Small Heath's Angel

Chapter 16 - Fire

Word Count: 4219

Finn sat in Florence's home talking about his day, munching on sweets and biscuits she had offered. After refilling his glass of water and her own cup of tea, Florence told him to stay put and that she'd be right back.

She returned with a box she had wrapped in beige butcher's paper with a black ribbon tied around it. Finn's eyes lit up when he saw the package in her hands. Florence smiled as she said, "I've decided that you are deserving of an early birthday gift." She placed the gift into his open arms and sat back on the sofa, her cup of tea warming her hands.

Finn discarded the ribbon onto the table and carefully ripped the paper, leaving Florence to smile—only in front of her was he this polite and delicate. He crumpled the paper in his hands and Florence nodded at him to throw it into the fire to keep it going.

He slowly opened the box and his eyes warmed subconsciously at what his gift was. A pair of relatively expensive black boots.

Florence smiled. "For you to run around at all hours in any weather without fear of your feet getting wet or cold."

The boy jumped from his seat and crushed her in a hug as he smiled and repeatedly said thank you. Florence made sure not to spill any of her scalding hot tea on him as she returned the hug and kissed his hair.

"You can wear them when you go to the fair with your brothers tomorrow," she suggested, sending him a wink. "Here, we'll put them on, eh?" He smiled and nodded his head eagerly.

Florence knelt in front of him as she helped Finn into the new shoes. She went to tie them before he stopped her and said, "I can do it, Flo. See?" He grabbed the laces and tied them efficiently as she watched with a smile on her face. The boy was eleven, of course he could tie his laces—but that didn't stop Florence from being proud of him. It was also evident that Finn was happy to show off his skill, especially to the person who would give him the highest praise for it.

Finn finished the laces on his second boot. Florence stood up and took a step back, allowing him to jump off the sofa and get a feel of the boots. "Go on," she said. "Have a walk around."

He obliged, doing a few laps of the living room, tapping the shoes on the ground a few times and getting his feet used to them.

"What do you think?" Florence asked.

He looked up at her; eyes bright and smile wide. "I love them!" he exclaimed before running at Florence and giving her another bone crushing hug. She knelt down as she received it, smiling to herself. "Thank you, thank you," he muttered into her shoulder. Florence could only hold him tighter.

She pulled back and ran her hands down his shoulders. "It's getting late, Finn. Gather up everything and I'll drop ya home." She sent him a warm smile as Finn nodded his head, stepping out of Florence's touch and moving to the sofa. He took his new shoes off and placed them carefully back in the box. Florence grabbed his overcoat from the stand by the door and helped him into it.

Finn grabbed the shoebox, leaving the house with Florence behind him. She didn't bother locking the door behind them. No one would dare enter her home without fear of the Shelbys coming after them. Finn had a smile on his face as they walked across the lane, his gift in hand. Florence gave a few greetings out to those who acknowledged her. The two entered the Shelby home, finding the family sat around the dining table.

Florence smiled at them. It had been a few days since she'd seen most of them. After her declaration of not being family, she needed to clear her head, give herself space. She wouldn't lie, she greatly regretted what she said—how she had phrased it. "Good evening, all."