Anchor

Chapter 12

Sorry everyone this has taken so much time to type but everything on my end has been a little hectic...including having no wifi  anyway I hope you like this next chapter

John

Voices were around me as I started to regain consciousness I think I might have vaguely heard Polly yelling at someone to get the doctor but my ears were ringing so loud I could bearly hear my own ragged breaths.

"Just hang on John boy"

Emily

News spread fast of Johns attack and you could feel the shift in the air as the usual pub goers were on edge, each one of them nervous a Shelby family member would suddenly grab them by the scruff of their necks and give them the same beating poor John had received.

The date me and John were suppose to have was gone and past, Ellie and David, even though they were young, had heard bad whispers of John and rumours had started going around John had been killed. As I assured myself this was false because there would be no doubt in mind if John had been killed by some mindless thugs non of our streets would be clear they would be covered in blood.

I was growing sick with worry as my stomach turned at the idea of John being in any other state than fit and happy. I decdied I would visit the Shelby household which had now three to four men constantly on guard outside. I had visited John once before I was told it might not be safe for my siblings for me to be seen at the house. As much as it pained me I decided to stay away for a short time but I needed to see him again.

John

My mouth was parched as I took a deep breath. Feeling movement beside me I spotted Finn look at me with wide eyes

"What the bloody hell happened?"

He laughed and ran out of the room causing me to frown, shortly after Polly and Lotte entered the room with both shocked yet relieved expressions.

"Bloody hell" Polly muttered

"What the hell is wrong with everyone" as I tried to sit up a sharp pain jolted me back down as I clutched my side

"You can't move yet" Lotte spoke as she came to my side "the doctor has been and said you've got two broken ribs"

"What else?"

"Well your face is looking a little better, it was covered in bruises when you first got back here, your hand maybe a little sore but apart from that your ribs took the most impact"

Fucking bastards! Must have kicked me while I was down

"there was one bloke left behind, seemed you were adamant he wasn't going to get away. Tommy and Arthur have been having little chats with him" Polly spoke as she still stood by the door her arms crossed over her chest as she continued to examine me

Looking down I saw I was naked from the waist up, the bed sheet covered my lower half. Chuckling I turned to Lotte "regret marrying Tommy love, I bet even in this state my body is better than his"

She let out a short laugh and lightly tapped my shoulder. Her eyes brimmed with tears as I moved my slightly sore arm up and cupped her cheek "Don't cry Lotte, I'm alright"

And then a sudden memory surged through me causing me to panic and attempt to sit up. Both girls protested as I sat up ignoring the pain which was currently radiating through my body "Emily is she alright?"

"Yes Emily and the little ones are fine"

"And my boys?"

"Also fine"

Hissing a string of curses I stood "I need to see her"

"She knows what happened John" Lotte said "I spoke to her myself last week"

Stopping short I slowly looked to Lotte and Polly both of them eyeing me warily "Last week? How long have I been out?"

Polly was the one to tell me and I felt my stomach clench

"Two weeks?" I repeated

Emily

I was just finishing up for the night when the doors opened. Harry was long gone by now and I knew we didn't have any deliveries coming. Turning to the door my whole body froze.

If I was being honest I imagined worse, his poor face was bruised and bloodied. He held to the door frame tightly as I saw his knuckles turn white. His usual smart appearance seemed rugged as his shirt wasn't completely tucked into his waistband. His eyes connected with mine before moving towards me his movements were slow as he tried to move the chairs. I suddenly moved towards him just in time for him to collapse on his knees I clutched my sides as he swore a few colourful fraises I'm sure a sailor would blush to.

"John what the hell are you doing" bending slightly I helped him stand and I could tell just from looking at him he hated being like this. Hated feeling so venerable

"I needed to see you; Pol just told me it's been two weeks"

"I'm fine, but you need to go home and rest"

Shaking his head "I've been stuck in bed for too long my bloody legs aren't working properly"

Nodding I held onto his hand as he looked down at me before I could stop myself and bottle out I leaned up and kissed his cheek softly. Pulling back slightly I whispered against his bruised cheek "I missed you John"

John

I had bruised ribs, my legs felt like jelly and wouldn't work properly, my face felt like it was on fire and yet hearing Em admit she missed me almost made my heart explode.

"I missed you too, sorry about the date"

Chuckling she shook her head "come on if you don't want to go back to your house you can come back to mine"

Raising my eyebrows I smirked "well I'll give it my best shot darling but don't you think we ought to wait till I'm healed?"

Rolling her eyes she smacked my arm making me flinch "o crap sorry"

"It's alright you can kiss it better, I've got a lot of areas which you can kiss actually"

"Would you stop" she smiled "come on you bloody fool I know Ellie and David will be relieved to see you also"