Rebound // Alfie Solomons

62. Elephant in the Room

"Not going home for Christmas, Mr Shelby?" Tommy blinked back at the waiter. "Tomorrow." he added. "It's Christmas."

"Whiskey for my girl, Billy." Tommy countered as Cora sat down across from him.

"I want Charles back." Cora demanded. 

"Hello gorgeous nice to see you. I'm waiting on a girl, someone new but I would-"

"I'm not fucking you. I want Charles back." Cora demanded. 

"I'm sorry Cora love." 

"No. You are here on christmas eve and I want him. I love him. YOu dont." Cora begged and he could see the desperation in her eyes. "I want him back. I'm going to Johns for Christmas. I can take him after and keep him until the new year." Cora negotiated.

"Cora-"

"No, no, fuck you. You are his father but you are a shit father and you know it." Cora shouted. "It's chirstmas eve and look where you are!" Cora demanded. 

"You knew where to find me." Tommy offered. 

"I want him to have a family, a life, not just carted around because you cant pull your head out of your ass!" Cora spat. 

"No Cora." 

"Fuck you. I will take him then. How about that?" Cora pondered. "I have his presents. He is getting them, at my-"

"Alfie Solomons flat." Tommy remarked. "You have been fucking him how long and he still hasnt tied the knot? Arthur married."

"Which everyone regrets." Cora agreed. "I love Alfie. I rushed into one marriage and I dont mind waiting. This isnt about Alfie this is about Charlie needing a mum."

"His mother is dead." 

"Maybe I kill you." Cora offered as she stood up. "Everyone would be better off." 

"Cora-"

"Your drink ma'am." 

"Thanks hun." Cora remarked downing it. "I'm seeing Charlie. You cant just keep him from me. I'm not on your staff you cant just treat me like this and expect me to keep coming back for more abuse!"

"Yet here you are." Tommy corrected. Cora hissed out a breath as she shook her fists in outrage needing to punch him, needing to scream, but she bottled it up as she stormed out. 

"Cora." Lizzie offered. 

"If Tommy ends up dead by new years It was probably me." Cora remarked as she marched past. Lizzie moved to Tommy and he stared back at her a dazed look in his eyes. 

"I've wrapped all Charlie's presents and left them in the room." Lizzie remarked.

"What did I get him?" Tommy questioned blandly.

"Toy horses, toy cars, toy guns." Lizzie informed him. "You're due at the Singer factory at eight tomorrow, not eight thirty, there's a union problem."

"Righty-oh." Tommy agreed with a sigh.

"And the driver will take you home."

"I'll drive meself." Tommy corrected. "Goodnight Lizzie, have a good Christmas."

"I'll have a vodka tonic." Lizzie corrected as she sat down.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Tommy, I've had Christmas cards from John, Arthur, Ada, Michael and Polly....And an invitation, New Year's. Party at John's house."

"Not Cora?" 

"She sent one to me. Hand delivered when she saw Charlie. He begged her not to leave. He cried forever after she left, tears in her eyes. She loves him. Why cant you let him be happy too?" Lizzie questioned.