He only knew because the softest possible rustle announced their presence. Worker Five (he really needed to figure out a more personable name for them) peeked around the door, and as they made eye contact, he saw that the poor thing was wearing his borrowed pyjamas and also clutching a thick book, hugging it like a teddy bear. He couldn't help but smile.
Without even a second thought, Sam put down the paper on which he'd been composing a letter, scooting over to make room for his friend on the bed. Five grinned like a child in a sweet shoppe, hurrying forward and leaping onto the bed with enough exuberance to bounce him nearly onto the floor. Sam laughed, grabbing Five to keep himself from toppling.
"One of these days you're going to knock me flat, and then I won't be able to read to you." The threat fell quite flat, probably because he was still laughing as he said it. A quick glance at the book told him that it was Oliver Twist, which they'd started together just last week. "Come on, then, and let's see what happens next with Fagan and the boys."
Five cuddled up close to his side and passed him the book, eager to see what came next in the story. It was an absolute wonder, an awesome marvel, that anything so abstract as some spiky shapes on paper could become words. Sam had promised to teach them, so when they ran across words in Oliver Twist that they'd been learning, he would pause and sound it out, pointing at each letter in turn. It was a slow process, but it was something Five appreciated very much. Was there anything about Sam that wasn't worth more appreciation than there were stars in the sky? Probably not.
"For many days," read Sam, his soothing voice immediately bringing Five into the world of the story, "Oliver stayed in the Jew's room..." It was amazing how in just a few words, Miss Zoe could conjure up the filthy room, the aches of hunching over pocket handkerchiefs and picking out the embroidered initials, the desperate need for fresh air. Sam curled his fingers about his chin and put on the affected air and low Covent Garden accent of The Artful Dodger, his eyes smiling as he read out the dialogue, bringing the dirty street thief to life in the warm, safe space between them.
Oliver was used and deceived by his friends. He was hurt by their betrayal, and that made Five angry. But... but as Sam closed the book, saying they had reached the end of the chapter, and would read more tomorrow, Five realized she had something that Oliver never had - nor had they, before now. Five had a home.
Sam was smiling as he put the book down, and so distracted that he was unprepared for the fierce, grateful hug his friend gave him.
"Oh, well... you're welcome, Five. Anything for a friend."
