We Meet Again (Thomas Shelby)

Chapter One: Birmingham

3'rd Person's POV:
Rain pattered against the train as it sped full speed down the tracks, heading towards Birmingham. For some, the train ride seemed quick. Maybe two, three hours max. That wasn't the case for the young lady sitting in the fourth seat in the second cart. Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun as she sat with her side leaning on her window, completely mesmerized with the book she held loosely in her hand. She was so enticed with the eccentric but no less fascinating words that the world seemed to be on pause. The people around her laughed and spoke loudly while the scenery passed by her in a blur, but she didn't notice, not like she minded. The young lady had always been more of an introvert, not truly interested in socialization or partying, which had become a trend with women now that the war was over. She always preferred her favorite tea and a nice book, relishing in the silence that came with it.

Don't think that she didn't care about people. On the contrary, she was a very caring person. After all, her father was a doctor who was dedicated to helping people. It had rubbed off on her after some time, and still resides in her. If put delicately, she just doesn't want to waste her time on booze and partying or dedicating her time to people who would forget about her by the time the night was over. It wasn't appealing to her, which made her sort of a black sheep.

Her trip had taken her seven hours, not counting the two hour trip from her first train ride. She was exhausted and, if being truthful, wanted off of the train. It had been too long since she had been able to set her feet on solid ground, and she was hoping that the feeling could come quicker.

"Miss?" She lifted her bright green eyes to look at the man who had spoken to her. He was a stubby, balled man wearing a uniform. "May I see your ticket, please?" She smiled kindly at him. "Of course." She pulled it from the back of the book and handed it to him, letting him take a look. "You're going to Birmingham?" He asked, getting her to nod in response. "I don't know what a pretty thing like you is doin' goin' to that place, but it's the next stop. Have a good day."

"You as well." She said kindly before putting her book into her trunk. Her legs were bouncing in anticipation as she stared out the window, wishing that the train would just stop and let her off. 'Patients is a virtue.' She reminded herself. The train slowed to a stop, and as soon as the doors had opened, the young lady rushed off, dragging her trunk behind her. The air was cloggy, she would admit, but she didn't mind it. Being in a different place was exactly what she had needed. No memories, nobody knew who she was...it was nice to be able to start again. She smiled to herself as people pushed passed her, barely uttering an 'excuse me' to her. 'Not everyone has manners, Sorina.' She told herself before dragging her trunk away from the station, heading towards the city. She stared up in complete amazement as she observed all of the different buildings that lined the streets, and she couldn't help but to admire it all. 'It's definitely a change.' She thought, smiling at a man who was staring at her in confusion. "Good afternoon." She nodded her head at him. He tilted his head at her with a small smile, saying the same to her. She felt as though she was a kid in a candy store, everything being so new and so cool. "Excuse me, ma'am?" Sorina walked over to a woman who was walking in the opposite direction.
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The woman stopped and gave her a confused look, which didn't go unnoticed by Sorina. "I do apologize for disturbing you, but...you see, I don't um..." She chuckled nervously under the woman's stare, which had been burning into Sorina's soul. "I don't know where I'm going, so...would you, by any chance, know of a bed and breakfast nearby?" She eyeballed Sorina some more, analyzing the poor girl. The woman took notice to the trunk behind her and finally nodded her head. "Go down this road and take a left, you'll find a bed and breakfast on the right side." Sorina smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much. Have a wonderful day." Sorina then kept going, even when she felt the woman's stare on the back of her head. 'She was a rather intimidating woman.' She nodded her head in agreement to her thought.

Just as she was told, a bed and breakfast sat as the third building down. It was a rather tall, brick building with curtains covering up most of the windows. A small, metal sign hung just above the door, indicating that she had found the right place. "This is it." She whispered to herself before walking inside. The interior was lovely and was clearly run by someone who was older. She could tell by the decorations that covered the front room. A big, dark brown desk sat across the room from the door with a sign that said 'ring bell for service'. She walked slowly over, the sound of her heels clicking against the floor being the only sound to be heard. Sorina's thin, pale hand hovered over the bell for a moment, debating if that was the best move. 'The sign said ring, so...' She did just that.

It only took a minute before an older gentleman came wondering out of the doorway to the left. The man had snowy white hair, wrinkles covering most of his face. He must have been at least fifty, more so give than take. Even with his older exterior, Sorina couldn't help but notice how young his eyes looked. They were a lovely hazel color, and they seemed to have held a large amount of kindness in them. It brought a smile to her face. "Oh, hello." He greeted, walking over to the desk. "How may I help you?"

"Well, I'm new in town and I was wondering...well, more so hoping-" She chuckled nervously. "-If you had any rooms available?" He smiled at her. "It is a bed and breakfast, dear." They started chuckling, Sorina's face turning a light shade of pink from embarrassment. "I didn't know if you were booked, is all."

"WILLIAM SHEFFIELD YOU-" A short, thin woman came stomping down the stairs, freezing in her place when she saw Sorina. "Oh, dear me. I apologize." Sorina shook her head. "No worries, Ma'am." The lady looked slightly relieved before turning her attention back to William. "You never went to talk to the Blinders, did ya?" Sorina's eyebrows pulled in slightly at the name, 'Blinders', but didn't question it. She knew it wasn't her business. "No, I didn't, my dear. I am sorry." She ran a hand through her graying long hair before nodding her head. "Go to the Garrison when you have the chance. You need to talk to 'im." He nodded his head in understanding before looking at Sorina again. "Right then. How long will you be staying?" He asked, opening up his little booklet. "Well, I was hoping for awhile...just until I find a job and get myself a flat." He nodded his head and explained to her how much it would cost, which was cheaper than she had first thought. They had come up with an agreement easily, so he let her sign her name into the book and handed her a key. "Your room will be on the second floor, the last room at the end of the hall." He instructed with a smile. "Thank you so much, sir." She politely shook his hand before grabbing her trunk. "Do you need help, dear?" The woman asked. "Oh, no thank you, Ma'am. I can do it." She assured, picking the big thing up with a struggle. They both watched her slowly climb the stairs with amused looks on their faces. "She seems lovely." She heard the woman mutter to what Sorina could only assume was the lady's husband.

When she was finally able to get inside her room, she placed the trunk onto the bed with a grunt. Damn thing weighed a ton. She took a look at her new, temporary residence. It had a nightstand, a twin bed, a small bureau and a bowl. It was small, but she couldn't help but admit that it was cozy. It held a certain feel to it, like an actual home. Sorina moved to the window and moved the curtain slightly, looking out towards the streets. There was nothing eye catching, nothing rare to see, but it still made her happy. People wandered the streets while horses were being ridden up and down the roads with their owners. It seemed like it was just another average day in Birmingham. Busy, but not crazy.

This was a good decision.

She closed the curtain again and turned to get unpacked. Most of the things in her trunk were her favorite books she didn't want to leave behind, but she brought a good percentage of her clothing with her too. As long as she had those to necessities, she was content. Two out of the four drawers in the bureau and the nightstand held her books. She hated the idea of them being left on the floor. She felt that it was disrespectful to, not only the story, but the writer. Books were never meant to be put on the ground...end of story.

Once she had finished unpacking, Sorina laid down on her bed and curled up in a ball, smiling to herself. "Tomorrow is a new day." She whispered. "And a new life for me."