The Return [T. Shelby || Peaky Blinders || Shelby's Girl Book 2]

- 5 -

In London, Astella and Edward were leading Tommy, Oscar and Natasha through London, Astella was pushing a pram as William slept throughout the walk, "How do you know where Ada is?" Oscar asked.

"Remember who you're talking to," Astella said.

"Astella," Edward said.

"If you're gonna complain, you know the way back to the bakery," Astella said as she started crossing the road with the group.

"How did you escape?" Tommy asked.

"Jumped off the balcony and Alfie caught us," Astella said.

"Us?" Oscar questioned.

"Me and William... Edward told me to run. I tried and failed so I jumped," Astella said.

"Is he okay?" Tommy asked as they stopped walking and he lightly stroked William's cheek.

"Cries a lot when I'm not around these past few days," Astella saw Ada who was walking across the road, "There she is," Astella said.

"Ada," Tommy said and walked forward.

Ada looked at them and noticed Tommy, Oscar and Natasha, "How the fuck did you find me? What? Are you reading Polly's letters?" Ada said.

"Oh, that was me," Ada turned to see Astella, "Kept an eye on you since you moved to London," Astella said.

"Astella?" Ada said.

"Hi," Astella smiled then looked into the pram and her smile widened, "Oh, hello handsome, someone's awake," Astella said and picked up her son.

"Is that?" Ada walked over and looked at William then gasped gently, "What's his name?" Ada said with a smile.

"William Arthur John Shelby," Astella said.

Ada lightly stroked his cheek, "He's beautiful, Stella... Sure you want to name him after my brothers?" Ada asked.

"The man who gave me a second chance and my best friend?" Astella looked at her, "I'm sure. If it was a girl Ada and Natasha would have been in the name," Astella said with a smile causing Ada to smile.

"Look," Ada and Astella looked back at Tommy, "You think you're safe because you moved flat. But you're not. Polly and Astella think the same," Tommy said.

"Actually, I know," Astella said.

"Fine. Polly thinks the same and Astella knows you're not safe," Tommy corrected.

"When will you understand? I just want you all out of my life," Ada asked.

"Ada. Look at us, eh?" Ada looked at Oscar and Natasha, noticing her older sister's change of personality, "And it'll happen again," Tommy said carefully as Natasha tensed up.

"Yeah, well, next time I'll be ready. In fact, I want them to try again," Ada took out a gun from her bag, "'Cause I'll shoot their balls off!" Ada said.

"Ada put the fucking gun away," Tommy said.

Ada put the gun back in her bag and tried to leave but neither Oscar nor Tommy was letting her go, "Get away from me, I'm late for work," Ada said.

"Alright, fine," Tommy took out an envelope, "Just take this," He held it out to her, "Take it," Ada took it, "Where you're living now is on the edge of Sabini's territory. And all the coppers around there work for him," Ada took out a set of keys, "I've got a lot of money coming in that I can't put through the banks. My accountant and Natasha say the best thing is to buy property for cash and put it in the name of a family member," Tommy said.

Ada exhaled and looked at him, "A house? A whole house?" Ada questioned.

Tommy nodded, "It's all yours. Four stories, eight bedrooms," Ada scoffed in disbelief, "Kitchen, scullery, and room for a maid if your political conscience will allow," Tommy said.