Firecracker- John Shelby

-six-

"Finn, run the garrison and get the picture of the king for the bomb fire will you" I said to Finn
"Okay" he said, as he ran away I ruffled his hair
John walked up to me and gave me a handfull of framed pictures.
"How many did Arthur get" he asked me eagerly
"Only you,John Shelby would turn this into a game"I said laughing
He sat there waiting for an answer still.
"More than this!" I said looking at the pile in his hands, which was a lie, but he didn't need to know that. He looked disappointed and scurried off to collect more. I laughed after him.
I spotted Tommy and walked up to him.
"Look at everyone coming to watch" I said
"I already told you it was a good idea shirley"he said
"I'm not looking for praise, just saying"I said
"Yea" he said staring into the fire
John came over with another pile of picture frames in his hand.
"Chuck them on, boys" tommy said
Everyone cheered.
"I hope to god you two know what your doing" Arthur said
I leaned over so only Tommy could hear me.
"I called a reporter,he should be here soon. If we want people to take us seriously, the 'peaky girl' can't be the one who speaks on behalf of us, they need a top dog. Not a woman"I said
"Things can change" Tommy said
"No they can't. " I said
Just then we saw the reporter coming through the crowd and I followed John away from the area.
"Should be you speaking to that reporter" John said as we found our new spot around the bomb fire
"Ah well" I said trying to warm up
"If we want to be taken seriously, can't have a women be the face. Especially a woman who isn't even a Shelby"I said
"Sometimes I forget your not a Shelby"he said
"Well I'm waiting for you,arthur or Tommy to come to your senses and make me one" I joked
"I'd take anyone at this point, kids are driving me up the wall"he said
"They miss their mum, it's not because your a bad dad"I said
"I know I just... never ad to do it on me own before"he said
"I know John, your doing better than most people could" I said
"Kids are playing up at school, won't listen to me at home, they're out of control"he said
"I don't know what to tell you, I'd be a shit mum" I laughed
"You'd raise little soldiers you would" John laughed back
"My own little army"I joked
We both sat in silence staring into the fire
Tommy came up behind me startling me.
"Reporter just left" he said
"Oh, how did it go" i asked
"Well enough" he said looking between me and John. He nodded his head to an area out of the crowd.
"Not long before news reaches Churchill, who'll definitely tell Campbell, then he'll contact us, then we negotiate" I said
He nodded.
"You sure this is someone you want to cross" I asked
"Too late now to change my mind anyway" he said