Chapter Text
Bernie Wolfe is 27 years old and a doctor. She has lived in Holby all her life. She had just had a bad break up with her partner and she needed to get away. And she also wanted a change of scenery. Bernie's sister Rose was always asking her to come and live in London with her. Her sister owned a pub in the East End where she lived in the flat above it. So Bernie applied for a transfer to St George's hospital in London. Bernie gave up her flat and put her things into storage. Bernie got off the train and walked towards the exit.
"BERNIE." Rose called out as Bernie walked out of the station.
"Hey it's good to see you." Bernie smiled as she gave Rose a big hug.
"How was your journey?"
"Fine. I could murder a drink now though."
"Come on. My car is just parked over there." Rose grabbed one of Bernie's bags as they both walked to the car. "You are just gonna love it here I know you are sis."
"Let's hope so. So what's this pub of yours like then?"
"It's erm interesting."
"Interesting?"
"We have some right characters come in. You can have a laugh with most of them. But we do have some that you have to be wary of."
"What do you mean?"
"Well this is the East End of London Bernie. There are still quite a lot of gangs around here."
"I don't think I like the sound of that."
"Don't worry. Welcome to The Red Lion." Rose said as she pulled up outside a rough looking pub. "I've still got a bit of work to do on it."
"I can help you if you want."
"That would be great." They got Bernie's bags out of the car and went inside.
"Hey Rose, where have you been?" A man with a strong cockney accent said as they walked in the door.
"Alright Reg. I've been picking my sister up from the train station. Reg this is my sister Bernie. Bernie, this is one of my regulars Reg."
"Lovely to meet you Reg."
"You too love. I see you're a looker just like your sister."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"Anytime. Welcome to London."
"Cheers."
"Come on Sis. Let's get you settled in and then we can have a drink."
"Sounds good to me." Bernie smiled as she followed Rose upstairs. "You've got it nice up here though Rose."
"I wanted to decorate up here first. This is your bedroom. If you don't like it you can decorate it again to your taste."
"No, it's great." Bernie dumped her case on the bed. "Can we go down for a drink now. I'm gasping."
"Come on then."
Bernie sat down at the bar next to Reg while Rose poured Bernie a pint of lager.
"Are you going to be helping Rose in the pub?"
"Sometimes. But I'm a Doctor. I start at St George's in a week's time."
"You got the brains in your family then."
"Hey Reg, watch it." Rose laughed as she gave Bernie her drink. "You have to watch this one Sis." Rose laughed as the doors opened and two hard looking men walked in. The bar suddenly went quiet as one of them sat down. While the other one made his way to the bar.
"Now those two are the ones you need to watch out for Bernie." Reg said as he took a sip of his drink.
"The usual please Rose." One of the men said as he stood beside Bernie at the bar.
"Sit yourself down and I'll bring them over."
"Thanks. You haven't had any trouble have you?"
"No, No trouble." "Good. Just let us know if there is and we'll sort it." The man put £20 on the bar. "Keep the change Rose."
"Thanks."
"Who are they?
"They are Jack and John otherwise known as the McKinnie Brothers. You remember the Krays."
"I have heard about the Krays. They are a bit before my time, Reg."
"Mine too. But put it this way the Krays have got nothing on the McKinnie brother's. You'd do well to stay out of their way. And never cross them if you want to live to a ripe old age. And don't ever mess with anyone in their family. Especially not their sister."
"They have got a sister." Bernie said, intrigued.
"Yeah. I mean don't get me wrong Serena is a lovely girl. And she has been in trouble with the police a few times. But what do you expect when she is related to them two thugs. They are extremely protective over Serena. If anyone so much as looks at her the wrong way. They get a good kicking. Or worse."
"Bloody hell, Rose, I think I will catch the first train home." Bernie said as she took a big gulp of her drink.
"Reg, will you stop scaring her? The McKinnie's aren't that bad Bernie."
"It sounds like they are."
"They have always been fine with me." Rose said as she continued serving customers.
"Here she is." Reg said as a beautiful brunette walked in the pub.
"Who is that?" Bernie asked as she couldn't take her eyes off the young woman.
"That my dear Bernie is Serena McKinnie."
"That's the sister?"
"Yep." Bernie watched as the brunette sat down with the McKinnie brother's.
"Where have you been?" Jack said as she sat down.
"What's that got to do with you?"
"It's got everything to do with us."
"Before you start my interrogation, is there any chance of a drink?"
"I'll go. Do you want another Jack?"
"Yep." John stood up and went to the bar.
"Why didn't you come home last night?"
"I stayed at a friend's house."
"You mean your bit on the sides, husband was away so you stayed there."
"No."
"Come off it Serena. How many times have we told you to stay away from that woman?"
"What I do is none of your business."
"You are our sister. That makes it our business." John said as he sat back down.
"I'm 26 years old. I'm not a child."
"We know that."
"Then stop treating me like one." Serena picked up her glass and left the table and walked up to the bar. "Large Vodka and another Large Shiraz please Rose."
"Coming right up."
"Thanks."
"Bad Day, Serena." Reg asked.
"The usual Reg. My brother's are doing my head in thinking they can run my life for me." Serena said as she knocked back the Vodka. "I haven't seen you here before." Serena said as she looked at Bernie.
"Serena, this is my Sister Bernie. She has just moved in with me today."
"Nice to meet you." Serena smiled as she picked up her glass.
"Nice to meet you too. Reg, You never said she looked like that." Reg laughed as Bernie watched Serena walk back to her brothers.