A Twist In Time

An Introduction of Gangsters

An Introduction of Gangsters

The opening of the Shelby Home for Children was finally here and it felt like after weeks of preparation, we had finally produced what I had imagined. Of course, a lot of credit had to go to Lizzie.

I knew for a fact the Shelby Home wouldn't be complete without her help.

The family were currently prattling about the Home, looking into the classrooms on the bottom floor while waiting for the reporters and photographers to come and take the opening photo.

"You did good," Arthur said, a note of pride in his voice as he peered into one of the classrooms, giving a smile to one of the teachers, Mabel.

"Thank you, Arthur," I said, knowing that he actually meant it. I knew it was different for him, having me open up the Home. I had effectively found his children - the children he didn't know anything about - in my quest to open a home for the orphans of Small Heath.

"You know, a lot of these children have parents," Polly muttered, her eyes taking in some of the newer children who had come to us over the last couple of days.

"I know."

"You should send them back to their parents," she added, her eyes flashing to me. The darkness of her eyes was almost scary enough to want me to curl up in a ball, but I had gotten used to Nana Gin glaring at us all like that when we went to argue. Polly wasn't scary.

"I think, Pol, that some parents have sent their children here because they need to," I told her, knowing for a fact that some of the parents in Small Heath couldn't afford to keep their children.

"They're taking advantage of you."

"They probably are, but if I can do anything to help those children, to prevent them from being neglected, abused, or starved then I will." I was just reminded of Tom Riddle from the original timeline. The one where he was left alone and turned into a dark lord. Just the thought of any child being treated that way destroyed me. "I have it in my power to prevent any child from being alone, Polly. Why would I turn someone away just because their parents are alive?"

"You're a good person, Romy. Too good."

Polly gave me a soft smile before walking over to Arthur's boys, engaging them in a conversation with their newly found father.

"She's not wrong," Tommy muttered, coming to join me from behind. I wasn't too surprised to see TJ curled up in his arms, head resting against his shoulder and asleep.

The boy had been plagued by bad dreams, calling out in his sleep all night for someone called Betsie. He sounded scared and was searching for her multiple times throughout the night. It left him exhausted and wanting cuddles from his dad.

"I just see a world where he has no one," I muttered to my husband, bending down and pressing a kiss to TJ's head. "I see him in every child, Tom. I don't want any child left on the streets."

"Between this place and that woman's club you've got going on, you'll have all of Small Heath wrapped around your finger." He didn't seem angry or annoyed. There was a hint of pride in both his eyes and his tone.

"I do have another idea actually," I told him, thinking on the thought that had been pondering my mind for the last couple of days. I'd spoken to Lizzie about it and she seemed to think it was a good idea. "I want your opinion on it."

"Romy, I love you, but you need to hold on to all those thoughts for a moment." He shifted so he was closer, his voice low enough that no one else would be able to hear him. "Let me deal with Campbell before you have any other bright ideas."