☆

A WEEK HAD PASSED SINCE Clara had fallen asleep on the couch. A week had passed since she'd spilt everything to Pol, a week since Ada and the Garrison, a week since— a loud slam caused the girl to jolt up tiredly, rubbing her eyes as John's snickers echoed throughout the room from beside the door, (which had been ceremoniously banged shut). With a loud groan, Clara slumped back against her bed while her brothers stood over her and watched in amusement

"'bout time you're up," Arthur remarked, shoving his hands into his pockets as the girl tiredly grumbled into a pillow.

"Yeah, we can't have ya sleeping the day away," John remarked, sitting on top of her legs. "It's Cheltenham, you ought to be up and helping out."

"Why should I, ey?" She sniped, "Not like I'm allowed go with you lot— which is completely unfair considering Finn is going."

"We discussed it already," Tommy huffed, entering the room. "You've got to hold the ground here with Pol."

"Yeah, and Pol will definitely let me hang 'round here to get in everyone's way." Clara rolled her eyes, kicking John off of her as she sat up. "Why can't I just go?"

"Because the races are dangerous for ickle, wickle girls." John cooed, ruffling her hair. In a flash of rage, the girl swung her fist and roughly punched him in the stomach. The man bent over clutching his midriff with an airy huff, as Clara glared at him.

"John...get up, surely my ickle, wickle hit didn't hurt you?" She mocked, reluctantly standing up from the bed with a yawn. The girl pushed past her brothers, making a beeline down the stairs to the kitchen. She pulled out a bowl, dumping a handful of cereal into it, before slouching into a seat, with her feet on the table, picking away at her food while her brothers gathered their last-minute necessities.

"Aunt Pol will be round soon, until then, try to stay out of trouble," Tommy spoke, entering the room while he shrugged on his coat. "Oi," he shoved her feet to the floor. "Keep the feet down."

Clara screwed up her nose as she tucked her feet beneath her. "Have fun with Grace." The girl smugly sang, scooping another spoon of cereal into her mouth. The man faltered with a raised brow, looking down at the smirking girl.

"And how do you know about Grace?"

"Why does Finn get to go to the races?"

Tommy took a deep breath in as he counted down from five. He shook his head while fixing his cuffs. "I meant what I said, stay out of trouble today," He warned before leaning down. "This is the start of it all, and I need it to go exactly as planned."

Clara halfheartedly nodded, "but I don't understand why I can't go? Finn gets to go and he's bloody three years younger, it's not fair!" she moaned.

The man crouched down to come face to face with the girl who was still munching away at her cereal. "Are we really having this conversation now?" He questioned, his annoyance on display.

"Absolutely, we are," Clara confirmed, turning in her seat, still chewing her food.

"I have a plan," Tommy finally gave in. "A plan that involves you and this business– more so, the soon to be legal side of the business." Clara scrunched her eyebrows together. "I don't want you to have any connection to the illegality when we move forward. If you choose to work with the Shelby Company, you'll strictly be working with the legal side, understand?"

"Fine," She sunk into her seat, "but I'm not staying here all day."

"Never thought you would." Tommy nodded, standing to his feet. He nodded goodbye, leaving the house, soon followed by a cheerful Arthur, John and Finn.

And so the girl finished her cereal, kicking her feet back onto the table as she sunk into her seat in utter defeat.

☆

"WHERE ARE WE GOING?"

Penny's laughter echoed through the streets as Clara led her towards the yard. The latter had managed to slip away an hour into 'working' in the shop. Apparently, there was 'no use in faffing about like a headless chicken and getting in everyone's way', as Aunt Pol had so brilliantly put it.

"I am taking you out horse riding." Clara grinned, practically bouncing into Charlie's Yard.

"But-"

"You can't ride, I know." The girl finished, "Which is why we'll both be on the same horse."

"But-"

"C'mon!" Clara whined, "It's so nice out and there's a large batch of land a few miles out."

"Okay, okay, I give in!" Penny giggled, linking her arm through the other girl's. "Can we take the white horse?"

Clara looked down at her feet, shifting uncomfortably. "The white horse is...unfortunately, not here at the moment." She breathed out, "Cannon should do fine though."

The two made their way into the stables, greeting all of the horses as they passed through. Clara beamed at her horse as he whinnied upon seeing them.

"Hello, boy!" She chuckled, reaching out to stroke his muzzle, before pulling away. "We have to tie him so we can saddle him up," Clara explained, leaving Penny to greet the horse as she grabbed the lead and halter from a hook. "C'mere, boy."

She opened up the stall door, laughing as the horse nuzzled into her hand. The girl placed the halter over the horse's head, clipping the lead onto it, guiding the horse out of the stall.

"He seems so...tame," Penny spoke up, watching as Clara led him down the centre of the stables.

"He's a well-trained horse." Clara chuckled, guiding him to the front corner. "He was a birthday gift to me from my brothers from before the war, I helped train and care for him." The girl found herself stopping in her tracks, her eyes lingering on the corner where the white horse was killed. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath in and plastering a smile across her face.

"C'mere," Clara gestured for Penny to come closer as she secured the lead to the stable wall, handing the other girl a brush. "Brush this side, I'll get the other, deal?"

"Deal."

The two girls set out to work, brushing out the horse, and saddling him up. Clara stifled her laughs as Penny's nose scrunched up in concentration, her fingers carefully tracing the horse. Before the two knew it, the horse had been saddled and bridled.

Clara pulled herself up onto Cannon, reaching her hand down for Penny to grasp. "I'm in a dress, how am I meant to get up?!" She questioned, looking up at the girl, who shrugged.

"No ones around," Clara stated, "I'll help ya pull yourself up and you can fix your dress up here."

Penny looked around hesitantly before gripping Clara's hand tightly. She propped her foot on the stirrup hoisting herself up onto the animal.

"There ya go!" Clara laughed, steadying the girl in front of her, "You're gonna want to hold on here." She pointed to the saddle horn, "Just don't squirm too much or Cannon will get panicked and bolt."

"What?!"

"I'm joking...sort of. Cannon's a good horse, he's not easily spooked...we should be fine."

"Clara–"

"Hold tight," Clara tugged on the reins as the horse set off in a trot. Penny grabbed the saddle horn tightly as the other girl led the horse out of the yard. She knew the route they were taking like the back of her hand. Clara had taken the same route many times in the past with her brothers and during the war, it was the one place she had entirely to herself. The two trotted along, passing through the city until the houses and factories faded off into rubble roads, the emerald green grass stretching beyond the hills ahead.

As the fields came into view, Clara urged Cannon onward into the vast ahead. Penny, who was no longer deathly pale at the prospect, was giggling as the horse galloped, her blonde hair had long escaped her braid and as they rode with the wind whipping all around them.

Clara let out a hearty laugh. A small part of her relished the freedom, the freedom she'd only ever felt while out on the horse. Had she been able to, she would continue to ride toward the horizon and refuse to give up.

Who would stop her?

They rode on, admiring the views and the peace to be found out in the fields. It was like an endless sea of green once they'd reached the peak of a hill. The sun broke through the skies allowing wisps of sunshine to pour from the heavens. Clara didn't know how long they'd been riding for, but by the time the two reached a large opening, with a few scattered trees and a pond, they decided to stop and relish the peacefulness.

Clara was first to dismount the horse, steadying Cannon so Penny could slide off. Once the blonde girl shakily disembarked, the girl led Cannon over to the small lake, allowing the horse to lap up the water.

"You did good, boy." Clara praised, running a hand over his sandy coat. "You can rest here for a while." Once the horse had drunk a sufficient amount, the girl led him over to a sturdy, yet slim tree and grabbed the lead from the side bag. She clipped the lead onto the horses halter and began knotting it around the tree, securing it.

"He should be safe here," Clara said, dusting off her hands as she turned to Penny. "Well, what should we do?"

And that's exactly how the two girls found themselves lying amongst the grass, looking up at the clouds in wonder.

"Favourite colour?" Penny asked, her hand fiddling with a flower.

"Blue," Clara answered. They'd been doing this for twenty minutes. One person would ask a question then the other would answer, however trivial it seemed, it offered the two a sense of peace and filled the silence. "When did you come to Small Heath?"

"Six months ago. Favourite sweet?"

"Pear drops."

"Really?!"

Clara turned her head to face the blonde, "What's wrong with pear drops?" She questioned, raising a brow.

"Oh, nothing, nothing..." Penny shook her head, "Go on, ask!"

"Fine...what's your favourite sweet then?"

"Pear drops."

Clara whipped her head around, "Really?!" She mocked, as the blonde girl giggled.

"C'mon, favourite memory?" Penny asked, looking up at the sky, her hands tracing the clouds.

"Receiving Cannon or riding out of the city with my brothers before the war," Clara answered honestly, her eyes traipsing towards the warmth of the open sun rays. "Why move to Small Heath of all places?"

"My dad died during the war, his entire squad was blown up at Ypres." Penny's voice was small as she spoke. "He used to live here, but then he met my mom and they moved out to London."

"So, you came back..."

"Yeah, mum and I moved in with Dad's sister and her husband. Dad always wanted to own a sweet shop, his father had one...so my family opened ours."

"Your dad sounds like a good person," Clara commented, pressing her lips together, turning on her side. "You must miss him."

"Terribly...What about you?" Penny turned over, coming face to face with the other girl. "What about your dad?"

There was a silence as Clara shifted uncomfortably.

"I don't have one." She shrugged, averting her gaze. "I mean, I do but...I didn't grow up with a father, I grew up with an Arthur and Tommy and I would say John, but God knows he's as mature as Finn." She softly laughed, "I have my brothers, my sister and my aunt, they're all I've ever known, all I've ever needed." The girl paused her rambling, before shaking her head.

"I can't imagine it's easy." Penny softly replied, her hand reaching out to touch Clara's comfortingly.

"It could be worse." She shrugged, "They're a mess but they're my family and I couldn't ask for any better." Clara pulled at her collar, her eyes flitting down to the blonde's hand as it pulled away. "Anyways, do you like it here?...in Small Heath, I mean?"

"It has its moments," Penny sighed, "Used to live in the just outside London, past the smog and city. It was nice. Small Heath is different, but...I like it." The girl tilted her head. "Have you ever...done something illegal?"

Clara paused before snorting. "Really? That's your question?" She retorted. "My whole lifestyle is based on illegality, surely you know that by now?!"

Penny shrugged, picking apart a flower, "No, I mean you, as a person. Like, have you ever been arrested, have you ever vandalised a wall, trespassed, normal illegal things?" She expanded.

"I'm pretty sure we're trespassing right now, so yes." Clara chuckled, her arms folding behind her head. "What's your mum like?"

"She's the best I could've asked for," Penny admitted, tucking strands of hair away from her face. "-but with Dad gone, I can see her trying to be happy and positive, but I know it's not real, she's just—"

"Trying to protect you?" Clara suggested, earning a feeble nod from the girl. "That's understandable, I mean at least you know she cares about you."

"And I'm forever grateful that she does...what's it like having a big family?"

The brunette smiled, "It's a mess most of the time...especially nowadays. Don't get me wrong, I love my family to pieces, but they are an absolute pain." Clara snickered, shifting as she spoke openly. "My Aunt Pol likes to try to keep us in check. My siblings are all stubborn as hell but at the end of the day we all have each other's back one way or another...now, tell me about your family."

"That wasn't a question!" Penny accusingly laughed.

"Fine," she rolled her eyes playfully, rephrasing her words. "What's your family like?"

"Well, I already explained my parents," the blonde began, "My aunt is nice but it seems like she's in denial when it comes to dad's death. Her husband is okay, he works down in one of the factories, doesn't come home until all hours sometimes. My cousins, Frank and Harry, they're the devil's spawn, at least that's what mum and I think...Who do you look up to?"

"My Aunt Pol," Clara answered with ease, "She always taught me to never let anyone undermine me and she always has a knack for knowing things. Same question, Who do you look up to?"

"My mum," Penny grinned, "-but I'm sure you probably could've guessed that. She's done so much for me, and I can't imagine my life without her. What annoys you the most?"

Clara bit her lip in thought. "Underestimation." She carefully worded, earning a confused look from the blonde. "I'm not the youngest in my family but most of the time it feels like I am. Finn is younger than me but my brothers let him do whatever he wants. They allow him to go out for business and I'm made stay at home."

"It annoys me because they don't understand that I could be helpful, all they see is their 'ickle, wickle, little sister'." She bitterly continued, taking in a large breath to cool herself off. "So...there ya have it, that's what annoys me. What about you, Blondie? What rocks your boat?"

Penny scrunched her eyebrows together in thought. "People who leave their messes for others to clean." She scowled, "My cousins are the worst for it. It's like I have to run around after them to contain their destruction. They leave everything under the sun lying about and it makes me want to scream."

"Then do it."

"What?"

"C'mon, Scream!" Clara encouraged, cupping her hands around her mouth. "AHHHHHH..." Penny giggled, rushing to cover the girl's mouth, which the girl promptly ripped off. "C'mon, Blondie... give it a go, scream! It's not like anyone will hear you out here!"

The blonde shut her eyes excitedly before letting out a deafening shout. The two burst into laughter, allowing themselves to scream and holler their lungs out. The soft rustle of the tree above, mixed with the joyous sound of the girls' chuckles was quite possibly the only serenity Clara had experienced over the past few weeks.

Alas, all good things had to come to an end.

The two had spent hours lying in the grass, spending the time to learn about one another, the flickering of sunlight fading as the regular cloud cover seemed to resume its position. Clara had untied Cannon, allowing him to drink from the pond once more before the girls set off back towards the smog and the shit of Small Heath.

The ride back was slower, both wanting to relish the feeling of tranquillity, but even then, the dullness of Small Heath came into sight far quicker than the two expected. Half of Clara wanted to stop the horse and make a run for the distant hills, yet the other half of her knew that she had to be home to Aunt Pol before dinner or she'd earn herself a beating.

Penny seemed to have grown exceptionally comfortable on the horse, her hands barely gripping onto the saddle horn, as she tilted her head back. It was an interesting change to witness, one that Clara could only smile at. She guided Cannon into Charlie's yard, carefully handing Penny the reins as she leapt off the side. The blonde handed her back the reins before following in pursuit.

"I better head home before mum worries." Penny sighed, looking up at the darkening sky, as the two strode out of the yard. They'd unsaddled Cannon and groomed him, before finally remerging from the stables. "I had fun."

"Me too," Clara grinned, "Although, the next step is to teach you how to actually ride a horse."

"I doubt I could ever–"

"Have a bit of faith, Blondie."

"Alright, Alright...I'll see you tomorrow?"

"That's the plan." Clara nodded, "See you."

Penny laughed and ran a hand through her tangled locks before nodding and waltzing off home. Clara watched with a smile as she disappeared out of sight, shoving her hands into her pockets, the girl kicked at the stones, the memories of today reeling through her mind.

☆

"NO,"

Clara froze as Aunt Pol's voice rang through number six, followed by the low snickers of her family. The girl peeked her head out into the kitchen where Finn, Arthur and Tommy were sitting.

"Take off your boots before you enter," The older woman continued, "I won't have you traipsing through here, tracking mud all over the place. Get them off."

Clara kicked off her shoes, placing them by the door, before entering the kitchen with a weak smile. Aunt Pol whipped around causing the girl to hold her hands up in surrender.

"They're off! They're off!" She defended, slumping into an empty seat beside Finn.

"You smell like horses." Finn sniffed, holding his nose as he faced the girl.

"Whatever," Clara shoved the boy's shoulder before stealing some of his food and turning towards Arthur and Tommy. "How were the races?"

Arthur chuckled, drinking from his glass. It was only then that Clara realised the man was littered with cuts and bruises.

"I'd say it was successful," Arthur boomed, raising his glass before downing the remaining contents. "Bloody Lee bastards got taught a lesson." The girl glanced at Tommy who was sternly looking at the wall, his cigarette running close to the stub.

"How was your date with Grace?" Clara teased, shoving a piece of bread into her mouth hungrily. There was silence. "You look annoyed so I'm guessing not good."

"You were supposed to stay here and help Aunt Pol."
His voice gruffly spoke up.

"I sent her out," Pol dismissed, "Walked around here like a headless chicken, she did more help out of here than she would do if she stayed."

"Ouch," the girl winced, "but yes, what Aunt Pol said." She leant back against her chair. "Besides you knew I wasn't gonna stay here, you told me yourself."

Tommy stubbed out his cigarette, before grabbing his coat and storming off. "What's wrong with him?" Clara questioned, while the door slammed shut.

"He's Tommy fuckin' Shelby, what isn't bloody wrong with him nowadays?" Arthur huffed, plastering a false smile across his face as he stood up from his seat, ruffling Finn and Clara's hairs, bidding them goodbye.

"Clara?"

"Mhm..." The girl tilted her head as she faced her younger brother.

"Cards?" Finn asked, his eyes shining as he looked to her expectedly.

"Fine," Clara gave in, "-but no cheating!" Finn cheered and ran off to gather the playing cards, leaving Aunt Pol and the younger girl alone in the kitchen.

"I've been thinking about what you told me." The woman quietly began, taking a seat beside the girl.

Clara blinked, her mind flashing back to the night on the couch. "It was nothing," she mumbled, fiddling with her fingers. "I was just tired."

"I need you to know that you don't have to worry about anything, Tommy's going to sort it all out." Pol explained slowly and reassuringly, her hand reaching out to squeeze her niece's.

Clara nodded but didn't respond, so Pol continued.

"You have a big heart, my girl, make sure you keep it. Don't work yourself up over this, everything will be smoothed out before you know it."

Clara could only sit and hope that her Aunt's words were true, that her words weren't a reassurance but a promise.

☆

Waffle...absolute waffle, that's what this chapter is. This is in fact a filler if it wasn't abundantly clear, but I really did love writing Clara and Penny getting to know one another.

I will not lie, this is quite unedited so I'll come back later and fix it up a bit but anyways...

HOW ARE YOU?!

I'm so happy to see people reading this book and enjoying it! Thank you so much for all of your votes and comments and I'll see you next Friday ;)