As the youngest Shelby child and twin to Finn Shelby, Kezia has spent the last 4 of her 10 years locked away for her mental defectiveness.
She returns to Small Heath under the legal guardianship of her brother, Thomas Shelby. Despite knowing she's s...
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Has anyone noticed that Kizzie hasn't mentioned Alfie once this season? 👀
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Kizzie wasn't sure if understanding death would make accepting it any easier.
Even people like her Aunt Polly, who believed in God and Heaven, feared losing loved ones and never being able to see them again.
"Ready, lambkin?" Tommy stood in the parlor, dressed in his finest blacks.
"I don't want to go."
Her brother stepped forward with a weak smile. He found her hand, gripped to the bannister, and placed his on top. "I know. But I'll be with you the whole time. And we have your sketchbook. If you start feeling unwell, we'll step outside. I promise, Kizzie."
She hoped Tommy couldn't feel how dry her hands were. She had another bad memory this morning. Sometimes, when she washed her hands, splotches of blood decorated her palms. She rubbed to remove it, but it only grew and stained her skin. Then it would feel grainy and sticky under the water. Kizzie would start breathing heavily and be transported back to being eleven-years-old when she witnessed Tommy almost die.
"Okay."
Freddie had been sick for a few weeks. Had a really bad stomach and he was hot to the touch. Tommy said the same illness spread during the war, but people only took notice once the war was over. Freddie died from it. Not from a bullet or from war. But from being sick.
He knew Tommy. Was friends with Tommy. Kizzie saw them in the same mirror as a result. He left behind a child and Ada. The possibility of a sickness killing someone never crossed her mind. But now?
"Tommy."
"Hm?"
They sat in the car. It was fancy and black with leather interior. When the sun came out, the car seats were uncomfortable.Tommy got it a few years ago. Got everyone in the family who drove the same car. He said this type of car showed their success. Kizzie would have preferred a stable filled with hundreds of horses.
"Do you ever get sick?"
Her brother turned to face her in the backseat. They had just left the church service. "Kizzie—"
"Like how Freddie did? I heard no amount of money or running away or killing can prevent getting sick."
"The worst of it has passed, Kizzie. Freddie wasn't careful."
'Sometimes you aren't careful."
Tommy smiled at her bluntness. "You're right. But I wouldn't risk losing—"
Aunt Polly tapped the car window. Tommy rolled down the window and met her disapproving frown. "Everyone's already ahead and clouds are comn' in."
Perfect timing. Tommy could delay telling Kizzie another lie today.
