𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃
chapter 46

Thomas frowned, walking to the window and pulling back the curtain. He quickly rushed through the house, grabbing his rifle and walking out to the field. The phone began ringing.

Tommy pushed the gate open, walking along the mud and toward the wooden cross which held a scarecrow with a piece of paper reading "Thomas Shelby, O.B.E." he opened the paper "Look down on Earth and see the seeds you have sown."

His eyes scanned the earth around him. His body filled with dread at the sight of several land mines that decorated the soil. Tommy snatched the pocket watch that hung from the scarecrow and hesitantly began stepping forward, hoping he would trigger an explosions

Young Charlie ran through the field, heart pounding as the breath was taken from him, "Dad, theres a phone call for you!" he called out, "Dad, theres a phone call for you!" he repeated. Tommy's eyes widened and he forgot about everything around him, he ran in the direction he heard his son's voice and begged that Charlie hadn't came across a landline yet, "Charlie, charlie, wait!"

Tommy lifted him from the floor and ran back toward the gate, stopping on the grass. "Giddy up, horsey! Giddy up!" Charlie laughed. He held Charles' head, placing him on the floor. "Dad theres a phone call for ya."

"Good boy, good boy, you go back to the house and whoever is calling, the operator will have their number and i'll call them back, eh? Oh look, Charlie, you must have violin practice, it's Mrs Milligan, go on—" He breathed.

Charles made his way back toward the house and Thomas let out a breath.

"Charlie, you play loudly, you might hear some bangs. Go on." he shouted.

"All right, Charles, in you come," Florence said, opening the door for him. "Did you tell your father?" she sked. He nodded. "Told me to come in and play me violin." he said happily. Florence nodded and gently pushed him to the room where his teacher had walked into.

She walked to Tommy's office, sitting in the chair. "Francis," Florence called to the passing maid. "Yes Miss Gray?" she turned, her hands clasped together. "Could you please get me a driver? I have somewhere to be,"

-

"Maggie," Tommy spoke into the phone. "Yes Mr Shelby," the woman on the other line responded. "I just missed a call, where was it from?" he asked. "Er, Belfast."

"Belfast?" he asked. "Where in Belfast?" He breathed heavily. "I'm not sure." she said quietly. "Do you have the number?" Tommy questioned. "Yes. It's 0-8-24." he picked up a pen, writing the numbers down. "Yeah can you put me through?"

"Tommy dont believe-" Micheal began speaking. Tommy frowned. "Mr Shelby" A woman began. "My name is Captain Swing, calling from the occupied six countries. And there are some people from the other side of our neat little city that want you dead. You should also know that this boy, this Micheal, your kin, was in his cabin aboard the SS Monroe in Belfast dock, making deals with the very men who want you dead."

"Tommy, they're lying," Micheal interrupted.

"Now if you want, we can put a bullet in his head, here and now, or we can send him home and you can deal with him."

Tommy held his head. "Send him home," he told her. "Very well, Mr Shelby. But be informed that this kin of yours was talking to representatives from the County Tyrone and Glasgow UVF about how they divide up the English race tracks after they'd blown away your legs."

"Tommy, they're lying," Micheal shouted.

"And may I ask why you are doing me this favour?" Tommy asked. "Because, Mr Shelby, we've been informed by people at the very highest level, that since your conversion to socialism, you're now on the side of the angels. And angels can be useful to us." she said before placing the phone down.

Tommy slammed the phone down, sighing.

Francis knocked on the door. "Come," he said, staring out the window with a cigarette in between his fingers, "Mr Shelby, the violin teacher wants to know what all those bangs where."

"Fireworks, i was trying them out for Saturday," he lied. "You promised the doctor not until after dark," she reminded him. Tommy sighed. "Its pretty dark Francis."

"Also, will Mrs Shelby and Ruby be home for dinner tonight?" she asked. "I dont know." he said quietly. Francis looked toward the door. "Dad."  Charlie spoke. "Ive learnt something this morning,"

"Have you?" Tommy asked. "So have i." he told the boy. "And what have you learnt, my boy?" he asked, sitting down. Charlie lifted his violin, playing it.