𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

27, oh, how my home is no longer mine

XXVII. 1922

Shelbys had many talents. Talents that involved drinking, smoking, racing, lying, fighting and outsmarting enemies. And much more. What many forgot, was their talent to take up space and hold the control. Even when they are at a disadvantage. But they remember when the runaway Shelby sister stood at the Garrison entryway.

In a place she hadn't been in years, surrounded by people who hadn't seen her in years, Vivian felt like an outsider. When she first left, she had imagined what her homecoming would be like, if there ever was one. She envisioned the scene; shock, anger, relief but through the intense emotions she'd feel at home and at peace.

Over time, she rarely thought of Birmingham at all.

However, here she stood in her family pub. The last place she saw the majority of her loved ones. She felt sickly at thought of being a stranger in her home. That sick feeling lingered as the gold reflected the warm light.

Despite that sense of belonging being absent, her presence invited attention. She had their eyes on her. It took a minute for most. She had changed. But she still held control over the pub's patrons. Even with her lean figure, she took up space in the doorway. This most likely was due to the figures in her life. One's that had power; specifically Polly, Tommy and Sabini. She learned that their posture and stance helped them gain control. So she mimicked without thought.

Tommy stared at his little sister.

It wasn't til she stood in the Garrison that he realised just how different she was. She looked like a London girl now. It was unsettling. She didn't dress like Vivian. She tensed up in the familiar place like Vivian would never do. Was it really her? But he still approached her.

"Hello Thomas." She spoke, her eyes meeting different eyes around the room. No one that matter. Not yet.

"Vivian, you came." He stated to which she shrugged with a forced smile, "why?"

"Had nothing better to do."

"Nothing better than seeing the family you ran from?" Tommy questioned, bitterly.

Vivian looked down, grimaced at her once polished shoes, then looked up, "oh, how I missed your company Tom." For now, he was blocked her from the eyes of her family and friends. But Isaiah had already see her. He couldn't stop staring at the Shelby brother's back, neither could he move. "I think i deserve a drink. On the house."

And then she turned, walking into the snug. Tonight, the Shelbys didn't occupy the private room, but Vivian made quick work of kicking some random men out. They rose from their chairs quickly, in shock and slight fear. Now, she had missed that respect.

Tommy watched and soon followed her in. John and Arthur were too busy acting like idiots. Finn was with friends. Ada was making her rounds. And Polly was playing around on the dance floor. No one knew she was here. But it wouldnt take long for the word to get around the small pub and back to the family. Before sitting down, he opened the little window and got a bottle of whiskey and glasses for them.

"Oh, so I can drink now? I'm allowed to now, am I?"

Tom hummed as he sat down, "well, we've missed two birthdays, haven't we, Viv?" He poured them each a decent amount of whiskey.

Viv. It was nice to be called 'Viv'. Especially by Tommy. She got used to only remembering the times she was in trouble and she would be full-named.

"Yep. It's great being eighteen. Drinking, clubbing... other things." She sighed happily before sipping the booze.

"You're nineteen." He corrected.