𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐖𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 ━━ T. Shelby

𝘅𝗶𝗶𝗶

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE AND BLOOD

1914

THE suffragette arson attack on Britannia Pier made news everywhere. The horror, the paper's headlines screamed which made Eden wish she was there to witness it all, except she was at work, discussing the women's movement in Great Yarmouth and what this meant for women everywhere.

She remembered hearing Tommy say a while ago, big fucks little and in her eyes, many women were bigger than men, more powerful in ways that didn't involve abrupt acts of violence or shouting and yelling to prove a point.

So when she finished her shift, she waved goodbye to the other nurses, exited the building and let out a deep sigh.

"Fuck," another long, tiresome shift, caring for people who couldn't give a damn about her in the slightest, who treated her like shit until they caved and allowed her to operate on their burns and bruises.

Eden Dawkins needed a break.

"Come on Edie," she turned around to see Dorris waiting for her, "You're late."

"It's six in the afternoon."

Looping arms with her dear friend, Dorris shrugged, "And? Let's get going."

And so they did, despite Eden's aching feet and drooping eyes, they walked towards their favourite place in the city.

The sun had almost faded, fortunately, the weather was heating up, Spring had its grasp on Birmingham and Eden and Dorris were grateful for it.

"You're still with 'im then?" asked Dorris.

Eden felt the disappointment in the air, "Not really."

"Don't lie to me, you've forgiven 'im right, Shelby's been forgiven?

Eden sighed, "Not completely."

"Fuck sakes Eden," Dorris didn't get it and she doubted she ever would.

"I know, it's fucked up," Eden already felt a great amount of shame for allowing Tommy back in.

"More than that," Dorris muttered bitterly, looking away from her friend, "You love 'im that much don't ya?"

"I can't help it," Eden whispered as they drifted closer to the green.

"You can leave," Dorris suggested.

"I've tried."

"Not hard enough."

"I know."

Dorris bit down on her lip, debating on what to say next, "He asked about you y'know? Enzo."

Eden's face lit up just as quickly as it dimmed.

"But he doesn't respond to my letters," she muttered, earning a scoff.

"Can you blame 'im? He was bedridden for two weeks, he could barely speak. Every time I went over, Angel and Mrs Changretta would curse you out," Eden bowed her head shame, "and Enzo would defend you, battered and bruised, he wouldn't let 'em say a word 'bout you – me as well, which is why I got kicked out a few times."

Angel was angry at Dorris for defending Eden, especially when he believed she was the reason his brother was all bandaged up. She didn't think Angel would talk to her after this and for once she wasn't fussed.

Truthfully she didn't love him as much as she thought she did and had her suspicions he didn't love her.

"Does he look better?" Eden suddenly asked, when they started their long walk up the hill.