Chapter 2: You get used to everything, even things you never wanted to get used to

Put on perfume only for you

Shining brighter than a diamond

Bling bling on my body

So I can be a little more clear

When I show myself, black dress

Marie groans as she turns under her covers, the old bed creaking with her movement. She tries to ignore the sun that is streaming through the windows, but the sun is getting brighter minute by minute, so she does not have much of a choice.

Marie sighs and opens her eyes, turning her gaze to the wall so her sight can adjust for a minute. She hears someone moving in the room next to hers, and she can hear Eva's joyful voice, another softer voice asking to be less loud.

Where they live now, there is not much place. They moved in here unexpectedly, so there had to be some adjustments made. Marie received a small room that was supposed to be for storage, for herself. It is tiny, and she can barely cramp a bed, a nighttable and a small closet in it, but she is so very thankful.

Eva and Reinke share a room, and Reinke had been scared Eva would not be very happy with this, but her sister has never said anything. Marie supposes it is because Reinke and Marie are one of the few familiar things that reminds her of home. They have been here for a few months now, and still do not know how to go back home.

Marie wonders if that will ever be the case.

She shakes her head as she puts on a nightrobe, not yet ready to get ready. The clothes are so different in this time, and Marie still needs to get used to the stockings and heels and whatever other layers women need to wear in this time and age.

'Good morning, Marie!' Eva shouts as she thunders down the stairs, dressed for school, Marie groaning a reply in return. 'Still not a morning person, right?' Reinke asks as Marie turns her head and nods at her friend.

'Speak in English, please.' Peter tutts, but a smile is apparent on his lips. 'Hannah will not understand you.' Reinke throws a small apologetic smile to her uncle's wife, the woman giving her a warm smile back.

She is quite an amazing woman, Hannah. She has been married to Reinke's and Eva's uncle for about six years and did not even blink an eye when her husband came home with three girls, exclaiming two of them were his nieces.

She had given them one look, told her husband they would rearrange the rooms in the house, and that was that.

And you wonder, Reinke's uncle? Well, Marie thinks to herself, it is quite a complicated story. She takes a sip of her cup of tea as she closes her eyes, remembering how that happened. And than she reminds herself she still needs to find the blinder that helped them.

She does not even know his name.

'You can stay here for a few weeks until you figure out what you want to do.' The blinder says, Marie giving him a thankful but still shaky smile. She has not seen him afterwards.

Eva has been inscribed in school and Marie and Reinke are going to try and find work tomorrow. The three girls, now in appropriate garb, are just stepping out of the shops when a voice makes Reinke stop in her tracks.

'Reinke?!' Marie's friend looks up, her eyes widening at the man before her, the bags she had been holding in her hands falling to the ground. 'Uncle?' Reinke whispers full of disbelief, a second later running to her uncle, keeping herself from sobbing hysterically as she hugs the man in front of her.

Her uncle Peter, who had been missing for several years, here in Birmingham. Eva raises an eyebrow, a confused look crossing as Marie shrugs. The man was quick to introduce himself, having told his story eerily simlar to the girls.

He had ended up here about eight years ago, and tried to survive ever since. 'Where are you staying?' Marie sighs, shaking her head. 'At the moment, in a dingy hotel until we figure out our next move.'

Reinke's uncle gives her a sincere smile. 'That is settled than. You are coming with me.'

'Earth to Marie?' Reinke asks, a grin appearing on Hannah's lips. 'I will bring Eva to school. You get ready and go with Hannah to the shop, yes?' Marie nods, eating the rest of her breakfast as she helps clear the table and goes back upstairs, Hannah bidding Eva a good day at school.

Marie and Reinke work in Hannah's clothing shop, trying to earn a living for themselves. A part of their wage is held for room and board, the rest they can do with as they please.

The morning air is cold and clears Marie's head, Hannah softly explaining something about the shop. The sun is peaking through the clouds and a smile lights Marie's face up, humming as she follows Hannah into the shop.

It is hard work, but it makes Marie and Reinke feel useful, grateful as they are life is minor or less falling into place.

The days slowly pass by as the heat of summer slowly goes to the colder weather of autumn. They have not run into any other blinders, and Reinke's uncle has been adamant they stay out of the gang's way.

Even though Marie suspects Peter's business is not entirely legal either, and he might actually be working with the peaky blinders.

'Can you go and get Eva from school? I really need to finish this and Hannah is still busy with a customer.' Reinke almost begs, her friend nodding. The fresh air will do her good. 'Where are you going, Marie?' Hannah asks, eyebrow raised. 'I'm going to go and get Eva at school. She still loses her way around here.'

Hannah smiles and nods, Marie shouting a goodbye as the door falls closed behind her. Marie humms a song under her breath as she approaches the school, Eva standing before the building and talking excitedly with some girls about her age.

'Marie!' Eva calls out, her face lighting up as she runs to her sister's friend. 'Reinke is not coming today?' Marie shakes her head. 'She had something to finish at the shop. Are you ready to go?' Eva nods, turning around and shouting at her friends she will see them tomorrow.

'Marie, since it is a beautiful day, what do you think about going to the Cut?' The lighthaired girl has a bewildered look on her face that makes Eva laugh. 'I will show you.'

Marie shrugs and nods, deciding Hannah and Reinke will not think too much about it, if they go there for a little while. Still, she sees one of the girls working at Hannah's shop and asks the girl to relay the message they are going to the Cut.

Marie follows Eva to the Cut, wherever that is, and soon sees they are at a canal of some sorts. She decides it is innocent enough and sits down, coat on the ground, Eva running to somewhere in the near vicinity.

It is almost getting dark when Marie decides it is time to go home, when she hears Eva approaching with two boys abouty her age. 'Marie! I want to introduce you to someone!' Marie nods, standing up and dusting off her dress.

'This is Finn Shelby and Isaiah Jesus, two boys from my class.' Eva beams, Marie trying to ignore the shock that wants to appear on her face at the boys' name.

Shelby? As in John and Arthur Shelby?

'Nice to meet you.' Marie smiles, reverting back to English. 'I am Marie.' 'Are you not her sister?' Isaiah asks, genuine curiosity on his face. Marie laughs at that, shaking her head. 'No, Reinke is Eva's sister. I am Reinke's best friend who is living with them.'

'It's getting late. Do you want me to take you home?' Marie asks, the boys both exclaming they do not need it, but since they are going the same way, they might as well. Eva and her classmates are talking between themselves, Marie content to follow them.

'We have arrived. My Aunt Polly should be here. Do you want to come in? Your uncle should be here as well.' Marie tries to ignore the blinders who are staring her down at the door, but let her in when she and Eva follow Finn.

Her face flushes, Eva eeping and hiding behind her when every man in the room stares at her. Marie bites her lip, jaw straining under the stress. Her hands are getting sweaty. She has never been good with being the center of attention.

'What are you doing here, ey?' Arthur Shelby asks, staring Marie down. Eva refuses to be scared, pointing to her uncle who is in the office speaking with Thomas Shelby, Marie assumes.

'We are here for my uncle.' Eva smiles, Arthur's face becoming less harsh when the girl pipes up. 'Eva, Marie?' Peter says, a strained look on his face. 'Finn and Isaiah are in my class. They said you were here. Are you coming home with us?'

Peter looks at Marie who shrugs. 'What she said.' The room falls silent as Peter clears his throat, the screech of a child interrupting the silence. A little boy is running around, a cursing John Shelby behind him, when the child runs into Marie and almost falls to the ground.

Marie is quick to grab him with his arm, hosting him up and settling the child on her arm. She has always loved children. 'Are you allright?' The little boy blinks at her and than nods, Marie giving him a warm smile back.

She is just about to put him back down when John Shelby appears, stopping before her. 'We meet again.' Marie's smile drops, a tense silence filling the room. 'Mind giving my kid back, love?' The sarcasm is clear in his voice and Marie rolls her eyes.

John's jaw clenches, eyes starting to fill with fury. 'Be nice to her, John.' Polly Gray intervenes. 'If it were not for her, he would have fallen to the ground.'

John mutters something under his breath, but than snarls a thank you to Marie, grabbing the child from her arms.

'Let's go home, girls.' Peter says, Eva bidding Finn and Isaiah goodbye. 'Are you working with them?' Marie asks, stopping in her tracks. Peter sighs but than nods. 'Yes, I am.' Eva raises an eyebrow, the girl reverting back to English without a thought. 'You are working with the, what were they called, ...?' Marie's eyes seem to spit fire. 'Peaky blinders, is it? You are working with them?'

The lighthaired girl turns around, her gaze falling on the men, in the room. 'I figured your business was not entirely legal but to work with them...'

Peter raises an eyebrow. 'A bit judgmental, no?' Marie blinks and than her shoulders drop. 'I am sorry. You are right. It's just...'

'It's different than at home.' Marie nods, now silent but when she looks up at Reinke's uncle, there is no anger in his eyes.

She should be more grateful. He has clothed and fed them, even if he should not have.

'I'm thankful, I just, I keep on hoping we will be able to go home.' Marie whispers, Eva's joy also dimming.

'I fear that is not an option, Marie.' Peter says, nodding at Thomas and turning around. 'No matter what you think, you get used to it.' 'Even the difficult things?' Peter smiles, nodding as he takes Eva's hand.

'Especially the hard things. Say goodbye, Eva. Marie.' Marie turns, feeling so very tired at once and nods at everyone, Eva giving a small but sad wave at Finn and Isaiah.

It is by walking outside she meets the blinder who has helped them. 'Found somewhere to stay, love?' the man says, a smile crinkling his eyes. Marie nods, extending her hand and shaking his.

'Thank you very much, for everything.' The man lets out a booming laugh, shaking his head. 'No problem, sweetheart.' He turns to Eva and Peter, smiling at them as well. 'Give my regards to your sister and the missus, eh?'

Marie gives him another smile as she nods, following Peter and Eva back home.

That night, she cannot seem to fall asleep. John Shelby's eyes seem to be bored into her brain.

When she eventually does fall asleep, her dreams are filled with him. Only him. And it is in the privacy of her mind, that Marie admits that he is very intriguing and charming.

Agressive, overprotective, cocky but intriguing. And Marie is a bit scared what that could mean.

Putting on makeup just for you

Let's get closer than yesterday

You know this feeling too

So I can be a little more clear

When I show myself, black dress