Chapter nineteen: Dear old friend

Kate enters the house, nearly bumping into Mary. "Thomas is out on the lawn, if you're looking for him."

"Yes. He has the strangest company waiting for him." Mary makes a face. "Wouldn't give a name. Calls himself 'the wandering Jew'. Very strange."

"The wandering Jew?" Kate laughs. "Oh my goodness, I know exactly who that is! Where is he?"

"In the library."

Mary looks surprised as Kate hurries towards the library. She doesn't even bother to knock. She pushes the door open as she declares loudly. "Alfie Solomons!" he spins around in surprise. "You owe me a fresh challah loaf!"

"Well, if it isn't little Katie Kovach." He holds out his arms to her, offering her a bear hug.

"Little?" she snorts. "Don't be silly."

"Yeah, that's right. You'll be twenty-nine this Christmas. So, not so little anymore, but you'll always be little to me." He exhales as he pulls away from her. "So, what the f**k you doing in a place like this?"

"I live here."

He frowns. "Why? Last I heard, you was married and you're father disowned you."

"That's true, I was married, but," she inhales. "I'm a widow now."

His brow rises. "No."

"Yes, Mrs. Changretta shot my husband."

"Why the f**k made her do a damn thing like that?"

"It's a long story Alfie, but, she blamed me for her husband's death."

"Well, I heard that Mr. Shelby sent him home in pieces." He studies her carefully. "Were you a part of that?"

"No, of course I wasn't."

"I wouldn't have thought, considering you hate killing. So, what the f**k possessed her to do such a thing?"

"I saved his wife when she was shot. She blamed me for Thomas's reaction."

"Well, that still don't make any f**king sense."

"Do you think it made any sense to me?" she inquired quietly. "I ponder it daily and I still don't have the answer."

"I don't think anyone does." He studies her carefully. "Why didn't you come to me? I'd have helped you."

"I know that Alfie, but it all happened so fast that I didn't have much time to think." she inhales. "I lost my husband and my house within four days. Mr. Shelby has been kind enough to take me in after I saved his wife. He gives me an overly generous salary and I reside in a guest room instead of the servant quarters." Alfie's eye twitches slightly, just enough to let her know that this knowledge of Thomas's character will have an effect on whatever reason he's here. So, it won't hurt to build up Thomas up a bit.

Alfie nods his head, calculating something. "He's good to you, then?"

"Very good." She nods. "His family is very kind to me as well, especially his aunt and older brother, Arthur. I want for nothing and he paid all the funeral expenses for my husband and saved all of my belongings from the house when I lost it. He even bothers to personally make sure that I have anything that I may need."

The door opens and Thomas enters, he eyes them suspiciously. "Well," Alfie says. "I'll keep that in mind while I'm dealing with him."

"Alright." Kate smiles and hugs him again. "Nice seeing you again, Alfie. And make sure this one doesn't drink any alcohol while I'm gone."

"F**k off Kate," Thomas states. "and leave us men about our business."

"Not scary at all Thomas, work on that." Kate rolls her eyes as she heads towards the door, before pivoting and looking at Alfie. "He's on medication, so, don't let him drink…it's not that easy, but, I think you can handle it Alfie."

"You're going to leave us so soon?"

"I never want to know what he's up to. Frankly, it's better for my own state of mind." She smiles. "But don't worry, I want to see you before you go and make arrangements to get that challah."

He nods. "Right. See you in five."

"Ten." Thomas states.

She smiles, knowing the two of them are getting ready to square off against each other. "I'll see the two of you teddy bears later."

"Kate," Thomas grabs her arm, turns her towards him. "have you been drinking?"

"Of course I haven't! It's too early."

"Well, sit down or something, because you're just too…you're too much at the moment." Alfie nods in agreement.

She smiles. "Because unlike the two of you, I have a cheerful disposition and outlook on life. Now," she places her hand on his shoulder. "don't do anything too stupid, alright? And both of you boys behave!"

Thomas and Alfie say nothing as she steps out of the library. Thomas slams the door shut with an exhale, causing her to laugh before heading out to look for Charlie. She finds him running down the hall and after catching him, she takes him out for a walk outside. The two of them wind up playing tag in the front of the house. Kate manages to slip on the gravel several times, delighting Charlie as she managed to maintain her balance.

The front door opening drew her attention away for a split second; Alfie Solomons was coming down the stairs towards her. She smiled at him as she caught a hold of Charlie's wrist. "Business all done?"

"Yeah," he studies her. "You know, I don't think Shelby'd mind if you came home with me."

She smirks. "I'd mind and," she picks up Charlie. "this little boy would mind, I wouldn't make it past the gate without crying."

"Hmm, that may be, but," he lowers his voice slightly. "you won't have to stay here forever."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She demands firmly. "Is that a threat?"

He looks shocked at her suggestion. "What? No!"

"Alfie, I don't know what's going on between the two of you but please, promise me that Thomas will not be harmed."

"Why should I do that?" he asks. "He got his eye on you?"

"I don't want him harmed because he's been very kind and generous to me."

"Yet, if not for him you'd still be married." she inhales and flinches at his cruel reminder. "Sorry, I didn't mean that."

"Also, I love this little boy of his to pieces." she states. "He's already lost his mother; must he lose a father as well?"

"Lots of orphans in the world." he states. "He'd be one more."

"I'm aware of that Alfie, but I don't want this little boy to go through anymore than he has to."

"He ain't a good man."

"Neither are you, yet but of you have your moments of goodness." She exhales. "If not for the sake of his child, do it for me. he's one of the few people I have left that I can call a friend."

"You have me."

"Not if you hurt him." that works, she can see it in his eyes. "Please, can you promise me that no harm will come to him by your hand?"

He nods. "Yeh, I can promise you that."

"Thank you Alfie." She sets down Charlie for a moment so she can hug him properly. "And I intend to ask him the same favor. You're both friends of mine and I don't wish to see either of you hurt."

"I was your friend first."

"That you were. But Alfie…. I may work here, but they're….probably the closest thing to a family that I'll ever experience again in this lifetime."

"Oi, none of that." Alfie kisses her cheek, his whiskers tickling her cheek. "You'll marry again. I'd marry you myself but I know you'd never have me."

Kate laughs loudly. "Oh, Alfie! You and I both know we'd never make 24 hours into the marriage."

He nods. "What makes you think we'd make it to the ceremony?"

"Fair point."

"Thirsty." They glance down at Charlie, who's impatiently standing by her.

She nods. "Right, let's get you in." she kisses Alfie's cheek before picking up Charlie. "Well, I hope to see you again soon."

He nods. "See you soon Katie."

Kate nods. "Same Alfie." With that, she turns and hurries into the house. Polly is waiting there, cigarette in hand and a broad smirk on her face.

"Thomas wants to see you."

"Well, Charlie is thirsty, so, he will have to wait."

"Oh, I'll take him." Polly smoothly takes Charlie from her. "Oh, he's getting heavy now." Polly sets Charlie down and shoots Kate a secretive smile. "I wouldn't keep him waiting."

"Of course, then the world would get knocked off its axis." She says sarcastically as she moves towards the library. She passes John and Arthur before entering the room. "You summoned me," Kate says sarcastically as she closes the library door. "your majesty?"

"How the hell do you know Solomons?"

She blinks. "Wow that was rather out of the blue Thomas."

"Just answer the question. I saw you two kiss each other," Thomas comes around his desk towards her. "so, that says a lot."

"Such as?" she demands, growing indignant at his line of questioning. "I've known him since I were a child and we've remained friends for almost twenty years now. as a matter of fact, Alfie was the very first boy I ever kissed."

Thomas blinks in surprise. "Him?"

"Yes." She smiles. "Alfie is a very handsome man, underneath all that beard, and he was a darling boy."

He shrugs. "If you say so."

"Thomas Shelby," she crosses her arms. "are you jealous?"

His eyes flash. "I am not."

She doesn't buy that, completely. "Then kindly explain how my personal business is now your priority."

"Look, I run a business here and right now," he says firmly. "Solomons are I are trying to work out a deal. My concern is, do I have to worry about you telling him any plans I have going down?"

"First off, I don't listen in at keyholes, so I wouldn't know whatever it is you have planned with him. second, I wouldn't go telling him anything, because doing so would put you in even more danger. I will not be responsible in anything that may result in Charlie having to endure the loss of you."

He's silent before nodding. "So, I can trust you."

"Yes." He clears his throat before moving towards the library door. "The family will be here for the night. Keep an eye Esme and Linda. Make sure they don't kill each other."

"I'm only human, but I'll do my best." She clears her throat. "Where are you all going?"

"Business at the Petrovna house." Kate blinks in surprise. Thomas avoids her eyes. "It's really business Kate."

She nods. "So you say, I'm aware of how their business operates." He exhales, clearly expecting her to argue with him. however, she doesn't. she runs a hand down his arm. "Be careful and please, don't consume too much vodka. It's really not good for you."

Somehow, that takes the wind out of his sails. He bites his lip before nodding. "No more than two glasses, eh? That work for you?"

She nods with a smile. "Yes, yes it does."

"I'll bring you back a diamond or something."

"Actually," she says. "I'll settle for all three of you coming back safe and sound."

He nods. "Right, I'll see you later."

Kate doubted that she would see him. The moon would get in his eyes and Thomas Shelby would once again be under the spell of Tatiana Petrovna. And then this whole thing would start all over again. Again, she would be forced to decipher unfamiliar feelings in regards to Thomas Shelby, which she didn't want to do again.

Alreadyafan: I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Idcam: I know, but we know those two. They're still going to have their spats.