Stolen Heart [Tommy Shelby x OC]

The Inauguration

‘Lily, is your friend married?’

Lily tried to dissect Ada's words as she looked at her. Back in the main hall, she had been seated between Alexander and Ada and she had lost count of the number of times Ada had turned to look at him and when caught, pretended to tickle Oliver. Had she finally decided to get out of mourning?

‘No.’

‘Are you both together, then?’

‘No, he’s just a friend.’

‘He seems good with Oliver.’ She said as she took him in, imitating noises at the boy.

But all Lily saw was Tommy’s watchful eyes never leaving Alexander’s while he continued talking to the eager women.

‘He is a natural. And he’s going to be in your Boston office.’ She added for good measure.

‘What?’

‘Yes. Tommy offered him a job there.’

‘Did he? Surprising, since I’ll be there too.’

‘Why surprising?’

‘Have you seen the way Tommy looks at him? Did they both brawl over you?’

Lily looked at Ada in shock but she only smiled and went off to ‘mingle’.

Alexander decided to join her at that moment.

‘Where is Oliver?’ she asked.

‘There, flirting with the women.’

‘Bring him back. Those women are positively ruthless.’ She said as she watched Tommy listen patiently to an older blonde.

‘Here he comes.’ Alexander gestured as a plump woman brought him back towards him. He reached for him while the woman sought Lily.

‘We haven’t been introduced formally. I am Katherine Fielding.’

‘Lily Peyton. Pleased to meet you.’ Not, she thought as she took in the cloying smile of the woman.

‘Your son is such a charmer. Every woman wants to hold him.’

‘Thank you.’

‘And is this gentleman his father?’ The woman looked at Alexander suggestively.

‘No.’

‘No? Then who-‘

‘He’s dead.’ Lily said as took another bite of the cake.

‘My apologies. Is it difficult being a single mother?’

‘No, not at all.’ She replied with her mouth full.

‘The Shelbys must be taking good care, then.’

Lily’s eyes blazed at the woman’s tone.

‘You know –'

‘It is actually the other way round, ma’am. Lily has been taking very good care of Charles. I don’t know how she does it with a child of her own.’ Tommy interrupted her tirade.

‘Mr. Shelby, such a lovely event you have organised.’ The woman went back to sugar-coating Tommy, unaware of his jibe.

‘Thank you, Mrs. Fielding.’

He took the woman away with a final glance at Alexander and Oliver.  As Tommy had his pictures clicked, she fed Oliver some cake and listened to Alexander moan about going to Boston. Tommy came back sometime later, his voice laced with worry.