CHAPTER 12
(volume 2, five months later)

Tilly walked alongside Finn and a few other peaky boys as they made their way to the Garrison.

The grand re-opening of The Garrison after some bastards decided to blow it up. Finn moved off to the side, letting go of Matilda.

"Finn where are ya going?" Cameron shouted. "I'm going to talk to Arthur, carry on, i'll meet you there!" He said, approaching the small house.

Isiah and Matilda looked at each other, shrugging. "What do you reckon it'll look like?" Isiah asked, taking a cigarette and lighting it, pointing the box to her.

She willingly took one and stopped walking, allowing him to light it for her.

"Probably very extravagant, it's the Shelby's." She reminded him, walking again. He hummed in agreement and opened the door, allowing her to enter before him.

Matilda looked around, a small gasp leaning her mouth at the gold decorations.

"Woah.." she whispered, touching one of the tables. "Matilda!" John shouted, his arms open. Tilly walked to him, giving him a smile. "Our Tilly, isn't she wonderful," He said, his arm over her shoulder as he took her to where Esme sat.

"John," she groaned, shoving his arm away and taking a seat.

"Where's ya boyfriend?" John shouted over the noise. "He's went to check on Arthur, it's his pub after all." Tilly told him, stealing his glass and finishing the drink, wincing as the amber liquid traveled down her throat.

John chuckled at her, snatching the empty glass and leaning against the wall.

After a while, Finn had returned with his eldest brother who seemed ecstatic. Finn nodded toward her and sat in the empty chair beside her, his arm draped over the back of her chair.

"How d'ya get him to come?" John asked, lighting a cigar.

Finn shrugged. "Gave him a bit of Tokyo, that's all." He said, accepting the glass of whiskey off John. Tilly bit her tongue, annoyed at her boyfriends use of cocaine.

Tommy walked through the pub, stopping and pointing a finger at his brother. "Give me that," he said, taking the glass from Finn's hand. "Keep him off the whiskey, John." He ordered, walking off.

Finn's lips parted and he let out a frustrated breath, removing his arm from behind Matilda and dropping it into his lap.

"Bastard." He muttered,

Tilly's eyes shifted over to a drunk Polly who stood laughing with a man. She smiled slightly, happy that the woman was finally happy.

Over the past week, Tommy had been searching for Polly's kids who'd been taken when they were young. He'd found her son, Micheal. But unfortunately her daughter Anna had died.

"Is that Ada?" Tilly quickly stood to her feet, growing excited at the brunette haired girl who entered with her son. "Ada!" she shouted, waving.

"Hello, you!" Ada smiled widely, using her free arm to hug her. "How've you been," Ada asked.

"I've been good, how has this one been doing?" Tilly asked, gently touching Karl's cheek, smiling. "He's good, really good. Wakes up in the night." She chuckled, thanking Esme who offered to take the boy.

"A little bird told me you and Finn are official," Ada tears, nudging her side. Tilly shook her head, grinning. "Yes, we are." She admitted.

"Took your time, eh?" Ada said, looking over to Polly who approached them.

"Ada!" She exclaimed, her arms open.

"Hello, Pol!" Ada said softly, hugging her aunt.

"You two look gorgeous, really gorgeous," Polly complimented, placing a hand on Matilda's arm. "Thank you Polly," Tilly said, nodding. "Right, i'll leave you too it,"

Tilly turned away, bumping into John. "Careful, Til" he chuckled, walking around her to his sister.

"Hello trouble," Ada said to him.

"You not going to say hello to ya sister?" Tilly asked Finn who sat, watching the people who danced around. He shook his head. "Why not?" She frowned.

"She seems busy," he shrugged.

"What's up, Finn?" Tilly asked, gently intertwining her fingers in his. He looked at her, shaking his head. "Nothing."

"Swear?" She raised her eyebrows. He nodded, "swear." He repeated, placing a quick kiss onto her lips.

Throughout the night, the pair stayed together, occasionally leaving to get drinks. Finn kept Tilly close considering the amount of drunk men that had filled the pub.

Tilly poked Finn's side, nodding toward Polly. "Looks like she's having fun," she whispered.

Finn jokingly gagged. "He's like..young!" He squealed.

"So? Let ya aunt have some fun." Matilda defended, leaning into him as his arm rested over her shoulders. "She's piss off her head is what she is," he observed, watching as his aunt stumbled around, laughs escaping her mouth.

"I've never realised how many people you can fit into this bloody pub," she changed the subject, watching the people move constantly.

He hummed in agreement, finishing off his drink. "Ay, is that Cam and Henry?" He lightened up, straightening his back at the sight of the two boys who had entered the Garrison.

Tilly scoffed at his sudden mood change. "Funny," she whispered as he stood to greet the two.

"Matilda!" Cameron shouted loudly, clearly already drunk.

"Hello Cam," she nodded, trying not to laugh at his state.

"You look well," he complimented. Finn raised his eyebrows. "What're you trying to say, Cameron?" Finn asked.

Cameron raised his hands in defence. "Don't worry Finn boy, I ain't going for ya girlfriend, just complimented her that's all." Cameron told him.

Finn sighed and returned to his seat.

"You're awfully quiet Henry." Tilly said, looking at the light haired boy.

He looked up at her, clearing his throat. "Sorry, bit tired." He said, folding his arms and leaning back.

As well as Henry, tiredness fell over Matilda as she was leaning against Finn with almost her whole body weight. He kept his arm around her, keeping her upright. He continued making conversation with the multiple peaky boys at the table.

Once they turned to each other, pulling out of the conversation with Finn, he looked down at the girl who fought to stay awake.

"I can take you home if you want," he suggested. She hummed, shaking her head. "No it's okay, you're having fun," Tilly refused, wrapping her arm around his, blinking a few times.

"It's no problem, I can always come back."

Tilly looked up at him with thankful eyes and with that they both stood, leaving the Garrison. Finn kept her hand in his as they walked through the dark streets.

"You still seeing me tomorrow?" He asked, swinging her arm back and forth ever so slightly.

"I'll have to check my schedule, i'm a busy girl," she joked, clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth. He scoffed, pushing her away. Tilly rolled her eyes, pulling him back. "I'm kidding, yes i'm still seeing you tomorrow."

He nodded, taking his cap from his head and shoving it onto Tilly's, covering her eyes.

Tilly groaned, scrambling to take it off her head. "I hate them fucking hats!" She reminded him, throwing it at his chest. Finn caught it and laughed loudly, enjoying her company as they walked.

"You've said," he teased. Matilda scowled at him, crossing her arms as the it grew cold.

Her eyes diverted to the dark haired boy who stood outside the house on Watery lane, looking around.

"Who's he?" Tilly pointed. Finn turned his head, frowning. "Not sure,"

"Shall we ask if he's okay?" She muttered, her head fuzzy from her consumption of alcohol. He shook his head. "Im going to ask," she said, stepping forward.

"Excuse me!" She shouted from across the road. The boy looked over his shoulder. "Hi, can't help but notice you're out by yourself at two in the morning, bit strange don't you think?"

"Sorry, I was looking for someone. But i don't believe they're home," he replied, speaking proper.

"Who're you looking for?" Finn asked.

"Someone called Elizabeth Gray, do you know where she may be?" The boy asked. Finn and Tilly looked at each other.

"Why do you need her?" Matilda asked, growing even colder.

"I was told she wants to talk to me." He said, also becoming cold.

"Well you'll be waiting for a while," Finn nodded, placing a hand on the small of Matilda's back, leading her to her own house.

"Goodnight!" Tilly slurred to the boy as Finn walked her away.

"You should stay tonight," she suggested. "Mums not home, she's working."

Finn looked over his shoulder then back at her. "Seriously?"

She hummed, fumbling with the keys in her hand before finally unlocking the door. "Hurry up, decide cause i'm fucking freezing!" She complained, stepping inside the house.

He shook his head, grinning and following her inside.

"I'll light the fire," she sighed, leaving her coat on the floor. Finn leaned down, picking it up and hanging it onto the hook.

He scanned the house, happy that her mother was still doing good.

Finn entered her bedroom, looking at her as she sat at the vanity, unpinning her hair. His eyes were glued to her, watching as Tilly's hair fell down her back.

"Stop staring," she said quietly, placing the ribbon in her drawer. He looked away quickly. "I was not!"

"You most certainly were Finn Shelby, i saw you."

"Don't know what you're talking about," he shrugged, sitting on the mattress.

"Hm, okay." She mocked. "Close your eyes, I need to change." She demanded.

"Why? It's nothing that i've not seen before," Finn tormented, grinning as her mouth fell open.

"Vile. You're vile." She insulted, throwing a pillow at him. He caught it and lay on his back, staring at the cracks in the ceiling, allowing her to change.

"Who do you think that boy was?" Tilly asked, pulling the straps of her night dress onto her shoulders.

"I could ask you the same thing, i've got no clue."

Tilly finished changing and climbed beside him on the bed, using her elbows to support her body.

She gasped loudly, hitting his chest. He frowned, sitting up. "What was that for?!"

"What if he's Polly's son..what's his name? Micheal?"

"Yeah, think so. But you didn't need to hit me," he argued, waving his arms around. "You're so dramatic," she rolled her eyes, fixing the pillow underneath her head and getting comfortable.

"You're sitting on the blanket," Matilda said, pulling at the fabric. Finn shrugged again, remaining in his place. "Finn, please move. I'm cold."

"Nope."

"Don't be a child Finn." She said, annoyed. He stayed still. "Finn fucking move or you can leave," she snapped.

He bit back his grin and stood, allowing her to climb underneath the blanket. "Thank you," Tilly said sarcastically, hugging the sheets to her chest.

Finn removed his dress shirt and pants, leaving him in his under shirt and underwear. He joined her in the bed, her body giving off a warmth that sent shivers down his body.

He placed his head beside hers, looking down at her. Matilda smirked and leaned in, kissing him. As she pulled away, he carefully grabbed her face, pulling her in. Tilly laughed into the kiss, her hand on his chest.

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