A/N I'm sorry I haven't uploaded in a while! I hope you enjoy this chapter :) please let me know what you think!
The next few days passed quietly. Everyone seemed to be relaxing a bit more, not as tense as we were before. John, Lily and I were still staying at the Shelby house and Tommy and Arthur were busy making sure the pub was up and running for the coming reopening. No one had mentioned the house and we all acted like it hadn't happened, not wanting to upset Polly any more.
I was in my office at Shelby Brothers Limited when Tommy poked his head around my door, it was still weird seeing my name on it. "Have you got a minute?" He asked. I nodded, putting down my pencil and following him into his office. It was still slightly awkward being around Tommy alone. Despite our brief chat in London, I still couldn't shake the feeling the kiss meant more. I sat in one of the comfy chairs as he poured drinks. He handed me a drink before picking up a white file and handing it to me. I looked up at him as I placed it on my lap. It was a thin file and I frowned at Tommy. "Read it." he prompted, sitting in the seat beside me. I opened the file, resting my glass on the arm of the chair and reading.
"Who's Henry Johnson?" I asked, looking over at Tommy and taking a sip of my drink. "Keep reading." Tommy instructed. I rolled my eyes but continued. "Wait, so this Henry boy is actually Michael Gray, Polly's son?" I asked in disbelief, looking at Tommy again. He nodded. "You found Polly's children?" I asked. He nodded again. "Unfortunately, Anna has passed but Michael is still alive." he told me, downing his drink. "Well, that's great! Not about Anna, obviously, but Michael. You've got to tell Polly." I told him, closing the file. There was a pause. "Why aren't we telling Polly?" I asked, watching him closely.
"We don't know what the boy has been told and if Polly goes in there all guns blazing then she might scare him off." Tommy said, leaning back further into his chair. I watched him for a moment, taking another sip from my drink. "So why are you telling me?" I asked. "I want you to go meet him. Get to know him and see what he's about." he told me. "Why do I get the feeling that's not as Evelyn Shelby, head accountant, wife and mother?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "He's 17. I need Evie Michaels, fun, cute and innocent." Tommy replied, almost mockingly. "Evie Michaels was never innocent." I laughed. "He only lives a few hours away. He likes horses, it'll be your way in." he told me. "My way in? He's a 17 year old boy, I'm sure I won't have any issues." I responded.
"The aim isn't to seduce him, Evelyn." Tommy told me, matter of factly. "I am aware, Thomas." I replied in the same tone. "When do you want to go?" I asked. "Tomorrow. He spends Saturdays at the stables close to his home." he replied, putting a cigarette between his lips and lighting it. "And what do you expect me to tell Polly and John about my sudden disappearance for the day?" I questioned. "I've told Polly that we are going to see Alife Solomons again. You tell John the same and there will be no issues." He explained. "So you want me to lie to my husband?" I asked, my eyebrows raised. "Like you've never done that before?" Tommy countered.
The next morning I was up early, dressed in a simple knee length cotton dress and some scuffed calf high riding boots. I hadn't bothered with make up and had tied my hair into a loose braid that hung over my shoulder. Thankfully, John was still asleep when I left the Shelby house so I didn't have to hide my very casual attire from him.
Tommy pulled up in the car just after eight, knocking on the door once to let me know he was there. "Morning." I smiled, getting into the car beside him. "You look like you did before the war." He commented. "Morning, Evie. How are you today?" I mocked, putting on my best Tommy Shelby voice and raising my eyebrows at him. He didn't look amused and I rolled my eyes. "Wasn't that the plan? Look 16?" I laughed. "I guess so." Tommy conceded, starting to drive.
We drove in silence, I was tired after another night of hardly any sleep and had rested my head on Tommys shoulder. Before I knew it, Tommy was gently shaking me awake. "We're here, Eves." he told me, brushing some curls from my face. I blinked the sleep from my eyes, sitting up and taking in my surroundings. I quickly spotted the dark horse that Curly held on to. "You're letting me ride Monaghan Boy?" I asked, looking at Tommy. "Aye, he's retired now but could do with a good run." Tommy replied, opening his door to get out. I hadn't ridden Mongahan Boy for a few years. Before Tommy used him for racing, I had ridden him around Charlies yard. I had taught him the control necessary to be a winning horse as well as teaching him to jump, much to Tommy's annoyance. I followed Tommy out, taking his hand to steady me.
I walked over to the horse, with my hand out. "Evie! Evie! You're going to take him for a good run, yes?" Curly asked, grinning. "I am, Curly." I replied, stroking the horses nose. "Hello, boy. Hello." I whispered, looking into the horses chestnut eyes. "Thank you, Uncle Charlie. Curly." Tommy said, coming up behind me and effectively dismissing the men. "It's about a mile and a half down this lane. The stables will be on your left." Tommy told me, stroking the horses neck.
I nodded, checking the reins before moving to check the saddle. "Curly saddled him up so all should be good." Tommy said, a hint of a smirk in his voice. "I like to check my own tack, Tommy. You should know that by now." I laughed. "You ready?" He asked. I turned to him to see him watching me. I nodded, "I'm ready." I confirmed. He helped me onto the horse, securing my feet in the stirrups and holding him steady while I stood to rearrange my skirt, making sure it was trapped between my legs and the saddle so it didn't blow up as I rode.
"You're sure you're okay doing this?" Tommy asked, looking up at me. This was going to be the first time since the attack that I hadn't been in either of our houses or in direct sight of either Tommy, John or Arthur. "I'll be fine, Tommy. Honestly." I assured him as he handed me the reins. "Take this. I know you're handy with a gun but I'm sure you'll be alright with this." he told me, holding out a black switchblade. "Just try not to hurt Polly's son." he laughed as I took the knife from him. "I'll only cut him if he gives me reason, I swear." I laughed, tucking it into the side of my boot.
"I'll give you a couple of hours and if you're not back, I'll come down and shout for you." Tommy told me, taking a step back. "Okay." I replied, before squeezing my legs together and urging Monaghan Boy forward. He was easy to guide and picked up speed fast, I laughed as the wind whipped around me and I could feel the muscular horse below me. It didn't take long for the old race horse to cover the distance between the end of the lane and the stables. I slowed slightly as we came up to the stables, trying to subtly look to see if I could see Michael. I could see a young guy brushing a horse as I went past. I slowed Monaghan Boy up a few yards away from the gate and patted his shoulder as I turned him back round.
"Let's see if you remember what I taught you." I said, eyeing the small fence around the stables. I urged the strong horse forward, picking up speed before perfectly jumping over the fence. "Well done, boy. Well done." I laughed patting Monaghan Boy as we slowed to a walk. I guided him over to where the boy was. "Hi, do you work here?" I asked as the boy looked up at me. He had Shelby blue eyes, this was the guy. "No, I don't but I am here often enough. I could probably help you if you need anything." he smiled. "I'm Evie Michaels." I introduced, dismounting Monaghan Boy. "Henry Johnson." he replied.
He was simply dressed in slacks and cotton shirt. He was a few inches taller than me in my flat shoes and he had that Shelby air around him, even though he had no idea who he was. "He yours?" he asked, stroking Monaghan Boys neck. "Technically my brothers but he doesn't really ride anymore." I replied. "I was actually looking for somewhere to keep him. My brother is looking at a house in the nearby village." I lied, easily. "Well, would you like to have a look around?" Henry asked. "Sure, can I tie him up somewhere?" I responded, looking around. "Yeah, I'll take him." he said, taking the reins and leading him over to the nearest water trough.
"So, would it just be you and your brother moving to the village?" Henry asked, coming back to me. "Actually it would be me, my three older brothers, my older sister and my younger brother." I laughed as we began walking. "Wow! Big family. Your parents have definitely got their hands full with six of you." he commented. "My mum died giving birth to my brother and my father left shortly after. My aunt raised us. My eldest brothers, Tommy and Arthur, were old enough to look after themselves but she did a great job with the rest of us." I explained, trying to boost his image of Polly before meeting her.
"I'm sorry to hear that." he said, sounding sincere. I shrugged, waving my hand at him in dismissal. "Will your aunt be moving with you?" Henry asked, putting his hands in his pockets. "I don't think so. My older siblings have all grown up now, I'm pretty much independent and we all look after my younger brother. I think she'll be looking forward to the peace." I told him, crossing my arms across my chest. "What about you? Have you got any siblings?" I asked. "I've just got the one brother, well adopted brother. My mum and dad adopted both of us." he replied. "Oh really? What happened to your parents?" I asked, looking around at the various things he was pointing out. "I don't really know. All I know is that my dad wasn't around and my mum was an alcoholic." He responded. "That's sad." I replied, trying to keep the emotion off my face.
"Have you ever been interested in meeting your mum?" I asked. "Sometimes. Other times I couldn't care less. I just know the moment I turn 18, I am out of here." He laughed. "Really? Is it that bad?" I laughed, bumping my shoulder into his arm. "No, it's not bad. Just quiet, really quiet. But I guess that is probably going to change once you and your siblings move here." Henry smiled. "There is never a dull moment with us lot. You'll be begging for your quiet little village back." I laughed.
We wandered around for a while longer before sitting in the grass. We spoke about everything and anything as the sun shone on us. Henry was a lovely boy, he reminded me of the Shelby brothers. The natural cheekiness of John, Tommy's brains, Arthurs wish of a better life and Finn's shyness. He would fit in well with the family, if and when he decided to join it.
I don't know how long we had sat there but I soon heard a familiar voice calling my name. "Shit." I muttered, standing up and dusting off my dress. "I better go. He'll have my head if he sees me alone with you." I told Henry, quickly walking to where I could see Monaghan Boy tied up. He got up and followed. "Will you come back? If you don't move to the village, I mean." he asked, easily falling into step with me. "Umm… maybe. My brothers are very strict." I told him, untying the horse as Tommy shouted again. I expertly mounted the horse. "When are you eighteen?" I asked, looking down at him. "Next month." he responded, frowning slightly as he looked up at me. "I'll come see you for your birthday." I promised before riding off, mentally slapping myself as I made my way back up the lane.
My stomach felt heavy as Tommy came into view. I pulled Monaghan Boy to a sudden stop beside him, quickly dismounting the horse and running to the bush before emptying the contents of my stomach into it. Tommy was quickly beside me, holding back my braid and rubbing my back. I wiped my mouth with the handkerchief he handed me, standing straight and taking a deep breath.
