Katherina bit her lip, as she peered around the flat that the new employer Harry was generous enough to show her. It wasn't much but it was enough as long as she had a roof over her head and a safe place to sleep she wasn't worried.
"It ain't much." Harry said turning to her. "But I hope it will do."
"It's more than enough, Mr Fenton." She said timidly, as she glanced at Mr Fenton, who currently had his arm crossed.
She was honestly surprised when he gave her the job on the spot, though he told her that she was far to pretty to be in a place like this. After that, he offered the flat for her to stay in. Though he did say he would have to run it by the owner of the pub first. The Peaky Blinders.
Mr Fenton had told her that it was a gang run by the Shelby brothers, but he couldn't see them saying no. Not if that meant an extra pair of hands to help run the pub.
However, he did warn her, that if they did allow this, not to get involved with the Peaky blinders.
She didn't mind, after all, Mr Fenton gave her a chance, he gave her a practice run and she passed with flying colours.
However though Mr Fenton from the look of him, he seemed like a kind enough man, she still, she kept her guard up, the gentleman act facade, wasn't it? All men were, wolfs in sheep clothing well that what, she was always told. Even now she felt running off and hiding somewhere.
"God hates sinners." She thought.
Mentally shaking her head, she tried to distract herself, after all, she needed this job. She needed to survive even if that meant working in a pub, she would just have to keep her head down and be polite. She would not bring attention to herself. She didn't like attention anyway. It always made her scared.
"You can call me Harry." He replied softly and offered her a small smile. "It's a bit run down but with a little bit of love it could become something again."
"It's wonderful, I'm sure it was quite something before." She replied, as she looked around the room, it wasn't much but it had the necessaries like a stove, a dresser and table though they covered in a layer of dust all except the bed. But it was hers for the first time she had something that was hers.
With a bit of a clean, she could visualise the flat being charming and dainty. Walking over to the bed she laid the suitcase on the mattress and slightly smiled.
If the peaky blinders said she couldn't stay, then she would just have to find somewhere else though she didn't know where exactly. She just knew she would go back there. Never again. She felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"I'll let you get settled in for the night." He told her as he walked over to the door.
"Thank you." She said just before he left and closed the door behind him.
She immediately felt the silence, and though she hated to admit it, it scared her. Tears burned in her eyes as Katherina thought of why she was here. The place beneath her breastbone ached with how much she yearned to be free. Free in every meaning of the word.
Pursing her lips, she felt the first tear trickle from her eyes and down her cheek. Opening the suitcase she pulled out the damaged bear and she felt more tears well up in her eyes. Moving her suitcase slightly, she laid on the mattress and brought the teddy to her chest.