In Bleak Midwinter

Chapter Twenty-Four

Emily's eyes lit up with joy the moment she spotted Tommy burst through the Garrison doors. He immediately fell to her feet and assessed the bruising on her eyebrow.

"Was it him? Did he touch you?" He demanded information from her.
Emily shook her head and pulled away from his soft touch. She then clasped his hands between hers and smiled.
"It's okay Tommy. I'm okay" she reassured, attempting to brush aside her pain.
"No. Not fucking acceptable" Tommy grunted as he turned to look at Arthur.

Arthur began loading his weapon from behind the bar and nodded at the rest of the Peaky boys.

Emily shook her head again and then cupped her hands around Tommy's face to grab his attention.
"Tommy. It's okay. What's done is done"
"I'll kill him" Tommy whispered.
Emily turned over to Arthur and shook her head, allowing Arthur to acknowledge that her order was Tommy's order. Arthur quickly placed his gun back in the side of his coat.

Emily could see a woman lingering in the corner of the bar; she was convinced she recognised the mysterious woman, and deeply wondered why she was in such a place. The woman then crossed from the corner of the bar to clear the tables around them. Emily could tell her ears were pricked and were ease dropping the conversation. It was then, Emily realised the woman was the same woman whom she bumped into leaving Tommy's house: Grace.

"Emily? Are you sure you're okay?" Tommy asked, "You disappeared there. I think we should get you checked out. Especially the baby".
"Tommy. I'm fine. I promise. It's just a small cut" Emily reassured again.
Tommy nodded and hugged his fiancée tightly.

———
Mary stood beside the bar as John approached her with amiable conviction. She smiled as she side eyed his emerging presence and then took one big gulp of her whisky.

"Do you come here often?" John joked cheekily as he slid up the side of the bar and placed himself next to her.
"It really depends what you define as often, Mr Shelby" Mary chuckled.
"Well, you don't come here often enough for my liking" he remarked.
"Is that so?" Mary smiled as she turned to face him.
John nodded.
"When was it decided you get to dictate my life?" she sarcastically responded.
John's face momentarily dropped as he failed to understand the joke.
"I jest John" she said, placing her hand on his shoulder as she realised he had taken her sarcasm a little too personally. "Gosh you looked like a ghost just then".
John's face turned from a slick frown to a loud smile as he began to cackle: he wasn't sure why it was funny, but he was glad she wasn't offended.

Finn skipped over to the two and interrupted their drink by announcing Tommy and Emily were leaving.
"Tommy told me to ask Miss Harding whether she was going to stay with Tommy of elsewhere?"
"Oh" Mary smiled. "I suppose I will-"
"Stay with me" John interrupted. "Mary will be staying with me" John then firmed.
Finn nodded and rushed away.
"Dictating my life again are you John?" Mary grinned.
"Of course. There is no other way..." John said, reaching his arm out to escort Mary home...

——

Hello!

Apologies this chapter is short!!!

I will be updating the story more frequently once things in my personal life have freed up.

Thank you so much for the support ♥️

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