The silence was deafening and my whole body was in shock as Michael pulled me off the ground. "John? Where's John?" I asked dazed and heading towards the open door but Michael caught me in his arms. "I need to see John." I told him, looking up at him. "No, Eves. We need to get you and the kids to Birmingham." he replied. I looked up at him for a moment, still confused. He looked down at me before taking my face in his hands. "You need to go upstairs and get some things together for you and the kids." he told me gently. I nodded against his hands, too stunned to do anything else.
I made my way upstairs on autopilot and packed bags for the four children and myself. I opened the draw on my bedside table throwing a few things into the bag and noticing two small blue vials. I quickly unstoppered one, pouring a small amount on the back of my hand and snorting it. I breathed deeply, feeling the drugs course through my system and I placed the vials in my pocket. With my new found clarity I quickly formulated a plan in my head as I finished packing. I placed the bags at the top of the stairs before going into Johns office. I went straight to the safe, filling a bag with relevant paperwork and some money before going to the desk and scribbling a letter to go in the bag.
"Evie? Are you ready?" Michael's voice came from the hallway. "Yeah, coming." I replied grabbing the bag and joining Michael. He looked at me for a moment, noticing the shift in my demeanor and looking concerned. "I'm fine. I need to keep going for the kids and we need to go." I told him, answering the silent question. He stayed still, looking at me. "Michael, please, can we go?" I asked, showing him that I was hiding the fierce emotions that threatened to overtake me. He nodded, gathering up the bags and taking them downstairs.
I could barely look at the children as we got them all in the car, Michael looking around cautiously the whole time. I was sat in the front with Anna tightly bundled in my arms as we set off. "I spoke to Tommy. He wants us all at Charlies Yard." Michael told me, keeping his eyes on the road. "No, no. We need to go see my family. The Lees." I told him, shaking my head. "What? Evie, we need to get you and the kids safe." he replied, looking at me. "That's what I'm doing. I need the children to be safe." I told him, closing my eyes against the brewing tears at the prospect of what I'm going to be doing. "We'll keep them safe in Birmingham." he countered, placing a comforting hand on my knee. "I can't be worrying about them and dealing with the threat of Luca. I need them away from here. Away from everything." I argued, looking up at him and hoping he would understand. He looked at me for a long moment before nodding. "Alright." he conceded before turning his eyes back to the road. I place my hand over his, entwining our fingers.
The children were excited at the prospect of seeing their gypsy cousins and ran happily into the camp once we arrived. "Can you take Anna while I talk to Aunt Zee and Uncle Raz?" I asked Michael as we walked from the car. He nodded, taking Anna from my arms. Zee and Raz met us. "What's happened?" Zee asked, looking at me with concern while Raz looked Michael up and down. "Johns dead, Aunt Zee." I told her, willing myself not to break down as she looked confused. "When? I didn't feel his passing." she asked, her brow furrowed. "This morning. I need you to take the children and go on the move." I told her, trying to keep my thoughts clear as the effects of the cocaine started to wear off. She still looked confused. "Look, Aunt Zee, we don't have long but I need you to take them and go. They are potentially in danger and I need you and the family to keep them safe. Please." I added, growing agitated. "And when the danger has passed?" she asked, searching my face. "Then you will feel it and you will know where to find me." I assured her, knowing she would trust in her gypsy senses. She nodded.
"In this bag, there is everything you could possibly need. Money and letters for the children in case something happens." I told her handing the back to Raz. "Only give the children to me. If anyone else comes for them. Kill them." I instructed and they both nodded, both still dazed. "We've got to go." I told them, turning and taking Anna from Michael. I placed a kiss on her head before handing her to Aunt Zee. "Don't let them forget me and John." I told her before turning and walking away, not wanting to be questioned any more.
Back in the car, I pulled out one of the blue vials and earned a stern look from Michael. "This is the only thing keeping me together right now." I told him as I inhaled the white powder before offering him the vial, he shook his head. I placed it in my pocket before looking back up at him. "You are going to be a great dad someday." I commented, thinking back to the image of him and Anna together. "Well, I've already fucked that up twice." he replied, keeping his eyes straight. "No, you didn't. You were perfect." I told him, resting my hand on his arm. "I don't think Charlotte would agree." he replied, dryly. "Well, fuck Charlotte. I know you better than her, Michael." I told him and he looked across at me. He took a hand off the wheel, putting an arm around me and pulling me into his side. I settled my head against him and he kissed my head.
As we drove up to the yard, I shifted away from him and the anger in my chest reignited as Tommy came into view. I had the car door open before Michael had even stopped. "Evie!" he called as I heard his own door slam. "What the fuck have you done?" I shouted, heading straight for Tommy. "What have you fucking done, Tommy?" I shouted as tears slid down my face once more. Tommy didn't flinch or move as Arthur intercepted me, wrapping his arms around me as I fought to get away from him. "My fucking husband is dead. Shot on his own fucking doorstep. Your brother bled out four fucking foot from his own front door!" I shouted, still fighting Arthur whose hand went to the side of my head, holding it against his chest as he tried to soothe me. "He's dead, Arthur. Gone." I sobbed as I gave in to the man and my grief, leaning my weight into him as he wrapped his arms tighter around me. "I know, Evie girl. I know." he whispered, pressing a kiss to my hair as I cried.
We stood like this for a long moment as I sobbed my eyes and heart out for my lost husband. I could vaguely hear Tommy giving orders to the men around us but Arthur continued to hold me, one hand on my head and one gently rubbing up and down my back. I knew he would be hurting two and, when the tears eventually slowed, I silently wondered who was holding who together at this moment. "Let's get you home to Watery Lane, girl." Arthur whispered, pressing another kiss to my head. "Watery Lane isn't my home." I whispered, sniffling. "Watery Lane is home for us all really." he told me as we released each other. I looked up through sore eyes to see his were red. I slipped my hand into his which he gratefully squeezed and we turned to the car where Michael was dutifully waiting. He gave me a small, sympathetic smile before opening the door and helping me in.
The kitchen was silent when we walked in. Arthur went first, followed by Michael and I. Arthur went and sat next to Linda while Michael pulled out a chair next to Ada for me. I walked around the table, Isaiah bobbing his head at me as his father rested his hand on my head for a brief moment. A prayer. I sat down in the empty seat silently, Michael staying stood behind me and Ada capturing my hand in hers. Uncle Charlie pressed a kiss to my head from beside Michael and Johnny Dogs put a hand on my shoulder in comfort. Polly and Lizzie were watching me intently from across the table and my eyes flickered to Finn as he poured everyone a drink. We all looked when we heard Tommy coming towards us.
"John is dead." Tommy stated as he stopped at the table. My breathing hitched slightly and Ada squeezed my hand gently while Linda crossed herself. "Evie has sent the children on the road with the Lees. She believes they will be safer with them and I agree." he told everyone. "John was shot because we killed someone. Vincente Changretta. His son Luca has come to take revenge. Men from New York and Sicily here in Birmingham. These men will not leave our city until our whole family is dead. That's how it works, an eye for an eye. It's called vendetta." he explained as my eyes glazed over. "Yeah, well. The bullet's been written. It says Luca." Arthur told us, holding up the bullet for us all to see. "When the time comes and it will come, me as the oldest brother will put this bullet into his fucking head." he added, placing it on the table.
"There's been some bad blood between us." Tommy said and Polly laughed. "Polly, please?" Arthur chided but she continued to chuckle to herself. "Until this business is settled we stay together. We stay here. Small Heath, Bordesley, Hay Mills down to Greet. We know every face, every man is a soldier in this army. These men are professionals and they're good at what they do, so we're gonna need more than we have. I sent a message to Aberama Gold." Tommy told us. "No. No, Tom." Johnny argued and even I looked up at the name. "I'll get you 50 Lee boys. Good men, Tom." Johnny continued. "I don't need good men, Johnny, for this, I need bad men." Tommy argued, his voice level. "Tommy, his people are fucking savages. You know, heathens, Tom. They don't even let them in the fair, so they come and steal our horses. You know, stealing from their own, Tom." Johnny continued to protest.
"So this is the plan, Thomas? This is the plan? Bullet with a name on it, help from a bunch of savages." Polly asked, disdain in her voice. "We're gonna go on the offensive. I've spoken to Moss." Tommy told us, ignoring our Aunt. "Moss?" Polly scoffed, standing from the table. "I've spoken to Moss." Tommy reiterated before clearing his throat. "Moss is putting out word, eyes, and ears so we can find them. Yeah, the truth is that the police are busy with the revolution. Moss says they're expecting strikes and riots when the weather gets warm and the Bolsheviks are planning to-" he explained before being interrupted by Ada. "The Bolsheviks couldn't organise a fucking picnic. He's reading the wrong papers." she told him before being scolded. "Real, or not real, the coppers don't give a fuck about us, all right? Which means that here today in this room we have to agree to end this war between us." Tommy told us before pausing. "We take a vote." he added.
Arthur spoke first. "Peace." he declared, picking up his drink. "I was never a part of this, but peace." Ada agreed. "Peace." Lizzie added. Uncle Charlie, Michael and Finn were next to agree. "Shut up, Finn." Arthur chided, looking at his youngest sibling. "Why can't I say peace?" Finn asked, looking at Tommy. "Arthur, let him have his say." Tommy conceded. "Finn? Sit at the table." he added, pointing to the empty chair. John's empty chair. Finn paused for a moment before doing what he was told. Arthur quickly leaned over the table, grabbing the back of his head and pulling him into him. "Little bastard." he whispered. "Sending his fucking kid, Sergeant Major, to do men's work." He released Finn, sitting back in his chair.
"Truce." Polly interjected, making it clear what she thought of the family. Tommy glanced at Linda and got his answer. "Six for peace. Two for truce, on abstention. What do you say, Evie?" Tommy asked and all eyes were on me. I looked up at Tommy for a long moment. "Truce." I told him, my voice hoarse. He nodded. "Let's get on with the war." he told us before turning and leaving.