ANN

I'd be lying if I said the walk home wasn't all distraction for me. The clinic was a mess but there was only so much to be done alone, the drinking would be dealt with now I suppose. Hopefully that barman would keep his word about serving Dr. Malcolm.

Coming out a side street, I smelt the steel as it crossed in front of my face. "Shit!" I ducked my head out of the way and the steel fell.

There was a cough and but no apology, "Bloody God, girl!"

"Who did you think you'd be pointing that at?" I asked straightening up and holding up my hands. Anyway, she still held the gun and I wasn't taking any chances.

"Well, I was expecting someone else. " She scoffed, "I'm not going to shoot anyone. Just teach my nephew a lesson about leaving these about his brother."

I got a good look at her. Taller than me, not by much. Dark, curly hair like mine stuffed into a dark hat. She was about my mother's age, but the lines on her forehead didn't help her look much. She must have been beautiful at one time, that much was certain.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you to your waiting. Try not to point that at anymore strangers?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes before gesturing me on with the gun. I was more than obliged to comply, I'd had my fill of guns being pointed at me in the war. Enough for two or three lifetimes at the very least.

Dr. Malcolm was nowhere to be found when I arrived back at the clinic and yet the door was still unlocked. Figures. My case still sat by the door, I lugged it into the hallway. On the right side sat a door I hadn't really noticed upon first inspection. It led to a set of stairs, narrow and creaking but sturdy enough. Following them up brought me into a small kitchen likely just above the front room down stairs. It had an old wood stove and a pump sink. It was funny, but it reminded me of home. There was a bedroom adjacent, the bed was just a mattress and frame. It would do just fine for me. I left my case on the bed and went back to the kitchen. It was time to clean. I left my faded green hat by the sink and grabbed the bucket to pump in some water.

It was several hours later when Dr. Malcolm came through the door that he found me on my hands and knees scrubbing the front room. I had the cushions washed and drying, I had them tied across the ceiling. He started upon seeing me, "I figured you'd just run off."

"I need this job, and you need my skills."I snorted before I went back to scrubbing.

"Listen, did you ever get my drink?"

Sigh..."You know Dr. Malcolm, I didn't get your drink. And I don't intend to ever get you a drink?" I sat back on my knees and tossed the brush in the soapy bucket.

"Damnit!" He pulled his hat off his head and rung in his hands. "I needed that drink, Miss Kerns!"

"Or what, Mr. Malcolm? I want to like you, but I won't tolerate the drinking. And from what it seems that is what has this clinic in such a state."

He continued to ring his hands, likely to prevent me from seeing the shaking of his hands.

I shook my head, and smoothed the pieces of hair that had fallen in my eyes. "I want to help people. My mama said it's one of the things I was good at, even as a child. So, just let me help you first!"


THOMAS

Family meeting my arse. Poll just wants to show off, but she's not the only one thinking three steps ahead in this family.

"I've heard from some out of Belfast that there was a copper in a pub there passing these out."

Poll read the writing out loud as the flyers made their way around the table. Strong men to Birmingham and all that.

"Looking for communists, because of all the strikes." I don't believe a word of the shit coming from my own mouth. That copper is looking for what we I have.

Arthur is pissed, but it'll pass. We didn't need a family meeting for this shit, it wouldn't have killed him to just ask the coppers we have here. Aunt Poll's eyes find mine and I know she knows. She must read minds now or something.

"Anything else to add, Tommy?" Sickly sweet, oh she knows something alright.

I'll burn her though for her looks, "Nothing that's fit for women's ears."

She scoffs, taking a puff off her cigarette and Ada rolls her eyes. "This whole operation was woman's work while you boys were away at war. What's changed?"

I have. Everything's changed, but I don't say any of that. "We came back."


The streets may have been crowded with people heading home in the early evening, but Inspector Campbell had no issue getting through. He walked like a man on a mission. Children jumped out of the way and woman crossed the street out of his way. It wasn't clear if he knew where he was even going, but his steps never faltered.

This town was a cancer secretly festering inside the body. He fancied himself like a detective, seeking out the infection of this city and to cut it out at the source. Those guns were here and he was determined to get them back, whether he had to stomp on some toes to get there or not. This town didn't know it yet, but they were going to remember his name. And the reasons weren't necessarily going to be good.

This chapter is a bit short. But it's out a little early, so I hope that makes up for it. Thank you for the reviews, I really appreciate them and the feedback. Do not fear, it's similar now but I hope to make it different in it's own special way. I'll fight the motivation monster :)