Save him

Chapter 5

Tommy and Lana were still laid in the same position. He was laying on his back with his arm around her waist, holding him close to her. Lana had taken his free hand and started to fiddle with it, drawing patterns into the palm of his hand. 

"I don't know where to start." Lana said, avoiding eye contact with Tommy.

"Just take your time, your alright here."

Lana nodded, Tommy brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. Lana smiled at this, feeling more relaxed. He kept her hand in his, stroking his thumb over the back of her hand to try and soothe her. He could tell that she was getting worked up again and he didn't want that to happen.

"My whole life, I felt like I had no purpose, like I didn't belong. As I grew older, I lost friends, my family either left me or died and I had no one. It felt like I wasn't in control, that I was on auto pilot and I wasn't actually living, I was just breathing and existing."

Lana took a deep, shaky, breath and gripped Tommy's hand a little bit harder to make sure he was really there. 

"One day I just didn't see the point anymore, I can't even remember what pushed me over the edge but it was enough and before I could even think about it too much I had driven to the beach, went to the cliffs edge and stared out at the sea. The next thing I remember is darkness, before Polly pulled me off of the road. What makes it weirder Tommy is that i'm not from now, I'm from 100 years from now."

Lana didn't know how it happened. Tommy didn't either, but Tommy's upbringing around gypsy magic made it a bit more believable for him. 

"It sounds like..." Tommy started, taking a second to formulate his words.

Lana looked up at him after making sure she had blinked away her tears, she didn't want to start crying again. 

"It sounds like to me, that you're a guardian angel sent down from Heaven. My own personal piece of Heaven, to protect me from the evil of this world." He took the hand that was resting on her waist and brought it up to her face to tuck the loose strands of hair behind her ear and then laying his hand on her cheek, cupping it gently. This was the most relaxed and content Tommy had felt in a very long time and he wasn't just about to let that go. 

"Do you really mean that?" Lana asked, letting her insecurities show. She couldn't help it, nobody had ever treated her this way. 

"Of course. But just because you're my guardian Angel doesn't mean that I'm not going to protect you. You're special Lana." Tommy smiled.

Lana couldn't help but smile back. "I think in a couple of days you'll realise that you don't want me around anymore, but for now i'll enjoy the attention." Lana now rested her head on Tommy's chest. She wanted to be closer to him, but she also wanted to hide the growing blush on her face.

Tommy started to run his fingers through her hair. "Don't be silly. Now we best get some sleep, eh? It's your first day tomorrow, don't want to be late." 

As they both fell asleep, they had the same thoughts. They had only just met each other, yet they'd never felt more comfortable with another person in their lives. They both dreamt of each other that night, holding on to each other tight.

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It was the next day.

Everyone in the family had noticed the lightened mood that seemed to be around. They all knew it was because of Lana. She seemed to spread joy like it was nothing. To Lana it was the most she could do to show her gratitude to the family for quickly warming to her. 

The whole family decided to go out that night, like many other nights, to the Garrison, to properly welcome Lana into the business. They wouldn't do this for any other employee and Lana knew that, she was very grateful. 

They all walked into the Garrison together. John had his arm over Lana's shoulders, as a few moments before he had been teasing her about her fondness of his brother. From outside the pub they could hear the singing and they all went silent. 

The new barmaid, Grace, was stood on one of the tables singing. As soon as people saw the Shelby's come through the door they stopped singing and averted their eyes down to their drinks. But Grace didn't stop singing. Lana knew this would happen and she knew that there would be no trouble if she didn't get involved so she let it happen. 

Tommy was staring at Grace. Lana couldn't help but feel jealous. She obviously knew that Tommy and Grace are supposed to fall in love, get married and have a child together but she couldn't help but feel selfish, like she wanted that life with Tommy. John still had his arm wrapped around Lana when Grace sang the words, "The boy I love is up in the gallery...". He could see that Lana was getting a bit upset so he steered her into the snug and closed the door behind him, not waiting for his brothers reaction.

"Are you alright love?" John asked, pulling a seat up for Lana to sit in. 

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Lana asked.

"Well you just looked a little upset out there that's all." John said, pulling out a cigarette and offering one to Lana. 

Lana accepted it. "I don't like the new barmaid." Lana decided she could be very straight up with John. 

John chuckled. "I can tell."

Lana wanted to tell him it was because she was a rat, but that would give her away. He obviously thought it was because Grace had caught the eye of Tommy who still hadn't entered.

And on that thought, the door opened.

Tommy walked in, an annoyed look on his face. John smiled and looked down, stubbing out his cigarette in the nearest ashtray.

"I'm gonna go get a drink and find Arthur. See youse later."

Lana smiled at John before he left and turned to Tommy who was offering her another cigarette.

"You can't trust her."

"Who?"

"The barmaid." Lana turned around to see if the window to the snug was closed properly and found it wasn't. She quickly got up to shut it, double checking it actually was, before sitting down. 

"She's working with Detective Campbell. She's going to get information out of Arthur without him realising about where you've put those guns. And then she's going to sell you out to Billy Kimber."

"What's Billy Kimber got to do with any of this?" Tommy said, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"Tommy, you're setting up races, surely you must have known that you would have to deal with him at some point."

Tommy nodded taking in this information.

"Best be prepared then."