If I Can't Have you

(26) Honesty

Tommy had no idea what to do for the date. It was spur of the moment when he'd asked, and he had no plans. He was internally freaking out. He needed this to go well. He needed this to be a continuation, something that could become ongoing.

"What's your plan, Tom?" John sighs, "do not mess her about."

"I'm not going to - thanks for the words of support," Tommy groans, massaging his temples frustratedly, "she's your best friend, what would she like?"

"No, if you want this bad enough, work for it. I'm not helping you, this is on you. Prove to me, her and fucking everyone that you care enough, that you've noticed enough about her to prepare a date she will like," John responds, "she's allergic to peonies, I feel I should say that for her safety."

"What the fuck are peonies?" Tommy remarks.

"Flowers... she likes the look of peonies, but she is allergic to them," John tells him.

"You look like shit, Thomas," Polly states, entering the kitchen.

"Did you speak to Ada?" Tommy asks, raising from his seat.

"She didn't speak back," Polly responds.

"Well, did you at least tell her?" Tommy implores.

"I will only tell her what I know to be true," Polly says firmly.

"I did not shop Freddie Thorne," Tommy huffs exasperatedly.

"Then who did? Who else would have the incentive?" Polly questions.

"We don't know," John inputs.

"We? Oh don't tell me you're on his side now," Polly sighs in disbelief.

"I believe him, even Jem believes him." John defends.

"That's because she has been shagging him," Polly exclaims.

"If you think she's the sort of person to change her opinions and values based on that, you don't fucking know her whatsoever, she is an independent person, who only goes with what she thinks is true based on the facts given to her. Don't give me the it's because they are shagging bullshit, Pol. You should know better." John responds, quite outraged that his aunt had spoken like his best friend was some wanton harlot.

"You really didn't shop him?" Polly asks, staring intensely at Tommy.

"No, Pol. I didn't. No matter the circumstances of our friendship, he has a kid with Ada, and I would never do that to Ada," Tommy responds.

Polly looks indecisively between the two of her nephews, both willing her to believe him. She eyes Tommy suspiciously and he shrugs almost helplessly, he was on the verge of giving up trying to get her to believe him. The truth would come out eventually, he didn't need to spend this much effort, especially when it was obvious she didn't want to believe him.

"I don't need your scrutiny right now, I've got to sort some shit out." Tommy sighs, exiting the house.

-

"Where is everyone?" Jemima asks as Tommy leads her into an empty, beautifully lit room, "you're not going to kill me, are you?"

"I haven't decided as of yet," Tommy teases, "I didn't realise you were into voyeurism and would want more people on our date.'

"I don't," Jemima says, slightly flustered, "I'm just utterly confused."

"I know, it's cute," Tommy replies, taking her hand and leading her further into the establishment into a back room.

"Are we allowed in here?" Jemima questions, looking around the kitchen.

"I'd hope so, otherwise this date would go to shit," Tommy says, shrugging his jacket off.