Firecracker- John Shelby

-ten-

"You know, you and Tommy talk about stuff and I haven't got a fucking clue what your on about"John said as we walked towards my house
"You don't need to, your the muscle. Don't stress yourself" I joked
After a small silence John asked.
"Why did you say your gypsy name to kimbers man"he asked
I shrugged.
"I wanted kimber to know we weren't just some razor gang. Our roots are strong. Still, I don't know if I want to hold my family's reputation" I said
"Just go by Shelby, we all won't mind"John said
"My mother would roll over in her grave" I said
"Even more of a reason" he said smirking.
We arrived at my house and I opened the door and looked at John for an indication to see if he was coming in or not. He placed his hand on my back do walk me in,letting me know he was in fact coming in.
"I'm not even sure Shelby is any better than Lovell" I said
"Of course it is, shelbys stick by family, not dump them with random strangers and never come back" John said
"I'm glad my father did...I'd be shovelling shit with the lees if he hadn't. Probably would of married me off to some middle aged gypsy prick" I joked
"Now your probably going to end to married to some Shelby" he joked back
"Who sais I'm marrying a Shelby" I said turning to him.
"How else are you gonna get the name" he said smirking.
"I think I can live without the Shelby name"he said
"I think we all could sweetheart"

The next day when I arrived at the shelbys I was met by a distressed Polly. She then told me about Ada and Freddie's marriage, and how they had directly disobeyed Tommy. I had waited with her until Tommy got back so we could both tell him.
"All right?" He asked walking in
"Shirley I need to speak to you" he added
"You armed?" I asked him, ignoring his command
"No" he said taking off his hat
"Polly tell him" I said
"Ada and Freddie Thorne where married today. They defied your orders, they haven't left the city. I'll deal with it... Thomas. I'll deal with it." Polly said
"Where are they" tommy asked furiously
"Freddie's comrades have safe houses, why do you want to know" Polly answered
"I want to send them flowers.. why do you think?" Tommy said
"Would it be so bad if they stayed" Polly said
"We promised we'd run Freddie out of town" I chimed in
"Promised who" Polly said turning to me
"We told the coppers Freddie wouldn't come back. It was part of the deal" tommy said
"What bloody deal. What happened to family votes. What happened to meetings. If you let me deal with Ada and Freddie, it'll end in peace"polly said
"You get Freddie out of town pol. Or else I'll deal with him myself" tommy said walking away. When I remained still he spun around.
"Shirley!" He said
I looked back to give Polly an apologetic look. Then I ran out after tommy.
"I'm going to meet kimber to warn him about the lees. Your not coming, you also won't be coming to the races" tommy said
"What?" I said
"Kimber is particularly interested in you, I don't want him to dig too deep. Your birth father has ties to the lees-ah ah wait"tommy waved me down as I went to protest.
"I know you don't accept the lees as kin, but kimber won't care. He has to think we're on his side" tommy said
"I haven't spoke to my family since I was a child."I said
"As I've said, kimber won't care. I want this cleanly done. Relax Shirley, let me handle it. Look ,I have to go...Just, sit this one out. Okay?" He said
"Okay okay" I said