Childhood Memory (Finn Shelby)

Part 21

"Elsie, Tommy's opening the Grace Shelby Institute for Orphaned Children today, you want to come with me?" Finn shouted up to the girl who was sleeping until his interruption.

"I was going anyway, Finn, Tommy did invite me" Elsie shouted back.

"Well, are you dressed yet?" He replied, knowing she hadn't even got out of bed yet.

"No" she grumbled loudly. She forced herself out of bed and purposely made extra noise to make sure he knew she was actually getting ready. Once she was done she went to the kitchen and saw Finn sitting at the table eating an apple. "Wow, a new hat" she said, picking up the fedora looking like hat that was in front of him, "and it hasn't got a razor in it" she looked impressed.

"Tommy didn't want us wearing those to this event" Finn said, Elsie placed the hat haphazardly on his head.

"Well you look positively dashing in that hat" Elsie said poshly, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl. "Hurry up, don't want to be late"

Finn playfully scowled at her before following her out of the door and towards her car which she threw the keys at Finn. They drove to the Institution and parked alongside the rest of Finn's family.

They were setting up for a photograph of the family and Elsie stood behind the photographer, "Elsie, come on" Thomas said, calling her over.

"I'm not family, Tommy" she said, shaking her head.

"You're practically family, go on, stand next to Finn" Elsie gave in and stood next to the boy. They smiled for the camera and after it was shot, they went inside the building.

"This place is beautiful, Tommy" Elsie complimented.

Thomas gave his thanks as everyone took their seats. The children from the orphanage came in alongside the staff working there, plus any other patrons which were invited.

Polly gave a short speech before introducing Tommy who also gave a speech. Arthur managed to get everyone to stand up and clap to Tommy, his brothers being the loudest as they were proud of their brother.

"Now let us sing Immortal Invisible" Polly said, everyone stood again and began singing . Finn was enamoured by Elsie, her voice sounded so pretty that he couldn't focus on the words himself, he ended up not even singing. The song ended and everyone was escorted out and into a hall to mingle.

Elsie stayed with Finn, talking to a lady about horses, Finn mostly just stood there watching his brothers while Elsie spoke. "Finn's actually a great rider, he sometimes helps me train my horses, don't you Finn?" Elsie said, looking up at the boy. "Finn?"she repeated gently nudging him in his side.

"Yes?" He looked down at her and she sighed.

The lady they were talking to laughed, "my husband's like that, you'll get used to it. Are you two married?"

"No, weren't not" Elsie said.

"Better marry her quick before she gets taken from you, she's pretty and talented, that's very desirable"

"I'll keep that in mind" Finn said before excusing himself.

"I better stay with him, it was nice meeting you" Elsie gave a polite smile before going over to Finn who was standing with Michael.

Tommy began asking before where his son was, nobody had seen him. He began ordering his brothers to search for him when Ada stopped him. "Tommy. Someone said they saw a nurse take him through the back door"

"Fuck" Tommy swore.

"Which nurse!" Arthur questioned.

"I don't know" Ada said.