⤞ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Flooding into the house, your exuberant grin and twinkling eyes already had your mother looking you up and down with confusion - half wondering whether you'd maybe accidentally consumed an illicit substance on the way home.

"What's got you all giddy then, girl?" she remarked, having set down her needle and thread for a moment as you pulled out the other rickety kitchen chair and fell into the seat with dramatic excitement.

"I am going to enquire about a prospect job this afternoon!" you returned with glee, watching your mother's eyes widen in delighted surprise.

"Cor! That was quick! I didn't think the agency were able to get you recruited onto jobs that quick!?" she returned, a questioning look on her face amidst the happiness for you.

You faltered a little, playing with the piece or parchment between your hands. "Well that's the thing, I didn't really get the job from the agency. It was a woman looking for someone to act as, well, I suppose a carer for her brother." you replied, watching as your mother stared at you with some scepticism.

"You sure about this, (name)?" she said uncertainly. Your mother prided herself on believing she had taught all of her kids to be incredibly street smart, especially in this rough area of London. "You have to be careful love, what if it was one of those women who pretend to recruit for honest jobs and it turns out to be a bloody whore house!?" she seemed to panic, and you reached across the table to take her hand gently.

"She certainly didn't seem like she was recruiting from a brothel, ma." you tried to mollify her, "I'm sure if it's not what it appears to be then I can turn and leave, and look for something else."

Her eyes searching your own, and she eventually relented with a sigh and a gentle nod.

"Alright love, but you have to promise me you'll be careful." she exclaimed, a stern look on her face which you were quick to rectify with your usual bright smile of agreement.

After some moments, your mother dusted her hands on her worn old apron and picked up the needle and thread again, back onto repairing one of Eloise's dresses with an expert hand, years of needlework having hardened her fingertips to the point of not feeling any pain at all from the occasional miscalculated sew.

"Where are you headed too, anyway?" she asked, licking her fingertips as she threaded a new piece of thread through the eye of said needle, only daring to to lift her glance as you slid the piece of paper across the table. She only had to see the address contained 'Whitechapel' before she was worrying all over again.

"Jesus, (name)! You never said it was in Whitechapel?" she fretted, her eyes fleeing between the paper and then your own. "Just because this bloody Ripper is dead, doesn't make that place any safer! she sounded disgusted with the thought of you going there.

"Ma, it's like I said. If I do not like it then I'll leave. Simple as that." you feared all your attempts to soothe her were in vain, it seemed she had made her mind up. But she knew you were a woman now, and that trying to stop you from making your own decisions would be futile.

She sighed, dropping her eyes after some moments. A tell-tale sign that she was not happy with the way this was going, but she knew she'd have to surrender to the fact you were going to make your own choice anyway.

"When I was your age I was already married to your pa and pregnant with you." she suddenly piped up, her tired eyes leaving the monotonous pattern of the needles work. Her eyes seemed to be filled with a sad plea as they looked into your own. "How I wish you had a nie husband and a place to call home. It ain't right for you to be stuck here with me."

Another grey cloud that had hung over you since you turned twenty, the fact you were practically a spinster at this age. It was more the concern of society than your own, you didn't care much for finding a suitor as you had been concentrated on yourself.

"Maybe I will find a husband one day, when I am ready." you reminded your mother. "I don't want to rush... I saw what happened to you." you replied, not meaning for it to sound so sharp and blunt. The look you ascertained from your mother was a very wounded one at that.

"I didn't mean for that to sound so cruel ma, I'm sorry." you said quickly and apologetically, "I just meant I don't want to be with someone like father who could leave...."

She sighed softly, seeming to understand where you were coming from as she nodded her head, but that did not excuse the glassy twinkle of tears in her eyes.

"I understand love..." she replied in a croaky voice, flashing you a wane smile. "And I want more than anything for you to have better than that."

Placing your hand on her cheek, you stroked your thumb softly against the skin momentarily - a look of apology still hanging in your eyes as you mother smile to let you know the comment was forgiven.

You also made a mental note to yourself in that moment, that should you succeed one day... you would make sure that your mother would always be cared for.

-

A heaviness hung in the air of the flat, like the charged energy that sat in the air before a big storm. Evie's news of the servant for her brother had gone down rather like a lead balloon.

Jacob had been so keen to hang onto his independence for as long as possible, and the assassin was having an incredibly hard time getting his head around the fact things had changed, and that he did need some support.

"A bloody servant! What am I, 80 years old!?" he chunnered on like a huffy child as he paced around the apartment, Evie purposefully keeping her eyes trained out of the window and onto the street below.

"I'm really not happy you went out and sorted all this without my permission, Evie." he snapped, forcing his sister to turn and face him. He looked a shadow of his former self, large leather assassin's coat all but hung up by the front door, leaving him in his white shirt, black and grey pin stripe trousers and boots - the look polished off rather unfashionably by the off white coloured sling supporting his arm.

"Jacob, you won't be able to recover should you be left here on your own." she explained, deciding now was a better time than ever to break her news. "I have to return to India, I cannot stay to nurse you. Please, it would put my mind at ease to know you are being looked after."

"You make it sound as if I'm some feeble, doddery old codger." he grumbled bitterly, holding his ground whilst Evie looked at him with a sadness in her eyes.

"I'm not saying this is forever Jacob. Just until you get better and regain full sight in your left eye." she remarked, hoping the fact this would be temporary might put him at ease. "Please, just give this poor girl a chance. She should be here soon." Evie replied, a closure to her tone as she returned her gaze to the streets below.

The sky had averted to it's usual grey and overast hue by the time the afternoon rolled around. Saving yourself the long walk, you hailed a cab from Lambeth to the address in Whitechapel.

A nervousness had bubbled in your stomach, not unusual for you when considering prospect jobs. Gazing out of the carriage window, you watched all the other coaches and carriages bob by, drawn by the fine horses with their floating trots.

As you made your way across the bridge, you began to think about what sort of person Evie's brother might have been. She was around the same age as your mother, so you imagined maybe her brother was some years older? Especially if he required a carer. Was he perhaps getting too old and rather senile to take care of himself? You'd dealt with a very elderly gentleman in one of your previous jobs, and he was mainly alright if he didn't rant on and on to you about the stupid things - like how he only liked his toast if it was nearly burnt or the window left just open enough it allowed a breeze but not too open he became cold. That aspect of older people you found... tiring.

Attempting not to paint too much of a picture in your head before you got there, you sat quietly in the carriage and noted the changing surroundings of London, indicating your ever-gaining closeness to your destination.

Some ten or so minutes later after reaching the heart of London, you arrived in the borough of Whitechapel. Just as grimy, dark and depressing as it had been in recent years. Stepping out of the carriage, you paid the driver his coins and then eyed up this street of terraced grey brick houses. As you started your walk down the cobbles, you kept eyeing the piece of paper with the address detailed on it and then the various numbers on the walls of the houses.

Not too far down the street, you found the particular house in question. Considering this property had been divided into apartments, you opened the door which took you into a foyer. Off the foyer was some stairs, of which you passed two doors which did not match the number on your piece of paper. At the summit of the moody and glum feeling stairwell, you located the door you needed.

The moment felt very final, as you took a deep breath and rapped your knuckles softly on the door - anticipation rising as footsteps could be heard on the other side. A series of chains and locks could be heard sliding and clicking, before the brass handle twisted and the door swung open, revealing Miss Frye.

"Good afternoon, Miss Frye." you smiled politely, you nerves perfectly hidden behind your affable grin.

"Ah, lovely to see you again." she returned with a humorous smirk, "Come on, Miss (surname). I've made us some tea, as promised." she added as she allowed you through, to which you snickered momentarily.

The apartment was decorated in dark colours - deep crimson and oak floorboards and panelling. The place had a very lived in feel about it, what with the bookcases stacked with lots of reads and the various objects piled up in corners of the room. It wasn't exactly spotless but then again, it wasn't incredibly untidy either. It was organised mess, to you at least.

"Do come and take a seat," Evie started, leading the way in as you followed her through to the other part of the apartment - where there was a large hearth central, and a small breakfast table, chairs and kitchenette to the right - by the large window.

Taking a seat, you hadn't even really bothered to look left until you noted a second figure ut of the corner of your eye. Before you'd even looked, you had figured this was the poor elderly brother in need of some assistance and care.

But then as your gaze shifted fully on the man who had stepped into view, you were admittedly surprised and well.... pleasantly relieved.

The man, with his dark hair and rather unimpressed gaze - was stood beside his sister who looked nervously on at you. In those few seconds you were drinking in his appearance, you hadn't even been aware of the uncomfortable silence.

"Miss (name)," Evie started, her voice pulling your gaze away from her brother, "This is Jacob, my brother." she explained, her introduction causing you to quickly rise from the seat you had taken at the table and lower yourself into a curtsey.

"Mr Frye," you started, trying to ignore the fact you'd brain was whispering about how he was quite pleasantly the opposite of what you had been anticipating. "It's lovely to meet you. I hope my assistance will be more than adequate."

Jacob's eyes seemed fixated on you for some moments, before he eventually broke the silence. His expression hadn't changed in all the moments of meeting you, and you were beginning to figure this 'job' was something Evie had rather fixed up for him rather than something he had actively sought out.

"Yes, quite." his voice was deep, inflection filled with a dry sarcasm. You eventually returned to stand, hands linked neatly across your stomach. You found yourself looking more, trying to make it subtle. What was strikingly obvious besides his handsome structure face, sharp jaw littered with deep brown stubble - was the evidently sore and painful looking swelling around his left eye. The eye itself looked painful enough, bloodshot red and even the hickory iris surrounding his pupils failed to stand out in that level of angry looking red. You wondered what had happened?

"If you'll excuse me," he started, flitting his gaze to his sister and then back to you. His gaze was disconcertingly austere, "I think I might step outside for a moment. I can't remember the last time I had some fresh air." he moved from the spot, as you watched the back of him - the striking white shirt against the rest of his mostly black outfit make it's way to the door - his undamaged hand reaching for the long leather gunman's coat that hung on the hook.

As soon as Mr Frye had disappeared, Evie sighed solemnly and guided you down once again to take a seat at the table.

"I am incredibly sorry for my brother's behaviour. He never used to be like this." she elucidated, reaching for the pretty white and blue toile decorated pot of tea.

As she decanted two lots of tea into the individual cups, you thanked Evie warmly and tried not to appear hasty with your question.

"Apologies if I am intruding, Miss Frye," you started, "But what happened to Jacob? He's sustained quite a few nasty injuries."

Evie paused a moment, the tea cup snugly resting between her two hands as she bore you an uneasy smile.

"Please, call me Evie." she started, "And it's fine. It is natural to ask these questions, it's not exactly like Jacob's injuries are at all discreet." The sister began to spin her intricate lies.

"He was unfortunately knocked down by a cab at the end of last year. Some crazed fool of a driver going too fast as usual." she sighed, her tone all but convincing. "It's knocked his confidence a lot. Hence why he's so bitter. All he does is stay cooped up in here all day, resenting the outside world."

You sadly listened to the 온라인카지노게임, aware of how such a freak incident could traumatise a person.

"My brother used to be such a character, so funny and witty. When we were about your age, it used to drive me close to insanity but..." her smile faded after recollecting such sweet memories, ".... Now I miss that impetuous idiot. I'm hoping with some support, that Jacob might return." she lifted her gaze to you hopefully.

Although you weren't wholly confident in yourself you would be able to get Jacob to like you, you were at least going to try.

"Miss Frye-" you stopped yourself, "Evie, I will do all I can to try and make Jacob feel happier again." you said with a defiant tenacity, taking a sip of the sweet tea as the sister rewarded you with a relieved and encouraged smile.

"Thank you, Miss (name). I have a feeling that once Jacob gets over himself, he will very much come to enjoy your company." she told you, something which made your heart glow and a smile blossom on your features.

"I very much hope that is the case, Evie." you replied, sanguine that you might just be able to make a difference for this brother who seemed to very much not like your presence at the moment.

Hopefully as time passed, you would find his attitude towards you might change... and maybe, he might even like having you around.

-

Proposition accepted, you assisted Evie in clearing away the tea set which she thanked you profusely for.

Upon seeing you out of the apartment, the Frye sister surprisingly followed you out of the door.

"One more thing I forgot to disclose, Miss (name)," she said, ushering you to follow her down the steps as she stopped with you in front of one of the doors in the foyer. "I wanted to check with you whether 'living in' is an option? I worry a lot about Jacob doing even the most simple of tasks."

You had been wondering about that, and her clarify on the subject only made you feel better about taking the job. Travelling up from Lambeth each day would be a costly fair.

"That's absolutely fine, Evie." you responded, "I've lived in with previous jobs and it has never been a problem."

As you had been talking, Evie had slipped the small brass key into the lock and opened up the flat for you. Instantly, upon the swoop of the door breezing upon - a draught of cool air gazed your skin. The sister instigated for you to enter, as you stepped into the apartment. It was freezing cold, and felt as if it had not been inhabited for quite some time.

It was essentially empty, bar the few pieces of furniture that decorated the place. A large bookcase, a bureau, a bed and the other basic living items like a table and chairs by the kitchenette.

"I hope this will be ok for you, Miss" Evie started, hanging back outside the door. "I trust once it's got a fire in and had some life put back into it, it would be most comfortable."

You turned with a smile, and nodded thankfully to Evie. You were able to look past it's currently glum and ghost like state to see it for what it could be, a comfortable place to say.

"I'm sure it will be just perfect, thank you once again." you made your gratitude clear, stepping back through the door as Evie locked it shut for now - and handed you the key with a keen smile.

"When would you like me to start?" you asked, palming the key and looking back at Miss Frye inquisitively.

"As soon as possible, I plan to leave tomorrow morning. Would it be unreasonable to ask you to start then?"

Tomorrow morning!? You brain suddenly kicked into gear thinking about all the things you would have to prepare, items and clothing you would have to move here. It was doable... just rather expensive unfortunately.

The woman had either read your mind, or respected and understood your situation. Without even saying anything, she reached into her pocket and shelled out some coins and notes.

"This should cover the cost of getting your things here, is that ok?" she asked, a selfless and kind gesture you much appreciated. You took the money with words of thankful gratitude, bidding your farewell and leaving with the excitement of the idea of the new adventure you were staring.

As you left the street and returned towards the main road, Jacob had drifted back down the street from his aimless walking and returned to meet his sister, who noted his still all but unhappy stare and did little at this point to try and appease it.

"Come, Jacob. She seems delightful. I imagine having some company will do you good."

He huffed, barging past his sister and heading upstairs, knocking shoulders with her in the process - so brash that it unsteadied Evie from her feet slightly.

"And I imagined being left to get on would have done me a world of good, but it seems my opinion on things no longer matter!"

She heard the door to his apartment shut, and Evie felt a wave of sadness wash over her entire being. Oh Jacob, her incredibly silly and amusing twin brother - all but lost to the tyrant that was Jack. Could he ever overcome this nightmare period in his life and begin to trust again?

Begin to realise that not everything would turn on him and hurt him?

Evie hoped that resolution might come with you.

-

a/n; ahhh I'm so pleased I've got these chapters out! My neck hurts and I've been writing for 4 hours straight but I wanted to give you guys at least something interesting to read before I get to updating this again.

Also Jacob will soon stop being a miserable bastard. You gotta admit angry 41 y/o Jacob is kind of spicy though ;)