Chapter 25

"He's a fucking dead man!"

Ada jumped as Tommy stormed into the living room, taking them all by surprise.

"Who's a dead man?" John asked, lighting a cigar.

"That fucking husband of hers." Tommy raged. He moved to the window, resting his palms out flat on the windowsill. His head down. "It was him. He did this to her."

"Are you sure?" Ada got to her feet to lift Karl, who was now sobbing following his uncles outburst. "How do you know?"

"She remembers. Remembers everything. As soon as she's better, I'm taking her away from here. I don't give a fuck about Alfie Solomons. She'll get a job with me if she really wants to work but I am not leaving her here again. I'm taking her back to Birmingham with me where I know she'll be safe." Tommy fumed, lighting a cigarette. "John, she told me he warned her he wanted her back within twenty four hours or he'd come for her. I need men stationed outside this house at all times. Ada, neither you nor Sara, when shes up and about, are to go anywhere alone until I deal with this."

"I am perfectly fine and don't you think you should find out what she wants before you go making all her decisions for her Tommy?"

"Just do it. If he can't get to her, he may come for you. You're ever the diplomat Ada, but I am not in the mood. I won't rest whilst she's here and I'm there."

"Tommy, what do you see happening here? I know you're fond of her but you have no right to control her." Ada argued.

"I love her Ada and as soon as Lockwood is dealt with, things will be different." He declared.

Ada narrowed her eyes. "How so?"

"I'm going to marry her."

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Sara stirred as the sunlight hit her face. She lifted her arms and stretched as much as she could. Pulling the covers from her, she hauled her legs out of bed and rested them on the soft carpet. They felt numb and she almost felt for a second that she had forgotten how to walk. For the last two weeks she had been laying in bed, desperate to get up and about. Her body had recovered from the attack but her mental state left a lot to be desired. Every time she closed her eyes, she could hear his voice in her head. Pushing it from her mind, she pulling herself to her feet and took small steps across the room, lifting her dressing gown from the back of her door. She pulled it on and pushed her feet into her slippers. Opening the door, she started to make her way down the staircase, gripping tightly onto the hand rail as she descended. Stepping into the living room, she smiled at the sight of Ada playing with Karl on the floor.

"You're up!" Ada exclaimed, catching sight of her friend in the doorway. "Should you be up?"

Sara smiled, moving towards the couch and sitting down. "I'm fine Ada, honestly. I need to start getting up and about. I can't stay up there another minute longer."

"Do you want something to eat?"

Sara shook her head. She got to her feet again and took steps across to the fireplace, eyeing up the mirror hanging above it. She studied her reflection, satisfied the bruising and swelling had gone down. She started to feel more like herself again. Apart from the stiffness in her body from lying down for so long, she was feeling relatively normal. She examined the cut on her cheek which had eased considerably. "I seem to be collecting these scars on my face." She sighed, eyeing up the previous one James had left on her.

"Sign of living my brothers would say. Can't go through life without a few war wounds." Ada joked.

Sara's eye cocked to the side as she noticed the living room door open through the reflection of the mirror. A warmth of happiness spread through her as Tommy appeared. He hadn't gone back to Birmingham, choosing to stay with her until she was back on her feet.

"Sara! What are you doing out of bed?" he rushed towards her, wrapping his arm around her.

"Tommy." She laughed. "I'm fine, honestly, you need to stop worrying about me."

"I'll leave you two alone." Ada lifted Karl up into her arms and disappeared into the hall, closing the door behind her.

"Sara, come and sit down, please." He motioned for her to follow him to the couch which she did so dutifully. "I need to ask you something."

She sat down beside him, grasping his hand. "Whats wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong. But, it's important to me to know that you're safe. And here, is not safe."

Sara slipped her hand over his. "Then where is?"

"I would like it if you would come to Birmingham with me." Tommy looked her dead in the eye. He had been waiting for the right time to spring his proposition on her.

"Come to Birmingham?" She narrowed her eyes. "To live?"

He nodded, placing his other hand over hers.

"Where would I live?" she asked, innocently.

"With me." He answered, truthfully. He studied her as she considered his proposal. He could read the doubt in her eyes, and honestly, it hurt. He had hoped she would jump at his offer but he knew he had to give allowances for what she had been through over the last couple of weeks.

She squeezed his hand. "What about my job Tommy? I can't desert Alfie again."

"I can talk to Alfie. Once he knows the truth, he'll understand. And if he doesn't, then I'll make him." He pressed his lips into a tight smile.

Sara leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Thomas Shelby, what am I going to do with you?"

He ignored her rhetorical question and pulled her to him, wrapping his arm tightly around her shoulders. "Say you'll come with me."

"Ok."

He pulled away from her. "Ok?"

She grinned. "You heard me. But we can't stay with your Aunt forever. There isn't enough room."

"You let me worry about that." Tommy kissed her gently, satisfied at her agreement. He was yet to tell her that he had already acquired a house outside of the city for them. He just had one score to settle first.

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A few doors down, the sound of the shrill ringing brought him back to reality with a bang. Despite his warnings to Sara, he hadn't seen her since he had left her in the alley two weeks previous and he was growing increasingly nervous. It was obvious to him that she knew it was him who was there, but the lack of any knocks on his door indicated to him that she hadn't gone to the police. He tried to relax but with each day that went past, he was growing more and more anxious. Shaking the feeling of self doubt, he walked to the corner of the room and picked up the handset.

"Yes?"

"Lockwood?"

Yet again, Alfie Solomons' distinctive accent sounded into his ear. James sat down. He had been waiting a long time for this call. He hoped Alfie had some news for him. "Yes Mr Solomons, what can I do for you?"

"You can meet me at the factory at 9pm tonight. I have just had a conversation with your wife. She has been somewhat poorly this last couple of weeks so has been unable to work, however, she is coming to see me then. I suggest you do the same." He spoke, hanging up the phone almost immediately.

James placed the handset back down, smiling to himself. He knew Alfie would come through for him. He wondered what excuse Sara had given him as it was unlikely she had told him the truth. He thought to the forthcoming meeting. Finally, he would have Sara back where she belonged, and this last four months could be written off as a stupid mistake. Things would soon be back to normal.

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Alfie listened intently as the factory door closed. The last of the workers had gone home and the building was now eerily quiet. He tapped his foot on the wooden floor and glanced up at the clock. Almost nine. He waited patiently for his visitors to arrive, passing the time by pouring himself a drink. Settling back in his chair, he took a drink as he kept an eye on the door.

James Lockwood had made the short journey to Alfie's factory on foot. Part of him wondered if he would bump into Sara on the way. Perhaps that would make things easier that having to go through Alfie. But it wasn't to be. Eventually he found himself at the main door of the distillery. Taking in a deep breath, he pushed it open and took a step inside. The main room was dark and its emptiness almost took him by surprise. He had been used to it being constantly busy and seeing it so quiet like this was odd to him.

"Who's there?" the voice bellowed from the other end of the floor.

"Mr Solomons? Its James Lockwood."

Alfie appeared at his office door, cane in hand and hat on his head. "Ah nice to see ya. And right on time."

James made his way towards him, stopping as soon as he was a few feet away. "Where is Sara?"

"She ain't here yet. You know women, always runnin' fuckin' late." He chuckled. "Come through here I've got some bread you might wanna try."

Alfie led James away from his office and walked through one of the long winding corridors until he finally came to an old abandoned room. Pushing open the door, he stepped aside. "After you mate."

James cautiously made his way inside. The room was dimly lit and something about the situation didn't sit right with him. He turned as he heard the door close behind him.

"You seem tense mate. What's up wit' ya?"

"Oh nothing at all." James lifted the hat from his head and brought it down in front of him, nervously running his fingers around the brim. "It's just been so long since I last seen my wife."

"An' why is that? Why'd she run out on you? Didn't do her in did ya?" Alfie laughed. He caught James' attention as he did so and couldn't help but notice the sudden flash of remorse in his eyes. "You did, didn't ya?"

Turning away from Alfie's intense gaze, James took a breath, unable to look him in the eye.

"Ah I bet she deserved it mate, they all do." Alfie took steps towards him, choosing not to look at him as he passed. He made his way over to a table in the corner where a bottle lay on the table with three glasses. "Come on then, I promised you some bread."

James watched as he poured out all the glasses. Stretching out his arm, Alfie held the glass out to him. "Here's to your good health mate."

Taking the glass, James raised it up before taking the drink down his throat. His ears pricked up at the echoing sound of the factory entrance door slamming shut in the distance.

"That'll be our girl now. She's all 'ere for ya. Obviously realised wha' she was missin' eh!" Alfie smirked, taking another drink.

"Thank goodness. I just want to get her home and out of here. I think I might take her back to New York. She was happier there." James admitted, finishing his drink.

"Oh I don't doubt it mate. And 'specially to get her away from the likes of that gypsy scum Shelby. I don't know what the fuck she seen in 'im."

The door to the room they were standing in swung open and quickly slammed shut again.

"Yeah I fuckin' hate that Thomas Shelby."

A/N - Apologies for the shorter than normal chapter. Thank you to everyone who has favorited/followed and reviewed this story. I love reading all your comments so keep them coming!