— 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 —
⁰¹¹

Cecilia had been in Boston for almost two years. Reggie was now married and that meant that Cecilia could return home to London. Which, in some way, was a complete relief. She had missed home, she had missed her father.

She had missed the late night calls from Tommy Shelby.

He wasn't aware of her move to Boston until she had already gone. The only person she kept in touch with was her father and Peter. She hadn't had time to wish him goodbye but could not leave him in the dark.

Stepping onto the familiar cobble, Cecilia felt the smoke consume her. "Jesus, don't think I missed this." Her accent was thicker than it used to be but she was just as beautiful. Her hair had been cut to the same length it used to be and she wore the same red lipstick on her lips.

Her heels echoed as they tapped against the pavement when she walked. The sky was growing dark and people were already walking the streets, ready to go out for the night.

Almost two years gone and she hadn't changed one bit.

As she approached Esmerelda's, the music could be heard from a slight distance which filled her with joy. The door was opened for her and she nodded to the familiar doorman who offered her a smile. "Welcome back." He said as she walked in.

He took her coat and she looked around.

It looked the same. It was refreshing to be back. The music was loud and the dance floor was just as hectic as it was two years ago.

Her eyes landed on the same familiar face she had hoped to see and his eyes grew wide. "Cecilia—" he stood straight and held his arms out in a welcoming way.

"Hello Peter." She grinned, hugging him. He pulled back and grabbed her face, placing a friendly kiss on her forehead. "What're you doing back? Was Boston not good enough to you?" He joked. Cecilia rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I've no business being there no more. Reggie has a wife— he's got someone. He don't need me now." She breathed with relief.

"Well it's good to have you back," he nodded, stepping behind the bar as she sat upon a stool.

"How was this place whilst I was away?" Cecilia questioned. Peter slid a drink to her and she brought it to her lips. Peter sighed and shrugged. "Sabini's men didn't bother us again. Your admirer visited a few times and he was looking for you." Peter hummed.

"My admirer?"

"He didn't explicitly say why he was here but I only ever saw him in this club whenever you were working." Peter added. He noticed Cecilia's blank face. "Thomas Shelby."

The name made her tense up slightly. She hadn't heard that name for a while. She had tried to forget about him, she really had. But it was as if he was haunting her. Cecilia had hoped that moving away would make the strange feelings she felt disappear. And she believed they did... for now.

"Of course he did.." she trailed off with a sigh and took a big sip of her drink. "And you— how have you been?"

Peter nodded slightly. "Good. I've been good." He said to her.

"I'm glad to hear it." She said genuinely.

—

Tommy sat, leaning back in his chair as the cigarette the he held between his fingers burnt out. The office door opened and in came Polly. "God, get yourself together, Thomas." She huffed as she placed down files for him to look at. Tommy snapped his eyes toward her. "Rafael Abbott called."

Tommy sat up straight and scoffed.

"Oh, please. It's been two years. You need to get your act together—" Polly insulted.

"What did he say?" He interrupted her sharply. Polly took a deep breath. "He's just opened up a new club. He wants a meeting to discuss Shelby Whiskey." She told him.

Tommy hummed and looked down at the papers on the desk.

"And to tell me that daughter of his has returned." Polly said as she got to the door. She left before he could ask questions. Tommy stared at the door and then at the phone.

Cecilia was back?

He dropped his cigarette to the ashtray and leaned his fist against his mouth, staring at the phone. He remembered the Abbott's phone number. Despite not having to use it during her absence, he still knew it.

With a deep breath, Tommy picked up the phone and held it to his ear after dialling the number.

It rang once.

Then twice.

"Hello?"

Tommy remained silent. "Who's this?" She asked. "Listen— I ain't got time for shit like this." She said. It was as if he could hear her rolling her eyes. "Cecilia?" Tommy asked finally. Her breath hitched. "Who's this?" She pretended as if she didn't know.

Her words stung Tommy. Had she forgotten the sound of his voice?

No. No, she hadn't. That was something she never wanted to forget.

"Hello?" She asked again. Tommy put the phone down and Cecilia sat on the other end, both regret and guilt rushing through her. Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose and pushed away from the desk. "Fucking Cecilia Abbott." He mumbled to himself.

—

"Who was that?" Rafael questioned. Cecilia looked over her shoulder. "I don't know." She lied. "Must've been a wrong number," she added on, turning back to face the window. She dug her nails into her palms gently and began thinking.

Rafael just grunted and walked off to continue doing whatever it was that he was doing.

She flipped the page in the diary and began searching through the messily written words. Her eyes stopped on the words, 'Shelby Company Limited' and she furrowed her eyebrows together.

Cecilia leaned back in her chair and tilted her head back. Everything came back to her.
The way he used to look at her, talk to her. It all came back. And that feeling that filled her chest seemed to be ten times worse. It was filled with hurt. The way he had dismissed her the day of the Derby.

The way they had not spoken much after having sex made her feel — some sort of hatred toward him.

As if he had used her.

Which he hadn't.

Tommy, unaware of whether she was going to return, realised he had not been given the chance to speak his truth of how he felt towards her. And he knew she was far too independent to return home just because of some love confession over the phone.

And Cecilia didn't know what love felt like so how could she have known?

"Da?" Cecilia shouted after sighing. She could hear his heavy footsteps again. He just hummed. "What meeting do we have with the Shelby's?" She asked curiously.

Rafael peered down at the calendar and tutted. "To discuss the use of Shelby Liquor in one of our new clubs— and some other business they wish to discuss. I don't know." He shrugged, waving his hands around slightly.

"Will I be attending?"

Rafael almost laughed at her. "Cecilia— you're my closest member of business." He said. Her face was blank. "Yes, you'll be attending. Are ya stupid?"

"To attend, yes." She mumbled to herself.

"What?" Rafael asked after not hearing her.

"Nothin' don't worry about it." She smiled at him and got up to walk out. Her mind was going in all sorts of directions. This wasn't like Cecilia. How did one man have the ability to consume her thoughts in such a way? This didn't even happen when she was still living in London — only when she left.

And the same went for Tommy. Two years and yet it was her face that would keep him up at night. She was like a bad dream. It was like she was haunting him but.. she was still alive.

It was like Grace all over again except worse and without the betrayal and lies.

Deciding she had thought of the Shelby man enough for one night, she picked up the phone again and dialled Reggie's number. It rang a few times before a female answered. "Hello?" She asked.

"Hand the phone to my brother, Anastasia." Cecilia sighed and picked up the pen, aimlessly drawing shapes in the diary. She heard a slight scoff come from Reggie's wife and after a few moments, he spoke. "Yeah?" He asked. "Brother." Cecilia said.

"Cecilia." Reggie chirped. "Been gone not even a week— are you missing me?" He joked.

"Of course." She said with sarcasm. There was a silence for a few seconds. "Does your wife always answer phone calls?" She asked.

Reggie sighed. "Come on, Cecilia. Give it a rest."

"No, Reg. The phone i'm calling is the phone you keep in the office— what business does Anastasia have answering that phone?" Cecilia lectured. "None." She finished. "So next time this phone rings, you run to answer it. You're a man of business. Dad wouldn't be pleased to hear.."

"Oh, fuck him." He hissed.

Cecilia raised her brows in amusement and hummed. "I'm sure he'd be pleased to hear that after he funded your wedding." She examined her nails.

Reggie took a deep breath. "Why did you call, Cecilia?"

"Wanted to check up on you." She said honestly. "And see if you've heard anything about the Shelby Company down in Boston." She wondered.

Reggie thought for a moment. "It ain't a name I hear often down here but— I can keep an eye out and get back to you." He offered. "Much appreciated." She said bluntly, "goodbye, brother." She said before putting down the phone.

Cecilia ran her hands through her hair and sighed.

—

Rafael shifted awkwardly in his seat as Tommy, Arthur and John sat opposite him. Peter was over Rafael's shoulder as he poured him a glass of whiskey. Rafael looked up at him. "Go see where Cecilia is will you?" He whispered.

Peter nodded. "Of course, sir."

And with that he walked out to try and find her or at least locate her.

"My apologies—" Rafael began, "you see, my daughter Cecilia.. she's gone wild." He laughed, gripping his glass tightly. Tommy laughed dryly. "I told her not to be late but," he glanced down at his watch.

"It's no worry, Mr Abbott." Arthur said when realising his brothers weren't going to say anything. "We have time."

The door opened and Cecilia strolled in. "Evening." She spoke, cigarette between her fingers. Peter took her coat from over her shoulders and she sat beside her father. "Have I missed much?"

Rafael glared at her.

"Not at all." Tommy said with a slight shake of his head. Cecilia smiled forcefully and bit down on her tongue. "Shame— that was my aim." She hummed, putting out her cigarette and leaning back.

Rafael gave her a look of warning.

"Oh, i'm kidding." She assured, a hand on his arm. "So, where shall we start."

Tommy cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Your new club on the outskirts of Birmingham— we hear is making great progress on almost being finished."

"Indeed." Rafael confirmed proudly. "And with your permission, we were hoping to have Shelby Whiskey sold behind the bar." He said, "with the same deal as the other clubs we have worked together in. We buy the bottles and you get fifteen percent of sales."

Tommy nodded along. With the amount of sales the Abbott's clubs got, fifteen percent was quite a lot on top of the bottle prices. He was okay with that.

"Deal." He nodded.

John frowned and snapped his head toward Tommy. Arthur touched John's shoulder to prevent him from saying something, knowing it was a somewhat fair deal.

They continued to discuss but Cecilia stopped listening — it was only when she felt a pair of eyes burning into her that she began paying attention. As she looked up, she was automatically met with Tommy's harsh eyes locked onto hers. His jaw tensed and he tightened his grip around his glass.

"Mr Shelby.." Rafael cleared his throat when noticing Tommy's lack of attention.

Tommy raised his brows and looked toward Rafael. "My apologies, do continue." Cecilia grinned to herself and shook her head.

They began speaking once more and Cecilia just leaned back, thinking of what time her shift was at Esmerelda's the next day. Her lack of enthusiasm and notice was frustrating Tommy. But he couldn't say anything. No, not in front of her father. He'd likely have a bullet through Tommy's head before he could apologise.

When it seemed to be coming to an end, Rafael cleared his throat and nodded toward the door. She hummed and stood, walking straight to the bar where Peter was waiting.

"Did it go well?"

"Do you have a knife?" She asked. Peter raised a brow. "I could cut the tension that surrounded us in that meeting." She chuckled to herself. Peter grinned and shook his head. "You amuse me, Cecilia."

She sent a playful wink his way and watched his eyes divert to behind her. She went to turn but didn't have to.

The familiar figure leaned his elbows onto the bar and tilted his head down. "A whiskey— Irish." They spoke, taking out cigarettes. "You can't smoke in here." Cecilia told him. He paused and placed it back in the box. "Can't I?" Tommy tilted his head. Cecilia shook her head. "No." She slid the box toward her and placed one between her lips before taking his lighter. "You can't." She emphasised.

Tommy held back his sigh. "Of course." Was all he could say with a slight scoff.

Peter awkwardly poured Tommy a drink. "When did you return?" He asked after taking a sip. Cecilia blew smoke into the air. "Earlier this week." She said. Peter turned away.

Tommy hummed. "I wasn't aware that you left."

"Hm.." Cecilia hummed, "no, but you came looking, didn't you?"

Tommy tilted his head down and looked at her. "I don't believe I did.. who told you I was?" He asked. The corners of her lips turned upward. "A good friend of mine. I have eyes all over the city."

"A good friend once told me that you shouldn't trust everybody," he sighed, referring to the time she said those exact words to him. Before she could argue back, he walked off.

He walked off and left her watching him.

"Tommy Shelby.." she shook her head.

After Midnight
Chapter 011
[gracessecretshelby]