CHAPTER THIRTY NINE | i haven't
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Lucie woke to a repeated pounding on her front door. She stayed in her small bed, hoping they would go away, but the didn't.
Lucie muttered a string of curses as she pulled on her green dress that hung on the end of her bed. Pulling her hair into a make shift bun.
The door was still being beaten, more rapid now however. Lucie pulled on her small heels and jogged down to the door.
"Thomas?" Lucie questioned his presence, "I though you were in London."
"Back now, Love. Hurry up." Thomas spoke, taking a drag for his cigarette.
Lucie rolled her eyes and left her home, locking the small green door behind her. Thomas Shelby and his obsession with speed.
"Thomas, where are we going." Lucie pressed, jumping in to the passenger seat.
"Family meeting." He replied in a monotone voice, clipping his words and returning to silence.
"No how are you doing? No it's nice to see you again? Wow you really know how to make a girl blush." Lucie sighed and rolled her eyes.
"We can do all that after, business first." He replied, driving round the corner.
"Business first. Do you remember? The day Kimber died, what you said?" Lucie questioned.
Thomas never replied, he just got out of the car and walked into the betting shop. Lucie gave up. She couldn't be bothered with an argument. Reluctantly, Lucie left the car and walked into the den.
The doors were already closed and Michael was sat in the kitchen looking through the door. Lucie took advantage of the situation and crept up behind him.
"Michael!" Lucie shouted, gripping Michael's shoulders.
"Shit! Luce." He laughed, "Scared the fuck out of me."
"What's happening in there that interests you so much then, eh?" Lucie questioned.
"Horse auction. That's where they're going tomorrow." Michael replied, watching through the crack in the door.
"Oh, right well. I'm sure. And he's gone." Lucie looked to see the door wide open and Michael already in the meeting.
Lucie followed hot on his tail, standing behind him. Arthur smiled at her and looked back to Thomas who was speaking.
"I wanna go with them." Michael began.
"You see!" Polly shouted towards Thomas.
"I love horses, I could even help." Michael persuaded.
Lucie stood back and watched everything unfold, not wanting to speak and risk Polly's wrath.
"No. Fucking no." Polly snapped.
Michael turned and walked out of the room slowly. Pushing a pile of papers off the desk as he passed. Lucie decided to move forward and speak up.
"Pol it'll be alright. I'll go too, you can trust me. But Pol, if you keep acting like this with him. You'll push him away." Lucie smiled softly.
"What the fuck would you know about it. I don't see your child running around here." Polly spat.
Lucie's face dropped, tears forming in her eyes. Arthur and John watched her take in a breath to compose herself. No body dared get in between.
"I know how you felt when you're children were taken Polly. But you're lucky enough to have him back. So don't fuck it up." Lucie began to walk away, however she turned back around.
"And don't speak to me unless it's a fucking apology." Lucie stormed out of the room. Passing Michael as she did, not bothering to say goodbye to her old friend. She walked straight out of the betting shop and made her way to the Garrison.
Barley anyone was inside, but sooner in the day the pub was bound to be packed. Lucie missed the old Garrison set up. Her and Harry would laugh the days away. She missed that.
"Harry?" Lucie shouted through a bow empty bar.
"Alright Luce, on your own?" Harry questioned, flicking a rag over his shoulder.
"Erm yes. I was wondering if maybe, we'll what if I came back for a while." Lucie paused. "As a barmaid?"
"I've fuckin' missed you. Now aprons on your hook, get it in and get ready." Harry laughed, causing a large smile to spread across Lucie's face.
After Lucie had stormed out of the betting den everyone stayed silent. Nobody wanted to talk. Esme had turned away from Polly after what she said, Arthur looked down and the table and John stared at Thomas waiting for him to do something.
He calmly walked towards Polly, putting his cigarette out as he did. Everyone had their eyes on him, watching to see what he'd say.
"When we come to collect Michael tomorrow, you will apologise to her. That was my child too Polly. My child that could've been fucking running around here." Thomas moved towards the door. "Never bring it up again."
Thomas slammed the door as Lucie did previously. He walked into the sitting room where Michael sat absolutely dumbfound at what he'd heard moments ago.
"Where'd she go then? Eh?" Thomas grilled.
"She mumbled bar and serve the fucking drink." Michael replied in fear.
"Right." Thomas spoke and the left, slamming the front door too.
Thomas headed straight for the Garrison in search for Lucie.
"Harry! Where do they keep the scotch?" Lucie shouted to the back as she served a customer.
"Second cupboard on the left." Harry replied.
Lucie served the somewhat drunken man with a soft smile and began to wipe down the bar. She'd missed this. Not having to worry about anything but whether or not she'd drop the glass. Being careful as she stood on the table to sing. Waiting for Thomas to walk through the doors.
"Luce."
"Jesus fuck, how did you do that." She laughed.
"Do what?" Thomas replied, heading for the bar.
"I-it-em- doesn't matter." She stuttered.
"What you doing back in here, eh? Lucie you don't need to work." He softened his face slightly.
"I'm always bored, Tom. I never do anything but sit at home, sit with Esme, sit with Polly. Sit at the door of your flat hoping your home when you aren't because you jut take off to fucking London without ever telling me!" Lucie had a sudden burst of anger.
"Thomas-I-I didn't mean it like that. I-I-Its just. I feel alone. You're never here anymore. Arthur is too wrapped up in cocaine, Esme has John. Michael has Pol. Polly has Michael. Finn's grown up now. Ada's in London." Lucie sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"Arthur can go to London from now on. I'll go if it's urgent. John's got jobs so Esme'll be free. I'll pay for you to see Ada. God, Luce, I'd buy you the world if I could." Thomas smiled.
"But, money can't buy happiness Tom." Lucie spoke softly. "Look, you go do your business, I need some time to clear my head. I'll come round to the flat at nine. If you aren't there I'll -em - go home or see Esme. I'm sorry. But after what Polly said I need some reset time." Lucie smiled sorrowfully.
Thomas just nodded and left, giving Lucie a small wave as he reached the doors. She let out a sigh began to clean different glasses that were still left.
Thomas walked down the cobbles, greeting Esme who had just left the betting shop.
"Where were she then?" Esme questioned.
"Garrison, back workin' again. Said she feels all alone. I'd give her some space 'till Tomorrow maybe." Thomas spoke out of breath.
"How long's it been, Tommy? How longs it been since you told her she was beautiful? How long since you two spent a day together? A bloody night together? How long's it been since you told her you love her?" Esme asked, in a calm manner, attempting to help Tommy.
"I haven't." He whispered.
"You what?" Esme asked, checking she'd heard him right. "Tommy you've know her two years. It's about time don't you think? Wars over. Kimber's gone. You promised her. I hope to God you keep it."