I've been bowled over by your kind comments this week. Thank you so much for encouraging me. I'm glad people are enjoying what I'm writing and letting me know. As always, any constructive feedback is welcome. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
A warning: inappropriate advances by an adult towards a child
Tommy came back from Wales when Rose was in school and was gone again by the time she got home. She wouldn't have known if Ada hadn't told her.
"What's he like? Is he better?"
Ada thought about it. "It was hard to tell. He went to see Charles then went straight back out again."
Rose thought it sounded like he was exactly the same as before he went away. She turned and headed to her room to change into her riding clothes.
"Be back for dinner tonight, Rose." Ada called after her.
"Yeah, ok."
Tommy wasn't at dinner nor was he home before Rose went to bed. She sat at her window as she smoked a cigarette and wondered how long she should keep hoping that he'd be back. What if he was changed for good? What was the point of her being here if Tommy was never home? She thought back to the other evening when Finn had told her that Tommy kept her close because she was special to him. She didn't feel very special to anyone at the moment.
The next morning, Rose was awake early as usual. She heard Tommy's car pull up and panicked. She wanted to get out on Nua to avoid him so she dressed quickly and made her way quietly to the stables. Relieved she hadn't met him moving through the house, she was glad to be in the stable with the horses. She said good morning to the two geldings. as she always did. with a fond rub on each nose. Nua was waiting for her, used to a morning ride out with Rose by now, and happy to see her young mistress. Rose joined her in the stall and Nua nuzzled her neck. Rose reached up and hugged her horse, stroking her soft grey neck and running her fingers through her mane.
"Morning, Girl. You ready for our ride? We have to stay out a long time this morning, ok? Tommy's back and I don't want to see him before he goes to work."
Nua blew in Rose's hair as if she understood. Rose smiled, kissed her and then put her bridle on. Leading her out of the stable, Rose pulled herself up onto Nua's back and breathed in deeply. She was happiest here, with Nua who never questioned her, never wanted her to be anything she wasn't, who was always pleased to see her. On her horse, Rose felt in control and free, there was a wide world just around the corner which was hers to explore. She gently squeezed her legs and Nua walked forward; the filly had learnt Rose's body language well by now and knew exactly what she wanted. They rounded the corner and Rose exclaimed in surprise. Waiting for her at the end of the stables was Tommy on his black stallion, Midnight.
"Thought I'd join you this morning."
Rose stopped Nua and looked at him in surprise. She didn't know whether to be happy that he wanted to spend time with her or nervous for the same reason. His treatment of her had been so confusing lately, she didn't know what to make of what was happening right now.
Tommy turned Midnight and walked him to the field. "Come on, then."
And Rose, as she always did, followed his lead. She walked Nua behind him until they reached the field and then Tommy slowed down to let her ride next to him. Instead, Rose kicked Nua into canter and then a gallop as she passed him out onto the open land. She heard Tommy chuckle as she passed him and then also kick Midnight into a gallop. He held him back at first and let Rose take the lead but couldn't resist letting the stallion loose as he overtook his sister and led the way up the hill which overlooked the house. He stopped at the top and waited for Rose to catch him up. Watching as she cantered up the hill, he realised what an accomplished rider she'd become; she and Nua were like one. They matched each other well - small but determined. She pulled Nua to a stop next to him and looked at him.
"I let you win."
"Didn't know it was a race."
"Isn't it always with you?"
Tommy scoffed, took a cigarette from his case and lit it, then offered one to her. She looked at it and then at him. Was this a test? What would he do if she took one? Realising that she didn't really care what he would do, she took one. Taking the lighter he offered her, she lit it and handed the lighter back.
"How long have you known?"
Pocketing the lighter, he took a drag of his own cigarette and looked down at the house.
"Since the wedding."
"Really? Is there anything you don't know?"
"Not much."
"How did you find out?"
"I've seen the groundsmen picking up the ends from under your window. And my cigarette boxes in the house have been mysteriously emptying. Plus, I can smell it coming from under your door in the evenings."
Rose stared at him, open-mouthed.
"What?"
Tommy cleared his throat. "I like to make sure you're alright."
"By standing outside of my door in the evenings, sniffing the air? You know you can just ask me." She looked away, down at the house. "Course, that would mean you'd actually have to talk to me."
He didn't answer her. He didn't know how.
"Have you been drinking my brandy?"
There was an edge to his voice and Rose shifted nervously on Nua's back. The filly also shifted, picking up on Rose's nervousness. She leaned down and stoked her neck to settle her. She shot a quick glance at Tommy who was waiting for an answer.
"It was only one time. The day you left, everyone stayed and drank your whiskey. So, I tried the brandy." She looked him in the eye. "I enjoyed it."
Annoyed at the defiance in her expression, Tommy kept his temper.
"I don't mind the smoking, it won't do you any harm, but I don't want you drinking."
Rose kept his gaze. She was debating whether to argue with him and he knew it.
"Rose, I mean it. It's not for you, not at the moment."
She looked away, not answering.
"Where did you go?"
"To Wales."
"Wales? What's in Wales?"
"More than when I arrived."
Rose sighed. She hated when he talked in riddles. She pulled on her cigarette, trying to not get frustrated. She knew she should be glad he was talking to her again, but it just didn't seem enough. Not after being side-lined the past few weeks. Looking at her, Tommy knew what she was thinking. She was growing up and he was aware that a hug and a few nice words weren't enough for her anymore.
"I'm back, Rose."
She knew what he meant but wasn't going to let him off that easily.
"Yeah, I know. Back from Wales. Back from wherever it was you went last night." She looked at him sideways. "Until you leave again."
A frown pulled at his brow. "You know what I mean."
Looking back at the house, she watched the groundsmen moving around and inwardly kicked herself for not thinking about the cigarette ends she always threw out of her window. Not that Tommy seemed to mind that she was smoking. It was just frustrating that she hadn't managed to keep it from him. He was always one step ahead of her.
Tommy tried again. "Rose, the last few weeks, they've been … difficult. With … everything…"
"I know. I just … missed you, is all."
Clearing his throat, Tommy watched a buzzard circle in the sky beyond the house, wings outstretched, hovering on the air currents, looking for prey.
"Yeah, well, like I said, I'm back."
He pulled Midnight round and started off down the hill. Rose watched him and then did the same with Nua, moving her alongside Midnight and riding next to him in silence back to the house. Neither spoke but they both knew that a corner had been turned. Rose felt a weight lifting as she realised that Tommy was indeed back, that he'd stopped pushing her away. They arrived at the stables and dismounted. The grooms came to take the horses. Usually Rose liked to rub Nua down herself after a ride but found herself wanting to stay with Tommy, so she let Jim take Nua this time. She walked beside Tommy as he headed towards the house.
"You want a lift to school?"
She smiled. More time with Tommy? "Yes, please."
They had reached the entrance hall by now and Tommy took off his gloves.
"Go and get changed then." He tugged a strand of her hair and smiled at her. "And brush this hair of yours. You look like a scarecrow."
She grinned at him. "You're just jealous that you can't have hair like mine. Yours is just short and boring."
Still smiling, he tapped her with his gloves. "Go on now, I'm leaving in ten minutes. I won't wait for you."
She turned and ran towards the stairs, not wanting him to go without her. Tommy watched her go and was relieved that the morning had gone well. Rose had always been quick to forgive him but he'd been worried that he'd gone too far this time. Sighing, he turned towards his study. The morning wasn't over yet though and there was still something he needed from her which he wasn't sure she'd be so quick to forgive.
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled out of the driveway.
"I thought I told you to brush your hair?"
"Shut up. It's brushed and tied back neatly. Mrs. Preston, the infant teacher, has a metal comb and if your hair isn't neat she combs it really hard and puts it up in a rubber band which doesn't come out without pulling clumps with it."
"Mrs. Preston sounds like a monster."
"She really is!"
"Mouse, I need you to do something for me."
Rose looked over at him in surprise. He rarely asked for her help.
"Of course. What do you need?"
He cleared his throat. "I have to attend a business dinner tomorrow night at Hampton Court. I need to brief my business partners on some plans. And they've requested that you join me."
Rose furrowed her brow at this unexpected request. She had no idea why her presence was wanted at a business dinner.
"Why?"
Tommy glanced at her and then back at the road. She wasn't going to like this.
"It was Father Hughes who asked that you come with me."
Rose stared at him in horror. "The priest? That one you met at Uncle Charlie's yard?"
"Yes."
"But why does he want me there? That doesn't make sense."
"I don't know, Mouse. Nothing these people do makes much sense to me. But I'm in a position where I can't refuse to do what they're asking. They're paying me a lot of money, Rose."
"No, Tommy. No, I don't want to go. That priest is horrible, I don't like him."
"Nor do I, but trust me, once tonight is over, we won't have to deal with him again."
"You said at the foundation dinner that I wouldn't have to see him again."
Tommy paused, memories of that night assaulting his mind. Rose, realising what she'd said, felt bad.
"I'm sorry, Tommy."
"It's just this one night, I promise, and I'll be there with you the whole time."
"Is it very important to you that I go?"
Feeling guilty for using his sister's loyalty to get what he wanted, Tommy nonetheless exploited it. "Yes, it's important to me."
Sighing, she acquiesced. "Alright then, I'll go."
Reaching over to grab her hand, Tommy squeezed it gratefully. "Thank you, Mouse. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
She pulled her hand away and turned to look out of the window. She wanted to be involved in the business and this was the first time Tommy had included her in anything of this nature, but instead of feeling excited, Rose just felt sick. Maybe this was why Tommy was so successful, because he did things he didn't want to do. He was never afraid. Or maybe he was but did it anyway. Maybe if you were afraid enough times, you just somehow got used to it. She sat up and pushed her shoulders back. She wanted to be as brave as Tommy and for that, she'd have to face her fears and push through them. After all, Tommy must have started somewhere. She looked back at him.
"What should I wear?"
"What?"
"To the dinner. What should I wear?"
Tommy shrugged. "Whatever you want."
"Well, who else will be there?"
"Just some Russians, a couple of duchesses."
"Duchesses?"
"Yeah." Tommy sounded unimpressed. Rose looked back out of the window and wished she hadn't asked. Now she felt even more sick.
"Don't worry about it, Rose. We go there, I pass on some information, we leave. We won't be eating, you won't even have to speak. I'm taking you with me to keep them happy so that we can get what we want from them. That's the way it is – we give a little and take a lot. We let them think that they're in control but really…" He turned and looked at her. "… we have all the control."
Rose could feel Tommy's confidence and took some of it for herself. She smiled at him. As long as he was with her, things would be ok.
The following evening, Rose was sat in the same place in the car feeling a lot less confident. Tommy was right next to her, but she felt far from ok. She had chosen to wear a cream dress with a full knee-length skirt and short sleeves. It was embroidered with small blue and yellow flowers. Over the top she wore a short pale lemon cardigan. Her hair was in a neat plait down her back. Tommy had approved when he saw her. She looked smart but not particularly conspicuous. He didn't want anyone's attention on her tonight. As the car pulled up in front of the small mansion on the grounds of Hampton Court, she felt the last of her courage leave her. Tommy walked around the car and opened her door for her.
"Come on, then. Let's get this over with."
She took the hand he offered as she climbed down from the car and kept hold of it as they walked up the long path to the door. A footman let them in and led the way to the dining room where he announced them.
"Your Highness, Mr. Thomas Shelby and Miss Rose Shelby."
As Rose followed Tommy through the door, she took in the elegant room they had entered. Seated at the table, she saw two bejeweled woman. They watched her curiously. Rose also took in the men who had stood upon their arrival: the Duke, Father Hughes and Mr. Jarvis, MP. At the sight of the latter, her stomach lurched. This was the man who had caught her when she had stumbled at the charity dinner and held onto her for longer than was comfortable. Tommy felt her freeze next to him and, putting a hand on her shoulder, propelled her discreetly but firmly to the table. The Member of Parliament smiled broadly at her but she avoided his gaze. Tommy was all too aware of the attention Jarvis was paying his young sister and clenched his jaw. All he had to do was get them through this farce of a dinner and then he could take her home.
"Welcome, My Shelby. I believe you have met everyone except my wife – Grand Duchess Izabella Petrovna. Miss Shelby, it is an honour to have you join us. Father Hughes said he'd insisted on your accompanying your brother."
Hughes smiled. "I thought Miss Shelby would be a delightful counter balance to Mr. Shelby's usual sullenness."
"Please, take a seat." The Duke indicated the two vacant chairs at the table, one next to Tatiana and the other next to Hughes who pulled it out from the table.
"Please, Miss Shelby, do come and join me over here. It will be a pleasure to make your acquaintance over dinner."
The very last thing Rose wanted to do was to leave Tommy's side to go and sit next to Hughes. She looked up at her brother worriedly. He nodded at her and gave her another discreet but firm push in the direction of Hughes. Rose clutched her fingers together and made to walk behind Jarvis' chair to the other side of the table. As she did so, Jarvis pushed his chair even further back, making a space between him and the table.
"Please, Miss Shelby. Allow me to make things easier for you."
Looking at the space, Rose knew that the only way she would fit through was to turn sideways and shuffle between Jarvis and the table. Aware of everyone's eyes on her, she felt she had no choice but to do so. She turned her back to him and moved round the table as quickly as she could and, as she did, Jarvis leaned forward ever so slightly so that Rose had to make contact with him as she moved. Her skin crawled and she felt the panic rise up inside her. Hughes stood behind her chair and pushed it in for her as she sat down. He put his hand on her shoulder as he moved back to his chair and Rose shuddered. The men sat down and she looked at Tommy to find him staring at Hughes, an expression of pure hatred on his face. Hughes smiled back and turned to Izabella.
"There now, Grand Duchess, what did I tell you? Miss Shelby is a rare creature indeed, is she not?"
Izabella regarded Rose with interest but said nothing. Tatiana smiled across the table at her.
"Miss Shelby, your hair is beautiful. Did you know that in Russia we say that 'there was never a saint with red hair'? Red hair means you have a temper, no? Like your brother? They also say people with red hair have no soul. But this cannot be true in your case. You are far too nice."
Rose blushed at all the attention and looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. She was very conscious of Jarvis to her right who had leant forward on the table to be closer to her. She shifted in her seat to move away from him slightly, except that meant she was closer to Hughes and that was no better. She took a deep breath to try and quell the panic which sat inside her, threatening to take over. Tommy cleared his throat to pull the attention away from her. Tatiana leaned towards him.
"Before we begin, Mr. Shelby, we must offer our sincere condolences on your recent loss, which some of us witnessed."
Rose looked over at Tommy, not sure how he would react to this. He didn't, merely stared with barely concealed disdain at Hughes. There was an uncomfortable silence around the table. Tatiana continued with some small talk but Tommy wasn't biting. Izabella asked about his father's profession and Tommy told her he had been a fortune teller and a horse thief. Rose had heard all her brothers tell this story if a stranger asked about their father. She was aware of Hughes' discomfort as Tommy showed no shame for his background. Hughes clearly wanted to impress the family. The servants brought in the soup and Rose looked at her bowl in front of her. It smelt delicious but she had no appetite. Hughes suggested they say grace before eating, clasped his hands together and looked at her pointedly. Out of habit from the daily prayers at school, Rose brought her clasped hands up, bowed her head and closed her eyes. After the 'amen', Tommy announced he wasn't there to eat, he was there to do business.
"What I have to say can be said before the main course. Then we will leave you all to your evening."
Hughes apologised to the Grand Duchess for Tommy's bad manners and Rose felt an annoyance join the panic inside her. How dare he apologise on Tommy's behalf. She looked over at Tommy and marveled at his ability to stay calm. Ignoring Hughes, Tommy handed over a report on the mission. The Grand Duchess took it from her husband and turned to Tommy.
"You have no qualms talking about this business in front of your young sister, Mr. Shelby?"
"There are no secrets in our family, we trust each other."
"That is good. Then speak, Mr. Shelby, while we eat."
Tommy launched into the current state of his plans. Despite Tommy's assurance to the Grand Duchess that there were no secrets in the family, Rose had heard none of this before. She had no idea what the ultimate mission was, but gleaned very quickly that it involved the theft of armoured vehicles. She couldn't help but be impressed that Tommy's plan included paralysing the whole city of Birmingham for this to happen. She was listening closely to him, feeling proud at the way he'd been able to pull it all together, when she felt a hand on placed on top of hers as it rested on the table. Jarvis had leaned in closer.
"You must eat, my dear. Father Hughes is right, the soup is delicious."
Pulling her hand away as if he'd held a match to it, Rose felt the panic grip her throat. It was clear, if it hadn't been before, that Jarvis' interest in her was far from appropriate. She was scared and felt out of her depth. She wanted nothing more than to bolt out of the room and not stop running until she was far away. But, although Tommy was aware of what was going on, he continued with his briefing. Rose fought the panic. Tommy had said she'd be perfectly safe, but she didn't feel very safe at all. She felt threatened and powerless. She shifted as far away from Jarvis as possible and turned her body away from him, willing Tommy to finish and take her home.
Hughes was offering to take the Duke through the plan at a later date if he didn't understand Tommy's accent. Rose could practically feel the tension between the priest and her brother as the power play between them unfolded. Eventually, Tommy wrote something on his napkin and handed it to Izabella, telling her it was the amount he'd incurred for expenses which she agreed to pay.
Tommy stood up and nodded at Rose. She'd never been more pleased for something to come to an end and jumped up. As she did, Jarvis also stood up quickly, pushing his chair back again for her to pass in front of him. She stopped short. Despite the panic and fear, Rose also felt furious at the way Hughes and Jarvis were treating her and Tommy – like they were inferior to them, only there to do their bidding, like they owned them. She wouldn't play their game. Looking up at Jarvis with an identical expression of disdain to the one that Tommy had given Hughes, she stepped away and walked around the back of his chair to Tommy, taking his hand and gripping it tight, her heart racing after her show of courage. Tommy squeezed Rose's hand, proud of the way she'd taken control of the encounter.
"Before I leave, I would like to make it known that I'm unable to swallow food in the same room as this priest." He locked eyes with Hughes who looked back furiously. Rose shivered a little at the pure evil she caught sight of in the priest's face. She knew he wasn't finished with Tommy. Her brother nodded towards Grand Duchess.
"Enjoy your evening."
Without another word, he led Rose out of the room and to the front door. Away from the danger she'd felt inside that room, the adrenaline suddenly left Rose's system and she felt tears prick her eyes. Her legs felt weak and her breathing accelerated as she began to lose the fight against her panic. Standing just outside of the door, Tommy took her other hand.
"Mouse, you're alright, you are. You did a grand job. And it's over now, 'ey? I told you it would be fine, didn't I? Come on now, no need for tears. Everything is fine."
Rose looked at him in shock. Did he really think that what had happened in that room was fine? She knew it wasn't but she didn't have the words to explain why. She'd felt exposed and unsafe, and now she felt unsettled, like she didn't belong to herself anymore. Tommy should have protected her and yet he'd led her in there and allowed that man to get close to her. She wanted Tommy to acknowledge it, to validate how she was feeling but he'd just said that it was fine. She was confused and upset.
"Rose, go and wait in the car. There'll be someone coming out to talk to me in a minute."
Rose turned abruptly and walked quickly to the car. She had no desire to see anyone from that room ever again. She climbed into the passenger seat and watched as Tatiana joined Tommy. He gave her a cigarette and Rose saw her face illuminated by the lighter as he lit it for her. They walked down the path together as they talked. Rose wasn't interested in what they were saying. She just wanted to get home. Then Tommy rounded on Tatiana and grabbed her by the throat and chin, pulling her close to him as spoke in her ear. Rose gasped. She knew by his body language that he was angry, that he was barely keeping his temper. She felt no affection for Tatiana but it was uncomfortable watching Tommy be quite so violent with a woman. She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them tightly to her. She'd wanted to be so brave and face this evening unflinchingly to show Tommy that she could be like him. But now, with so much swirling inside her, she didn't know what she wanted anymore. All she knew was that she never wanted to experience anything like tonight ever again, no matter how important it was to Tommy.
Releasing Tatiana, Tommy got in the car, slammed the door shut and pulled away as fast as he could. For a moment, he drove silently, out of the grounds of Hampton Court, onto the open road. Once he'd calmed down, he looked over at Rose who was still hugging her knees to her chest. He knew how scared she'd been in that room. He hadn't missed anything of what Jarvis had done or the way he'd looked at his twelve-year-old sister. He had silently added Jarvis to his kill list, just one rung below Hughes. Tommy could see the panic and fear still etched in Rose's face.
"It's over now, Mouse."
She didn't respond, didn't look at him, didn't move. He sighed.
"Get your shoes of the upholstery."
Rose kicked her shoes off one at a time onto the floor, turned away from him keeping her knees to her chest, and leant against the back of the chair, looking out of the side window. Tommy returned his attention to the road and drove the rest of the way home in silence.
Rose was still in the same position, albeit fast asleep, when Tommy pulled up in front of Arrow House. He tuned the engine off and looked over at her. The journey home with her silently withdrawing into herself had made him wish he hadn't taken her. He hadn't known Jarvis would be there and he knew now that Hughes had insisted he brought Rose for the sole purpose of enjoying Tommy's reaction to how Jarvis would inevitably behave towards her. Tommy swallowed his murderous thoughts - the time would come soon enough for that - and got out of the car. He walked round and carefully opened Rose's door. Catching her a little as she fell slightly out of the car, he moved to put his hand under her knees to carry her to bed as he'd done not long ago. She stirred at the movement however and pulled away from him as she woke with a start, looking at him wide-eyed before registering who he was and where they were. Tommy frowned at how startled she was.
"It's just me, Mouse. I was just going to carry you up to bed. Come on, eh? You've got no shoes on. I'll take you up."
Rose looked at him for another second, then reached down for her shoes and, pushing past him, jumped down from the car.
"It's fine, I can go on my own."
Tommy watched as his sister walked gingerly over the gravel in her stockinged feet and then pushed open the door of the house, disappearing inside without so much of a glance over her shoulder. He slammed the passenger door shut in frustration. He'd only just sorted things out with her and now she was pushing him away. And he deserved it, he knew. He followed her into the house and headed for his study. He needed a drink.
The next day was Sunday and Alice was awake early. Mr. Shelby allowed her to have every fourth Sunday off to go and visit her mother in Coleshill and take her to church. She was looking forward to seeing her mother again and wondered how she was. Her mother had a heart problem but the new medicine she was on was making a big difference. The doctor had said that fifty years ago her mother would be dead by now. Alice marveled at how the world was progressing and new medicines were being discovered. She smoothed down her hair in the mirror, adjusted her hat, made one last check that her Sunday clothes were in order and set off for the long walk to Coleshill. It would take her an hour and a half but at least it wasn't raining. She looked back over her shoulder as she walked away from the house and saw the light on in Rose's room. She shook her head. The child was up early as usual. And she'd got back late the previous night with Mr. Shelby. Alice had stayed up and watched them arrive home. She saw how Rose had pushed past her brother and how he'd slammed the car door shut in frustration. Wondering what had happened, she hoped Rose was alright. Weeks ago, she wouldn't have cared but she'd grown fond of Rose despite her initial rudeness. When she looked at Rose, she saw a vulnerable and insecure child who was crying out for some love and attention. Alice had seen how lonely she'd been whilst Mr. Shelby had been grieving. She'd worried about her out alone on that horse until all hours. She rarely woke her up in the mornings these days; Rose was already awake when Alice brought her breakfast tray to her room, sitting at her window, not even trying to hide the fact that she was smoking now.
Alice realised how vigorously she'd been walking with all these thoughts in her head. That child needed a better life than the one she was being given and that family needed a rude awakening. She pursed her lips. She felt like she was the only one in the world who cared about that little girl.
A few hours later, Alice sat in church next to her mother as the service ended. They stood up and made their way to the entrance, waiting as each member of the congregation greeted Father Brereton at the door. Her mother shook his hand and said what a lovely service it had been, then moved on to talk to her friends in the churchyard. Alice stepped forward and shook the priest's hand.
"It's good to see you again, Alice. It's a shame you can't accompany your mother more often. They work you hard at Arrow House."
"Yes, Father Brereton, but it's a living. I'm grateful to have a job."
"Your mother is looking very well these days."
"Oh yes, the new medicine the doctor put her on is working wonders. It's like a miracle."
"Well, we wouldn't want that to change, would we, Alice?"
"No, Father."
"You know your wages from Arrow House don't cover the price of the medicine. Which is why my friend was happy to offer you some extra work for a very handsome salary. You know how very generous he's been to you."
Alice smiled nervously. "Yes, Father, I know he has."
"He is, however, getting rather impatient for you to uphold your side of the agreement. He needs more than you're giving him at the moment. He won't be able to continue paying you if you don't deliver what he needs."
Alice looked round nervously, then lowered her voice. "I'm trying, Father Brereton, I really am. Mr. Shelby keeps his important papers locked away and carries the key with him. And Miss Rose doesn't know very much. I am trying to find out his next move, but I don't want to put myself in any danger." She looked around once more and whispered, "He carries a gun!"
"Alice, if there weren't a risk involved, you wouldn't be paid so much. Now, I'm just the messenger. I work for him just like you do. But mind, Alice, Father Hughes is not a patient man. He's expecting useful information from you very soon. Is that understood?"
Nodding vigorously, Alice said that she did indeed understand. "But Father, he's promised, hasn't he? That if I can give him information that will help him stop Mr. Shelby's immoral activities, then Miss Rose will be safe. She won't get hurt?"
"Of course she won't, Alice, what do you think Father Hughes is? He will take the utmost care to make sure that young Rose Shelby will be looked after by the parish and he guarantees that she will be under his direct protection. You have no need to worry, dear, you are working on the side of the angels."
And with that, Father Brereton turned and walked back into the church, leaving Alice more determined than ever to rescue Rose from the terrible life she had been born into and deliver her into the safe hands of the parish priests, who were surely saints for taking on this fight against evil.