Too Late To Say Goodbye | Tommy Shelby {1}

4.

Bella smoothed out her new work dress as she made her way through the city.

She's an early riser as it is, so waking up in time to make it by 8 o'clock like Tommy requested was no problem.

It was around 7:45am as she turned onto Watery Lane. Bella smiled to herself, perfect timing.

Once she reached the betting den, she gently opened the door. It was much quieter than yesterday, but it was still early.

Walking through the building, she went down the hall towards Tommy's office, hoping to find out where she would be working.

"Oh! You must be Bella, I was expecting you!"

Bella turned to her right and saw a tall, slim woman sitting behind a desk, smiling at her.

"Yes, that's me. I'm suppose to be starting as Mr. Shelby's secretary. Do you work here as well?" She asked the woman

"I do. Thomas informed me of your arrival today, me names Lizzie. I'm his other secretary in the office....In fact, he asked me to show you around until he gets in this morning."

Bella smiled nodding at Lizzie. She likes this woman already.

Lizzie stood up and used her hand to direct Bell in the right direction. "This way, I'll show you your desk."

Bella felt her nerves starting to get to her. So she stayed quiet and nodded her head.

Lizzie looked down at the girl, she was shy but knew she was going to be good company around here.

Stopping at the desk right in front of Tommy's office.

"This is yours, you can place you belongings here. And this is where you'll be seated everyday" Lizzie told the shorter girl

"Brilliant, it's lovely"

*****

After showing Bella her desk, Lizzie took the time to show her around the rest of the place. From where the betting happened, to the door that leads to the families old residence and everything in between.

It wasn't too large so Bella wasn't worried about getting anything mixed up.

Currently, the two women were standing between their desks, at the filing cabinet against the wall. Lizzie was showing her how they organize certain files.

Lizzie watched the girl for a moment, watching as she concentrated on the papers inside, really trying to grasp what she was learning.

She observed her physical features. She noticed how Bella wore her hair a lot longer than most these days. But she liked it, she had very dark, wavy hair that fell naturally down to about her mid back. She also noticed how her hair made her eyes stick out, her light gray eyes stood out against the darkness of her hair. Matching nicely with her pale skin. This woman was younger than Lizzie and a lot shorter. But even she had to admit this woman was very pretty to look at.

She wondered where Thomas found a girl like her to work for a man like him.
As she was thinking about all this, the door to the offices opened, revealing the man himself.

Tommy made eye contact with Lizzie first, acknowledging her presence.
He was still a little careful around Lizzie since Epsom. Lizzie has shown signs of forgiveness over the course of the year, but Tommy still thought that he didn't deserve it yet.

At this point Bella noticed his presence, turning to face him, she softly spoke,

"Good morning, Mr. Shelby"