The Petals Thorn|| Thomas Shelby

2

Tommys pov
Here I am at work her across the room. Her corner a bit away so she doesn't freeze and flinch at the noise from outside all the time. She's doing our numbers. But she's not even using a calculator or writing. I ask her "you doing the math in your head Rose?" She's only been here 3 days. She's doing good with the job so far. She's yet to meet John, Arthur or Polly. I've noted she's a bit shy. And my family are...loud to say the least. Especially Arthur. She doesn't seem to like such things really.

She freezes and looks at me "yeah? Do you not want me to?" Her doe eyes on me. I tell her "as long as the calculations are correct. It's impressive is all" she replies "my father taught me. said there might be a time where I might need to know how to do it all in my head. It's also just easier this way. Came in handy during the war, when having to calculate how much medication to give and what have you" I nod watching her continue writing her numbers.

I ask her "have you ever been in the tunnels while over there?" Wanting to know more. She says "yes. My heart goes out for what you had to endure down there. The tunnels are a horrid place to be" I point out "war is a horrid place to be" she nods "indeed it is. But looking at what the men in the tunnels endured, and what the men elsewhere did...the tunnels were worse"

She asks "would you like a refill for your drink Tommy" I note it's empty and I say "no need. I'll get Grace to do it. Want something?" Picking up the phone and she says "I'm on the job" I raise an eyebrow "I'm aware. But do you want something Rose" she says "I'll have what you are" I nod and tell Grace on the phone the orders. I tell her "where were you stationed?" Curious. I wonder if I've seen her before now and just don't remember.

Rosemarys pov
He doesn't remember. I didn't either at first. I was in the tunnels with him. For a bit anyway. I saved his life. All of theirs. Small world huh? I say "a bit of everywhere I supposed Tommy" not really liking to talk about it. It's something I really do want to forget. While awake anyway. When I'm asleep all I do is remember. The smell of blood coating my hands. The looks of dead eyes of the men I couldn't save. The sound of the bombs, yelling of orders, guns. The screams of pain I delivered to the men to try and stop their bleeding.

The way the men would silence from falling asleep or dying. The way that the bullets would go through the flesh and out again, if they were somewhat lucky. The way they'd just drop. The screams for help. The way the soldiers would hand me letters, photos, and whatever else they had on them as they died. I remember it all. Names, faces, voices, the silence. 

I remember the way the men who were okay, would try and force sex. I learned to carry a knife in my uniform. I've never had to use it. Just threaten. Grace comes in and serves Tommy and he motions for the other drink to be given to me. She comes over and puts the drink down but it spills all over the place on my work. On my progress. She smirks slightly. Why? I try and save the papers and clean up a bit as Grace says "I'm sorry." No she's not.

I don't know why but Grace doesn't like me much. Soon she's gone and I down the rest of the whiskey and sigh my head in my hands at the damaged papers. I try to fix it and air them a bit but it's no use. If it was clear it wouldn't be so bad. But the alcohol isn't. Tommy sees me grabbing blank papers and he asks "what are you doing?" "Retyping the papers so I can re do the numbers." I say. He replies "I'll have Grace do it since she caused this" I shake my head "it's not her job. It's mine. I should've-" he cuts me off "I saw her cause the spill Rose. Breathe. It's not your fault"

I reply "it's still my job Tommy. Whether she caused the spill or not. It's okay" he replies "typing up those papers isn't your job. Filling in the numbers appropriately is" "it's no bother Tommy really" I tell him. I ask "why doesn't she like me?" As I type.
"Who?" He asks. I reply "Grace." He asks his eyebrow raised "has she said something to you rose?" I shake my head "no it's moreso what she does Tommy." He puts his pen down and looks at me "go on"

I shake my head "it's nothing I shouldn't have said anything." He comes over as I look back to where I'm typing and he makes me look at him. Our blue eyes are on one another's. His state makes me squirm in a way I've only done once before. The stare wants me to...change...in a way I haven't since. "Tell me Rosie" Rosie? No one's ever called me that before. I fidget a bit and say "it's nothing" going to look away but he adds pressure to his hold making me continue to look at him. "I can't protect you from her if you don't tell me what's going on Rosie." Protect me?

The deepness of his voice makes me want to go over that edge I said I wouldn't. I reply "she's been glaring at me since I got here. She shoulders me any time she gets and snaps. She spilled the drink on purpose" he moves his grip so his hand is on my cheek caressing my hair behind my ear gently. "What else Rosie" his thumb coming to stroke my lip. I'm taken back to yesterday when she told me to stay away from Tommy, to resign and offer her up for my spot. That Tommy is hers.

His touch makes me want something I swore not to. I open my mouth and tell him. Anger rises in his crystal, sapphire, ocean colored eyes. He composes himself and tells me "this is your job. Yours. Not hers. I am not hers either. She won't threaten you again Rosie. By order of the peaky blinders she won't" I reply "you don't need to" he nods "I want to."