𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

68

Lottie stood beside Finn as the Wagon drove down Watery Lane. Finn placed an arm around his sister as people placed flowers on the wagon.

Lottie looked over at Linda who held hers and Arthur's child in her arms.

Something was off. She didn't seem as upset as you'd be if your husband had just died.

"Finn" she whispered. He looked down at her. "Look at Linda," she said. He looked over the road. "What about her?"

"Does she not seem..normal?"

He frowned, examining her.

-

The Shelby's sat around the dinner table and watched as Micheal walked in from previously living somewhere else. Polly stood, hugging the boy.

Tommy stared down at the table.

"Tommy i've been trying to think of words" Micheal began. "Don't" Polly stopped him. "Words don't work. Micheal we're in a grave situation, Tommy has a plan"

Micheal frowned.

"Instead of going to Australia, you're going to New York"

"Really, Polly?" Lottie raised her voice. "Arthur has just died and your fucking talking about Micheal going to America?" she asked, her mouth parting.

They all ignored her. "Why" Micheal asked. "Because the company has business to attend in America" Ada spoke.

"Will i be coming back?"

"Train leaves in an hour, Micheal. You made a choice, you knew i was going to be shot and you chose not to tell me"

"I chose my mum" Micheal whispered: "When all this business is over, we'll all be free to make our own choices" Polly said.

"So is that it?" he asked.

"You get the train to Liverpool then the SS to Monroe," Tommy cleared his throat. "Boat sails tomorrow."

Micheal looked over at Lottie. Tommy handed him an envelope. " Now you can go"

He took the envelope and walked away slowly.

-

"I need an overseas connection please, USA" Tommy spoke into the phone.

-

Lottie watched as Charlie and Curly threw gasoline underneath the wood. She bit her lip which had began trembling, keeping a tight hold on Auroras hand.

A woman approached with a white flag.

"Tommy" Johnny shouted. "It's alright, let her come" he said, walking toward her. "Please, once we're all finished" he said.

She said nothing so he turned away.

"Is uncle Arthur going to heaven mum?" Aurora asked. Lottie didn't look at her, just nodded. "Hopefully"

-

Polly, Tommy, Finn and Lottie sat in front of the woman.

"Your note talked about making terms for peace" Audrey Changretta, said to Tommy. "But my son says there are no terms. You took my husband and my son, we took two of your brothers."