Not Just A 'Shelby'

Chapter 7: In the 'in between'.

Thomas stood in his office, conflicted with his decision to cut her out of the business. She was right. She had kept the business alive and he believed what she had said about her intentions.

"Dot, after today, if you ever ask out of the business, I will remind you that I gave you your chance. And that you declined harshly."

She eyed him. "Thomas, I want to be by you, John, and Arthur's side when we take over this town, Birmingham, London, and bloody fucking England. And I want to be in the front when it happens." She smiled at him.

"Alright then. Get back to work." Walking out of his office, he stood outside looking at the coat rack to his left. Hanging from it was Dorthea's cap, coat, and blazer. He stared at it all for a second before turning to his brothers who were waiting to hear the end of the conversation. They had been against Tom's decision, but in the end, what Tom says goes.

"She's not getting out. Not until the day she's dead."

♛

Weeks had passed and everything had gone back to normal.... well as normal as normal can be for 3 men with PTSD from a war they won't talk to anyone about unless their name was Dorthea Lily Shelby. For some reason she had become the family shrink to them all. Even listening to her Aunt Polly when she got too drunk and only want to talk about her children. Dorthea didn't remember the kids too well. Her son had been the a few years younger than her and John and her daughter a few years younger than the boy. They had been taken when they were young. Polly had never found out what happened after that dreadful night, never speaking to anyone about them.

The three brothers still had many nightmares. John would often come with his kids to breakfast, falling into his oats bowl from being so tired from the lack of sleep. Arthur didn't scream in his sleep. Instead he laid in a paralyze state, eyes open unable to wake from his earful slumber. Dot had learned to pour water on him to wake him. Thomas was probably the worst out of the three. Nothing could wake him from his nightmares. He would just scream until his voice could take no more. Dot would go into his room and lay him in her lap, holding him down so he wouldn't fall out of the bed or hit his head on the headboard. She's lay with him for hours, waiting for him to wake. And when he finally would, she would stay with him until he fell asleep, or until she did, which is what happened most nights. Because Dot had not been getting much sleep, she had been falling behind on her numbers, and Tom had noticed.

While walking through the betting den, Tom stopped by the main bet taking table. "James, Lucas, my office." The two blinders eyed each other, not knowing why they were being called into the boss' office.

As the two walked across the wooden floors, they reached the shared office of their best friend, who was missing from her desk, and boss. They both took note of their missing friend but decided not to ask. Tom motioned for the two to sit in the chairs in front of his desk. He poured three glasses of whiskey, handing each of them a drink. "Don't worry boys, I haven't called you's in here to cut you. I actually need a favor."

"Tom if it's a cutting you need, why don't you get Dotty too?" Lucas asked.

"That's actually what this is about. Our Dot has been running on fumes these past couple of weeks. I want you two to accompany her to London for a nice weekend getaway. Your her best friends and she can't go by herself, so you'll be going as her protection. Obviously you can all have a little fun, but I swear if either of you try to shag her, I will blind both of you and throw you in the cut." He pointed at each of the men, both of them understanding he was being serious, both shaking their heads nervously. Tom dismissed them to go home and pack their bags.