Stolen Heart [Tommy Shelby x OC]

Chapter 53

After the ride from Watery Lane to Sutton, Lily found Polly in her expensive silk robe, nursing a glass of whisky.

'Take the room on the left. It's been unoccupied since three months.' She said from the sofa.

'Yeah.' Lily nodded and went inside the room, hugging the sleeping Oliver closer. After she had laid him on the bed and changed into her gown, she walked to the hall where Polly was seated.

When she saw her, she filled another glass.

'Thank you, Polly.' Lily said as she took the glass in her hands.

She nodded and said, 'Drink it. It'll help you.'

'You don't keep gin? Your dear Tommy's gin?' Lily asked, her mind occupied by Tommy and his parting words.

'We're handing it over to the Changrettas.'

'You don't need to lie, Polly. I know about your secret.'

'He told you about Arthur?' Polly asked, slightly stunned.

But Lily didn't answer and continued, 'Did he tell you he slept with Jessie Eden to stop the revolution?'

Polly's voice hardened, unable to bear with her misery, 'You knew what you were getting yourself into. So don't go around moaning and crying.'

'He said he'll find someone else to keep him company.' Lily added, still lost in Watery Lane.

'He's under a lot of pressure.'

'I know and I think it's best I leave. Forever.' She sighed.

'Where is this coming from?'

'I met Lizzie today.'

'For God's sake, what did she say?'

'Something I should've realised long back. He doesn't feel anything for me, Polly. He never did and he never will. I'm only a woman who happens to be at his disposal and spreads her legs at his every call.'

'He cares for you.' Polly said firmly and she knew it wasn't a lie.

But Lily smiled at the ceiling, holding the tears at bay. So much for deciding not to shed a tear after Tommy Shelby.

'Well, you can stay here as long as you want. If you promise not to make tea.' Polly added in a lighter tone, realising her pain ran deeper this time.

'Thank you, Polly.'

'Nonsense. You are a Shelby's mother which means you're a Shelby too. A part of our family.'

'If Arthur was actually dead, I might have agreed to Tommy's half-hearted offer. But now, all I want to do is run away.'

'You can never escape him.'

'He never did anything for me.' Lily said in the same emotionless voice.

'Give him some time.' Polly said gently, taking her hands in hers.

'I can't do it anymore.' Lily said with a defeated finality in her voice and got up to sleep in her new bed.

Lily stayed in Sutton for the remainder of her stay, spending time with Oliver and playing the old gramophone in her new room. Tommy hadn't visited her once, not even to see Oliver. Something she had expected now that he was back in Warwick with Charlie. He was settling back in his old life while she was still stuck in Birmingham,even though there was the important interview coming up. But Polly had asked her to stay until the Changretta business was over, her reasons still inconclusive. She said she didn't want to be alone in the large house but deep down, Lily wondered if Polly was hoping for Tommy to come with a ring in his hand.