Stolen Heart [Tommy Shelby x OC]

Chapter 16

Finn walked her back to the lodgings after their foray in the stables. After Tommy had left with May, she'd found it hard to concentrate on what Finn was saying. And she felt guilty for faking a headache so she could go back and wallow like she'd been for the past few days. Poor Finn, he had apologised, bloody apologised for boring her with the horses.

She had petted his head and ruffled his hair. After which he'd blushed red and to her relief, stopped talking.

Back at her place, she realised she hadn't bought the supplies for food. Time to go out again, she thought as she looked out of the window and found it was still not dark yet.

She was leaving when the phone rang.

'Hello, Lily.'

'Polly?'

'I heard you met Finn today.'

'Yeah, he was kind enough to show me around the stables.'

'I couldn't talk to you yesterday. Michael is back.' It was the happiest sentence she had heard from her mouth.

'I saw. I am sorry if I intruded.'

'Don't fret. You can come by if you want.'

'Sure. Your old place?' And immediately bit her tongue. Polly didn't know that she knew about Polly's new house.

But Polly either didn't notice or chose to ignore the glitch.

'Come to Sutton tomorrow afternoon. We'll chat.'

Lily hesitated, Polly Gray didn't seem like a woman who chatted. But she had to see the antique.

'Sure. See you tomorrow.'

Lily wore the emerald green dress she'd worn on her first night in Birmingham for her afternoon tea with Polly Gray. Her heart was pounding with trepidation. And she cursed at herself for losing her guile. You are already in deep shit, Lily.

She parked herself in front of the huge house and went up the stairs leading to the door.

A maid answered the door for her and let Polly know about her presence.

'Please sit in the living room, Mrs. Gray will be there in a moment.'

'Thank you.'

She walked patiently, not giving away any signs of nervousness. In the hall, her eyes flitted over every rack and table. Then she finally saw it. The antique figurine, known to the world as The Sorrow, sculpted by a revered Russian artist. Lily walked swiftly towards the mantelpiece where it was kept. It was beautiful in an understated way. You didn't like it at first glance but after a few moments with it, you lost yourself in it.

'Ada gifted it to me, last month.'

Polly's voice interrupted her thought and she replied, slowly turning back.

'It's beautiful.'

'Sit.'

'I hope it's not trouble.' She sat and tried not to sink in the sofa.

'Michael has gone out. I could use the company.'

'The house is lovely.'

'Drink?' She asked as she picked a flask of brown liquid.

'No, thank you.'

Polly looked at her in slight surprise but said nothing. She was out on job. And alcohol had been reason why she'd failed so far.

'Tell me about London.' She said as she settled on the sofa.

'It's good. I live in a flat with two more girls.' Almost truth. She had lived with Kate and Rose in the initial days.