Cobblestone | Arthur Shelby

Chapter 3

Norah woke up later than usual because Harry has hired another barmaid named Grace. So now Norah wasn't at work until around 2pm. Her small feet padded down the wooden stairs, taking her to the kitchen for some lunch before work. She knew her mother had left earlier to go shopping. Norah looked through the cupboards and found some bread so she ate it and then made herself a cup of tea.
She goes back upstairs and puts on a long green skirt and a yellow blouse with green leaves embroidered in the collar, she paired this outfit with a simple pair of light brown boots. Her hair was left to trail down her back and she did some simple makeup.
Once Norah was satisfied with her appearance she headed downstairs and out the door.

Her brown boots carried her down the cobbled path she had become accustomed to. Her figure grew closer to the Garrison and when she reached the door she stepped in.
Heading straight for the bar she smiled towards Grace.
Now Norah did have her suspicions of Grace but she was still kind to her because Norah had no reasoning to be malicious.

It had been a few hours and it was now 5pm, the pub was getting busier. Norah and Grace were busying around the bar trying their hardest to keep up with the demanding costumers. One man had gotten so impatient he had gone to punch Norah, but Thomas was there to stop him before swiftly throwing him out of the pub. Thomas sent her a tight lipped smile which was gratefully accepted from the girl, she knew Thomas wasn't one to show his emotions so any sort of smile was good enough for her.
Suddenly the doors of the Garrison are thrown open by a young boy, which Norah rushes over to wanting to keep him away from the hectic drunks in the pub. As she got closer to the boy she had realised it was the youngest of the Shelby's, Finn.
"Finn? What are you doing here?" Norah questioned the young boy, she used her body to try and shield him from the drunks
"It's Arthur he's been attacked" Finn rushes the sentence out as Norah becomes worried for the older Shelby.
Quickly she rushes into the snug, knowing Thomas and John are there "Thomas, John someone has attacked Arthur" her eyes were bulging out of her head as her worry for Arthur grew. Thomas and John jumped to stand leaving the pub swiftly, John grabbed Norah gently pulling her along with them as she sends a sorry look to Grace.

The three of them enter the house on Watery Lane, the sight of Polly and Ada nursing a beaten up Arthur made Norah's heart swell. She swiftly rushed to his side, clasping his hand in her small one "Oh my, Arthur that looks so painful" Norah mumbles to him
"It's alright love, just a few scratches" Arthur raises his hand to stroke her face.
Thomas approaches the two with a bottle of whisky to pour onto Arthur's wounds, so Norah steps back so she could give Thomas more space. Her and Ada exchange small smiles from across the room as to acknowledge each others presence.
"Arthur who did this" Thomas asks Arthur l, the tone of his voice calm but extremely intimidating
"It was some Irish copper Tom, he said something bout some guns" Arthur answers his brother as a look of anger flashes across Arthur's face at the thought of the things the copper had suggested he would do to his family and friends

"So Arthur, what do you know about these guns?" Inspector Campbell questions him after the first round of beatings he had set onto Arthur
"I don't know nothing bout any guns" Arthur spits out at the Inspector his anger growing within him
"Well maybe if I had a word or two with a certain" the Inspector pauses as he looks through some folders and pulls out a picture of a the barmaid who has a special place in Arthur's heart "Norah Swanley, I am sure she would be a great host for me and my fellow officers" the Inspector knew that this would piss Arthur off,
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER YOU HEAR ME, I WILL BLIND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!" Arthur bellowed our at Campbell

"Thomas what was this copper on about?" Arthur questioned his brother as his gaze turned to Norah making sure she was ok. Norah sent Arthur a reassuring smile to try and calm his and her own nerves.
"Come on sweetheart, us girls should leave the boys to talk" Polly guides Norah and Ada into the Living room. Norah gives Arthur one last look before following the other two girls.
"What did Arthur mean by guns?" Norah questioned Pol, her confusion slowly eating away at her. Pol and Ada exchanged a look with each other before Ada nodded at Pol
"Norah sit down love, have you ever heard of the Peaky Blinders?" Polly gently approaches the situation as Norah took a seat at the armchair in the corner
"No? Should I have?" Norah replies back, her confusion growing more and more
"Well darling, we are the Peaky Blinders we are-"
"We are the most feared gang in Birmingham" Polly's sentence had been cut short by Thomas. Norah's eyes grew wide, her body being overtaken with shock. Quickly she stands up and heads straight for the door but she is stopped by Thomas' outstretched hand
"Norah, You will stay with us tonight for your own safety" and with that sentence Thomas walked leaving her stood there completely unsure of this whole situation.
"Norah, you can share a room with Ada" Polly smiles at the girl kindly "Ada please take Norah with you to your room" Polly gestured towards Norah, Ada and then the stairs.

"I am sorry you have somehow gotten dragged into this" Ada looks at Norah with sympathy in her eyes
"I think I am more shocked over anything, it was very unexpected" Norah explains as Ada searches her drawers for clothes she could lend to the innocent girl she would have as a roommate for the evening
"Just know that Arthur wouldn't let anything happen to you, none of the boys will for that matter" Ada tried to reassure the girl who was quietly changing into the clothes she had been loaned.

"Goodnight Ada" Norah whispers out to the girl who was just across the room
"Goodnight Norah"

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  Hi, please let me know if I'm taking things too fast in the book, and any feedback would make me forever grateful.
Have a good morning, afternoon or evening :))