Chapter 2) War present

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Maria made sure to be at the stables at half past six precisely. If she couldn't earn credit for working hard then she could at least be very punctual. Earlier that morning she'd snuck into her cousin's room to borrow a pair of trousers. They weren't her size and smelled like fire and smoke but by adding a belt and rolling up the legs up they fit.

Besides some crew working at the docks she was the only one in the yard and it gave her chills. Despite doing her best to ignore the interested glances of the men she was glad when Tommy showed up. He didn't seem thrilled by her presence but gave her a little nod of the head and she took it as a good morning. It was a nice surprise after being stubbornly ignored the day before.

"Morning mister Shelby," she said back, jumping off the barrel she'd been sitting on.

He walked passed her and motioned her to walk along with him. Blacksmith, he signed and pointed at Rockferry and Bourdon. Then Vet with a gesture at Monaghan boy. Picking up a saddle from the mounting block he pointed back towards Rockferry and Bourdon, Saddle up both. He petted Bourdon's head before making the gesture for a leash, Bridle for all, and striding off.

"Yes, mister Shelby," she replied to his departing back and took another saddle from the store. She wasn't bothered by the fact that Tommy had left again. This was probably how their working relationship would be. He would give her orders and, as long as she did what was told and worked well, he would leave her be. And honestly, after getting those prying glances from the man at the docks she would gladly settled for that.

After she got the horses ready, Tommy came back and tied Monaghan boy to Bourdon. He placed his left foot into the stirrup, tucking the reins beneath his palm then sprang up into the saddle. He motioned for her to do the same.

Rockferry was a gentle horse, a thoroughbred stallion with a dark mane and a dark bay coat. Dutiful he complied when she nudged his side with the balls of her feet.

Their ride to the blacksmith's was pleasant. The horses were happy to be out of the stables and sniffed eagerly at the early morning air.

The smith was waiting outside his forge, clearly expecting them. With a cheerful "Good Morning Mister Shelby," he took the two horses to the back of his business. The heat from fire was overwhelming, the iron already turning orange in the brick forge, ready to be used.

While the shoeing got done, Tommy gave the man his fee, took Monaghan boy by the bridle and motioned Maria to walk alongside him. Outside he pointed back at the blacksmith and tapped on the side of his head: Remember this place.

"Yes sir," she answered and wondered why the blacksmith had been was so eager to see them at such early hour of the day.

They walked on until they came to the veterinary surgery. The vet, a friendly old fellow with thick glasses and a crooked back was also waiting outside, ready to take Monaghan boy to the medical stable in the back. The obedience of the citizens of Small Heath puzzled her.

The shoeing took a longer then the vet's appointment, the farrier was clearly a perfectionist and was now a little before lunch. They both waited outside with Monaghan boy, leaning against the brick wall of the blacksmith.

Tommy took out a small silver flask from his long black coat and brought it to his lips. Maria was prepared to bet her last two shillings that it wasn't water but she didn't feel the need to ask him. Instead she enjoyed the weak bit of sunshine in silence right up until her stomach started to ache and growl. She tried hunching forward a bit but it was unstoppable; it was quite clear that she was hungry. Her embarrassment grew when she became the focus of Tommy's perceptive gaze:

Hungry? he signed.

"No, not really," she replied, her obvious lie was revealed when her stomach growled again.

Tommy sighed, keeping his clear gaze on her as he took out a pack of cigarettes. Pressing one firmly between his lips, he held out the cardboard box to her.

"No, thank you," she said politely. "I don't smoke."

There was another sigh from her right. Cautious she looked through her lashes in Tommy's direction. He'd taken out his pocket watch and seemed bored. Then, apparently without conscious though, he took off his flap cap to scratch the back of his head. His dark hair was cut in an odd style, shaved down on the sides and left a bit longer on top. A deep line of healed scar tissue ran from just above his ear all the way to the back of his scalp.

He was caught off guard when their eyes met and for a moment he had a boyish shyness to him. War present, he signed before putting his cap back on. Nodding sheepishly, she felt bad, as if she had intentionally uncovered his most closely guarded secret.

Tommy pushed himself off from the wall, reflexively she wanted to follow him but he made a stop sign with his hand: Wait here.

He crossed the street and went into a back alley leaving her feeling a little skittish. Had she done something wrong? Uncertain, she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, hoping he would return soon. However, this was a part of the city she hadn't seen before and the new sights keep her distracted.

Tommy returned a good ten minutes later with a paper bag. He pushed it into her hands and took out a small leather notebook and pencil.

She considered herself lucky, promoted from being communicated to via single words to full sentences. But still she wished that someone had had the knowledge to teach Tommy the full depth of sign language – perhaps then he wouldn't be so frustrated. While he scribbled down a note with one hand, he gestured at her to open the bag.

With doe-eyes she did what was told and looked inside - a loaf of bread and two apples. He had brought her lunch.

You're useless to me if you pass out, the message in the notebook read. It seemed harsh and matter-of-fact but if Maria had known to look she would have seen the corner of his lip quirked when he knew that she had read it.

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thank you so much Out-Of-Options for being my beta!