𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ʲᵒʰⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

- 𝟎𝟐𝟒

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟐𝟒-

Valerie stared blankly out of the window as she watched John spin Francesca around in the air. The cup of tea in her hands had grown cold and her expression was still. She watched their new dog run between John's legs and almost trip him up.

The door opened and she noticed one of Francesca's nanny's walk through with a cautious look on their face. "Mr Shelby is being discharged from hospital." Her words were clear.

"Where is the boy?" She referred to Charles who had been put down for a nap earlier in the afternoon. "He is still sleeping." The woman seemed hesitant and nervous in Valerie's presence. "Have somebody wake him before three." She ordered.

And then the woman disappeared.

It had been three months since Tommy's plan to kill the priest — and it hadn't gone to plan. It hadn't gone to plan at all. He sustained major injuries that almost resulted in his death. Ada was the one who took him to the hospital where he would then reside there for the next few months.

And in those months, Charles was taken into the care of Valerie and John as promised.

He asked for his father in the evenings and it broke Valerie's heart. They were all unsure when Tommy would return home and as the days passed by, the hope of him getting better began to fade.

But three months later he would find himself being allowed back home — not without morphine and other medications.

The sound of John and Francesca's giggled filled the home as they returned inside, the warm consuming them. "Go tell mum— go on." He grinned, gently pushing the girl forward.

Charles was now balanced on Valerie's hip after being awoken.

"What is it my girl?" Valerie offered her a tired smile and sat down on the couch. Francesca stood before her mother's knees and leaned her elbows against them. "Bailey tripped up dad!" The girl beamed and spoke of the dog.

Valerie laughed slightly and lifted the girl onto the couch beside Charles.

"Is that right?" She raised her brows at John who was kneeling beside the brown and white dog, stroking him.

Valerie hadn't really wanted a dog but John was desperate. And after many attempts, she gave in.

"I've got some news for you, Franny." Valerie tucked the girl's now messy hair behind her ears and cupped her cold cheeks. "Uncle Tommy is coming home." She said.

John stood slowly.

"Uncle Tom? Do you think he will come and see us? Will he have some tea with us?" The girl blurted out quickly.

Francesca, after hearing the adults talk of having tea with people so often, had began using the term — sometimes in situations where it didn't make sense.

"I think so, yes." Valerie said to keep the girl happy.

John leaned against the wall. "Do you reckon he'll be able to take Charles straight away?" He asked with concern. Valerie shrugged and leaned back. "I'm sure if he isn't ready that he'd let us know. But I get the feeling he'll want to see his son."