If I Lay Here

Six Questions Since You've Walked Through That Door

Lucy was sat at the kitchen table, the doors in front of her opened to the betting shop letting in the noise of the men placing their wagers. She barely paid it any mind, instead focusing on a particularly difficult mathematics problem while simultaneously glancing at her latest novel on the table next to her. She found it rather difficult to focus on maths when she was working on a novel. "The Secret Garden", though a bit childish for her tastes, would always be one of her favorite stories. She liked to envision herself outside of the dirty streets of Small Heath, exploring a garden in the countryside. She longed for some fresh air and space.

She was shaken from her reverie as Aunt Polly walked into the room. "For fuck's sake." John said under his breath as he followed Polly into the kitchen and shut the doors behind them. 

"Polly, seems a little bit to me like things are getting out of hand." 

"So get them in hand." Polly quipped back. 

"You know what Ada said to me this morning? She said we all look like we work in a factory under the ground. She said we look like ghosts." 

"She'll be back." Polly said, glancing down at Lucy and lighting a cigarette.

"When?" Lucy asked, hopeful she'd be able to see her sister again. Since getting pregnant, marrying Freddie, and having the baby, Lucy was lucky to see her sister maybe once every couple of months. 

Polly put a hand on Lucy's shoulder and offered her a quick smile before looking back up at John, the smile falling from her face. "When she needs us." She answered them both. 

"And anyway," John breezed past the question of Ada, "who the fuck would blow up our pub?" 

"Six". Polly stated, pouring herself a drink. 

"Six what?" 

"Six questions since you walked through that door." Polly turned back to John. "Soon you're going to have to start being the man with the answers." 

Lucy snickered a bit as this, immediately regretting it as John's hand hit the back of her head. 

"Ow." She whispered to herself, massaging her head lightly. 

"Why?" Asked John. 

"Seven. Because when London happens, you'll have to hold up your end. Or we'll find somebody else who can. Your sister seems to be getting along well with her studies. Perhaps we'll see if she's up to the task." 

"Really, Aunt Polly?" Lucy asked hopefully from her seat, her aunt's sarcasm lost on her as she'd gone back to her reading until she heard her aunt bring her up. 

"No!" They replied in unison, Polly rolling her eyes from her seat in front of the fireplace and John stalking out the door. 

Lucy dared to ask her aunt another question, though she could tell that her wits were coming to an end. "Aunt Polly?"

Polly sighed and turned to her. "What Lucy? I don't have the energy in me for another six questions." 

"No... just one. Do you think I'll ever be a part of the family business? Finn's already in the betting shop every day while I'm sat in here or at school by myself. I want to help!"

"Lord, I hope not." Polly said dryly. "Besides, I thought you liked school?"

"Oh I do! But I want to feel important like you all do. And Arthur says I have an accounting mind like John and Tom. Finn can't even read!"

"Lucy, you'll be a part of the family business one day if Thomas and I see fit. Until then, you keep your nose in your books and out of private matters. Understood?" 

"Yes, Aunt Pol." Lucy glumly stated, rolling her eyes and glad her aunt had turned back around to face the fire. 

It was true, she did love school, but lately she'd been feeling as though she wasn't being challenged anymore. The oldest students at her school were only a year or so older than herself and she'd even passed them in lessons. She'd been thinking that perhaps her family's lifestyle would be able to offer her some excitement in her otherwise dull days as of late. She knew her skills could come in handy. She just needed to convince Tommy that as well.