Bête noire → Peaky Blinders [Tommy Shelby] [ BOOK 1 ]

Thirty eight.

Chapter thirty eight: Jailbird

With the extent of Oscar's injuries, he had to remain in solitary confinement to be able to heal in peace without the toxic environment he'd been suffocating in for the last two and a half years. Meaning, all Caroline could do was hope and pray for the best.

In the meantime, business resumed as usual. Of course she wanted to sit on the opposite end of door in the hospital, listening to the faint sound of his painful, rugged breaths but it would do no good. If she didn't keep up with the work, she'd fall behind and drown in papers. At least they were a distraction, other than the cocaine she'd been sniffing with any chance she got.

As for her love life, it too rejuvenated. The following morning, Thomas approached her with caution. Startled, she wanted to be left alone but he refused to back down, telling her that he had something to say. He confessed that although he shared a kiss or two with May, no feelings were involved on his behalf and to add to the truth, he also told Caroline that he visited May in her house and broke off their sham of a love affair, telling her that he had a fiancee and she was the only woman for him.

Caroline could only roll her eyes and try to shut the door closed, only, Thomas stuck his foot in the door to create a wedge. She reminded him that if he truly loved her, seducing May for profit wouldn't be an option in the first place, to which Thomas reminded her that she was the one who perused a relationship with a man who used deceit and emotional fraud to get what he wanted, and he wouldn't change for anyone. 

But, he had for her, which was why he had to end things with May in person like an honest gentleman. It was only a kiss, Thomas reminded her, and the money he received from the affair would go towards a trust he'd set up for Oscar. Upon her brother's name being mentioned, she mellowed and eventually, she hugged Thomas, thanking him profusely for his kindness towards Oscar. With the money, he'd be sent to live with his mother until he was an adult and able to make his own choices. It would be for the best.

Caroline had forgiven him, but she certainly wouldn't forget the incident, nor would she be able to trust him fully. But, with what happened to an innocent boy such as Oscar, there was no telling what could happen to a villain such as herself, which was why she allowed Thomas to slide the ring onto her finger and announce their engagement. Without Oscar, it didn't seem right to celebrate. In a matter of weeks, he'd make a full recovery and his release date would be the celebratory gathering amongst close relatives and family friends.

The house was quiet-too quiet to the point where it became unbearable. Oscar had been absent for a week and Polly understood that to be alone was a hazard. Polly and Thomas discussed allocating Caroline elsewhere. Of course he wanted her to remain with himself, but he believed that it was better to house her where Campbell couldn't find her, or so he thought.

In Polly's house, she sat opposite of Rosaleen, the four with their hands together, praying before they ate their meal which had been prepared so deliciously. After seven days of getting to know the Gray siblings, she realised that maybe Rosaleen wasn't so bad as she believed. It was evident that the young girl fretted for Oscar's well being, but Caroline reminded her that he's a Kimber and he'll be better in no time.

As for Michael, Caroline thanked him for his kindness on the night of the two attacks. With his reddened cheeks and doe eyes, he responded with smiles and humble dismissals, to which she hugged him and told him that she probably wouldn't have made it out of the pub with only a broken nose. From there, their relationship blossomed, and on Michael's end, perhaps his feelings were a little more rapid than hers.