love knows no bounds | thomas shelby

a new barmaid

eveline found herself back at the garrison, helping harry to continue cleaning up the aftermath of danny's outburst. shards of glass were still scattered across the floor, remnants of the chaos that had unfolded. side by side, they swept the broken pieces, working diligently to restore order to the once lively establishment.

as they focused on their task, the sound of a creaking door reached their ears. they looked up simultaneously. then, their eyes fell upon a woman standing in the doorway, her outfit suggesting a class and wealth that seemed out of place in the gritty surroundings of small heath.

eveline couldn't help but to find the woman's attire unappealing. she removed the cigarette from her mouth and asked, "who the bloody hell are you?"

"i'm here about the job as a barmaid," the blonde woman responded.

eveline and harry exchanged glances, silently questioning the woman.

"you must be mad, love," eveline stated, her tone implying that the woman's aspirations were far-fetched.

confusion then clouded the woman's face as she asked, "i must be what?"

eveline, taking another drag of her cigarette, repeated herself.

"you must be mad," she clarified, her words carrying a touch of amusement. the notion of a woman of apparent class and privilege seeking a job at the garrison seemed bizarre. but the woman, perhaps unaware of the nature of the establishment, expressed her innocence.

"i saw it in an advertisement."

eveline and harry couldn't help but burst into small laughter. afterwards, harry said, "i'm sorry, love, but the job's been filled."

eveline then decided to take a seat on the table.

the woman persisted, stating, "it was in yesterday's paper."

harry, not one to mince words, responded firmly, "believe me, love, we're doing you a favor."

"i'm not looking for favors, i'm asking for employment."

eveline spoke up. "listen, you look too friendly, alright? the men here will tear you up into pieces," she warned. she knew all too well the nature that could exist within the walls of the garrison.

harry, emphasizing eveline's point, said, "you're too pretty too."

eveline slightly chuckled in agreement with harry. the reality of their world was not one of gentle manners and kind intentions. no, it a was rough and unforgiving place.

however, in her own way, eveline respected the woman's determination. she respected her for standing up for herself. yet, at the same time, she felt compelled to offer a word of caution, driven by their own experiences that lurked within the garrison's walls.

the blonde woman, seemingly undeterred by eveline's warning, responded, "then she must be mad. she's ten times prettier than i am and working here."

eveline chuckled, appreciating the woman's spirited response.

"it's a madhouse, love. i have plenty of experience," she replied.

the woman insisted, "i have experience. and references," as she handed a piece of paper to harry, who examined it with curiosity. he then handed it to eveline.

"what part of ireland are you from?" asked harry.

"galway," the woman responded, her hand still holding onto her bag. "i worked in dublin."

eveline watched as harry's face softened as he recalled memories.

"my mother was from galway," he said.