Chapter 10
This is set just after Tommy gets attacked in season 2 episode 1
Bessy paces the floor of the kitchen, hands running through her hair as she awaits word on Tommy. She freezes as the front door swings open, Elijah stepping into the kitchen, arms ready to hold Bessy as she rushes over to him, clutching at his jacket.
"I just heard," he says quietly, cupping the back of Bessy's head, holding her to him. "Dad's left with Charlie and Curly. They're on their way to the hospital. I can take you there now. The car's outside." Bessy nods, sniffing back tears as she grabs her bag, turning to find Elijah holding out her coat for her to slip into. She remains silent until they turn out of Watery Lane, Elijah glancing between her and the road.
"They got to Ada too." She whispers, tilting her head back as she closes her eyes, Elijah's hand finding his way into hers. "I was meant to be with her. I was supposed to be there."
"Bess..."
"But I missed the damn train because Tommy needed me to go to that fucking pointless meeting for him." Bessy exclaims, slamming her clenched fist onto the door of the car.
"Bessy!" Elijah bites out, shocked at his girlfriend's reaction, pulling the car over to the side of the road. "Hey, hey. Look at me. Stop." He takes Bessy into his arms, gently pinning her arms to his chest as she sobs.
"I was meant to be there." She cries, Elijah running his hand up and down her back. "Those fucking bastards..."
"Shh, I know. I know. Ada's ok. The boys got to her, they called Arthur. She's safe and so are you, and our baby. Think about that, eh? Everything's going to be ok." He soothes her, pressing a kiss to her forehead as she pulls away, swiping at her eyes. "You ready to go?" At Bessy nod, Elijah pulls away from the curb, continuing the drive to the hospital.
Bessy looks up from her seat in the hospital corridor, surrounded by her brothers and Elijah, as Polly bursts through the double doors.
"Where is he? What happened?" She asks, taking hold of Arthur's arm as she comes to a stop in front of Bessy, who was sat with her head in her hands.
"He was jumped." Arthur responds stoically, running a hand through his hair. "Bastards left him for dead."
"He's ok." Charlie assures her as he rejoins the group. "I've just spoken to the doctor. He's going to be here for a while. But he's stable for now."
"Can I see him?" Bessy asks quietly, swallowing the lump in her throat and nodding slowly as Charlie shakes his head.
"He doesn't want visitors, Bess. Go home, sweetheart." Her uncle says gently, nodding to Elijah who inclines his head in understanding, wrapping his arm around Bessy's shoulders.
"Charlie's right, it's late. Let's get you home." He says softly, gently pulling Bessy to her feet.
"We should all go home." Charlie continues, patting John on the back, nudging him in the direction of the doors. "There's men outside, watching all the entrances. No one will get in."
"I'm staying here." Arthur says gruffly, moving to take the seat Bessy had just vacated.
"I will too." John states, resting on the wall beside Arthur. "Go home, Aunt Polly. With Bessy and Elijah. We'll come and find you if anything changes." Polly reluctantly nods, slowly making her way back through the corridors and out to the car as Bessy hugs her brother's goodbye.
"Here." Bessy says softly, holding a tea cup out to Polly who accepts it, following Bessy with her eyes as she drops into the armchair beside her. "Elijah's in bed. He's going to get some sleep and then take over for one of the boys at the hospital." Polly nods in understanding, running her hand over her face. "I just spoke to Ada on the phone. She's ok too. Just angry."
"Good." Polly states, bringing the tea cup to her lips, the pair falling into an uncomfortable silence.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Polly." Bessy mumbles, breaking the silence as she runs her finger around the rim of her cup.
"Sorry?" Polly repeats, looking into the fire as Bessy frowns and nods.
"For...you know..."
"The baby?" Polly cuts in, watching Bessy out of the corner of her eye as she gulps and nods.
"Yes."
"I don't know why you're apologising."
"Because you're upset." Bessy replies, placing her tea cup on the side.
"I'm not upset." Polly protests, frowning as Bessy leans forward, reaching out to place her hand on Polly's.
"Yes you are." She says softly, squeezing her Aunt's hand gently.
"I'm not upset, Bessy." Polly repeats, rolling her eyes, but turning her hand nonetheless to take Bessy's in her own. "I'm shocked. But I'm not upset. Besides, by the looks of it, you're too far gone to be worry about what we could have done anyway."
"I wouldn't have wanted to," Bessy whispers, resting her free hand on her stomach. "Even if it was still an option, I wouldn't have wanted to get rid of my baby." She pauses, watching Polly for a moment before continuing. "We may not have been trying for a baby, but it happened anyway, and we're both happy. Really happy, Aunt Pol. This is what we've wanted. To start our own family."
"Then I'm happy for you too." Polly states, cupping Bessy's cheek in the palm of her hand.
Later in the week, in the middle of the night, Elijah stirs to Bessy slipping out of bed. He lies there, half asleep, waiting for her to climb back into bed beside him, until he hears the door open and shut again, followed by Bessy moving around the bedroom.
"Bess? Baby. What are you doing?" Elijah calls sleepily as his eyes adjust in the dark, following Bessy around the room as she throws things into her satchel bag, pulling on a skirt and top as she goes.
"Scudboat just came to the door." Bessy states, picking up her boots.
"Scudboat?" Elijah repeats, lifting himself up to watch Bessy hop around the room. "Give 'em here." He motions for the boots Bessy was trying to pull on, tugging on the laces to loosen them for her. "What the fuck was Scudboat doing here at this time of night?"
"I had him watch the hospital. Just in case." Bessy replies, giving Elijah a grateful smile as she takes the boots back off him. "Tommy just discharged himself. The fucking idiot. Lovelock's following Tom, I told Scudboat to come and get me if he did anything stupid. Which I think he's about to do. So I'm going to follow him too. Scudboat's outside waiting for me."
"Woah. Wait. Bess. It's the middle of the night. You can't just go following Tommy through the streets of Small Heath." Elijah protests, flinging back the covers.
"Eli. I have to do this. I need to go to Tommy. He needs me. I can feel it." She replies, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Please trust me. I'll be back as soon as I can, but I have a feeling that won't be for a few days, at least. I'll call when I can, ok? Can you tell the boys?" Elijah sighs, dropping his head to her shoulder, knowing there was no point in arguing with her. "Look, I'll stick by Scudboat's side. And then Tommy's. Nothing's going to happen. I'll be safe."
"You better call me the minute you get to a phone." Elijah states, cupping Bessy's face in his hands.
"I promise." She whispers, rising on to her tiptoes to kiss him. "I love you. So much."
"I love you too." Elijah says as Bessy slips out of his arms, taking her bag from the end of the bed and heading out the door. Elijah walks to the window, watching as Bessy locks the front door behind her, following Scudboat down the road, lifting his hand to wave at her as she walks backwards for a few steps, blowing kisses up to the window where she knew he would be stood.
"What's he doing here?" Bessy whispers to Scudboat as they approach Charlie's yard. "You can leave me here, Scudboat." She says, stopping at the gates they had just watched Tommy disappear through, laying a hand on his arm. "Can you stop by my house on the way? Let Elijah know that I'm safe and with Tommy?"
"Of course." He replies, squeezing her shoulder as he turns to head back the way they had come. Bessy slips through the gates, sticking to the shadows as she listens out to the conversation her brother was having with Charlie and Curly.
"Can you spare Curly? He'll be my doctor." Tommy asks, the two older men letting out laughs at this.
"Then God help you." Charlie states, whirling around as he hears gravel crunch behind him.
"Good job I'm here to help then, eh?" Bessy calls as she approaches the men. "You've lost your touch, brother." She states, leaning down to press a kiss to Tommy's forehead, frowning at the heat radiating off him. "I followed you all the way here from Watery Lane."
"You should be at home Bess." Tommy groans as Bessy crouches beside him, taking in the injuries she could see.
"Well it's a good job I'm not, looks like you need a nurse." The three men laugh, a smile coming to Bessy's face as she watches them, frowning again as Tommy winces.
"Don't make me laugh Bess, fucking hurts." He grunts. "You'd be a shit nurse."
"Excuse me! I helped out during the war, I'll have you know! I was better than Ada anyhow." Bessy winks at Curly who laughs along with her. "I can at least help doctor Curly to look after you." She jokes, pushing herself back to her feet.
"You're not going to take no for an answer are you?" Tommy asks, Bessy immediately shaking her head. "Fuck it. Get in the boat Bessy-Jo." Bessy smiles over at Curly who chuckles, wrapping his arm around the young girl. "You have tobacco, Curly?"
"And tea. And whiskey. We'll have you running around like a colt." Curly replies, giving Bessy's shoulder a squeeze as she smiles over at him.
"Get him aboard. I'll fill her up." Charlie says
"If I sleep all the way, it's Camden Town we're headed for." Tommy states as they all move towards the dock.
"What business do you have in Camden Town?" Charlie asks, Bessy throwing him a confused look as they head towards the boat.
"Tell Polly she's in charge while I'm away. If I don't come back, tell her she's in charge for good." Tommy replies, ignoring his uncle's question, Bessy shaking her head at the older man, moving towards Tommy to wind her arm through his as they continue walking.