Fresh air blew Florence's hair in the wind wildly, as she walked to retrieve the ball Ernest had hit too far. Playing cricket with the stable boys was the only entertainment allowed. Her father was extremely conservative about how a lady should act, and since her future and livelihood depended on him, it was best not to cause upset.
As she strode over to the pathway, she could hear a car's engine. Quickly she ran into the road to fetch the ball and snuck back out, hoping not to be hit. Fortunately she wasn't. For all Florence knew father was expecting no guests, she intrigued she peered over her shoulder.
Her eyes locked with the most piercing blue eyes she'd ever witnessed. The man was well dressed, his face sculpted to highlight his sharp cheekbones. Although he was handsome, Florence knew the lifelessness in his eyes shows a sinister past. She's surrounded by men like that.
Not wanting to seem too interested, Florence starting running back to the boys preparing to play another round of cricket. Because of her drawn out sighting of the mysterious man it was pretty clear that her team would've lost.
"This century Florence," Tom jeered, a aggrieved look on his face.
"Oh please, as if we could've won anyway," she replied.
"Oh come on Tom, you've got to allow Florence to smell the roses every once in a while. We can't demand too much of her," Ralph said.
All of you laughed in amusement. Tom was bereaved of your loss but Ralph and Ned were happy they'd manage to scrape a win.
"Why were you taking so long anyway?" Ralph continued.
"A car was coming up the path, and a guy I'd never seemed before seemed to be driving it. I can tell it's someone in fathers circle of business though," Florence said with a sigh.
"That's weird, as far as I know we're not expecting any visitors. I should go in if he is here to stay," Ned said. Dropping the bat to the ground.
As Ned was running off to investigate and complete his duties the rest of you sat on the ground. The sun was out today, as the succulent smell of grass filled the air. It was a perfect spring day.
"Why can't your sisters be more like you?" Tom questioned.
"Because they are too vain, they ask their mirror everyday who is the fairest," Florence joked as the other guys laughed.
"It is true though. I guess that is what comes when women are so concerned with their marital future, they forget to provide substance," Tom said.
"Tom I wish you not to speak that way about my sisters. Although they are more educated on sewing they are still educated none the less," Florence said.
Tom gave an agreeing nod as you all lay relaxingly in the sun. Soaking in the day.
~ ˃̶༒˂̶ ~
Ned rushed through the hallways, fixing his shirt and slipping his black jacket on. His family relied on him keeping this job, and as much as Mr Oadham is comfortable with him keeping his daughter busy, he would not agree with that distracting him from his job quota.
At the entrance stood an intimidating figure. Ned walked up to him nervously, hoping not to cause any upset.
"Can I help you sir?" you asked.
"Yes, I am here to discuss with the master of this house. If you could fetch me a drink of whiskey and lead me towards his office," he replied. He had a deep husky voice and spoke with a broad Birmingham accent.
A few times Ned heard Mr Oadham talk about somebody called 'Peaky Blinder', and now he wondered if this was the gangster he'd been referencing.
Ned took his coat and lead him up to Mr Oadham's office. As Ned opened the door he prepared to introduce the man, which is when he realised he hadn't requested a name.
