Tommy's Rose

Chapter 9: A Parcel

I walked down through the cold Birmingham streets clutching a small parcel in my hands, holding it close to my chest as I tried to stay warm as the wind blew against my face.

It had been a few weeks since Daniel and I broke into the warehouse, I still wasn't sure as to why Michael and Finn were there, I tired to listen through Tommy's office door and when Finn was drunk I asked him what Tommy was doing but it was like having a conversation with Charlie, a drunk Finn was a useless Finn.

Tommy had been spending quite a bit of time with me, he lets me ride his race horse around the field while he guides him with the rope and Tommy has told me he wants to take me to the theatre to meet some important people, he took me to have a dress fitting at the taylors and Polly has brought me some fancy black shoes for the evening.  

It was now the middle of November and it was very cold, I wore one of Tommy's old caps to keep my head warm (Tommy had taken the blade out) and Ada had knitted me some gloves. I wasn't a fan of the cold and the rain, I enjoyed the summer because we could go to the beach, play in the fields and of course we could play in the street longer.

Today I wasn't going to Polly's because I had told her I made something at school for Tommy and I wanted to give it to him in person. I know he won't be impressed with the fact that I've turned up at his office but I have tried really hard to fit in with the girls at school and try to do well with my lady like classes so hopefully Tommy won't be as harsh.

As I entered the building I skipped up to the top floor still clutching my parcel. "Ello Primrose," Lizzie Stark greeted from her desk.

I smiled at Tommy's assistant as I hung my hat up. "Hello," I greeted then placed my parcel on the floor.

"I thought you were at Polly's today?" Lizzie asked.

"I made something for Tommy," I told her as I hung my coat up."It's took me all week to make."

Still holding the parcel in my arms I sat on the side of Lizzie's desk and sighed softly. "That's so kind Primrose, I'm sure Tommy will love it!" Lizzie told me.

I smiled. "Is he in a better mood today?" I asked.

Last week Finn had walked me to the office from school, as soon as I got here I could hear glasses smashing and voices arguing, Finn took my to Arthurs house and I stayed there until it was late then when I met Tommy at home he was in a foul mood all night, he just drank and smoked.

"He's only broke one glass today," Lizzie told me. "Not too bad."

"Is he with someone now?" I asked curiously as I tried to look in the diary.

Lizzie shut the book. "You Miss Shelby are too curious for your own good and yes I did see you peeping through that key hole the other day," she told me with a smirk.

I shook my head. "I don't know what you mean," I told her.

She hummed. "Yes definitely a Shelby," She mumbled.

Just then the office door opened. I quickly jumped off the desk and smiled sweetly as a lady walked out; She wore a fancy black dress, black gloves and a black hat, she held a poker face as she looked at Lizzie but as she looked at me she frowned...

"Is this the little girl whose picture is on your desk?" The lady asked curiously.

"What?" Tommy asked from inside the office.

The lady smiled. "Rose," She stated.

I frowned. "Primrose," I corrected her.

"Ah Rose is your shortend name," She noted.

Now I was really confused; Why did she think my shortend name was Rose when everyone here calls me Prim?

Tommy appeared in the door way. "Primrose what are you doing here?" He asked in confusion.

The lady winked at me. "Goodbye... Primrose," She said softly then made her way down the stairs.

I couldn't help but notice how that women walked with power, she didn't have a care in the world about anyone around her. I mean she looked at Lizzie like she was a tramp, then the way she smiled at me was very over powering like she knew everything.

"Primrose, what are you doing here?" Tommy asked pulling me out of my mind.

I smiled. "I have something to give you," I told him in excitment.

A smile tugged on Tommy's lips. "Step inside, Miss Shelby," He told me as he held the door open.

Wow Tommy was in a good mood.

I walked into the office, making my way to the comfy chair that sat in front of Tommy's desk, I stood and looked at Tommy who was stood the other side of the desk; I held my hand out to Tommy and with out hesitation Tommy shook my hand firmly and we both sat down.

"I'm glad you have been taking notes on how to treat guests," Tommy told me with a grin.

I nodded. "Never let the enemy know your true intentions until it's too late," I told him proudly.

Tommy shook his head. "I'm not sure letting Arthur look after you and Charlie is a good idea anymore," He chuckled. "No talk like that alright, you stay in the shadows, listen for lies and look for traitors, your my wild flower."

We shared a smile as Tommy lit a cigeratte. "I'm here to give you this," I stated as I placed the brown parcel on the desk. "As you know I hate my cooking lessons, knitting lessons and every lady lesson at school so I have made you something that I hope you are going to be proud of because it was so hard to make."

Tommy frown as he placed his cigeratte in his mouth then slowly untied the white string bow, carefully he opened up the brown paper to reveal a dark blue scarf.

"It took me all week," I added quietly. "Polly and Ada make it look so easy."

I watched as Tommy gently held the scarf in his hands. "So when do you learn how to make suits?" He asked with a smile.

"Are you serious?" I asked. "Do you understand how hard that was to make?"

Tommy chuckled. "Thank you Primrose, it's lovely," He told. "No girl has ever made me a scarf, apart from my Mother and Polly of course."

I ran around the desk and hugged Tommy; Something about getting praise from Tommy always felt great, it was like pleasing a king. Tommy was a very cold and distant person but towards Charlie and I was really nice and gently, until you annoy him but I try not to, honestly I really try.

As I sat on Tommy's knee I noticed the picture on the desk; It was me in a pretty dress sat on the stairs in our house just looking at the camera... It was John's birthday party and the whole family was round, Tommy wanted a picture of me in my dress but I never saw the picture until now.

*BANG*

The office door swung open banging against the door to reveal Mister Jameson... The man I can't stop bumping into!

"Tommy fuckin' Shelby!" Jameson growled.

Tommy shot up and stood in front of me...