"I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it." Maya Angelou

"What's the-Adele?" Ada exclaimed, flabbergasted by the unlikely sight right in front of her."What are you doing in town?"

However, Adele barely seemed interested in the petite brunette Shelby in front of her as she scrambled to stand on her tiptoes to spy inside the house over Ada's shoulder."Don't ask questions. Is Polly here? I need to see her. Like right now !"

Ada frowned as she glanced over her shoulder around the house in confusion before returning her gaze to Adele as she adjusted the collar of her dressing gown."Polly? Uh, yeah, she's having a bath. Why? Something happened ?"

Adele pursed her lips as she raised a hand in frustration.

Count on Ada to do absolutely the opposite of what she was told.

Adele finally shook her head in abandon before making her way into the luxurious house. She looked around nervously, clearly used to the fancy furnishings by now before turning on her heels to face her longtime friend."Well, where's her room?"

Ada frowned more before crossing her arms over her chest."Not until you tell me what's going on. Why are you in town, Adele? Better yet, what does that have to do with Polly?"

Adele let out a groan from her lips before stamping her foot in exasperation. It really wasn't the day to test her.

So she just ignored Ada completely before setting out to search for Polly's room on her own.

Ada let out a bewildered gasp at the brunette's boldness before rushing to chase after her as she opened room after room in search of her Aunt Polly. "Adele?" For Christ's sake, what the hell are you doing?"

"It's none of your business, Ada. I just need to see Polly, okay!"Adele replied absently as she blindly opened and closed a door while casting a warning look over her shoulder at the brunette closely behind her.

Unfortunately, Adele knew Ada well enough to know she wasn't going to leave her alone anytime soon. And she was right by the way because the brunette Shelby soon followed her.

At least, it wasn't long before she suddenly passed her before opening a particular door to her right, an annoyed look in her direction."It's over here."

Adele swallowed as she gave her friend an apologetic look anyway before venturing into the bedroom.

It wasn't long before she slowed down however at the sight of a Polly bathing in her copper tub.

"P-polly?" Murmured Adele, confused.

This confirmed the words of this pig.

She brought her trembling fingers to her lips in shock. She could feel the tears about to surface.

Having said that, she quickly sniffed as Ada gave her a confused sidelong glance before advancing towards her aunt."Look who has finally deigned to visit us."

Polly slowly turned her head, looking stiff before letting a dazed smile at the sight of the familiar brunette standing in the middle of her bedroom."Fucking hell… Adele Fitzpatrick herself. It must be my lucky day."

The heavy alcohol accent in her voice was present enough to realize that she wasn't herself. However, her words were enough to make Adele even more uncomfortable. Especially since she knew what the woman had been through today.

"Where have you been?" Ada asked at once.

Polly played absent-mindedly with her yellow sponge before briefly closing her eyes in exhaustion."I went to the Spotted Dog in Digbeth… for a glass or two of rum."

Adele felt her legs under the point of giving way as tons of images crossed her mind at that precise moment. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but imagine what had happened between Polly and that dirty pig.

Finally, she collapsed against one of the fabric seats before resting her arm against the backrest. She was quick to hide a part of her face behind her arm while she kept her worried eyes on Polly. She just couldn't take her eyes off her.

How could she still stand and talk that way? It was beyond her.

Adele had met many victims of the cruelty and barbarity of the men in the field, but she would never have imagined that Polly would be one of those victims. She had always been so strong. She was… She was kind of like the mother she had lost to Adele.

So imagine that rottenness putting his dirty greasy hands on Polly… God, she was mad with rage!

Unfortunately, she couldn't explain all of this to Ada.

So she just listened to young Shelby's reproach towards her aunt."Was it a glass or two?"

"It was three." Polly admitted weakly before turning to Ada."Where's the baby?"

Ada took a deep breath at the sight of Polly's condition before giving Adele a look as if seeking her help. Adele just shrugged her shoulders, clearly at the end of her tether too.

Ada shook her head before returning her attention to Polly."Sleeping."

"Mhmm."

"More like fives."

Adele winced as she saw Polly struggling to even get her arms out of the water.

"It was more like six." Chuckled softly Polly leaving Adele to share yet another look with Ada."Did you meet the maid?"

"I talked politics with her and she got bored and went to bed."

Adele couldn't help suppressing a weak, mocking smile before rolling her eyes in Ada's direction. The latter narrowed her eyes on her before turning to Polly at her sneer.

"I phoned James. He's still waiting to meet you by the way, Adele."Continued Ada, giving her a sharp look before resuming."He talked to the lawyer anyway. Said he'd take Arthur's case for free, so we don't need Tommy."

Adele straightened up at the sight of Polly acting strangely before giving a warning look at the second brunette Shelby in the room."Ada, don't."

"What? Why?" She asked, puzzled before frowning further as she caught sight of Adele's worried gaze in Polly's direction."Pol? We'll get Michael and Seamus free as well, I promise."

Polly turned sharply to Ada."There's no need, they'll let them out in the morning."

"What?" Ada exclaimed, turning to Adele for answers.

Adele immediately looked away, clearly unable to face her. She might never be able to forget what Polly had done to get her little brother out of jail. She was forever indebted to her.

It could have been her instead. If only she had arrived before Polly then she wouldn't have to suffer like she was suffering now.

God, she was going to kill that cop rot.

At this point, Adele was far too preoccupied to pay attention to the conversation between Ada and Polly. It was only when she heard the sudden slam of the door announcing the departure of one of the occupants of the room that she remembered her whereabouts.

"So you know." Polly said suddenly, seriously.

Adele immediately lifted her head just to feel her heart sink when she met Polly's shattered gaze. She immediately rose from her seat before closing the small gap between them.

"Oh, god, Polly…"She gasped as she immediately dropped back to the feet of the copper tub."If only I could have been there… I'm so sorry. If you knew! I should never have left Small Heath. I-"

She didn't have time to finish her sentence as Polly suddenly grabbed her chin with an iron fist. Adele froze under her intense gaze before swallowing as a deafening silence enveloped them.

Polly stared at her doll-like face for a moment with some undisguised affection. The pain in her eyes towards her was easily discernible. No, she didn't regret what she had done. If that had also saved Adele from this sad fate, so much the better. Polly was able to handle it, Adele, despite her strength of character, she was less sure. It was enough to look at her right now. Polly didn't even have to be in her right mind to see that she was broken beyond words. The past two years had been tough for her.

Nevertheless, she did not intend to pity her. Never.

This fucking life was hard on everyone. Adele was no exception.

However, she was reassured to have her by her side at this precise moment.

Although she had been cold and fair in front of Ada, she definitely needed someone by her side to keep her from collapsing.

"You look bad."She stated as she released her chin to take back her sponge.

"I know." Adele swallowed as she straightened up on her knees before walking past Polly to take the sponge from her hand."Here, let me."

To her surprise, Polly let her do it, alarming her further.

Nonetheless, she tried to keep her cool as she soaked the sponge in still lukewarm water before lifting the sponge to Polly's shoulders to massage it.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Polly let out a hiss in spite of herself.

Adele widened her eyes as she immediately removed her hand, panicked."Sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Shut your mouth !"Polly warned immediately before giving the brunette a warning look."You're going to alert Ada."

Adele licked her lips in agitation before nodding in silent acceptance.

"How long do you plan to stay in town?"

Adele swallowed her second scotch of the morning as she continued to look through the window of her hotel room facing the cobbled stone street before answering Lisbeth."As long as it takes."

A long silence ensued during which Lisbeth immediately gave a worried look in the direction of Jarvis. It was evident that neither of them were satisfied with her answer.

First, Jarvis hated Small Heath. As for Lisbeth, she had put so much effort into running away from this life that she couldn't help worrying about her future if Adele decided to stay here.

Jarvis lowered the book he was trying to use as a cooperation mechanism before glancing over at the brunette hovering by the window."Should I call that drunk doctor? Eliot, was it?"

"No need." Adele rebutted flatly."I would go visit him myself."

Honestly, Jarvis was starting to worry more and more.

After their meeting with this dubious detective at the prison, Adele had literally fled his custody to go god knows where. She didn't come home until dawn with dark circles of the size of cockades under her eyes. She hadn't left the windowsill since then. And he wasn't even talking about her choice of breakfast nutrition.

He wrinkled his nose at the smell of alcohol wafting through the small hotel room. It was the only fairly respectable hotel in this city of debauchery. It was far enough from the prostitutes littering every nook and cranny of the sidewalks as well as quite qualitatively furnished. It was obviously far from the standard they were all used to but it was already less than nothing according to him.

He knew this city was Adele's childhood town, but he probably could never get used to it. He was not made for such debauchery. And that putrid smell of smoke and coal… god, what a horror!

Suddenly, the door was opened, calling out to all occupants in the room. Adele leaped in place, on her guard, before literally dropping the glass she was holding in plain sight of the person in the doorway.

Seamus slowly lifted his head, revealing the many cuts and bruises covering his face.

Lisbeth immediately brought her hands to her lips in shock.

However, Adele did nothing.

Although she wasn't particularly fond of the sight of her brother, she was used to the sight. So, she just quickly joined him across the room before staying still as he suddenly rushed towards her to hug her with all his might.

Adele finally let a contrite smile curl her lips as she in turn hugged her arms around her brother's back to hug him more tightly.

She readjusted her chin on his shoulder, on the verge of tears before looking up at the ceiling to thank the heavens. She wasn't a Catholic, but at that moment she was far too relieved to be mannered.

Seamus closed his eyes as he took in his sister's reassuring scent and ignored the slight alcohol aftertaste emanating from her as he kissed her temple. He stayed in this position for a moment before swallowing as he whispered against Adele's ear, contrite."The screws told us why we were released Michael and me. I know what Polly did."

"I know. I know."Adele whispered, nodding her head against his shoulder before letting go of her brother to take his beaten face in her hands with a sad little smile."Just… let's clean you up, eh?"

Seamus nodded with a small smile before quickly wincing at the sensation of pain crossing the cut along his mouth.

Adele winced before taking him to the bathroom with her. However, she paused to glance in Lisbeth's direction."I'll leave the company affairs in your hands."

She and Seamus needed to be alone for a while. After all, they had a lot to talk about.

"Damn that bastard!" Eliot exploded as he slapped his palm flat on his office table.

Adele arched an eyebrow as she stopped running the edge of her scotch tumbler along her lower lip before turning her head in the direction of her former mentor."Watch your blood pressure."

"Oh, fuck off!"He muttered, reluctantly extracting a smirk from Adele.

It was good to see that some things hadn't changed.

She pushed herself off the window sill she had leaned on before joining the old man around his desk. She settled into the chair across from him before finishing the rest of her glass in one go.

Eliot raised his eyebrows at the sight."Well, look who's decided to make a comeback. You know you're only drinking in the event of a mess, right?"

"Still so insightful as to what I see." Adele observed sarcastically with a strained smile before placing her glass on the table.

"You want to talk about it ?" Eliot asked, leaving aside sarcastic humor and reproach.

Adele swallowed as she returned her eyes to the old man before finally switching the conversation at the sight of the stick between his lips."I can have one."

Eliot rolled his cigarette between his lips for a moment before removing it from his lips to release the smoke with a sigh. He leaned over to retrieve his package before throwing it in Adele's direction. The latter took one of the white sticks between her delicate fingers before bringing the cigarette between her rosy lips.

Eliot watched as she used the match to light the white stick before letting a faint sigh pass her lips. He brought his cigarette to his lips again to take another puff. Coal smoke flew around them as a long silence lingered in the study.

Adele continued to smoke, distracted.

The feel of the hot steam down her throat reminded her of familiar sensations. It was almost like she was back at Small Heath, two years ago. She had always known that this little town in hell would be her home forever. She just hadn't realized she would be back so soon.

"Anyway ... where is that little penguin that followed you everywhere?" Eliot finally asked, tired of the heavy silence as he patted his cigarette above his ashtray."What was his name again? Gladys, eh?"

Adele let out a weak snort before releasing the smoke from her lungs, shaking her head."Jarvis. His name is Jarvis. And he followed me here. However, the mere sight of the clinic was enough to convince him to stay in the car."

"Damn right he is!" He laughed instantly, slapping his palm flat against the desk.

Adele rolled her eyes in response before raising her head, raising her eyebrows at the still sturdy old man."So you'll never get along."

"He's a fookin posh!" He scoffed.

"And you're a doctor with a bit too much liking for drinking."Adele recalled with a pointed gaze in his direction.

Eliot instantly narrowed his eyes at the teasing brunette before pointing at her with his index and middle fingers holding his cigarette as a warning."That old drunkard can still stitch up an open wound with his eyes closed."

"Mhm, yeah right."

"You don't believe me ?" He exclaimed before raising his hand in proof."Look! Not a single tremor."

Adele pursed her lips, unimpressed, before stubbing out her barely burnt cigarette. She leaned against the backrest, pulling the edges of her waistcoat over her frail shoulders together before remembering how much she missed the warmth of a roaring log fire. It was confirmed. She was well down the social ladder again.

Nevertheless, she tried to amuse the old man by giving him a nod, teasing."I saw you swallow a whole bottle of scotch in one go just before operating on a soldier riddled with splinters of mortars. So save your little tricks for the local fair, you want."

"Hm, tough crowd."He teased, tilting his head.

Adele let out a huff of laughter before shaking her head in remembrance of the good old days. A fact that did not go unnoticed by Eliot's eyes as he suddenly cleared his throat."Aren't you missing that?"

Adele frowned."What?"

"France."He replied seriously."The fighting. The simplicity of mind. Getting up, operating, saving lives and going to bed to start over."

Adele swallowed at the suggestion before she replied sharply."I also remember the screams, the blood and the soldiers we couldn't save."

"And yet…" Eliot sighed, alerting Adele."Life was much easier."

"We were cowardly!" Adele immediately recalled, categorically before meeting Eliot's startled gaze."We went straight into carnage to forget our problems. If fleeting was really a solution then I'd be the happiest person in the world right now."

"You were young and in mourning." Eliot refuted, indulgently.

Adele gritted her teeth, popping the bone in her jaw before looking away visibly in disagreement. Running away after Greta's death would be one of her biggest regrets ever. Although she doubted it was the only one on the list now.

Truth be told, Adele had far more regrets than any other young woman of her age.

At the sight of her expression about to close in on herself, Eliot let out a long, defeated sigh."Have I ever told you how far too mature you are for your age?"

Adèle left a scoff."So fucking many times."

"This is not a joke." He exclaimed before pointing to her head with his index finger."Look, I can already see white hair at the roots."

Adele looked up with a little amused expression before faking a smile."Ha, ha, you're so fucking hilarious."

"Well, I try."

Adele shook her head, rolling her eyes before returning her eyes to the glass resting on Eliot's desk. She brought her long fingers around the cold glass before using her fingernail to tip it over. She kept it balanced with the weight of her finger.

Eliot crushed the end of his cigarette in the ashtray in the center of the desk before finally letting himself fall back against the back of his chair while running his wrinkled hands down his face, exhausted."Oh god, how do we get there, eh?"

Adele continued to play absentmindedly with the empty glass against the desk, lost in thought.

Honestly, Adele didn't really know how she got there.

First, the breaking off of her engagement with Elijah, her argument with Gerald, the situation with Polly, Seamus' sorry return, and finally that heavy letter she had received earlier today.

It had been delivered by Finn, leaving little imagination as to the perpetrator.

That was precisely where the problem came from. Ha, like she wasn't already crumbling under a ton of shit. In no time at all, she was literally sinking toward her downfall. And yet, with all the problems hovering over her head, the only thing she couldn't help but think about was that damn letter.

She had thought about burning it at first, but there were too many people in their hotel room. That would raise too many questions. And then there was this indecipherable desire to find out what was inside that letter.

The snap of fingers popping way too close to her ear for her liking made her suddenly jump out of her little reverie. She lifted her head just to start looking for Eliot with a confused little crease between her eyebrows.

"What is this letter?"

Adele jumped again at the sudden question before realizing that she had pulled out the letter without even realizing it. She was seriously going to have to be more vigilant in the future.

She had really fucked up this time.

She winced in realization before finally deciding it didn't matter. After all, Eliot was the only one she had complete confidence in. They had been through too many trials together to keep secrets from each other. Not to mention that she had missed his harsh but truthful advice sorely over the past two years. If only she had come back sooner. Perhaps many disasters could have been avoided.

So she let a long sigh pass her lips instead before reaching for Eliot."I don't know. I haven't read it."

"Why that ?"Eliot asked in his gruff, puzzled voice.

Adele shrugged her shoulders, confused."It was delivered this morning at the hotel."

"Mhmm…" Hummed Eliot before continuing, sarcastically."I see you're even filtering your mail now. I understand. The life of posh."

Adele rolled her eyes before responding, annoyed."By Finn."

"Oh… I see now."

Adèle left a scoff."Of course, you do."

They simultaneously eyed the letter lying between them for a moment in silence.

It wasn't long before Eliot crossed his arms over his chest in agitation before giving Adele a sidelong glance."And you haven't opened it?"

"My first thought was to burn it down."

"Mhm, not very effective as a medium."

Adele narrowed her eyes at that damn envelope before giving Eliot an aggravated look."Are you going to laugh at me for much longer?"

"Fine. Fine."He chuckled as he raised his hands in surrender before surprising Adele as he picked up the envelope from the desk.

"Wow, wow, wow, what are you doing?" She exclaimed, alerted.

Eliot arched an eyebrow."Well, what do you think?"

Adele immediately nibbled her lower lip in uncertainty before swallowing in hesitation. She hugged the back of her chair before suddenly leaping out of her seat to reach the windowsill.

Eliot arched an eyebrow as Adele raised a hand in nervousness."I don't want to know what is written in it. Don't tell me."

He rolled his eyes before returning his attention to the envelope. A heavy silence settled between them, during which Adele heard only the tearing and crumpling of the paper.

She brought her thumbnail to her mouth to nibble it nervously before turning to Eliot as the silence finally became unbearable for her.

"Well?" She asked hastily before quickly contradicting herself."Wait, don't tell me! I don't want to know."

"Are you certain? Your behavior just now means something else."

"Eliot!"

"As you wish." He agreed as he suddenly walked over to his desk with the letter unfolded between his fingers.

Adele immediately frowned before rushing over to the desk as he brought the letter to the candle flame.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Adele was forced to watch silently as her former lover's words went up in smoke.

She ignored the familiar prick of pain along her chest as she tried to stabilize her choppy breathing. She hadn't felt such pain for several months. It was as if she was starting all over again.

Honestly, Adele thought she was someone strong and stable but after meeting Polly and going through the last couple of years, she wasn't so sure anymore.

She swallowed as she watched the last bits of the paper turn to ash before looking away at the sensation of Eliot's attentive gaze focused on her.

She let a defeated sigh pass her lips before finally retracing her steps to retrieve her coat at the entrance to the brand new office. She pulled on her coat under the heightened eyes of her former mentor before finally making eye contact with him again.

She forced a weak smile on her lips before heading for the exit.

"You know… when I let you go to that posh, I thought you would finally find happiness." He said suddenly, stopping her dead in her tracks."Turns out I was wrong. That day, I should have stopped you."

Adele spun around on her heels, shaking her head in warning."Eliot…"

"If it will ease your mind, that letter was not from him."He revealed, sniffling before rubbing his nose with his index finger."There was an address. I thought it was Polly's handwriting."

"Polly?" Adele immediately exclaimed, on her guard now."What address?"

After what had happened to the Peaky Blinders matriarch, Adele was literally on the lookout. She was waiting for Polly's nervous breakdown anytime now. All she knew was that it was only a matter of time.

"An address in Primrose Hills." He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Adele immediately frowned."That's Ada's address. Why would Polly give me her address?"

"I don't know. But I doubt this insufferable woman would make such a fuss for no reason."He explained in a slightly suspicious tone."She's nuts but not stupid."

Adele narrowed her eyes in suspicion."Do you think I'm completely ignorant?"

"What can I do now since you are going to go?"Eliot finally concluded with an arched eyebrow."Because you're gonna go, right?"

Adele swallowed, taken aback by the way he had read her so easily before straightening her shoulders defensively. She buttoned up her coat in an overwhelming urge to do something with her hands before nodding at the old man.

"I'll come see you again before I go back to the backcountry."

"I hope so."He nodded, getting ready to sit back in his seat before taking a break."Oh, yes, I'll be you, I'll take the late morning train to London. If you want to be there tonight that's it."

Adele immediately gave the frustrating cranky old man a warning look."Eliot!"

"What? Just sayin'."

Hi,

Well, the famous big moment is approaching !

This chapter was mainly anchored on the reunion with many people from Adele's past. Sometimes you have to know how to return to the source to better get up. Even though her relationship with Jarvis is good for her, I think there will be no better advisers than Polly and Eliot for Adele. Not to mention that I particularly tapeworm to take stock of what had happened to Polly. Although times were particularly hard for women, I am still disturbed by this kind of abuse against women. So, I thought hearing Adele's thoughts on the subject was also relevant.

On this note, I'll leave you with a little surprise !

Teaser :

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. He finally thought he had her but she hastened to pull herself up in the resistance."You're a freaking maniac."

"I'll be honest, that's not quite the reaction I expected." Thomas admitted, tilting his head before taking a sip from his glass.

Adele immediately left an incredulous scoff."What were you expecting?"

"Not that."He said."You see, I already knew that you would come tonight…"He approached the coffee table to crush his cigarette before sitting on to be at the same height as Adele."So, you know me, I had a plan-"

Adele scoffed. "When don't you have any?"