Rising | Thomas Shelby

drunken nights

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Once parked, I helped Ada out of the car and towards the front door. "I think it's best if you didn't come in Scar, I'm sorry" Polly quietly says to me whilst helping Ada in to the house.

Had I upset her that bad? I couldn't even be present for the birth of her child. I felt awful, being drunk and feeling guilty wasn't a good mix. I sighed as I walk towards Tom who handed me a fag and lit it. I lean my head on his shoulder as we stood waiting for the others to arrive. "I should've tried harder to find her, I guess I just thought if she needed me she'd come to me." I sighed. Tommy put his arm round my waist and squeezed my hip. "Don't worry love, she was drunk and upset. Once she's thinking rationally again I'm sure she'll come around."

We heard a car coming from around the corner so Tommy removed his arm from my waist as I stood up straight.
John messily parks up, I wonder how they made it hear alive. Arthur helps Esme out then goes towards Polly who guides her inside to help with Ada, can't say that it didn't hurt that the new girl was wanted and not me.
"Nice car John" I say trying to distract myself. "Yeah it is, how does she run?" Tommy adds knowing that I was upset about the whole situation. "Beautiful, yeah really smooth" I chuckled at John.
"Your sister is in there giving birth and you're talking about the bloody car." Polly shakes her head at the boys. "Not much us men can do now Pol" Thomas retorts. My face dropped at what Tommy said. Arthur looked at me after Tommy said that, smiling weakly. He could tell that I was upset. "Except go get drunk" he adds wanting to end the conversation for my sake.
"There is one man that should be here" Polly says after we had started walking off. I slightly squeezed Tommy's elbow silently pleading that he let Freddie come. "You're right Pol, Freddie should be here" Tommy says whilst nodding his head. I smiled brightly at him, he has always been a big softie.
Polly looks in disbelief at her nephew. "Is that a heartbeat I hear inside that chest?" I lightly laugh at Polly. "The truce lasts till sunrise. On my oath. Tell Freddie it's safe." Polly runs in, yelling Adas name excitedly.

Arthur and John walk slightly ahead of us, "You're not as big and bad as you make yourself out to be Mr Shelby." I say playfully. "But you already knew that didn't you, love?" he smiles down at me. As we were walking his hand was slightly brushing mine and we eventually connected pinkies. I couldn't wait to hold his hand, kiss or even flirt with him in public. Keeping our relationship silent was getting old, I wanted the real deal.

Before we got to the Garrison we split up, I caught up to Arthur so Grace wouldn't think that it was just always Thomas and I together. Arthur was pulling me along talking about getting me so drunk that one of them would have to carry me home.
Once we were in the Garrison, we were sat in the snug. I was joking around with the boys, I was laughing so hard I had cried. I really loved spending time with them. They were forever cheering me up.

We did a round more of shots, toasting to beautiful women in which Arthur winked at me. "Only right we toast to them as were in the presence of the prettiest one of them all!" I rolled my eyes, "Arthur quit flirting with me or Ill get the wrong impression."
"Oh, love there ain't no wrong impression i'm giving!" Arthur laughs as I hit him playfully in the chest.

Grace walked in smiling at all of us laughing together, slightly jealous of the relationship I had with the boys. "I should get home, it's my wedding night!" John slurs, way too drunk. Arthur sits him back down, pouring him another drink "You don't want to be around women when theres a baby coming." Grace then piped up "You think her husband will stay away?"
"Freddie will be there, nothing will keep
him away. Tommy said it was alright for him to be there. Isn't that right?" John drunkenly shouts out to Tommy. "That's right, I'm all heart tonight."

Arthur then starts giggling, putting his arms round John and I. "I think that it's that barmaid, that pretty one that just walked out that's made our brother go all soft." John starts shaking his head no, "Arthur I don't think it's her, but drinks to it anyways! Whoever it may be." John starts giggling at the knowledge that he has. Tommy and I look to each other, eyes wide in confusion and fear of being found out but luckily the boys change the subject, forgetting about what was said.

We all carried joking on. I stood up, balancing myself before walking out the door. I was going to get myself a another drink at the bar. Grace was nowhere to be seen. I looked behind the bar and saw that we had run out of bottles of Irish so I made my way to go out back when I saw Grace hanging up the phone.
"Who were you phoning Grace?" She looked like a deer in headlights when she turned around. I stare her down, folding my arms over my chest. Grace started to look around in panic "Well I- I, er, It" she started stuttering, I couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing, drunkenly. "I knew you was posh! Knowing people with phones!" I carried on giggling as I made my way to the back.

Grace left out a thankful sigh as she thought that Scar had caught her. However, Scarlett was too drunk to question Graces doings, only caring for another drink.

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All of us still partying on for hours more. Tommy was stood at the bar whilst John, Arthur and I all sung at the top of our lungs. All of us fighting over who should get the solo. "It only makes sense if I do the solo as i'm the only woman! You boys can be my backup." Arthur told me to fuck off saying that he has the best voice therefore he should get it when we heard the pubs doors slam open loudly.

Pollys voice could be heard so we all rushed out of the snug. "It's a boy." But straight away I could tell she wasn't happy. Tommy was smiling but it quickly faded when Polly started running at him. Tom grabbed his arms as the boys ran ahead of me to settle her down. "But the police came and took his father away!" I gasped, looking straight to Grace. Even in my drunken state I could put two and two together. Grace was looking at me, cowering into
the background.

Tommy face was full on shock and confusion. "Don't you dare look at me like that!" Polly spat at him. Tom really didn't do this, he wouldn't ever do that. Thomas looked to me who saw that I had all my attention on someone else. He followed my gaze up to Grace. Polly stormed back out as fast as she had come in. The boys walking away from Thomas.

My breathing had deepened as I tried to keep calm but at this point I wanted to rip her pretty little face off of her neck. How dare she? Grace looked at me, frightened. I was seething. I couldn't hate someone as much as I hated her! I witnessed her hang up the phone. I should've thought about it sooner!
"You!" I started walking towards the girl who continued to back up to go round the bar. Tommy stopped me by grabbing my shoulders, he looked into my eyes. His eyes were practically begging me to not hurt her. "Scarlett, don't! She had nothing to do with this! She works for us. She wouldn't do it, would you?" he turned to ask Grace who quickly shook her head no. Tommy knew it was Grace but if he let me go off on her now then future plans would be ruined.

I took in shaky breath, looking up at the ceiling to gain composure. "You're right Tommy, I'm sorry Grace. I jumped to conclusions." I forced out. My voice strained because of the lies i'm telling. I still wanted to kill her. I needed her out of my sight immediately. "Im really drunk.. I need to go home!" I tried to laugh off the awkward tension. I went back into the snug to be away from the bitch. I paced the length of the small room. Grabbing my jacket and bag before leaving the pub.