𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑: 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬

❦

Two weeks had passed and Eleanor had settled into her new life in Small Heath. Working for the Shelby's was proving itself to be rewarding, as well as proving herself to the family being successful, and she was slowly earning their trust.

Eleanor had grown closer to Ada Shelby, finding solace in her new friend whilst adapting to a life without the hell of her father. She had also become very close with John Shelby. After their conversation at his house about their fathers, they realised they were much more similar than it seemed.

-

'Do you live alone?' Eleanor asked the man in front of her as they walked into his home.

'No, I've got two children, Katie and Theodore, they should be back home shortly, the maid takes care of them, Katherine her name is.' John told the girl, removing his peaky cap and jacket and offering to take Eleanor's jacket too.

'You have children? I would never have expected that, how old are they?' She questioned.

'Katie is 6, Theodore is 4. Their mum died during the war, they've been running bloody rings round me since I've been back, constantly asking when mum will be home, it's a shame really.' John admitted to Eleanor, looking down at the memory of his late wife.

'Oh John i'm so sorry, i'm sure she was wonderful and i'm sure your children are too, i know what it's like to grow up without a mum, they will get used to it don't worry.' Eleanor comforted the man, putting her hand on his shoulder for comfort.
The pair had now moved to the kitchen, Eleanor sitting down whilst John pottered around the kitchen making tea for the two.

'Did she die too?' John asked, bringing the tea over and sitting down beside her but facing each other.

'That's what my dad has always told me, that she died from a sudden illness when i was 2. I don't remember her much but she was a beautiful woman and I do wish i could've known her.' Eleanor admitted, sipping her tea.

'I understand what you mean, our mum died when we were young. Committed suicide. Left us with our shit excuse of a dad.' John explained, earning a nod of agreement from Eleanor.

'Tell me about it!' Eleanor exclaimed, both of them laughing before discussing their family lives  Not long later, the front door opened,

'DAD!' Two young children shouted, running through the front door and straight towards John, jumping into his embrace.

'Alright you two, how's your day been?' He asked his children.

'Good!' They both replied in sync, turning to look at the random woman sat in their kitchen.

'Kids, this is Eleanor, she works for your Aunt Pol and Uncle Tom!' John explained, gesturing to Eleanor who stood up and smiled at the children.

'Hello, you must be Katie, and you must be Theodore!' She exclaimed, holding her hand out for both of them to shake.

'Are you going to be our new mum?' Katie blurted out, quickly to be shut down by John,

'Right upstairs you two, we're going now, i'll be back later.' John told his children, as they got their jackets on and left.

'Jesus Christ, sorry about them.' John apologised, laughing as he readjusted his peaky cap on his head.

'Don't worry about it, they're adorable!' Eleanor exclaimed, finding the interaction strangely wholesome.

'Yeah they're alright ain't they.' John smiled at the thought of his kids.

'Right well i better head back to my room and sort my shit out then.' Eleanor told John, aware of the tip she left her room in this morning.

'Yeah and i better get back or else Tommy will have my balls if i'm late!' John joked, 'Oh and if you ever need anywhere to stay, don't be shy to ask me alright?' John proceeded.

'Thank you so much John, i really appreciate it, i'll see you later!'

'See you later Ellie!' He responded, walking in the opposite direction to Eleanor as she began walking back in the direction of the Garrison.

Ellie. Butterflies.

-

Eleanor was beginning to feel more at home here. John was usually always out on business with his brothers, but he never failed to greet the girl a good morning and a good evening, putting a smile on her face every day, today being no different,

'Good morning Ellie!' John bellowed, walking through the front door with Katie and Theodore by his side, the pair of them ready for school.

'Morning John, morning Katie and Theo!' She greeted back, a smile on her face.

'Is Pol here? She's supposed to take the kids to school this morning.' John said, scanning the room for any sign of his Aunt.

'Oh she's just headed to the market, but i can take them for you if you like?' Eleanor offered.

'Would you mind?'

'No of course not, come on kids!' Eleanor bounced out of her chair, grabbing her jacket.

'You're an absolute lifesaver, thank you so much!' John said as he grabbed Eleanor's head, placing a kiss of gratitude on the top of her head before heading back for the door, 'i'll see you all soon.' He said before he left the door.

'Bye dad!' 'Bye John!' Eleanor and the children shouted after him, before he stuck his head around the door one last time,

'Oh, and Ellie, Garrison later?' John asked, a smirk plastered on his face.

'Of course, i'll see you there!' Eleanor replied, a smile mirrored on her face too.

he's driving me crazy. She thought to herself.

❦

After dropping John's children off at school, she headed back to the betting den to be greeted by Ada and Polly.

'Oh, hello there.' Eleanor greeted the two women.

'Where have you been?' Polly questioned, adding an extra tea cup to the table and pouring Ellie a cup of tea.

'Sorry, i was dropping Katie and Theo off to school.' Eleanor explained.

'Shit, i forgot he asked me to do that, thank you Eleanor.' Polly smiled gratefully at the girl before sipping pn her tea.

'Oh it's no worries, i was happy to do it.'

'He likes you y'know.' Ada admitted.

'Sorry?' Eleanor whipped her head towards the only Shelby sister in shock, eyes wide.

'She's right, he's never been like this with any woman since Martha, it's quite strange really.' Polly added.

'Oh! I don't really know what to say.' Eleanor awkwardly laughed, not sure what to do about the information she was just told.

'You don't need to say anything, just don't bloody tell him we told you or he'll have our necks!' Ada joked, making the ladies laugh. Shortly, everyone got back to work, continuing on with their tasks for the day.

But Eleanor couldn't stop thinking about what Ada said.

And those bloody butterflies wouldn't go away.

❦

hey everyone! here's the last chapter before i start to follow the actual series, meaning chapters may take slightly longer as i have to find the script😬 anyways i hope you enjoyed and i'll update as soon as i can!
don't forget to vote and comment in the meantime!

AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!🎄

~L☆