Talking to Daniel worked. He's fine about everything.He even admitted he was wrong to come into my room without knocking and I was able to tell him that Charlotte and I didn't do anything when she was in my bed. He believed me.

He also trusted my judgement about Charlotte and let me decide what we should do. Obviously, I chose to stay for a while longer. He says he'll try to treat me more as an equal in future. I think things will work out.

I asked Daniel today what our next caper will be and he just grinned and said, "Eager for a challenge, eh, Harry?"

"Always." I said.

Daniel isn't talking to me. He's barely even looking at me. I wish he'd get angry and yell or something. I even wish he'd hit me, because I know how to react to that. This is terrible! He's acting like I don't exist.
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I think I messed everything up.

Yelling at Daniel and saying the things I said, most of which weren't even true, probably didn't help to convince him that I'm a mature young man capable of making my own decisions. In fact, I probably sounded like some hysterical kid trying to deflect criticism.
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The night before last, Daniel was out chasing skirt and I didn't have to worry about him catching me cuddling up to Charlotte in my bed. As her parents sleep like logs, she didn't bother to go back to her own room and we just fell asleep. Best night's sleep I ever had.
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I should tell Daniel that Charlotte knows that we're frauds, but I can't. If I do, he'll want to know how it happened and then he'll be angry with me. Even if he's not, we'll have to leave here and never come back, which is the right thing to do, if we can't trust her.
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Last night, as we sat snuggled up in bed, reading The Three Musketeers, I kept thinking about Daniel and that photograph of Charlotte. It seemed so unfair. What does he know about this stuff? He says himself he's never been in love. I got angry. Why shouldn't I have a bloody photo, if I want one?

Charlotte said, "Harry, what's wrong?"

"Sorry." I said, realising that I wasn't great company, just thinking about Dan .. my uncle."

"I thought his name was Edward."

"It is, but we call him Daniel." I said, "He has a lot of cats, so we call him Daniel in the lions' den."

She gave me a weird look and said, "I should tell you, I know he's not the Earl of Chalfont. I checked Burke's."

"What's that?" I said.

"You see? You don't even know that. If you were really at Eton, you'd know."

"What are you going to do?" I said.

"You're not here to rob my Dad, are you?"

"No." I said.

"You just want a free holiday and he just wants to think he's entertaining an earl. So who's being exploited? Just be more careful. I don't want you to be caught out."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I don't want you to leave. Will you write to me, when you go?"

"I'd like to." I said, "But Daniel doesn't want ... "

"And he decides, does he?"

"I owe him a lot." I said.

"Like the fact he can be used as an excuse when you don't want to keep in touch?"

"It's not like that." I said. I thought for a while, then I remembered how Daniel keeps in touch with a big network of friends and acquaintances. "Wait!! I said, "It is possible! I'll set something up so we can write secretly."

"Oh, that sounds romantic." said Charlotte.

Last night, Charlotte hadn't even come to my room before Daniel came and asked if we could talk. I said yes and he came in and said, "Four small carved boxes from the mantel, a shepherdess statuette, a medal and a miniature portrait."

"Oh." I said. I had forgotten stealing them.

"Oh, indeed. If I've noticed they're missing, how long do you suppose it would take their rightful owners? Now, put them back, there's a good fellow."

I unwrapped them from amongst my clothes and put them all back where I found them. "Sorry, Daniel." I said.

"Never foul your own nest, my boy. Never spit on your own doorstep. If we steal here, they'll find out and we can't use this house or these identities again. We have a good thing going here. Let's not damage it for a few trinkets."

"It was just automatic, really. I didn't want us to leave empty-handed." I said.

He was looking at my case, I looked too, and saw the photograph Charlotte had given me. He looked at me and said, "Harry, I'm sorry, but you can't keep it."

"It's only a picture, Daniel."

"No pictures! Do you think I never wanted to keep a picture? Keep only memories, Harry. The police can't prosecute on the evidence of memories locked in your head, but they can do an awful lot with a clear photograph."

"I'm not in it and she could be anyone." I said. There was no way I was giving up that picture.

"She's identifiable." said Daniel.

"Who would bother to try?" I said.

"There are prisons full of men who thought that way."

"There are soup kitchens full of men who never did." I said. He looked hurt and I said, less angrily, "I don't want to be alone all my life, Daniel. You're making me give her up. Can't I keep one little picture?"

"No, burn it, or I will."

I knew he was serious. I was desperate for some way to keep it. I said, "I have to keep it while we're here, or she'll wonder what I've done with it. When we leave, I'll get rid of it."

"Promise?" he said.

"I promise." I said, feeling bad about making a promise I intended to break, but knowing there was no other way to keep a photo of Charlotte. I can hide it, when we're home. Daniel will never know.

Last night, Charlotte and I nearly got caught. She was sitting on the bed with me again. We only kissed and cuddled, but I knew neither Daniel nor her Dad would see it that way.
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I was sitting on a low wall, watching the sky darken and the last colours of the sunset fade when Daniel came out of the house and sat beside me. "Are you warm enough, Harry?" he said.

"I'm fine." I said.

"It's quite a pleasant evening." he said.

"It is." I said.

"You're not coughing these days. Must be a good sign." he said. It still feels strange, knowing someone cares if I'm ill.

"I think my lungs are better now." I said.

"Good." he said.

We sat in silence for a long time. I watched the sky, a little afraid to look at him, in case my face gave away how I had made Charlotte suspicious of us.

Finally, he said, "I don't think I'd like to be your age again. It's a difficult time. Life is much easier to cope with as you get older."

"That's good to know." I said, "Because sometimes I get very confused."

"Everyone does, Harry." he said. He laughed and said, "I wish I'd known then all the things I do now. Life would have been a lot more fun."

"Bet you a quid it wouldn't." I said.

"No bet." he said, "You're probably right."

I felt I should try again to tell him Charlotte was suspicious. "Charlotte ... " I began.

"Charlotte's a sweet girl, Harry." he said.

"Yes." I said.

"And I imagine you'll leave here with some fond memories of your friendship."

That was a sad thought, that all I would have when we left would ge the memories, but I knew he was right. "Yes." I said, "I'll miss her when this ends."

He patted my shoulder and said, "You're a good kid, Harry, and very wise."

After he'd gone, I tried not to get upset. I'm not young enough to cry like I wanted to. I just said to muself, "Daniel treats you like an adult so bloody well act like one." I knew it wouldn't last between Charlotte and me, but I thought we could at least write to each other or something.

Charlotte hasn't told her family about her suspicions, so I think things will be fine. There's no need to warn Daniel, which is good, because when I tried, I messed it up badly. Sometimes I don't think I'm any good at this stuff.

Daniel wouldn't let me drive today. He said I look tired. He's worried I'll lose concentration and break his car.

Charlotte gave me a photo of herself today. She asked if I had one of me. Daniel doesn't like photographs. I said no, and she got a camera and took one. I said, "Don't tell my uncle." and she looked thoughtful, but promised she wouldn't.