Orphaned character pawning item here and there (5)

I believe the answer is:

annie

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'orphaned character' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'pawning item here and there' is the wordplay.
'here and there' means one should take alternating letters (here and then can mean regularly).
'pawning'+'item'='pawningitem'
The alternate letters of 'pawningitem' are 'ANNIE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for annie that I've seen before include "Girl with gun in musical" , "-- Oakley (Wild West)" , "Inane (anag) - girl (with a gun?)" , "- Get your Gun, musical" , "said to carry a gun" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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