BITTER - Michael Gray.

THIRTY.

♛

"Morning!" Olivia burst into the Watery Lane shop like a ray of sunshine. Michael convinced her that he didn't need her at the hospital today, and that she deserved to do something for herself. So, reluctantly she left him too it.

"Hello. We're in here." Lizzie shouted back. She and Polly were doing the inventory for the morning.

"Good morning. How are you? I made bread and I've got whiskey." Liv dropped her bag down on the table.

The door opened and closed before the women could reply. Linda made her way in, dropping her paper on the table. The three ladies look at each other with a hint of confusion, this was certainly not Linda's scene.

"I said to Arthur while I'm in this fucking place, I want something to keep my mind busy." Linda took her coat off and made herself at home.

"What, you're gonna take bets?" Olivia asked skeptically.

"I've always been able to do addition and subtraction without pen and paper. But I'll need a telephone. Apparently we have special clients that take bets by telephone." Linda explained. Lizzie and Olivia gave each other a look of confusion and mild amusement.

"Linda. This is a betting shop." Polly tried to make it clear to her.

"Look. Arthur said yes, Tommy said yes." Linda looked frustrated.

"But did God say yes, gambling's a sin Linda?" Polly pulled in the religious aspect.

"It's not me that's doing the gambling. I'm just taking the bets." Linda said smugly.

Polly gave up and wandered off to the safe. Lizzie elbowed Liv with a smile on her face, Liv just shook her head in despair. The front door opened and slammed shut.

"And where on God's fucking Earth do you think you've been?" The familiar screech of Millie echoed through the building.

"Uh?" Liv stammered. Her best friend pounced on her and into a hug.

"I haven't seen you in years!" She squealed.

"I've been arrested, almost hung, over to New York, back here, watched someone die and got myself a boyfriend." Olivia laughed.

"Christ girly, no wonder we didn't speak." Millie sat down next to Linda, who was still determined she would take bets.

"I know, I'm sorry I neglected you but I promise we'll make it up." Liv smiled and Millie accepted. "How's Isaiah?"

Before Millie could respond, the door opened once again, only this time Finn came crashing through.

"The rule is that door should always remain locked until 9am." He joined the girls in the betting shop.

"Right boy. Boy, where are you going?" Polly stopped him from storming off.

"Well Arthur's not coming in today. He's taking the day off. So." Finn announced.

"So what?" Lizzie snapped back.

"So today, Tommy said I'm in charge." Finn spoke with a hint of pride. Olivia smiled slightly, it was sweet how happy he was.