"Mrs Jesus- its bad again" Mary speaks through the phone to Charlotte, who sighs, "i'll be there as soon as i can" Charlie sighs, "your brother again?" Isaiah questions as she pecks his lips, "yeah, hopefully it won't take too long" Charlotte tells him.
-
"Thank you for coming" Mary says opening the door for the youngest Shelby sister, "where is he?" Charlie asks, "spare bedroom, normal room" Mary sighs, leading the young woman up the stairs, seeing Charles stood at the door peeking in, "Charles" Charlotte says, "Auntie Cha" Charles says, "Mary, please can you put Charles to bed, shouldn't be walking round at this time should you young man?" Charlotte smiles, as Mary leads the toddler and Charlotte pushes the door open seeing Tommy struggling to stand, sit in the middle of a bunch of broken glass. "Oh Thomas." Charlie says, as his eyes flicker to her, "Lot-Lottie." He hiccups as she helps him off the floor, taking the bottle of rum out his hand, using it to drench a cloth, turning the lights on, inspecting his hand, picking the large pieces of glass out and cleaning the cuts. "Lotts." Tommy says grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in for a hug, his head leaning against her stomach as she strokes his head, "you can't keep doing this Tom. It's not fair on Mary, it's not fair on Charles." Charlie says, "I won't be able to come and sort you out every time, I've got kids at home and a husband, I can't be driving over here every night." She tells him, fiddling with his hair. "Think you need to get back to work, you're looking for something to fill in the emptiness, it can't keep happening like this Tom. I can't keep rushing over here because Mary has no idea what to do once your a bottle and a half in, is this how you want Charles to see his father? A drunk." Charlotte speaks softly. "No." Tommy whispers, "clean yourself up Tom, now let's get you to bed." She says helping him, supporting his weight as she helps him to his bedroom, laying him in his bed. "Can't go on like this Tom" Charlotte says. "I know- I-I'll be better. Go home. To your kids. I'll be there next week for their birthday." Tommy says grasping onto her hand, "good night Tommy" she says kissing his cheek, "I love you" he calls drunkly after her, "I love you too Tom, now go to sleep" she laughs leaving his room, and walking out the house.
-
"Well that was quicker than normal." Isaiah says as she straddles his lap, "mmhm, hopefully the last," she replies, wasting no time in pressing their lips together, one of his hands round her waist pulling her closer and the other on the back of her head deepening the kiss. "The kids Ziah." Charlie says, "they're asleep." He grunts his lips pressed against her neck, "the kids are asleep, so im going to rip your clothes off. And make love to you, right here. On this sofa" he smirks flipping them over so he was on top of her, quite literally tearing her top off throwing the remains somewhere, as he peppered steamy kisses against her chest, enjoying the noises coming from her mouth as he got further down. "You sure you want this?" Isaiah asks and she nods biting her lip, "I need words doll. I need to hear you." He teases his husky voice next to her ear, "fuck me Isaiah. I need you." Charlie moans loudly and he undoes her trousers, yanking them down off her ankles, removing his shirt and hovering over her once more, connecting their lips, "i love you" he whispers. "You're mine. My fucking wife. You belong to me." Isaiah says nipping at her neck. Now if this was said in any other situation Charlotte would've kicked off saying she doesn't belong to anyone, she's not an object. But she found it very arousing when the possessive side of him came out like this.
"Fucking say it doll. Who do you belong to?" Isaiah grunts, "you, I'm yours." She moans as he enters her, "that's fucking right love." Isaiah smirks, thrusting into her.
-
"I got the cake" Diego says walking into his bestfriends kitchen, "Diego, that's massive." Charlie exclaims turning round DJ on her hip, Isaiah was dressing Nate, people would be arriving in 30 minutes. "It won't go to waste. You can never have too much cake." Diego tells her. "Who's coming?" Harrison asks, "Siblings, their partners, and kids. Polly, Uncle C, Curly, Scud, Aberama, Bonnie, Chris, Johnny, Jeremiah, Harry, Lee and Stan." Charlie shrugs, "you invited Mr Morris and his partner?" Diego says and she nods, "don't call him Mr Morris, he hasn't been your teacher for the past 5 years. I saw him in the pub the other night."
"It's weird she's on first name basis with her ex teacher isn't it?" Diego asks his brother, "it's a small town, everyone knows everyone, nah, it's been ages. You just haven't seen him since he was your teacher." Harrison shrugs, "finally got him dressed, kept kicking his socks off." Isaiah sighs kissing her temple, "awwww." Diego teases, and Harrison hits his younger brother.
"Shush" Douglas says to Diego, "it might be your birthday, but the tickle monster can still come." Diego laughs, taking DJ from Charlie's grasp tickling the child.
-
"Hello Charlie. This is my partner Stanley, Stanley this is Charlotte Shelby." Lee introduces, "pleasure to meet you miss Shelby" Stan says shaking her hand, "it's actually Jesus." Charlotte says holding up the ring, "fuck me that's a rock." Stanley exclaims, holding her hand and looking at the ring. "Let me introduce you to everyone," Charlotte says, "this is a nice house, what do you do?" Stan questions, "manufacture cars and race horses." Charlie replies, "Aberama, Scud, Jimmy, Harry, this is Lee and Stan." Charlie introduces, and the men all shake hands, "I remember you, you're the teacher." Scudboat says and Mr Morris nods, "teacher?" Jeremiah asks, "oh right, Jimmy is Isaiahs dad. My father in law." Charlotte adds, "and which one is your husband?" Stanley asks looking round the room, "he's the one talking to my brothers and Diego, over there." Charlotte points, "my oh my, your whole family has lovely genes, bloody gorgeous all of you." Stanley says fanning himself.
"This is my sister Ada, her son Karl, Harrison, my sister in law Linda, her son Billy, Lizzie, and Charles, Tommy's son, and Bonnie. Bonnie is Aberamas son, a boxer." Charlotte says, "you already know Chris, guys this is Lee and Stan."
"What do you guys do? Gypsies?" Bonnie questions, "no, im a tailor and he's a teacher." Stanley replies, "ah yes, the famous teacher that kept my sister in school all these years." Ada smirks, "at least I finished school." Charlotte retorts. "You look like Diego" Mr Morris tells Harrison who chuckles, "he's my younger brother." "Ahhh, explains a lot." Lee replies nodding.
"Charlie, who might these charming men be?" Polly asks as the trio approach her where she was stood with Curly, Uncle Charlie and Johnny Doggs. "Lee and Stan. Meet my aunt Pol, me uncle Charlie, Curly and Johnny." Charlotte says, "how do you know these men Charlie?" Polly questions, "Lee, was headteacher, Stans his partner." Charlotte replies, "so neither of you are single?" Polly asks and they shake their heads laughing, "pity" Polly tuts, "Johnny Doggs, nice to meet ya" Johnny smiles shaking their hands, "Curly" Curly says proudly also shaking their hands, "Charlie Strong. We've met." Charlie says shaking his hand, "have we?" Lee questions, "I own the scrapyard, you dropped her off there, when she pulled a knife on a teacher." Uncle Charlie tells him, "why didn't you tell me?" Polly questions, "she asked me not to" Charlie shrugs, "so?" Polly says, "so i didn't" Uncle Charlie replies as if it were obvious. "Right, well- we are going to go somewhere that isn't here." Charlotte says, "oh no you didn't Charlie, get back here." Polly says, "I'll talk to you later Pol." Charlotte calls back approaching where her brothers, Isaiah and Diego were stood, with DJ and Nate.
"Mumma" Nate speaks walking slowly over to her, reaching to be lifted up, "Nate, says hi to Lee and Stan" Charlotte says and Nate shyly waves at the men, "hello sir." Diego greets shaking Mr Morris' hand, "Diego, Isaiah, Finn." Lee says, "that's Tommy and Arthur." Charlotte says feeling DJ cling to her leg, "and this little one is Douglas."
"Nice to meet you." Stan says shaking their hands, unnerved because both brothers had intense gazes on them and hadn't said anything. "Right. Yeah. Hello" Tommy groans when Charlie elbows his stomach.
"Charlie, they were being mean to me." Diego complains and Tommy rolls his eyes. "You probably did deserve it." Charlotte replies. "He hasn't changed one bit." Lee laughs, "nope he is still her idiot." Isaiah smirks. "I thought you would be her idiot, you know. Marriage and all." Stanley says, "nope, I'm her bitch." Isaiah replies, "at least he admits it." Arthur teases, "you're my bitch too Arthur." Charlie says patting his head, "bitch" Douglas smiles, and Charlottes hand flies over her mouth as the group laugh. "And you thought we'd be the ones teaching them bad words. That hurts Char." Diego gasps, and Isaiah hits his arm making him groan, "ow." Diego says as DJ kicks his chin. "He's the devils child." Diego says, as DJ starts charging towards him. "Which one of us is the devil?" Isaiah asks placing an arm round his wife shoulder. "You are. She's sort of nice to me. You just abuse me." Diego says lifting DJ into the air throwing and catching him. "You do deserve it." Finn tells him, and all of a sudden the phone rings. "I'll get it." Charlotte sighs handing Nate to Isaiah, walking into the hallway.
"Hello?" Charlotte answers, "is this Mrs Charlotte Jesus?" A male voice questions, "who's asking?" Charlie replies, "I'm Mr Langley, I was wondering if we could talk?" Mr Langley tells her, "what do you want to talk about?" Charlie asks, "my son, Mrs Jesus. He died a few weeks and I found his diary, when we were clearing his room, it was pretty disturbing." Mr Langley speaks, "who's your son?" Charlotte questions, "Theodore. You went to his school. I'd like to apologise for his past behaviour as well as what he's written in this." Mr Langley says, "past behaviour?" Charlie questions, "breaking into your house and watching you sleep, It's written in here dates and sort of dreams. It's fucked up. Look, I just thought you might like to see it, and again I sincerely apologise." Mr Langley explains, "yeah, I-uh I'll take a look, you can send it to the Garrison." Charlotte says, paling slightly, "okay, I'll get it delivered. Enjoy your day Mrs Jesus." Langley says hanging up, leaving a shaky Charlotte stood in the hall. How did she not notice someone in her room? Watching. What had he seen? Or done. Placing the phone back on the wall, she realised she was going to be sick on the floor if she didn't get to a sink or toilet soon. The closest one was in the kitchen, speedily walking across the foyer she opens the door to the kitchen, leaning over the sink just in time as her breakfast comes up. Coughing and spluttering out of her mouth, she reaches for a glass using a towel to wipe her mouth, washing away her sick, filling the cup up, drinking it, swirling it round her mouth and spitting it out. Doing it again. And again.
"What's going on in here?" Polly questions after watching her niece throwing up, "nothing, I'm fine." Charlotte replies, and Polly watched her shaky hands try to light a cigarette, failing as she fumbles dropping the match on the floor, "fuck" Charlie says picking it up. "Stand up straight." Polly says, "I'm not pregnant Poll" Charlotte sighs knowing where her aunt was going, "you can never be too sure." Polly says cupping her breast. "Well." Charlie says, "you're not pregnant, so why are you throwing up over your kitchen sink at your sons birthday party?" Polly asks, "tomorrow Pol, when i know everything." Charlotte tells her, "know everything about what?" Ada questions walking in with Lizzie and Linda. "Great another mother's fucking meeting." Charlie groans, "your sister was just throwing up over the sink." Polly states, "she up the duff?" Linda asks, "no, im not fucking pregnant," Charlotte replies pacing round her kitchen. "Then what's going on?" Ada questions, as Charlie tried to light her cigarette again hands trembling, "come here" Ada tells her, "I don't know why you still use matches," she adds using her lighter against Charlie's cigarette. "Now come on." Ada urges wanting to gossip. "D'you guys ever feel safe? Like completely. Not a doubt in your mind." Charlotte asks the women, "with what the men, and you, do. The business we do. No, how could anyone. Did you?" Lizzie speaks, and Charlotte nods, "yeah, felt safe, had an eye for that sort of thing, noticing things before it happens. Noticing a lot, self aware. Knew what was going on. I felt fucking safe." Charlie says, "then what's all this about? No longer feel safe in a protected bubble, don't have your brothers." Linda mocks, "fuck off Linda, I was never in a protected bubble." Charlotte retorts, "if anything she put the boys in a protected bubble." Ada teases, "why don't you feel safe?" Polly questions, "I do, I still feel safe" Charlotte says, "then what the fuck are you waffling on about?" Polly says, "I shouldn't have felt safe when I did feel safe." Charlie tells them, "so you felt safe, but you shouldn't have felt safe, are you finally becoming normal? Scared of death." Ada says, "no, death doesn't bother me, life is scarier than death, especially when me, someone who supposedly notices fucking everything doesn't notice someone sneaking into her room at night." Charlotte says. "Fucking what?" Polly replies, "who has been sneaking into your room? How didn't you or Isaiah notice?" Ada questions, "you're thinking too recently. But seriously how the fuck didn't I notice?" Charlotte speaks, "you were asleep, dreamland." Lizzie tells her. "You know the boys are gonna want to hear about this." Polly says cocking an eyebrow at her, "the throwing up?" Charlotte asks, "no" Ada states slapping her head, "not much they can do, the guys dead." Charlotte says, "what? You killed him?" Linda says, "not me per-say." Charlotte replies, "who then?" Lizzie inquires, "Ziah did. The guys Dad found his diary, says it's disturbing, I'm picking it up from the Garrison tomorrow." Charlie tells them. "Look, I'll tell them, 2 days maximum. just wait for me to know everything about the situation first." The youngest Shelby sister adds. "Alright. 2 days." Lizzie agrees. "Thank you, now I'm going back out there. Anyone need anything?" Charlie asks, "where's the toilet?" Linda questions, "go out that door, turn left it's the 3rd door on the right." Charlie says pointing at the door, whilst walking out a different one into the main room.
"Who was on the phone?" Isaiah asks as she comes over to them, "wrong number." Charlotte shrugs. "Please can we have cake now?" Diego questions and the twins cheer, "alright, because you asked so nicely, you're getting it though." Charlie replies. "Yes ma'am." Diego salutes.