No escape from the past (book 1)

Chapter twelve

'Tommy, do you really think she can do this?' Aunt Pol asks Tommy, while they are sitting in a private spot in the betting shop. Tommy looks on his watch and leans backwards. 'She is just a child, she can't just help you with your business.'

'She was the one suggesting it, eh, it's your choice,' Tommy simply says and takes a cigarette out of his pocket. 'The plan is going to work, you want the guns gone and this is the best shot we have.'

'She is just a child, Tommy, for God sake,' Aunt Pol snaps under her breath so no one from the betting shop can really hear them. 'She is only fifteen years old. Do you really want your daughter already in this business. She has only been here for a few days.'

'It's her choice, aunt Pol,' Tommy says and lights his cigarette. 'She is wise enough to make her own decisions and I must say her plan is one of the best.'

'That is not the point, Tommy,' Aunt Pol snaps and gets frustrated by the second. Tommy just looks at aunt Pol without a real expression on his face. 'I thought you told me you didn't want her in this business until she is eighteen.'

'Well, that was not going to bloody happen, was it?' Tommy asks and blows out his cigarette. 'She came up with the plan and I just don't get why you are not agreeing with me.'

'Because she is still a bloody child, Tommy,' aunt Pol snaps and crosses her arms. 'What would you think if Finn would already help you with the business.'

'He is too young,' Tommy says and takes the cigarette out of his mouth. Aunt Pol looks at Tommy and shakes her head. 'Finn is still nine and not a fifteen year-old who has seen more in her life than most of her age.'

'That's the point, Tommy, you don't know her, you don't know her past, you don't know what part she has played in the war, Tommy,' Aunt Pol snaps and Tommy doesn't answer. He looks at his watch and stands up.

'It's time, I will see you, aunt Pol,' Tommy simply says and walks to the door.

'Tommy, don't be so bloody stubborn and look into her,' Aunt Pol calls after him and Tommy slowly turns around. 'Then we know for sure.'

Tommy looks at aunt Pol and doesn't say anything. He takes a deep breath and leaves. He quickly walks out of the betting shop to the house behind it. Mila is sitting on the dinner table, with a cigarette in her mouth and a glass of water in front of her.

Tommy leans against the wall and Mila looks up. A small smile appears on her face and she stands up. Tommy looks on his watch and slowly nods.

'It's time,' he says and Mila nods. 'Everything ready?'

'I informed Charlie and the others that were with the job,' Mila quickly says and puts out her cigarette. 'I tried to find Danny, but he isn't at home, so I asked a few Blinders if they could keep an eye out for him.'

'Great work, eh,' Tommy says without much facial expression and Mila nods in response. Mila stands up and Tommy looks on his watch again. 'It's time.'

Without speaking a word, they leave the house. They quickly walk past the Garrison and greet the two Blinders standing there, keeping watch. They speed up and go towards the pier, where Charlie is waiting for them.

The night's cold and they got lucky with the thick cloud cover that covered up the full moon that was glowing in the sky tonight. They keep walking in silence and the sound of the water is already coming closer.

They reach the pier and Charlie is already waiting for them there. He walks up to them and greets them quickly. They walk towards the stables and the three other men walk out of the stable with crates.

'What is the plan, Tommy?' Charlie asks and looks at the crates that are getting carried out of the stable.

'It's not my plan, Charlie,' Tommy says and puts his hand on Mila's shoulder. She looks up out of her daydream and looks at Charlie. 'It was Mila's.'