What About Us | John Shelby

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

1919, Small Heath, Birmingham

The following day

The ringing of the phone could be heard from in the kitchen, Tessa made her way into the hall and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Tessa" It was Ada's voice on the other line, she sounded excited and happy.

"We got married. Me and Freddie got married this morning" Tessa gasped, holding the phone closer to her ear.

"Ah, Ada. I'm so happy for the both of you ... Christ though Ada, you could have at least told us. I would have loved to have been there"

"That's the whole point though, we got married just the two of us no one else. Someone would have definitely stopped the wedding, if people knew about it" Ada complained to Tessa.

Ada was right, Tommy of all people would have stopped the wedding or done something worse. Tessa was gutted she couldn't be there for her on her big day, but once Ada was happy nothing really mattered.

Tessa looked back into the kitchen to make sure the kids weren't doing any stupid before speaking up "I wish I could see you Ada. I feel lately me or even anyone sees you anymore"

Ada sighed, which could be heard from Tessa's end "I know, but this is just for the sake of myself and Freddie to stay away for a while. Were staying at one of Freddie's comrades safe house, they have tons of them around the place"

"I get it, anything could happen between Freddie and Tommy"

"Right, I better leave you go. I want to talk to Anna, tell her the news"

Tessa piped up "Do tell her, she will be all excited. She is the only one left now to get married ... and kids as well. With you knocked up now"

Ada laughed through the phone "Your right ... talk to you soon, Tessa"

"You too, stay safe" Tessa put the phone down, taking a quick breather for herself before making her way back into the kitchen.

"I need a drink" She said to herself, opening up the cabinet that she always left the alcohol in, to see it empty.

"I fuckin told you to keep it filled up" She gave out about John, to herself. Standing back up straight, she went digging in her purse for some money.

Holding the money in her hands, she rounded up the kids "Right Katie, I want you to go to the café and get a loaf of bread. Take this money, you will need it"

Facing the twins now "I want the two of you, to go to the Garrison and get two bottles of rum, okay. Two bottles ... and ye won't be needing money"

Their three little heads nodded at their mother. Opening up the front door, Tessa watched as they made their way past her "Hey ... go straight there and back, no distractions, you hear me?" She shouted down the Watery Lane at them.

"Alright" The three shouted back at her simultaneously. She smiled watching there every step as they got further and further away.

About to turn around and close the door shut, the sound of Arthur shouting could be heard and seen from across the street.