Chapter Text
Whoever made the first alarm clock needs to be taken out back and shot for not only creating it but also for making people dependent on the damn thing. Only a sick and twisted person would make something so loud and hellish, which was meant to wake people up, could create such a thing. And the people who need them to actually wake and get on with they day needs to check in for a lobotomy because fuck that.
And yet, here she was, waking up to the sweet and soul sucking sounds of what was clearly a rejected sound of a car alarm going off on her bedside table. Everything within her wanted to just push the Satan sound machine off the small table and deal with getting another one later, but seeing as that would be the fifth one she broke in the last three months, she settled for just pressing the top button as quickly as possible. Groaning and mourning the loss of her much needed and beloved sleep, she checked the two most important things she could ever look at in the morning: what the fucking time was and the baby moniter.
Unfortunately, the time showed her that it was 5:30 in the morning. God damn it, the sun ain't even up yet, especially in the winter and here she is, up and pissed. On the bright side, the devil box that she will forever regret buying didn’t wake up Emmy somehow, so clearly there is a God and he can still perform miracles. Her precious little gremlin had been going through a bit of sleep regression as of late and has been taking it out of her poor mama. That night alone she had to do her midnight feeds, a few rocks and songs, a predictable blowout, and an opera worthy dramatic cry over being put down in her crib like she was going to jail before she soothed herself to sleep.
Seeing as there was no way that she could go back to sleep, and while the idea of just laying in bed and staring at the ceiling in darkness to contemplate life and its meanings was very compelling, her little gremlin will be waking soon and be demanding her morning bottle like its drugs and she jonesing, which in a way it was.
Her phone buzzed three times next to her, drawing her eyes to its harsh glow. There was only one person who would text her this early and this many times.
The wicked witch of Bristol, or if she would go by her legal name, Bethany Wilson. Technically, she is Emmy grandmother but it would be a frigid day in hell before she gets called that by her. She already knows what the texts would entail: When can I see my granddaughter? Come and stay with me in London? I knew my son shouldn't have boarded up with a slut like you! I have rights as a grandmother! If you don’t let me see her, I will have you deported! And so on and so forth. Honestly, she needs a damn Nobel Prize for dealing with that hell spawn of a woman.
Since there’s no time like the present, and she would rather eat a bucket of nails dipped in mayo than answer any of those texts, she rolled out of bed with strength that she didn't believe she had to get her morning routine done before making her way to the kitchen to warm up the breast milk she prepped the night before. Luckily she was able to get away with brushing her teeth, taking a very quick shower, and unwrapping her hair before her mission to get the bottle ready.
Emmy must have been a sleeper agent in another life, because the minute the bottle warmer “dinged”, her little wail started up in their room. Not loud enough to be an angry shriek that she was very much capable of but enough to say “Hey, I’m up and will make both our mornings hell if you don't come get me right now.”
So she drudged herself out of the kitchen to her room, peaking in through the already cracked door to see her baby lifting her head at the offending light pouring in from the rest of the house and intruder that she would soon call “mama”. There were small unshed tears in Emmy’s eyes when she walked in, pulling the blinds up a bit to het in some natural light.
“Good morning, my little fairy. Sorry for the wait but I cant make a bottle warm up any faster than the settings and father time allow.”
That didn't seem to pacete her little girl, giving her a look that is nothing but attitude, but it was nothing a few cuddles, kisses, and the gentle lip chewing of her chubby cheeks wont fix.
She carried her little girl to the kitchen to grab the warmed bottle, bouncing her baby in her arms as she checked the temp on her arm. It was cool enough to give her luckily, and when she brought the bottle to Emmy’s lips, the baby sucked it down greedily and quickly, her eyes looking at her with the clear implications that screamed “what took so long, you jerk.”
Don’t look at me like that, it makes me feel like a bad mama.
As Emmy drank, mama walked around with her in the small space, listing off the things that needed to be done before work.
After her bottle, Emmy will need a bath, a fresh diaper and clothes. The diaper bag needs to be restocked…
Her thoughts were interrupted by Emmy’s whine, signalling that she was done eating. Looking at her baby apologetically, she took the empty bottle, placing it in the sink before starting to burp Emmy before making her way to the bathroom to get Emmy ready for the day.
The water filled up her little baby tub when Emmy burped, and once the was no sign of spit up on her, in went the baby in the tub, scrubbed clean and with lots bubbles grabbed at. Once she was all clean and her ever fast growing hair was oiled up, quickly combed, and dressed in the cutest cherry dress onesie, her sweet baby was ready to go.
Once that gauntlet was finished, she put Emmy in her baby swing before getting herself dressed for work before quickly running though her mental checklist. It took only a few minutes and luckily Emmy was more than happy to chill in her baby swing, but the diaper baby was restocked, a semi pathetic lunch was packed, and off they went out the door into the cold Yorkshire air.
“Good morning Thaila! Heard little Emmy through the window last night, you need me to bring over some night balms for her? Worked wonders for my young ones once upon a time.”
Thalia waved at Ms. Henderson, a sweet old widow who lived next door and was currently weeding her small little garden outside her home. Technically, her son owns the flat she was in but Ms. Henderson’s son was at uni for like the fourth time and took pity on her and has been renting it to her at a cheap price. It was a steal, honestly, considering how much she was paying for the 1 bedroom flat. Plus the old woman’s sweet and always offers to babysit when Thailia was at work but the old woman was already kind enough to give them a roof over their head, and didn't want to take advantage and grow habits that should never see the light of day.
“Good morning, Ms. Henderson. Your cabbages are looking nice. And thank you but
“Alright dear, but you should try lavender. Its a natural calming. I have extra, Ill bring some over.”
Thalia smiled at the woman as she adjusted Emmy in her arms, the baby girl content with a full belly and the warmth of her baby coat against the cold, English air. For some reason, Emmy just loves the cold to a degree, falling asleep much easier with the fan on and her sleepsuit on tight. A true English child if she had ever seen one.
“Of course, thank you, Ms. Henderson.” She said, making it to her car. It was a piece of crap that looks like its on its last leg but still runs just fine. She straps in Emmy, making sure she’s secure before closing the door.
“Alright, my little fairy. Let’s head to work.”
—-
“Thank you for coming in! Your order should be ready by next week.” Thalia called out to the gentleman that dropped off his suit. It needed alterations on the cuffs and waistline for a wedding happening in three weeks.
Business has been steady lately, thank god. It was wedding season and all of a sudden people are remembering that the dresses and suits they bought months ago dont fit them as well as they used too. Honestly, she was almost drowning in orders of dress alterations, custom dresses and creations, and the slightly surprising uptick at homemade stuffed animals that she started on a whim.
Well, more like Emmy enjoyed nomming on the patchwork turtle she made her with some extra fabric and a customer saw it and asked if she sold more. Thus, a small army of custom stuffed animals now resides in a corner of her glass window of her shop.
“I swear, that man was here for more than just the fixin of his cuffs.”
Thalia rolled her eyes at the comment, looking at the older women who made it. Ms. Lee was a thin, greying old woman whos been in the sewing game for longer then most on scene, and it was a blessing that she was able to scoop her up. They met when they were both commissioned to work on a theater show and hit it off. Ms. Lee was a traveling tailor that was on the verge of retirement when she convinced her to set up in her shop. She really needed the help and expanding on the service and expertise that Ms. Lee brought was a lifesaver.
“Ms. Lee, you say that about every single man that walks through those doors. Pretty sure that was the father of the groom. If anything, he’s a man for you, not me.”
Ms. Lee scoffed as she entered further from the back, slightly bouncing Emmy in her arms.
God did Ms. Lee loves Emmy. Pretty sure that was a good selling point for her. She had practically been with them since she was born and all but self imposed god grandmother status, as if she didnt have a gaggle of adult children and grandchildren her damn self. Sure, most of them were still back in her home country, grandchildren and adult children that she visits fairly often, and yet she acts like she has no family.
“Well, you never know. The right man could walk right through those doors. Hell, any man would be better than that sorry excuse of an ex husband.”
That made Thalia hold back in her deeply needed sigh, choosing to move on from that comment. As much as she loved the old woman, she knew way too much of her business and was a tad bit too comfortable talking about it.
Emmy wiggled in her arm a little before letting out a sigh, a clear sign that she was getting tired. There was a small set up in the backroom with a crib and play pen she thrifted and a few supplies to keep Emmy happy, safe and content. There had been far to many nights were Thalia pulled an all nighter and Emmy soundly sleeping to the hull of her sewing machine.
Speaking of sewing machines, there was a skirt that needed to be fixed and was set to be picked up either later today or early tomorrow.
Ms. Lee handed Emmy off to her, heading back to her own station and projects while Thailia took them both to the backroom. The room itself looked as if a small fabric based tornado had hit this room and this room alone. Something about fabrics, stencils, and materials placed in a very chaotic yet organised mess always sparked creatively when she was in the mood to create something. Emmy’s little area was always tidy though, seeing as her little fairy was already a chaos incarnate most days.
Once the quick patdown that lulled Emmy to sleep was successful completed, Thalia settled behind her sewing machine, starting it up and fixing the tear on a skirt. Normally she preferred to sew by hand but seeing that she had so much to do before the day was done, she had to sacrifice a little.
The hum of the machine filled the space, giving her a sense of calm familiarity that always put her at ease as she worked, when the also familiar chime of the door reached her ears. She heard Ms. Lee move from her station, so whoever just came in would be helped well enough.
Turns out customers tend to like it if a person greeting them is a little old lady sometimes.
Thalia heard muffled talking as she continued with her project, occasionally looking over to see if Emmy was still sleeping. Thankfully she was, allowing her to stay in her creative zone. She was so in the zone that she didnt realize that Ms. Lee had knocked and popped her head in until she cleared her throat.
“Oh, sorry!” Thalia said, startled, quickly shutting the machine off. “Didnt hear you come in. Is everything alright?”
“I figured, dear. I could see it in your face.” Ms. Lee said with a laugh, leaning against the doorframe with a hand on her hip. “Your regulars are here. The handsome, young ones. Said their here for a pick up and fitting.”
Handsome young ones? Seeing as Ms. Lee is basically making it her mission to set her up with a man and basically says that about almost every man around her age, her saying that its regulars didn't narrow it down. Its honestly surprising how many men in the UK get their clothes tailored or hemmed.
“Which regulars? You say that about many of our customers.” Thalia joked.
“Yes! Smooth brown skin and the prettiest eyes. And the other one with the strange hair. Don't know why any man would wear hair like his but it works, with that rugged physique. Oof, what I would give to take a check under his suit, make sure he’s properly fitted?”
While Ms. Lee rambled on and on, switching from her native tongue and english, Thalia’s stomach dropped all the way to the floor, the smile previously on her face dropping as well. She knew exactly who Ms. Lee was talking to, and wished it was literally anybody else.
Kyle Garrack and Johnny MacTavish. Or Gaz and Soap based on what they call each other sometimes.
God damnit.
Why were they here? And today of all days?
She looked at the calendar on the wall, squinting to see if her mind really was just escaping her. This is a busy season for her but still.
The 12th was circled in big red marker so that she wouldn’t forget. It was the 10th. They were early by two days. What the hell?
With a very heavy, very audible sigh, Thalia plastered a practiced smile on her face. “Oh, those regulars. Yes, although they are early for their pick up.”
Ms. Lee ended her ramblings and followed her eyes to what Thailia was looking at. “Oh,, I see. I can let them know–.”
“No!”
Ms. Lee looked startled by Thalia’s outburst, and honestly so was she. But there was no way she was going to drag Ms. Lee into her problems. Especially the problems that come in the form of those two men.
Thalia took a deep breath before rising from her chair, smoothing out her skirt. “Sorry. I mean that its fine. Their order is ready, I just wasn’t expecting them so soon. If you dont mind, could you stay here with Emmy? I won’t take long.”
Ms. Lee looked at her with a motherly look of pity, the previous shock evaporating from her features.
“Of course dear. You know I never mind watching her.” Ms. Lee gave her a good long look as Thalia moved from her station, giving Emmys sleeping face another look before making her way to the door.
“Right, well thank you anyways.”
Thalia left the comfortable safety of her backroom as she made her way to the front of the store. She saw them immediately, and so did they.
Kyle smiled his pearly whites at her as he stepped further in her shop, brown eyes met her own, while Johnny was seemingly perusing the racks of suits, flashing her a quick smile that reminded her of a shark swimming near blood. Both men were dressed interestingly for this type of weather, Kyle with his overcoat that she knows she’s seen in magazines while Johnny was sporting a seemingly barely about to fit bomber jacket over his plain shirt.
“Hello love. Just doing a pick up for today. I’m sure you have what we ordered this month?” Kyle said it with a friendly tone, a smile still on his face but eyes narrowed in a way that screamed “You know why we’re here and we ain’t leaving till we get it.”
God she wanted to sock him in the face.
“Oi! Need a fittin too. ‘Parently I need “proper suits” for a meetin, according to this fucker.”
Kyle rolled his eyes at Johnny’s gripping, giving his companion a sideways glance.
“Yes, MacTavish, you do need a proper suit. We’ve been over this several times, and the others agree so sod off about it.”
Thalia gave him a tight, practiced smile. “Well, your order is ready. However, you need an appointment to get a fitting. I can put you on the books, but unfortunately, I don't have any availability for the day.”
Gaz licked his teeth while Johnny just rolled his eye, still with that damn smile on his face.
“Come on lass. Surely you could squeeze me in. Ya leavin me in a bind. Price is gonna have me head if I dont come back spiffy. Ya wouldn’t do that to my pretty face, would ya?“
He made his claim with a smile and a lean over her counter that clearly would work on many others, probably got him things too. But Thalia was by no means impressed or dazzled by his motions.
Instead, she unlocked her register drawer, pulling out the thick envelop they were here for and plopped in on the counter. The way Johnny’s smile drooped a bit felt like a very small win.
“Its all there. And before you ask, no, I have not seen, heard or caught a whiff of David. And if I do, you will be the first person I call, after I ring his fucking neck of course.”
The two men shared a look, having a whole silent conversation with each other.
“Caught you on a bad day, did we? Any customers we need to have a talkin to?” Kyle asked, sliding the envelope to himself in order to count, chuckling a little at Johnny huffing at his failed attempt.
Fuck them, the money is in there like it always is.
“No. The only customers I’m having an issue with is you. You want a fitting or tailoring, make an actual appointment. If there is nothing else then good day.” Probably shouldn’t say that to men that she knows are very dangerous but honestly, she was a bit too tired to care.
Kyle and Johnny chuckled at her, as if she said something funny. Once Kyle finished counting, he handed off the money to his friend, taking his own peak inside before siding the envelope into his jacket.
“Preciate this, sweetheart. You’re always good to us, and Price will appreciate your diligence. We’ll see you next month.”
Kyle gave her a wink before turning around and heading out the door. Johnny stayed behind, lingering for a second before following Kyle out.
The minute the front door clicked closed, Thaila finally felt like she could actually breathe. SHe hated every time that they visited. It was usually Kyle and Johnny, never Price, but on the rare occasions, much to her own hatred and discomfort, did the duo switch up on her and bring him along with them. The silent, faced covered wall that is Ghost. She didn't know his name, and the others only ever called or referred to him as “Ghost”, but that was enough for her. She didn't want to know his name or ever be in his presence again.
No after what he did, how she almost lost Emmy because of him.
A small wail snapped her out of her spiralling. Seems like Emmy woke up from her nap, most likely hungry too.
She couldn’t focus on those assholes, she had other things to worry about. Theres orders and commissions that needed to be done and she had to take care of her family. The faster she gets their money, the faster theory will leave her the fuck alone.
With that in her mind, Thaila made her way back to the backroom, a genuine smile on her face as she opened the door and saw the only thing that really mattered to her was wiggling her little arms and legs in Ms. Lee’s arms, holding back the obviously coming cry.
“Seems she missed her Ah Ma.” Ms. Lee said, slightly bouncing her. It was no use though, once Emmy saw her, the water works started.
Thalia reached out to take Emmy form Ms. Lee, holding her close. She could tell Emmy was hungry, so she moved to one of her armchairs.
“Well? Did I not tell you those men were handsome? And I saw no ring on the shorter ones finger. He seems like a fine fellow.”
Thalia couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling as she got comfortable in her seat, pulling up her shirt and guide Emmy to latch onto her. She sighed when she felt Emmy start to feed herself, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.
“I can promise you, Ms. Lee. There is no way I will ever attach myself to either of those men. Im fine where I am for now.”
Ms. Lee tutted at her as she made her leave from the room, giving the young mother privacy. “You never know if you close your heart so tightly, Qīn'ài de.”
She said this over her shoulder before leaving the room and closing the door. Once Thalia and Emmy were alone, she finally felt like she could breathe. She loathed every time they showed up, always with their fake smiles and condescending presence, shattering any and all deluded peace she creates for herself in the space when they leave her be.
“$100,000 down, $50,000 left. We can make that, no problem.” She said to her baby, well, more accurately to herself and the heavens above.
Confidence can be a fickle thing sometimes. Blends way too quickly with delusion.
Thalia closed her eyes, trying to force herself to relax as her little fairy ate. She read that adding stress can cause blocks to her ducts and she really can afford that. So she tried to think of what her next tasks would be: a dress that needs to be finished, the skirts needs a few more stitches, needs to check the back order of materials, restock the–
A ding from her phone snapped her out of her mental check list, forcing her eyes open. She looked to see her phone still on the sewing table, the screen glowing bright.
With a small groan, Thalia carefully stood up, care to move without disturbing Emmy too much. She crossed the room and checked her phone to see what was sent to her–and the moment she did, her heart dropped for what felt like the third time today.
“Put me down for a fitting next week Tuesday. 3pm, close early.”
God damnmit.