Next of kin//peaky blinders

Chapter three

"Tommy said he wanted to pick you up after school take you to the stables then maybe meet some more family after" Catherine informed her daughter as she ate her breakfast. "Wait what?" Annabelle asked with raised eyebrows nearly choking on her milk. "What's wrong with that?" "Meet family? I-I can't do that, I'm a mess in front of new people, especially without you. I ramble and I make things awkward and I sweat a lot cause I'm nervous, what if they see me sweating and think Hmm that's weird or oh my god what if they don't like me?!" "ANNABELLE RELAX" her mother yelled cutting her off.

It had been two months since Annabelle had first met Thomas and she had seen him at least twice a week, she had also forgiven her mother after about a month. Thomas was making a big effort and it was evident to everyone around him. Becoming a father had changed him, for the better. Annabelle was starting to look forward to seeing her dad. She even plucked up the courage to give him a hug goodbye last time she saw him. Thomas couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the week.

She felt comfortable around him, she was starting to grow attached to him and there was definitely a relationship there but they were taking things slow. Which she appreciated. He didn't make her call him dad or expect anything from her which made things a lot easier for her when she was getting to know him at first.

But new people? Annabelle was distraught at the idea. "Your dad will be there with you it's fine" "it's not fine! I'll be a wreck! Oh god my life is over this is terrible" "Anna listen to me-" "no you don't get it mum you're normal I'm weird and have no friends" "you have friends" the woman protested and Annabelle rolled her eyes in response. "You don't count" the woman fell silent for a moment before continuing.

"That doesn't matter the Shelby's value family they'll love you stop worrying " Annabelle knew she would worry, all day, the worrying would never stop even after she got home and all was said and done she knew she wouldn't sleep, she'd be too worried they didn't like her. "Ok I have to go to school" she sighed, quickly standing up and grabbing her over the shoulder bag. "Have a good time later" "yeah sure. Have a good day at work" was all she said before slamming the front door.

As she walked to school her mind continued to spiral about what the day would later hold. All the way until she reached her dorm room and sat down at her desk. "Hey Annabelle, why so down in the dumps?" The girl rolled her eyes at the voice that broke her from her thoughts. "Leave me alone Elizabeth" she murmured not bother to turn around and look at her.

Although she did whip her head around in shock and anger when a book harshly collided with the back of her head. "What the fuck is your problem?!" She snapped narrowing her eyes at the three laughing girls who were two rows behind her. "Were you daydreaming about daddy again?" "Shove off" she mumbled not in the mood for an argument and turning back around.

All day Annabelle heard them whispering, making fun of her and she was really getting tired of it. Normally she could ignore them, they tormented her everyday ever since she joined the school. But today- today she was so close to losing it. It was like they could sense she was having a bad day, that she wasn't in a good mood and used it to their advantage.

It was lunchtime and Annabelle was peacefully sitting on a bench by herself reading her copy of Alice in Wonderland. Well that was until it was slapped out of her hands. "Where are all your friends Hmm? They made up like your daddy is?" "Leave me alone" Annabelle said harshly bending down to pick up her book but was shoved to the ground by one of the girls. "Leave me alone" Annabelle repeated getting angrier. She pushed herself up from the ground only to get shoved backwards by a girl called Sarah. "Why? You gonna cry if we don't?" "You're gonna cry to your whore mother?" "Shut the fuck up!"