Chapter Seven
Playing with Fire

The car carried them into the city where it was a far cry from the rolling hills and countryside they had just left. The drive had been an easy one, and Mary was in complete awe of Martha who drove them. Billy would never even let her touch his car, let alone drive him anywhere. It was refreshing to see a woman do something that men took so much pleasure in doing, and for Mary, she wished that Billy, the man she loved with the entirety of her heart, would let her do more things. She could take care of herself, she was sure of that, but he always believed her to be a nuisance and someone who relied on him for many things. Part of that was true, but Mary searched for some piece of freedom under the strains of marriage.

Martha parked at the side of the road, and slid out of the car. Mary stepped out also, feeling slightly giddy at the prospect of being away from her husband for a couple of hours. They walked and talked for some time, enjoying the easiness of conversation between each other. The shops beckoned them, however, and they found themselves stood outside a dressmaker's where a beautiful white wedding dress stood proud in the window.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

The voice behind them startled them and they slowly turned towards it. Martha felt her stomach begin to flip as she recognised the voice immediately. She closed her eyes for a moment before reopening them in his direction.

Tommy stood there smoking a cigarette. His eyes rested on Martha for a split second before returning back to the dress. Martha continued to stare at him wishing that he would return his gaze to her.

"Mister Shelby," Mary acknowledged him. "I do not agree with your actions towards my husband last night."

Tommy tipped his head towards her as he took a sharp intake of breath through his mouth. "He had it coming, Mrs Kimber. You can tell him that for me."

Mary shook her head, even though part of her was pleased that someone was not afraid of her husband.

"May I have a word with Martha?" Tommy asked, to which Mary nodded. "Alone, please."

She nodded once more, knowing that her presence was unwanted like it usually was.

"Wait," Tommy said, pulling a wad of notes from his pocket. He pulled a note from the wad and handed it to Mary. "Go get yourself a drink or something. There's a tea place down the way."

Mary hesitated but took the money. She gave one last glance towards Martha who simply smiled at her. She left the two of them standing in the street as she disappeared into the tea shop.

"I see Kimber's men don't know when they're unwanted," Tommy commented, mostly to himself.

"I feel sorry for Mary," Martha whispered. "Being married to him must be awful."

Tommy smirked at her comment. "Aye, I don't disagree with you. Let's go somewhere."

He led her down an alleyway, knowing that Kimber's men would not follow after them. They usually kept a watchful eye on Mary to notify Kimber of where she was at all times. They both remained silent for a while as Martha followed after Tommy. He turned her once they had reached their destination; a small yard in between the shops. Tommy glanced at her swollen lip, wanting nothing more but to touch her again.

"How did you sleep?" he asked, shaking his head at the poor question that escaped his mouth.

She furrowed her brow. "Sleep was… difficult."

"I spoke with Aunt Pol," he began. "She admitted to doing wrong."

Martha nodded slowly.

"I needed to see you," Tommy said, his voice low. "Just to know that it was real."

"I still cannot fathom it," Martha whispered, tears stinging her eyes.

"You talk posh now," Tommy commented, to which Martha winced at his words. "To think you were an orphan on these streets and now you're marryin' a doctor."

Martha's jaw clenched as she watched Tommy place a cigarette in between his lips and offered her one. She stared at the packed before she found herself pulling one out. Tommy lit a match, igniting his own cigarette before stepping forward to ignite the one in between Martha's lips. He had closed the gap between them significantly and Martha did not step away from him this time. Their eyes never left each other's as Martha took a drag on the cigarette. It had been years since she had last smoked a cigarette, and a small part of her missed that. It was not a habit of hers, just an occasional indulgence.

"Do you love him?" Tommy asked the question that burned him every time he thought of it. Martha's reaction was calm, as if she had been waiting for him to ask. He had made a small dig at her but it was something that she was to get used to. She came from nothing and to an outsider it now seemed as though she had the world at her feet.

Martha took another drag of her cigarette before she discarded it onto the ground and stood on it, grinding the sole of her shoe into the ground. "What if I said yes?"

Martha watched Tommy clench his jaw, his eyes never leaving her own. She noticed his eyes grow sad but he hid it well. "Ain't much I can do then."

"And what if I said no?" The question shocked Tommy and he thought for a moment.

Tommy took one last drag on his cigarette before flicking it away. "I would hope that you were marrying him because you loved him, Martha."

This saddened Martha more than it should. She wanted to tell Tommy how she felt sick every time he tried to touch her, how much she yearned for his touch and how much she wanted to be with him. She did not expect him to take a step closer and place his hand on her check. He stared into her eyes intently, his breathing shallow as she stared up at him.

"If you love him, you won't kiss me back," was all he said as he brushed his lips against hers. The sensation of his lips against hers was magical, and memories of the both of them together came flooding back to her. Tears stung her eyes as she found her lips moving against his.

She felt him smile into the kiss, and he felt relieved that no time had passed between them.

"Ahem."

A voice close to them filled the space around them and Martha moved away from Tommy swiftly. He remained where he was, running his tongue along his lips as he savoured her taste. Tommy turned his head towards his brother who had interrupted them.

"What is it?" Tommy asked abruptly.

"We 'ave some trouble at the dock," Arthur said to which Tommy sighed.

"I leave 'em for an hour," he said mostly to himself. He turned to his brother. "I'll be there soon."

Arthur nodded, and redirected his gaze to Martha. "It's great to see yer again, Mo."

Martha smiled at his nickname for her. "It's good to see you too, Artie."

Arthur laughed before leaving them alone.

"I think we're in trouble now," Tommy whispered. He took Martha's head in his hands and stared deeply into her blue eyes. "Don't do it. Don't go through with the weddin'."

"But how?" Martha whispered, sadness coating her voice. "I will be seen as nothing more than a whore, Tommy."

"Ain't that better than sleepin' next to a man that turns yer stomach every time he tries to touch yer?"

"Let me think of something," Martha said, knowing that Tommy was right. He was always right.

"I'll take you back," he said, holding out his hand for her. She took it instantly, and he led the way up the alleyway and back the way they came. Before they got back onto the street, he pulled her to him and placed a kiss against her forehead. "I'll find you again soon."

Martha nodded and grabbed at his hand, standing on her tiptoes to place a gentle kiss upon his mouth. He smiled at her before he slipped into an alleyway connected to the one she was currently standing in. She pressed her fingers against her lip, still feeling Tommy's lips against her own.

"You're playing with fire," Martha whispered to herself, before she set off towards the tea room that Mary was in. As she sat down with Mary, she could not keep her mind from travelling back to Tommy. Mary spoke to her about her wedding with Billy and how it was a magnificent day for them both where their families became one. Mary asked her questions about her life, about Tommy, about how she met Michael. Martha answered them well, controlling herself from talking too much about Tommy and focusing most of her conversation about Michael and his work. Time away from their partners should have meant time to talk about other things but conversation always came back to Billy and Michael. It was not that the two women had nothing to talk about, it was just that it was expected of her to talk about her husband-to-be the way she was expected to.

They returned to the house shortly afterwards, and was surprised to find the house empty. Michael and Billy were nowhere to be seen. Mary excused herself, exclaiming that she was rather tired and that home beckoned her. Martha showed her out, and the men who had followed them around for the day drove her back home. Martha stood alone in the foyer and wondered what to do with herself.

The day had left her tired and she found herself climbing up the stairs to bed. As she slipped into bed, she dreamed of Tommy.

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for your wonderful feedback to this! It makes my day brighter knowing that you're enjoying it as much as I am writing it! If you have any ideas that you would like to see happen in this then please let me know! Also, please let me know what you think as I love hearing what you think! I don't bite!

- lilylittle