sabrina. peaky blinders

four

four

home, mid 1919

The kitchen smelled of warm bread, freshly brewed tea, and the faint scent of wood burning from the hearth. Sabrina sat at the worn wooden table, absentmindedly stirring her tea, her fingers tracing the edge of the chipped mug. The soft light of the afternoon filtered through the window, casting gentle shadows over the room. Outside, the wind howled, but there in the kitchen, it was safe and quiet. The kind of quiet that Sabrina had almost forgotten in her time away from home.

Betty, ever the chatterbox, was perched on the edge of the table, bouncing one leg as she spoke animatedly. Her enthusiasm was enough to stir the very air around her, but Sabrina wasn't so easily persuaded.

"Come on, Sab, it'll be good for you," Betty urged, her voice sweet with the kind of coaxing that suggested Sabrina didn't have much of a choice. "The town needs it, and Dr. Morley's in over his head. You know how bad he is with people. There's no way he can control a room full of women."

Sabrina glanced up from her tea, her brows raising slightly. "You volunteered me for this already, didn't you?"

Betty grinned mischievously. "Of course! I mean, come on, Brina, you're perfect for the job. With all that time you spent in France, you'll be able to teach them proper first aid. They'll listen to you."

Sabrina took a deep breath, leaning back in her chair. She almost expected her sister to get down on one knee and beg in that childish way she liked to act to get a smile out of her siblings. In truth, Sabrina could think of nothing better to do with her day than to make her hands be busy again, but looking across at her sister and her puppy-dog eyes, she wanted to see how far she would take it.

"I don't know, Betty... I've been away long enough. I don't need to play the hero."

Betty's face softened. "It's not about being a hero. It's about helping people who need it. The women in this town don't know what they're doing when it comes to basic first aid. I'm sure they'll appreciate your knowledge," she said, then let out a big huff. "The only reason I'm going is because Ada is dragging us. At least help make it tolerable. Please!"

The way she said 'please' dragged out into a long whine. Sabrina rolled her eyes and pressed her lips into a thin line, as if thinking it over. Her mind was already made up. She missed feeling busy, feeling needed. Besides, Dr. Morley doubtlessly was a good doctor, but his manner of teaching was not his strong suit.

"I suppose I could help a little," Sabrina murmured.

"That's the spirit!" Betty said, her grin widening. "And it's only for an afternoon! You don't have to teach them everything, just enough to get them started."

With eyes like an owl, George appeared in the doorway, face scrunched in concentration as if he'd been trying hard to follow the conversation. He took the teacup from Sabrina's hands, sipped, and then handed it back with a polite nod, before his loud voice finally filled the room.

"Can I come too?" he asked, high and eager. "I know how to wrap a cut. I could help."

Betty rolled her eyes playfully. "Nice try, George. But this one's for girls only. You boys have enough going on, what with all your 'important' stuff." She laughed. "No need to try to sneak in with the womenfolk."

George's face fell for a moment, but he wasn't one to give up easily. "I could help carry things! I'm strong," he said, flexing his arms dramatically.

Sabrina laughed, the first real laugh she'd had since they'd sat down. "Maybe next time, George," she said gently. "This one's just for the ladies."