Chapter VIII
A week after Thomas' accident he was back to business. I tried to persuade him not to but he wouldn't listen saying he had important business to take care of. During that week, I was surprised to see a sort of bond bloom between Polly and I. She was a mother figure and she even surprised Cil and I when she showed up on our doorstep with cake to share. We had a great afternoon talking and drinking tea. John and Arthur were now my personal bodyguard also. At the Pub, they were always ready to scare off men that were a bit too affectionate towards me. It was really sweet of them. And now that Thomas was back on his feet I hadn't seen him for a while. Johnny said that he was in London but made me swear not to tell Tommy that he told me. Said Tommy didn't want me mixed with all of this. Arthur seemed to agree. I… didn't really want to know what he was up too, but I was curious.
"Is Harry in?"
I looked up at the sound of the feminine voice. It was a woman my age. Blond with a heart shaped face. Her eyes were blue and her lips painted red. She looked out of place with her expensive coat and hat but it was her irish accent that surprised me the most.
"Harry isn't here. He got the day off." I say frowning.
What did she want with Harry? How did she know him? No offense to Harry, but she seemed a bit too high class to mingle with the likes of Harry.
"Did you want to leave a message for him?" I ask politely.
She was looking around the place and finally her eyes fell on me. She looked at me up and down and I could see the judgement in her eyes. She smiled at me and it was the fakest smile I'd ever seen.
"It won't be necessary, thank you."
She turned to leave, but stopped, looking back at me.
"There is a stain on the floor. Make sure to do your job properly."
And she left like that. What the hell? Who does she think she is? I continue cleaning the glasses frustrated and didn't see how everyone in the pub had been looking at the exchange nervously.
After I closed the Garrison, I made my way to the Shelby house. The interaction with the woman was still on my mind but I tried to push it away. Seeing Thomas would probably help cheer me up. Or so I thought.
Polly let me in with a motherly hug and directed me to the betting shop. Thomas was in talking with John. When he saw me he made a sign with his head toward his office and I let myself in after smiling at John. I put my coat on the chair in front of his desk and look around. His ashtray was full as usual and I emptied it, rolling my eyes. I placed it back on his office and that's when I saw it. The letter. I frown and took it without thinking. The writing was light and sophisticated addressed for Tommy.
"John is a pain in the ass."
Thomas had entered his office blowing smoke. I turned to face him, the letter in hand. He saw it and froze. His eyes were icy and locked on the letter. He then walk faster than I thought a human could go and snatched the letter from my grasp. He threw it in the fire of the chimney and stayed like that. Watching it burn.
"Who was it from, Thomas?" I ask shakily.
"Since when do you go through my stuff?"
His voice was cold and accusatory.
"I wasn't. I was just-"
"I didn't give you permission to go through my stuff."
"It was right on your desk! I wouldn't call that going through your stuff, Thomas."
Now I was mad. He didn't answer my question. He turned to face me.
"Why are you here?"
I look at him shocked by his tone.
"You know what? Forget it, I don't need that right now."
I took my coat from the chair and turned to exit but he took my wrist in his hand. It wasn't forceful, but he put just enough strength to stop me.
"Emma…"
He pulls me to him and hold me tenderly. I close my eyes, still mad. He is not going to get away with it. This attitude needs to stop. But I feel my heart melt as he caresses my back with his hand and he kisses my hair tenderly.
"I'm sorry I overreacted… the letter is nothing."
Then why did you burn it? But I didn't say it and I swallowed the uneasy feeling. Tommy let me go and looked at me.
"How was work today?"
I let out a breath and closed my eyes.
"It was okay. Harry had the evening off, so I opened and closed."
He sat on the chair in front of his desk and made me sat on his lap. I felt myself blush. Sometimes he did things like that and I didn't know how to react. We weren't a couple, but… he acted as if we were sometimes.
"I need to go to London for two days."
I look at him surprised. He never shares where he goes.
"I want you to come with me."
My jaw drops without my consent and I close my mouth self consciously.
"But… I can't leave like that? What will Harry do?"
"He'll do like he did before you came around."
I wasn't convinced.
"Emma, I want to take you on a proper date. In London, where there is jazz music at every corner. I want to see you in the night lights of London's streets."
I smile at him. A proper date. I nod my head smiling. He smiles back at me and stand up with me.
"Prepare your best dresses, we're leaving tomorrow."
When I returned home and told Celeste about London, she was not as excited as I thought she would be.
"London? Why go so far?"
"He wants to take me to listen to jazz music. Live jazz, Cil!"
She doesn't seem happier.
"I thought you wanted us to go on a date, Cil. I thought you would be happier…"
She sighs.
"I know, I'm sorry. It's just that… he doesn't have to take you miles away to go on a date with you. I'm just worried that's all."
"Nothing to worry about Cil."
She nods and smiles at me.
"So finally you got a special occasion!"
I laugh at her. I can't wait for tomorrow.
In the morning, I wake up with butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't wait for our date. I prepared myself for the trip a smile glued on my face the whole time. Celeste helped me arrange my hair in the popular style and she kept blabbing about how I needed to be safe in a big city like London. Even if she tried to pretend, I could see how worried she was.
"Don't forget to call me when you get there and tomorrow morning."
"I'm not a kid anymore, Cil, and you are not my mother." I joked.
"I know, I know… don't forget, Em, God is always watching."
"What the hell, Cil?" I say shocked.
"I'm just saying. Thomas Shelby is not the most pure man and you are a good christian girl. I just don't want you to compromise anything."
I bite my lips nervously. It did make me nervous to spend the night away with Thomas. When I was with him it seemed like I forgot a lot of things.
"I won't, Cil." I say when she was finished with my hair.
We heard the horn of Tommy's car and Celeste rolled her eyes.
"He could at least be a gentleman and come pick you at the door."
I ignored her and take my bag downstairs. James had left for work already and had say goodbye already. I opened the door to see Tommy leaning on his car, cigarette dangling from his lips.
"One last hug." said Celeste while she hugged me.
I hold her back and smile when she lets me go.
"I'll call you!" I say as I approach Tommy.
He meets me halfway and take my bag from me. He kisses me on my temple and tips his hat at Celeste. He opens the car for me and I jump in. As he starts the car I look back at Cil. she looks worried and I smile at her encouragingly. She smiles back and off I go.
The journey wasn't as long as I thought. Thomas was telling me about the many bars he went to there and how wonderful it was. He seemed so free with his unburdened smile. We chatted about John and his children also. He was struggling to keep them off the streets. Without a mother they were the wildest child I had ever seen.
"I could help out sometimes if he wants." I finally say.
Thomas looks at me.
"I never thought of that."
I look at him not convinced.
"Oh, please Thomas. The only reason you brought that up is because you know I have time during the day."
His grin is so precious that I can't help myself to kiss him on the cheek. He looks at me for some time and then place a hand on my thigh, squeezing. I bite my lips at the clench of my stomach. Remember, Em. God is always watching.
When we arrive in London, it was starting to get dark. Thomas parked in front of a townhouse in a really good neighborhood.
"Come on, we're here." He says as he exited the vehicle.
I look at the house shocked. He opens the door for me and I get out.
"It's yours?"
He nods.
"Bought it a few days ago. I offered Ada to take it, but she's stubborn."
"Ada?" I ask.
We got to the front door.
"Right, you never met her. Ada is my sister but she wants nothing to do with the Shelby name, so she moved to London. No luck for her, cause the Shelbys are coming to London."
I didn't comment on that and entered the house. The ceilings were high and everything looked expensive. There was a seating room wit a dining room attached. Further in the corridor, I could see the kitchen through the open door.
"The rooms are on the second floor." he pointed to the stairs at my left.
We took it to leave the bags in the bedroom. The bedroom had a huge bed in the middle and curtains around it. Through the window I could see the street. The bathroom was attached to the bedroom and in it there was a huge bathtub with taps!
I heard Tommy enter the room and joined him. I sat on the bed smiling.
"I love it."
"I'm glad." he says while he put down my bag on an armchair. "We should get ready. The reservation is at 5:30."
I nod and he exited the room, closing the door to give me privacy. I go to my bag and open it. I get the purple silk dress out and lay it down on the bed. I take out the green two pieces lingerie also and lay it down. I bite my lips nervously. Should I put it on? I mean, I didn't bring it for it to stay in my bag, but I was nervous about the implications of putting it on. I shook my head and got change without thinking about it. I applied a little bit of mascara. My heart was racing and I didn't know why. Tommy and I hung out tons back home. What's the difference?
"We need to go, Emma!"
He was at the end of the stairs and when he saw me in my purple dress I saw something flashed in his eyes. I went down the stairs to joined him and he offered me my coat. I slide my arms into it and he opened the door for us. And here we go…
