By Order Of The Peaky Blinders

Chapter four

Viola nervously adjusted her hat as she stared up at the Birmingham Royal School of Nursing, the building seemed to loom over her in a mocking challenge that she wasn't sure she'd be able to meet.

She shook her head and firmed her shoulders; Viola could do this! Surely it couldn't be any harder than learning Latin.

"Are you alright?" a woman with a faint accent asked her, she was in good shape. Of a  average-height with brown skin, brown hair and black eyes.

"Yes, I'm quite alright, thank you, just" Viola waved a hand vaguely "feeling a little overwhelmed"

"Oh, I understand, I'm the same" she smiled brightening her face to look rather lovely "I'm Kathy Thomas"

"Viola Crawley" Viola replied, shaking her hand

"Would you want to walk together?" Kathy asked her and Viola nodded

"Please" she smiled and the two hooked arms and headed into the building.

Viola got to know Kathy very well over the day, the two shared all their classes together and she was a chatty and friendly woman, if a bit rude and somewhat dull. She enjoyed bargain hunting, worship, gossiping and going to the pictures.

She grew up in a working-class neighbourhood. Her parents worked hard to provide her with a good life. Kathy had gone to the local school and loved her teacher Miss Burton but hates Mr Blair who apparently spoke in a really annoying voice. The impression was really rather funny,

She was in a relationship with Franklin Lindsay. Ashley is the same age as her and worked at the docks, they got along well but Kathy only dated him because she thought he could provide a good life. Her best friend is Lydia Rice. She has four siblings Ross, Vinnie, Alysha and Freddie.

In between learning ever facet of the woman's life Viola managed to figure out her own schedule and she was excited to learn. Her schedule was half academic at the college and half working at a clinic practice:

Dr. Jameson Lam- anatomy

Dr. Ivan Goudy- Introduction to clinical care, Planning patient care

Dr. Malik Bystron- Complex care, Critical care

Dr. Ben Stancombe- Public health

And she would be interning under Dr. Winifred Stoyle at the Small Heath clinic. Monday, Wednesday she was at the college and Tuesday, Thursday was at the clinic, occasionally on a Friday she might be at the college or the practice or even have a day off.

She was stepping out with Kathy into the afternoon air when the woman let out a little squeal, bouncing on her toes. Viola had always considered herself a friendly but Kathy really was extroverted.

"What is it?" Viola asked her, looking around in concern

"Oh! who is he?! Ain't he handsome?!" Kathy whispered to her tugging on her arm and not at all subtly pointing at a familiar figure.

"That's Tommy" Viola murmured unsure as to why he was here, but he looked very handsome, leant against the wall with his cap pulled down low and smoking a cigarette.

"Tommy? Oh, is he your Tommy?" Kathy asked her, eyes sparkling at the thought of gossip.

"Not quite" Viola brushed off, her cheeks flushing.

"Well! Let's go say hi!" Kathy said without waiting for an answer she dragged Viola over to Tommy whose head snapped up when he noticed them, eyes focused solely on her.

"Viola" Tommy greeted her in his raspy voice, eyes trailing over her carefully, want to affirm her condition.

"Tommy" Viola greeted him fondly, eyes soft and warm.