Chapter 17 - The Return
Arthur and John escorted Tommy and Grace to Aunt Polly's place quietly. They arrived unseen. Tommy's coat covered most of his swollen middle, but he had to be more aware not to bring anymore attention to it. They helped him bring his things inside though he didn't like feeling helpless. Aunt Polly eagerly waited. "Come in! Come in!" Polly greeted. She wasn't too pleased to see Grace, but that was slightly overlooked by the sight of Thomas. Polly smiled at him. "Hello again Aunt Pawl," said Tommy with a tired voice. "Come here and let me look at you. You boys can put his things in that room over there," said Polly. She gave Tommy a hug. It was harder for her to completely wrap her arms around him. "You've grown," she remarked as she placed both of her hands on each side of his stomach. "So I've been told," he said placing his hands on top of hers to gently move them away. He sat down slowly at the table. Polly sensed his uneasiness but chose to leave it alone. "So you've come back," she said right away. Arthur, John, and Grace rejoined them. "Yes, I have. Was that your idea Pawl, or theirs?" he said directly. "A bit of both," she replied. She lit a cigarette.
"Alright, why don't we stop by the Garrison. Give them two some space," said Arthur.
"Yeah, alright. Come on Grace," said John. Grace nodded.
"Arthur, give Grace her old job back as a bookkeeper, would you?" said Tommy.
"Why?" demanded Polly.
"The closer she is to the family, the safer she will be. And the more people we can trust, the less we have to worry about," said Tommy. Arthur nodded as they left.
"And you trust her?" Polly asked.
"Yeah, Pawl," he said as a matter of fact, "I trust her."
"Jesus Tom," she said with the cigarette still between her fingers. Tommy lit his own.
"So, what happened Pawl?" Tommy redirected.
"About what?" she asked. He took a drag.
"About the spies," he replied as he blew out the inhaled smoke. "I do recall you saying that you were fully cable of running the company while the men were away. So, what happened?" he asked taking another drag.
"You tell me Tommy. You left, not even for long, but you left, and brought the troubles of London back with you," said Polly. Tommy took another drag before putting his cigarette out. Polly didn't bother inhaling hers and did the same. She sat next to him.
"Well don't go anywhere just yet, Ada is coming by to see you," said Polly.
"For god sakes Pawl,"said Tommy.
"What! You're family has not seen you in a little over a month without a letter or a phone call. They care about you believe it or not, and with a new family member on the way, why wouldn't they," remarked Polly rapidly. Tommy just looked at her. Doubt clouded his judgement.
"How are you feeling, by the way?" she asked. Tommy looked frustratedly around the room. Before he could respond, there was a knock on the door.