Billie Shelby

Part 12

Finally I got to the Garrison.
Just in time before my shift started. I reached the doors,but they were locked.
'Grace has the keys' I realised subconsciously.

I felt exhausted,mentally and physically.i heard someone approaching behind me,hearing their feet hitting the stones below.
I hoped to God it wasn't Tommy;I didn't fancy another grilling.I just didn't have the words.

I was relieved to find it was Grace with the keys.
She noticed my panic " are you alright Bill? You  didn't meet me?" she asked worried.
I just looked to her,and shook my head,and I felt tears brimming my eyes.
Grave noticed this and immediately unlocked the pub doors,ushering me inside.
————————————————
Billie day herself down at a table as soon as she set foot into the Garrison,exhausted.
Grace rushed behind the bar to grab her a glass of water before returning to Billies table.
The pub was empty and not due to be open for another 20 minutes.

As grace sat at the table Billie's emotions overtook her and tears began to fall.
Seeing this Grace placed an arm around Billie who was 6 years her junior.Billies head fell to Graces shoulder as she finally gave in to the tears,reality hitting her.
"Billie,what's happened?"Grace asked with s sincere tone;worried for her relatively new companion.
Billie sad nothing but wept silently for a few minutes against Grace.
******
After minutes had passed Billie sat back up in her chair,as Grace looked to her intently waiting upon an explanation for her sudden emotion.
"Billie can you tell me what's going on?" Grace asked again reaching out and placing her hand upon Billie's resting in her lap.
Billie looked up to her and raised her own hand to wipe away a tear from her cheek.
"Tommy ....he's going to kill me"she said as more tears brimmed as realisation of her reality continued to hit her.
"what?"Grace replied,needing more information.
"I'm...I'm ..."Billie hesitated after looking up to see Grace staring at her.
"You don't have to tell me.." Grace said ,now sitting back in her chair.
Billie took a deep breath in "I'm ..I'm pregnant"she finally revealed.
It seemed as though Grace choked on the air as she coughed slightly,still looking to Billie with a now saddened facial expression.
"Grace?" Billie said helplessly.
Grace shuffles her chair closer to Billie and raised her hand to Billie face,wiping her cheek from her tears that had started to fall again.
"It's alright,it's alright"she repeated,calming Billie.
"But Tommy ..." Billie continued,but was interrupted-"don't worry about him,he's your brother he's probably trying to protect you Bill"
"By wanting to kill the baby's father?" Billie snapped. "Sorry" she added realising her change in tone towards Grace.
"it's alright-
you've told him who the boy is?"Grace asked.
"No! Are you stupid? Of course I haven't!" Billie replied.
They were suddenly interrupted by banging on the pub door making both girls jump in their seats.
"C'mon Harry open up!" -customers were becoming impatient.
Grace went to get up but Billie grabbed her arm "Grace don't tell anyone. Only you and tommy know,I don't need anymore knowing that I'm a 'whore'-as Tommy put it" I warned her.
"He called you that?"she asked
"Yes...he's probably right"Billie added. This caused Grace to grab Billie's arms " no! No you are not Billie. Ok?" This sudden comment made Billie look to Grace with a thankful look in her eye.
"Ok Grace."
She lowered her arms off Billie and knelt down in front of her as Billie was still sat .
"Look, do you know what you want to do?"
-"I can't keep it Grace,the baby will be without married parents ,without a proper stable home and upbringing and as a constant target of Tommy's enemies. God help any child born into my family" Billie stated;mirroring her own upbringing without proper parents around due to her dad leaving and mother dying and living in fear of rival gangs of the peakys.

The banging at the door continued "C'MON GRACE!" one man shouted.
"Billie why don't you go home,I can handle the pub today" grace asked with billies best interests in mind.
"No grace,Tommy will find me at home ,he's less likely to cause a seen if there are people around, especially as it's a family matter"
-"ok" graces replied as she made her way to the door.
"No no. Grace I'll open it"Billie said as she marched toward the door.
She slammed the door open to face the small group of men,who had previously been heckling Grace.
"oh,ummm Good morning Miss Shelby .." one said nervously.
"hmm..yeah it is isn't it. I'd hate for that to be ruined ,eh? By some rude fuckers outside my pub" she hinted a threat at the men causing them to shift in their place,knowing the family she belonged too.
"Sorry Miss Shelby" another man added.
"Right.The drinks you buy today will be double the normal price ,just for ruining my morning you fucking idiots!" Billie stated,asserting her power despite being over half their age.
No man dared to question her ,aware what would happen if they did-and none wanted to face the wrath of the peaky blinders.
Grace chuckled at Billies command and the men's silence ,as she overheard.
Billie stepped aside allowing the men to enter ;they did so in silence, without looking up to Billie or Grace,embarrassed of the power the sixteen year old girl had over them.

Billie P.O.V
The men made their way to a table.
I just knew today would be a day of hell.
And I was already on the brink of loosing my temper.