Chapter One: A Lucky Find

On a chilly autumn morning in Pendlebury, seventeen-year-old Charlie Wilson was making his way along Bolton Road when he spotted a sealed sandwich lying beside a bench. After checking that the packaging was intact, he opened it and discovered a generous filling of mature cheddar cheese. Having skipped breakfast that morning, he decided it was his lucky day.

Charlie continued towards St Augustine’s Church, where he stopped to eat on a bench overlooking the quiet streets. He had barely taken a bite when a man in a dark coat approached. His name was Freddie, a familiar face around the neighbourhood, known for his charm and his habit of talking people into doing things for him.

Freddie noticed Charlie’s sandwich and immediately saw an opportunity. He had not eaten since the previous evening, and although he could have simply asked Charlie for a bite, he had another idea. He had learnt that a few carefully chosen words could sometimes get people to hand over far more than they intended.