Chapter 27

In the week leading up to Christmas, Edith avoided Tommy like the plague, so much so, that if she saw him ahead of her, or heading in her direction, she would drop what she was doing, turn on her heel and leave in the opposite direction. She had taken to hiding if she knew he was around Watery Lane, often in the attic (despite the cobwebs, which she did run from frequently, into the waiting arms of Bonnie), and even on occasion in church, the last place she knew Tommy would come to look for her, not that he had any intention of chasing, in his eyes, his petulant little sister around Small Heath.

On one of these occasions, John had popped into Small Heath for the day, deciding to stop by the house on Watery Lane to check in on Edith, not having seen her since she had returned. He lets out a laugh as he shuts the front door behind him, watching as Edith bolts up the stairs.

"He's not here." He shouts towards the stairs with a laugh as he hangs his coat on the peg by the door, pausing at the foot of the stairs as he debates between following his sister, who may not be willing to talk to him, and heading home to Esme and the children.

"So what happened?" John asks, as he pops up at the top of the ladder leading to the attic, pulling himself up into the room and heading towards Edith who eyes him wearily over the top of her book.

"What are you doing here?" She asks, eyeing the tweed suit he was wearing. "Esme'll have a mare if she finds out you're back here."

"A brother can't come and check on his sister?" He asks, raising his eyebrows as Edith scoffs.

"You're sure he's not here?" She mutters, marking the page with her finger as she lowers her book to look over at John who rolls his eyes as he drops down beside her on the floor, letting out a scoff as he does so.

"He's not here." He reassures her, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket. "You do realise he knows you hide up here, right? You always have. You're not subtle, Edith."

"It's better than nothing." She grumbles, letting her head drop to John's shoulder as he hums in reply, the siblings falling into silence.

"So..?" John prompts, letting out an annoyed sound as Edith plucks the cigarette from between his fingers, raising it to her lips.

"He's angry with me. I'm angry with him. That's it." She states, letting a long train of smoke billow out in front of them. "You know how he gets."

"I do." He agrees with a nod, taking the cigarette back as Edith holds it out to him. "But I also know how you get." He holds up a finger, giving Edith a pointed look as she opens her mouth to protest. "I'm sure whatever it is, can be resolved with a good talk and a hug." Edith scoffs at John's suggestion, rolling her eyes as he narrows his at her.

"What's gotten into you?" She teases, bumping her shoulder against his as he shrugs.

"It's Christmas, Edith. Make peace with him, or you'll never forgive yourself." John says softly, cupping Edith's chin with his hand to force her to look at him, giving her a small smile before pressing a kiss to her forehead. She hums in agreement, falling into John's arms, her older brother wrapping her in a tight hug. Giving him one last tight squeeze, Edith pulls back and pats his cheek gently.

"Love you." She mumbles as he pushes himself to his feet, leaning down to kiss the top of her head, repeating her words back to her against her hair.

Upon leaving the attic nearly an hour later, Edith heads downstairs towards the kitchen, making straight for the kettle and jar of biscuits. She freezes at the sound of the betting shop doors opening behind her, knowing that the only brother around that evening who had keys to the shop, was Tommy. She glances over her shoulder at him as he pauses in the doorway of the shop, internally debating turning on his heel, pulling the doors shut behind him, too tired and frustrated from the day to get into another shouting match with his sister. However, a surprised smile graces his lips as instead of an angry look or shout, Edith raises her hand in a small wave, giving him a soft smile as the kettle boils over behind them.

"Tea?" She asks quietly, nodding as Tommy shakes his head once.

"I've just come to pick up some paperwork," he states, motioning with the hand hold a bundle of paper, back towards the betting shop. "Charlie left his book here the other day." He continues, nodding towards the living room, pulling the shop doors shut behind him.

"Oh." She replies softly, nodding again. "How is he?"

"Charlie?" Tommy clarifies, lifting his eyes to meet Edith's. "He's fine."

"Good. That's good." Edith says slowly, turning her back to Tommy as he heads into the next room, pouring herself a cup of tea. She jumps slightly as he appears in the doorway again, clearing his throat as he slides his cap onto his head.

"And you?" He asks, nodding towards Edith's stomach where she lays a gentle hand. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine." She responds, lifting her tea cup to her lips.

"Good." Tommy clears his throat once more, moving off towards the front door where he pauses briefly to turn back to Edith who had been following him with her eyes. "Night." She mutters a 'good night' back as Tommy pulls open the door, stepping out onto the street, smiling to himself as out of the corner of his eye, he sees Edith turns to the window, pulling the curtain back slightly to watch him head down the lane to his car.

It's days later, as Edith and Finn are sat around the kitchen table that the post falls onto the rug by the door; Edith rises to collect it, frowning as she lifts one of the envelopes, holding it up for Finn to see.

"It's addressed to both of us." She states, confusion evident in her eyes as she turns it over, wondering who had sent a joint Christmas card to the two of them. Her breath catches in her throat as she opens the card, revealing a black hand. Wordlessly, she lifts the card again, turning to to show Finn the contents, letting out a shaky breath as he curses under his breath, immediately moving towards the phone in the hallway.

"Tommy." He greets their brother as he picks up the phone. "We've been served a black hand."

Following Tommy's insistence that they stay put, Edith sends word through Isiah to Bonnie, who had left the previous evening to help his family set up camp for Christmas, to meet them back at Watery Lane as soon as possible. By the time Christmas morning rolls around, the youngest Shelby siblings had barely slept, instead sitting together in silence as they await the arrival of their brothers and Bonnie.

"Ada?" Edith calls as she watches her sister, pale and shaking, enter the living room. "What's going on?"

"Michael's been shot," Ada breathes out, stopping in the doorway. Edith shoots up from her chair, Finn following quickly behind. "John-"

"What? What's wrong with John?" Edith asks frantically, beginning to tremble in fear. "Ada! What's wrong with John?"

"John's dead." Ada whispers, watching as the colour drains from Edith's face, her knees buckling as she shakes her head.