𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

44

"You were correct not to talk over the phone," Hughes spoke. "What did she say?"

"She said there was going to be a killing, a holy man," the other priest told him. "And she was with the Shelby's was she?"

The man nodded and Hughes scoffed, walking out of the church.

-

Tommy looked down at the bullet with Hughes' name carved in it, placing it into his gun and following the priest into the building.

He held his gun tight, walking through the lavatory cautiously. As he pointed his gun, two men grabbed him from behind, shoving him against the wall and punching him. Tommy flight back but eventually got thrown to the floor, hitting his head on the concrete. The man picked his head up, throwing it against the metal pipe.

He pushed Tommys head against the wall and he screamed, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as a crack was heard.

-

"You idiot, you nearly killed him. I told you we needed him fully conscious" Jarvis said, looking at Tommys body. "We need to stop using soldiers who've been in India, they hit too hard."

"Not fucking hard enough," Hughes hissed, pushing Tommy with his foot. "Mr Shelby, i heard about your plan to kill a holy man from a voice in the confessional."

"Can you hear us?" Jarvis asked,

"Grace?" Tommy whispered.

"Shelby" Jarvis leaned over him. "Why were you attempting to kill father Hughes? Maybe we should wait until he's fully conscious"

"I have a dinner appointment," Hughes complained. "Shelby," he grabbed his face, "wake up, eyes front. Mr Shelby, you're trying to kill me, were you?"

"Passing information.." Tommy whispered.

"Fuck. He knows" Jarvis said.

Thomas opened his eyes, groggily looking about. "Where am i?"

"You are among the Odd Fellows. Please count from ten to one."

"Ah fuck you.."

-

Tommy slouched in his chair, asleep. Francis walked in, "Sir, i don't understand.." she paused when Tommy jumped, waking. "I don't understand why as a former soldier yourself, you have sacked all of the former soldiers on the staff. It means there's only one man in the household."

"Mary, i want it so that Charles and Delilah are never left on their own" he groaned, holding his head. "Understood?"

"Sir, i should call a doctor."

"There will be some men coming. Coming down from Birmingham. And you put them up here in the house. You put them in the front and back of the house, you feed them and you.."

"Why are they needed, sir?" she interrupted.

"I brought the cursed sapphire into this house, Mary. And now i'm paying for it. And i don't know what to expect. But neither do my enemies. Tell David to bring the car around, i need to go go London."

"Sir.."

"And get me some tea, Mary."

Tommy clung onto the phone, calling Arthur. "Yes, Arthur"

"Tommy?"

"They want the robbery to be sabotaged. They don't give a fuck who gets hurt," he breathed. "Are you all right, Tommy?" he asked.

"It's a bigger picture now."

"What?"

"Did John make a list?"

"Speak clearer Tom"

"I said did John make a list?"

"John Boy! John!" Arthur shouted. "Gypsies and kin only. Yeah" he said.

"Good"

"Tommy can i ask you why? Tommy"

He put the phone down and dialled Ada's number.

-

Karl ran to the phone. "No, Karl, i told you go on and play in there" she stopped him. "Hello?"

"Ada, it's me. It's Tommy. Ada i need you to.. i need you to speak to one of your comrades and get me a meeting with someone from the Soviet Embassy. Tonight. Your place, 10.00pm"

Tommy rushed to the bin, throwing up, growing dizzy.

-

Ada worriedly watched Tommy as the members from the Embassy spoke. "We want to know who you are,"

"He's Tommy Shelby, you can take his word" she frowned. "Ada..Ada" he whispered" grabbing onto her arms. "Okay," she said, helping him stand. She took him downstairs.

"Stop, stop. Ada, stop" he fell to his knees. "Drive me to the hospital, Ada. If i'm not conscious when i get there, tell them i have a fractured skull, concussion and internal bleeding. I think i may have haemorrhaged."

"Tommy,"

"Ada, go on, be quick cause i can't see."

"Okay," she nodded.

"I can't fuckin see" he whispered.

Whilst Ada went round to the kitchen, he closed his eyes, growing tired. The only thing on his mind being Delilah.

-

"Miss Shelby," Mary opened the door to Delilah's room. "Hi, Mary," she greeted, looking up from her book. "Your Aunt is here," Mary said.

Delilah tilted her head, standing. "Why?" she asked.

Mary kept quiet and the girl huffed, walking down to Ada. She looked upset and anxious. "Where's dad?" she asked.

"You're going to have to come stay with me for a bit, Lilah. Your dads in hospital, fractured skull.." Ada began. "A few other things, he'll be there for a while, but don't worry he's okay."

"What happened?"

"Delilah, listen, he asked me to bring you back to London with me whilst he's away. Charles will be with Arthur, now come on it's late" Ada urged.

Delilah let out a breath, quickly going back up the stairs to gather clothes.

-

What Ada and Delilah thought to be 'a while' would turn into three months. Three months of Tommy being in hospital. Three months of Delilah being in London.