𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟐

Maeve sat in the living room of Ada's home, cup of tea in hand. The night previously, Tommy had dropped her to stay at Ada's as he had planned to go there incase anything went wrong.

He was relying on Maeve to help him out because he had a deep, gut feeling that something would happen. And Tommy knew she'd be the only one who could truly help him.

The only one other than Ada who truly cared.

"You're up early," Ada said as she entered the room. Maeve looked up from a newspaper she was reading and shrugged, "couldn't sleep."

"Something on your mind?" Ada asked, picking up Karl and placing him on the couch opposite Maeve.

Yes, something was indeed on her mind but she knew she couldn't tell Ada. Maeve was deeply worried about Tommy and his stupid plan to kill Father Hughes.

"No, suppose it's just the change of scenery. I've never like change." Maeve flashed Ada a light smile before looking back at her newspaper. "Very well then." Ada said.

-

Tommy looked down at the bullet with Hughes' name carved in it, placing it into his gun and following the priest into the building.

He held his gun tight, walking through the lavatory cautiously. As he pointed his gun, two men grabbed him from behind, shoving him against the wall and punching him. Tommy fought back but eventually got thrown to the floor, hitting his head on the concrete. The man picked his head up, throwing it against the metal pipe.

He pushed Tommys head against the wall and he screamed, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as a crack was heard.

-

"You idiot, you nearly killed him. I told you we needed him fully conscious." Jarvis said, looking at Tommys body. "We need to stop using soldiers who've been in India, they hit too hard."

"Not fucking hard enough," Hughes hissed, pushing Tommy with his foot. "Mr Shelby, i heard about your plan to kill a holy man from a voice in the confessional."

"Can you hear us?" Jarvis asked,

"Grace?" Tommy whispered.

"Shelby," Jarvis leaned over him. "Why were you attempting to kill father Hughes? Maybe we should wait until he's fully conscious."

"I have a dinner appointment," Hughes complained. "Shelby," he grabbed his face, "wake up, eyes front. Mr Shelby, you were trying to kill me, were you?"

"Passing information.." Tommy whispered.

"Fuck. He knows." Jarvis said. Thomas opened his eyes, groggily looking about. "Where am i?"

"You are among the Odd Fellows. Please count from ten to one."

"Ah fuck you.." Tommy grumbled, simply refusing to do what they asked. If Tommy Shelby was one thing, he was a man who didn't take orders. Especially from a bloody priest.

-

Tommy slouched in his chair, asleep. Mary walked in, "Sir, i don't understand.." she paused when Tommy jumped, waking. "I don't understand why as a former soldier yourself, you have sacked all of the former soldiers on the staff. It means there's only one man in the household."

When he said nothing she frowned. "Sir, should i call a doctor?"

"There will be some men coming. Coming down from Birmingham. And you put them up here in the house. You put them in the front and back of the house, you feed them and you.."

"Why are they needed, sir?" she interrupted.

"I brought the cursed sapphire into this house, Mary. And now i'm paying for it. And i don't know what to expect. But neither do my enemies. Tell David to bring the car around, i need to go go London."

"Sir.."

"And get me some tea, Mary." Tommy clung onto the phone, calling Arthur. "Yes, Arthur."

"Tommy?" Arthur grumbled from the other side. "They want the robbery to be sabotaged. They don't give a fuck who gets hurt," he breathed. "Are you all right, Tommy?" he asked.

"It's a bigger picture now." Tommy struggled to speak. "What?" Arthur asked in confusion.

"Did John make a list?"

"Speak clearer Tom." Arthur instructed. "I said did John make a list?" He asked again. "John Boy! John!" Arthur shouted. "Gypsies and kin only. Yeah." he said.

"Good."

"Tommy can i ask you why? Tommy?"

He put the phone down and dialled Ada's number as quickly as he could.

-

Karl ran to the phone. "No, Karl, i told you go on and play in there." she stopped him. "Hello?"

"Ada, it's me. It's Tommy. Ada i need you to.. i need you to speak to one of your comrades and get me a meeting with someone from the Soviet Embassy. Tonight. Your place, 10.00pm."

Tommy rushed to the bin, throwing up, growing dizzy.

-

Ada worriedly watched Tommy as the members from the Embassy spoke. "We want to know who you are," They asked. Maeve sat in the corner of the room, watching cautiously.

"He's Tommy Shelby, you can take his word." she frowned. "Ada..Ada-" he whispered, grabbing onto her arms. "Okay," she said, helping him stand. She took him downstairs, Maeve following close behind. "Uncle Tom, what's happened?"

"Stop, stop. Ada, stop.." he fell to his knees. "Drive me to the hospital, Ada. If i'm not conscious when i get there, tell them i have a fractured skull, concussion and internal bleeding. I think i may have haemorrhaged."

"Tommy, oh my god." Maeve began panicking, moving Ada out of the way and placing two fingers on his neck to feel his pulse which was outrageously quick.

"Ada, go on, be quick cause i can't see." He could barely keep his eyes open. "Okay," she nodded. "I can't fuckin see." he repeated.

"Tommy you're okay." Maeve gently pulled him toward her, using the back of her hand to feel his temperature which was also high. "Ada is going to get you some help, yeah? And you'll be all sorted and you can get back home to Charles."

"Charlie," he whispered, "you'll look after Charlie, won't you? Tell me you'll look after him."

"Yes, i'll look after him. I promise. I'll stay at the house with him." She said in a reassuring way. Tommy clung onto her hand tightly, mumbling things that were completely inaudible. "He will be safe with me."

"Maeve i can't fucking see."

"I know, i know. Ada is getting help— Ada!" Maeve shouted, causing Tommy to flinch. "Ada we don't have time for this! Tell me you're ready to take him to the hospital."

Ada appeared at the bottom of the stairs again and took a deep breath. "Come on, help me get him into the car." Ada ushered, placing an arm underneath Tommy's and helping Maeve lift him to his feet.

"Is he going to be alright?"

"As long as we get him to the bloody hospital, yes." Ada nodded, holding onto Tommy tightly as they carried him outside.

-

Maeve tiredly looked up from her chair when Ada finally appeared before her. "Is he okay— where is he?" Maeve asked quickly, standing to her feet. Ada took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"His injuries are severe, they are keeping him in hospital until he's ready to go home. Doctors think it'll be a while." Ada said quietly.

Maeve felt her heart drop slightly. "It's that bad?"

Ada nodded in agreement and placed a hand on Maeve's shoulder. "We need to go. Come on."

"Am i not allowed to see him?" She asked in a panic as Ada walked her back down the hall. Ada shook her head and Maeve frowned. "But i want to see him." She continued. Ada kept hold of her arm and continued walking away. "You can't."

She snatched her hand away from Ada and walked to the car. "Get me to Arrow House. I promised Tommy i'd look after Charlie if anything happened to him. You can call my dad and tell him what's happening."

The older Shelby girl shrugged and refused to feed into Maeve's child like behaviour whilst getting into the car. But that was because she had no clue how much Maeve actually cared for Tommy.

Yes they had their ups and downs and the whole family thought she hated her uncle. But even Maeve knew he was the only person who understood her truthfully.

-

"Miss Shelby," Mary bowed her head the moment Maeve entered the house alone. "Where's Mr Shelby?" She asked, her hands clasped in front of her.

Maeve looked around. "He won't be back for a while. I'm here to look after Charles— Tommys orders." Maeve informed her. "Oh well Miss Shelby, i can assure you we are all very capable of doing that." Mary responded.

Maeve held a hand up to stop her talking. "He has sent me here to do something therefore i'll do it. Tommy is my uncle, my family. Clearly he trusts me more than you." She was tired, slightly distraught. Obviously she didn't know what she was saying when the words left her mouth but she knew she'd somewhat offended the woman.

"Very well," she bowed her head once more, "if you need anything..Miss Shelby, just call for it."

And as if it were magic, small cries could now be heard from Charlie's room, causing Maeve to walk up the stairs and enter the room. "Hello, Charles." She whispered, reaching down and scooping him up gently. "It's alright." She assured him as she rocked him back and forth slightly and moved toward the window.

"You'll be fine with me, eh? I'll look after you."

It took a lot less time than she'd expected to get the child to settle. But nevertheless she succeeded.

Now she was left alone in a spare bedroom not too far from Charlie's room. There was a dim fire lit at the foot of the bed which was the only source of light. She didn't mind it though, it relaxed her.

Maeve couldn't shake the upset feeling that had overcome her. A lump sat in her throat.

Something about what had happened with Tommy had shaken her. It had made her realise how much she valued him— how important he was to her despite being a complete and utter dick.

He was still her uncle Tommy. And she was still his little Maeve.

No matter how much time passed, how much they grew, it would always be that way.

His little Maeve.

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝