Billie Shelby

Part 21

Billies P.O.V

We had all gathered around the table,Pol said it was time for the cake.John's wife esme had baked a Sponge cake with the kids for me.
I had promised John that i would go round and see my nieces and nephews soon to thank them as it had been a while since i had last seen their smiley faces;speaking of smiling faces,mine hadn't stopped.Today was a good day,we'd played games together as a family and spoke of old times ,like when John would put me in a shoe box and push be down watery lane,how arthur threw me out the window one time so John could catch me,which led to him receiving a smack on the back of the head from Polly.They even spoke how Tommy took me down to charlies yard and taught me how to ride horses. -"is he coming today billie?" Finn asked,hoping is wasn't a fragile topic.I cleared my throat and thought for a second,knowing everyone was listening closely to my answer -"well he isn't here is he." i half smiled back.

"right cake time"Polly announced and we all made our way to the kitchen.Pol lit the candles and everyone began to sing;i didn't enjoy this part of the day.The focus was on me and i didn't like it.Micheal,knowing this,gave me a small shove on my shoulder which led to him receiving a wack to the stomach and he coughed in response and i smirked as John laughed.

"...happy birthday dear Billieeeeee..."they continued their god awful tune,but it dropped in volume when another body appeared in the kitchen doorway.
Tommy.
He must have let himself it.
..Who was I kidding he probably had a key.

Everyone looked at him and then looked straight back to me.
-"happy birthday to you".
The song finished and was met with an awkward silence as i stared Tommy down.I was unsure of how i felt about seeing him,my head hadn't quite made up it's mind and picked an emotion. "blow them out then bill" Arthur spoke trying to break the silence.I broke my gaze from my brother and blew out my candles as a gradual applause was created from my family in the room,even Tommy gave a clap.

I leant over a kissed John,"thank you for the cake"i smiled and tucked by blonde locks behind my ear. -"well lets hope the kids haven't poisoned you first" and a few chuckled could be heard,not from tommy though.

///

Tommy wasn't sure how he should act around Billie,he had definitely given her space knowing that she was dealing with a lot and that he had been a factor in her current state of mind.But he didn't want today to be about him,he knew he owed her an apology.

Tommy shelby?An apology?This was a rare occurrence from Tommy.He never felt the need to apologise.He always believed his anger was justified,but in this scenario he knew that the anger he showed his sister was not.He really cared and loved her,and felt his heart drop a little knowing he'd hurt her.

"how about you all go in the living room and i'll cut the cake up and bring it in"Billie proposed.The family knew she needed a moment to wrap her head around Tommy's arrival so did as she said and made their way into the living room.Billie grabbed the cake and pulled it over to the kitchen counter and grabbed a knife from the draw.She wasn't sure what to say to him.She didn't know what he'd say to her.Should she even make a big deal of it?She thought to herself.

Billie was snapped from her thoughts when she heard something hit the table behind her,she turned and saw a present sat on it.Stood behind the present was Tommy.He clearly hadn't joined the family in the living room and had remained in his place in the doorway,watching his little sister.

Billie stopped and looked to him."thanks" she spoke with a tone that tommy struggled to decode. She turned back and continued cutting up the cake.Tommy walked warily around the table and leant his back against the kitchen counter,next to Billie.She didn't flinch at his presence, just waited for him to speak first.