Billie Shelby

Part 13

An hour into their shift,the men had been being a handful and Billie had almost lost it.
The bickering ,and pushing and shoving of drunken men had almost caused Billie to flip. One more thing and her temper would be through the roof.

Grace had been insisting that Billie take the day off as she could see the stress on her face but,Billie wanted the distraction.She wanted the time to forget about it,forget about.. the baby.

Graces P.O.V
Today was going to be one of them days where the men were going to be a handful. And I'm not sure Billie is up for it,she is already under so much stress and she didn't need this too.
But she insisted she wanted to stay,so I was not going to argue with her.

I was pulling a few pints when the door opened and 2 younger boys walked in. One I know to be Micheal Gray,Polly's son but the other I wasn't so sure. I had seen him around a few times but hadn't quite caught his name.
However, I saw Billie tense at the sight of this boy,and I noticed her breathing become a bit unsteady as she stood next to me.
"Billie?" I asked,worried.But she said nothing.

The boys reached the bar,both smiling politely to me and Billie.
"Alright Bill?" Micheal asked her,but Billies eyes were sternly focused on the other boy next to him.The boy noticed this "Billie?" he too asked worryingly. Again Billie did not reply.
Micheal leaned into the bar,closer to Billie."bills,are you ok?"I heard him say faintly.
Billies gaze finally broke from this other boy and she looked at Micheal.She just smiled and nodded her head.
"Grace I think I might have my break now" she said to me,I just nodded towards her and she left out the back door into the alley behind the pub.

I looked to 2 boys who each had confused faces.
"Is she alright?" The unfamiliar boy asked me.
"she's just feeling a bit unwell" I half lied;I just didn't tell them why.

"I'm sorry I new round here,I'm Grace." I said offering my hand to the boy stood next to Micheal,in hopes of finding out who he was.
He gave me a smile before taking my hand "I'm Isiah".
"Nice to meet you" I replied. "Any way what can I get you?"....

Billies P.O.V
In the alleyway my emotions took over,I had slid down the bricked wall and was now sat on the floor next to the back door of the pub,where no one could see me.
I soon heard the door click open behind me and a body sit down next to me,but I didn't move my head.
"Billie...it's Isiah isn't it?"the voice I now recognised to be Grace asked me.
Still not turning to look to her I just nodded my head and pulled my knees to my chest wrapping my arms around my legs and resting me head on top of them.
"I can't do it"
-"do what Billie?"
"Have this baby"
-"....what do you want to do?"
I hesitated.
"There's a women down brokers lane,she does it...I know because I've been before ..with one my friends Grace.Will you come ..with me?" I asked
"you mean..you want.. to get rid of it?"
-"nicely said Grace"I snapped but realised my anger..-"Yes..to get ..to get rid of it" I repeated.
Grace reached out and grabbed my hand-"of course I'll come" she smiled to me.
"Thank you"I said fighting back the tears
"Right we better go back inside then, shall we?"I breathed in heavily and stood up,changing the mood.
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The girls re-entered the pub to find 2 drunks fighting. They had only left for 5 minutes and the loss of a Shelby's presence meant the men thought they could do whatever they pleased.
Micheal and Isiah did nothing but laugh at the 2 men as they drank their ciders still leant at the bar.
Billie saw the brawl between the 2 men and finally she lost her temper and rage over took her.
She jumped ontop of the bar,Micheal and Isiah turning to stare at her at her sudden movement. "RIGHT..GET OUT!ALL OF YOU!" She screamed but no one paid attention. So Billie tried another method, grabbing a whole bottle of whiskey ,she launched it at the wall behind the brawling men.
"You were right then Isiah,she has got a temper like Arthur."Billie heard Micheal say.

They instantly stopped as the glass smashed over them. And the men surrounding the fighters did too.
They all stared to Billie who was still stood on top on the bar.
"I said ... GET-OUT" she repeated through gritted teeth.
Within seconds all the men had cleared from the pub ,scared of the Shelby and the consequences that followed if they didn't do as she said.
Michael and Isaiah chuckled as they continued drinking their cider.

Billie turned to them ,staring. The boys saw this.
Billie got down off the bar and was now standing the other side of it, facing her cousin and Isiah.
"That includes you" she said with a stern look. Her anger had reached boiling point.
"Are you alright?" Micheal asked,not paying attention to Billies demand.
"Micheal.Isiah. Leave"she repeated.

"C'mon Mickey,lets go. She been like this for weeks.Just ignore her..she's turning into her brothers-only cares for herself and no one else"Isiah said as he downed the last of his drink. But he only added fuel to the fire.

Billie walked round the bar and stood in front of Isiah as Micheal grabbed him in attempt to pull him out the pub before Billie lost it again.
But before they could leave -.
"What was that?"Billie asked infuriated.
"Billie.." Grace started,knowing that Billie had chosen the wrong time to release her anger.
"Bill just leave it" Micheal said.
"No Micheal..let the girl speak" Isiah said encouraging Bill's rage as his face now mirrored that of annoyance.And he looked Billie up and down.

Billies face scrunched in anger and before Isiah saw it coming,she had slapped him across the face.
Billie went to hit him again before Micheal grabbed her wrists.
"what the hell Billie!" Isiah shouted and Grace ran around the bar and stood in front of him before he could step further toward Billie who was currently fighting to get out Michaels grip.
"I think you should do as Billie asked and leave" Grace said calmly.
"Let me go!!!"the young Shelby screamed,as her anger was now uncontrollable.
"Isiah just get out" Micheal directed toward his friend and he struggled to hold Billie wrists.
Isiah did so,and left.
Micheal finally let go as Billie pushed him hard causing him to stumble slightly.

Billies P.O.V
I fought Micheal and he eventually let go. I felt bad for him ,he'd hadn't been a part of the family long. And he'd caught me at the wrong moment , and now believed I had 'Arthur's temper'.

Maybe I did?

I looked to Micheal who was wiping his cheek from blood. I hadn't realised but I had scratched him during my outrage.
"Micheal ...I ...I ..I'm so sorry" I said hesitating,not believing what I had done, stepping towards him.
"It's ok Billie-girl don't worry" I smiled at him and the nickname he also now gave me-he must of noticed my brothers calling me it.
I hugged him,thankful for his understanding even though I knew he had questions.

After, he stepped back and held my upper arms.
" y'know whatever it is ,you can tell me"
-" you know I am older than you" I joked to him.He pushed my arm playfully before turning to walk out the door but he turned his head back to me before he left " seriously Billie..you can" and then the door shut behind him.Leaving me and Grace left alone in the glass ridden place.