The evening, arthur and vicky drank away all of life's issues. Ale and whiskey was all that was needed to fog their brain of bad memories, covering up what had happened. Some people despise alcohol. They call it sinful and shame anyone who let's a single drop touch their lips. These people are cowards. They live in fear of the truth. You see, alcohol shows people's true colours. Tells you who to trust and who to run from. Some people are afraid of what might come to light if they or anyone else around them drinks
"You know what vicky, I think your dad is a prat, and a dickhead for hitting you" Arthur yells reaching for another drink. He was pissed whereas vicky hadn't drank as much. She was slightly drunk just decided to stop so she wouldn't get ill
"Nah, he's alright really uncle Arthur. He just loses his temper sometimes. I know how he feels, got his fucking temper unfortunately" vicky chuckles lighting a cigarette
"Well I don't think it's fucking right. He's your dad, supposed to love and protect you. Not fucking hit you"
"He's scared that he'll turn into your father. Did my grandad hit you?" Vicky asks
"Oh my dad was tough. Fucking bastard. I remember this one time, ada had just been born and all she did was scream. All day and night she'd cry. Got to the point where my dad, he looked at me and he said 'son, there is no bigger fool than the man who raises his children to be brats' and as he said those words, he took his belt off and went over to Adas crot in the corner of the room. He wanted to hit her but Tommy jumped infront of the cot and got hit himself. The pair of us fought my dad out of the house and locked him out until eventually he went to the pub. Got pissed and forgot the whole thing. Shows how much it bothered him. Not one bit. Here I am, drunk as fuck and yet I remember it clear as day" arthur took a swig of whiskey
"My dad's nothing like that, I'm not scared of him uncle arthur. Not anymore" vicky says. They continue drinking and smoking until eventually, Tommy and Grace come home to find them both fast asleep. Vicky on a chair and Arthur on a sofa
"Jesus, looks like they've had fun" grace said picking up an empty bottle
"Fuck sake. She better not be hung over tomorrow" Tommy grumbles. He lifts vicky up and carries her upstairs as grace shakes Arthur's shoulders
"There's a bed upstairs for you Arthur" she says
"I'm fine on sofa thanks love" he slurs to the point where grace can only make out a few words before he falls back asleep. Tommy puts vicky in bed and strokes his thumb over her cheek. She looked so vulnerable and it scared him so much. How was he expected to care for this life? He'd fucked it up so often that he's surprised vicky hasnt made a run for it. Bouncer jumps onto the bed and lies at her feet, surprisingly not barking at Tommy
"Is it morning?" He hears her mumble
"Not yet Vic. Listen sweetheart, I'm sorry for everything and-"
"Don't. You've apologised so much and I'm sorry aswell. I should learn to control my temper and what I said was cruel. I would've done the same thing if I was you. Can we forget about it now?" Vicky asks
"Of course darling. Go back to sleep now. I love you" he kisses her forehead
"I love you too" she mumbles before Tommy leaves and vicky goes back to sleep
Tommy went and joined grace in bed, lying down and sighing that she has finally forgiven him
"I heard the two of you talking. I'm glad you've forgiven one another" grace says
"So am I. God knows what I would've done if our argument went on any longer" grace kisses his cheek and they try to go to sleep but Tommy just can't close his eyes. He stares up at the ceiling feeling hopeless, like a lost cause. After alot of tossing and turning, he gives up on the prospect of sleep and goes to light a cigarette but grace takes it from his hand
"Last time you go Ash all over the sheets and it almost suffocated me in my sleep" she chuckles but Tommy's face remains straight
"Talk to me love, somethings bothering you Tom" grace says as she puts her hand on his bare chest. Tommy sighs and sits up, running his fingers through his hair
"A year"
"I don't understand" grace comments
"Vicky has been here for over a year and she hasn't made one friend. I'm just worried that she's not as happy in birmingham as she claims to be" grace sits up behind Tommy and massages his shoulders and kisses the back of his neck
"She's not a very social girl, but that doesn't mean she isn't happy. Everyone has their own way of entertaining themselves throughout the day. Vicky would much rather spend it with family in the pub than out on the streets with other kids. It's not always a bad thing"
"I feel like I've deprived her of a fucking childhood grace. She should be outside with friends and doing things normal kids do. Not sat in a betting den with no company but her uncles and that damn dog" he groans
"Tommy love, vicky isn't a normal girl. She's had an unfortunate childhood but none of it is your fault. Most children spend all day with friends outside because they know that they will go home to a loving family and a nice meal as it always has been. Vicky has spent alot of her life without a family or atleast not a present family. She's probably worried that it's not real, too good to be true. Doesn't want to leave the family for a second in case something happens. But she is happy and she's safe with us. That's what matters" grace says kissing him
"Is she safe though? It seems no matter what, we are always at war and she is often on the front line. I want her to grow up in a stable and secure home but I can't even fucking give her that. Not to mention her temper. I dread to think what may happen if she loses her rag with another gang, or a police officer or judge. Constantly in danger and it terrifies me. I wish I never met her. It sounds bad but, she'd be safe, away from the guns and bombs and happy. Of course, I love her and now I know her, I couldn't possibly give her up. But if I could go back in time, I never would've dragged her into my world" a small tear leaves his eyes but he quickly wipes it
"Tommy, we all do things we regret. But I know you don't regret meeting your daughter. She is your main source of happiness. Every parent worries for their child, that just shows how much she means to you, how much you can't live without her. Get some sleep now my love, you'll regret it in the morning if you dont" grace lies down as does Tommy. His arms hold her as they drift off to sleep
YOU ARE READING
Shelby Fire- Completed
FanfictionBefore the war, there was a girl. Her customers knew her as Sapphire, her family knew her as Dotty. After falling pregnant with Thomas Shelby's baby, she runs. No one knows where and Tommy was left believing she had simply grown tired of small heath...
