Now we're are in the time of the first episode. The story will follow that guideline. Please review and let me know what you think! Also suggestions or predictions are always welcomed!

Chapter 4

Polly Shelby is never one to cross. I had learned that early on in my life. Ada and I would only ever listen to my mother or Aunt Polly. No one else could tame us while we wrecked havoc on Small Heath. Polly would find us whenever it became a nuisance and put us back on the straight and narrow. Her strength and commitment is something I admire, yet it can almost make you quake in your boots as well.

I didn't expect to cross her path so soon after my arrival. Church had been a bit of a haven recently. The silence had been relaxing and calming. I had never really accepted faith or religion. I had seen too much heartache and destruction, to actually believe in a god, but a church is sacred. Nothing can touch me while I am in these four walls.

"Well, well, looks like the lost Krane sister has come home again." The confidence and strength of tone in the voice gave away the identity.

She had dressed for church and respected the rules. A piece of black lace covering her head and face as a sign of respect. I didn't move from my kneeling position but made sure to reply with a light, "Hello Polly."

"Hello Love. You look well." She states as she takes a seat next to me while showing the sign of the cross.

"You do as well." I reply as I stood and took a seat in the pew. "How is the family?"

"Ada and Finn are doing well. I am sure you already know how the older boys are seeing as you talked with them both last night. Got an earful when they finally made it home." She gave me a slight smile. "Tommy asked a lot of questions. Trying to see if we knew anything."

"You didn't tell him?" I shot her look of fear. Polly couldn't be the one to tell him. Last night made me realize he either hadn't gotten the letter or had never read it.

"No, of course not. That is a secret that needs to come to you. He's thinking you didn't come back because of him. It's why he volunteered." My heart broke for a moment as she continued, "Are you ever going to tell him?"

"I wrote to him while he was in the war. He obviously didn't receive it." I had cried my eyes dry while I wrote it and it had been a traumatic experience. I felt my throat dry for a moment as I said, "I don't know if I can tell it to his face."

"He deserves to know. You were so sick. He thought you wouldn't make it. When you left, I could see he had convinced himself you would die. He built a wall. And once word came that you were healthy but not coming back. It pushed him over. The war hasn't helped either. He doesn't laugh anymore, but maybe there is a bit of the old him to find. If anyone can, it would be you." She places her hands on my cheek to keep our eye contact and says, "You need him to know so that way you can heal as well. Don't push it away. You've had your time to heal. It's time for you to grieve with him."

"I don't think I can do it on top of the shit with my mum." I could feel the warm tear fall down my cheek. "She's gonna die and it's going to be soon."

"I know, I heard but he needs to know everything. It's the only way you two can have a future." Her words cut a little deeper than I thought they could.

"I don't know if I my future has Thomas in it." I had never said those words out-loud before. They felt foreign leaving my mouth, yet it they flew out easily. "I'm sorry but I have to go take care of mum. Maybe we can have tea one day."

The following weeks flew by. Harry and I had decided that it would be best if I came in for a later shift and closed up for him. It meant I had more time with Mum while she is awake and Harry could get home to sleep. I had found my routine.

Since our last encounter, Thomas had been silent to me. His time mostly spent dealing with the business and hiding out in the snug. I understood the need for separation and felt relief knowing we would not be meeting anytime soon.

"A mild please. I need one after the news I heard." Ron, a regular, asked as he took a seat at the bar.

"What news?" I inquired as poured him a pint. "Anything happening down at the factory?"

Strikes were being whispered throughout all of Birmingham. Freddie and his communist cohorts were creating quite a stir.

"Apparently an inspector is being dispatched to clean up the city. A group of specialists from Belfast just arrived. Word is this inspector has been known to snatch Catholics from their beds in the middle of the night." He paused his story to take a drink. His eyes soften when he glanced at me and then continued speaking, "The Blinders won't know what hit them. I doubt they will get out of this unscathed."

"When will he arrive?" I asked curious when the shot storm will kick up.

"Tonight, apparently. We are all fucked." His voice is grave and quiet. I watch as his throat loosens and the rest of his glass is emptied.

My heart drops at the realization of what is coming. I had the urge to warn the family but I know all of them know more than me. My time with that family is over. I cannot be a little bird singing to them anything I over hear.

The Garrison is crowded and rowdy as the men blow off steam that builds up during the day. Most of them are veterans and are dealing with the effects of war. I could see the symptoms. My work as a volunteer nurse during my time living in London gave me view on the horrors these men faced.

All of them were broken in their own way. Danny Whizzbang is just the tip of an iceberg. More men will start to show the signs of war. There is only despair and grief left in them. Men who had love and success may be able to find their minds again but they will be lucky. Being around all of the death can't be undone or at least that is my opinion.

Earlier on the next day, I get the call I had been expecting. Ada Shelby wants to have tea. She had stopped by to see if I or my mum were up for it. I couldn't say no to my best of friend.

"Please tell me all about your grand adventures! The letters can only tell so much." She asked as soon as I sat down with the pot and cups.

"It really isn't that interesting." I shoved her inquiry away not wanting to speak about my past. "Tell me about what you have been getting up to. Are you still sneaking around with a certain someone?"

"Yes, but I am starting to get frustrated. Lately all he wants to talk about is what Tommy is doing. I feel like he either is just using me for a fuck or thinks I will give up family secrets." Her voice raises a bit in anger before she continues, "I'm a Shelby too. I won't be telling him anything."

"I am sure he has feelings for you because there are a lot of easy avenues for him to go if wanted a fuck. And with the whole Tommy thing, just keep it separate. He doesn't need to know and if he pushes you push back. You are Ada Shelby. No one fucks with her and walks away with their balls intact."

"You're right." She gives me a genuine smile and takes a sip of her tea and asks, "Tell me the truth. How are you? I know you talked with Polly and she said you were surviving."

"I have good and bad days. It's a little easier having Mum to watch and distract but I feel it still. Gets harder as the day get closer." Her hand reaches out and gives mine a light squeeze in assurance.

"If you ever need help cheering up let me know. We can cause havoc on all of Birmingham once again." She paused for a moment before continuing, "We just have to be careful with the new inspector around. Apparently he is after all the monsters that reside in Small Heath."

"Columnists, Blinders, and IRA, oh my!" I sigh back dramatically making Ada return with a smile. "Make sure Arthur doesn't fight too many people. I fear for his mind with how many blows to the head he's had."

"I can't make any promises. You know that lot." She rolls her eyes and we continue with another topic that is a lot lighter.

For the rest of the day nothing really happened until I was on shift and Thomas came in and requested rum. I slide the bottle and glass over to him and say, "On the house."

"I'll need you as well." His words are calm and strict as he pulls my hand and takes me around the bar. He yells word at Harry and then continues out of the Pub.

"Thomas, what are you doing? There a match today. We are swamped." I pull my arm towards my chest but he does not let go.

"Arthur's had the shit kicked out of him. Polly said you did nursing during the war. We need you to take a look." I pull my hand free and start to walk toward Watery Lane on my own free will.

Arthur's face looks terrible but most of the wounds are fairly small. Face wounds always bleed the worst or at least that is what a doctor told me on a shift. For some reason it always stuck.

His words were rambles while I cleaned and soaked his cuts. Thomas and the other stood around and watched as I slowly stitched up a few to make sure they would heal. Arthur didn't stop talking though. All of us knew what the inspector was looking for. Machine guns for the military and someone had taken them. Thomas face told me the answer. He knew and it would not be good for anyone.