𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

𝟐𝟑, the club

XIII. 1921

"Solomons liked you," Thomas said as they walked further and further away from Camden.

"Who doesn't," Vivian smiled to her brother, "bet he liked me better than you," but Vivian was sure that wasn't completely true. She thought there was a similarity between the two business men. Both men were fearless, both men had massive egos. Vivian had a feeling that their partnership would last although it would messy and rough.

Vivian continued, "I don't think Ada will be all that thrilled to see you."

"How long have you been seeing her?" Thomas stared ahead as he asked.

"Not long. When I found out about Freddie health, I needed to see her," Vivian was honest about this because she wasn't going to be honest about other things.

The buildings got whiter and more well kept. Vivian knew this street well. She knew most of London like the back of her hand but this street she knew better than most, she'd walked the route a lot with Ada. For company.

"She should be around here at this time," and he stopped, pulling out a cigarette.

He kept quiet as they waited.

It unsettled her.

He was always quiet but it wasn't the him being quiet part that was unsettling. A person was quiet. Vivian had been surrounded with loud people over the past year and a half. She felt like there was always someone talking to her, or at her.

Before she used to appreciate the silence, especially with her other brothers being to annoying and in-her-space the whole time. Now, she just wanted to fill it, either with light conversation or a loud argument. Neither she'd get out of Thomas.

He watched around quietly as he leaned against the bark.

"Eh!" She grabbed his attention as she saw Ada come up behind them.

And Thomas got her attention as Vivian watched, "Ada!" And Vivian was right.

"How the fuck did you find me?" She wasn't thrilled, "what are you reading Polly's letters?"

"Polly showed me the letters. Look, you think you're safe because you moved flat. But you're not. Polly thinks the same," Thomas pleaded with Ada in the way Thomas s Shelby pleaded with people — not well, "so does Vivian,"

"Vivian?" Ada stared, a bit taken aback.

"I said no such thing, Thomas, take my name out your mouth, before I severely damage your vocal cords," she scowled, not liking the fact she was dragged into something she knew nothing about.

Both siblings stare at her.

"What are you doing here? Together?" Ada retorted, looking back and forth at the two.

Vivian answered sweetly to her sister, "Just bumped into each other."

Ada looked at Thomas and Vivian heard her scoff.

"When will you understand? I just want you all out of my life," Vivian eyed the two before glancing at her watch.

"I've got to go get my car so I'll leave you two. Good seeing you, Thomas," the Shelby girl gave her brother a quick nod and her sister a quick side-hug and a smile, "Good day at work, might call into you and Karl tomorrow."