Tommy's Rose

Chapter 13: Spying

*SMASH*

*BANG*

*CLASH*

I flinched at every sound that came from Tommy's study. I was sat by a vent that led into Tommy's office; It had been a few days since the incident at the opera, Tommy hadn't spoke about that night but right now he had Arthur, Polly, Michael and John in his office and he sure sounded angry.

"THAT BASTARD GOT THIS CLOSE TO GETTING MY DAUGHTER!" Tommy shouted.

*SLAP*

I winced at the sound; Polly slapped him!

"Pull yourself together boy!" Polly stated loudly. "That girl down stairs needs you to get your head straight and make good decisions, not punching every man who looks at her. God help any man that looks in her direction when she turns eighteen!"

"Look Tommy, we're doing everything we can to find out who that man was working for," Michael spoke up.

"He was working for Jameson!" Tommy stated in angry. "He was at the opera, he knew we were there!"

"We ain't got any proof Tom," Arthur stated. "I would love to knock that bastards teeth out but we are outnumbered and outgunned."

"I've got Finn and Michael watching Jameson's house and his warehouse," Polly said. "You need to clear your head, stay calm and do not bite any bait Jameson waves in your face!"

"I am not fucking waiting!" Tommy stated harshly. "I want that man in here right now!"

"And that day will come Tommy I promise you that!" Polly reassured him. "Right now you have two beautiful children down stairs who have no idea why their Father is angry at one man. I suggest you spend time with them and let us spy on Jameson."

"Pol's right Tom, we can gather more men to take him down," Arthur spoke up.

"And Primrose ain't dumb, she knows something ain't right and it won't belong before she starts asking questions," Michael stated calmly.

Suddenly the room went silent. I assumed that it was the end of them family meeting, I quickly ran down the hallway, my bare feet didn't make a sound as I ran back to the sitting room where I left my brother. I jumped onto the sofa next to my brother making him laugh.

"PIM!" Charlie cheered.

"Hello little brother!" I greeted as I stole a piece of apple from his plate. "Were you good while I was spying?"

"Yes!" Charlie told me proudly.

I could ask my brother anything and he'd say yes, it's adorable and the way he smiles at everyone it's so sweet, almost like he sees the good in everyone.
Just then the clicking of heels caught my attention, I slowly turned to the doorway where Aunt Polly was stood.

I smiled. "Good afternoon Polly," I greeted.

"Everytime I see you I question how you are Tommy's daughter," Polly stated. "How are you?"

I nodded. "I'm alright," I told her. "How are you?" I asked.

Polly sighed. "I'm trying to keep your Father on a tight leash," She explained. "As long as you and Charles are alright then everyone else is alright."

"Is my Dad alright?" I asked softly.

"What did you hear?" She asked as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

I thought for a moment. "Just a few things breaking," I answered quietly. "Not a lot really."

Polly studied my face. "What did I say about lying?" She asked. "You make the same face your Father does when he lies."

Erm but I can't see my face when I lie so I don't know how to solve that problem?

"Tell the truth now child," Polly told me.

I sighed. "I was listening through the vent," I mumbled. "I heard everything."

I watched as Polly stood up and straightened out her dress. "Then you will know that your Father is ready to explode," She stated.

I frowned... So the smashing of objects and the shouting wasn't exploding with anger?

Polly turned away from me. "Thomas Shelby lost himself when we returned from war, he didn't care about many things just the business and his close family, then he met Grace, Charles' Mother, he melted at the very sight of her then when Grace was killed right in front of him it almost destroyed him but he stood strong for his boy and then well, then he had a letter explaining he had a daughter and I had never seen a man so worried, so sad and yet so happy," Polly explained. "Every decision Thomas makes he thinks he is protecting you and Charles but love can blind people, it can make people judge too quickly or not quick enough."

Polly lit a cigarette with a match then dragged a gently breath in and then out; Her words played around in my head. I knew Tommy had suffered greatly over the years but no one talked about it in detail but I was beginning to understand that Tommy was very different before the war and when he started to have feelings for Grace he started to be happier but then he lost her and his world came crashing down again but how have I changed him, he was a Father to Charles before he met me, so how did I change him?

"I don't understand, how did Tommy finding out he had a daughter change him?" I asked in confusion.

Polly looked at me. "The bond between a Father and daughter is unbreakable," She stated. "You Primrose Shelby need to keep Tommy anchored, as long as he knows you are safe and well he will stay grounded and think clearly because if Tommy Shelby isn't thinking clearly he could burn down Birmingham like the devil himself," She explained.

"Are you finished rambling on at my daughter?" Tommy asked from the door way.

Polly said nothing as she strutted passed him making sure he shoulder nudged his as she passed. Tommy watched her leave from the corner of his eye then as the front door shut Tommy looked at me and crossed his arms...

"Want to talk about that?" Tommy asked.

I shook my head. "No," I told him. "Polly was just getting something's off her chest."

Tommy hummed. "You're late for your piano lesson," He stated. "Go on, off you go to the music room. I don't pay for lessons for no reason!"

I smiled as I jumped up from my chair and skipped out the door. "Thank you for reminding me," I said sweetly.

"Yes and please put some shoes on, you don't need to sneak around now everyone has left!" Tommy stated.

Oh yes I had been rumbled and yet Tommy didn't seem to mind that I had been spying. As I looked back at Tommy he looked almost... Proud?