𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ʲᵒʰⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

- 𝟎𝟏𝟑

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟏𝟑-

Valerie slowly walked down the stairs and tucked her dark hair behind her ears. She could hear light laughing coming from the living room which made her frown. When she had awoken, Tommy wasn't beside her in bed. She hadn't slept much but couldn't recall him getting into bed that night.

"Come 'ere then, Frances." She heard John chuckle. She stopped at the doorway and looked at John who was holding Francesca beside the window. He was speaking to her and laughing. "Look.." He pressed a finger to the window. "There's your smelly uncle Arthur."

Light giggles escaped the young girl's mouth and she looked up at John.

"Morning.." Valerie made herself known. John spun on his heels and nodded to her. "Tell your mum where you've been, Frances." John told the girl.

Frances. He was the only one who ever called her that.

"The horses!" Francesca exclaimed excitedly. Valerie raised her eyebrows. "Have you now? Who took you there, your father?" She asked the girl. Francesca bit down on her lip and shook her head which made Valerie frown. The small girl pressed a finger to John's chest.

"You took her to see the horses?"

John nodded and placed Francesca on the floor to play before walking through to the kitchen. Valerie followed him. "She had said that Tommy promised to take her to the stables but was yet to do so. So.. I took her myself." He said.

"That's kind of you, John." Valerie said honestly and took a seat at the kitchen table.

John shrugged. "It's the least I could do." He said as he leaned against the counter. John subtly looked Valerie up and down whilst she played with her fingers. "How're you and Esme?" She asked. Partially to start a conversation and partially because she was curious.

John took a deep breath. "Honestly?" He paused. "Not too good."

Valerie looked up.

He could've lied and told her they were the happiest married couple ever but that would be a lie. He found it hard to love Esme properly which put a wedge between the two. She couldn't understand what was so difficult for them to work. She understood that neither of them wanted to marry each other. And in front of people, they put up a front but the moment they got home... they didn't utter a single word to each other. Esme hated the way he talked and the way he always had his peaky cap on his head. John hated the way she wasn't Valerie.

"I'm sorry to hear that." She said politely. John shook his head. "It'd be stupid if I hadn't expected it. I never wanted to marry her in the first place."

Valerie chuckled lightly. She almost said the same thing but about Tommy before realising nobody but Ada and Polly and Robert were aware of the reason behind Tommy and Valerie's marriage.

"I met your dad." John stood straight. "He's a good man. I like him."

"I'm glad to have him back." Valerie nodded. "Do you know where Thomas is?" She asked. John shook his head. They both knew where he was. They just didn't want to say. After Valerie had left the party early, he found himself in a bed with a whore.

The door opened and in came Arthur who was quickly greeted by Francesca and her contagious smile. "Ello, you." He smiled back and ruffled her hair.