mystery of love
chapter one,

Love was a peculiar thing — it could complete one person whilst it was destroying another. It was a gift sometimes disguised as a curse. But for Mabel Harris, it was all she had ever dreamt of.

The sun was seeping through the lace curtains as the morning began to creep upon the city. Mabel could feel Tommy's steady breathing, his chest rising and falling at such a gentle speed. She squinted slightly, the light being brighter than she had expected.

She tilted her head up to admire his face as he slept so peacefully — he looked just like he did when they first began sneaking around with eachother.  . so innocent, so beautiful.

Her eyes drifted down to her hands, one of her fingers decorated with a golden band with a small diamond attached.

Tommy had given it to her two months prior. . .

"All I thought about was you, Mabel, coming home to you." spoke Tommy, the velvet ring box hidden by his palm. It held his mother's ring. "And one day we'll get married, how about that?" He asked, brushing her hair away from her face.

Mabel had been crying — her cheeks were tinted pink and her eyes were glossy. She had spent her day in the Garrison serving drinks to the men where she encountered a rather nasty man whose words were nothing but venomous.

She was a sensitive girl, Tommy knew that.

"Do you remember— I told you that when we were still in school. . I said that we'd marry in someplace nice." Tommy was staring at her, waiting for somesort of reaction.

"Someplace warm—" She interrupted when remembering, "i'd make my own dress." She remembered what she had said on that very day.

Tommy let out a breath and carefully opened up the box, revealing the heirloom. "I promised you, Mabel." He said, watching her eyes widen. "One day we'll get out of this place." He slid the ring onto her finger. "We'll get married."

Mabel was snapped from her thoughts when Tommy began to stir. He brought his palms up to his eyes and inhaled sharply. "Good morning," she spoke, a smile still lingering on her lips.

Tommy hummed and sat up, scratching the back of his neck. "I think my mother is making breakfast." Mabel sat up beside him and tucked her hair behind her ears. "Will you be staying for it?" She tilted her head to see his face.

"No, no—" Tommy stood, taking his trousers from the floor and putting them on. "I've got work to do." He said.

Her face fell slightly and she pursed her lips into a line. "You can't stay for a little while longer?"

"I'm afraid not." He shook his head, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt. Mabel fell back into the mattress and huffed. "Don't be like that, aye?" Tommy said. "I'm sure i'll see you again before Sunday." He suggested.

Mabel sat up once more. "I promised your Aunt Polly that i'd join her in Church on Sunday. But on Thursday i'm taking Ada's measurements for a dress," Mabel hummed.

Tommy nodded and took his suit jacket. "I'll be there on Thursday." He leaned down to place a kiss on her lips, her chin between his two fingers. "I'd have loved to stayed a little longer, Mabel, but i've got work to do."

"You always have work to do." Mabel scoffed.

Tommy rolled his eyes slightly and reached for the door handle. "I'll be off now."

"Sure you will." She tutted and waited for the door to close before putting her hands over her face.

It was no secret that he had changed — he was no longer the man that he once was. He was quieter, more reserved. He seemed to think more. And for him, thinking was never good. Mabel was beginning to worry that he no longer did enjoy her company as much as he used to.

With a deep breath, Mabel decided it was time to drag herself from the comfort of her bed and get herself ready.

The difference between Mabel and Tommy would be their upbringing — Mabel was blessed with growing up in a rather large home which made Watery Lane seem rather dull. The walls of her home provided warmth of the memories of her childhood, the memories of her and her brothers as they ran wild up and down the hallways as their mother scolded them.

It was like she and Thomas lived in completely separate worlds — but in reality, they didn't. Tommy too grew up, chasing around his brothers with a tea towel twisted and ready to graze the backs of John's knees as he caught him with the fabric. They would be told by Polly with a pointed finger and a stone cold look.

The only difference was money.

"Morning," Mabel skipped through to the kitchen where her mother was indeed cooking some sort of breakfast whilst her father sat, reading the newspaper.

"Good sleep?" Her father, Alfred, eyed her over the paper that was grasped tightly between his fingers.

"Excellent, thank you." Mabel placed a kiss of greeting upon her mother's cheek. "Did Thomas not want to stay for breakfast?" Her mother, Vera, asked with the same gentle tone that she and her daughter shared.

"He has work to do." Mabel took the seat closest to her father and tucked her hair behind her ears.

Alfred had never once been too fond on the Shelby boy — or the family for that matter. He certainly didn't approve of their engagement either. He believed his daughter could do much better than them lot. He had always imagined her with a suitor who came from a similar background. Possibly even a son of one of his colleagues.

Vera on the other hand found Tommy quite charming — he had always treated Mabel well and she saw no reason to dislike him.

Alfred leaned over the table and lifted the glass of water to his lips, taking a sip, a thought very clearly passing through his mind. "Your brothers are to return before the end of this week." He cleared his throat, "they'll be arriving at Liverpool Docks first and then they'll catch a train to Birmingham."

"Oh, that's rather exciting, isn't it." She leaned against her fist, her eyes glistening with slight excitement.

Her two older brothers — Reginald and Frank, had always been two people that Mabel held close to her. Though they were torments and brought her great upset as a young girl, she looked up to them. They had never been malicious toward her, no. Just typical older brothers.

They had went away on behalf of their father the summer previous — Mabel was unsure where they had been, she had never cared to ask. She didn't care for any of her father's business.

"I wonder if either of them found themselves a lady whilst they were away." Mabel hummed with amusement and placed her elbows against the table.

"Elbows down," Vera reminded her.

Mabel refrained from sighing and did as she was told.

"I'm sure one of them will have a story to share with us. We all know what Reginald is like," Mabel suggested. Alfred ignored her, not wishing to speak of his son's flirtatious antics. "The last time he was home, he made Jane next door think she was going to be his girlfriend."

"That's enough now." Alfred sighed, moving back as Vera placed a plate down for him.

Mabel smiled to herself. "Thank you."

"Just wait until they hear that the Shelby boy has asked you to marry him." Alfred spoke lowly, his words almost impossible to make out but Mabel knew what he had said.

"Frank and Reggie are quite fond of Thomas, thank you." Mabel fired back gently, "of the whole family for that matter. They're friends with Thomas and his brothers." She reminded her father.

He stared down at the food, not meeting her eyes.

"He isn't all bad, you know." Mabel offered, "he is kind, I swear it." She spoke. "You just need to give him a chance."

Alfred scoffed. "I'll give no man who makes a living off of crime any chance— especially not with my daughter." His words were firm and automatically made Mabel stop talking. "You deserve somebody who can give you a life of stability."

"I don't care about stability— I care about being loved." She argued.

"Love does not matter if he cannot provide a life for you, Mabel. Thomas Shelby cannot provide a life of any sorts for you— not with the way he and their family are going." He pointed his fork at her, "I don't want you involved in any of their business, any of their crime. It is bad for our name."

Mabel stayed silent and picked at her food. There was no use in arguing with him — he would never listen. This conversation had been a topic at the dinner table more often than not and Mabel always ended it with silence. There was no convincing her father — it was a waste of time.

Her eyes were glued to the plate, her fork moving the food from one end to another.

"Stop playing with your food, love." Vera tried. Mabel put the fork down and placed her hands beneath her legs. Vera paused for a moment. "Are you not going to eat?"

Mabel took a deep breath. "I'm not hungry. Thank you, though." Mabel lifted the plate and carried it to the kitchen counter, placing it down before walking out of the kitchen and returning to her bedroom.

—

Mabel walked down Garrison Lane, a smile on her lips as she greeted passers by. "Good afternoon, Mary." She nodded to the woman who was walking along the lane with her children.

"Hello, love!" Mary smiled back.

Mabel continued to walk and soon enough she reached the Garrison which — to her surprise, was already busy despite the early hour. "We're busy today, Harry— is there something going on today?" She asked when slipping behind the bar.

Harry shook his head, hands on his hips. "Not that I know of— I think all these men just want a drink." He joked.

Mabel hummed and hung up her coat on the rack.
"Excuse me love," a voice called out from the other side of the bar. She turned. "What can I get you?" She asked.

"A whiskey please, love." He said, coins resting on the counter ready.

She nodded and began pouring the drink — she knew this man and his usual order, what type of whiskey he liked to drink. He was in the Garrison more times than not.

"There you are," She placed the glass down in front of him.

"Thank you— you have a good day." He nodded to her and walked off.

Mabel wiped her hands on her skirt and turned to the small window that belonged to the snug — Tommy was stood there, waiting to speak with her. "Are you going to stand there all day?" She asked, placing her elbows on the ledge.

Tommy grinned. "Maybe." He suggested, "you didn't mention that you were working today."

"Must've slipped my mind," She shrugged.

"When does your shift finish, aye?" Tommy poured whiskey from the bottle into his glass. Mabel thought for a moment, "Six o'clock, I believe."

"I'll walk ya back." Tommy said. It was more of a demand rather than an offer.

"I'm sure i'll be fine by myself, I wouldn't want to interrupt your work."

"You'd be doing no such thing." He stopped her, "there's a new copper in town, Mabel. He's here to cause trouble and I don't want you being caught in the middle of it all. I'll walk you home."

She playfully rolled her eyes. "What have you done this time?" She teased.

The corners of his lips turned upward. "A terrible thing," he joked.

Mabel laughed slightly and before she could speak anymore, the door flung open and in ran little Finn Shelby. "Tommy! Tommy!" He rushed. Tommy spun around and Mabel frowned. "Arthur's hurt— he's hurt badly! You need to come," Finn spoke quickly.

Tommy's eyes widened and he took the bottle of whiskey from the ledge and rushed from the snug, not saying another thing.

Harry, when seeing the commotion, allowed the girl to follow after as long as she returned as quick as she could. She thanked him with a grateful smiled and rushed after the two brothers.

They were quick — too quick for her because she reached Watery Lane by the time they had already reached the home.

She didn't knock, she didn't need to.

"Where is he?" Her voice sounded throughout the home and she entered the room where the family had gathered. Tommy didn't even bat an eye at her presence. "Arthur— what happened?" She asked, her fingers reaching her lips in shock.

"It was that copper— he said Mr Churchill sent him to Birmingham, national interest he said. Something about a robbery. Said he wants us to help him." Arthur explained.

Mabel's eyes shifted to Tommy — "what have you done this time?" Her mind went back to the Garrison. "A terrible thing."

"We don't help coppers," John spoke firmly.

"He knew all about our war records, said we're patriots like him. Wants us to be his eyes and ears. I said we would have a family meeting and take a vote." Arthur continued.

Mabel gently touched Tommy's arm to take over. She took the cloth from his hand and he moved out of her way. "Take a deep breath," She told him, giving him no time before pressing the alcohol soaked cloth to the large gash on his face.

Tommy stopped and looked at him for a moment.

"Well why not," Arthur hummed, "We've no truck with Fenians or communists. What's wrong with you? What the fucks wrong with him lately?"

"If i knew i'd buy the cure from Comptons chemist," Polly shook her head.

"Stay still, will you?" Mabel huffed when Arthur kept moving. "Do you have a needle and thread, Polly?" She asked. Arthur's eyes widened and he watched his Aunt reach for her sewing box. "No, you ain't putting no needle anywhere near my bloody face!"

"Arthur, I have to otherwise it won't get better." She sighed. "Tell him," She turned to Tommy for support.

Ada and John grinned at each other.

"Arthur, she's trying to help you." Tommy breathed.

"If you don't want help, Arthur, that's fine. I'll go back to work and you can continue being in pain." She put the needle down. Arthur sighed. "Fine, go on then." He gave in.

She smiled and went to retrieve the kettle which had just been boiled — she placed the hot water into a bowl and let the small needle fall into it, the ripples of the water distorting her reflection.

"Good lad," John teased.

"Shut up, John." Arthur retorted.

John pulled a childish face at him and all Arthur could do was ball his hands into fists especially as Mabel held his face firmly, the needle now back in her hands. "It'll hurt Arthur, I warn you." She said gently.

"Just get on with it."

"I'll remind you that I have a needle near your eye— watch how you talk to me or i'll be blinding you and it won't be an accident." She threatened. Ada giggled to herself, knowing that she herself had just threatened to choke Arthur with a cloth only moments earlier.

"What would God say about that, aye, Mabel?" John asked.

Mabel glared at him and tucked her golden crucifix into her shirt. "God is not listening." Polly suggested, sticking up for the girl — Polly knew about the girl's connection to religion.. or more so her struggle with it.

Mabel was not a religious girl that was for sure — but she did try, she tried her hardest. Not because she wanted to but because it would make her mother happy. Not so much her father, he didn't care for all of that stuff. But Vera had grown up beside the Church, attending every Sunday service willingly.

She also tried because a part of her so desperately wanted to believe that there was something greater than themselves, that there was somebody there to watch over them.

The necklace that Mabel wore was one of her mothers — the one that Vera had worn as a young girl.

Mabel struggled to believe. She had tried many times, she did — she believed in God because in her opinion, everybody needed something to believe in. But Mabel also felt that her reasoning behind not being able to be a devoted believer was the fact that bad things were happening everyday.

Their men had gone through hell and back. Everybody had gone through hell and back.

"That bloody hurts!" Arthur complained.

"I did warn you." Mabel sighed.

Polly held back her laughter and looked down.

"If you stop moaning i'll get you an ice cream, how about that?" John continued to tease. Tommy, being just as childish as his brother, laughed slightly whilst leaning against the wall.

"John, you could be costing Arthur his eye. Stop it." Mabel warned.

John tutted and closed his mouth.

The room fell silent as she continued to close up the wound of the eldest brother who proceeded to hiss in pain. "It's done now." She said, also feeling relieved that she did not have to be poking a needle through his skin any longer.

"Thank goodness for that." Polly said.

"Although I do hope that you feel better, Arthur, I have someplace to be." She breathed, rinsing her hands under the cold water.

Tommy pushed off the wall and waited for her beside the door.

"See ya, Mabel." John nodded to her. She smiled at him. "Goodbye, Mabel!" Ada chimed happily.

"Yeah, bye." Arthur huffed.

"Goodbye everybody." Mabel laughed to herself and joined Tommy outside where he was smoking a cigarette.

The pair began walking, a silence falling over them for a few moments. That was until Mabel spoke — "what business does this copper have here then? Is it you who they're after?" Mabel looked at him.

"I don't want you worrying about any of that." Tommy blew smoke into the air.

"I'm not worrying. I'm curious." She corrected.

"He'll be gone soon enough, I'm sure of it." Tommy avoided answering her questions. "What are you keeping from me?" Mabel stopped walking, forcing him to stop too. "You don't talk to me about anything anymore." She furrowed her brows slightly.

"I talk to ya— what are you on about?" Tommy asked, a hand buried into his pocket.

"You don't tell me when something is wrong. When you need help, you don't ask me for it anymore." She told him. Tommy looked around. "If I tell you, Mabel, then it only goes and puts you in danger that you don't need to be in. Look at what they've done to Arthur— they'll go after anyone connected to us if they have to."

"If you need help, Tommy—"

"I don't need help." Tommy cut her off.

Her expression fell. "Suit yourself." She hissed and spun on her heels to walk in the other direction.

"Mabel—" He sighed, throwing his cigarette to the floor. "Mabel, stop walking would you?"

"You can catch up. You've done it before." She called out without turning to look at him.

Tommy mumbled to himself and walked quicker to catch up with her. "Listen," he grabbed her arm, "i'll tell you but not now. Not here. I'll tell you when the time is right, aye? How about that?"

"I don't want to know now," She shrugged stubbornly.

Mabel did want to know. She wanted to know everything.

"Don't be like that." He tilted his head.

"Tommy," She breathed, "we're supposed to be getting married." She showed her hand, "if you're keeping things from me now— what is it going to be like when you're my husband?"

He couldn't answer her.

"I want to be somebody you trust."

"You are somebody that I trust." Tommy assured her.

"So talk to me." She said again.

Tommy tutted and brushed her hair from her face. "I'll stop by the house at some point and i'll explain what is going on." He said, their foreheads almost touching. "I promise."

"You promise?"

"I swear."

• gracessecretshelby

— okay so this is kinda messy

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