Nothing Left To Break

22

"It wasn't an order I was trying to keep you safe" Thomas exclaims. "God Lani, you can be so fucking-" he stops himself. What is going on with him? Why is he acting this way? He would never wish to bring any pain into Lani's life, so how come he's acting like this? He doesn't see her face but she straightens her back slightly and clears her throat.

"Polly, where is the nearest clothes shop?" She asks, ignoring Thomas's hurtful comment. She didn't want to hear what he had to say. He understood that he was upset, but he didn't need to take it out on her. That is not how a relationship worked, or whatever the hell this was.

"Just five minutes. I'll come with you" she says, getting up off her chair and sending her nephew a mean glare.

Tommy followed them to the door, finally able to look Lani in the eye. They didn't say anything. Just looked at eachover.

Thomas reaches behind her and grabs his coat, cloaking it over her shoulders.

"I'm going out. After you've gone shopping tell Polly to walk you to the Garrison. I'm sorry, love" he instructs, he begins his sentence toughly, but ends it softly, placing a kiss on her cheek. He knew that he had done wrong.

"What was the end of your sentence?" She asks, he gives her a confused look.

"I can be so fucking, what? I want to know what you think of me" she demands, she wasn't going to let this go, and he knew that. But he couldn't tell her.

She already knew. Naive. Or pathetic. Stupid. God knows she's been called those names before. Naive was her families favourite. And Ben's. And Ada's. Everybody's. Maybe she was.

He stays silent.

"Stupid? Pathetic? Naive? Not like I haven't been called any of them before. What's the difference, eh?" She asks. Apparently this question was rhetoric in Thomas's brain as he did not answer. Instead he averted his eyes from hers. That answered her question. She sighs and follows Polly out the door.

She had to get out of his fucking shirt.

The cold air hits Lani as soon she steps out. Instinctively she tugs on Thomas's coat and hugs it closer to her body. She takes a couple of quick strides and quickly catches up with Polly.

"Ignore him, love" Polly says  looking at the girl beside her, bringing out a packet of cigarettes and offering her one. Which Lani greatfully accepts, taking out her own lighter. Well, Thomas's lighter. She just went into his pocket and found it, of course. Along with a handful of cash. Which will come in handy later. She thought to herself.

"Ah, let's not talk about bloody men" Lani says, laughing slightly and taking a hit of her cigarette. Instantly calming her.

Polly scoffs.

"Good woman" she says, putting her arm through the girls, to keep eachover warm, and to show more of a bonding relationship.

"How long are you staying?" Polly asks, looking ahead of her.

"I'm not sure, I'll get two blouses and a skirt I suppose. Don't want to keep this skirt away from its rightful owner for too long. Is it yours?" She asks, glancing at the woman beside her. Analysing her.

She's pretty. A classic beauty covered in aged memories and expensive clothes. She knew the feeling. From their brief intercation, Polly reminded her of her mother. There were so many things here that reminded her of home, her mam. One positive thing to come out of this experience.

"Um, yes it's mine" she hesitates, unsure for a moment. She seems to have remembered something sour, or contemplating something. This sets Lani on edge and doesn't press the topic any further. She doesn't want to know what's going on in her head right now. For her own sanity.

Polly nods and pulls Lani inside of small boutique shop on the corner of a street. Literally five minutes away from the house.

They stay browsing around the shop for a  good twenty or so minutes, Lani had picked up what she needed but kept browsing. Surely Thomas wouldn't mind if she bought herself a lavish scarf with his money. Not that she cared what he thought. With the way that he had been treating her, he was lucky she wasn't buying herself and Polly a brand new wardrobe each. She decided on a dress aswel. She was angry with him and was in need of an evening dress. She chose a mid length turquoise dress which would fit her tightly but with enough sway that it was decent to go out in.

Polly herself had picked up a few blouses and some earrings. They were now at the counter, being met by a sour faced man, he gave Lani a questionable look. Analysing her curiously. He was just met with both women's hard stare.

He quickly coughed and said the price.

"We're paying together" Lani snaps. Still not sure about the older man in front of her.

Polly goes to interject by stepping in front of her and offering her cash to the man.

"Please. Its on Thomas" she says, reaching into her pocket and pulling out his cash, and raising an eyebrow at the woman.

This earns an approving smirk from Polly as she steps back and accepts the gesture. God this woman was amazing. She admired her. She wasn't afraid of Tommy. Surely he would be mad about this. If it were someone else.

---------------

The two women waltz down the streets arm in arm while Lani holds the rather heavy shopping bag, they went into a few other shops along their way. Both have a smile plastered on their faces as they discuss. Their current topic of conversation was Thomas. Polly speaks of what he was like as a child and before the war. Reminiscing on fond old memories. Lani can see her relive those moments before her. She just listens. Wanting to know who Thomas was before he built this cold exterior he keeps. Then they move on to the topic of Lani's brothers and speak of her memories. Both of them thinking of a better time.

Polly was taking her to The Garrison. A pub which Arthur owned and which the family spend most of their free time. Lani took note of this and made sure to act happy and praisful of the establishment.

It was rather ordinary. A local. It was bustling, which was surprising to Lani seeing as it was noon on a weekday. She shook this thought off and continued into the pub.

Thomas and his brother stood by the bar. Relaxed. Thomas had obviously had a few drinks as he looked more relaxed and joyful. If you could call it that. He just didn't look like he wanted to murder someone.