Billie Shelby

Part 5

Tommy P.O.V
It was around 6pm when I got home from the garrison with Polly. I hadn't told her of Billies new hobby because I would be bound to get an earful from her;and I wanted to handle it alone.

When I came into the living room I found Billie asleep in a chair with a book on the floor next to her where it had obviously dropped from her hand.
I needed to speak to her,so decided I had to wake her up.

I shook her gently in order to wake her,she slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes,before she saw me and asked "you calmed down now?".
I scoffed ,almost laughing at her plain cheekiness due to her still being half asleep.And I poured 2 glasses of whiskey.
" what do you want Tom?" She asked sleepily as she yawned.
" to talk Bill" I said handing her a drink,to which she looked at me confused.
" Tom I-"
"No bill let me talk"I interrupted.
She allowed me too.
"Look,I need you to stop with the snow. Not because I'm an annoying older brother who wants to control your life."
I sat down opposite her.
"But because I care for you-alright?"She nodded at me,slightly confused at my sudden calmness and care.
" I need you to sort yourself out ,alright? No more staying out till stupid hours I want you home before 11pm"
-"but tom-" she interjected. But I stood my ground ,remaining calm.
"No Billie I need to know you're safe and home ,I've let you stay out late long enough"
She huffed at me clearly annoyed by my order.

"Look , Harry needs someone to help him at the Garrison,he's advertised for two barmaids. You've got one of the jobs if you want it. That way I can keep an eye on you"
"Urmmm.. okay Tom? Aren't I too young for bar work?"she was clearly confused.-
" It won't take much for people to look the other way knowing you're a Shelby" I responded .
"What's the catch?" She asked.
Maybe she is like me..
"No catch Bill,just be home every night before 11pm. Alright?" I said placing my whiskey glass to the table and beginning to stand up.
"Right go to bed Billie girl,you're tired-as am I."
And with that said I began to walk out the room until she stopped me.

Billies P.O.V
I walked over to Tom,still shocked by his out of the blue nice offer.
"Tom,just to let you know Arthur didn't give it to me"
"Alright Billie"he said turning away.
"No tom ,I had taken it from him. He didn't know...wait" I turned back and walked over to my jacket and pulled out another blue bottle.
" it wasn't Arthur alright?" I said giving the bottle to Tom,to further prove to him that I was going to do the right thing.
He took it from me and looked at me gratefully;placing a hand to my shoulder "go to bed bill." I nodded my head and he kissed my forehead- something he hasn't  done since I was little . And he left,taking the small bottle with him.
I took a deep breath,collected my book and took myself to bed following Tommy's orders.