Chapter 1

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" Charlotte , hurry up , I'm leaving!" Shouted Polly from the bottom of the stairs

"Almost ready mum " Charlotte shouted back.

Polly sighed and lit a cigarette as she waited at the bottom of the stairs .

Charlotte rushed around her room excitedly as she got ready . Her slightly wavy brown hair was tied up messily at the top in two plaits. She chucked on a long warm coat and before she left her room she grabbed a notepad and pen and quickly stuffed it in her pocket . She then ran downstairs and was greeted by Polly who stood with her arms crossed and raised eyebrows .

" Why are you so desperate to come in to the betting shop today ?" Said Polly curiously as she slowly breathed out smoke.

"No reason " said Charlotte plainly .

"Well don't get used to it , I don't like you being around this sort of work . I promised you when you were born that I'd give you a good life " said Polly sternly as she did up the buttons on Charlottes coat .

"Don't be silly , I already have a good life " Charlotte said with a smile .

Polly caressed her cheek and sighed .

"Let's go then " Polly finally said as she grabbed her keys of a wooden table .

———

Once they'd arrived Polly took her and Charlotte coats and hung them up on a peg . Esme was sat at a nearby desk , bickering about how unfair everything was .

"Oh please shut it Esme and get on with ya work" said Polly as she walked past to grab a glass of whiskey .

Charlotte wandered off in search of Tommy , he had some news which she was desperate to hear .

She eventually found his office door and took a deep breath before knocking .

"Come in " came the familiar voice of her older cousin Tommy .

"Ahh Charlotte , right sit down " he said as he searched for files in his drawers .

"So did you find anything about my Michael and Anna " said Charlotte excitedly.

Polly had recently revealed to Charlotte that she has a brother and sister and she had been desperate to find them and with the help of Tommy she hoped she could locate them . They got taken away from Polly while she was away and fortunately no one knew about Charlotte as she had just been born so she wasn't taken from her . This sad event broke Polly and Charlotte knew that finding them would restore her broken heart .

" Here" said Tommy plainly as he tossed two files on to the table ." These are the files of Anna Gray and Michael Gray."

Charlotte looked blankly at them .

"Ones black and one is white " continued Tommy

"Unfortunately Anna died a year or two ago from a disease in Australia , hence why her file is black" Tommy said as he held Charlotte's hand .

Charlotte swallowed and nodded .

"But let's look on the bright side , your brother is alive and close by ." Said Tommy with a smile

Charlotte nodded as her eyes began to water .

" I have a brother " whispered Charlotte as she smiled to herself " I have a brother "

" Here's the address , now you must understand that we can't force him to come so be nice and gentle when you visit him and .."

"Visit him ? I can't do that " said Charlotte confused .

"What if Mum finds out , you know what she'd do if Michael decides he doesn't want contact with us " said Charlotte worriedly .

"It will be fine , you fourteen now , I'm sure you capable of lying to Polly about your whereabouts " said Tommy with a smirk .

Charlotte smiled and wrote down the address on her notepad .

"Lovely doing business with you Mr Shelby " she said in a fake voice as she stood up and hugged him over the desk .

Tommy smiled and watched her leave . She was the only one he let hug him and Charlotte took regular advantage of that .

"Why do you look so happy " said Ada as she walked through the kitchen doors and into the main area .

"No reason" said Charlotte with a small smile as she walked past .

"Oh Ada could you do me a favour " asked Charlotte as she turned around .

"Depends " said Ada with an intrigued smile .

"Can you cover for me if I go out for a bit , just tell mum that I'm buying you something " begged Charlotte .

"Whyyy?" Said Ada confused

"I can't tell you the reason now but trust me it'll be worth it " said Charlotte desperately.

"Fine , but don't be too long " said Ada sternly .

"I won't , love you , bye ! " shouted Charlotte happily as she ran out the building .

"Don't forget your coat" shouted Ada back

Ada shook her head with a smile .

—————-

"Have you seen Charlotte , I can't seem to find her anywhere?" Polly asked Ada .

"She's gone to buy some stuff for the business , but don't worry she'll be back before the end of work " said Ada calmly .

"Bloody hell , what's she buying that takes that long to get ?" Said Polly shocked .

"Never you mind , It'll be worth it in the end Pol" said Ada with an unsure smile, " I hope " she whispered under her breath .

————————-End Of Chapter 1 ———————

Thankyou so much for reading this chapter <3

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