Polly's Boys

Dinner at David's

Dinner with the Devils

Polly stood in the living room with trepidation, grateful one of her sons was downstairs holding her hand. Chaos. Pure adulterated chaos this house was. From the outside the little town house looked normal. White paint with red shutters and flower boxes full and welcoming. Inside was another matter. There were undergarments from various family members strewn throughout. Mostly racy women's ones. Toys were scattered throughout the house and loud shouting and bangs echoed. Polly's eyes felt as if they were about to pop out of her head. She wondered who ran the house, and had a feeling it was the unruly children.

She was already on edge when Devlin's lighter had gone off next to her outside. She'd gratefully accepted the lit cigarette. The day was gloomy and the rain was spitting off and on cold and inconsistent so you could never truly get dry and warm. She'd been surprised by the phone call. She didn't hear from David in almost a month. He'd invited her to dinner. He lived in a very nice section of London. She felt like she stood out like a sore thumb. Winter and Devlin called almost on a daily basis to check in. She appreciated the effort, she was trying too.

"Welcome to Hell." Delvin's raspy voice said he smiled at her and pushed her cloak further up her shoulder to protect her from the weather while they waited to be invited in. They'd both pounded on the door for a good ten minutes in intervals.

" I live with several men who survived the war Devlin, I see hell reflected through them everyday." She said as a matter of fact. She scolded him when he stilled a laugh behind his black leather gloved hand.

"We were in the war too mum, I'd go back rather than face Satan's spawns." she smacked his arm but she could read his slightly hunched body behavior. He truly didn't want to go in.

"Oh, come now. Surely, it's not that bad in there." She regretted it as soon as she saw his flinching face and heard several high pitched screams that made the blood run cold.

"There are three of them under the age of four mum. Angelica and Stella are twin girls. Look out for Angelica, she's the fallen angel of the bunch. If Satan hadn't already led the rebellion out of hell, Angelica would have." He was absolute in what he was saying, tone deep and unflinching. Polly was shocked at the way he described her niece.

"If that is how you describe a four year old, how in the world do you see us Shelby / Grays??" She retorted haughtily. Truthfully her bravado was waning as she kept hearing the strangled noises inside. He smiled and bent down to kiss the top of her head. She beamed up at him. He was affectionate and caring despite the fact that he looked like a peaky devil. She was proud of him.

"Artie is the smallest. Gets into trouble with his association with his sisters. He's really too little to have much of a personality yet." Polly nodded at his words letting them marinate. She appreciated the heads up.

"So Angelica is the ringleader, headstrong and devilish. That's the Shelby side." she said pointing at him with the cigarette.

"Stella and Artie follow suit because they are young and kind, yes." she smiled at her son. That seemed to be the correct assessment because he nodded with approval. The door flung open to a stunning half dressed woman. She was tall, lanky and mysterious looking. This had to be David's wife. Her short raven hair framed her pinched little face and full lips. She looked like a star.

"Hello Peggy, still answering the door like you're ready for a solicitation eh?" Delvin's deep voice rumbled disapprovingly. The women sneered at him.

"If you're coming in, hurry up. You're letting out the heat." She popped back into the house. Polly shared a look with Dev as they walked inside. She could blame the women. Devlin had called her a whore. Interesting introduction indeed.

___________________________________________________________________

"All right, that's enough! Elbows off the bloody table, for goodness sakes. Stella, move your cup away from your plate, that's it lovie. David, for God's sake feed the poor lad with you. Angelica, if you pinch your sister again at this table I'll hang out outside upside down like washing your toes!" Devlin laughed as his mother set to scolding everyone at the table including the parents. David sheepishly turned to feed his youngest as Peggy, David's wife sat glaring at the other women. The table was finally quiet. The servant girl was clearing dishes that littered the table at the elder women's request. Both boys seemed impressed with their mother's ability to take charge of the room.

"If you would have gone to war mum it would have been over sooner." Devlin's witty crack earned him a playful glare from his mum which caused the men to laugh.

"If any women had been there it would have gotten done sooner. Would have sorted out the other side quickly and efficiently." She retorted. The evening was twice as long as she had been intending. Devlin had already phoned his wife that he'd be home later. Polly didn't bother. The Shelby men stayed out drinking and lord knows what most of the time anyway. Why should she have a curfew?

"So Peggy, now that I can hear myself think. What do you do? You look far too glamorous to be a housewife." Polly had been right in her assumption. She other women perked up and preened. A little show girl indeed. She already knew that she was a dancer, David had told her that over tea and whisky several weeks ago. She was tired of the sullen bratty looks from her daughter in law. She'd also been told by Devlin that Peggy was five years older than David. The twins weren't his biologically but he loved them just the same. Artie came out looking like Gray. Definitely her husband's side.

"I'm a dancer and entertainer at various theaters and dance halls. I actually dance two nights a week at David's club. Have to support my man." She ranked her long fingers through the man's hair eliciting a soft groan. Polly exchanged looks with the younger twin. He'd been right, David was cuckold to her. Seemingly bored, Peggy let the kids up from the table and put the youngest on the floor. She saunter away up the stairs.

"She works tonight." David said curtly. Polly wondered how her boys could be so different. Were Anna and Michael this different too? Would they fit into her life or want to?

"Well I'm taking off. Winter is going on tour for a few days around Europe, she'll be gone until Christmas Eve. Want to see her for a bit." He stood and grabbed his moms' chair pulling it out. He'd assumed she wanted to leave. The warning she shot him may say otherwise.

"Where are you staying?" David asked softly, tiredness creeping into his voice. She'd barely heard him talk all evening. He'd been quiet and she could tell lost in his head. He reminded her of Arthur when the blues hit.

"Oh, I'm heading back tonight. I will open the betting shop tomorrow. Besides, these men need the car. Arthur, Tommy and John will be in London for a few days. Camden town, I guess for business." She said offhandedly. She'd hoped they'd get together. Devlin was clearly taken back by the news. Polly wasn't sure why but it didn't look good. David seemed unaffected to her dismay. Getting out of the house would do him some good. ______________________________________________________

"I've never seen a man more henpecked by life than your brother." She commented as he helped her into the Shelby Bros vehicle. He held her hand tightly, not letting go. She turned and smiled, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Her heart was full of love for this man before her. She'd known from conversation that he had an exceptionally hard life after they'd taken him. He weathered all his storms well as far as she was concerned. He was far less broken then his cousins.

"I'll call you when I'm safely back at Arrow house." She turned and waved him off as the driver closed the door. He stood watching the car leave as she disappeared down the streets.

fj.hnb/pjkkb (The END) * my four year old typed this telling me what it meant and that i had to share it. :)