IV. 1919

Her shoes hovered over the water as she swing her legs, sitting on the edge of the canal. She stare into space, zoning out. Her brother had lectured her about keeping secrets, going on and on about how he needs to know things so he can protect them, to keep them out of trouble, which translates to: "I need to know so I can control you".

Yes, it was important but it was Ada's secret and she was happy, which hadn't been a common thing since the days before she'd wait for the postman to deliver a letter from the boys, or a message informing them of their passing. Ada bottled it all up, all the sadness and anger and tried to stay strong for the family. But now, Vivian saw the smile on her face before sneaking away to meet Freddie. She missed her sister's smile.

Thomas took all the anger he had, out on her. And she didn't understand why she was getting the brunt end of the stick, when she wasn't the one that slept with his ex best friend. Every time she tried to fight back or defend herself or their sister, he would interrupt her. So all she could do was stand there, and when he was done, she took her leave.

Now here she was, staring into the navy sky. You could barely see the faint stars sparkling in the night. She sat there for about half an hour before she decided to get up and stretch her legs a bit.

She strayed to the old stable near the end of the yard, where she had hid her secret stash. Only Finn knew where it was, as did Ada but she probably forgot years ago after showing her younger sister. The area was by the side of the old stable, under a couple of stray crates.

When she made it to the old stable, she notice a lock on it; it was rusty, but definitely cleaner and newer than the others in the yard. It was intriguing. She wondered why there'd be a lock on an empty space ad why she didn't notice it before — if it even was there before. Probably a new shipment of whiskey or cigarettes or whatever Blinder business seemed to take place around the city.

Vivian gone round the side, looking and finding a random brick. She looking at the padlock before hitting it over and over again, until it came apart. She kicked the pieces into the side before sliding the heavy door open, enough for her to slip through.

It was dark, as she slid over a bit. She fished out a match box that she had swiped before leaving her brother alone. Her fingers fumbled around the box taking one out and scratching it off the side of the box, but she failed. She turned to the door, using the faint light source from outside to see what she was doing. Finally she struck the match on the right side causing the match to ignite.

The match wasn't much help as she almost ran into a wall. She waving the match around the wall until she realised it was a huge crate. She began to investigate, curious. She was nosey but if it was blinder business, then it was Shelby business which meant it was her business. She walked around the side, seeing the black paint. She read 'B.S.A'.

"Oh shit" she muttered to herself, as she made her way to the front of the crate. She got a rust pipe and hit the edge of the crate over and over again until it opened revealing boxes. Vivian crouched down and pulled on a rope handle near the bottom, pulling until she almost fell back. It held a gun, a Lewis machine gun. She stared at it for a moment, then looked to the other compartments.

After minutes of looking she had see rifles, pistol and shells. There was another crates in the stable, very certain containing the same. She had spaced out again, stunned.

"What the fuck 'as he done now" she muttered again.

She traced her finger over one of the riffles. Her mind was racing. Tommy, she thought, Tommy Shelby would be this fucking stupid. Having fuck knows how many firearms he'd be arrested, he'd have a noose 'round his neck.

Then something clicked. The inspector, thats why he's here, the guns. Tommy stole the guns, they sent an inspector and now he has to be smart about it knowing he could get caught at any moment. Tom is fucking mental if he thinks he can pull this off.

She put the gun back were it was and left, closing the door behind her. She went around the corner to her stash, taking out some Tokyo and cigarettes and shoved the rest into the corner behind a box of old tools. She tried to leave the stable as it was, so no one would notice, even if the the padlock wasn't there. Vivian was a bit pissed off at her brother for always saying stay out of trouble when he couldn't even take his own advice, and now he could be hung. Dickhead.

—

Vivian hated John so much at time like these. The kids were a nightmare, no doubt they were John's offsprings. James and Jack were running around the house playing tag. Katie attempting to make a cake, with sugar, water and paint, making a mess for Vivian or John later. Annie was pulling on Vivian's hair, trying to plat it but failing.

Vivian felt like pulling her hair out, but little Annie was already doing that for her. She had arrived half an hour ago, and she had barely entered the house before John left leaving her with nothing but four kids and a "good luck". The moment she had sat down, Annie started knotting her hair.

She regretted it. She realised soon after John had asked her that she would be missing the party. She had no idea when he'd be back but she knew that she would not be at home to hear Ryan throwing rocks at her window.

The sound of crying pulled her out of her thoughts, the sound coming from the kitchen. She knew instantly that it was a niece based on the call for her aunt. She got her, with Annie in her arms, still playing with her hair. She walking into the kitchen, seeing the mess. Seven year old, Katie, was sat on the floor, teary-eyed and James and Jack stood near her with guilt dripping their faces.

"Alright!" She exclaimed, her voice ringing through the kitchen, "What the fucks happening." She looked at each of the kids. Katie wiped her tear stain face with the back of her sleeve as Vivian bent down to her while placing Annie down beside her. Her niece held her ankle with her left hand and Vivian immediately thought that she had broken it. John would kill her.

"Okay Katie, can you stand up for me?" She asked, and Katie shook her head. "Can you try?" Vivian said and Katie nodded, shifting a bit and let out a small gasp as a result. The girl moved towards her niece, putting her arm under her niece's. "Use your strong foot to push yourself up." She said to the girl, and she did just that, with a few whines. She was now standing on one leg, using Vivian to keep herself from falling. She lifted the girl on to her hip and brought her to the living room, and placed her down on the couch where Vivian was sat before.

Katie looked like she was on the verge of crying. "How bad is it? One to ten?" Vivian asked her niece, propping her niece's knew up on a pillow. "Nine." She asked. She checked her ankle and thanked god that it wasn't bruised, but there was a bit of swollen.

"James, go get some cold water and a cloth." She said, hearing little feet and then she heard the water running from the kitchen. He back with a small bowl full with water, spilling bits on the floor, and a cloth. Vivian took the cloth and dunked it into the water, soaking it and then ringing it out, before wrapping it around her ankle. All while this was happening, little nurse Annie was distracting her sister. Katie had soon calmed down after, the cold cloth soothed the pain.

Vivian got up and walked towards the kitchen, pushing the two boys with her. They went into the kitchen. The boys didn't meet their aunts eyes. "What happened?" She asked.

"We didn't mean to." James said, looking at the ground.

"It was James and he ran pass knocking Kat off the stool." Little Jack said, meeting Vivian eyes for the first time. "No you knocked her over. He did." James argued, shoving Jack a bit. They started shoving each other.

"Boys!" She exclaimed, rubbing her temples, "Your sister is hurt, and it wouldn't have happened if both of you were playing. What does aunt Polly say."

"No running around the house." The two boys said in unison.

"Yes, no running in the house. And we always listen to Polly. Now you are going to put all the paints away and—"

"But we did use the paints—" Jack interrupted.

"Lips moving, still talking." Vivian spoke, pointing at her mouth, "and then get ready for bed. You wouldn't be helping if it wasn't for your sister's ankle and the fact you lot should already be in bed by now. Now, go say sorry, okay?" They nodded and left, Vivian patting them on the shoulders as they went.

She started turning the chairs the right ways up and cleaning up the colour mixture her niece was creating before. There was splats of paint everywhere. Tables, chairs, floors. But she was thankful the walls were not painted. She scrubbed the wooden floors with warm water and she got most of it up but there was still a stained part in the floor. Didn't really matter though, John didn't pay attention to the floor and the kids didn't care at all.

After some cleaning and tidying up, she went into the living room, only to find silence. She found Katie fast asleep next to her own little nurse, Jack was on the floor and James on the armchair, all out for the count. The room was full of their little snores. Why couldn't they be this quiet all the time. The boys had obviously not got ready for bed and fell into a deep slumber.

She walked over to the couch lifting up four year old, Annie onto her hip slowly and bring her up the stairs avoiding the creaks. She brought her to her room she shared with Katie and lay her down on her bed. She pulled off her shoes and let her sleep in her day clothes. She did the same with the boys. None of them waking up, definitely John's kids. John was a deep sleeper and the loudest snorer (besides Finn).

When she came down the stairs, she contemplated whether to leave Katie or bring her up. She saw Katie sleeping peacefully and decided to leave her, John would be better bringing her up, if he was sober enough. Vivian sat down beside her, getting a book and reading. She didn't want Katie to wake up, forgetting about her ankle.

The next morning, Vivian was rudely awakening by a hungover John, shaking her shoulders. He was yesterday's clothes, coat and shoes still on, obviously just getting in. Vivian slowly got up, Katie still fast asleep beside her. Vivian didn't recall falling asleep, or putting her book on the side table, which is where she found it moments after, with the bookmark in it.

"J, Katie, ankle." Vivian groaned, standing up, unaware if the words coming out of her mouth were slight nonsense.

"Fuck you on 'bout V." John snarled, walking to the kitchen. He was too hungover and it was too early for Vivian. The Shelby girl was like a butterfly without wings, trying to fly in the morning, or at least thats what Finn always said; fucking nonsense. She followed him in to the kitchen.

"Thinks its sprained or some'n. I'll tell Pol to look at it" She whispered, getting her coat from the chair, to leave. "Can she walk?" He pouring glass of whiskey. "Not really, now bye" Vivian said, taking the bottle from John and making her way out.

"Wait how did she sprain her ankle?" He spoke, as she slammed the door. John let out a sigh, quiet. But that didn't last long, when he heard a stampede of children, signalling him that the monsters had awakened. He then heard a cry, probably Katie. Vivian had waken up the kids, slamming the door, "I'll kill 'er" he mumbled to himself.

—

She trailed on behind her aunt and sister as they walked to the train station. Ada had practically begged Vivian to go and she didn't blame her. It was a hard thing to do, and all she could do was be there for Ada. Although Vivian disagreed with her decision — knowing Ada wanted to be a mother and she was in love —, she couldn't let her sister down so she kept her mouth shut.

Polly didn't want Vivian there, for reasons Vivian was unsure of, but in the end, Polly knew it wasn't a bad idea. Polly knew it was best for Ada and most of the time aunt Pol was right. She was always there for the siblings and still is, like a mother.

"Alright, 24, 25, 26 . . ." Polly muttered to herself or Ada, Vivian wasn't really paying attention. Ada glanced behind her now and again and all Vivian could do was just give her a reassuring smile. "You okay?" Polly asked her older sister.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Ada said quickly as the three women walked down the ramp. Polly mumbled something, but Vivian didn't really hear her so she just followed them. She kicked the small stones under her boots. She groaned as she heard the people from the distance and her hungover was being a real bitch today.

"Jesus" she barely heard her aunt say as if she saw the all the Shelby boys there. But it wasn't them. "Freddie" her aunt finished. Vivian's eyes shifted from Polly, to Freddie, to Ada and back to Freddie.

"You came back?" Ada spoke, in shock.

"I got a tip-off" Freddie said, stepping closer to Ada. Vivian took a few steps forward, now standing beside her aunt, getting a closer look at the situation.

"Freddie, Tommy will kill you." Polly told her niece's lover, hoping he wouldn't get himself killed.

"It was Tommy who tipped me off. Maybe he's got 'alf a heart after all."

"Are we sure he even has a heart." Vivian laughed to herself quietly, but not quietly enough as Polly elbowed her in the ribs.

"Tommy got a message to me. It said, 'get out of town take her with you', So . . . Ada Shelby, will you marry me?"

"Yeah, yes, yes." Ada was happy. He slipped the ring on her finger and they shared a kiss as fiancées.

"Ok, I think I seen enough of that." Vivian said turned around, away from the couple, receiving a small glare from Pol.

She heard her sister laugh and heard Polly leave her side. She turned around to see Ada and Polly hugging, giggling. Ada let go, rushing over to Vivian, almost knocking her over. "V, I'm getting married!" Ada laughed into Vivian's ear.

"Congrats," Vivian smiled, "and also, I don't know if this is a good time but you own me a trip to the pictures." Ada laughed at her sister as they pulled apart, "Of course." She had been pissed to here her sister went to the knew Rudolph Valentino film without her, she would have been saved from Thomas' lecture.

"Right, get on that bloody train and get out of here." Polly rushed, pushing her niece ahead, all with big smiles on their faces. The three soon realised the Thorne man didn't move. "Come on, both of you."

"Freddie, come on. Freddie, Cardiff's okay. Anywhere but here's okay." Ada hurried, not wanting to missing the train, but it was too late.

"We're not going anywhere, Ada." They missed the train.

"Oh bloody hell" Vivian muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. She watched the train drive away.

"We are going to stay here, we are going to marry here. I'm not afraid of Tommy Shelby." And just like that the newly engaged couple linked arms and left, leaving Polly and her niece in shock and surprise. It wasn't the time but Vivian let out a chuckle, getting a confused look from her aunt.

"He must be stupid to think he can 'take on' Tom. Ahhh, stupid man." Vivian laughed. A little smile appeared on Polly's face.

"Come on trouble." Her aunt smiled, linking arms with her. They walked away from the station.

"Wait so does this mean there could be a Vivian junior." Her niece smiled back.

"Oh no. We do not need another Vivian, believe me." Polly smiled at her.

"What's that suppose to mean?" She raised her eyebrow, already knowing full well she wasn't the perfect example.

"You are a nightmare, always up to something. Good luck with your future kids." She laughed at her niece.

"One, I'm not as bad as John's lot who, by the way, are always either injured or screaming. And two, I'm not having kids because of them creatures." She smirked, soon feeling a hand on the back of the head, "What was that for?" Seeing her aunt smirk, looking ahead of her.

"They aren't creatures, you were worse growing up, ask anyone." Her aunt laughed, as they made their way through Small Heath.

Their plans had changed quite quickly so the duo decided to head home and have some tea and maybe a game of cards. And that is what they did, no business talk, no annoying brothers, just talking about normal stuff — basically anything that doesn't involve the name Shelby — like a normal aunt and niece.

"So speaking of secret romances, are you hiding anyone away, Viv?" Polly sipped her tea, watching her niece for any telltale signs of lies.

"God no, the boys around are disgusting." She said, eating a biscuit. She couldn't tell her aunt about Scott. She thought about telling her years ago, and she almost did. To pol, Scott was the boy her, Ryan and Isaiah hang out with sometimes, "and plus, I have four brothers, three of which lead a gang."

Polly nodded along, she believe her, right, Vivian thought to herself. She hated lying to her aunt. Growing up, she couldn't wait to tell her aunt all the secrets and gossip she'd picked up from the school day. As she got older she kept more and more to herself.

"How long did you know about Ada and Freddie?" Her aunt spoke.

"A two, three months after the war." She leaned back, looking around the kitchen, "Saw Ada under the bridge alone and I was about to go over to her until I saw Fred come around the corner. She was happy, so I didn't tell anyone."

"I remember, before war, Ada would tell me about a boy. She'd tell me to swear not to tell anyone. And when I saw her with Freddie that night, I connected the dots. She had a crush on him since she was ten." She added meeting her aunt's eye. She smoked her black cigarette, listening to the words.

"She's happy." Polly stated, mostly to herself, but it made Vivian smile softly.

—

She heard the footsteps behind her as she turned on to Waterly Lane, but a hand grabbed her arm and before she knew it she punched the person in the face. The hand dropped and she heard the groan. She saw their face. "What do you want?" She spat, as the Gilbert boy held his nose.

"What the fuck was that for?" He spat back at her, wiping his nose that bled, "You're the one that's not talking to me, V. What happened?"

She stared at him, folding her arms over her chest, "You were that drunk?" She felt irritated and hurt. She watched as his face dropped.

They had had many arguments about his mood when he was intoxicated. He was an awful drunk and the worst thing was that he couldn't remember what he had done half the time. Usually it was a few meaningless words that were easily forgot or sometimes, maybe a strike across the cheek that would leave a red mark, that was soon to fade but never more. Vivian watched as he tried to remember the night of the fire.

"Look V, I'm sorry, I didn't know what I was doing. It won't happen again." He said, he didn't know, always the same lines, it won't happen again. He probably didn't remember a thing but he said it anyway just to solve the problem.

"Do what again?" She questioned with a sad look in her eyes, honestly wondering at this point.

"What?" He was confused, usually she'd forgive him and that was it.

"What 'won't happen again'? What are you sorry about?" She said, looking him in the eye with frustration and hurt. He looked at her, angry, for a reason she was unsure of. "Are you really sorry?" He stared back at her, not saying anything.

"I didn't mean what I said or did," He spoke but was cut off before he could say another word.

"I didn't ask that, I said, 'What are you sorry about?'" She enunciated.

"I was drunk, I can't remember, what else do you want from me?" He shouted at her. She hadn't realised until now that they were close to her home, and she was risking being seen by her brothers.

"If you can't remember want you did how can you say it wont happen again. You're just saying sorry cause you want to make it all better." She said before quickly walking home. She heard Scott sigh but never heard him follow, not that she wanted him to. She didn't know what she wanted from him but she hated having to put up with him drunk, and having to feel guilty, scared, sad or angry.

She couldn't forget about what happened thought. She kept thinking, what if it wasn't him and someone else. She wondered about what could have happened. She had nightmares of it happening and it wasn't Scott.

Before she approached the door, she bumped into someone. They carried a crate that had pulled at Vivian's jacket, causing it to get caught in it. She looked to the person, it was a girl not much older than Vivian. She had brunette hair and she wore a red headband. She wore a orange, almost brown dress. The woman didn't look familiar.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking." Vivian apologised, while unraveling her coat that had caught on the edge of a hook that stuck out the side.

Before she could walk to the house, the unknown woman introduced herself, "No its fine, I'm sorry for causing trouble, I should have known that it was a hazard," she laughed, putting the box under her arm as she stuck out her other, "I'm Janet Greene, I've just moved here."

"Vivian" she responded, shaking her hand. Janet waited her to go on, "Shelby." She finished. Her expression didn't change at the mention of her last name, "You staying around here?"

"Yeah, actually over there, number 15." She pointed over to the house across the street.

"So we'll be seeing a lot of each other then." Vivian smiled as the Greene girl nodded, "Do you need any help with anything." Motioning to the box, assuming there was more.

"Oh no, I just have a few more bags." Janet said, "well I'm gonna to get unpacking, so I'll see you around?"

"Yeah, if you're looking for me, I'm staying here," she said indicating to number 29. They said their goodbyes as Vivian pushed open the door, being greeted by the smoke and stench of men. The gamblers greeted the girl as she pushed through them. She made her way past the tables and waved at John as he wrote up the odds, nodding back to her. She looked at the books as she past by the men sat at the tables. She glanced at the men, betting on the same horse, spending their earnings. After talking to her new friend Janet, she had seemed to forget about her little fight with Scott.

—

NOTES

Happy Saturday, i know its late but here's chapter 4. I hope you are having a good day or night. I kinda had writers block and had no idea what to write, but here it is. I haven't edited this but I come back to it.

I watched Stand By Me writing this and i forgot how much i loved it. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter and for any updates or edits, my TikTok is vvioletneklace.wp