Billie Shelby

Part 9

I left for work not long after I finished my breakfast that Polly had made for me.I still didn't feel good,but I thought maybe fresh air could help-even though we live in dirty old Birmingham.
As I arrived outside Graces flat,our agreed meeting spot, I suddenly felt sick. I propped my hand against the wall and lent my weight to it,using my free hand to cover my mouth as I took a deep breath in attempt to calm myself.

"Are you ok Billie?" I heard Grace say as she shut the door that led up to her home.
The feeling had passed and I removed my hand from the wall and stood up straight wiping my brow and pushing my hair back behind my ears. " yes,Thank you" I replied. And we made our way toward the Garrison.

2 hours into my shift meant it was now 12pm,and I felt a lot worse from this morning. My temperature was all over the place; hot -cold-hot-cold. Sweating then shivering.The pub wasn't too busy ,the usual customers arriving and going;with Tommy and John arriving half an hour ago in the private room.
Grace had told me to sit down after I feeling dizzy,and apparently looking 'pale'.
I was sat on a stall with my elbows resting on the bar and my head in my hands trying to calm myself down.

10 minutes had passed and I decided to go and join my brothers,so made my way to the private room.I knocked twice only for John to open the door ,and he immediately spoke " are you alright Bill?" He asked removing the cigar from his mouth.
/////////////////
Billie managed to nod and walk further into the room.
Tommy had now also noticed the colour of his sister and how her eyes looked drowsy ,a concerned look appeared on his face.
John followed behind Billie as she slowly made her way to the table.
As she reached her chair her hands fell to grip the table as she attempted to steady herself
"Billie..?" Tommy asked,watching her,worried .
"Bill?" John added.
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she immediately lost her grip of the table.
Both Tommy and John rushed forward toward her;John managing to grab her under her arms before hitting the ground,and he gently laid her to it.
John go get her water" Tommy ordered as he knelt down beside his sister placing her head to his lap, as she slowly started to come around .
/////////////
Billies P.O.V
I woke up to find John and Tommy looking over me. " you're alright" Tommy said to me.
I was confused,wondering why I was laid on the floor.
I went to sit up-"slowly Billie girl" John said as he too crouched down next to me. I sat up slowly and rubbed my head.
"What happened?"
-"you passed out,but you're alright."Tommy revealed to me.
"oh"I said still half drowsy.
John passed me a water,which I finished pretty quickly and eventually they both placed a hand under my arms and helped me up to my feet,sitting me in a chair.

I sighed loudly and rested my elbows on the table in front of me,rubbing my forehead.

A few minutes had passed and Tommy clearly saw how stressed I looked and reluctantly pulled out a cigarette and held it in front of me.
"one time only"he said to me "and don't tell Polly".
I took the cigarette from his hand looking at him with a confused face,shocked at his niceness,as normally he would kill me if he saw me with a fag in my mouth.
I placed it in between my lips and John leaned over and lit it.i took a deep inhale and blew the smoke out as I stared into my lap.
"thank you.i think?"I said still not looking up to Tommy.
Both boys laughed slightly causing me to give them both confused looks -"we know you smoke Billie,you don't have to hide it" John announced to me.
"...what?"I said trying to act innocent -"no I-"
Tommy interrupted "yes you do,you sneak out the back of the pub in the alley"
I just laughed in response ,unsure of what to say.
We were interrupted when the door swung open and Polly stood in the doorway. She immediately noticed a cigarette in my mouth and stormed towards me,taking it from me.
"shhhittt"John whispered causing me to laugh slightly. Polly noticed this and her face fell even more and turned to anger.Tommy just kept drinking his whiskey ,unfazed as normal.
"You think this is funny?"Polly questioned,waving the cigarette around.
"No"John said trying to suppress his laughter but failing.
She gave the cigarette to Tommy who put it out.- "right ,c'mon you're coming home Billie.You need to rest"she said to me,like an order.
"ahh c'mon Aunt Pol I feel fine now,can I not just stay with the Boys?"I begged. I didn't feel fine,I just didn't fancy getting an ear full from Polly about the cigarette or her making sure I was alright every 5 minutes once we got home.
Polly huffed and walked over to me grabbing my arm and pulling me up. She did this a bit too quick and i wobbled in my place before she steadied me grabbing ahold of both my arms.
"See you're not fine,now c'mon"and she dragged me out of the room. I looked to the boys in hope they would say something but they didn't. Clearly not wanting to challenge Polly in her bad mood.
And we made a slow walk towards home.