"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them." Carrie Bradshaw.
She was far too free and wild for a good man.
Those were the words circling in Adele's mind since the man Shelby left. After their conversation, Adele could definitely say that she still had more questions than answers. She thought she hated him. And even…
God, she was fucked up!
She never thought she would ever be able to feel sympathy again. Except for her patients. And yet, she had felt sympathy for him. Thomas Fuckin 'Shelby. She didn't quite know how he had done it, but he had managed to squeeze under her skin. Little by little, he had planted seeds in her mind and now she found herself hearing his bloody deep voice in her head.
She clenched her jaw at the thought of it before suddenly rising from her still steaming bath. She ignored the condensed drops of water slowly flowing down her naked body. She stepped over the copper tub before pulling out the towel she had prepared for her outing. She quickly wrapped it around her hunched body, the pronounced feminine forms mingling with her athletic limbs.
Adèle was not one of those skinny girls. She was tall with elongated, firm limbs. She got it from her father according to her mother. She hated the idea.
She took her time to put on her garter belts, a bra, a pair of elegant black stockings and finally her designer silk dress straight from Paris.
A gift for her, made by herself during one of her rare leaves in the capital.
It was a midnight blue and made of silk and canvas from start to finish. There was a belt marking her waist and a slight v-neckline. The shoulders were puffed up and the hem of the dress came out slightly in a flared curve. It was probably one of her most precious possessions. With the famous dress of the races obviously. Surprisingly, she hadn't had the courage to burn it. So she just hid it in the cover again. Then it would be a waste to throw such beauty in the garbage. Harriet had taken a long time and sweat to create this piece.
Adèle would be ungrateful to throw it away. Right?
Right.
She shook her head for the umpteenth time as she walked over to her small vanity before pausing to observe her reflection. She noticed the dark circles first. They were still there. It has become a habit now. And yet, she couldn't really accept seeing them this morning. They just reminded her of a whole different person.
Without warning, she felt a whole new itch along her fingers. She swallowed as the image and memory of the feel of Thomas' skin against hers resurfaced in her mind.
She still remembered his expression. It was almost as if he had leaned into her touch. Almost as if ...
No, no, no ...
Adele shook her head sharply in awareness before sitting down dryly at her vanity to hide the dark circles. She will sprinkle all over her face, paying special attention below her eyes. She even went so far as to define her gaze a little more with the famous trendy charcoal line.
Once satisfied with her reflection, she raised her right hand to remove the brooch keeping her hair from getting wet. Her dark brown curls immediately fell down her back like a waterfall. She gathered her curls around her shoulders and her face before taking some time to observe the end result.
Adele was not vain enough to think of herself as pretty. Not at Grace's level at least. She was simple, even banal. And she was happy with it. She liked the simple and the mundane. It kept her from drawing too much attention to herself. Especially in a city like Small Heath. Blondes always had a knack for standing out more than brunettes with dark eyes. In contrast, her defined square jawline and high prominent cheekbones were what made her stand out from the crowd. They made her look almost mischievous.
Her mother had told her once that she had little dimples when she laughed. It was the most precious thing she thought.
Adèle let herself be lulled by the memory. She forced a smile on her lips, hoping to appear youthful and hopeful again. Unfortunately she only found a blank stare looking at her directly through the mirror. She immediately lowered her lips in a straight, neutral line.
Letting a weak sigh already weary of the day ahead, she closed the clasp of her wristwatch around her wrist before standing. She slipped on her pair of black heeled pumps with a thong up the top of each foot before finishing around each of her ankles.
She walked steadily through the upstairs hallway and past her brother's closed bedroom before finally reaching the stairs. She made her way into the kitchen.
However, it wasn't long before she suddenly paused at the sight of the woman already sitting at the table with her mother. Each woman had an empty cup of tea in her hands.
Adele held back the urge to roll her eyes in the realization.
These bloody superstitious women!
"Hello, Adele!" Polly greeted cheerfully, looking strangely happy this morning.
Adele gave her a nod of recognition before heading to the oven and stove to make some tea."Mornin' Pol."
Polly instantly arched an eyebrow as she looked at Lucinda over the cup of tea she was reading."What? No, "Mornin 'Ma?"
"Don't mind, Polly." Lucinda sighed dramatically as she casually inspected her cup of tea."My ungrateful daughter decided not to speak to me again. She's still not over the fact that I agreed to do business with one of your nephews."
Adele instantly pursed her lips in annoyance as she poured herself a cup of ginger and purple tea before leaning against the nearest counter to take a sip.
"Not that it touches me very much." Lucinda continued."She would have to deign to go come more often for this to bother me. Luckily I trust her or else I might start to worry."
Polly let a crooked smile on her lips as she glanced over her shoulder at Adele."I felt you. Who would have thought that it would be the women who would be the hardest to raise? Look at my Ada."
Despite the thoughts of the two women at her expense, Adele couldn't help but jump at the chance."Ada? Have you heard from her?"
Polly lost her smile somewhat as she shared a brief look with Lucinda before letting out a low sigh as she nodded her head.
"Well? Is she okay? What about the baby?"
"I saw Freddie the other day." Polly explained as she set her teacup down on the rickety table before turning to Adele. The latter hastily settled into the last chair available."They're still in town. This pig's head doesn't want to go. Thomas said he was going to take care of it from now on."
Adele instantly widened her eyes."Have you lost your mind? You can't decently tell me that you sincerely trust him to handle the situation? He's obsessed with power!"
"Mhm…"Her mother suddenly chirped in objection before sharing a secret smile with Polly."It seems like he's not just been interested in power lately."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Adele snapped immediately on the defensive.
Lucinda shrugged nonchalantly."I'm just saying I doubt he'll buy anyone a dress. Ask Polly."
"It's just a dress." Adele muttered, feeling a light blush down her cheeks. The memory of her conversation with Thomas popped up again behind her eyes.
That simple look suddenly caught Polly's attention. She narrowed her eyes on the brunette acting strangely like the young girl she once was. Even the powder down her cheeks couldn't wash away the light blush adorning her cheeks."Look at me."
Adele paused with an arched eyebrow as she turned to Polly."Huh?"
"Look at me!"Polly demanded suddenly as she abruptly took Adele's face between her index finger and thumb to hold her in place.
Lucinda immediately paused to watch the duo with mild curiosity.
Adele felt her heart race without her permission at the sight of Polly's intuitive gaze. It was as if she could suddenly look straight into her soul. Her deepest secrets revealed with just one look.
Clearly agitated by her inspection, she quickly nodded slightly to free herself from her claws."The fuck, Pol?"
"Adele." Warned Polly. The brunette swallowed as she gave her mother a furtive glance before turning nervously to Polly in utter confusion. She definitely didn't like her pointed gaze."Did you fall for Tommy?"
That said, all traces of nervousness immediately left her system at her ridiculous question. She cracked a little smile."You're joking?" At the sight of Polly's deadly serious expression, Adele turned to her mother, pointing at Polly as she continued to fight the threatening laughter slipping from her lips."She's bloody joking, right?"
Lucinda winced as she shared a surprised look with Polly. It wasn't quite what she expected. Polly was one of her closest friends and she generally believed her predictions without a doubt, but her daughter ...
Unsurprisingly, Adele ends up giggling. She even brought her arm around her belly so much the laughter hurt. The two women were surprised to hear this sound from the girl again.
Even though Polly was still watching her closely, she found herself doubting her conclusion.
Adele was now fighting the tears running down the corners of her eyes so she was laughing so much. She tried to calm her erratic breath anyway before wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She instantly changed her expression as she turned sternly to Polly with a scowl."Have you lost your damn mind? Like you don't know I'm just a fucking pawn in his goddamn plan! "
Polly winced imperceptibly at the mention of the plan before taking the cigarette from her lips to point to Adele."Believe me, I hit him for that. He was stupid. But his plan worked."
"Really?" Adele breathed in surprise in spite of herself.
"Mhm, mhm…" Polly frowned cheerfully as she nodded, her eyes riveted on the tea leaves as she still tried to discern Lucinda's uncertain future."As of this morning, The Shelby family has pitched its first legal racetrack. We have become legitimate, Adèle!"
Adele felt a small smile melt on her lips. Only she was quick to quickly hide it as she swiveled slightly in her chair with a scoff."Yeah, right. But at what cost ?"
"Everything has a price, my dear." Polly recalled gravely, sharing a look with Lucinda."And the women around this table know that better than anyone."
Adele pursed her lips at her truthful words before letting out a long sigh."But… seriously, Polly? Do you really trust him for Ada?"
"Thomas is a smart man. He's also a thief and a gambler."Polly listed in agreement before turning her head to Adele to meet her gaze."But he's not heartless. Believe me, he wasn't always like this."
"I know." Nodded grimly Adele eliciting surprised looks from the two women."Believe me, I know better than anyone."
Polly gave Adele a rueful look before suddenly turning her head towards the kitchen entrance as the second child of the Fitzpatrick household made his way into the room.
Well, to be honest, Seamus Fitzpatrick hadn't been a child for a while. She had watched him mature and hatch into a handsome boy. He was always polite and respectful, but she also knew he was hiding as much rage and anger as her nephews. He might not have been in the war, but the fact that his whole family had stepped on him at one point made him harder, colder.
However, she was definitely used to seeing him much more composed than he was now. He seemed to come straight out of bed, his mass of hair above his head still flattened over his forehead and his suspenders hanging around his hips.
"Can we find out why you're not dressed yet?" Adele snapped hard.
Seamus rolled his swollen eyes visibly still tired from his lustful activities of the night before before yawning loudly as he walked over to the stove."Where's the coffee?"
"Where's the coffee, please?" Adele reiterated, pressing the polite note before getting up to push her brother towards the chair she had just left.
Polly watched with a small smile at the affection shared among the siblings despite everything. She watched as Adele began to brew her brother's coffee as the latter settled into the chair with a smirk.
"So Pol, what are the tea leaves saying this morning?"
"The tea leaves say… we have become legitimate." Polly confided mischievously leaving Seamus to smile broadly.
He slammed his fist on the table in excitement."Holy shit! Tommy did it!"
Adele instantly slapped him on the back of the head before giving him a warning look as she set his mug down on the table."Don't be cheerful. This isn't all of that for you."
"How could I forget ?" Seamus growled, sour."You made sure you got me kicked out of the Peaky Blinders."
"And I paid dearly for it." Adele immediately warned as she picked up her cup again before leaning back against the counter to take a sip."You should at least be grateful."
"Grateful?" Snorted Seamus. "The hell am I supposed to do now?"
"Ma and I have put aside enough to offer you a course in college." Adele suggested."You might consider going back to school. Obtain a diploma to start a respectable business. London has plenty to offer for a young man as intelligent as you."
Lucinda winced immediately as she shared a discreet look with Polly. Unsurprisingly, Seamus left a dismissive scoff."Are you fucking serious? I'm not like your little posh! Besides, if London was that good then why did you come back, eh?"
"Because you begged me." Adele replied coldly.
A heavy silence fell almost immediately as Seamus fell lightly back into his chair in shame. He was the one who had asked her to come back. And yet all they seemed to be doing lately was fighting. He hated it.
Ignoring his sister's intense gaze piercing his back, Seamus awkwardly cleared his throat before giving Polly a hesitant look."So, um, how is Arthur doing with the Garrison?"
"Have you legally acquired the Garrison now?" Scoffed Adele.
"A gift from Tommy for Arthur."
Adele rolled her eyes before mumbling against the rim of her cup."Right. Surely a gift to make him swallow the fact that he took his place."
Polly smirked anyway."Arthur thinks Tommy's got soft."
"Poor Arthur." Tutted Adele while shaking her head. "So naive."
"But you're not." Polly said with her eyebrows raised, a secret smile curving her lips.
Adele paused with the rim of her mug against her lips as she held up Polly's pointed gaze. She lowered the cup to her lips with an arched eyebrow."Do you want to tell me something, Pol?"
"Have you finished your tea?" She asked instead. Adele looked from her empty cup at the woman sitting around her kitchen table."Come here. Let me read your sheets."
Adele immediately frowned."Why?"
"Why not?" Her mother said. "C'mon, Adele. I haven't read the tea leaves to you in years."
"It's because I stopped believing it a long time ago." Adele replied. "No offense to you, Pol."
"All the more reason then." Polly nodded with a smirk."It can't hurt."
Adele took another look between the leaves stuck to the bottom of her aging cup and Polly before letting a sigh. She was going to have a little fun. She pushed herself off the counter before heading over to Polly to give her her cup. The powerful-looking woman gives her a small bow of her head in thanks before taking a look at her leaves.
Adele crossed her arms expectantly, somewhat annoyed by the mere prospect of having to wait. She had never been very patient to begin with.
However, she found herself frowning slightly at the sight of Polly suddenly taking a short breath. She immediately lifted her eyes to her mother, her expression strangely grave before finally laying her eyes on her.
Adele arched an eyebrow split somewhat between skepticism and discomfort."What? Am I going to die in the next few days?"
"It would be a gift from heaven." Snorted Seamus leaving Adele to smile a little as she slapped him on the back of the head again."Outch! The fuck, Adele?"
"You're a punk."
"Bitch."
Adele let out a laugh before returning her eyes to Polly just to diminish her smile a bit at the sight of the woman sharing a long, serious look with Lucinda. The two women appeared to be having a silent conversation.
"What? What's the matter ?" Adele asked somewhat worriedly despite everything. These women had ended up making her nervous.
"No. Nothing." Polly replied, resuming a strangely detached attitude."After all, what's the point of reading them if you don't believe them, eh?"
Seamus seemed to share his sister's surprise and confusion as he picked up his sister's cup that Polly had just put down. He crumpled his nose, suddenly acting like the sixteen-year-old he was before he shook his head."Nah… bloody woman and their superstitions."
Adele shook her head in turn, a small smile curling her lips again. His intervention seemed to have succeeded in relieving the tension in the room.
Polly rolled her eyes with a small laugh."Watch out, Seamus. I could tell you things that will make you look pale."
"I would like to see that." Chuckled Seamus as he proudly swelled his chest.
Adele put her hand on her brother's shoulder with a smirk."Come on, we have to go now."
"Huh?" Huffed Seamus. "Where?"
"Well, you said it yourself, 'what are you going to do now?'" Adele recalled, a smirk on her lips."I'll get you a little job at the clinic."
Seamus widened his eyes."The hell? Are you bloody joking? I'm not a fucking nurse."
"No, you're not." Scoffed Adele. "You're not smart enough for that."
Lucinda and Polly simultaneously cracked smiles at her comment as Seamus rolled his eyes. There was no point in replying, he was outnumbered. So he just muttered under his breath before standing up in surrender.
Adele watched as her brother walked out of the kitchen to get dressed before turning back to her mother and Polly just to frown at the sight of their serious expression again.
"Okay, what's going on?" She asked, annoyed."Is that that horrible?"
"Depends on the perspective." Polly commented as she distractedly twirled Lucinda's mug in her hands."I don't think you're ready to know what the future holds."
Adele rolled her eyes as she turned on her heel, intending to cut this nonsense short."All right, Pol. If you say so."
"Adele." Polly called, worried.
"Yes?" Adele asked as she leaned on the crack with an eyebrow arched in curiosity.
Polly left a rueful smile on her lips. It was too early. She was not ready to accept the truth. She had seen it earlier in her eyes. The leaves only reinforced her hunch. Now Polly felt sorry for the girl she liked so much."Be careful, kay?"
"Always."
"Watch out !"
Adele suddenly looked up at her brother's worried voice. She paused in explaining the accounts to Eliot just to arch an eyebrow at the sight of Edith and her brother sharing a silly smile on both faces. It had only been two days since her brother was in the clinic and he was already entertaining her employees.
Seamus straightened the shelf having almost crushed Edith with ease before returning to his window cleaning with a proud little smile. Edith, on the other hand, looked away with a light blush on her cheeks as she smiled, flattered by the attention.
Eliot immediately let out a huff of laughter at the sight of her expression."You hadn't seen that one coming, eh?"
"What?" Adele snapped instantly as she turned her head sharply towards the old man.
"Okaaaay…"He huffed, raising his hands in surrender."I forgot that you were unable to see love even if it was right in front of your eyes."
Adele immediately left a scoff."Love? It's not love. This idiot is just drawn to her past. He's like everyone else."
"Obviously. The fact that she's smart and pretty has absolutely nothing to do with that."Eliot commented sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes before straightening up as she gave the duo a little further another look. She noticed the exchange of glances and the stolen glances as well as the shy little smiles. It was almost too painful to watch.
Adele immediately shook her head before rushing over to her brother to stop this distressing spectacle. She surprised him as she abruptly caught his ear, extracting a moan from Seamus."Oye! The fuck woman?"
"I am not paying you to look soft at my employee!" She scolded before pulling him by the ear away from Edith. The latter chuckled under her breath at the hilarious scene.
"You don't even pay me!" Seamus moaned."I'm being exploited!"
Adele immediately rolled her eyes."Yeah, right. Because you are definitely the most to be pitied."
"Outch ! Outch! Damnit, Adèle! " Seamus hissed before wincing. "Okay, okay, I get it! Please, that hurts!"
Adele let go with an annoyed breath before pushing him into the auscultation office."Here! Take care of tidying up the desk. And don't you dare dig into the safe. I'm watching you!"
"Oh, fuck off!"
Adele rolled her eyes before turning on her heels, rubbing her hands together. It wasn't long before she paused at the almost frightened expressions of Eliot and Nathaniel. The latter leaned over the old man, whispering."God, luckily she's not my sister."
"Aye. If she's like that as a sister then imagine her as your wife." Eliot replied, shaking his head."Terrify."
Adele rolled her eyes at the sight of the quivering pair of men before returning to Eliot's side. The latter leaned lightly in the back of his chair under the intensity of her glowing gaze. She clenched her jaw in annoyance at their whim before sharply picking up the ledger. The duo jumped.
"You idiots!" She huffed as she settled back into her chair to finish the week's bookkeeping.
Eliot shook his head with a semblance of a smile on his lips before giving Nathaniel a mocking look at the sight of his agitated expression. He patted his shoulder lightly for support."Courage, lad. Courage."
However, the ringing of the bell suddenly ringing in the clinic suddenly called out to the small group. Seamus made his way back into the main room and Adele straightened up to welcome their new patient. Or at least, what she thought was a patient.
"Ms Adèle! Ms Adèle!" Finn hailed frantically as he rushed over to her side, panicked."You have to come! Quick ! It's Isaiah!"
Adele stood up immediately with a slight confused frown."Finn, calm down. Tell me what is happening!"
Finn tried to take a deep breath, out of breath from his run before pointing out the door again."Isaiah and I were playing ball when these boys came to attack us. They stole our ball and insulted Isaiah as a dirty nigger before hitting him! We tried to fight… we tried, Ms Adele but… Isaiah was injured and I preferred to come and get you."
"It's okay, Finn. It's okay! " Adele assured immediately at the sight of the worried look of the little boy."You did well to come get me."
"Are you going to come help him?" Finn asked, agitated."He's bleeding all over the place, Ms. Adele!"
"What?" She exclaimed, horrified and worried before giving her brother a look."Seamus, give me my briefcase! Eliot… "
"Go and get him."Eliot nodded immediately."We're going to make a bed for him."
Seamus hurried back into the room with the leather briefcase in one hand and a serious look on his lips."Shall I go and tell Tommy and the others?"
"No!" Adele objected immediately as she gave a worried look between Finn and her brother before sighing as she rubbed her forehead."These kids are bullies but they don't deserve to suffer. At least not from the Peaky Blinders."
"They hit one of the Peakys!"
"I'll take care of it! Okay ?" Adele snapped as she gave her brother a scathing look."Stay out of this! You are no longer part of their gang."
She held his gaze for a moment longer before motioning for Finn to show her the way. Almost immediately the little boy started to run, forcing her to do the same. She ignored the surrounding cold as she realized too late that she had left her coat in a rush.
Finn knew his way around the town and their journey was only a short one. Fortunately because Adele was suddenly faced with a sight she despised above all else. The little boy, Isaiah, stood leaning against a brick wall, bloodied and cradling his tiny arm against his chest with silent tears running down his cheeks.
Finn immediately rushed at him before kneeling down beside him, worried about his friend."Isaiah? Isaiah, you'll be fine. You'll see. Ms Adèle will take care of you."
"Hey…" Adele approached, careful not to frighten him further. He looked like a wounded little animal at the moment. So unpredictable. He curled up on himself."It's okay. It's okay… I'm a doctor. I will help you."
He immediately rubbed the marks of weakness down his cheeks, further scattering the blood before looking away."I'm fine."
Adele felt her chest tighten at the sight."You don't look well. Are you in pain somewhere? It's your arm ?"
The little boy with slightly darker skin than most of the inhabitants of Small Heath looked up at Adele with teary eyes. At that moment, he seemed to be analyzing her, almost as if he realized the danger she posed to him. The sight reminded her of all those times she must have taken the same tone with the soldiers. They were all still children at heart. She couldn't even count the number of men who had initially refused her treatment. They felt they didn't need it, their pride taking over.
Isaiah was no exception.
"Well. You're right. You're okay." Adele sighed dramatically before giving Finn a fake look of reprimand."Why did you call me if he didn't have anything? You know it's ugly to lie."
"But Ms Adèle…"
"Don't bother me anymore for-"
"I am in pain." Moaned a very small voice."Finn didn't lie."
Adele hid a small smile of victory as she realized the little boy was no different from the soldiers she had dealt with. You just had to press where it hurt. Maybe it wasn't fair of her, but at least she was getting results. Besides, she was going to reassure Finn later. She even doubted that she would ever be really angry with him.
Adele returned her eyes to the little boy with an arched eyebrow."Can I look?"
The little boy nodded as he unfolded his arm, wincing in the process at the mere gesture.
Adele knelt down again to be at his height before puckering her lips as she gently put her hand on his small face to inspect the cuts more closely. He had a slight cut along his nose and lip and she could see the scratches along his small knuckles. He had obviously tried to fight.
She continued her examination with a critical eye before letting out a small sigh as he let out another hiss of pain when she touched his arm.
"I think you broke your arm." Adele said, receiving a wide gaze from the two boys."Do you think you can walk to the clinic?"
Isaiah leaned back against the brick wall, shaking his head."My daddy can't know. I have no money."
"Your father is Jeremiah Jesus, right?" Adele quickly guessed. The little boy nodded."So don't worry. I'm a friend of your daddy's. You can trust me."
"Listen to her. She is my friend." Finn assured with a look annoyed by his friend's resistance to Ms. Adele.
Isaiah ended up nodding his head in compliance before wincing as he stood up with difficulty. He leaned against the wall, pain assaulting him everywhere before quickly leaning on Finn as he put his arm around his middle for support.
Adele was slightly moved by the friendship shared between the two boys.
She followed the duo to the clinic before quickly getting to work. Nathaniel and Eliot were busy reassuring Finn, congratulating him in passing as Edith rushed to assist Adele in her treatment of the little boy.
Finally, his arm was not broken. But Adele doubted he was going to be able to play ball for a while.
She was finishing stitching up the bridge of his nose when Finn slowly approached her side with a slight grimace at the sight of blood streaming down the wound."Ew!"
"You shouldn't be watching, Finn." Chuckled Adele as she used a cotton ball to wipe off the excess blood."Go with the boys."
"Doesn't that scare you?" Finn asked curiously, slightly fascinated by her expert hands healing his best friend."You are an angel of god, right? Is that why you get to heal people?"
Isaiah rolled his eyes, wincing in the process as he tugged at his stitches lightly before giving his friend a sharp look."She's not an angel. My daddy says he knows angels. They are in heaven."
"But she saves lives. And Aunt Pol says that only god can save human life." Objected Finn, entering into dangerous ground. Religion was far too complicated for young boys of barely eleven years old.
Adele stepped back, removed her gloves before throwing them into the metal bowl with the pliers."Here. You should be better now. "
"Really ?" Isaiah exclaimed with a small smile. The first since he arrived."And I don't feel a thing. I don't even have pain anymore."
Edith let out a laugh as she brought him a glass of water."That's the effect of morphine. You will see, it will pass."
"Morphine? What is that ?"
"A powerful medicine." Edith replied. "It should only be used in an extreme emergency."
Finn's eyes widened as he inspected his friend again in concern."Isaiah isn't going to die, right?"
"No, of course not." Chuckled Adele as she shook her head. "I just thought he might need some peace."
She gave him an affectionate look with a small smile before getting up, turning to Edith."Can you finish?"
"Sure."
Adele gave the duo one last look before she straightened up just to pause in suspicion at the sight of the smile curling her brother's lips."What? Why are you smiling like an idiot?"
"My sister everyone." Seamus announced, giving a mocking look to the two smiling men behind him.
"Idiot!" She huffed in annoyance as she walked past him to grab some candy from the jar she was keeping for the children.
Seamus spun around on his feet with that silly smile still in place."You have a heart after all. Glad to know you have a weakness after all."
"I didn't hire you to make those kinds of remarks." Adele replied flatly as she made her way back to the boys.
"He's right nonetheless." Eliot intervened."We're going to be broke if you continue to offer your services for free to all the kids who cross that doorstep."
"And you give them some extra candy?"Snorted Seamus. "Do you want them to come back? It's like stray cats. Once you start, it's over."
Adele rolled her eyes at his poor comparison before stopping at Finn and Isaiah's height."Here. You deserved them. You were very brave, Finn."
"Yes! Candy." Finn exclaimed as he jumped onto the bed to sit next to Isaiah. Adele watched with a smile as she watched the duo silently chew their treats.
That said, that was before Edith stepped in."I think you're going to make a great mother someday."
Adele sat up suddenly at the sensation of a slight shiver crossing her spine at the mere thought. She adored Finn and his friend. She really loved all children. But she could never imagine having one. How could she? She wouldn't even let a good man like Nathaniel approach her.
No, Adèle was not made to be a mother.
So, she ignored the statement as a whole.
"Sorry for your ball." Isaiah whispered as he turned to Finn."I know that was your birthday present."
"Don't worry." Finn replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Aunt Pol will buy me another one."
Adele let out a sigh as she pulled the edges of her coat closer around her. It had been a particularly long day and Seamus had kept rubbing on her bad side. The mere fact that he had taken an interest in Edith annoyed her. He was too young to experience the pains of love.
And even then, maybe she was a little selfish. She didn't think she could witness this kind of romance. Not when she hated the very prospect of love. She let out another sigh at the thought.
"What's going on in that little head?" Seamus asked, clearly alerted by her brooding expression."This is the fourth time you've sighed since we left the clinic."
"Since when are you interested?" Adele scowled as she surveyed the surroundings in suspicion.
Small Heath wasn't reassuring during the day. But it was even worse at night. They had already had to turn around twice to avoid drunk groups and the sight of prostitutes selling their services down the dark, smelly alleys didn't help the situation.
Adele couldn't really help but miss the somewhat more civilized streets of London. It was probably one of the few things she missed. That and a life without the Shelbys.
Seamus immediately threw up his hands in surrender."Aye, I didn't say anything then."
Adele rolled her eyes as she gave him a sideways glance before narrowing her eyes at the sight of the cigarette between his lips. She looked straight ahead to keep from acting before crossing her arms tightly over her chest to keep the warmth of her coat.
"Do you think you could give me a little advance?" Seamus hesitated, taking a step to the left to force some distance between them.
"An advance ?"Scoffed Adele, incredulous. "You've just started. Do you think we are rich?"
Seamus rolled his eyes."I always knew you were stingy."
"And can I at least know what this money would be used for?" Adele asked, rolling her eyes at his weak attempt at manipulation.
She arched an eyebrow at the sight of Seamus suddenly fleeing her gaze."Well… for flowers."
"What?"
"Isaidtobuyflowers." Seamus muttered awkwardly under his breath, embarrassed.
Adele let out an impatient sigh."Words, Seamus. Used somes fuckin' words, please!"
"To buy fucking flowers, god damn it!" Seamus suddenly exclaimed aloud as he stopped to face her.
Adele paused abruptly with wide eyes in surprise before looking around nervously in embarrassment. They had just caused a scene. She immediately returned her eyes to Seamus with an arched eyebrow, split between amusement and confusion."Flowers? For what? "
"What do you think, Adèle?" A familiar, unmoved third voice emerges.
The duo Fitzpatrick jumped reluctantly at the third person before slowly spinning on their heels just to catch a glimpse of Thomas Shelby descending the few steps of St. Philip's Cathedral.
Adele immediately scowled as she took in his trusty three-piece suit, his flat cap and the cigarette between his lips, a cloud of smoke flying around him. Like a ghost in the dark night.
She hugged her arms more tightly around her chest as she again felt a slight shiver rise up her spine.
"Tommy." Recognized Seamus with a broad smile."Didn't know you were praying."
"I needed to confess." Thomas replied simply with a quiet, almost imperceptible smirk."And you? What are you doing here ? You look cold, Adele."
"It's because I am." Replied the brunette sharply before turning to her little brother. She knotted her arm with his to pull him with her."Come on, Seamus. Ma must be waiting for us for dinner."
"You really have a bad temper. I pity the poor lad who will marry you."Seamus grumbled as he gave a look of annoyance at Adele's behavior towards Tommy before being pulled away anyway.
Adele lightly dug her fingernails into his arm covered by his woolen coat before saying."Good! Because I don't plan to get married."
"Ha! Are you going to end up an old maid? Or maybe a good sister?"
"Oh shush!"
The duo continued arguing in hushed whispers. The scene was almost comical for Thomas as he continued to watch them walk away with almost a hint of a smile reaching his lips.
However, he found a slight sense of guilt clouding his judgment. Now that was not a normal reaction. He was starting to feel remorse and yet it didn't have to be. Adèle had nothing to do with their world. He didn't care if his little game with Grace was going any further. Right?
"Oye, Seamus!" The duo turned despite Adele's reluctance. Thomas immediately took a few coins out of his pants pocket before throwing them at Seamus."Go buy those flowers. Make sure they are as pretty as the girl you want to give them to."
Adele clenched her jaw as Thomas kept his eyes on her instead of Seamus. He arched an eyebrow with his cold, unruffled gaze. As if what he said had no value. She nevertheless felt a hint of warmth running down her chest. She swallowed as she felt his gaze lingering on her a little too long. The blue in his eyes, disturbing again. So she shook her head briefly before turning on her heel again. Seamus rolled his eyes as he watched his sister walk away before hopping lightly on his heels to catch up with her. He gave a cheeky look over his shoulder in the direction of Tommy."Thank you, Tommy!"
Hello guys,
It's a bit of a filling chapter but I especially wanted to mark Adele's relationship with the other characters. It's not all about romance. This story also enters Adèle's life.
I found that Adele had not yet entered Thomas' world enough to share the episode with him. There's a lot going on and you can guess what Thomas was doing in the church ... (Grace, you know ^^⁾.
But it was above all a chapter where Adele begins to realize her affection for the man with the impenetrable facade.
Always, a big thank you to everyone who commented or liked and favored this story. More particularly a big thank you to : alreadyafan, kmhappybunny240, andAmezing.
Until the next chapter,
Xxo Imagine-write-and-love