Sinbound

(32) Pollys Birthday

"Where have you been?" Amari asks, rushing towards Alex as she enters the betting den.

"London," Alex answers.

"You didn't think to tell me?" Amari responds.

"Did Charlie not tell you?" Alex queries.

"He did, but that is not the point, I would have appreciated it if it came from you," Amari states, "I was worried, you told me I'd see you back at the apartment and then you didn't come home."

"I'm sorry," Alex apologises, kissing her cheek, "I went to see Ada, I'll make sure to tell you next time."

"Thank you," Amari says, "how was London?"

"I hate that city," Alex replies, "there is so many people, everywhere, constantly."

"How is Ada?" Amari asks.

"She's... alright, a bit shaken, but she'll be okay," Alex says.

"And Thomas?"

"You worried about me?" Tommy teases as he walks past.

"Oh shut it," Amari replies.

"Where's Polly?" Tommy questions.

"She's in Alex's office," Amari says.

"Let's get her, and then we can go," Tommy states.

"Where are you going?" Amari asks.

"You're coming too," Tommy responds, heading for Alex's office.

"Where are we going?" Amari questions Alex.

"To see Pollys birthday present," Alex answers.

"It's Pollys birthday, why has nobody said anything?" Amari replies.

"She doesn't like making a fuss about it," Alex shrugs.

-

"What is this place?" Polly asks, as Tommy pulls up outside a house in a nice neighbourhood.

Alex gets out of the car, offering a hand to Amari, keeping their hands entwined as they follow Tommy and Polly up to the house where Arthur was waiting with John and Finn, dangling a key between his fingers.

Arthur opens the door, holding it open so everybody could walk into the house.

"You said you were going to buy Ada a house," Polly states.

"That's right, I did," Tommy replies, "just had a bit of cash left over."

"This is ours?" Polly asks.

"No, Pol, this is yours," Alex responds.

"What would I do with all these rooms?" Polly inquires.

"Whatever you want," Alex shrugs.

"There's a garden," Tommy says, pulling back a curtain, "you love gardens, you can grow roses."

"There's so much space," Polly replies, glancing around.

"Get a piano, have people round, they can have a sing song," Tommy states.

"God help the bloody neighbours," John mumbles.

"Fuck the neighbours," Arthur exclaims, placing the keys into Pollys hand, "happy birthday, and welcome home, Pol."

"There's another surprise," Tommy says, "Lex?"

"Come on, Pol," Alex states, caressing Amari's knuckles with her thumb before leading her aunt up the stairs.

"Where are you taking me?" Polly asks.