Heavy is the Head ||A Peaky Blinder Fanfic||

23| Loosing Trust

Once the speeches and the singing and the handshakes were over, everyone headed upstairs for tea and refreshments. Mollie May stayed close to Esme who stood by the window. She watched Ada touch Pols hand and then float off to talk to other guests, a cheery smile plastered on her face as she tried to buy more clients.

"What's up with Pol?" "Her painter didn't come." Esme told her without looking back at Pol who stood studying the crowd. A woman came over to Mollie May, "Excuse me, but I just wanted to let you know that I think Shelby Company Limited have been doing amazingly well in the last couple of years. You must be very proud." Mollie May nodded and smiled half-heartedly, her fingers scratching the back of her neck.

"Um, yeah." The woman smiled brightly, "You're very modest. Well, I came over here to ask about the business in America. I was wondering how manufacturing will be handled in the States." When Mollie May didn't answer the woman laughed, "I hope I've come to the right person. I thought you were a Shelby, well, you look like a Shelby." The woman had meant it as a joke but Mollie May didn't find it very funny. Tommy hadn't mentioned anything about manufacturing in America. Another thing she had been left out of.

"I don't think I'm the best person to answer your question. If you go to Ada or Michael, over there, they'll be able to help you." She pointed over to Michael and Ada, both of who were already busy with other people asking about the company.

Mollie May turned back to the window. Esme looked over to her but didn't say anything, which Mollie was grateful for. She patted her shoulder with a pitied smile and left her side, walking off across the room, leaving Mollie May alone.

Someone else joined Mollie May at the window. She turned to see Pol, looking out through the glass with a cigarette in between her lips. Mollie May didn't say anything, waiting for Pol to start the conversation. After a couple of long minutes in comfortable silence Polly spoke up.

"How've you been doing?" Mollie May nodded, humming under her breath, "Yeah, alright." "Me and Michael were going to come and visit you at your new house the other day, but Michael said it would be best to leave you alone." Mollie May scoffed, rolling her eyes and turning to sit on the edge of the windowsill.

"So, go on, what's the house like?" "Yeah, its nice." Polly paused at Mollie Mays short answer. Her tone changed like the speed of lightening and she turned to look Mollie May in the eye. "What's happened? You know I can tell when theres something wrong."

"Nothings wrong, Pol, I'm fine." Polly nodded, not entirely satisfied with her answer but not wanting to push her any further. "I haven't seen you in ages, it's about time we had a catch up. I'll pop round some day for lunch, see your new house. We can talk better then, if you want." Mollie May nodded, her voice barely audible, "I'd really like that."

Tommy came over, his eyes wild and searching, "Pol, have you seen Charles." Polly shook her head, unable to answer before he turned to Mollie May, "Mollie, where's Charlie." She just shrugged, "I dun-" he paced across the room to Lizzie, Mollie May watched him as he grew more and more worried. She got up from the windowsill and walked to Arthur and John, who were now looking for Charlie around the room. When she asked them what had happened they just shrugged, "He was there a minute ago." John told her pointing to where he had last seen Charlie.

Tommy came back to Arthur and John having done a full lap of the room, "Back door. Kitchen." He told Arthur and John who followed him to the door, Mollie May followed hesitantly, unsure if Tommy wanted her to come. He pointed to her, "Get to Blake Street where the cars are." She nodded and followed quickly after them.

"Tommy, someone said they seen a nurse take him through the back door." Ada told them, making everyone stop in their tracks. Tommy cursed, turning quickly and jogging out the door towards the exit of the building. Arthur took Ada lightly in his grasp, "What nurse?" but she only shrugged, "I dont know. Go."