Criminal Royalty

Gossip

Rose leaving left only members of the Shelby family in the room. Not being one to ponder in silence, John decided to begin the conversation on their new acquaintance.

"So, this Rose girl, where'd you find that one?" He questioned, not liking how little they all new about this newcomer.

Never one to warm up to strangers, Tommy held a quiet suspicion echoed by his brothers. He was sure there was more to this than a friend returning but for now, he had no proof.

"Having help with the kids is great but are you sure she can handle looking after my kids?" John continued on his rant.

Polly was not having any of it, Rose was family to her, and she hated the insinuation that she was in any way incapable.

"Will you lot just trust my judgement? I've been running this family whilst you boys were away. She promised to look after your kids before you had even returned from the war John."

John supposed he couldn't argue with that, the girl was doing him a favour he supposed, and it would be rude of him to disregard her before getting to know her. If he thought about it, with her clearly cheeky temperament, he could see himself getting along well with this Rose girl.

Tommy tilted his head at this, whilst he was more subtle in his inquisitions, he was still curious as to where this supposed friend had been. A girl who had endeared himself but whom he had no knowledge about. It seemed strange to him; a man used to being practically omniscient in matters of his family.

Unlike his other brothers, Arthur had the experience of age that made him attempt to settle the conversation. A volatile man, it may have been ironic, but he didn't always want conflict.

"Gods John if Polly says she good then just leave it. We'll soon see if she lives up to it. But Pol, seriously, who even is the girl?"

Seeing the need for an explanation, Polly took a deep breath to calm herself before beginning.

"She arrived whilst you boys were at war," she interrupted herself to light a cigarette. "barley grown back then,"

This time it was Arthur who interrupted, "she's grown now?" He said with a slight chuckle at his own joke.

Polly chose to ignore that; it was no use arguing over her short friend.

"Regardless, she came here for school and she met Ada during a nursing class."

She continued to tell them of how Ada had invited the newcomer to their home where she had volunteered to help look after Finn and John's kids' in-between classes. In her time with them, they had grown close, and she had become part of the family. If Polly had her way, with the boys return and her tea leaf premonitions, Rose would become family for real eventually. It was fated really; she just wasn't sure which one of her boys would make an honest woman out of her yet.

"If she's family, then why did she leave Pol?" Tommy voiced what they all were thinking.

"When you returned, she left to be with her own family."

"What, she wanted to avoid us?" Arthur interrupted again, not quite catching on.

"Of course not, but you boys weren't the only men to return. She went to visit her family, to see who'd returned and who hadn't".

This brought about a strange melancholic silence as they all contemplated their fallen brothers in arms.

"Just promise me you'll give her a chance yeah. Because I've seen her tea leaves and she won't remain an outsider for long"

Tommy quirked an eyebrow at this, just what was Polly planning he wondered.