Letters - Michael Gray

Unfortunate Events

It was a few days later and Valarie's time in Birmingham was coming to an end. Even though she was moving in with Michael, Valarie still had to go back to London to actually tell her dad and get her things. It wasn't too bad though as Michael was coming up a few days later to get Valarie and her things. But before Valarie was due to go back to London all the Shelby family had been invited to a formal dinner that night.

It was the day of the formal dinner and Michael and Valarie were getting ready.
"It's going to be strange going back to London" said Valarie while she was doing her hair
"I know but it won't be for long, plus you've got to tell your dad" replied Michael
"I know, how do you think he'll take it?"
"Honestly not too well, but we're getting married and you've got Tommy here. I'm pretty sure that Tommy wouldn't let anything happen to you, I would never let anything happen to you"
"I know but you know what my dads like"
"Yea I do, every time I see him he tries to intimidate me"
"And it works" laughed Valarie
"No it doesn't" argued Michael who in reality was slightly terrified off Alfie.
"I believe you" said Valarie sarcastically "can you do up my dress please?"
"You know it's a good job I love you" joked Michael as he did the buttons up at the back of Valarie's dress.
"It's a good job I love you too" Valarie gave Michael a quick kiss and went downstairs to make a cup of tea.

Later that night the Shelby family had arrived at the venue where the dinner was to be held.

As Michael and Valarie were walking into the building with their arms linked, they were quick to notice how grand everything looked. Although Valarie had grown-up around wealth, it was nothing like this. Alfie wanted his daughter to have a somewhat normal life, they had luxuries but not as many as people would expect them to have.

They soon entered a huge ballroom with a large crowd of people standing around talking.
"Wow" exclaimed Valarie "Grace certainly invited a lot of people"
"She sure did, I didn't even know they knew this many people" said Michael as he took two glasses of champagne and gave one to Valarie
"Neither did I, do you actually think they know them all?" questioned Valarie
"Probably not Grace, but Tommy does have his connections"
"True"

In the corner of her eye Valarie could see Grace approaching them.
"Hello, thank you for coming" exclaimed Grace
"You don't have to thank us we would've come anyway" replied Valarie
Michael spotted Arthur, John and Finn nearby and wanted to go and talk to them.
"Do you mind if I leave you two ladies for a minute?" asked Michael
"Not at all I'm sure we'll be fine" said Grace and with that comment Michael walked over to his cousins.
"You look lovely, Michael is certainly treating you well"
"He is, I don't realise how lucky I am to have found someone who loves me like I love them"
"I know what you mean, I'm the same with Tommy. At the time I thought that going away was the best thing for me but I wish I stayed so I could've been with him sooner"
"True but you don't know what would've happened if you had of stayed"
"True, I just wonder sometimes though"
"You look beautiful too by the way, I almost forgot to tell you. I love your necklace" commented Valarie
"Thank you. Do you mind if I go and find Tommy, dinner should be severed soon?" asked Grace
"Not at all, I'm going to try and find Michael" with that they parted ways.

It didn't take long for Valarie to find Michal as he was nearby talking to Arthur, John and Finn.
"Here she is, the only person who can keep our Michal in line" said Arthur. Valarie smiled as her and Arthur got on like brother and sister.
"Don't forget Aunt Pol" added John
"Yea Michael will do anything she says" added Finn
"Oh fuck off" said Michael while laughing. All of a sudden Michael stopped laughing and was staring towards the entranced of the ballroom. Two men had walked in, one being a vicar.
"Are you alright?" Valarie questioned Michael but he didn't hear her as he was too busy staring at the vicar "Michael"
"What?" he had just taken his eyes off the man
"I said are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine, don't worry" Michael reassured Valarie. Before Valarie could question Michael anymore a voice shouted.
"Ladies and gentlemen. The loyalty toast, to His Majesty the King"
"The King" everyone said as they raised their glasses of champagne.
"Dinner is served" with that announcement Valarie and Michael linked arms and began to walk into the dinning room.

"For Angel" a voice behind them shouted. Valarie and Michael were quick to turn around. It was like it happened in slow motion, Arthur was tackling the man while a gun shot echoed through the ballroom. Grace suddenly collapsed into Tommy's arms. Nobody knew what to do. Michael turned Valarie around a cradled her in his arms as he didn't want her to see the scene unfold before them.
"Get me a fucking ambulance now" screamed Tommy while he was cradling his injured wife. Meanwhile Arthur, John and Finn were beating up Grace's attacker as he lay motionless on the floor. Michael knew that he had to protect Valarie and get her away from Birmingham.

Michael dragged Valarie out of the ballroom and lead her to his car. They hadn't been driving long when Valarie noticed that they were going passed where they needed to go.
"Where are we going?" questioned Valarie.
"I'm taking you back to London, I can't have you staying here, it's too dangerous" explained Michael
"But I'll be fine, that bullet was probably for Tommy not Grace" Valarie didn't want to go home, she wanted to stay with her Fiancé where she knew he was safe.
"I can't take that chance, I don't know what I would do if something happened to you"
"I can't risk anything happening to you either"
"I don't care what you want, I want you safe. Now I'm taking you back to London and you're going to stay there until I know it's safe!" shouted Micheal. Michael never shouted at Valarie and this partly scared her even though she knew he would never do anything to her. For the rest of the car journey they sat in silence.

Eventually, they reached the Solomons residence. Michael parked outside and they both got out of the car.
"Please tell me you'll do what I ask and don't come to Birmingham?" asked Michael
"I will, as long as you promise to phone me everyday" said Valarie
"Trust me, I don't think I could go a day without speaking to you" replied Michael as he knocked on the door.
It didn't take long before they heard footsteps come towards the door.
"Who the hell is this at this time?" asked Alfie as he opened the door. He was ready to shout at whoever was behind the door but his face softened as soon as he saw his daughter and her Fiancé.
"What are you doing back here early?" asked Alfie
"She'll explain later, I need to get back to Birmingham" said Michael as he gave her a kiss "I love you, I'll speak to you later"
"Love you too" said Valarie as Michael got into his car and drove back to Birmingham and her and Alfie went inside.