ONLY REQUEST | Thomas Shelby

FIVE

That night Sadie had stayed with Ada until she fell asleep. The Shelby girl eventually admitted the father of her baby was Freddie Thorne and she went into great detail about their love and Sadie's heart ached as she listened. From worry and hope that it would all work out for her dear friend and from the familiar loneliness that began to creep in as she heard just how in love Freddie and Ada find themselves to be.

Deep in thought and too many drinks in Sadie sits by herself at the bar of the Garrison.

She feels the blonde barmaid, whose name she learned is Grace staring at her but she can't find it within herself to care. She's probably just staring at her for the same reason everyone else does these days, poor little broken Sadie. The girl doesn't assume that her stares could be for any other reason.

News travel fast round here in Small Heath and somebody probably already told Grace about the tragic story of how Sadie found her mother's dead body after she killed herself just six months before the boys returned home.

That's all anybody sees when they look at Sadie now, at least that's what Sadie believes to be true. Even though she has never talked about it to anyone, even after Polly's several attempts to get the girl to open up. She had been there to help James as much as possible through his grief, her biggest worry being he'd end up just like she was.

Lost and alone.

Sadie saw so much potential in her brother James and her biggest hope is that he'd go on to be something big. Bigger than this town, bigger than committing crimes. She really believed in him.

For herself she couldn't imagine her future. The girl used to have so much faith in the world and what was meant to be for her but that was disrupted with a cruel wake up call.

She fought hard to keep seeing the light but after so many hits all she was surrounded by was the darkness. If anyone else were to know that she'd hate it. She knows people are worried about her, she's not clueless but if they were ever to see the extent of just how hopeless she feels it's more than likely the mad house would be her new home.

So she buries it all deep down and tries her best to be there for everyone else when they need her. Even if it takes her shine away more and more every single day.

"Are you alright, miss?" An unfamiliar voice echoed through the air and Sadie turned to see a tall, brunette man with a friendly smile. She could tell by his attire he wasn't from here and may most likely be rich. The girl doesn't believe she's met him before and with that her curiosity is peaked.

"You don't belong here." Sadie speaks before taking another sip of her drink, taking the stranger by surprise. He takes note of the fact she doesn't answer his question.

"You're probably right," he says with a chuckle as he explains he's on his journey home back to London.

"So what brings you here?" Her hand extends out to offer the man a cigarette to which he graciously takes. They both take their first drag before continuing their conversation.

The stranger has a charming way about him and she can't deny the fact he has a more than handsome face.

"Business." The mystery man shortly answers.

"Business in Small Heath? That can never be good." Sadie smiles before continuing, "But don't worry, I won't ask for the details." This causes the man to smile too.

"Can I buy you a drink?" The question makes Sadie ponder for a moment but she decides against it, already having enough for one night.

"Thank you, but I should probably head home." She answers before finishing what's left of her drink and getting up from her seat.