Later that day, vicky and Bouncer made their way down to the betting shop. She still felt the need to curl up into a ball and die, but she knew deep down that seeing her family would make her feel atleast the tiniest bit better. Sleeping with grace and Tommy last night and talking in the morning made her feel like it was possible to be happy, maybe things would get better and she'd be able to carry on living life as a normal, joyful teenager rather than the depressed object she currently felt like
As she entered the betting shop, all heads turned towards her although the everyone tried their best not to look too shocked and amazed. The men got on with their work, noticing that vicky probably didn't feel like talking and having long conversations, but the presence of her family may be enough to lift her spirits. She walked over to polly who immediately moved her chair out and allowed the girl to sit on her knee
"You have such lovely hair vicky" polly said in awe as she stopped all her work and began platting vickys long hair which now reached her waist. Vicky felt content with her position, sat on aunt pols knee having her hair done. It reminded her of a time long ago
Flashback
7 year old vicky had made sure to stay up as late as she could as her mother (dotty) was out working. It was rather odd when her mother worked. She would come home sometimes with cut lips or smudged makeup, often tear stains and she always looked hesitant to leave. It made vicky terrified for when she would age and have to work, although she had no clue what the work involved
As vicky sat on the one arm chair in her possession, her eyes struggled to stay open but suddenly she jumped to life at the sound of the door
"Mummy" vicky squealed excitedly running towards her mother
"What are you doing up babe?" Dotty asked kneeling down to her height and kissing her cheek
"I...i..."
"Vicky?"
"Ugh- I want you to get me ready for bed. Because I miss you. You keep leaving me mummy and it isn't fair" vicky whined so dotty with a look of guilt, lifted up her baby and carried her upstairs. Got her pyjamas for her and then grabbed a brush
"Come here darling, this will keep your hair soft for the morning. Such gorgeous hair" her mother said as vicky ran to sit on her mother's knee. Her hair was platted by dotty as she sang the softest lullaby
"The time has come
To say goodnight
To say sleeptight
Til the morning light
The time has come
To say goodnight
It's the end of a lovely day
We've had so much fun today
Tomorrow's just a dream away
Now it's time
To say goodnight
It's the end of a lovely day"
Those were the last words vicky heard that night as it sent her into a deep sleep
End of Flashback
No matter how hard she tried, vicky always missed her mother. She wasn't the usual mother. Didn't look after vicky very well. Rarely bathed her, brought random men to the house, didn't cook, left her alone most nights. Vicky ran around the streets middle of the night often without her mothers supervision.
But she was kind and loving. When she had time, she would spend it showing vicky how special and loved she was. If anyone, including her customers, said anything nasty to or about the young girl, Dotty would make them feel pain like no other. Be it a stilleto heel to the eye, or a knife to the dick, dotty protected her little girl yet loved her as a sister, not a daughter
It didn't matter though. Vicky loved and missed her, but she wasn't alone anymore. She had many mothers, polly, esme, ada, grace, they all protected and loved her like their own. Vicky sat humming her mothers lullaby as polly finished the platt in her hair. It was so quiet that only she and polly could hear it
"You'll have to teach me that song someday Vic. It's beautiful" polly whispered making the girl smile and out of no where, hug polly tightly
"Thank you" vicky said as one tear fell
"Whatever for?"
"For everything. Just everything" vicky replied kissing pollys cheek and leaning on her shoulder. Tommy watched his daughter and aunt as his heart filled with hope. It was clear that leaving her bedroom had greatly improved her spirits and Tommy couldn't be more proud. She conquered the phantoms of her past, the trauma and fear that came with her childhood, but they couldn't get hold of her any longer. Vicky was free from the chains of torture, free to be happy and to be herself. Tommy walked over and kissed his daughters head and aunts cheek. It would all be OK
Suddenly there was a loud smash and everyone turned to look for the culprit. Even bouncer jumped from his place by John's feet. Arthur's glass of whiskey smashed all over his work as Finns football rolled into Arthur lap. Finn on the other hand was stood in the corner of the room with wide eyes praying that Arthur gave him a quick and clean death. Everyone burst out laughing, even vicky giggled slightly looking at the scene. Arthur gripped the ball and threw it out the window
"How many fucking times, play football outside you fucking moron finn" Arthur yelled clipping finn round the ear
"Vic, do you wanna play football?" Finn Asked looking at his niece who was older than him by a year
"Finn maybe-" Tommy started, thinking it would be too much pressure for vicky by she interrupted
"Ye ill play. Is that ok?" She asked looking at Tommy
"Er...ye course it is darling" he replied
"Come on bouncer" vicky said as the dog followed them out the door. And soon enough, they were playing football
"Arthur says you're depressed. Are you?" Vicky couldn't help but chuckle knowing full well Arthur had probably said he wasn't allowed to mention anything
"I was...I am...but I'm getting better. You don't need to worry about me finn" she smiled at him and he smiled back
"Well, if you need to talk, I'm here for you"
"Thanks finn. I'm here for you too"
YOU ARE READING
Shelby Fire- Completed
FanfictionBefore the war, there was a girl. Her customers knew her as Sapphire, her family knew her as Dotty. After falling pregnant with Thomas Shelby's baby, she runs. No one knows where and Tommy was left believing she had simply grown tired of small heath...
