No escape from the past (book 1)

Chapter seven

I finally see the light coming through the curtains and I jump out of my bed. I slept for maybe two hours and it was hell. I quickly grab some clothes and put them on.

It's an old pair of jeans that I got from one of the orphan's and I put on a shirt with a jacket over it. I put my hair in a braid and cracked my neck. I put a packet of cigarettes in my pocket and lighter.

I take a deep breath and open my door. The hallway is completely silent and it sounds like everyone is still asleep. I go up to Thomas' room and I see that the door is still clost. I sigh and slowly go downstairs.

I stand in the dining room and the house is completely silent. I traise with my fingers over the wood of the table and I sigh. I hear the sound of footsteps on the stairs and don't turn around.

'You are awake,' I hear Aunt Pol say and I slowly turn around. I slowly nod and sit down at the table. 'Did you sleep a little?'

I nod, but I don't meet her eyes. I know she knows I'm lying, but what does it matter. It wouldn't have changed a bit.

'You don't dress like a real woman, do you?' she says and I shake my head. I finally meet her eyes and I shrug.

'It's what you call a real woman, I'm just really not into all those dresses and skirts,' I say and Aunt Pol slowly nods. She gives me a small smile and I just look away.

I hear the sounds of someone walking in the hallway upstairs and a few seconds later Thomas comes into the dining room. He looks at me and then at Aunt Pol.

'Mila, Aunt Pol,' he says and gives us a small nod. He walks into the kitchen and comes out with a cigarette in his mouth.

'Breakfast will be ready soon,' Aunt Pol says and gives me a small nod, meaning that I need to come with her. 'Are you coming to join us, Tommy?'

Thomas looks at me and then at Aunt Pol. He shrugs and slowly sits down at the table.

'I don't have anything better to do anyway, eh,' he says and I just roll my eyes. I stand up and follow Aunt Pol into the kitchen. We stay silent while she puts some pieces of bread into a bosket.

'Mila, what does "tu l'as tué" mean?' Aunt Pol asks and I don't move. Every muscle in my body is activated and I can't move. Aunt Pol sees me freeze and puts a hand on my shoulder. 'You don't have to tell me, swearheard. Just know that I bet everyone in this house has heard you tonight.'

I slowly nod and she gives me the basket of bread, while she grabs some other stuff. We put them on the table and Thomas looks at me. I know now that everyone has heard me yelling tonight.

Tu l'as tué. You killed him. Nothing more, nothing less. But it's still something I keep deep inside and I don't think ever will come back outside again.

'The new copper had come to town last night,' Aunt Pol says and I slowly grab a piece of the bread. It stays silent and Thomas nods.

'That's right,' he says and looks at me. I just look away. I don't really know what to say. I don't know if I'm in trouble because of the past or that I'm still safe and don't have to tell anyone what happened. Well, for now, maybe I trust Tommy eventually enough to tell him, but not yet.

'It was a strange night, Tommy,' she says and now I know that she knows. She knows what Thomas is hiding and warns him. Someone is going to get hurt today and it would probably be Arthur, since he is the "boss" of the Peaky Blinders on paper.

'Are you scared?' he asks Aunt Pol and she just shrugs.

'I just don't want anyone to get unnecessarily hurt,' she says and looks at me. I just look down at the bread in my hand and take a bite. Why do I have to be in the middle of attention all the time? I have always hated that.