Blue Eyes

4

            "Alfie Solomons?" Ella raised an eyebrow. "I don't..."

"John told me you were asking about him in the church." Tommy interrupted so she knew he wasn't about to let her pull the wool over his eyes.

"Oh," Ella shrugged and tried to remain aloof about the subject. "Amelia might've mentioned the name to me. Have I told you about Amelia? She's got all sorts of stories 'bout London." Technically, her best friend was the one who told her about the gangster. But Tommy didn't need to know that was only after Ella had seen the man in person.

"Why would she bring him up?" Tommy's icy blue eyes studied her expression. He was usually very good at telling when someone was flat out lying to him. But it was hard to distinguish when Ella had mastered the art of lying like a Shelby. Be evasive, answer questions with other questions, omit details, and stay cool, calm, and collected. Plus, Tommy had a weak spot for her sister; he never assumed she was lying, unlike other people he encountered in his line of work.

"She's always got a story to tell." Ella made sure to maintain enough eye contact so he didn't grow more suspicious.

Tommy let the cigarette in his fingers burn in the air for a moment. The smoke curled around his hand and disappeared out of the barn door into the dark night. "You should tell her it's wise to avoid talking 'bout that man." He said firmly. "You don't want to be connected to him even in passing."

"How do you know him?" Ella turned the spotlight back on her brother, hopefully, to acquire information John didn't give her earlier.

"We've crossed paths before." He admitted. "Nothing you need to worry about."

Ella tilted her head to the side. "Do I have to worry about him finding out I'm a Shelby?" Of course, she didn't think Alfie would be able to connect the dots just with a brief meeting.

"Doesn't matter, because you won't be going near him," Tommy replied with a stern look. "You keep away from Camden Town and the Jews there. They all answer to him as far as I know."

"You've changed, Tommy." His sister noted quietly. "You've seen more things...done more things since I've been 'round."

He took a drag of his cigarette to avoid the question for a moment. "You said you didn't want to be part of it, don't think that's something you have to worry about."

"I'm your fucking sister, I can worry about you," Ella replied, irked by his cold demeanor towards her when business was being spoken about. Back in Small Heath, when she was still just a teenager, he'd often tell her with a proud smile that they were moving up in the world. He'd promise her horses, luxuries, a new home, and when she was old enough, a car. Now he was acting like she had no right to even inquire about his well-being. "Tom, you used to tell me everything." She furrowed her eyebrows. "You didn't even tell me you had Charlie."

He didn't look at her for a long while. "You told me you didn't want anything to do with Shelby Company Limited." He echoed himself. "You went off to London and I didn't hear from you, El. M'too busy to keep track of someone who's gone and done a runner."

"I didn't run," Ella argued, her temper was beginning to bubble up in her stomach, moving to her chest and throat. "Can you blame me for what I did?"

Tommy shrugged and finished his cigarette. "You were keen to tell me you could make your own choices. I can't blame you."

Angry tears stung Ella's blue eyes. "Arthur and John were happy to see me. Polly understood my choice. Ada supports me in London. You're the only one who's still acting like a fucking brat!"