Two hours later, Lidia was awake again. Unable to sleep, she slowly got out of bed and walked to the nursery. She ran her hand along the crib, feeling the smooth wood. She looked at the small clothes she had already purchased, and the rocking chair Alfie had bought for her. She picked up one of the children's story books and sat in the rocking chair. She began reading the story aloud as she rubbed her stomach. After a little less than an hour, she stood, feeling anxious.
She walked to the sitting room, not wanting to sit, and looked out the window. The sun was just beginning to light the sky. Wanting something to occupy her anxious energy, she walked to the kitchen and began to cook breakfast. It was early and she knew Alfie wouldn't be up for an hour and a half or so, so she began making an apple babka. Another 50 minutes passed, and she started feeling uncomfortable.
Thinking she had been on her feet too long, she set her baking aside and sat in the dining room.
"There you are. What are you doing in here?" Alfie asked.
"I wanted to make you a babka, but I've stood too long."
"Mm." Alfie responded as he kissed the top of her head. "Edna can finish it when she gets here. I've got a meeting in Birmingham today."
"You're going to Birmingham?" She asked as she looked up at him.
"Yeah, business I started before you got back. I'll be back this evening though."
Lidia couldn't explain why him being gone made her nervous, but it did.
"I want to go with you." She said as she stood and followed him to the sitting room.
"What?" He laughed. "You're not going."
"Why not?" She pressed.
"Because I'm going for business. You don't need anywhere near that right now. Not to mention you're fucking pregnant. The drive alone will make you hurt."
"I want to go." She urged.
She knew she needed to be with him today, though she didn't know why.
"Out of the question." He said shaking his head.
"Please! I'll stay in the car, the Brummie won't even know I'm there."
"Lidia, it is a long drive-"
"Exactly! There's a madman out there and you're leaving me here, hours away. What happens if he finds out you're gone? You think he won't try to come here?" She said, thinking this was the reason for her anxiety.
"If you're afraid, I can leave Ad-"
"I don't want Adam, I want you." She said with a look of authority. "I am going to Birmingham. So, make room in the car for your pregnant bride."
Alfie's eyes softened when she referred to herself as his 'bride' and he sighed. "I don't know how long my meeting will be. You may be sitting in the car for hours." He tried to argue.
"I'll pack something to eat and a book."
She pressed him until finally he agreed.
Lidia sat in the car next to Alfie on their way to Birmingham. Every forty minutes she would shift, feeling uncomfortable.
"Are you alright?" Alfie asked.
"Yes, I just can't get comfortable." She said, pushing back the reality of what was happening.
By the time they arrived at Tommy Shelby's large estate house, Lidia had begun feeling a deep throb in her lower abdomen. She didn't tell Alfie, however, reasoning within herself that she was imagining things.
"I'm going in. These two are staying out here with you." He said motioning to Adam and Ishmael, the only two men that came with them.
Lidia nodded and Alfie furrowed his brow at her, seeing something in her eye. He got out of the car and looked at Ishmael, "keep an eye on her." and Ishmael nodded.
Alfie went in and he and Tommy talked business longer than Alfie had originally anticipated. Outside, Lidia got out of the car.
"You told Alfie you wouldn't get out of the car." Ishmael said as she slid out.
"I lied." She said as she took a few steps, discomfort evident on her face.
"Are you alright?" Adam asked.
"I'm fine." She said, as the pain she had anticipated set in on her stomach.
"Where is he?" Rosalie asked one of the younger men at the bakery sweetly.
"He's gone to Birmingham." The naïve kid answered.
"Oh?" She said, breathing tight.
"Yes, he set off this morning."
"Business?" She asked.
"I think. No one tells me anything. I just mark the barrels."
"You think?" she pressed, "Why else would he go to Birmingham?"
"I know Lidia went with him so, maybe personal." He shrugged. "What was your name again?"
"Was he taking her on holiday?" Rosalie asked, her sweet voice cracking.
Before the boy could answer, Ollie walked up. "Go on Rosalie. You know you aren't supposed to be here."
"I will go anywhere I damn well please!" She spat.
"Not here. Alfie's orders."
"Alfie's orders? No, your sister has him confused! The fucking-"
"Don't be nasty simply because he doesn't want you anymore." Ollie said with a pitying shake of his head. "Go on. Don't come back."
That was all it took. Rosalie screamed in his face.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Ollie asked as he backed up a step.
"I was the one he wanted all this time. NOT her!" she yelled.
"Rosalie, are you fucking mental? Go home." Ollie said. "He doesn't want you anymore!"
Rosalie looked at him, then at the young man and she turned and walked away.
Lidia had packed a light lunch for herself, not knowing how long the day would be and as she started to eat, she felt better. Her pain lightened a bit as she relaxed. Maybe you were just hungry she said to herself.
Time went on and her pains came back, though she tried to hide it from the men. The pains were far enough apart she felt confident she could make it back to Camden Town without saying anything.
"Get in the car, Lidia!" Ishmael hissed and Lidia looked to see a car coming up the way.
Lidia got in the car and shut the door and Ishmael and Adam watched from the outside, their shoulders squared as a woman with pursed lips a few years older than Alfie and a woman younger than Lidia got out of the car. The older woman eyed the men as she walked in the house.
"That's why he didn't want you to come." Ishmael said.
"Why? Who are they?"
"Shelbys." Adam said with a shrug. "Can't trust them."
"Then why is Alfie doing business with them?" Lidia asked.
"Alfie trusts Tommy. I don't know why." Ishmael said.
"Trust is a bit strong. They respect each other." Adam corrected.
Lidia paced outside and eventually the younger woman walked out.
"Hello." She said to Lidia and immediately the two men stood in front of her. "I'm sorry." She said quickly. "I just thought you might want some tea or a biscuit?"
"Why?" Lidia questioned, her guard up.
"Because I remember what it was like being pregnant and standing outside all day is not pleasant, I'm sure. And I had to wee all the time." The woman laughed.
"Ada." The older woman came out and said. "I told you she wouldn't. Now, come in."
"Well, if you change your mind." Ada said to Lidia before she turned around.
"Wait!" Lidia yelled. Both women and the two men turned and looked at her. Lidia looked at the men, "I need use the toilet." She said before she took a step toward the house.
"No." Ishmael said, shaking his head. "Alfie will murder us on the way home and leave our bodies in the fucking field if we let you go in."
"Unless you want me to wee on your foot, you'll let me go in." Lidia said before she walked past him.
The two men stood outside, looking nervously at one another. Adam took a step forward and the older woman put her hand up. "Not you. You two stay outside." She ordered.
"Lidia…" Adam warned.
"Relax. She'll be fine." The older woman said before she turned and followed the other two inside.
"I'm Ada." She introduced herself and held out her hand as they walked.
Lidia looked at her hand then up at her face and said, "Lidia." Without accepting her handshake.
"This is Polly." Ada said pointedly at Polly.
Lidia didn't respond, she simply wanted to use the toilet. She sat and did her business and as she stood, she noticed blood. The realization that her child was coming set in and she wanted, more than anything, to tell Alfie. She walked into the sitting room and found the two women.
"Please. Sit." Ada said with a kind smile.
Lidia did as Ada asked for a moment before another shooting pain hit her, this time in her back. She stood again.
"You don't have to be nervous." Ada said. "It is curious though, no one Tommy does business with ever brings their pregnant…..?" She said, inquiring about Lidia and Alfie's relationship.
Lidia examined her and finally said, "Fiancé."
"Oh. Congratulations." Ada said kindly.
"Is that Alfie's child?" Polly asked.
Lidia turned and looked at her. "I should go outside."
"No, wait. It must be extremely uncomfortable." Ada said again.
"Why do you care?" Lidia retorted angrily as another pain rang through her lower body.
"I was just trying to be kind." Ada said, taken aback.
"Well, if Alfie finds me in here-" Lidia stopped speaking and closed her eyes as the pain that ran through her took her breath away. She bent over slightly and released a shaky breath.
"Are you alright?" Polly asked. "Are you in pain?"
Lidia looked at Polly in defiance. "I'm fine. I'll wait outside."
Polly eyed her suspiciously but let her proceed to the exit.
"Lidia?" She heard Alfie said behind her and she turned. "What the fuck are you doing?" He asked.
"I had to use the toilet." She confessed.
She could see the frustration and irritation in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I just-" She said before she stopped, breathless again.
She put her hand on her stomach and Alfie rushed to her.
"What is it? What's wrong?" He asked.
She looked at him and took a couple short breaths. "I think I'm having the baby."