Game Of Bliss

(49)

"Why are we still here, Mal?" Florence queries, and he looks at her, tilting his head slightly, "here as in this house?"

"No... here as in Birmingham," Florence says, "we have no reason to stay."

"Your family is here," Malachi replies.

"My family will get us killed," Florence responds, "the closer we are to them, the closer we are to death."

"What about my family? My family is here," Malachi says.

"Eldon, and Elspeth can come with us, we've more than enough money for a house big enough," Florence replies, "I'm scared, Mal. I'm scared for you. I'm scared for Eldon. I'm scared for Elsie."

"Betty is here, so is Reuben... I- I can't leave them," Malachi sighs, and Florence reaches out, gently caressing his knuckles, "I know, but if you don't start taking the threats to your life seriously, you'll be closer to them than anybody wants you to be. Mal... you are a bigger target than Tommy. They want you dead more than they want Thomas fucking Shelby dead, even though he's the one that started this shitshow."

"Moving away won't solve that problem," Malachi states.

"This entire city is unsafe," Florence replies, "it's not just Sabini, Birmingham is dangerous."

"I'm guessing you've thought of somewhere," Malachi replies, lifting her hand so he could place a kiss to her knuckles.

"I read about this village in Scotland, there's cottages riverside, there's woodland, and horses," Florence says.

"Scotland?" Malachi repeats, and she nods, "I know it's far, but we have nothing to stay here for. It's not getting any safer either."

Just as she said that, Elspeth burst into the kitchen, her cheeks bright red, she was breathing heavily and had tears in her eyes.

"Elsie? What's wrong?" Florence asks, crouching in front of the young girl, brushing the hair from her face.

"Someone was following me," Elspeth breaths out shakily, "this man, he tried speaking to me whilst I was waiting for Donnie, but he scared me so I started walking, then he followed so I ran. He knew my name."

"Did he follow you here?" Malachi questions, and she nods.

"Els, would you recognise him if you saw him?" Malachi inquires, leaning forwards on his seat, wiping a tear from her cheek, as she nods again.

"Can you point him out for me? If we go to the door, can you point the man out for me?" Malachi asks.

"He's scary," Elspeth whispers, watching Malachi place his hand in front of her, palm facing up, "I promise I won't let him near you, sweetheart, you'll be completely safe."

Elspeth eyes his hand, before placing hers in it, "I just have to point at him?"

"That's all," Florence confirms, letting Elspeth use her other hand to take ahold of hers.

They all walk to the front door, Malachi opening it, before crouching beside Elspeth, the young girl leaning into his side as she peered around the street, her eyes going wide as she spots the man, "it's him."

"With the red tie?" Florence asks, and Elspeth nods.

"You did good, Els," Malachi says, returning Elspeth's side hug, kissing her temple, "I'm proud of you, now why don't you and Flo go back inside, eh? Play snakes and ladders."

"Where are you going?" Elspeth questions.

"To find out what he wants," Mal says, "you did a good thing telling us, Els."