A Pearl (PollyxOC)

Dark days

Everyone is in black clothing in the Shelby household. Thomas hit the hardest riding in on horseback.
"He's back." Ada says Polly looking at the paper
"Was he out there all night?" Michael asks Evelyn looking through the window next to him
"Every night since the funeral." Ada says Evelyn feeling pity for the poor man.
"Comes back in the morning to see Charles and feed the horses, and when it gets dark he goes off again." Ada says Polly finally speaking up
"He used to sleep out when he was a kid. Curly would find him in the pasture." Polly says smiling at the fond memory
"How's the baby?" Evelyn asks leaning against the wall
"He asks for his mum at night. Tommy made a list he wants to see you three first." Ada said just then a distant door opened
"What about John and Arthur?" Polly asks drinking tea

Tommy walks in the room going silent he walks to his office slamming his door.
"That must be our time to go." Evelyn says the other two walking behind her as they enter only two chairs are out so Evelyn stands as the other sit. Tommy's just writing away the room silent
"How are the books?" Tommy asks breaking the silence Polly sitting almost seeming tense Evelyn couldn't blame her Tommy seems like a ticking time bomb.
"Unaffected." Polly says short and simple
"Up slightly." Michael adds with a short smile
"There's also been a three fold increase in the donations to the Shelby Foundation charity. The counsel suggested naming the new school 'The Grace Shelby institute'." Michael says

Tommy puts out his cigarette
"Tell the counsel the name  'Grace Shelby institute' is acceptable to us." Tommy says Michael and Polly look at each other
"This is a list on other things I want doing." Tommy says handing it to Polly
"That's all." He concludes Polly looking as if she wants to say something, but doesn't standing to leave.

"Tommy." Evelyn says
"That's all Eve. Actually I've been thinking it over why are you still here?" He asks Evelyn's brows furrowing
"What do you mean Tom?" She asks Polly starting to turn from this conversation
"What I mean is why are you still here. You've been here for a few months opium sells are going fine so why are you still here." He asks gaze piercing into the girl.
"Because...because I want to be here is that so bad? It wasn't a problem days even weeks ago." She says looking at Tom as if he's mad Polly coming up behind her.
"I really see no reason for you to be here every step of the way now. You've been generous but I think it's time for you to go." Tommy says leaning back in his chair

Evelyn looks at him hurt she's been through a lot with this family.
"What if I refuse?" She asks a tear rolling down her cheek
"Nothing I can really do, just go back to America." Tommy says
"Your not needed as of now." He says to the girl her lip quivering but she calms herself.
"You've gone mad Thomas Shelby." Evelyn says pushing passed Polly leaving the room. Polly right behind her
"Eve what are you doing?" She asks worried
"Doing what he's asking of me getting out of your hair. I'm going to your house I'll be gone in a hour or so I suppose." Evelyn says Polly hurt as she hears the term of her house not theirs. Ada now following as well
"Eve you know he's going through a lot he doesn't mean it!" Polly yells as the girl walks out of the house.

Evelyn steps come to a stop turning and looking at the woman
"I'm not needed anymore and it shows so I'll be on my way! No use trying to fight it." Evelyn yells getting in the car and driving. As she enters Polly's house she goes up to her room packing her suitcase full of all of her clothes. Getting money to buy a ferry ticket straight to America New York to be exact. As she gets the last bits of her belongings the door creaks open
"Polly I thought I told you not to come for me." Evelyn says turning the woman's face tear stricken
"I know, but I couldn't let you leave many of us need you. I need you Eve." Polly says bringing the girl in for a hug squeezing the life out of her.

"I know I need you too but Tommy wants me gone and that seems to be final." She says looking up at the woman
"To hell for what Tommy wants you've helped me through so much that at this point I can't lose you." Polly says holding the girls face Evelyn inching closer.
"I don't want to lose you either." She says before kissing Polly as if her life depends on it they back up into the bed falling onto it. Polly laughing as she lifts up straddling the girl.
"Does this mean your staying?" She asks Evelyn rolls her eyes
"No I already bought a ticket....of course I'm staying!" She yells peppering kisses around her face.