Book 1 - Complete
Book 2 - Ongoing
If you asked their family, they'd tell you Thomas and Maude were surely soulmates. The two had a bond so strong, that anyone who believed in reincarnation, would tell you that they were certain, Thomas and Maude lo...
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XVII. Landmines.
It was morning, and Maude was sitting with Amelia and Oliver in the dining room as the two slow toddlers finished their breakfast. They were more interested in babbling with each other than eating. Maude didn't have much to do that day, so she let them take their time as she kept an eye on them.
She was sitting at her usual seat next to the head of the table, sipping her tea and reading the morning newspaper. Little feet came rushing into the kitchen, and Charlie came running into the dining room. "Mum, there's a call for dad," he called out.
Maude lifted her head, looking over at her oldest. "Oh, he went out back, Charlie," she informed him as she shook her head. Charlie came to a stop beside his mother's chair, leaning into her side. "Did they say if it's important?" she questioned him as she reached out and ran her hand through his hair.
"They said urgent," Charlie informed his mother as he nodded his head.
"Go get your father then, love." She urged her son as she patted his back and Charlie nodded before running off.
Maude's attention returned to her tea and newspaper as the little ones continued eating and talking. A minute later, a car pulled up in front of the house, and Maude's head raised, glancing over to the window for a moment.
The front door opened, and a second later, Frances walked into the dining room. "Mrs. Milligan is here, Mrs. Shelby," she informed.
Maude raised her eyebrows, finding Charlie Violin teacher to be earlier than usual for his lessons. "Take her to the drawing room, Frances. Charlie will be in, in a minute," she instructed.
Frances nodded and turned to leave, but stopped when Charlie came running into the room, out of breath. "Mum!" he called out, nearly slamming into his mother's side. "Dad said to stay in the house and to play violin loudly; he says there might be some bangs," he explained.
"Some bangs?" Maude repeated, eyebrows furrowing as she reached out to cup Charlie's cheek. The little boy responded with a nod of his head. Maude stood up, brushing her hand through Charlie's hair. "Go to the drawing room, play loud," she instructed before looking towards the maid. "Frances, will you take them upstairs?" she questioned as she motioned to the younger two.
"Of course, ma'am," Frances replied, nodding her head as she gathered the children before ushering them out of the dining room.
Maude rushed through the house, her heart sitting in the back of her throat. She stepped through the back door and flinched when she heard an explosion coming from the field. She took one step before stumbling back, flinching again when a second explosion followed with gunfire.
She rounded a corner of the house, eyes landing on the fields far from their house. There was a cross in the middle of the field, with a scarecrow crucified on it, dressed as a Peaky Blinder. Her husband stood in the field, firing a Tommy gun into the ground.
