𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 ᶠⁱⁿⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

𝟎𝟏𝟗: 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐱𝐞𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗
𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐱𝐞𝐬

Aurora smiled when seeing Finn and Charlotte stood outside the school gates. Alfie was at Rory's side whilst they walked and he raised an arm to wave at the pair. "What're you doing here?" Aurora asked as the four began walking.

"Thought i'd come meet you since Tommy doesn't have me working this afternoon. Saw Lottie on the way down so we walked together," he said, slinging an arm over Rory's shoulders. She looked up at him and shielded her eyes from the sun. "He doesn't even live down here anymore and he still runs the place," she scoffed.

"It's Tommy's world and we're just living in it." Alfie joined in jokingly.

Aurora stifled a laugh and dug into her pockets for her cigarettes. "Do you have a lighter?" She asked. Finn shook his head and she looked toward Alfie who already had one in his hand ready to give to her. "What?" She asked when Finn looked at her funny. "Tommy said no cocaine and not so much whiskey— he didn't say anything about cigarettes." She said as she balanced it between her lips to light it.

Finn said nothing more and let her get on with it.

As a cloud of smoke left her mouth, she ran her thumb over her bottom lip. "Are we still going to the Golden Bells tonight?" She asked.

Charlotte, who was holding onto Alfie's arm, nodded, "I think so. Mikey was speaking about it this morning." She said. Aurora looked to Finn. "You going to join us?" Aurora asked. Finn shrugged. "Probably."

Alfie moved his arm to wrap it around Charlotte, pulling her close and making her laugh. "Right— we'll see youse later," he waved them off as he pulled the blonde girl the opposite way. She smiled up at him and Aurora couldn't help but smile at the interaction.

"Alfie and Charlotte— who would've known." Finn chuckled as they walked toward Watery Lane.

Aurora hummed in agreement and threw her cigarette to the floor. "Do you reckon Isiah will meet us tonight? Feels like ages since we seen him." Finn said as he opened up the door.

Aurora placed her bag down and slipped off her shoes. "Hopefully." She sighed. "His dads had him working like mad recently. The last time I saw him was Tommy's wedding." She said, watching Finn close the door.

They weaved their way through the busy betting den and sat upon on the couch in the living room. She threw her legs over his and let out a sigh.

"Are you getting sick of school now?" He joked.

"Nope." She answered quickly, "i've only got a few months left— and then i'll have done it. Just like I said I was going to." She said proudly, looking up at the ceiling. Finn rested his hand on her knee. "I'm sure everybody will be proud of you— they already are." He said softly.

Aurora could feel herself smiling further and she shook her head. "I wonder what Freddie would say if he saw me now."

Finn thought for a moment. "He'd probably think 'what the fuck' and be happy that his little sister made a better life at seventeen than he had at twenty five."

Aurora laughed. "Probably."

-

Aurora came down the stairs to a practically empty house. John sat at the table with a betting book, catching up on things he'd missed, and Polly stood making tea. "Where have you been all day?" John asked.