The Falling Man

Chapter 32

Tommy POV

I had gone immediately back to Birmingham after the short visit to Ethel's apartment in London. I needed to see her to know if she had agreed to the threat on my life. Shortly after talking to her I knew if she had agreed to it, it wasn't something she wanted to agree to and that was enough for me. Being alone with her in her apartment only confirmed the thoughts I have had to myself. I couldn't be around her and not view her as my future.

I was not her future though. Her future was a good ordinary man, who gives her all the time and things she deserves and wants. I told her I never wanted to see her again, which I debated on saying before it spilled out of my mouth. In truth the thought of never seeing her again hurt me deeply and I didn't fully want that. But I believed it to be the right thing to do and it is what the coin chose.

It is now the next day and I sit in my office reading over the paperwork Ray served me yesterday. I shut the folder before walking over and pouring myself a glass of drink. I hear a knock on the door, "Yes?" I ask. "Somebody to see you, Mr. Shelby. He says he's come about the position of accounts clerk." Lizzie opens the door and states. "Right. Send him in." I say with a nod. I hear her heels walk away as I turn back to pouring myself a drink. "Just through here sir." Lizzie says to the man. "Thank you." He responds as he walks into my office.

I look up to see my dapper looking younger cousin smiling back at me. "Michael...Vacancy's been filled." I say with a clear of the throat walking back towards my desk. "Not according to this morning's paper." He responds sitting down in the seat across from my desk. I look at the young boy in silence for a moment before he continues, "At school, I was top of the class in mathematics. And I did a night school course in accountancy at Worcester College. Mum says you've had six different accountant clerks in the last six months. When respectable men see the other things you do, they leave. But I, like Lizzie out there, already know what you do. Mum says you want to be 80 percent legal within two years." Michael states to me as I come to lean on the wall behind my desk, lighting a cigarette. "Three." I correct him.

"I can help. I know both sides and...well, you know you can trust me. I want to help you, Tommy, become legal...do the right thing...I want to be proud of this family." He says to me. I blink at the boy for a while, considering his words. "Does Polly know you're here, Michael?" I ask him already knowing the answer. "I'm 18 on Friday, I go where I please." I take a breath and purse my lips, walking towards my desk. I grab the phone and move it so it's in front of him. "You phone your mother...Good luck." I say grabbing my glass and walking out of the room as I have somewhere to be.

In the last week I went to the racetrack to purchase a new horse. It was here I met May Carleton. She was to train my horse for Epsom. Today she was picking up the horse to take to her training grounds.

I arrive to Watery Lane where she was to meet me. I walk in shutting the door behind me, "Sorry I'm late. There was a family matter. John, keep it locked up for a minute." I announce with a clear of the throat as I walk into the room seeing John stood with the woman. "Yes, Tommy." He replies but doesn't turn to leave. "I'll show you around." I tell May as John just stands on the other side of her sending me a grin. I nod my head gesturing for him to get lost. He turns slowly and then leaves towards his office."So, be my guest." I say leaning against a wall, gesturing towards the room. She starts walking around observing the betting den.

"That's my brother Arthur's office. Down there is my brother John's office. That's where we slate the runners and the riders." I tell her, lighting a new cigarette pointing around the room. "It's so out in the open. What about the police?" She asks me. I look to her, "What about them?" We hold each others gaze for a moment before she continues, "When I drove into Small Heath, I thought I was going to get murdered. Then I mention your name. It was like being escorted to see a king." We nod at eachother and stand in silence. "You came here to get my girl, right?" I ask the woman turning to walk away. "Right." She responds following after me.