𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ʲᵒʰⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

- 𝟎𝟐𝟕

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
- 𝟎𝟐𝟕 -

Robert had been looking after his granddaughter when Valerie entered the new home. The sound of her heels against the floorboards was what excited Francesca. She jumped down from the chair she had been sat on and ran through the house.

"Mum!" She called out, her bare feet moving quickly.

Valerie smiled at the sound of her voice. "My darling," she called back, opening the door and being met with the same face she had left earlier that day. "How has your day been?" She asked, lifting the girl from the floor.

"Grandad took me to the sweet shop!" She exclaimed.

Robert tutted and shook his head. "That was supposed to be a secret," he joked.

Valerie laughed and put the girl back down before moving the let the dog inside from the garden. "Hello, Bailey," she sighed and leaned down to run a hand over his back.

The dog ran in between Valerie's legs before nudging his head into her knee. 

She dismissed him gently and hung up her coat before going to light the fire in the office.

"Oh— there was a phone call." Robert told her, "they said they wanted you to call them back once you were available." He explained. Valerie raised a brow and began wondering who it was that could have been calling her.

Her fingers brushed over the telephone and she lifted it to her ear. It took her directly to the telephone exchange girls. "I received a call earlier today but was not here to take it. Can you direct me to the number?" She asked.

"Just a moment."

And within a few seconds, it began to ring.

She waited patiently and fiddled with her wedding ring that still sat on her finger. She glanced at the calander. It was September. The execution was scheduled for the end of January.

"Hello?" She finally spoke.

"Valerie."

It was Tommy Shelby.

"It's a relief to hear your voice." He spoke.

She bit down on her tongue and contemplated putting down the phone. The last time she had spoken to that man was the day he had gotten her husband sent away.

"You have a few seconds to tell me why you have called before I put the phone down." She threatened.

"Their execution has been brought forward," he got straight to the point. Valerie's heart dropped and she sat up. "Excuse me?" She breathed.

"It has been brought to today—"

"Thomas Shelby, I swear—"

"It won't go through." He assured her, "things have been down, evidence has been given in against the people who wanted us finished." He said.

"And?"

"And now we just have to hope that it gets to the judges in time."