Chapter 33

Vatulele Island, Fiji

Tommy POV

He'd spent the morning with his family on the beach. Aoife's cousins, aunts and uncles stopping occasionally to speak with them. Aoife hadn't joined them and he hadn't seen her since they'd said goodbye after breakfast. It was warming up and he wanted to get away from all the prying eyes so he decided to head back to Aoife's hut for some solitude.

Finn had explained to him in his usual exuberance about the friendly competition that would take place later that afternoon. It would be interesting to watch. He just hoped that he'd be able to get some alone time in with Aoife before then. He had a feeling that once the competition started there wouldn't be any free time until after the celebration for Alfie and Aine.

The hut was empty but it was a refuge from the humid heat that was abundant in the sun. He retired to the bedroom and reclined on the bed to cool off and relax. His mind wandering to the Empyrean requirements.

They'd had a lot of questions, at first it had been hard for him to allow the answers to come freely. He wasn't an open person by any means. Holding a conversation without a business interest was difficult let alone answering the multitude of questions asked of him. Some were benign but some were intrusive and bordered on him refusing to answer.

There had been a small scuffle with one of Aoife's cousins that had been present for the ordeal. He'd had to show what skill he had in dealing with someone physically. Something else he wasn't used to having to do, not with restraint anyway. If he was in a fight then he was in a fight and he wouldn't typically hold back.

Then there was target practice to show that he knew how to fire a fucking gun. They'd run through different scenarios and asked him what he would do in those situations.

The jump had been the most interesting. He'd remembered Bridget's words when they'd taken him to the railing and told him to jump overboard. They didn't say anything else, had simply said, "Will you jump on your own?"

"You want me to jump overboard? Simply because you're telling me to?"

"Yes. If jumping meant that you could be with Aoife, would you jump?"

"Yes."

"Then jump... for her."

His main urge had been to go over to the side and look down to see if there was some sort of netting to catch him, if they were over the ocean and he'd fall in water, anything at all except a long fall and hard landing. He wasn't used to not having options, to not seeing what was ahead of him so he could plan what he wanted to do.

Bridget's words of following his heart instead of his head still echoed in his mind though. He wanted to jump feet first... land on his feet. But his heart didn't need to see, it just wanted to enjoy the fall without worry of the consequences. Because however he landed, he'd get to continue spending time with Aoife.

He'd backed up toward the edge until he could feel the lip at his heels. Then he'd closed his eyes, his arms spreading outward as he'd allowed himself to fall backwards into the unknown, making sure to give himself a bit of a push so that he was technically jumping and not falling. The feeling had been exhilarating. He had no idea how long or how far he'd fallen but he'd felt a rope tug tight around his boot and he came to a swinging stop in midair. They'd pulled him back up to the ship deck and congratulated him.

Aoife POV

Talk about a busy morning. At least she'd taken care of Aine and also managed to speak with Celeste about the tincture that she thought was used on Tommy. She'd told Celeste, Tommy's description of the tastes he remembered and she was going to recreate a small dose for her. She'd have it ready around the time of the evening meal.

The heat was something else today, the humidity level didn't help either especially when the usual island breeze seemed to disappear. She was trying to decide how to spend what was left of her early afternoon before the competition began. Opting to try and escape the heat she headed back toward her hut tucked away in the shade of the banyan trees and other tropical foliage.

The hut was cooler and she enjoyed the relief it brought to her. Heading into the bedroom with a nice cool bath on her mind she came across Tommy. He was reclined on the bed and seemed to have drifted off. He looked so peaceful, younger in a way. He would probably wake with a stiff neck and shoulders if he continued to rest in that position though.

Stripping down to her under things, she gently climbed into bed beside Tommy and caressed his jaw until she saw the flicker of his eyelashes.

"If you're going to nap, you should lie down Tommy."

"Mm. Are you going to lie down with me?"

"That's the idea."

Tommy slid down in the bed adjusting himself into a comfortable position, she watched as he reached out his arm and she slid herself down to lay against his chest. The feel of his arm wrapping around her back securing her to him causing her to relax. Tommy's sleepy soft voice whispering in the air.

"Was your sister all right?"

"She's feeling poorly but she saw Celeste and she'll be fine."

"Celeste?"

"She's married to my cousin Andre, runs an apothecary."

"Mm."

Nesting herself against his side, she closed her eyes and hoped for a little power nap before she'd be exerting herself against her cousins. It would seem Tommy needed more rest as well, as his deep even breathes told her he'd already fallen back to sleep.

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A loud incessant knocking woke her. She had been quite content and could have slept much longer judging by how relaxed she felt. Lifting up from her position against Tommy she slipped from the bed, knowing that even though his eyes were still closed he was no longer sleeping. She grabbed her dressing gown and threw it on as she walked to the door.

"All right... I'm coming, enough already."

The knocking stopped and she pulled the door open.

"What?"

"What's wrong wit Aine?"

"Alfie... what do you mean?"

"Don't give me that innocent lit'l act. I know ya know, what's goin' on wit her and you're goin' ta tell me this instant."

"Seriously Alfie! Why are you not talking to her about this?"

"Because she's refusing ta answer my questions. She's actin' strangely all a sudden. I ask her what's wrong and she just says nothin'."

"For crying out loud! Nothing is wrong Alfie, she's feeling sickly is all. She thinks it might be something she ate last night messing with her. Celeste has already been to see her and given her some medicine to calm her stomach and ease her aches. She doesn't feel well Alfie, that's all."

"Ya swear it. It feels like she's keepin' something from me."

"I swear Alfie, it's nothing to worry about."

"...Fine."

"She's never been a good patient big man, doesn't like it when others see she's feeling poorly. Don't take it personally and don't let her push you away. You're allowed to take care of her."

She watched Alfie nod and turn to head back to Aine.

Tommy POV

He listened to the conversation that was happening at the door and realized as he listened to Aoife's voice that he could tell she wasn't telling Alfie everything. A moment after he heard the door closed he watched her as she came back into the bedroom. Peeling her dressing gown off and throwing it on a chair in the corner she fell back into bed and stretched out beside him.

"Why'd ya lie to Alfie?"

"... I didn't lie Tommy. Aine does feel poorly and she will be all right. She could very well have eaten something rancid."

"But?"

"... She could also be making me an Aunt. It's not really something she wants to tell Alfie about until she knows for sure that's what it is."

He wasn't sure what to say to that. He understood why Aoife hadn't said anything to Alfie about it though. That was between Aine and Alfie and she didn't need to get in the middle of that. Thankfully she seemed to want to change the subject and he was perfectly fine with letting the subject drop.

"It's still fucking hot as hell out there, even in the shade."

"Will your family postpone this competition thing you're supposed to be having today?"

"Depends on the majority, the family heads will take a vote and let us know... I suppose we still need to talk business, don't we Tommy?"

"We do, do you want ta do that now?"

"Well you do have a my undivided attention for the moment."

"The shipment needs to return to London. This new Inspector that Churchill's sent is more willing to believe that one of my enemies has set me up. I've hinted that I have suspicions of who and where his missing crate is. Told him I might find it in my heart to help retrieve it for him. It can't be coming back onboard the Adelisa though, not with my family being aboard on her, it would raise too many questions."

"And are you hiring this other shipper to deliver it back to London from wherever it's been or are we framing someone as being in league with this so called enemy of yours?"

"I think it would be simpler and best if we can make him believe that I found out where the crate ended up. He knows by now that I've disappeared from Small Heath, he'll assume that I've gone to personally ensure my suspicions are correct. I'll find the crate and pay a shipper to have it shipped back to England."

"Your name will be on the invoice and connected on paper to the crate then. He could turn around and use that as a means of accusing you of having stolen it to begin with."

"He could, but given what he'll find shortly after my return I don't think he'll bother to question it. Unlike Campbell this Inspector doesn't have it out for me or mine."

"Campbell?"

"Mm. The last Inspector that Churchill sent looking for the arms and munitions. Turned finding that damn shipment into a personal vendetta against us. Had both Arthur and Michael brought in for questioning, beat them all ta hell. Tried blackmailing me. Threatened to ensure that every member of my family right down to Ada and Finn found their end at the noose or in prison. I got rid of him, thankfully he won't be bothering anyone of us anymore."

"How did you get rid of him?"

"Don't worry about him Luv. He's a traitor to the crown and was shipped out of England, he won't be returning."

"This Campbell, he shipped out on the Mesopotamia bound for prisoner encampment on Madagascar..."

"How do ya know that Aoife?"

"...Before we met, we were coming back to England from Georgetown. Carrick ran into... Grace there. She asked him to personally deliver a letter to an Inspector Campbell when we reached London. Only he found out that the man was aboard the Mesopotamia, in the brig. We argued and I told him to burn the fucking letter. He didn't... but it never got delivered either. Last time we spoke on the subject he said it was in his desk."

"Grace gave him a letter and asked him to deliver it to Inspector Campbell?"

"Yeah. When he reached London."

"But it's still in your brothers possession. How the bloody fuckin hell does Grace know Campbell and why the hell was she writing him? And why the fuck has she just reappeared after I got rid of him?"

"All good questions, none of which I have the answer to. I hadn't realized you both had this Inspector Campbell in common. I would have mentioned it earlier, if only to try and put the pieces together myself."

"Will your brother give me the letter?"

"No. But Papi will ensure you find out what's inside it, if it pertains to you."

"What are you talking about it."

"It's too much of a coincidence Tommy. I'll ensure the crate returns to London and you'll know when and where to claim it or have your Inspector claim it. Something else is going on though and it might have nothing or everything to do with this crate. I'll need to bring my Papi into the loop on this, he has friends, in many places and he'll be able to find answers far more quickly than either of us can."

"..."

"I know you're not comfortable with outsiders knowing your business. Trust me Tommy."

"All right."

Before they could continue their conversation another loud knock sounded at the door and he watched as she sighed before rolling out of bed and covering herself back up to answer the door.

Instead of listening to who was at the door his mind ran around in circles trying to see a connection between Campbell and Grace. They were both from Dublin, she'd said her father was against the IRA, and Campbell worked hard at removing IRA members and supporters. Perhaps Campbell knew her father and they were acquainted with one another in that regard. But why would she be writing him now, years later.

He remembered that there had been times when it seemed as though Campbell knew things about him, his business. Like he was somehow a step ahead in some regards. He had to wonder if Campbell had found out his connection with Grace and then reached out to her for information. It certainly wouldn't have been the first time that she'd informed on him.

Tommy picked a cigarette out of the pack on the side table and lit up, randomly running through events with Campbell in his head.

Aoife POV

It was her cousin Cam at the door to let her know that the competition had been rescheduled for the following day. It would start at dawn though to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures in case the heat decided to continue. The evening meal would begin at sunset and the celebration would still follow directly after.

Knowing that Cam was good at keeping his mouth shut and being discreet she asked him to find Papi and request his presence before meal time there at her hut. She also asked him to let Papi know they would need the letter from Grace, and that it was in Carrick's possession. She'd considered retrieving it herself but she knew her and Carrick would argue about it. Carrick would however give it to Papi if he requested it.

"I'll take care of it Aoife, though I can't say when Papi will show up."

"That's all right, I'll be ready for him when he does."

Cam nodded and took off down the path at a leisurely pace. She knew he did it so as not to attract suspicion. Which meant that eyes were watching them, granted they were family eyes but still she certainly didn't need the likes of Addie sticking her nose into Tommy's business. Cam would have given her their secret gesture if anyone had been within hearing distance so she needn't worry about anyone having eavesdropped.

It would be a little while yet before Papi would show so she decided with the competition postponed she'd enjoy a bit more alone time with Tommy. As she retreated back inside the hut she thought about how she enjoyed the fact that they could talk to one another and it wasn't just a physical attraction between them. Though she had to admit she did enjoy the intensity of that attraction.

She stopped in the doorway to the bedroom and watched as Tommy slowly puffed on one of his cigarettes. His eyes slightly squinted and his face set in a passive expression. He was clearly thinking and trying to find answers to questions he no doubt had. It was almost a shame to disturb him but she knew that he'd only come up with suppositions, suspicions and more questions until they had something concrete to build on.

She didn't bother removing her robe as she went to the bed and sat down cross legged as she leaned against the headboard beside Tommy.

"Anything come together for you yet?"

"... No. Nothing certain at any rate."

"Mm. The competitions been postponed till dawn. I've requested that Papi retrieve Grace's letter and meet us here before supper."

"Good."

"Are you going to figure anything else out right now, with all this thinking that you're doing?"

"Sorry Luv. Sometimes it just won't stop."

"Hm, you need a little help in making it stop then."

That finally got Tommy to turn his head and focus those blue eyes of his on her. She watched as his gaze roamed over her and he reached over to the side table to put his cigarette out. When he turned back toward her he continued his momentum and rolled onto his side to take her in. His hand touching her knee, running firmly up the inside of her thigh until the tips of his fingers came to her scanties and he played with the lace trimming. His voice a delicious rasp when he spoke.

"Was that an invitation Aoife? What would you suggest ta help make it stop?"

"Hm. Well I've always found that distraction usually does a fine job of getting the mind to stop fixating for a little while."

"Mm. This distraction that you had in mind. Does it involve us staying in bed for the time being?"

"For the time being, Tommy. Afterwards we will need to clean up a bit, we can enjoy conserving water and shower together before our company arrives."

Aoife felt the soft pull of the tie around her waist and then Tommy was spreading the satin open to reveal her beneath it. He leaned down and she felt the pressure of his lips on the skin of her abdomen as fingers worked to move her knickers to the side. Before exploring her more fully. The calluses on his fingertips lending a rasp to the sensitive skin and bundle of nerves he traversed.

Alfie POV

Aine was in bed, finally havin' fallen asleep after spending much of the afternoon layin' on the washroom floor. Aoife was right. Aine was a right pain in the neck bout lettin' 'im see her sick, a right fuckin pain. He'd told her if they were goin' to get married they'd eventually both see one another in less than desirable situations. Marriage meant that he took care of her when she needed 'im to and she'd do the same for 'im when he felt off.

Explaining it to her that way seemed to make her at least give up on fightin' 'im bout it. He didn't like seeing her in pain but he knew that all he could do was take care of her and make sure she got her medicine on time. He'd suffered a few bouts of food poisoning 'imself in the war, eatin' that crap the govm'nt thought to call food. He understood how rotten she felt and was glad when one o' the others had come by and told 'im that the competition was postponed. He didn't think Aine would be movin' before dawn and that was only if she was feelin' any better.

He sat down in the sittin' area so's not to disturb her and decided ta read a bit. He'd brought a book wit him from London. Found it'd come in handy on his trip out here and now he had something to keep 'im occupied while Aine slept as well.

Ada POV

The kids were down for an afternoon nap, having worn themselves out playing on the beach earlier. Even Finn was passed out from the heat, Michael had opted to take a walk around the island so she had some time to herself.

She'd been surprised when Tommy had told her that Freddie came to the den looking for her. At first she thought he'd go off on her for lying to him all this time. Or about how she shouldn't be seeing Freddie period. Tommy had simply told her that Freddie came looking and accused him of doing something to her when he'd not been able to find her around.

"I'm sorry Tommy. I didn't mean to keep me and Freddie a secret. I know that things between the two of you aren't the same as they used to be and I was afraid of how you'd take it. The two of you are more likely to kill one another than have a conversation."

"So that's why ya lied? Ya were afraid of how I'd take it."

"I was afraid ya wouldn't let me see him."

"I wouldn't have."

"Tommy..."

"Ada, there's a reason why Freddie and I ain't friends anymore, a reason ya don't need ta know. Was it you who wanted ta keep your relationship a secret...or was it Freddie? And don't lie ta me."

"...Freddie kept saying we'd tell ya, just not yet."

"...When did ya start seeing him Ada?"

"About four or five months after you'd come home. We ran into each other at the pictures, started talking. We kind of ended up just meeting there a few times and then he asked to take me out and well I enjoyed his company. He made me laugh, there wasn't a whole lot to laugh about then."

"I suppose we just need ta be thankful he didn't get ya with child."

"TOMMY!"

"What?! Do you think it's just a coincidence that after four or five months at home you just happen ta run into each other after that fuckin shipment lands in me lap. A man who's life's goal is ta be a fuckin communist instigator. He looks at ya Ada...you're fuckin Shelby. Him being with ya makes him somebody and I don't want his cause to ruin your fuckin life. He see's ya and he sees guns and ammunition to help his glorious cause."

"Ya don't know that Tommy! Ya don't know what we have together, what we feel for each other."

"Why else would he keep your relationship a secret Ada? Hm? He's not afraid of me. So why would he tell ya ta keep it secret? Hell ya been keeping it from me for what nine months?"

"..."

"Ya can't tell me why, because ya don't know yourself. I'm not saying he doesn't care for ya Ada. I'm saying something else is going on and everything is not what it seems. I don't want ta be right about him using ya Ada, but I doubt that I'm wrong. Just think about it."

"You're not going to tell me I can't see him anymore?"

Tommy had scoffed and given her a strange look she hadn't been able to decipher.

"You've already been seeing him for nine months Ada. I've known about the two of ya for the last seven. I don't like it and I don't approve. If I tell ya you're not ta see him anymore, you'll just go and see him anyway. So no, I'm not going ta bother telling ya that ya can't see him. I think he'll ruin your life, I've got nothing else ta say on the matter."

She couldn't believe that Tommy had known she was seeing Freddie for seven months and hadn't tried to stop them. She knew that something had happened between them in the war but neither would speak of it. They'd left Small Heath best mates and returned bitter enemies. She wondered if a part of her had wanted to rebel against her brothers and their controlling nature.

Tommy did raise questions for her, some she'd already been wondering about. She had to admit she'd not once thought about how Freddie had shown up and then seemed to continue to show up. She hadn't known about the crate from the BSA until much later but it was a BSA crate. Freddie would have been one of the first to hear about it. He also would have known who to look at for its disappearance.

Did he approach her because he was hoping to get a hold of them through her?... It came to mind that he would ask her odd questions every now and then, they'd be slipped into the conversation almost naturally. It didn't mean Tommy was right but it did bring up some questions she intended to find the answers to.

It also didn't escape her notice that she hadn't really thought about Freddie in a while, not since she'd told Eirnin of him, that was near the beginning of their trip. She hadn't been missing him.

Carrick POV

Carrick watched the tide come in and back out to sea, it had a calming quality to it and he found he didn't mind the heat all that much. Not with the water coming up and swallowing his feet before heading back out to do it all again. He'd spent most of the day enjoying the sun, sand and water, catching up with his cousin Peter and feeling a bit more himself.

His parents visit topside to look over the Adelisa for themselves had put him on edge the previous day. He'd been happy when they hadn't found anything to scrutinize. That had been a large relief and a weight removed from his shoulders.

He'd found out that Alfie and Thomas Shelby were on the island, no doubt shacked up with his sisters, as they'd both passed the Empyrean requirements. He supposed he'd have to accept Alfie now whether he deserved to be there or not. Aine was marrying the man and that meant he was going to be family.
He wasn't completely sure why Shelby was here though. From what he understood Aoife had just started seeing the man, they barely knew one another.

He was deep in thought, staring out at blue all the way to the horizon when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Bringing him back to the here and now he turned and saw Papi. He'd been hoping to have some time alone with him to discuss his recent feelings. Thankfully it seemed that time was now.

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He sat at his desk and wondered what the hell was going on. He'd spoken to Papi about how he'd been feeling and he'd been right. Papi had helped him see things more clearly and he felt grounded and in a much better frame of mind about his situation.

But then he'd asked for the letter Grace had asked him to deliver. Even if Aoife had spoken with Papi about him and the letter and how he'd been off recently, he still didn't understand why Papi would want it. Unless he intended to read it, since he himself still couldn't bring himself to.

Papi had assured him that all would be revealed in time and not to worry. Fate is its own keeper and sometimes it leads us down the same path no matter what our actions dictate.

Evening

Polly POV

They'd spoken with their family and then she'd had a small coded conversation spoken in Romani no less with Tommy. She was happy to hear that they were to move forward with their initial plans. She would tell the boys in the morning, well at least John. It wasn't time to tell Arthur yet and he was still busily immersed with getting the Garrison ready for opening day.

Tommy would be heading back their way in two days time, and would be on an express so it would be a straight quick shot from where he was to London. Getting him back in plenty of time to set the stage for their production as it were.

Esme had proven to be an adept bookkeeper and having her there for that was freeing John up which made taking care of business easier as well. Business had been steady and John had been helping her keep everything and everyone in line. They didn't need any additional issues or distractions at the moment.

Polly still got the feeling that Lizzie was hoping for more with Tommy but she wasn't letting those feelings interfere with her job. Lizzie was restless but she knew what she was to do and she did it without complaint. She hadn't found any fault in the girls work so she hadn't been so hard on her as of late.

Aside from seeing Grace around town every now and then the girl was keeping her distance. She was sure by now the blonde had realized Tommy had left town. He'd only told her where he was going, even his brothers thought he was of on business elsewhere. This fact made her satisfied because she had heard a few little birdies telling her Grace had been asking all sorts of questions lately. No matter what questions she asked or who she asked them of she'd not get the truth about where he was or what he was up to.