The drive back to Charlies yard was made in silence, neither one of us speaking for the entire journey. Once we had arrived, I jumped out of the car first and quickly walked over to the waiting men. "What the bloody hell have you been doing now?" Arthur asked as I approached, causing John and Uncle Charlie to turn to me. "Had a disagreement with Solomons." I told them as Uncle Charlie came over to inspect my split lip and bruising. "And all this blood?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me. "You'll have to ask Michael." I told them as I heard him approaching.
"Curly, get Evelyn something for her lip." Uncle Charlie instructed as he released me so I could go to John who also tilted my chin up to look at my face. He handed me a handkerchief from his pocket for the blood and turned to Michael, all the men waiting in anticipation for the explanation as I sat down beside Arthur who draped his arm around my shoulders after taking a quick glance at my face. "I was, uh.. This morning I was out on the road with Tommy. I killed a man." Michael told the waiting men as Curly handed me a damp rag for my lip. "He needed cover. Evie was unarmed. I was all they had." Michael continued. "What'd he give ya?" Arthur asked, standing and walking over to Michael as I pressed the liquor soaked rag to my cut, wincing at the stinging. "He said it's good for close range." Michael said. "You're better with my Smith & Wesson." Arthur told him. "No, no, this is mine now. Feels part of me hand." Michael replied and I ignored the underlying emotion in his voice as John turned to me, crouching down and taking the rag to wipe the blood off my face.
"Where'd you hit him?" John asked Michael, his eyes on mine. "I hit him in the side of the head." Michael responded. "How was you when he went down?" Arthur questioned. "Tommy said I did all right." he replied. "He was brilliant. He did really well. Defended me and Tommy." I told the men and there was a brief moment of pause. John watched me for a moment before standing, taking a piece of paper out of his pocket and going to Michael and Arthur. "This is where we think Charles is being held." John told Michael, handing him the paper. "They're not expecting nobody, so you should be alone." Arthur added. "Wait, you're sending him by himself?" I asked, standing from my seat.
"There's two good men there. You do what they say." Arthur told Michael, all three ignoring me. "But I fire the bullet. All right?" Michael told him, his eyes flickering to me for a moment before resting on Arthur. "Yes, you can be there. But it's better if they do it." Arthur replied. "See, these are experienced men, Michael. When you're sure the kid's safe, you call Finn." Arthur explained. "All right." Michael agreed. The three men looked at each other before Michael turned and walked away. "Come on, boys." he called over his shoulder and the two men followed him.
"Polly isn't going to be happy." I told the men, crossing my arms against my chest. "Polly's never bloody happy." Arthur retorted as they both turned to me. "This is going to change him. He's not like you." I added, looking up at them both. "He's a Shelby, Eve. He'll be alright." John replied, inspecting my face once more. "Did Solomons actually hit ya? I thought he liked you." he asked. I nodded. "Yeah, I would probably have been worse off if he didn't. I think Tommy would be as well. There is something else you should know." I replied, looking up at him as he froze. "What?" he demanded, searching my face. "Solomons said he was the one that told them to go after Charlie. They were planning on coming for our three." I told him, watching his reaction closely.
Both men thought about this for a moment. "We are going to get Charlie back and we would have got yours back if they had taken them. They're with Polly and Ada, they're safe and soon Charlie will be too." Arthur reassured me. I nodded, giving him a small smile. "And what about you two?" I asked after a moment. "What about us?" John asked, but the tone of his voice told me he knew what I was talking about. "Are you actually going to blow up that train?" I asked, pulling back so I could see both their faces. They shared a look before Arthur wandered off, muttering something about checking the van and I turned to John. He wrapped both his arms around my waist, holding my hips against his as he looked at me.
"Hopefully, we won't actually have to blow up the train. Michael is going to call Finn when he's got Charlie and we won't do it." he explained. "And what if he doesn't call in time?" I asked, looking up at him with concerned eyes. John shrugged. "Then we'll have to do what we have to do, Eve. You know how it works." he replied, looking into my eyes. "Can't you stay with me? Go get the kids and go home?" I asked, clutching at his coat but I knew the answer. "I can't let Arthur do it alone." he told me, pressing a kiss to my head. I nodded, looking away from him.
"Hey." he chuckled, squeezing me slightly so I looked back up at him. "When have I ever not come home, eh?" he grinned. I rolled my eyes at him as he pressed a kiss to my lips. "Come on, John boy! Put her down! We've got a job to do!" Arthur's voice came across the yard and we broke apart. "Go on. Uncle Charlie will take you to the offices where Polly, Ada and the kids are. I'll see you later." he told me, pressing one more kiss to my lips and walking to where Arthur was waiting before I could reply.
Ada and Polly came to meet me as I walked into the office, both their faces asking the same question. "We just have to wait." I told them, taking Benjamin from Ada's arms and going to find Lily and James who were playing in Tommy's office. They both smiled at me before going back to their blocks. I sat in one of the armchairs, Benjamin resting his head on my chest as I leant back into the cushions and closed my eyes. "You look like shit." Ada told me. "I've got Solomons to thank for that." I told her, not opening my eyes. "I didn't mean the bruise." she told me, matter of factly. "Such a charmer." I chuckled and there was a moment of silence.
"Evie." Polly said, slowly, and I inwardly cringed as I knew I was going to be questioned. "Yes, Aunt Pol." I replied, lifting my head from the cushion and looking at the two women that were watching me. Then it clicked with Ada who gasped. "You're not!" she said, her eyes wide. "Not what, Ads?" I asked, feigning ignorance. Polly tutted beside Ada. "You're pregnant, aren't you?" Polly said, watching me closely. I paused for a moment before nodding. "Yes." I confirmed.
"Again? Bloody hell, Evie. How many are you planning on popping out?" Ada laughed. "It's not my fault your brother is a bloody fiend!" I laughed, making her cringe. "John did tell me once that he wanted ten." I added, a smile forming on my face. Ada snorted at this. "Ten?! Please tell me you're not having ten kids!" she laughed, her face lighting up. "God, I hope not." I laughed, before looking at Polly. Her face was hard to read as she looked at me and there was uncertainty in her eyes. "Another girl to add to the family." she smiled after a few moments. I smiled back but I could see hers didn't reach her eyes.
"Does John know?" Ada asked, drawing my attention back to her. I shook my head. "No, I only found out when I was with the Lees and I was waiting for all this shit with the Russians to be over first. I don't need him any more distracted than he is." I replied and she nodded. "I just can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen." I admitted, frowning slightly. "Hmm… there is something in the air." Polly confirmed, looking at me with hard eyes once more. "As long as everyone comes home safely, I don't care what happens." I told them, pressing a kiss to Benjamin's head.
We all looked up as footsteps and cries came into the office. He'd done it. We all went running out into the reception, but my heart stopped as I looked at Michael. He had tried to clean the blood off him but it had stuck to his pale skin and blonde hair. His eyes blank and a faraway smile on his lips as he handed Charlie to Ada. His eyes caught mine for a moment before he turned and left.
A/N Bit of a short chapter but I hope you liked it! Why do you think Polly was so spooked about Evie being pregnant? Let me know what you think of this chapter :)e