'Westminster Care Home For Troubled Children' the sign read. Jim scowled at it and then spat on the floor, just in case anyone was watching him. The eight year old had been moved from Dublin because he had tried to set fire to his house deliberately in an attempt to kill his parents and baby sister. If only it had worked, he mused regretfully, that way he would never have to see any of them again. He imagined they'd try to send him letters now, about how they loved him and missed him and worst of all forgave him. Well he didn't want to be forgiven. If he'd had his way they would have all burned to death, trapped in their tiny little house all piled up with clutter, without enough windows to escape from.

There were footsteps behind him and his old care worker patted him on the shoulder. Jim hissed at that and pulled away. He didn't like people pretending they were friends with him when they weren't. Darren, a man in his late twenties who Jim could tell was recently divorced, had been charged to look after Jim's case until they could find him a placement. And now they had. In London town. Miles and miles away from his old place, in an entirely different country.

"We're going to have a little meeting in the office," he told Jim cheerfully, in a simpering voice meant for stupid idiot children. Jim might have been eight, but he had a brain far beyond his years.

They both trooped into a small room at the end of the corridor and on the left. There was a woman sitting in there behind a desk, giving Jim a tired smile that didn't meet her green eyes. She had lines on her face even though she didn't seem particularly old, and there were dark smudges under her eyes too, shadows.

Jim didn't smile back and chose the chair nearest the door because it looked comfier. Darren chuckled at that as though it was some private jest between them. Jim instantly wished he had a gun so he could kill stupid Darren Mcgrath and be rid of him forever.

The woman sat up slightly and gave Darren a smile before turning her attention to Jim. She peered at him with the weary, disinterested eyes of someone who was horrendously stressed and overworked. "Nice to meet you, James," she said in a friendly voice. "This is just a quick meeting so we can talk about a couple of things with you. You're a clever boy, and we thought you ought to know what's going on."

Jim glared at her. That flattery was her trying to make him be good. Well he wasn't going to be good and he wasn't going to be nice.

"Here at Westminster Home, we want you to feel safe and secure and most of all, happy. I understand you weren't very happy back in Dublin?"

"Is this going to take long?" Jim demanded pompously, looking up at the clock on the wall and then back at her. Darren laughed his deep rumbling laugh and Jim's head shot to his left to silence him with a scowl.

"Not particularly," the woman fired back with a weary smile. It was forced. Jim could tell she was fed up of him already. "My name is Verity," she continued. "I'm the head care worker here. I'm in charge of most things and it's my job to make sure you're okay. You can always come to me with any problems you might have, although I have a strict rule about knocking before entering because I am often in meetings."

"Do I get my own room?" Jim demanded, voicing one of his biggest concerns. In the car ride from the airport he had dreaded being stuck with a room full of other children, all noisy and smelly and stupid.

"Ah, let me just…" Verity said, checking a sheet of paper in front of her. "No, you'll be sharing with another boy. Sebastian, his name is."

Jim let out a long whine of fury and disappointment and then kicked the desk in front of him before curling up into a ball on his comfy chair. He thought that maybe if he sulked hard enough they'd change their minds. Darren moved his arm to awkwardly pat Jim on the shoulder, but he shrugged it off hurriedly.

"No-one has their own room here, I'm afraid. We exist on government funding and so we can't afford it. If we had the money I'd gladly give you your own room, but it simply isn't possible," Verity explained, her voice sounding sterner now. She'd seen enough little boys having tantrums to know not to pander to it.

When he realised no one was taking any notice of him Jim raised his head and blinked mutinously at the head care worker. She was another person he was adding to his list. Darren would take precedence though, because he was more annoying.

The meeting went on for another ten minutes or so. Jim barely listened to what was being said. It was all obvious anyway, stupid things he could have easily figured out for himself. When it was over he hopped off his chair and left the room without even saying thank you to Verity. She didn't matter to him so he wouldn't waste his breath conversing with her. Darren lumbered out after him, rucksack slung over his shoulder. It contained all of Jim's clothes and belongings. He hadn't brought much with him since his parents had been poor and he didn't have any nice toys. There were a few books though which he treasured, and some photographs of his family his mother had insisted he take with him. Well they was going straight in the bin as soon as he was allowed his things again.

Another adult, a gangly ginger man with a shiny nose and too many freckles, who introduced himself as Frank, told him and Darren that he was going to give them a quick tour. There were hardly any other children around since they were at school, and the ones that got home schooled were in the computer room. The building was just as Jim had expected, the walls painted cheerful colours to try and trick the inhabitants into feeling happy. It had an odd smell to it, like cakes from the kitchen, but also the smell of too many people, something rubbery. Like a school.

They went through the dining room, the living room, the measly excuse for a playroom, the cooler, the kitchen, the offices, the quiet space, the telly room, and then looked out into the garden which was reassuringly large. Jim's darting black eyes went everywhere, assessing the environment and seeking all the best hiding places. He liked being on his own, not around other children. He wouldn't sit in the living room with everyone else.

As they climbed the stairs Frank continued chatting amiably to Darren and led them to Jim's bedroom. It was right at the end of the hall, close to a bathroom, and the paint on the door was peeling. There were a few stickers on it, mostly army ones like badges. It wasn't as bad as Jim had anticipated, and was certainly better than other rooms they had passed with awful pink hearts and keep out signs.

"Here we are, James," Frank said in the same cheerful tone Verity had used. Jim decided not to tell people his name wasn't 'James', at least, he didn't want it to be. It was too much effort and he might get trapped in a conversation. He hated adults, all adults, because they thought they knew better than him and tried to tell him what to do. He would never be their friend in a million years.

Frank pushed open the door and led Jim into the room. It was fairly small but much bigger than his room back in Dublin. It was clean, which was a blessing, because Jim couldn't stand germs or dirt, and the walls were dark blue and light grey. There were a couple of certificates stuck neatly on the wall and toy soldiers on a shelf. There were bunk beds, which secretly quite excited Jim, and it looked like the top one was for him.

"Which one is mine?" he asked, trying to hide his enthusiasm. Frank smiled to himself which showed he could tell despite Jim's efforts to seem disinterested.

"The top one," he revealed with a grin. "You're a lucky boy, Jim. Sebastian likes to be closer to the ground. The certificates belong to him. He even cleared a shelf for you if you wanted to put things there."

Jim nodded his head, unwilling to say how thrilled he was. He'd wanted to have a bunk bed all his life and now he had one.

"Right then, I'm going to leave you," Darren told Jim gently, as though Jim might actually care. "I'll be staying in the hotel down the street. I've written my number down and given it to Verity, okay? If you have any problems then give me a ring. Or talk to Frank." Both men laughed at that but Jim didn't understand why.

"Did you want to stay up here or go back downstairs?" Frank asked. Jim almost rolled his eyes but stopped himself at the last minute.

"I'll stay," Jim mumbled, feigning disinterest. The two men smiled at him and then left the room.

As soon as they were gone Jim rushed to climb up the wooden ladder, flopping down on his new bed with a delighted sigh. He had the best bed. He'd never had the best anything before. It had always been his baby sister who got nice toys and things. He was expected to make do with what he had.

He rolled onto his side and then peered over the wooden side of the bed that would keep him from falling off in the night. The certificates were all for Sebastian Moran. They were mostly from the Scouts, and some were for swimming. Jim wondered what his roommate would be like. Probably tough and athletic. He was neat and tidy which was a good thing. There was a postcard with Jesus Christ on it which was stuck near the desk. Jim scowled at it. His family were Catholics and he didn't want his roommate to be a religious nut as well. There was no 'keep out' sign on his door, which meant he was tough enough for the other children to know not to disturb him. That or he was a weirdo who no- one wanted to see anyway.

In not much time at all there was a knock on the door and then Verity appeared in the room, holding a coffee cup, looking pleased at the way he was draped on his bed. He certainly looked more relaxed than he had done in her study.

"The other children will be home soon," she told him, moving to open the window slightly because it was a bit stuffy. "How about you come downstairs and have a snack before they get here?"

Jim was reluctant to leave his room, but at the same time he wanted to see what they had to offer him so he merely nodded his head and climbed down the wooden ladder. Verity was trying to be nice to him so he'd behave, but he was far too clever to fall for that. He remained distant and cold as they headed down the stairs and to the kitchen.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

It was Dawn's turn to do the school pick up today and so Sebastian was outside on the playground as quickly as possible, waiting patiently to be taken home. He was clutching a piece of paper in his hand, making sure it didn't fly away in the wind. He'd earned it fair and square and today he wanted to show Dawn.

The slightly plump blonde young woman turned up right on time, all smiles and bright eyes. Sebastian had been taken into care at a young age when Dawn too had just been starting out. He liked to think they were friends. He reckoned Dawn thought so too.

"How was your day?" she asked him as they went to stand together, waiting for Toby and Graham to arrive. They were friends and always turned up late together.

Sebastian shuffled a bit and then held out the paper for Dawn's inspection, eyes on the ground. He always got embarrassed when the attention was on him, even with Dawn. Probably because he liked to impress her.

Dawn carefully unfurled the piece of paper, read it, and then smiled broadly. It was Sebastian's usual weekly report, but today in the comments section it read: 'Sebastian has been brilliantly well behaved this week. Apart from the little wobble on Tuesday, which I have spoken to him about, he has really impressed me. He earned two team points and got top marks on his spelling test. Good work Sebastian!'

"Am I allowed to show Verity and Frank this?" Dawn asked respectfully, still smiling down at the blonde ten year old beside her.

"Yeah," Seb agreed, blushing crimson as he always did when praised.

"And I'll tell you what," Dawn said, giving him a tiny pat on the shoulder which made the tips of his ears go pink. "I'll see if I can get you your telly privileges back. There's a rugby match on tomorrow, isn't there? I think you definitely deserve to be allowed to see it, even if it is on late."

Toby and Graham arrived, chattering together about something that had happened in their class. Sebastian was stuck in the year below where he should be because his life was so disrupted, even though he was very clever for his age, and Toby and Graham were both two years above him. Sebastian didn't like Toby much, but he thought Graham was all right if you got him on his own.

They got into the minibus and went to collect Chloe and Pippa. They both went to different schools and Pippa was in a wheelchair. Sebastian, who was feeling noble today, even helped Dawn with the chair. Along with his good report, he was getting his new roommate tonight. Sebastian was nervous and excited about it. Although he was very violent for his age, and prone to anger, he was quiet and thoughtful and liked his own space. The last boy he'd had to share with was okay, but he didn't particularly like him. He'd had Asperger's and was obsessed with dinosaurs, which got tiresome when it was all he talked about. Seb tended to just let him get on with it.

After picking up Sally and Derek, they all headed home, Dawn playing the radio, something that Frank and Verity never did. They worried about swearing and negative messages for children and things like that. Dawn was by far the nicest of them all, probably because she was so young. She'd had a disabled little brother who died. Dawn had told Sebastian once when he was in the cooler, upset because he'd had his allowance taken away from him for punching Toby. Dawn trusted Sebastian with things like that and in return Sebastian had decided to trust Dawn.

When they got home, Sebastian pushing Pippa carefully and taking her into the kitchen so she could get a snack, there was the sound of screaming coming from the cooler. They all looked at each other, wondering who it was. The only ones who really got that cross were Sebastian, who was there and growled instead of screamed, Chloe, who was tucking into a chocolate biscuit at the kitchen table, and Bradley, who didn't really scream either. He just threw things and cried.

"Let me go and check it out," Dawn said to the kids, leaving them and heading for the cooler. She returned quickly with a sad smile on her face. "It's alright. It's the new little boy."

Toby laughed and called him a baby, but Dawn turned stern. "Toby, we're not unkind in this house. Don't you remember your first day here?"

Toby, who did remember very well and didn't want the others jumping on the way he'd cried and wet the bed, nodded his head and didn't say anything else.

Sebastian chewed nervously on his lower lip and picked up a chocolate biscuit, wondering what his roommate was like. He hoped he wouldn't scream like that all night, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

It had all started because stupid old Verity wouldn't let him have two chocolate biscuits. All the other children had one each, she had told him, all stern and annoying. Jim had reminded her that he was new and deserved two, at which she'd just laughed. Jim hated being laughed at. It made him so angry he wanted to kill people. He was cleverer than Verity and yet she was laughing at him. He was better than her and yet she was laughing. She wouldn't stop.

So Jim smiled sweetly at her, pushed over a kitchen chair, and then ran screaming out of the room, ripping posters off the walls as he went. He kept on going even when Frank tried to talk him out of it. He just got louder when he was warned by Verity about the cooler. He opened his lungs and screeched when he was told that they understood and that they only wanted him to be happy here. When they realised he wasn't going to listen, Frank carried him off to the cooler and left him there to 'calm down'.

He still didn't stop, well not for long. When no one was outside he stopped just so he could breathe because his throat hurt. He kicked all the pillows in there and chewed up all the little pieces of paper where you were supposed to write down why you were so upset and then put it in a little box. He jammed the box shut with the chewed up papers and then picked up a crayon and scrawled 'I hate you' on the walls over and over, covering everywhere he was tall enough to reach.

There was a camera on the ceiling so he couldn't do anything really bad to himself. He did plan on suffocating himself by swallowing paper, but they'd see him and stop him and it would hurt.

After thirty solid minutes he decided to try another tack. He barricaded the door with cushions and then lay down in front of it, so they couldn't open it again without hurting him. He was going to stay here until they apologized to him and gave him the chocolate biscuits he deserved. How dare they say no to him.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Dawn was looking after the children for the afternoon instead of Frank, something no-one really minded. Apparently Frank was busy with the new boy, trying to settle him in. He'd stopped yelling now, which made for a more peaceful house, but Sebastian still worried about his roommate. What if he was crazy? Sebastian quietly voiced his concerns to Dawn who merely smiled mildly and told him to 'cheer up, soldier, it'll all work itself out eventually, just you wait and see'. That did make Seb feel a bit better, but it didn't get rid of all his worries.

Toby and Graham were hogging the table tennis set in the playroom and the girls were all watching something in the telly room. Sebastian remained with Dawn for most of the afternoon, helping her clear up the house. Sebastian wasn't big on talking but Dawn understood that. She talked about her troubles with her mum and about her favourite memories. Seb listened eagerly, not because the stories were particularly interesting, but because Dawn was an adult who trusted him. It was nice to be trusted, he thought. Verity didn't trust him. She always glanced at him with mild concern even though she thought she was trying to be friendly. Frank had had to manhandle him into the cooler too many times for him to truly take a liking to Sebastian. Even though Dawn had often experienced Sebastian's temper, she never held it against him. As long as he apologised to the people he had upset then she forgave him. After all, her little brother had broken tons of things because he got so cross. Although it must have been sad for him, Seb thought, being stuck in a wheelchair all the time.

At half past five, Dawn went into the kitchen to get the dinner ready. Tonight was sausage and mash because it was Friday. Everyone liked sausage and mash, and on Fridays they all had chocolate pudding for dessert as a well done for their hard work at school. Sebastian was asked to go and tell all the others to set the table and get settled because it would be ready in ten minutes, so he obediently went.

Viv and Carly were upstairs in Viv's room. They were teenagers, almost adults, but they were very childish in Sebastian's opinion. He knocked politely and then called through the door to tell them. Carly told him 'thank you', but as he walked away he could hear them giggling together. He told himself that it wasn't about him, but it was still very difficult. Sebastian suffered from mild paranoia, although he was working with his councilor to beat it. Harry was doing his homework in the computer room, so Sebastian told him next. Then Toby and Graham, and then the girls in the telly room. They groaned a bit because they didn't want to miss their show, but there were strict rules about eating in the dining room. Verity thought it might make the house messy if they were allowed to eat in other rooms as well, and everyone knew that Verity wasn't to be argued with.

By the time the table was laid Dawn and Frank had swapped places. Apparently the little boy in the cooler was being a bit difficult and he wouldn't respond to Frank. Sebastian thought Frank was okay, although he resented him slightly. Frank was the only man who worked at the home and so he tried to chat with Sebastian about 'manly' things. Seb hated having to talk to people. He wanted to talk about things with Dawn, but apparently that wasn't allowed because she was a girl.

When Sebastian went to the kitchen to offer to help carry the things in, Frank gave him an odd smile and asked him if he would go to the cooler and see Dawn. Sebastian gave the food a longing look, but Frank chuckled and told him they'd save his for him and keep it nice and warm. Seb nodded his head and did as he was told.

Dawn met him in the hallway and placed a finger to her lips to tell him to be quiet. Sebastian nodded. "Seb, I've got a favour to ask you," she told him gently, glancing back at the door to the cooler. "Now you don't have to do it if you don't want to, honestly, I won't mind at all if you say no. Let me explain…"

It was about the new boy, as Sebastian had expected. He wouldn't stop screaming and crying and being rude, nor would he eat. Dawn thought it might be an idea for Seb to talk to him, seeing as they were fairly close in age and James was going to be Sebastian's roommate. Sebastian was doubtful, after all, what could he do? But he nodded his head and agreed, wanting to help Dawn out if he could.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

"Hello James, it's Dawn again."

Jim sniffed and scowled. "Go away. I hate you!"

"I've brought someone to see you."

"If it's another grownup then tell them to go away!"

"It's not another grownup. It's someone I think you'll be interested to meet."

Jim went quiet as he mulled it over. He had an idea of who this mystery person was, but he couldn't be completely sure, after all, this was a new place. There must be tons of children around. And Dawn could be tricking him. It might be Frank again.

"Are you lying to me?" he demanded, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"No."

Jim couldn't be certain but he thought Dawn was probably telling the truth. She didn't seem like a liar like the other two adults.

"Well," he decided eventually. "Okay then. But if I don't like them I'll scream."

Dawn gave Sebastian a hopeful nudge and the door was opened ever so slightly from within. Sebastian moved towards it and then shuffled in, the door closing sharply behind him, leaving Dawn waiting nervously outside, trying to listen in as much as she could.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

A small, large eyed boy was staring at him. His eyes were dark and his skin was very pale. Tears stuck to his eyelashes and the skin around his eyes was red and puffy. The boy began to circle him, expression suspicious and unfriendly.

"Who are you?" Jim demanded with a pout as soon as he was back in front of Sebastian again.

'm Seb," Sebastian grunted, not at all sure what to do. It was almost amusing how hostile this tiny boy was. He was just a baby. Poor little kid must have had a tough time of it.

"Seb's not a real name," Jim informed him. "Your real name must be Sebastian."

"It is," Seb agreed amiably.

"Why are you here?"

"I dunno."

"Are they using you as a spy?"

"Er…no?"

"If you're mean to me then I'll scream."

Sebastian thought of that awful shrill noise they had heard earlier.

"I'm not gonna be mean to you."

"Hm…"

Jim narrowed his eyes, subjecting Sebastian to intense scrutiny, and then ordered him to barricade the door again, using the cushions on the floor. Seb looked uncertain but did as he was told. The cushions wouldn't really stop anyone from getting in or out. When he was finished his work, a nice wall of coloured cushions in front of the door, he turned to the boy and waited for his verdict.

"I'm Jim," he said sulkily. Apparently he was pleased with his work then. At least that was what Seb thought.

"I know," Seb told him, trying to keep his voice even. Sebastian knew the name of his new roommate was James Moriarty and he was eight years old and from Ireland. He'd been told all that by Verity last week. Jim was short for James, he supposed. Like Jamie was.

"Why don't you talk back properly?" Jim fired at the blonde boy. Venom clear in his tone, body language defensive but extremely confident.

"I do."

"You did it again. 'I do.' That's only two words." Jim shoved two pale fingers in front of Sebastian's face. "Two!"

Sebastian narrowed his blue eyes and remembered his task. He had to get Jim to calm down and eat something. "You having dinner?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I'm on hunger strike."

"Why?"

"Because they can't make me do anything." He raised his voice so Dawn would hear him through the door. "Anything!"

"It's sausage and mash," Sebastian volunteered, thinking wistfully of his plate of food and wishing he was sitting in the dining room tucking in to his favourite meal.

Jim rolled his eyes and moved closer to Seb. "Why would that matter?"

"I dunno."

"Two words!" Jim repeated, not moving in to Sebastian's personal space. Sebastian blinked awkwardly down at the kid, who was staring at him with deep suspicion and fury.

Sebastian stepped back because he didn't like being stared at. He gestured at the door. "You coming or what?"

Jim looked furious and then crossed his arms with a pout. He flopped down on to the floor and crossed his legs as well. "I'm not going with you. You can't make me."

"Alright."

The Irish little boy's eyes widened. "What? You're not going to try and make me?"

"No."

Jim made a noise like a strangled cat and then lay down on the ground. "Now you're only using one word!"

"I'm hungry," Sebastian protested, looking down at the boy with mild concern. His stomach rumbled loudly and he rubbed it reassuringly. He'd done all he could now. It was time for sausages.

"That's two words!" Jim squealed, writhing about dramatically for Sebastian's sake.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow and tried his best not to smirk. He recognised the theatrics and they weren't going to work on him. Chloe did the same when she was annoyed, and all the children ignored her until she snapped out of it.

"You're mental," Sebastian declared dismissively.

It was supposed to have been an insult but Jim rolled on to his stomach, beamed up at Sebastian, and let out the weirdest giggle Seb had ever heard. It was high pitched and mischievous and melodical.

"Does it scare you?" he asked happily. Brown eyes shining with glee.

"As if."

"They all think I'm mad," Jim informed him. "That's what they all say behind my back."

"And are you?" Seb asked curiously.

Jim sighed and pondered the question, placing his elbows on the ground and then supporting his chin with his interlocked hands.

"I think I am a bit."

Sebastian shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot. He wasn't used to someone being so blunt with him. Jim must trust him, he thought, to tell him something so private. "Yeah, well, they say I've got anger issues," Sebastian revealed gruffly.

"What do you mean 'anger issues'?" Jim asked curiously.

"I hit stuff when I'm angry," Seb said simply.

Jim nodded. "Would you hit me?"

"I dunno," Seb answered honestly. "I'm not angry right now."

"What if I made you angry?" Jim asked, tilting his head to one side and surveying Sebastian.

"Nah, you couldn't."

"Sebby Webby," Jim tried in a mocking tone.

Sebastian shook his head. "No, it's not-"

"Sebbykins!" he continued with determination. "Sebastian, who never speaks! And when he does it's only in two words!"

"Hey, wait a-"

"With pretty blue eyes and blond hair-"

"Oi! Shut up!"

Jim got to his feet, giggling, and began to circle Sebastian.

"Poor wittle Sebbykins who's family are dead or don't want him! With the prettiest blue eyes in the world and blond hair! But he can only say two words! Or one word. Because he's stupid!..."

Sebastian was irritated more than anything. To get him into a real rage was difficult, and Jim hadn't got anywhere near managing it. Still, it was frustrating, and Sebastian was starving. He didn't want all the other kids to eat all the chocolate pudding. But at the same time it was amusing. Jim was so small and stroppy that it was hard to believe he had so much to say for himself. Only eight years old, Sebastian reminded himself, starting to smile. Only a baby and this volatile. It was almost cute.

"You're not angry," Jim declared, slumping slightly and pouting. He hated failing at something.

"No," Sebastian agreed.

"You're smiling!"

Seb said nothing, not wanting to further enrage him.

"You're laughing at me," Jim commented. His expression suddenly changed. It seemed to crumple and his cheeks went bright red.

"I'm not," Seb assured him quickly.

"I'll scream," he warned, chocolatey brown eyes welling up.

"Why would you do that?"

"I don't like people laughing at me."

"I'm not laughing at you."

Jim hurtled towards Seb, stopping mere centimetres away from him.

"Do you promise?" he demanded, suddenly fierce and afraid.

"Yeah," Seb agreed.

"Say it!" Jim squealed, his brown eyes almost impossibly wide now.

"I promise," Seb told him calmly, swallowing with nerves. He didn't want the child to start crying again. "Honestly. I promise."

Jim nibbled on his lower lip and a single tear fell, trickling down his pale face.

Sebastian sighed and then reached out to hold his shoulders in an attempt at comforting him. "Jim, I promise. I'm not laughing at you. I swear. I promise. Okay?"

The little Irish boy nodded his head and stared at Sebastian as though he were an alien. No-one had ever done that before. It made him feel just a tiny bit better. He pulled himself together and then forced a smile, stepping back, away from Sebastian's touch.

"We're eating in here."

Seb raised an eyebrow. "We're not allowed to-"

"Dawn!" Jim screamed, ignoring Sebastian. "Dawn!"

The door opened tentatively and Dawn poked her face into the room, smiling nervously.

"We're going to eat our dinner in here," he informed her easily. "Both of us. It's sausage and mash, isn't it? And chocolate pudding. Verity told me earlier. And Seb deserves extra sausages because he's stopped me from screaming."

Dawn looked utterly confused, but thrilled as well. She gave Seb a small smile of praise and Seb looked down at the ground, blushing to the tips of his ears.

"Just for today then," she agreed. "But tomorrow you have to eat in the dining room with everyone else, Jim."

Jim scowled but didn't protest. He grabbed hold of Sebastian's hand and dragged him to one of the bean bags in there, pushing him down and then sitting on the one right beside him, waiting for his dinner to arrive.

"Can you not manhandle me?" Sebastian asked wearily, not liking being pushed about, but not really minding it so much from Jim. He wasn't threatening like his father had been, or like Frank.

"Well, you're a massive lump. You need to be hurried up. Now silence, because we're going to have dinner. And remember I got you extra sausages as a reward?"

Sebastian sighed and nodded his head in defeat. "Yeah, I s'pose you did."