We Meet Again (Thomas Shelby)

Chapter Ten: Roheryn

Sorina's POV:

Grace struggled to keep up for the majority of the night, but I can't say I blame her much. Even if she has experience in pubs like this, it's still a new location with very new people; nerves can very easily get in the way of someone's performance. I watched her spill a shot of rum all over the counter; her face flushed with embarrassment. I quickly rushed over with a rag and wiped it up, giving her a quick nod towards the end of the counter. "I've got this side covered. Why don't you take a second to calm down?" She went to go refuse, but I put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay; you're doing great! But your nerves are getting the better of you and that can't happen on your first night. Not in front of the Shelby's." I whispered, nodding towards the back room where I knew the brothers were. She seemed to think about it before nodding in agreement, quietly thanking me. "Any time." While she took her time in the back, I ran around the front expertly, sending out drinks as quick as a flash. "Sorina!" I turned towards the end where Freddy Thorne stood, taking off his hat with a bright smile. "Freddy!" I ran over to greet him. "I haven't seen you since-"

"France. Yes, I'm quite well again!" I took two glasses and poured out some whiskey, handing him one. "A toast then! To your resilience!" He laughed and knocked it back with me. "Way to go, Light!" A regular slurred, smiling at me. "Another round, William?" I poured his Scotch. "What are you up to tonight, Mr. Thorne?" He fidgeted with his hat, looking around. "Goin' to meet me woman!" I gave him a bright smile. "Who is she? I'd love to meet her!" He shook his head with a laugh. "Maybe someday, Ms. Tempest. For now, I just wanted to say hello."

"Well, hello! And goodbye." I laughed and waved him out. Thomas peaked his head out the door. "Was that Freddy Thorne?" I nodded, passing another gentleman his large beer. "Came to say hello. Nothin' wrong with that." Being around Thomas, I've realized that he had a heavy falling out with Freddy Thorne after the war. It's a shame, really. Any person who's willing to take a bullet for a friend should be someone cherished in your life, but who he befriends is his business. Turns out Freddy is a communist now, and that's a spit in the face for the Monarch. "Should've called the coppers the second I heard his voice." I rolled my eyes at him but didn't bother to respond. He'll feel whatever he decides. I walked to the other end of the bar, helping a prostitute off her stool. "Darling, I think you drank too much." She shushed me. "Mind your business." She slurred before stumbling out of my arms toward a random man. I put both of my hands up in surrender and turned to walk back to my station, and the next thing you know, my eyes land on the sight of Grace and Thomas conversing.

Now, I never thought I'd be a jealous person; I'm comfortable in myself and who I am so I never found the point, but seeing them made my stomach tie in knots a bit. Thomas and I are not together; hell, we haven't even spoken about our kiss once since then. I have no right to be jealous or upset. Shaking off the sudden feeling, I went straight back to work. Men all around me yelled and partied to their greatest extent, and the drunker they became, the more entertaining it got for me. Grace found a rhythm halfway through the night, which was good, but she didn't meet the expectation Harry had. "She's an experienced barmaid. There's no excuse to stumble as much as she did." Harry told me as we whispered in his office. "Her nerves just got the better of her, is all. I'm sure she'll do great tomorrow."

"What makes you think there'll be a tomorrow for her?" I sighed with a slight shake of the head. "One more chance. That's all I'm askin'. She seems lovely." I stared at me, trying to find a way to weasel out of the conversation. Eventually, he realized I wasn't giving up, and he rubbed his face roughly. "Alright, one last chance." I smiled thankfully at him, passing him a bottle of Whiskey before saying my final goodnight. Grace was wiping down the bar with a sullen expression, clearly lost in a dizzying thought. "I'll see you tomorrow night, Grace. Goodnight." She smiled and whispered a farewell as I closed the doors behind me. The cold air hit me like a ton of bricks as I made my way home, tightening my jacket around myself to hold in as much warmth as I could. The walk back to the Bed and Breakfast wasn't long, but I always try to enjoy it for as long as I can. At night, the mills are closed, making the streets almost creepily silent. The lack of noise gives you time to think. Just as I passed a street on my left, I quickly noticed John sitting on the steps of his building; smoking a cigarette by himself. He looked far too stressed for his own good. I paused, watching him for a moment. Should I talk to him? Or should I continue my journey home?