Cobblestone | Arthur Shelby

Chapter 1

Norah Swanley had just moved to Small Heath, following her mother wherever she went. They previously had lived in a small village in Yorkshire, but had decided to relocate because of bad memories. Norah's father hadn't gone to war, for he had a major leg injury which rendered him unable to walk.
One night Norah and her mother had gone to the local hospital, being it that they both were nurses before and during this war. While they were helping injured civilians, they were oblivious to the fact their quaint cottage situated on the cobblestone street was being robbed by local vandals. Their possessions all taken and her beloved father spread out on the floor seemingly breathless and bleeding out onto the polished hardwood floors.

After that awful event Norah's mother Joyce no longer wanted to live in the small village they had called home. One night Norah had come home from working at the local hospital to find that her mother had packed all of hers and Norah's belongings.
Norah ran through the house searching for her mother, her now messy bun bouncing on her scalp. She heads into the kitchen to find her mother perched on one of the dining chairs drinking a small cup of tea. "Sweetheart, you're finally home. I have some amazing news" her mother chimed, after her fathers death Norah's mother hadn't been at work and had somewhat become unstable.
"Mother? Why are all my things packed in bags?" she questioned
"We are leaving this horrid town!" Joyce yelled out a large grin spread across her wrinkled cheeks, Norah gave her a bewildered expression, she was shocked at her mother's decision but knew it was safer for her not to argue with her knowing of her mother's tendency to get aggressive at her current state. So Norah gave her mother a meek nod before heading upstairs to her now empty bedroom with only a bed against the wall. Quickly she changed into her nightgown before slipping under the thin sheet her mother had not packed, her mind drifted off into thinking of what will happen to her and her mother in this new town while she slowly fell into sleep.

Morning had arrived and Norah and her mother stood at the side of the train. Her brown hair trailed down her back, blow long with the wind. Her mother had a large grin on her face whereas she only had a tight lipped smile plastered on her face. Honestly Norah was scared for the unknown, she had never left her small village, her mother's mental state also worried her greatly but she knew she had to stay strong.
The sound of the train approaching broke her away from her racing thoughts as she grabs her three bags and follows behind her mother.

The train ride was 3 hours long and soon they had arrived in what soon would be Norah's home. She followed her mother towards a street named Watery Lane, her lungs slowly choking up from the smoke ridden air, a stark contrast to the fresh country air of Yorkshire. Her mother approached a house that looked small but big enough for the both of them. She watched her mother reach into her pocket for what she assumed was retrieving the keys for the door. Both Swanley women entered their new home, neither were disgusted or amazed with the interior. A small sofa sat below the dirty window, with a fireplace against the wall opposite. The kitchen had a wooden table with three chairs surrounding it, a small stove was in the corner with some cupboards scattered here and there. There was only one bedroom, two single metal posted beds rest on either side of the room and a set of drawers in between them. Norah places her bags on one of the beds as she went down to the kitchen where her mother had resided.
"There is a job at the pub down the road, I think it is called the Garisson, I want you to try and get the job my dear" Joyce had mentioned to her daughter previously that they are unlikely to be able to work in a local hospital. Norah just nodded her head at her mother as she grabs an apple for breakfast.
After eating she heads upstairs to get dressed for this job interview her mother told her about. A cream blouse, beige skirt and long brown coat adorned her body as her hair was pinned back in a half up, half down look.

Norah's gentle feet padded down the cobbled streets, trying to navigate where exactly this pub her mother spoke of was. Her sole focus had been on finding this pub, she had not realised that a pair of boots stood in front of her. It wasn't until she felt herself topple into a firm chest and a pair of calloused hands holding her waist that she had realised her collision. "Oh my goodness, I am so so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going" she rushed this sentence out before slowly lifting her gaze from the boots to the mans face, she sees his blue, green eyes and a small moustache adorning his face, he had a peculiar haircut where it was completely shaved at the sides and he had a peaked cap resting on his head, he looked young but still older than Norah herself. Suddenly she was torn from her thoughts of this unknown males appearance from his rough voice
"Are you ok love?" He held a smirk on his face as he analysed the beautiful girl in front of him that he did not recognise
"Yes, yes, again I am so sorry" she apologised again as she felt so guilty for crashing into this man
"It's alright love, what is your name?" Questioned the unknown man
"I am Norah, sir." She quietly muttered out slowly becoming more insecure as she realised many people on the street had stopped what they were doing to watch the interaction she was having
"Well Norah, what are you doing in Small Heath? I am sure you must be new as I would of recognised someone as beautiful as you" the man flirted, a small blush coated her cheeks as she wasn't used to men showing her attention in this way
"I- I just moved here yesterday with my mother, do you happen to know where a pub called the Garrison is?" She questioned the still unknown man
"Of course I know where the Garrison is, I am ARTHUR FUCKING SHELBY" the man which she had now learned to be called Arthur shouted with a smile on his face "Come on love,  I'll take you there" Arthur placed his hand on the small of Norah's back and guided her towards what she could only assume was the Garrison.

As the doors opened Norah entered beside Arthur, all the chatter stopped and everyone turned to look at them. Many of the men eyeing Norah as she pulled her coat around her tighter "Harry! This lady here is looking for a job" Arthur bellowed at the man behind the counter as he pulled her towards the counter
"Isn't she to pretty? These men will tear her up like a piece of meat" the man called Harry says as Norah's eyes slightly widened. Arthur tightened his grip on her small waist
"No one will touch her! And even if they try I will be the first to blind them!" Arthur yelled loudly as Norah just looked at him slightly confused at the term blinding
"Okay, so when could you start?" Harry questioned the young girl
"I could start now if you would like?" She answered your the man
"See Harry she really wants this job" Arthur chimes in while grinning at the girl
"Alright come round here then" Harry chuckles and shakes his head at Arthur as he shows the girl how to work at the bar.

________________________________
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter, please leave feedback on things you may of liked or things I could improve on. Please don't be mean when criticising though.
This is my first ever book I've written so I am sorry if it isn't as high quality as others you may of read :)