Sorry for the delay. Had some crazy few weeks at work. Excuse any errors I wanted to get this to you ASAP.

Chapter 3

"Are you sure this is a good idea? The Garrison is their home base. You are practically putting yourself in the line of fire. He's changed and not for the good." Tally had been worried about the choice to take work at the pub and hadn't hid her feelings since entering the house.

Baby William had sat in my arms for the few hours she could spare to visit. His calm energy is almost contagious. I had barely been listening to her concerns and my continued to stare at the little bundle of innocence. He fell asleep pressed against my chest. His light snores only succeeded in making me smile.

"Tommy won't hurt me. I know that for a fact. We need the cash and Harry will pay me better than anyone else." I hope my words will calm her down but looking at her face tells me that they aren't doing their job. "I can't let William support you, the baby, mum, and I. No one should have that responsibility. No one will touch me, if they know my history."

"Fine, but if anything happens we find you a new place." Tally demands before putting her coat back on and grabbing William. "Who will be watching Mum while you are working?"

"Mrs. Coady offered to keep an eye on her. She's going to pop in every hour to check and make sure she is well off. Please don't worry about us. It will all work out." I plead as I follow them to the door.

"I will try my best. Have a good night and try not to let too many men fight amongst themselves for your hand." She gives me a light hug before heading down the street.

The finale moments passed as I prepared for my night ahead. I put on a black skirt that wouldn't present any remnants of spills that were bound to happen while buttoning up a conservative blouse. I would get the occasion propositions for sex no matter what I wore but I wanted to make sure that the majority knew that it is not an option.

Harry had been prepping for the night ahead when I walked in. I greeted him with a smile and then moved behind the bar to assist in the tasks. Taps had been change. Glasses had been polished. Tables had been washed down. All-in-all, we were ready for the night to come.

The first hour had been slow as men started to trickle in. Coins were slid across the counter and drinks were poured. As the time passed, the crowds started to get rowdy with boisterous laughter.

"Oi! Love! I need a bottle of whiskey!" Immediately I knew who that booming voice could only belong to. "Oi, ya deaf?"

"No Arthur, just busy dealing with another paying customer." I state before turning around to face the eldest Shelby.

"Foockin' hell, I never thought you would show your face around these parts again." His mouth had been quick to shoot back but his facial expressions told me how he is really feeling. He and I always had a simple relationship. We enjoyed each other's company

"Thanks Arthur, you really know how to make a woman feel special." My eyes had rolled and I moved back to grab a full bottle for him.

"Sorry love, just didn't expect you back." He paused for a moment and continued, "Polly told me about your Mum, I am sorry to hear about it. I am thinking that is why you are back."

"Yes, and thanks. Now catch me up on what has been going around here." Arthur's eyes sparkled with a bit of mischief before launching into a full recap of the past few years.

Out of all the Shelby siblings, Arthur and I had an unusual relationship. Our banter had been similar to a brother-sister style. He enjoyed picking on Ada and I. Then Ada and I would team up to poke the bear. He had a quick fuse and had been easy rile up. John had been more of a typical playmate being close in age.

"Tommy will be happy that you are back. Might perk him up a bit." He give me the typical Arthur smile before moving into the snug for a typical Shelby night.

I couldn't really spend time understanding what he meant by that comment. Tommy would not be happy to see me. I hadn't returned. Leaving wouldn't be reason why he would have resentment towards. It is the fact that I didn't return that caused the issue. He would never understand my reasons. I barely understood it myself.

Time passed slowly as I waited for his entrance. I use to be able to predict the moment he walked into a room. His presence suffocated a room immediately. The silence, however had surprised me. All the men became quiet. He must have arrive but my sight had been blocked by the walls of snug. Arthur stood inside and quickly closed the opening to give the group privacy.

Hours passed as the men continued to drink. I could feel my muscles falling into a natural rhythm. My shoulders could feel the strain as I continued to carry buckets of beer to the customers. The men gave me light smiles as the recognized me from my past. Most of the men had fought in France. Their eyes showed the trauma they faced and the demons they brought back.

"Thanks Love." A drunken man gave my hand a light kiss before stumbling out of the bar.

The room had gone quiet a while ago and I started to make my way around the room to clean. Glasses and pails were empty and taps had been depleted. Harry went into the back office to count the takings for the night. Tonight would go towards most of the costs. My mouth started to fill the silence as I focused on the work in front of me.

"I use to dream of that voice…" His voice caught me off guard. "In the trenches or tunnels the wind would come and suddenly I was back in Charlie's stables. Listening to you sing as you kicked out a stall."

"Hi." I stopped my chores and finally saw the face of the man I had loved years ago.

"I heard you were back but I couldn't believe it until Arthur confirmed you were here." There was bitterness in his voice. I had heard before but never directed at me.

"Yes, well he always did have a big mouth." I reply before busying my shaking hands. He looked different than before. He wasn't my Tommy anymore, he had become Thomas. A right old man hardened by war and death.

"Why are you back?" His voice dropped ever lower and placed his glass on the bar.

"My mum is sick. Tally needed help." I hold my stance and mirror his body language.

"I heard that but the real question is, why are You back?" He emphasizes the you with a point before grabbing on to the glass.

"She's my mother and she's dying. It's cancer of the lung. There is nothing the doctor can do beside ease her suffering. So I've come back to say my goodbyes and maybe give her some happiness." My words have venom as I spit them back to his face.

"Good to know who you will come back for." He said with words full of spite.

"Evelyn, you can head home for the night." Harry said as he came out to takeover the clean up but stopped when he saw Tommy. "Sorry Mr. Shelby, I will give you some privacy."

"It's fine, Harry. We were done anyway." I answer for Tommy. I walk over to the backyard to grab my purse. "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye Thomas."

I can feel the tears spring as soon as my feet take me out of the building. The night is cold and I pull my coat closer. Coming home would be a lot harder than I imagined.