𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟕

After the whole incident between
Maeve and Max, nobody outside the Shelby family and a few of the Junior Peaky boys who worked in the den had seen her in weeks.

For the first time in forever, she was afraid. Afraid of what people were going to say, going to do.

Maeve knew that if she stepped out without the protection of a blinder, she'd receive abuse off anyone who knew Max.

Apart from that, Tommy was helping the girl as much as he could. He was trying. So was Arthur. Although he wasn't much help because he was doing as bad as her.

Maeve slowly walked down the stairs, he knees aching and her head pounding. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, the conversation between the family died down.

"If you were talking about me it's fine, carry on. Pretend i'm not here," she shrugged, reaching for a glass and running the water.

Polly and John looked at each other, watching as Maeve's hands were shaking. "Are you alright, love?" Polly questioned, "i'll do that for you-"

"No-" Maeve snapped, snatching the glass back from Polly, "i'm capable."

Polly pursed her lips into a straight line and nodded, returning to her spot beside John. "I can feel you all watching me," Maeve muttered, facing the cabinets, "if you've got something to say, just say it."

Esme cleared her throat, "we're just worried about you, that's all."

Maeve turned, "thank you Esme. Seems like you're the only one here who is willing to talk to me instead of acting scared of me," Maeve hissed, giving everyone but Esme a harsh look. "But for your information, i'm perfectly fine."

"Maeve you can talk to us," John spoke up, smoking a cigarette. Maeve looked up at him, gripping the glass tightly. "Thanks for that, but there's nothing to talk about."

And with that, she turned on her heels and walked up the stairs, slipping the exact stair that would creak under her weight.

Her room was clean, extremely clean. Due to the fact she'd not been going out, hardly leaving her bedroom at Polly's for that matter, she'd become a clean freak. Maeve was refusing to let the room become untidy. She also refused to sleep without the door slightly open, afraid of something happening.

Some nights, Maeve would grow paranoid and would sit staring at the door, feeling like somebody was waiting to get her. It was stupid really, she felt like a child.

The Shelby's on the other hand, we're
sick to their stomach with worry. Maeve wasn't eating properly, was hardly talking to any of them and practically never leaving the bedroom.

Not even when Isiah came to see her.

John had to turn the boy away countless times because he knew there was no getting Maeve downstairs.

The den went quiet when Maeve entered, just like earlier that day. She was dressed, not in normal clothes but clean pyjamas that Polly had set out for her. It was started to get dark outside and the den wasn't as busy as it had been.

Both Finn and Isiah looked up from the betting books, their eyes landing on Maeve. "She looks like a bloody zombie," Finn whispered, earning a smack off Isiah.

"Maeve," Tommy called her over. Maeve kept her head down and walked through to her uncles office, leaning against the wall. "Have you thought about going out?"

Maeve shook her head, "i don't want to."

Tommy crossed his arms. "Because you're afraid or because you're ashamed?" He asked.

She looked up at him harshly. "I'm scared..but not of anything Tommy, of myself." She admitted, "i'm scared that if I leave this house, i'll throw myself in the canal."

"That took a dark turn," Tommy sighed, sitting down.

"I killed someone who used to be my best friend, all because he was winding me up and i'd had enough. Imagine what effect that is having on me?"

"I understand what you're saying Maeve but you need to go outside- what about school?"

"Dad's withdrew me permanently, i'm not going back." She told him. Tommy nodded and thought for a moment, "i'm about to ask you something and I need you to think before you answer me."

"Go on."

"What is it that would make you happy?" He asked, tilting his head. Maeve stared down at her legs and racked her brain for an answer. "Knowing what was wrong with me."

Tommy knew she'd have an answer like that. "What would you say if i told you I could answer that?"

"I'd say you seem ridiculous for thinking you're a god for knowing the answer because it's a simple answer, Thomas. I'm my fathers daughter and i spin out of control."

Tommy almost smiled at her remark. She was still in there somewhere. "Okay and what if I told you that the boy out there," he nodded. Maeve glanced out of the window of the office, "has turned up here every day for three weeks, asking about you."

"I'd say he is also stupid."

"Do you really think he's stupid or are you just trying to hide the fact you're happy he cares? Just because you're a Shelby don't mean you aren't allowed to be happy."

"If i'm allowed to be happy, if we are allowed to be happy. Why does the world keep throwing the impossible at us, Tom? Answer that."

Tommy shrugged, "because the world knows that we can take on the impossible, Maeve."

"You sound like Isiah's dad," Maeve scoffed, shaking her head and reaching for the door handle, "thanks for the pep talk," she said sarcastically, leaving the room.

Isiah finally looked at her again and thought of something to say. "I've not seen you in ages," he said stupidly, watching a frown appear on her face.

Finn shook his head and kept his eyes on the book. "Are you okay?" Isiah asked, stepping away from Finn and putting his full attention on her. Maeve shrugged, "i'm getting there."

Isiah nodded, "that's good, Maeve. It's really good. I've stopped by a few times but John told me you didn't want visitors."

"Yeah i heard, sorry about that." Maeve said awkwardly.

"It's almost Christmas, Maeve." Isiah reminded her, "i wanted to take you out somewhere, i hope it's not too late..would you like to?" Isiah asked hopefully.

Maeve blinked a few times, "i'm not sure-"

"Even if you just come over, i don't care- just something." He begged, discreetly slipping his fingers into hers.

She looked down and forced back her smile. "I'll definitely think about it," she nodded. Isiah smiled, "thank you, really." He gave her hand a light squeeze, "but i've got to get back to work. I'll come see you before I leave, yeah?"

Maeve nodded in agreement and walked through to the living room. "Dad?" She paused, seeing him sat on the couch opposite the fire.

"Hello, my girl. It's nice to see you up," he said, running a hand through his hair. Maeve nodded, clasping her hands in front of her. "I'm sorry i've not been home recently..i've just preferred staying here." She said, guilt flooding through her.

"Oh don't worry about it," he waved, "i understand, i do. Aunt Pol fixes everything, Maeve." He said, patting the space beside him. "We love you, you know that don't ya?"

"Dad please don't pity me. I already feel stupid enough."

"No, i know. It's just- i feel like i don't say it enough, y'know?" He avoided her eyes, clearly feeling strange saying the words. "But you're still a kid, i want you to know that I love you."

"I love you, dad." Maeve smiled slightly, confused at his sudden affection. "Are you okay."

"Yeah i'm fine," Arthur assured her.

-

One thing that Maeve Shelby didn't know, was that Max Montgomery was in fact alive. He wasn't dead.

But when Tommy proposed
the idea of Max leaving town, he agreed. Max of course understood that Maeve wasn't okay in the head. He knew that he needed to leave. So he did, with the understanding that his family would be provided for.

And it was only Tommy, Arthur and John who knew about the boys whereabouts and the fact he was very much alive.

And they didn't plan on letting Maeve know.

Isiah stood at the door of Maeve's bedroom and knocked on the frame, making his presence known. She rolled onto her side. "You can come in."

"Thought you'd be asleep." Isiah told her, leaning against the wall. She shook her head, "i'm lucky if i can get any sleep." She informed him, "it's practically impossible- you know since.." she paused.

Isiah nodded, "yeah i know." He said, understanding that she didn't want to talk about the disruption. "Can i sit?"

Maeve nodded and sat up straight, allowing him to take the space beside her. "What are we, Isiah?" She questioned, hands on her knees. Isiah thought for a moment, "whatever you want us to be, Maeve." He told her.

"Am i a bad person?" She asked, a frown settling on her face, "did i go too far?"

Isiah pursed his lips into a straight line and furrowed his brows. "I think Max took it too far, he pushed you too far. Max didn't know your capabilities and clearly wanted to get you all riled up..i suppose it's just unfortunate it ended the way it did."

He paused. "But no, i don't think you're a bad person."

Isiah reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers and lifting her hand to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on her bruised knuckles and sighed.

Without thinking, Maeve leaned into him slightly, her head on his shoulder. Isiah couldn't help but smile as he kissed the top of her head before placing his head on hers. "You'll be okay, Maeve. You've been through hell and back, you can get through this. I'm sure."

"I feel like a kid again, Siah. Everyone is scared to say the wrong thing in front of me, do the wrong thing. They're all treating me like a child."

"I know but maybe you have to let them. Maybe soon they'll realise that treating you how they treat Arthur is no help. And then maybe they won't treat him like that either."

Maeve hummed. "Tommy took my gun off me..and my blade. Said he's scared i'll do something to someone..more specifically myself."

Her words raised alarm inside his head. "You're not going to.." he paused.

Maeve looked up at him and shook her head. "I'd be leaving too many people behind. I couldn't do that."

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