We Meet Again (Thomas Shelby)

Chapter Eight: Polly Grey and the Business

Sorina's POV:
I avoided the Shelby brothers. I can comprehend how petty my decision is, but truthfully, I have a justifiable reason. I assume they're into something worse than just racing; otherwise Thomas wouldn't feel the need to protect me, if that's what he's doing. If they're into something that could potentially be harmful to me, I don't want to be in the middle of it. I moved to Birmingham to better myself and to start a new life. I adore those men; honestly I do. That's why I'm avoiding all of them and not just Thomas. They tried to get my attention at work, and on one occasion, John visited me at the Bed and Breakfast. I was at the market at the time, and I was thankful for Lilith's ability to tell someone 'to get fucked', a direct quote. For an older woman, she has a way with her words. The thought of hurting their feelings crosses my mind from time to time, and of course that upsets me, but I don't want to be put in a compromising position.

I walked down the road silently, watching hard working men pass me without a second glance. The loud sounds of the mills have become sort of a background noise since I've gotten used to it. In fact, the busy lifestyle of Birmingham was surprisingly easy to adapt to. You'd think it would be harder due to it being faster, more hectic in fact. But that's furthest from the truth. "Sorina." I stopped in my tracks, seeing Polly standing at the bottom steps of the Bed and Breakfast. She didn't look angry; just not impressed. 'Oh dear lord, I'm in trouble.' I thought as I hesitantly walked over to her. "Good afternoon, Polly." She stomped out her cigarette before telling me to walk with her. I did as told, walking on her right side. "You've been avoiding the boys." She noted, giving me a pointed look. "Yes, ma'am."

"Why?" I sighed, looking at my feet. "I've come to the conclusion that whatever it is they're hiding from me, I'll never know. But whatever it is, it's dangerous and...I didn't come to Birmingham for that. I moved here to do better for myself; to be better." She nodded her head, seemingly understanding where I'm coming from. "You're protecting yourself so-"

"So they don't have to. Precisely." She took my arm in her hand and pulled me down another street; a street I've never been on before. I started feeling nervous being alone with this woman now. I don't think she'd hurt me, but I've been wrong many times before. "If Tommy knew what I'm about to do, he'd have my head." She told me, giving me a look that said 'don't even think about telling him'. I nodded my head vigorously in response. "What exactly are you showing me?" She brought me over to a well secured, dark brown door. She pulled out a key and let herself in, pulling me with her. The building was spacious, many desks spread across the room with crazy amounts of paper laying on top. In one room, a large chalkboard covered in writing stood at the front. "What's this?"

"Our betting shop for the races." I gave her a surprised look. "I'm going to be up front with you. Our business is rough; it's greedy. Sometimes, it's even messy. We've all agreed that you should be kept out of it, but that doesn't mean they don't want anything to do with you. Take it from me, you can't handle this business." My confusion only deepened from her words. What part of an illegal business is so messy that I can't know anything about it? Where I have to be hidden in the back of my workplace? It's an illegal business, not a gang! "Forgive me, Polly...but what part of this business can I not handle?" She walked over to the board, pointing to a name at the very top. "See that name?" I walked over to stand by her side, following her gaze the best I could. "Billy Kimber." I whispered to myself. "I don't know who that is." We turned to look at each other, her expression far more stern than my own. "He owns most of the race tracks outside of London. He's a gang leader. Soon, we'll be working with him." Realization spread across my face as the reality of the situation came to light. Thomas is protecting me from gang members. Although I'm still unsure why I'd be in danger, I'm a simple barmaid after all, I can start to see why Thomas would be protective. Guilt started to set in as I came to terms with how selfish I acted in the Garrison. Polly must have read my mind because she placed a hand on my forearm. "Now that you know, you can make a smarter decision. Unlike my nephews, I can understand why you'd want to stay away. But if you choose to continue surrounding yourself with my family, this is what comes with it." Her words echoed in my head as I pondered my decisions. My reasoning to stay away still stands, but clearly the Shelby brothers cared about me enough to protect me. I would be abandoning friendships and for what? I gave Polly a thankful smile. "You gave me a lot to think about, Polly. Thank you."

"Just make the smart choice and we won't have an issue." She shrugged before turning around, fidgeting with a pile of papers. "You can let yourself out the way you came in. I've got work to do." I nodded, taking my queue to leave quickly. It's a good thing I'm a fast learner, or else I would have gotten lost on my way back home. Lilith and William were in their own room when I had returned, making it easier for me to avoid conversation. I had too much on my mind to talk to them at the moment. As I opened my door, the first thing I took notice to was a bouquet of roses. They were absolutely beautiful sitting on my bed. I slowly walked over to them and picked up the small note beside it.

Please consider this my apology.

-Thomas Shelby

A small smile spread across my face at the gesture. This sold me on my decision. Being friends with the Shelby's, although they're mixed up in some troublesome business, I'd love to still be their friend. I adjusted my hair to make myself more presentable before going on an adventure to the Garrison; just where I knew they'd be. It was around that time, after all. The second I stepped foot into the building, I was greeted by a few regulars screaming my name. "What are you doing here, love? You're not in tonight." Harry called to me from behind the bar. I gave him a smile, motioning towards the back room. He gave me a knowing look back, nodding to let me know they were there. "Thank you." I mouthed before opening the door.

The room was so smokey that it was almost suffocating, and I could distinctly hear Arthur's drunken laugh easily. The noise inside died down as everyone looked at me; surprise on their faces. I tried not to focus on the fact that a prostitute was hanging on Arthur's arm, or the fact that John was too drunk to notice her. My attention went straight to Thomas, who was staring at me with a blank, unreadable expression. I stood there staring at him with a straight face, trying to mimic his stone exterior. It was hard considering I wasn't upset, and I know he knew that too. Finally, a smirk started to form at the corner of his mouth. I smiled in response. "Thank you, Thomas."

"For what?" I chuckled, shaking my head at him slightly. "The flowers, of course." He didn't respond; he just stared at me for what felt like forever. His beautiful, deep blue eyes pierced through me like glass until he motioned me towards him. He scooted closer towards the prostitute so I could sit by his side; to which I did gratefully. I drank and joked with everyone well into the night, and it felt nice being so relaxed. For the first time ever, I felt genuinely included...even if they didn't know I knew about their business with gangs.