A L I V E❔❕ (tommy Shelby fanfiction)

Chapter 1//

I sighed to myself, as I looked at my beautiful sister in the mirror. Her dress was beginning to become tattered around the edges, but the necklace our mother gave her shone bright on her neck, falling against her prominent collarbones.

"You don't have to go tonight, you know that?" I tell her, the worry evident in my eyes.

The owner of the brothel, Johnny, had a special thing with me, and I could sweet talk him into or out of anything. He is always wanting me to join the brothel, but I would never think so low of myself, even if it does bring in the money.

"I'll be fine." She told me. "I'll tell Johnny I can't do as much as normal, and he'll let me off."

Although she has already told me this, it doesn't reassure me. We got the news earlier on today that our father died, due to a gang of sorts up north. We never knew our father, he left us after our mother had us, but it felt strange knowing the man that helped conceive us, was no longer on the earth.

His funeral was in several days time, the letter from our aunt told us. We decided not to go, as a ticket up north really couldn't come out of our pay check right now, especially as we are struggling to put food on the table as it is.

We'd moved down here a few months ago from London, and the best excuse we had for people who asked us was that we "wanted a change of scenery." Yeah, right.

I began to work at a small bookshop in the town, but was discharged when it was burnt down, so now my sister has to bring in the pay check, by working in the brothel.

The town is a mess, with businesses everywhere being destroyed. But no one has the heart to complain. We get what we're given.

She haven't been working there long, only a few months now compared to others who have been there for years, but I knew I needed to get a job soon, so she could get out of that filthy place.

I picked up the frayed edges of her short dress, and sighed.

"I'll get sewing tomorrow, and we'll fix this up for you." I told her.

She smiled at me in the mirror, before rolling a stick of red lipstick on her lips, and puckering them.

"Thanks, love." She said kindly. She grabbed her small purse from the table, containing emergency addresses, and a small knife, in case of an emergency.

"I'll need to leave now, but I'll be back sooner than usual, ok?" I nodded slowly.

"Alright, I'll see you later!" Blowing a kiss, She strutted our of the door, and I sunk onto the bed.

How could she be so happy, positive, in a time like this? I always admired my sisters courage to carry on going.

I take the small not from inside my bra strap, and place it in my hand. It's a note from Josie, the owner of the bookshop, telling me about a pub that's hiring in town. I'd heard of it before, and had walked past in on market day.

I bit my lip, in thought. I could just go there, and see if the job is still available, I guess? What harm would come, anyway?

I reassure myself it will be fine, before slipping n my boots, grabbing my bag, and walking out of our bland apartment.

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I arrived at the pub, looking inside to see it was busy, but not crazily. I stroke the paper in my hand, before reminding myself who I am.

I am Bettie Cartmile. I can do anything.

I let out a deep breath, and walk into the pub.

As soon as I let the doors close behind me, the smell of alcohol hits my nose. Everyone's eyes follow over to me, probably wondering who the new meat is. Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all?

I grab ahold of myself, and walk up to the bar. I wait several seconds, before a man walks over, his eyebrows raised.

"What would you like, darlin?"

I can never get over the accents over here, they sound so mysterious.

I smile at the man, because I really need this job, and I need to try desperately to win him over.

"Hi, I'm rose and I'm new to the place. Josie said that you had a job open for a barmaid, and I was wondering if it was still free?" My voice becomes shaky at the end, scared that the man would just turn me away. He looks me up and down, making me feel self conscious.

"It's still open, love, but are you sure you want to take it? The men here are rough, sometimes downright disgusting, and I can't have anything bad on my reputation."

I sigh. Damn. Another job down the hole.

"I could really do with the money and I... I worked as a barmaid in London, so I'm used to the men." The lie spills easily. Ive never worked a day in my life with alcohol. But I need this job. The man smiles to himself, before walking round the edge of the bar, gesturing for me to follow him.

We enter a small room at the back, where he looks at me.

"Alright, you can have the job, but try not to get hurt, Alright? We wouldn't want another poor soul ruined." He looks off towards the door for a second, before focusing his attention back on me.

"The lads here have no control. I'm Harry, by the way."

I smiled at Harry, before thanking him.

"When should I start?" I say.
"Tomorrow, 2pm sharp. Don't be late." He walks out of the small room, leaving me standing alone, with a big grin on my face.

Hi guys! First chapter, I'm not really sure how I feel about it, let me know if you think it's too short or too long. The shelbys will be introduced next chapter, don't worry. leave any suggestions in the comments.
Until next time,
May xo

969 words