Anna [J.Shelby]

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

A breezy walk along the canal was just what Anna needed to clear her mind after dropping the kids to school before work. It didn't quite have the fresh scent she dreamed of, but she knew she wouldn't be living near fresh air any time soon, as much as she tried convincing John.

It was through a canal window that she noticed a man following behind her, one who had suspiciously crossed the street over to her side after the kids were in school.

She turned to him without fear, after the many attempts others had made on using her to get to the Shelby's, she had started carrying a slim knife on her person.

"Might I help you, or are you just following me?" Anna raised her brow at the man.

"Just enjoying the fresh air. Mark Hainsley, if you wanted my name, and you really shouldn't be walking alone along these parts."

"I wouldn't say Birmingham has 'fresh air', it's filled with clouds of smoke and dust." Anna retorted.

"I've heard your last name before, the Hainsley's work for the Italians on the other side of Birmingham" She crossed her arms.

"I wouldn't say work, but we're friends, yes"

"So if you're walking alone around these parts, where is your husband?" Mark questioned.

"Working, what is this really?"

"I'm.. walking you back to wherever you come from"

"I don't even know you," She shook her head humorously.

"Then let's get to know eachother, I'm 30, I have 2 children, and I'm widowed"

"I'm sorry about your wife" Anna spoke after a pause.

"That was years ago. Now, I want to know about you seens as you're adamant strangers cannot walk together"

"I'm 27, married, and I have 6, soon to be seven children,"

Mark whistled at the number.

"But I'm sure, working for the Italians, you already know that" Anna replied, Mark turned to her in amusement.

"I'm a family friend"

"I'm convinced this walk was for you to use me to get information on something, well Mr Hainsley, men have tried that one too many times, so your kinder approach still won't cut it I'm afraid"

"Can't a man just walk with a beautiful lady without being questioned?"

A small blush tinted Anna's cheeks.

"I'm afraid, in modern day, and particularly when the woman is married to a Shelby, no, a man cannot" Anna spoke amused.

"But I will take your tainted cheeks as you quite like my presence. Seems we have arrived to your work place, see you soon sweetheart" He bidded her farewell.

Anna opened her mouth to say something before she realised he was already halfway down the street, so she shook her head with a ghost of a smile.

While this was going on, John had came back from a meeting with the Italians, sitting in his office with his feet propped up reading the newspaper as Polly entered.

She stared down at John, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence before he placed his cup of tea down.

"Did we run Kempton yesturday or not?" John asked her.

"Danny Lee got drunk. Instead of injecting the horses with cocaine he decided to share it with his cousins" Polly replied.

"Jesus christ" John muttered under his breath.

"God help Finn when he has to marry one of them, but for now you need to have a word" Polly told him sternly.

"Look, before I start," She pulled a chair up to the desk, "I don't want you to do anything about this"

"About what?" He muttered as Polly closed the door.

"Vincente Changrettas son, the one who Lizzie was stepping out with"

"What, Angel? He's no bigger than twopence worth of change" John snorted.

"Well he heard you threatened him directly to shoot him in the knee, so now he's going 'round neechells telling everybody he's gonna kill you" John paid no attention as he scribbled away, Polly growing increasingly annoyed.

"This is Lizzie's fault to start with, Tommy's for leaving it up to you,"

"What are you talking about? We run London, and we run the North. We run the whole fuckin' country so what do we care about some fucking Neechells Green eyeties" Johns voice raised in annoyance.

"We don't need to be getting involved in all these little piss pots"

"What does Arthut say?" John asked.

"That's why I'm here, and not him" Polly replied.

"If he said it there'd be a fight. He says, apologise." John sniffed in annoyance.

"He fuckin' said what?"

"We own the city, but we don't need to rub everybody's noses in it. If the old man decides to make a stand, he might get Sabini feeling sentimental.." Johns pencil broke under the force of his anger.

"Sabinis done" He interrupted.

"They're all done. They all pay up. But we don't want rebellions." Polly spoke slowly, as to let it sink in.

"Right and, what did Tommy say?"

"Tommy's busy, he left me in charge" Polly replied.

"And what did you say?"

"Compromise" John hummed, his eyes closed.

"I've asked Lizzie to do it for you, she's gonna meet him, break up with him for good, apologise for any inconvenience. Say it was all her fault"

Everybody could hear the force of the table going over as Anna entered through the door, jumping at the noise.

"You know what, you know what all this is? Arthurs fucking mrs, turn the other fuckin' cheek, we'll be handing out bibles in the fuckin' bullring with her fuckin' cousins" John shouted.

"John you don't have to do anything, Lizzie will do it for you, then it'll all calm down and nobody will lose their face" Polly yelled at him, standing up as he walked around the mess on the floor.

"I'll take his fuckin' face how 'bout that!" John snapped before slamming the door, leaving Polly calling for him.

"What's going on?" Anna asked as she entered his office, taking in the mess as she watched John storm past.

"Believe me, you do not want to know"