Eve White: Literary Agent

from OUT IN THE COLD

(Left in a Norfolk workhouse, Robbie is befriended by feisty Millie. The children run away to find Robbie’s father in Nottingham. But, uncertain of who to trust, their quest is full of danger and betrayal.) There was no sign of Millie by the eel pie shop. Robbie looked about him, scanning the faces for the one he knew. His heart jolted as he saw a stall piled with logs- and standing nearby, muffled as before, the man they had ridden with yesterday. Peter Piper’s warning came back to him. “ They’ll be watching for a chance to snatch you. ” Robbie quickly ducked out of sight behind some barrels. When he looked again, the man was gone. “Missus, have you seen a girl …did a girl buy three pies from you?A girl with red hair?” The eel pie woman wiped her hands on a greasy apron and shook her head. Millie couldn’t be far. She hadn’t been gone long. Robbie tried to reason himself into staying calm, but there was a nervy dancing fear in his stomach. He dodged in between the stalls, searching for a glimpse of red hair. Nothing. He ran back to tell Peter Piper, who frowned and looked impatient. “I can’t stay on here. I’ve got to get to Spalding. Would this Millie have run off with the money do you suppose? Do you trust the girl?” “Trust her! I’d – I’d – trust her with my life!” cried Robbie, shocked that Peter Piper could even doubt her. “Something must have happened to her! They must have snatched her! You warned us!” Peter Piper looked grim. “You’re right, boy. I should never have let her go alone.” “We must find her!” begged Robbie. “You will stay and help me, won’t you?” He was sure that he could rely on Peter Piper’s kindness, sure that Peter Piper would understand. But the little man shook his head sadly. “We’ll not find her, laddie. That innkeeper is a wily devil, he can make children vanish into thin air. Best stay with me now, and forget her.” “Forget her?” He felt tears sting and blinked them away. Tears weren’t going to help. “How can you let it happen? How can you do nothing to help?” “Lives are cheap,” said Peter Piper.