Estelle waited till the sun started to shine through the big window before she snuck back into Arthur's room. She could hear talking downstairs Polly and no doubt the Shelbys but she just wanted to change so she quickly dashed to the door hoping no one saw her in just her night gown.

Pushing the door in slightly she spotted Arthur flung across his bed. Taking a deep breath she swiftly made her way to the dresser pulling the drawers open searching for a simple green dress and little bit darker green cardigan and clean undergarments.

Checking over her shoulder to see if Arthur was still asleep she made her way back to the girls room and changed finding Adas bed empty. She laughed to herself when she wondered if Ada was off that my mystery boy she had drunkingly slipped and told her about. Once changed Estelle brushed her long black locks, got herself ready for the day and shoved her mattress under Adas bed.

Straightening up the room Estelle went down to the kitchen.

Not bothering to notice who was up or not up Estelle snatched up a muffin out of Finn's hand shouting that she would be back later on her way out the door. She heard Polly shout something after her but the slam of the door muffled her words and Estelle knew it didn't matter anyhow, today she told herself she would take her own life into her own hands.

The cool crisp air blew back her hair trailing it behind her as she went out in search of a job. While she knew she didn't have much in the way of experience working in a real business shop, Estelle was confident in her ability to adapt. If she could adapt and learn the ways of the Peaky Blinders she could adjust to just about any situation.

It wasn't difficult to see that after the first two dress shops were showing a theme after she put her address down on the application. Once they realized she lived with the Shelby's they quickly ushered her out the door and made a display of throwing away her papers.

The first time it happened Estelle was in such disbelief, the dressmaker has complimented how well mannered and eager she was to work. The woman even went as far as to say her nimble fingers and soft demeanor would aid her well when she started working in the dress shop.

Pursuing her lips together in frustration she had cocked her head and tried to reserve her utter confusion when she turned to walk out and heard the tell tale sound of paper being ripped.

Astonished she had asked the woman why and she had only reply, "I'm not about to cross the Shelby's by having their ward work for lil old me-"

The bell on the door had rung sharply as the owner had shoved her out the door slamming it behind her. Estelle found it rather peculiar that the owners had no problem shoving her out literally but wouldn't employ her because of the Peaky Blinders. What a bloody joke Estelle thought as she kicked a pebble across the street in frustration. A mother from a window scowled down at the young girl but Estelle paid her no mind, not like she would employ her.

Estelle let her shoes scuff across the cobblestone on her way to the last dress shop she knew of. Holding her breath before she she placed her hand on the door her feet shuffled a little as if their hesitation knew the rejection that no doubt would come.

On her way out with her fifth and final rejection of the day Estelle wanted to just plop down somewhere and cry. She wasn't a Shelby, so why did it matter that she lived with them, she wanted to do her own and all they saw her as was a connection and a hinderance to their protection and connection to the Peaky Blinders.

Eventually Estelle made her way to the Garrison, Ada and her had laughed off the ad for help in the previous days news but now after a good morning spent being told no it appeared this was her last option.

Brushing her hands through her hair trying to calm it from the sudden humidity and sutt from the iron workers flames that flicked it on her way to the pub Estelle swallowed hard before pushing past the heavy wooden doors.

Compared to the few times that Polly had allowed the girls to go the pub during the war Estelle found it empty and quiet. There were no patrons shouting for more beers at the bar or drunken men falling out of their seats on, only Harry sweeping the floor.

"Harry"

"Polly Shelby's ward that, that… Estelle, what brings you here?" Slight recognition crossed his face but it was clear he wasn't pleased to see her.

"Tis me…I'm here about becomin' ya new barmaid" Estelle said firmly plopping her satchel down on the bar. Her shoulder was sore from carrying it so rolling it a few times to get the kinks out the girl stepped forward trying to appear confident.

Harry looked at her with his head cocked taking a long drag from his cigarette, "Are you mad?"

"No, why would I be mad?"

"Jobs been filled" Harry informed her as he turned his back to her going back to sweeping.

"I call bullshit, tis in yesterdays paper" Estelle stamped her foot, she wouldn't be turned down. Her mind was set on getting a job outside of the Peaky Blinders and she would be damned if she didn't.

"Believe me love, I'm doing you a favor" He chuckled at her childishness of stamping her foot. Mentally she scolded herself, barmaids didn't stamp their feet when they didn't get what they wanted Estelle.

"How is lying to me a favor? I'm not asking for favors, I'm asking for employment. Come on Harry"

After informing her that she wouldn't be a good fit due to her looks and personality being too nice Estelle marched over to the bar and started saying what alcohol and liquors there were on each shelf and what they cost. She couldn't convince him with experience she didn't have, she couldn't say she even liked the taste of liquor but she knew she had to show something.

"You're basically a Peaky Blinder's girl, no doubt but-"

"They're fine with it, already asked"

"Girl-" Harry did not look like he was buying her story. Leaning on his broom Harry rolled his eyes.

"If i'm basically a Peaky Blinder's girl no doubt I can handle a few dozen drunken men. Give me the job"

"Demanding little thing aren't ya? Glad I'm not gonna be orderin' my rum from you" Shaking his head he went back to sweeping the floor.

"Ight, so its settled then!" Estelle clapped her hands together as she gave Harry a big smile to which he didn't return. Estelle had been given a quick run down on how to do everything officially by Harry once he had finished sweeping up. While she was a far cry from what Harry would have wanted he was pleased with how she quickly became familiar and comfortable moving around behind the bar.

Due to her short stature the pair had to get crafty and had put a few crates laying down behind the bar so she could step on them to reach certain things and serve people. Harry had originally shook his head and was about to go back on his decision when he had realized he could barely see her face over the bar due to the lower floor on the inside of the bars table top but height had nothing to do with the delivering of alcohol to patrons.

Staying on to start her first work shift Estelle soon became our numbered as men started pouring in trying to get beers before they all made their way to see the local football game. Estelle was just starting to kick out drinks and the lines get thinner as men started to go grab their seats when the snug window opened revealing none other than Thomas Shelby.

Having her back to the snug door Thomas Shelby's breath caught in his throat, he couldn't believe his eyes. He knew that black hair and that laugh that the girl let out when a man said something she found humorous.

Tommy's mouth was a gap when Estelle turned to see the snug door open. Stepping off the crate she walked over to the snug window as her hands became sweaty unsure what was to be said.

"I need a bottle of rum" Tommy said shifting in his feet as he suddenly broke eye contact and started picking at his hands.

"Estelle whatever he needs, it's on the house" Harry said leaning over to tell her as he served someone at bar closer to her.

"Okay"

"White or dark?" Estelle asked without faltering in her voice, she scolded herself for feeling nervous as if he wasn't just any other customer. She noticed how his jaw twitched as Tommy told her he didn't care what kind of run as long as it was the whole bottle.

Stepping away to get a bottle Estelle was taken off guard when she returned and Tommy asked, "Are you a whore?"

Estelle's eyebrows raised in disbelief that Tommy was asking her such a question. Her mouth fluttered open and shut before Tommy took that as her reply and continued.

"If you're not, or it you're only Arthur's whore, you're in the wrong place. I doubt Arthur know ya here," Tommys voice was low and almost hushed as he looked over his shoulder back into the snug. Estelle wanted to peek but knew she couldn't see over Thomas's shoulder to see it Arthur was with him. "suggest ya quit now before one or all of em have ya up against the bar-" Tommy spat out at Estelle. There was such venom in his voice that Estelle could barely blink, she stood staring into Tommy's eyes. All the concern and supposedly well intentioned words from the previous night seemed like just that, previous and irrelevant. Still holding the bottle of rum on the ledge on the snug door Estelle shoved it into Tommy's chest and shut the window in his face.

It wasn't too late in the night but it was nearing dark when Estelle finished her shift, said goodbye to Harry and the one other barmaid who was taking over as she took off walking back to Watery lane.

When she made it inside of the house she came face to face with a bloody Arthur.

"Oh my lord, what happened to you? Are you alright?" Estelle exclaimed putting her satchel down as she made hast coming to Arthur's side. Her fingers gingerly graced over his face and jaw.

"Nothing to concern yourself with Estelle, where were you?" Arthur grumbled out as he scowled at her. Wincing at the scrunching of his face Estelle walked him back to fall back into the kitchen chair.

"I was at the Garrison-" Estelle said turning her back to Arthur to put on the kettle.

"Why would you be at the Garrison? You taking up drinking?" Arthur questioned.

"I'm taking up the barmaid job the-" Arthur stood up so fast his chair pushed back falling back to the ground. The betting den silenced for a split second before going back to their business.

"The fuckin' hell you are! Do you know what kind of men frequent the Garrison, they'll hurt you if you don't give em what you want-"

"What's the difference between that and what you do to me? Huh?" Estelle rhetorically asked as she spun around crossing her arms in front of her. The look on Arthur's face was priceless and if it wasn't her that was being hurt by him Estelle would have laughed it the look was so comedic.

A creek from the stairs caught both of their attention as Polly emerged from the shadow.

"What the fucking hell is she talking about Arthur?"