Chapter one
The freezing weather that roamed through the streets of London was unbearable as Sherrie Lewis walked desperately around searching for shelter. The last couple of days were hard as soon as she was discovered sleeping in one of the towns recreational facilities. Sherrie was freezing in her homeless clothes as she searched around for a building that would let her stay even for half an hour in for it at least had warmth.
As she walked, she smelled the delicious scent of warm cooked meals inside a restaurant. She stood outside of the restaurant gazing in hunger at all of the families and citizens that were fortunate to have money to pay for the meals.
Sherrie must have been staring for too long when a restaurant manager made his way out of the building.
"Get your grimy ass off my property miss. You're freaking out my customers!" The manager spat at her.
Sherrie sprint out of his way around the building knowing that there would be a trash bin holding the wasted food that the ungrateful customers deny, and she was right. Looking quickly around her before digging into the pile of bitten off slices of bread and wasted meat, she managed to get a whole handful of food that would last her the next couple of days. Taking off her poorly knitted beanie that did nothing for her head she hurried and stuffed the slices of bread and left over sandwiches into it and quietly ran off into the gallows of the city.
Sherrie had to find shelter for the night or she would surely get sick. She walked through an clearly abandoned area, the people who must’ve lived there were definitely of the lower middleclass level. This area was probably a mile or two out of London. Looking around the barely lit streets Sherrie came in front of what seemed to look like an abandoned building, either that or a very deserted apartment building. She took in a deep breathe a trudged up the steps of the building. When she entered the building she was surprised to see that It contained an air conditioning system that provided warmth within it. Though it wasn’t strong it made the cold weather a lot more bearable. Still being cautious she made her way through the main room. All of a sudden a voice came around make her scream.
“Sorry miss! No mean to frighten you! I’m just not used to having customers who are interested in this area of town!”
“Huh?” Was all Sherrie was able to get out with her dry throat.
“By god you must be thirsty! No need to fear Miss I’m a good citizen, unfortunate, but good. Ha! My name is Gippy may I offer you some warm tea?”
Sherrie just nodded. Gippy was a short and chubby middle aged man who didn’t mind shaving his on growing beard often and smelled of freshly prepared olives. He scurried through to another room as Sherrie managed to sit down on an old couch. She had the time to observe the building it was dark and had a haunted feel to it but other than that nothing much bothered her.
Gippy came back with a warm cup of tea that was held in a slightly chipped cup, Sherrie nodded with a smile and took a big sip. The burning sensation of hot liquid opened her throat and relaxed her entire body. It may have burned someone else’s mouth but Sherrie couldn’t feel a thing. In two gulps she had finished the whole cup.
“Ahh! Thank you!” She cried.
Gippy chuckled. “I see you were in need of it lady haha! So tell me what brings a pretty girl like you too this joint?”
Sherrie looked down. “I’m sorry to intrude but I really need a place to stay the night, or maybe even until I get a job.”
Gippy gave her a sympathetic look. “Here, here, you’re welcome to stay for free for the next week, but you have to pay rent starting as soon as you get a job.”
Sherrie looked up in surprise. So many people would have just kicked her out, but this man had one of the biggest hearts she had ever encountered. Pulling him into a grateful hug, “Thank you sir! Thank you!! If you need any help around here I’m always here! I’ll work for free as long as I have a place to stay!”
Gippy chuckled as he pulled away. “Well lets have you find a job first but in the mean time I do need help with some dishes and cleaning.”
Sherrie nodded frantically. “Anything!”
Gippy smiled, “Well let’s show you to a floor alright? These are apartments and I have to warn you their not that well. You’ll find a couch maybe at the most in each with a small bathroom but I don’t have much else. If you need dinner then come down here.”
Sherrie couldn’t stop smiling. Gippy shook his head in a chuckle and led her up to the fourth floor of the building. There was clearly no other residence in this building. When Gippy opened the door to her floor he was right. The entire place was empty except for a couch and an old lamp hovering over it. It was an entire floor just for her, with windows and mirrors along the wall.
“This is perfect. Thank you so much Gippy.”
Gippy just smiled up at her. “You know I never expected id be letting an American into this building until you came along. Now the bathroom is just to your right, wait a few minutes for the warm water and get yourself cleaned up. I’ll make you some more tea if you need anything. And remember the kitchen on the main floor is always open for you.”
Sherrie hugged Gippy. “Alright, alright enough there get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”

Notes

This is my first story and I hope that it is okay so far. A lot of stories that I read on this website are good but they also move really fast, my story is going to be a bit different. Stay tuned because i promise you all that its going to get better.

~Ivylgal