𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎

Everyone sat around the kitchen table in Tommy's home after some of them had been talking to Tommy. "The thing is, we all naturally came in here— where the servants eat." Ada said.

"Oh— it's nothing to do with politics, Ada. It's fucking freezing in the big room." John huffed.

"John, mind your language in front of Karl." Polly scolded. Madeline laughed softly and held her cup of tea in hand. "Ada, we're in the servants quarter because it's where the fucking booze is kept." Arthur told her.

"Arthur! Find better words." Polly scolded a second time.

"Ay, Pol— does swearing in gypsy count?" He teased. "There's no reason for us to be speaking Rokka or Shelta in any case." She said. John and Arthur fussed and laughed. "I'm just saying there is no need."

"When she's drunk, my wife can't speak fucking English." John teased, squeezing Madeline's shoulder as he passed her.

"John!" Polly pointed the knife at him. Finn was in hysterics.

The room fell silent when Micheal walked in. "You dealt with it?" Polly asked.

"Incentives, no threats. Imply consequences without a specific reference to physical harm." He said.

"That's why your Micheal is the boss. He knows better words, right Pol?" Arthur said slyly. "Since when was I your boss, Arthur?" Micheal frowned. "First the boss meets him then the workers meet him." John said.

"When did either of you two do a days work?" Finn asked.

Madeline chuckled and shook her head. "He's got a point." She said.

"In the old days, Finn. Family meetings used to be all of us together." Arthur remarked. "Arthur, shut up." Polly said. Ada looked up at her Aunt. Arthur did the opposite and looked down. "Now me and John— we're just fucking bin men whose duty it is to.. obey, hm?"

John looked at the table.

"Changretta." Arthur mumbled and drank the whiskey.

"Arthur—" Polly took the bottle. "Shut up." She said. "Finn, go and get us cigarettes." Finn sighed and left the room.

"So what're we gonna do all night, eh? Climb fucking trees?"

"John stop swearing in front of the kids." Polly said again. "Yeah— and who said you're staying the night." Ada asked. Madeline nodded. "I'm going home. We have kids to look after." She said. John glared at her.

"I know what we can do. We get the guns out John. We go outside and shoot some fucking pheasants!" Arthur said excitedly. John began laughing. "That's what the bosses do."

John agreed.

"Fuck off, Arthur." Micheal muttered. Everyone looked at him. "Fuck you just say to me?" Arthur asked. "I didn't ask for seperate meetings today, alright?" Micheal said.

"Arthur leave him." Madeline huffed.

"Now what the fuck did you just say? Cause I didn't fucking hear ya." Arthur squared up to Micheal who kept his head forward. Madeline sighed and shook her head. John pushed Arthur back. "I didn't ask for separate meetings today, alright."

"Fucking pheasant!" Karl exclaimed.

John wheezed with laughter and Ada gasped. "You can't say things like that!" She said. "Now look what you've done." Polly scolded. Arthur began laughing and grabbed Micheal and Johns shoulders. "Alright brothers— it's just the whiskey talking."

-

Tommy had gone somewhere. Where? Nobody really knew. He had took off with Charles in a wagon with Johnny Dogs. Madeline however, sat at home getting the children to bed whilst John was out doing Tommy's business for him as usual.

The sun had began rising and Madeline heard the door close downstairs. Sighing, she got up from the bed and walked down to see John. "Busy night?" She asked sarcastically. John stopped in his tracks and just nodded. "Yeah, a bit." He said. "Listen— er, there's something Tom wants me and Arthur to do today. I have to go down to Liverpool Docks." He said.

"Are you leaving?"

"No, of course not." He placed a hand on the table. "So tell me what this business is that Tommy has you doing." Madeline said calmly. John cleared his throat. "He wants us to kill Mr and Mrs Changretta.." he trailed off.

Madeline dropped her head and shook it. "No— absolutely not."

"Mads, you can't say that. I have no choice." John said. She crossed her arms. "No." She pointed a finger at him. "This only gives the Italians more of a reason to come after you and the family." She reminded him. "And you know what will happen if something happens to me or the children."

John furrowed his brows together, hurt by the reminder. "I have to do it. Tommy's orders."

"Tommys orders." She scoffed. "Do you remember when you told me that one day we could ride off somewhere, buy a house in the countryside?" She took his hands in hers. John nodded. "Let's do it now— run away from all of this."

John admired her face sadly. "I have a job to do..." he whispered. "And because I love you, I have to do it." He tucked her hair behind her ear. She swallowed hard, not understanding. "Because Tommy will only make me hurt if I don't do it." Her eyes darted across John's face. "I just want peace, John."

"You'll never find peace in this fucking family." He said, ripping his hands from hers and walking out of the house.

Madeline pinched the bridge of her nose and exhaled. She was beyond worried at what the outcome could be. They were just adding fuel to the fire as the days passed. And Madeline knew it wouldn't end well. Whether that was for her, John or the children. Somebody was going to get hurt.

She picked up the phone and let it ring for a while, praying the person she had called would pick up.

And they did.

"Hello?" Theo's voice sounded. "Where are you?" She asked. "I'm at the house, Mads. Why?" He frowned. She sighed in relief. "I just wanted to make sure that Tommy hadn't dragged you into any of this either." She told him. "They're starting a war, Theo. And I'm scared."

Theodore shook his head. "I knew from the moment Esmerelda betrothed you that you would end up like this. You used to be free, Maddie. You used to love being at peace. But now you're waiting and hoping that John will return home because of some big fucking mistake he made." He ranted. "You need to do something."

"Like what? I can't just.. leave him." She said, knowing she had threatened John with this in hopes it would stop it all.

"Yes you can. Even if it's just for a little while. Go back to the camp— or London. Go to London. I know people there. George will take you if you ask. You and James can go someplace else whilst this all blows over. And hopefully it'll make John open his eyes and realise what is right in front of him."

Madeline chewed on her bottom lip. "I love him, Theo."

"I know you do." Theo mumbled. "But sometimes you need to put yourself first. Think of the kids, yeah? They can't lose you and John if something were to happen." He said. "I know men who can look after you." There was a slight silence. "I plan on visiting Ada this weekend.." he said. Madeline's brows raised. "Come with me. I can speak to her about you staying with her."

"I'll think about it." She said, playing with her hair. "So.. you and Ada?" She moved on. Theo grinned. "Yeah— yeah I like her. I mean, I don't really get the whole politics stuff but it's nice to hear her talk about it so passionately."

"You're falling in love, brother." Madeline teased. Theo's smile grew wider. "Yeah, maybe I am."

-

Madeline stared at the suitcase on the bed and picked at her nails. There was a pile of things that sat beside it, now she just needed to put them inside. She blinked a few times but hesitantly got up and began packing the clothes.

There were heavy footsteps and Madeline just ignored them.

"I'm home—" John paused when seeing the suitcase. He took his cap from his head and frowned. "What's going on?" He asked with slight panic. Madeline retrieved a few more items from around the room. "I'm going to stay with Ada for a few days." She admitted. "Until it blows over."

John watched her. "Why?"

"Do you want me to be honest?" She asked. John nodded. "I'm scared, John. Again. I'm scared for you. I'm scared for myself. I just want my husband back. I want him back and I want to be able to not worry about if you'll return home." She said.

John's expression faltered and his heart raced. "I'm sorry.."

"This isn't a matter for apologies. Especially not from you. There is more than one person to point the blame to and you are not the only one." She said. "I love you John." Madeline said. "You're my husband and I love you. I don't know what i'd do if something were to happen to you."

"Nothings gonna happen." He tried to convince her.

"You don't know that!" She snapped. "You say that until something does happen. What am I supposed to do then? What am I supposed to do when James and Katie start asking for their father and I can't tell them a single thing? What am I supposed to do if i'm left alone in bed without you by my side. John, I truly don't think I could survive." She placed a hand on her chest.

He breathed heavily.

"I want things back to normal. And if that means I go away for a while then so be it." Madeline shrugged and went back to happen.

"But you'll come back?"

She paused and kept her eyes down. "I don't know, John. I need things to change. I need to feel safe again." She said.

"What can I do, Mads? I want you. I need you." He said, stepping closer. Madeline shrugged and pressed her palms to her eyes. "Tell Tommy Shelby to go to hell." She said. "Although I believe he is already there and he is burning in it." Madeline scoffed.

"He won't rest till the work is done." John said.

"And I won't rest until my husband is back at home, playing with his children and sleeping beside me the whole night." She said. "Things have changed. You know it. I know it. I see how you are with Esme."

John didn't argue. She was right. He hadn't done anything with Esme but he had definitely entertained her flirtatious behaviour.

"If things have not changed by the end of my stay in London." She turned to him. "I'm going back to the camp." She said. "I'm taking James with me to London and i'll take him to the camp too. So please, John, think of your son." She said.

John watched her zip up the suitcase and was speechless. "I'll call you." Was all he could say. She almost laughed at him.

"I love you—" Madeline kissed him. "But please think about what you're doing." She whispered, brushing her fingers against his cheek for a brief moment. "Think about our family."

He nodded. "I know.." he muttered.

He wanted to stop her from walking out but knew he couldn't. "Daddy!" James babbled. John turned to look at the boy who was now on Madeline's hip and he took him into his arms, lifting him and forcefully smiling. "I love you, my boy." He whispered, holding him close. "Be good for ya mum." He said before handing him back.

John then went to the window and watched as they got into a car. Madeline looked up at him before getting in and offered him a hopeful smile before getting inside and closing the door.

A pit of nerves sat in his stomach. He couldn't lose her. He needed her around more than anything. She was what kept him sane. And the thought of her leaving him for good made his stomach turn.