Lottie walked with Polly to where Ada was staying. She stood patiently, a basket of food in hand. "Ada, it's me, i've brought you and the baby food" she said quietly.
"Open up love" Polly said, tapping on the door.
"She's not coming out is she" Lottie asked her Aunt. "Think of the little one, Ada"
She heard the light cries of the baby inside the room.
"Ada i want to see you" Lottie gave up being patient and knocked on the door again. "Come on love, she's not opening the door" Polly ushered Lottie back up the stairs.
"Why won't she come out"
"Blame your brother" she hissed. "Tommy didn't do anything, he's told us both that" she pleaded. "Who else would of done it then"
"Alright calm ye tits, it's not my fault" Lottie scoffed, walking ahead.
"Did you speak to her?" Tom asked as they walked back into the house. "She didn't speak back" Pol said.
"Well did you tell her"
"I'll only tell her what i know to be true"
"Oh come on Pol give it a rest" Lottie sighed, taking her boots off. "It's the last time i'm going to say this, it wasn't me who shopped Freddie Thorne"
"Tommy" Polly began. "I'd ask you to swear on the bible, but you can't swear on that can you"
"Nothing you hold is sacred" Polly walked out, leaving Lottie and Thomas alone. "What's her issue" Lottie groaned.
-
Tommy leaned over, drawing a black star in diary that Grace was writing in.
"Black star? What does that mean"
"The black star day" he began. "Is the day we take out Billy Kimber and his men. No one knows this"
"Not even your family?" she asked.
"Grace" he turned, opening the door. "Everyone in my family hates me. Why would i tell them"
"That young sister of yours doesn't seem to hate you" she frowned. "Then she'll be the only one" he whispered, leaning the room.
-
Lottie stood inside the gym, watching Isaiah fight a boy.
"He's off the bloody rails is what he is" She heard Johns voice as he entered the gym. "If he'll turn nose on his best mate"
He was talking about Tommy.
"Bloody neighbours John, snitch behind the curtain" Arthur said, laying eyes on his sister.
"Yeah well if you think that your the only one who does"
"Look at this look," they approached the ring closest to them. "Bloody raking it in. Who's running this carny"
"Name of Marston" the small man said. "Intends on wintering in Small Heath with this ring"
Lottie watched them carefully, handing Isaiah a towel.
"Does he?"
"Only heard. Nobody in Small Heath craps in a pot without the decree of Tommy Almighty" John sneered. "Alright Lottie" he ruffled the younger girls hair, earning a smack off her.
"Mr Marston i believe. The ringmaster" he shouted. "Proud i am to say so" he nodded at her brothers.
"Yeah well these here are civilised parts. Man wants to set his stall up with fellas lamping each other" Arthur sat, "he needs himself a license"
"A license?"
"For a fee. From those in charge" he poured beer on to the floor.
"I'll tell you what, how about i keep my money, and you shove a license up your arse crack" the man spat.
"You don't want to speak to me like that" Arthur warned.
"And who the bloody hell do you think you are?"
Suddenly another man began shouting. "My name, is Arthur Shelby"
Lottie dropped the towel, her mouth open. "That's my dad" she whispered.
John and Arthur stared at him blankly, slightly in shock. "Dad?" Arthur asked. Lottie rushed to her brothers, standing beside John.
The older man turned around, smiling.
"Jesus" he laughed.
-
Lottie stood beside the table, under Johns arm whilst Arthur placed a cup of tea down in front of their dad.
"Thank you. You are a good boy" he nodded. He looked down, clasping his hands together. "Bless thee, Father, for these bounties we are about to receive"
Lottie raised an eyebrow, staring at her Father who she hadn't seen in 10 years.
"Jesus christ" Polly muttered, looking away. "Please, woman, not in vain"
"Finish your sandwich and sling your hook" Polly stared at him. "Pollyanna, i'm the guest of the head of this family"
"So why don't you maybe tend to your mangle or your scuttle?"
"The head of the family ain't here" John corrected, holding Lottie close to him. "Tommy" Arthur whispered. "He sometimes helps me with..with business, Dad"
"Why did you leave" Lottie interrupted. "Oh my sweet Lottie" her father smiled, John clenched his jaw.
"You're all grown up" he raised his hands. "You'd have seen me grow up if you didn't fuck off" she smiled sarcastically.
The door opened, Tommy entering seconds later.
"Aye well, speak of the devil" Her dad sat straight. Tommy froze, looking at the older man. "How are you son?"
"Get out"
"Come on, son" he tilted his head, "i'm a changed man"
"Are ya fuck" Lottie sniggered.
"This family needed you ten years ago. And you walked out on us. Not now. Get out of this house"
"Tommy, he's different" Arthur pleaded, staring at the table.
"Shut up"
"It's all right son, Arthur Shelby never stays where he's not welcome" he picked up his coat from the chair.
"Quite something you've become" he nodded to Tommy.
"Don't wait around, get out" Lottie shouted, her anger getting the better of her. "It's okay Lott" John whispered, his thumb rubbing her shoulder.
"Bye son" her dad rubbed Finn's hair. He nodded slightly at Lottie and walked away.
Finns head followed his dad who was walking away. John pulled his shoulder back.
"He's our dad" Arthur whisper. Tommy scoffed. "He's a selfish bastard"
"You calling someone a selfish bastard" Arthur asked. "that's a bit rich tommy"
"I mean, thanks to you, we're already down a bloody sister" he said, referring to Ada. "You want to see him Arthur? You want to see him?" Tom pointed at the door.
"You go with him"
Arthur got out of his chair, walking to the door, slamming it behind him.
"He wasn't our dad then, certainly not our dad now" Lottie whispered.