Oceans [A.Shelby]

SEVENTEEN

LILLIAN COULDN'T HELP but wince each time she placed weight on her feet, sore from the bandaged up cuts on the soles, a reminder of the night the previous week.

When the pair woke up the next morning, instead of the usual apologetic Arthur that was unveiled after a bad night, he had almost hid himself away, avoided people, took solice in the pub. Lillian just let him, there was no getting through to him no matter what she tried.

She had sent Theo to try and get through to him, instead the pair of them came home late that night, both equally as drunk as the other and Lillian felt like doing one of two things; booking a night in a b and b or banging her head against the wall until those next door questioned her own sanity.

She was thankful she only needed to walk down the road to the betting shop, she found it odd how quiet it was especially for 11am, but her question was answered when she stepped into the room attached to the betting den, Lillian looking in confusion as the family sat around quietly, all faces blank, Polly's face a mixture of multiple emotions. One moment she looked annoyed, the next moment like she could strangle somebody and then almost instantly her face just went blank.

"An' whose this then?" The man sat in the middle of them all asked, Lillian raised her brow as she tried to figure out who exactly the man was, she should've known, noticed the minor similarities he shared with his sons.

"Lillian this is Arthur Shelby Sr, my brother," After Polly's introduction Lillians face immediately went from that of confusion to realisation and then dislike.

"I must say, I complain about my own father but compared to the likes of you, my father is a saint," The woman raised a challenging brow to the man who had a fleeting look of surprise pass his features.

"And which one of you unlucky bastards wedded this spitfire?" Arthur Sr laughed, the room found it far less amusing than the senior did himself, Arthur sending a warning glare to his father, and he caught on.

"Dad," Arthur's tone a warning to his father, his brothers cringing at the unworthy title, answering his fathers question for him.

Lillian crossed her arms, her gaze on the man equaled that of Polly's as Tommy entered, immediately stopping in his tracks.

"Get out." Tommy stated, without stuttering or stumbling over his words and a cold glare set on his face.

"Come on son, I'm a changed man" Arthur Sr tried to convince his second eldest, but Thomas Shelby was no fool, and wouldn't mellow at his empty promises and new-found faith.

"This family needed you ten years ago, when you walked out on us, not now. Get out of this house." Tommy spat.

"Tommy, he's different," Tommy shut down Arthur's plea by telling him to shut up, Arthur glancing back down toward his hands.

"It's alright son, Arthur Shelby never stays where he's not welcome."

"He's our dad" Arthur spoke after the man had left, Tommy scoffing in response, "he's a selfish bastard."

"You calling someone a selfish bastard, bit rich Tommy. I mean thanks to you, we're already down a bloody sister," Lillian could hear a sharp intake of breath at Arthur's words, perhaps it was her own as she glared at her husband.

"Can we not do this now?" Lillian pleaded, looking between the two men, both casting a glance but ultimately, ignored her.

"You wanna see him Arthur, you wanna see him? Go with him." Thomas' voice was threateningly low, Arthur glancing around the room as he stood, before he was out of the door before Lillian could even try to stop him.

Lillian huffed in disbelief as her wide, trepidus eyes locked onto Thomas Shelby.

"Was that neccessary? You aren't the one that has to live with him Thomas! I still have cuts in my feet from his last breakdown and if he makes another stupid decision, it will be on you for bloody encouraging him!" Lillian's voice raised before she left the room, the door shutting with a bang behind her before she got to work dreading the remainder of Arthur Seniors visit.

•••

Lillian sat by the fire that was roaring to life as the weather grew colder by the day, the contents of her glass empty just as she was on her lonesome.

The day had left quickly, the clock not long past nine but the girl waited despite her tiring eyes, worry settled on her face as she feared her husbands behaviour. She knew from many stories that Arthur Shelby Sr had caused a lot of unsettled trauma for his children, that her husband was the closest with him when they were young, and him leaving them was the harshest blow any young man could take at that time.

The young woman's heart jumped as at last, her husband stumbled through the door. Before Lillian could get a word in edgways, Arthur spoke.

"do you have money?" Arthur asked her, the question breaking her silence.

"Pardon?" Lillian laughed at the abruptness, staring at her husband who looked at her intensely. Money being a voodoo topic in their household, it was never mentioned, as far as Arthur knew, Lillian had nothing but what he provided her. A woman always had a back up plan, something to go to. At least, the May women did.

"Money. I heard Theo mention your inheritance a few weeks ago," Arthur began to pace the kitchen, Lillian's head quickly began to ache as her blue eyes followed his movements.

"not that it's any of your business, Arth. But as it happens, yes. My family has given me access to a portion of money. My money." She crossed her arms, looking at Arthur's calculating face.

"My dad's proposed a business, it could make us a lot of money, I just need to put some money into it first. Invest, that's it, that's the word. We could make our own livelihood, we wouldn't have to depend on the blood money, the dirty money." Arthur proposed, his tone sounded so full of ideas and opportunities, swirling around in his head with the whiskey and the blues.

"No," Lillian stated, she wouldn't share money with that man, Arthur Senior. She could see right through a man like him, he was transparent to a woman in her position. At family dinners years ago, when men and their families would dine with them and propose investments for her father, she could see right through their intentions, just as Dora May could. That's what Dora taught her daughter, don't trust men with your money.

Certainly, don't give your money away. If you have to get away quickly and quietly you're going to need it.

"y' what?" Arthur's jaw clenched.

"no, Arthur, you are not giving my inheritance, my families money, to that man. He's using you, he's not a good man, Arth. If you give him money, he will dissappear with it. Think about it Arthur!" Arthur gripped onto her arm tightly, Lillian squirmed in his grasp as she looked up at him wide-eyed, a wildness in his eyes.

"You're wrong, you're fucking wrong about him! We're doing something together, him and I," Lillian didn't like the look in Arthur's eyes, the way his weathered hand clasped tightly around her arms, nails digging into her skin, circulation slowing to a halt.

"A-Arthur.. " Lillian trailed off, "let me go."

Arthur's grasp loosened just a fraction, and Lillian snatched her arms away from him, rubbing them gently as he winced.

"Look at what he's making you to be, look at who you're becoming Arthur, is this what you want? To become your father?" Lillian bit out as she held up her arm, bruises already forming where his fingers once were, specks of blood from his finger nails.

Arthur's face dropped ever so slightly, Lillian clicking her tongue with a glare, "no, I didn't think so either."

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authors note; so peaky blinders s6 has began filming, and despite promising us more series it's going to be the final series.. I'm not ready for it to come to an end :(