ecstasy.
The End