If I Can't Have you

(35) Pub antics

"Hmm," Arlo hums, circling Tommy, as John who was sat on the armchair in the corner laughs. His brother looked positively clueless to what was happening, and quite spooked by the small child's actions.

Arlo is stood in front of Tommy, looking up at him, eyes narrowed and arms folded across his chest, "do you like cookies?"

"I do?" Tommy replies, confused as to what the relevance of this conversation was. Jemima had told him that her brother wanted to inspect him, but he didn't think that meant the child would be partaking in a full analysis of him.

"Do you like books?"

"Yes," Tommy nods slowly.

"What are your thoughts on small ladies?" Arlo questions.

"Small ladies?" Tommy repeats, and John fell into hysterics.

"The book, small ladies," Arlo prompts.

"I am not familiar with that title," Tommy says.

"Tommy, use your brain, he means little women," John chuckles, pointing to the book on Jemimas bookshelf.

"Yes, I have read little women," Tommy tells the child, that was still staring up at him.

"Small ladies," Arlo corrects.

"I have read small ladies," Tommy concedes, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

Arlo pulls a small notepad from his pocket, jotting notes down in it, when Tommy tries to glance at it, the child tuts, angling it away from him.

"What are your intentions with my sister?" Arlo asks, Tommy looks at his brother for help but he continues to laugh, "go on Tom, answer him, I'm intrigued too."

"My intentions are to make your sister happy, to make sure she knows her worth, and to treat her in a respectful manner." Tommy says, and John seems happy with his answer.

"She doesn't need a man to make her happy," Arlo comments.

"Of course not," Tommy says, "but helping in her happiness is better than being a factor to her sadness."

Jemima walks into the room, she had gone to the lavatory and then made herself a cup of tea - none of the others wanted one.

"Has he passed your test?" Jemima asks, settling herself down on the settee.

"He's alright," Arlo shrugs, and Tommy lets out a breath of relief when the child's attention is diverted from him.

Tommy tenses when Arlo looks back up at him, "we don't get judged by intentions, rather by our actions."

"Of course," Tommy nods, just hoping the interrogation would come to an end already.

"Shortcake, what are your intentions with Tommy?" Arlo says, directing the question in his sisters direction.

"Not so fun when you're on the receiving end, is it?" Tommy jests.

"My intentions are to... show him that he is cared for, no matter what he tells himself," Jemima answers, earnestly, keeping her eyes on Tommy as she speaks.

"Isn't that adorable," Arlo exclaims.

"Have we both passed your test?" Jemima asks.

"With flying colours," Arlo nods.

-

Tommy may or may not have gotten a lot more drunk than he had intended too. He blames it on Arthur and Levin, they're bad influences.

"Oh fucking hell," Jemima laughs, walking into the snug, drawing his attention to her. He attempted to stand up, with the help of the table and ended up almost knocking everything off as he walks towards her.