Anna [J.Shelby]

CHAPTER FIFTY

"I bet you're bleeding glad your nanny's back to work, 5 kids, nearly six could drive you insane" Cathy chimed as Anna laughed at her.

"I love the kids, but you're right, Cath. With another coming I can't keep up with them"

"Why should we get stuck with the kids?" Esme moaned.

"Because, Esmé, that's the way society see's women, child bearing housewives. Fucking nonsense." Polly replied, setting books down on the table for winnings.

"And all the men are out at the bleeding races, too"

A knocking on the door startled the women who bustled around.

"We aren't open" Anna shouted as she grabbed more books.

More knocks to the door followed, prompting Anna to unlock the door.

"You don't work in this office" Anna's jaw clenched as her eyes fell on Lizzie.

"According to Thomas, I will be"

Anna left the door wide, as she made it back to her desk.

"And shut the door behind you" Anna told her

"What are you doing here?" Polly raised her head.

"Tommy would like me working here from here on"

"Right, well grab a table then"

"Can't I just go in one of the offices"

"I'm sure John and Arthur wouldn't appreciate you using their offices, and Tommy prefers his work space not to be messed around. So a table will do, thank you, Lizzie" Polly replied.

"Look, there's no reason why what happened should get in the way of our work" Polly raised her brow at Lizzie, and before Polly could speak her mind, Anna spoke up.

"Lizzie, a word in John's office" Anna glared her out, walking into John's office and shutting the door behind her.

"I see you're pregnant again" Lizzie broke the silence, Anna rolling her eyes in response.

"I've talked to John, and I know the circumstances of your time together, but there's one question I never asked him"

"And what is that?"

"Who initiated it?"

"Who initiated it?" Lizzie repeated.

"Yes, Lizzie, I want to know" Anna snappef

Lizzie glanced down at Anna from her tall height, then averted her eyes above her.

"And look me in the eye when you say it" Anna bit out.

"I did" Anna nodded in response, the answer was something she had already suspected.

"Now, whatever I say you will listen and you will take in the information and then you can fuck off and get on with whatever it is Thomas has you doing. Take a seat, Lizzie" Anna sat opposite her, leaning back in Johns chair

"No matter your and John's past, he is my husband, he is my family. If I ever hear or see you with John doing anything but Tommy's business, I will take the blade out of John's fucking hat and cut you. Right? Because women don't fuck with other womens husband, especially not when that man is a Shelby and that woman is a Shelby." Anna's voice turned sharp and threatening.

"Your side business, ends now, I don't care if it's already ended and if John was a one off, Thomas has made it strictly clear the only job you have is working for the Shelby's and specifically, him. Perhaps I'm pregnant, perhaps I'm not from Birmingham, in fact, I'm not even a Shelby by bloody but I have enough anger to be able to do wonders with a fucking blade"

"You act like John had no part in this" Lizzie bit back.

Anna snapped her head towards her with a scoff, "just because you don't see something, doesn't mean it isn't happening. If you haven't noticed, Lizzie, we have 5 kids with another on the way, and I'm putting this past me for those kids. John knows his mistakes and he knows I can forgive with time but not forget."

"He ain't like them, you know, not like Arthur and Tommy."

"Don't tell me something I already know, Lizzie. I've been in love with the man for 4 bloody years, I think I know him by now" Anna replied as she exited the office, the ladies as well as Polly quickly turned around and got back to work, acting as if they hadn't been listening in.