𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

51

Tommy had kept his sister in that office knowing that the men wouldn't fight with her or the child in the room.  Lottie felt bad for Arthur, and how Alfie was tormenting him. But she couldn't do anything about it.

"Lottie you can leave now" Tommy dismissed her once Arthur had calmed down. She nodded and waiting in the main hallway.

They were all in Tommy's office for around thirty minutes before Alfie Solomens appeared in front of her. "Beautiful baby you've got, it is" he nodded, holding his cane. "It's lovely to meet you.."

"Lottie" she nodded. "Well then, Lottie, you have a nice day then, yeah?" he looked down at Rory then back at Lottie. 

"Goodbye Mr Solomens" she forced a smile and he waved her off, leaving the large house.

-

Lottie and Isaiah sat at their dining room table, many different pieces of paper in front of them, pens in hand. "I was thinking" Lottie said, signing the paper on the table. "Hm?" Isaiah looked up. "I was thinking about who i wanted to walk me down the isle" she began. "And i thought John would be my best option"

"I think John would be a good option"He agreed, placing a piece of paper to the bottom of the pile.

"Or Arthur" she said. "Not Tommy?" he teased. "No, Siah, not Tommy" she laughed.

"I think John" Isiah nodded.

"John it is then," she grinned, placing her hands under her chin. "Whose your best man, Siah?" she asked him. He looked up at her. "Probably Reg,"

She nodded along and looked down at the paper. "We need final numbers for catering, has anybody else reached out" Lottie asked. Isaiah shook his head.

"Let's hope the numbers don't change by next week otherwise there's nothing we can do" She sighed.

"I can't believe we get married next week, Siah" she said excitedly. He smiled at her child-like behaviour.

-

Micheal stood hesitantly at the phone in the hall of Ada's house before picking it up, breathing heavily. "My name is Smith," he lied as the person on the other end picked up. "My girlfriend is pregnant, and uh, we'd like you to help us." he said. "We need to fix a date"

Ada sat, signing a piece of paper beside Polly. "Welcome to Shelby Company Limited" Polly smiled. "Shelby Company Limited" Ada repeated. "Limited and unarmed"

The door opened, Micheal returning to them.

"Micheal would you like to welcome Ada, our new Head of Property and Acquisitions." Polly looked up at her son.

"Congratulations" he sighed. "Where do i sign?"

Polly handed the paper over and he cleared his throat. "Ada, have you got, um, whiskey?" he asked. "Yeah, Tommy" she mocked.

He stood straight.

"I've already told him, becoming too like his cousin" Polly whispered. "I thought that was the idea" he chimed in.

"Yeah, Tommy but with a bit more fucking charm and class"

He sipped the whiskey. "Hm, that'll help" Ada said sarcastically. "Yep, where am i sleeping, Ada?"

"Micheal" Polly started.

"The room next to Karl's" Ada sighed. "Micheal" Polly repeated. "Good night" he said, closing the door behind him and ignoring Polly.

"Heartbroken, poor love" Ada said. "Aunt Pol" she said. "Yes, love" Polly looked at the girl. "Do you think Lottie is okay?" she asked. "Whatever do you mean?"

"It's just..she seems so tired recently. I'm growing worried"

"I'm sure she's just busy with organising the wedding and.."

"Yes but, she seems to have grown uninterested in being around the family. Or helping out"

"Ada" Polly placed her hand over hers. "I'm sure she's fine, Lottie always is. She's a strong girl"

Ada sighed, biting her lip. She let a few moments pass by before speaking once more.

"So, how should we celebrate"

"Well with Micheal in bed i thought i might go for a little drive" Pol told her niece. "A drive? Where are you gonna drive..Polly?"

"Things have begun to develop with the man who is painting my portrait" she admitted. "Polly" Ada leaned forward. "It's when you stand there in the dress, Ada, you just find yourself talking about every little thing"

"And have you.."

"No" Polly shook her head, Ada hummed. "Not yet"

"But he called me two nights ago to say that the portrait was finished. I said that i'd go there in the morning. But he said no, he wanted me there tonight"

She pulled her coat over her shoulders. "Ada you don't breath a fucking word of this to the boys"

"Okay, but is he nice to you?" she laughed. "No, no i mean it Ada. Keep quiet"

"Is he rich?"

"His friends wrote the papers, Ada, Tommy would try and close him down"

"So go"

"He's like a tiny bird pecking at you, and i think he's given up on me." Polly said. Ada sighed, "So bloody go"

Polly nodded and grabbed her bag.

"Why should the boys have all the fun?" She winked, causing Ada to chuckle.

Whilst Polly left Ada alone, the phone began ringing and Ada rushed to answer. "Hello?"

"Ada, it's me" Lottie spoke. "Lottie, hi, how are you" Ada asked, leaning against the wall. "I'm good" she sighed, "I was just calling to see if you know where John is"

Ada thought for a moment.

"I believe he's with Tommy and Arthur, something about that strange Russian business they're involved in, is everything okay?"

"Do you know when he will be back?"

"Lottie, is everything okay?"

She let out a sigh. "I'm fine, needed to ask him a few questions, about the wedding"

"Well i'm sure he'll be home tomorrow, why don't you go down to Birmingham, i'm sure they'd all be happy to see you"

"Yeah..yeah. Maybe." Lottie said. "Anyway, i'll let you go, it's getting late. Goodnight Ada"

"Goodnight Lottie"