Oceans [A.Shelby]

TWENTY-TWO

LILLIAN TOOK THE short train journey to Warwick with both Theo and a very reluctant Arthur, Lillian nudging Theo's foot with her own and reassuring him that it would be okay.

"I haven't seen him since I took to the front line," Theo muttered.

"And yet the medal you received for fighting with them will be worth a lot more than his because you actually did something," Lillian told him in reassurance.

"We all threw ours in the cut," Arthur grinned, seemingly very proud of his words as the two siblings looked at eachother in amusement.

"And yet our father has his on display as if he even put one foot in the mud.." Theo muttered.

"Just, look him in the eye. There's nothing more intimidating to our father then when somebody matches his gaze, and glares back twice as hard. That goes for you too, Arth," Lillian told them as the train pulled into the station, the three descending the train and collecting their small cases, a car waiting for them outside of the station.

"Fucking hell this looks expensive, feels expensive, even smells expensive," Arthur swore as he touched the seats, marvelling in the manufacturing of the vehicle.

It was only a short journey to the estate, the estate stood on many acres of land, ideal for shooting, her father would often invite his close circle.

A noise escaped Lillians lips as they edged closer, she recognised Eddie's blonde hair next to their parents contrasting brown, but there was three more, two of those being the reason she glanced to Theo in annoyance.

"If I knew they were coming I should never have come," Lillian turned to Theo who looked at their grandparents with mixed emotions.

The pair always induced mix emotions to the oldest May siblings, once Theo was the favourite, there was even the possibility he would inherit his grandfathers title should his uncle not have had a male heir, but as soon as that happened Theodore May fell out of favour.

And well, Lillian can't recall a time when she was ever in favour with her grandparents, she had been a disappointment long before the most disappointing act of all; a low ranking marriage.

Lillian had accepted it when she was much younger, she's a female and female children often disappoint should they sway away from those who controlled them. Growing up, Lillian did what she wanted, when she wanted and there was no stopping her. Often, she liked the thrill of the game, doing something to dissatisfy even more, but she was younger back then.

"Who are they?" Arthur questioned, looking at Lillian unsurely.

"My Grandparents," His wife grimaced in return.

"Grandparents? I thought they were dead! What do they do?"

"My grandfathers an Earl," Lillian looked at her husband sheepishly.

"A what? Fucking hell, Lil." Arthur swore.

"I'm sorry, it just slipped my mind! Now smile," Lillian told him before she swung he door open and stepped out, her shoe hitting gravel as she a tight smile.

"Well, come closer, we don't bite do we?" Her grandmother asked glancing to the family who replied with equally tight smiles, even the staff on the far side of the house could feel the tension as Lillian stepped closer first.

"Oh my dear, age hasn't done good to you." Her grandmother shook her head after surveying her closely.

"Charming, I'm not even 30!" Lillian retorted, and almost instantly Arthur could see why Lillian did not get along with her family.