I am back. Will hopefully get this going again!

Chapter 7

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The next few days passed relatively quietly in Small Heath, there was no word or even a sighting of Ada or Freddie, despite Charlotte and Polly offering a small cash reward to help loosen tongues. Charlotte had also thankfully managed to avoid Tommy and his mood swings during the last few days. She did not want to be the one to break the news to him just yet that Freddie had vanished into thin air. The silver lining she supposed was that while Freddie was in hiding the police assumed he had skipped town, she reckoned Tommy would see this small blessing as more of an insult that his gang couldn't find the communist.

Friday night found Charlotte sat comfortably at the Shelby's kitchen table a half empty glass of gin in front of her. John and Arthur had both disappeared down The Garrison as soon as dinner had ended, she suspected to meet Tommy. John's kids were either upstairs in bed or playing quietly in the front room, leaving Charlotte and Polly free to catch up on gossip and the lack of progress in finding Ada. Polly who was sat opposite her was smoking the cigarillo's she favoured (when John was able to lift them off a van for her). The sickly smell of the cigarillo was making Charlotte's stomach turn but she said nothing, drinking more gin to ease the discomfort.

Their gossip about Nippers new misses was interrupted by Finn crashing down the stairs, Charlotte watched from her vantage point in the kitchen as the youngest Shelby rushed to put his boots on obviously intending to fly out the front door. Polly raised one sculptured eyebrow at Charlotte in question who shrugged in response not knowing why Finn would need to run out the door.

"Oi Finn, where you running off to lad?" Polly called out as she leaned back on her chair to catch sight of Finn in the front room.

Boots now tied Finn called back. "Im going to The Garrison Poll."

Charlotte snorted at the eleven year olds response, as Polly turned to properly face Finn. "Don't you think you are a bit young to be going to The Garrison love?"

"James said that Arthur, John and Tommy are all pissed in the pub singing." He replied looking agitated at missing what Charlotte assumed was the rare sight of his three brothers singing.

"You what?" Polly squawked almost falling of her chair, before she managed to resume her air of authority and call out more calmly. "Come here Finn and talk to me."

Finn seemed reluctant to come into the kitchen but must have realised he would get his ears boxed if he ignored Polly. "You sure they are singing?" Charlotte asked raising an eyebrow at the youngest Shelby brother.

"They are all singing." He emphasised the all as he looked between the two women pleadingly. "''Parrently the new bar maid has a voice like an angel. Will you let me go Poll? James is waiting."

Charlotte's good mood evaporated as Finn continued to plead with Polly, she blocked out their conversation instead mulling over what Finn had said about the new bar maid and the Shelby brothers singing. Tommy hadn't sung since before the war, when he came back he had always barked at any fool stupid or drunk enough to sing near him. A sobering sense of dread filled Charlotte.

Charlotte did not snap out of her daze until well after Finn had rushed out of the kitchen having sufficiently pleaded his point with Polly. Polly clicking her fingers at Charlotte alerted her to the other woman's questioning stare. "You all right love?" She asked

"Just thinking about the books Poll."

Polly knew perfectly well she was lying but decided to not call her out on it instead asking gently. "Is this about those drunken idiots and that floozy of a bar maid?"

"No Poll. I just need to finish the books, before those drunken idiots come back." Polly unscrewed the cap of the gin, filling her glass before gesturing the bottle at Charlotte who declined the offer with a nod of her head.

Polly must have realised Charlotte wasn't in the mood to get drunk and moan about the Shelby's as she gently said. "You know you can talk to me."

"I know. I just." Charlotte paused to rub her tired eyes. "My head is all over the place these days. The past, the future, the present. Eugh. I am going to finish the books and then go home."

"As long as you are sure love, don't stay too late." Charlotte did not bother to reply as she got up and made her way through the double doors into the darkened shop towards her office.

Once in her office Charlotte fumbled around in the dark finding a box of matches she ignited one and lit the lamp she kept on her desk. Now able to see clearer Charlotte took her sit and opened the large accounts book, flipping to the relevant page she ran a finger down the columns getting lost in her sums.

An hour or two must have passed when the slamming of the front door scared Charlotte out of her work. The sound of a chair scrapping and muffled laughter alerted her to the fact the brothers were sat in the kitchen talking. Sighing she knew she should leave and get some sleep. Standing up Charlotte stretched slightly before snuffing out the oil lamp and walking out of the office. She was about to make her presence known to the brothers when she heard John loudly proclaim. "I tell you what boys, I wouldn't mind having a go at the barmaid. Bet she sings just as nicely in bed. What do you think?" Charlotte paused a feeling of dread filling her stomach.

"She's nice enough to look at. Don't you think Tommy?" Arthur loudly replied.

Holding her breath she felt her heart thumping in her chest as Tommy finally said. "I can see her virtues." The other two Shelby brothers began to laugh loudly at this statement. Charlotte however had to clench one of her fists tightly to stop herself from screaming or crying.

"See her virtues." John scoffed as Arthur carried on chortling.

"We both know where he has been looking." Arthur responded his voice filled with mirth as he joined in on the joke at Tommy's expense.

"Careful Tom, lady like that will have you wrapped around her finger." John warned his tone both mocking and serious.

"Would that be so bad?" Tommy asked his voice sounding wistful to Charlotte's ears.

"I suppose you would get to see those 'virtues' more up close." Arthur sniggered in response.

Not wanting to hear any more of their conversation Charlotte decided she needed to get out of the Shelby house as soon as possible. Walking through the kitchen was no longer an option if she didn't want her cover blown or to end up strangling Tommy.

Charlotte decided the best way to leave would be the shop door. It would mean leaving without her coat but she figured it was a small price to pay. As she made her escape she spied a bottle of whiskey someone, (probably Arthur) had left on the main table. Charlotte grabbed the bottle as she headed to the door.

Bottle in hand Charlotte unlocked the door, slowly turning the handle while she prayed the brothers didn't hear. Once she was finally free of the Shelby home, she pulled the cork out of the whiskey bottle throwing it into the darkened night while taking a large mouthful of the alcohol. She began her walk home stopping to take large gulps from the bottle every few steps until it was finished. By the time she made it back to her own home she struggled to get her key into the lock for several minutes before stumbling into her small home. Not bothering to properly undress she kicked her boots off before passing out in her bed face wet with silent tears.

XXXXXX

Waking up the next morning head throbbing slightly, Charlotte once again went through the motions of washing and dressing. She placed her hair in its regular bun, securing it in place with her twin combs. Catching a brief glimpse of herself in the mirror, Charlotte barely recognised the tired looking woman who stared back, no wonder he fancies the barmaid she thought sadly looking at herself.

Leaving the house her mind was racing as she thought about the coming day and what she needed to achieve to finish balancing the books that night, while also considering her course of action in the hunt for Ada. She was half way down Great Barr street when she heard someone across the road loudly call out. "Oi."

Used to people calling out like this, Charlotte didn't bother turning as most people in Small Heath knew her by name, she figured they must be trying to gain the attention of one of the other people milling about in the early morning sunlight. The man across the street was persistent however, calling out again. "Oi you." His Irish accent was more pronounced as he called out the second time.

She turned to look at the stranger attempting to gain her attention. He was a middle aged man wearing a worn woollen suit jacket, she wondered briefly if he was another of Campbell's plain clothes coppers. "Woman." The man called this time beckoning her over.

Head thumping from her handover she internally debated ignoring him and carrying onto Watery Lane, however she knew if he was one of the inspector's men it wouldn't be good to be carted off again, especially in front of so many people. "What do you want?" She asked as she crossed the street, her left hand reaching into her coat pocket gripping the razor she kept there for reassurance.

"You the one that works for the Shelby's?" His accent while obviously Irish was not as thick as the copper that had taken her in the week before. The lack of a strong accent and the fact he kept glancing around worried someone might see them talking, made Charlotte think he might not be a copper.

Her theory was proven correct as she took a moment to size him up now she was closer. Looking at his clothes she noted oil stains on his trousers and around his finger nails, his hands obviously worn with callouses. Deciding he defiantly wasn't a copper Charlotte relaxed her grip on the razor, but didn't take her hand out of her coat pocket. "What's that to you?"

"I got a message for your employer Mr Shelby, some of us would like to meet him to discuss." He paused before lowering his voice slightly, even though no one was close enough to hear him add. "Some business."

Confident she was correct in her initial assumption that he wasn't a copper she removed her hand completely from her coat pocket. "Who is us?" She asked hoping to get some more information about this business, even though his accent was a bit of a hint to where his allegiance may lay.

"Me and some other Irish fellas."

Charlotte rolled her eyes at the obvious answer, hoping he would mention their agenda. "Right, and what business is it you wanna talk to him about?"

The man must have realised she was trying to get information out of him as he snapped. "Look lady, we will talk to your boss about that, just tell him if he is agreeable we will come to the Garrison Tuesday at noon."

"So you want me to tell Tommy Shelby," She emphasised Tommy's name before continuing. "That you." She indicated at him, "and a few other Irish fellas should be allowed safe passage into Small Heath to discuss business and you won't tell me what that business is." She hoped repeating it out loud would highlight how stupid and desperate their plan sounded.

"Right." He readily confirmed looking around again to make sure no one was listening in.

Sensing he won't be swayed and having neither the time nor the energy to argue with him Charlotte replied. "I will ask him, but I cannot guarantee he will grant your request. How will I let you know?" The last thing Charlotte wanted to do was talk to Tommy, she knew they really do not need the IRA causing a scene especially when things with Kimber and the Lee's are so tense. Then again it might be interesting to see how well the inspector was watching what was going on in Small Heath she mused.

"Tonight, I will come back and wait around nine. Nod your head as you pass I will know we are grand."

Charlotte nods her head in agreement to his plan and the Irish man quickly walks away not bothering to thank her for her troubles. She takes a second to gather her thoughts, realising that if a few Irish fellas are willing to ask to see Tommy, then news about the guns had spread quicker than they had anticipated and it was only a matter of time before things went south if they were not careful.

When she finally made it to Watery Lane, Finn answered the door stepping aside to let her in. "Morning Finn, Tommy around?" She asks noticing her coat is still on the hook where she left it the night before.

She watched Finn run his hand through his messy hair, obviously still half asleep he answers. "I dunno, I haven't heard him leave yet," Finn covers his mouth yawning before adding. "He might be upstairs."

Dreading the thought of facing Tommy after what she overheard the night before, Charlotte slowly made her way over the staircase, gathering her skirts into one hand she hears Polly slightly muffled call from the kitchen. "Morning Lottie."

"Ill be back in a minute, Poll." She calls back her hands feeling sweaty with the anticipation of seeing Tommy.

Knocking on Tommy's door Charlotte heard a muffled. "What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you." She called through the door as a knot of dread formed in her stomach.

"Come in."

Doing as instructed Charlotte walked in to find Tommy topless, holding a shaving brush while looking into the mirror. The door slammed shut behind her but she paid it no attention, her dread momentarily forgotten as she took a moment to appreciate the expanse of skin and muscle on show. Charlotte noted several scars that had not been there the last time she had seen Tommy in such a state of undress, whatever anger she had felt from his words last night was cooled at the reminder of all he had been through.

Finally looking up Charlotte found Tommy smirking at her, his grin showing he obviously enjoyed her appraisal of him. Rather than blushing like some catholic Virgin Charlotte raised an eyebrow challenging him to say something. "Well have you found Ada?" He prompted turning back to the mirror not rising to her challenge.

Leaning against his chest of draws she quickly remembered her intention for coming to his room. "Not exactly." Rather than making excuses to Tommy she decided to push ahead with her reason for disturbing him. "I had an unusual encounter on my walk in this morning. A man, Irish, think he hangs around the Black Swan, wanted to talk to me. He wants to know if you will meet with him and some other fellas to discuss business tomorrow at noon."

Tommy paused as she spoke, the brush he had been holding when she walked in remaining inches from his face. "He say anything else?" He enquired.

"No, " She meet his blue eyes in the mirror. "But we can probably both guess what this business is about."

"You thinking IRA?" He queried putting the finishing touches to his shaving cream.

"Without a doubt, but only a foot soldier at most."

Tommy switched from lathering up his face to picking up his razor, the room fell silent, Tommy concentrating on the razor while he processed her news and Charlotte watching him quietly unsure what to say next. She perhaps wisely said nothing as he nicked himself with the razor and swore quietly under his breath. Tommy resumed shaving quickly nicking himself a second time, this time swearing more loudly as he threw the razor into the warm water.

He fished the razor out of the water and had barely resumed when he cut himself a third time. Sensing his frustration Charlotte decided to finally break her silence holding out her hand "Let me." she said.

Tommy didn't hesitate in wordlessly passing her the dripping blade as he turned towards her lifting his chin up. Charlotte gently ran the blade over his skin remembering how she had done this before after lazy mornings spent in bed. Not a thought to dwell on now another part of her reasoned.

Tommy waited until she had turned to the water bowl to clean the blade before breaking his own silence. "Tell him, I will meet them. I can see what they know, find out what they think the guns are worth then."

"Right." She replied before they lapsed into quietness once more as she ran the blade over his exposed throat.

As she turned to the water once again he added. "Only two mind. Keep it manageable if things go south."

The blade clean she turned back to face Tommy to resume her task. "Probably for the best. How's the Billy Kimber business?" Tommy stiffened slightly at her mention at his rival's name.

He quickly relaxed replying. "We made enough noise that he sat up and listened. We are meeting him at Cheltenham. No news on Ada?"

Holding Tommy's chin she began running the blade neatly over his skin again. "I have asked around discretely for news, but Freddie has completely gone to ground."

Tommy waited till she paused to wash the blade again before replying. "Hopefully we will hear something soon."

"I'm assuming you haven't elaborated to Polly that the cops wanting Freddie gone was part of your deal with them."

"No and for the time being we should keep it quiet, she is already mad that we have the guns in the first place. I don't want her knowing our interests are mixed up in this."

Charlotte lifted his chin up to remove the last of the shaving cream when Tommy enquired. "Is it cold out today?"

"A bit, why?" She asked while running the blade along his skin.

"You left your coat last night. Must have been a cold walk home." Charlotte paused slightly the blade resting on his throat.

"I forgot it." She mumbled resuming her task as Tommy looked up at her searchingly with his blue eyes.

Washing the blade clean one final time while Tommy inspected her work in the mirror. He ran his fingers along his now smooth face musing aloud. "You always where handy with a razor."

Not knowing if his words where a threat or a compliment she decided to change the subject before she revealed she had overheard him. "What's the plan with Cheltenham?" she asked as she closed the razor handing it back to Tommy.

She sensed the shift in the room as Tommy becomes guarded once more at the mention of Billy Kimber. "We need to show Kimber we can do the job."

She knew he had more of a plan but didn't want to he must be playing it close to his chest to keep her in the dark.
The pair stood in a comfortable silence. Charlotte took a moment to let her eyes drift once again to his exposed chest and the few scars that she could see. "You have a few new ones." She found her hand moving of its own accord to the ugly scar on Tommy's shoulder from the Somme, the one he had never let he see. "It's worse than I imaged." Her fingers traced the edge of the scar tissue.

Tommy's hand cupped her own as he said. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Maybe not physically but we both know it haunts you every night still." She replied looking up at him.

"I never thought I'd come back a broken man." Tommy whispered a hint of defeat in his voice.

"There was a time I thought you'd never come back. You're alive and that's a start."

"Everyone always says I should have made fresh start after the war."

Confused she prompted. "A fresh start?"

"We have been dwelling on the past too long, we need to start to look forward." The dread began to pool again in Charlotte's stomach guessing what he was trying but failing to say.

"I am not sure what you mean." She replied not willing to give him an easy out.

"I have felt more alive recently. There has been a positive change in me." As he talked one of his finger rubbed her check fondly. He looked at her sadly. "Charlotte.." Tommy seemed to be internally debating something as leaned close his breath hot on her check as he whispered. "Love is fixing this broken man."

Before she could ask what he meant, if it was her or Grace he loved there was a crashing knock at the door as Arthur called. "Tommy when you're done fucking we got to go."

"Bloody Arthur." Tommy growled "I should get dressed."

"I'll leave you too it." She regretfully pulled her hand out of Tommy's grip

"Lottie, we will talk soon." She nodded not bothering to answer, as Tommy turned to dress himself. Charlotte left the room in a daze that lasted all day even as she nodded her head to the paddy on her walk home she couldn't stop thinking about Tommy's words. It was only as she lay in her own bed cradling a bottle of gin that she felt rationale.