Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
When walking into the betting shop two days after my sisters wedding I felt as if I was walking into the unknown. I was no longer Josephine Jennings the young girl Tommy was employing out of guilt. Instead I was Josephine Shelby Tommy's sister in law a woman he had in my opinion he had put too much faith in. There was something about new beginnings that gave me an adrenaline rush. The surge in energy I needed to push forward and move on from my past even though the things I was moving on from would always be there in a way. One does not lose as much as Finn and I have and simply lock it away in a box. No we learnt the hard way that solves nothing. That makes you run. I was no longer in the state that made me run. I had now chosen fight. I quickly discovered I was much more fond of this choice.
"Well well well would you look at you. The newest Shelby wife is the prettiest if I do say so myself," Lizzie pulled me into a tight hug. "It's wonderful to have you back Jo. Esme can't hold a decent conversation to save her life."
"Oi! I can to!" Esme argued waltzing over to reveal a growing baby bump. I had lost count on what number this was. It seemed like every time I turned they were expecting another baby. Finn and I liked to joke they were worse then rabbits. "Welcome home Jo." I stifled a laugh as she glared daggers at Lizzie I thought by now the two would have became civil but it appeared not.
"So are the rumours true you're staying?" Lizzie asked as we made our way to our desks. I nodded, making the older women beam. "Thank god!"
— "Josephine how are you fitting back in?" Tommy asked as we walked to the Garrison after work. "You catching on to everything okay?"
"It's like I never left," I laughed. "How have you been Tom?"
"I survive Jo. You know me." Tommy squished out his cigarette stopping me before we walked into the bar. "Jo I don't want you and Finn at the family meeting tomorrow okay."
"Why?" I demanded.
"After your sister died I said I would never let another Jennings girl get hurt. This is me doing that. Trust me Jo please." I stared at Tommy for a while wanting to argue I was no longer a Jennings girl but I found no point in it. If he said to trust him I would.
"Of course I trust you Tom. When have you ever done something to me that would make me not?"
