Subtle Invitation [Thomas Shelby]

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Just seeing Tommy had set Lily back slightly but subconsciously her brain had its fix of him and she was able relax slightly that evening. As she dressed for her evening dinner she wondered if she had been honest when he said that their conversation wasn't over.

As she took the stairs she wondered if she was ever going to feel normal on her own again. This big house just reminded her how lonely she had been before she had met the Shelby's.

Filling her evening with company would hopefully take the ache away. Even if it was only for a few hours.

Lily was trying and that's all she could expect of herself.
—-

The evening had lifted Lily's mood slightly as she met with her lawyer, his wife and their oldest son. It was supposed to be a business meeting to discuss Lily's requirements but she had a feeling she was being set up with their son George.

George had been very attentive to Lily during the dinner and it had been nice for her, to be around a man whose mood wouldn't flip in an instant.

"George here has just finished business school" Mina, his mother smiled before she sipped her wine. Mina was a beautiful astute woman that looked like an actress.

Lily smiled at George who was completely embarrassed by his mothers comment "Congratulations George"

"Thank you Lily" he smiled back, his big brown eyes twinkling next to the candle light.

"What are you plans now that you've finished?" She asked before sipping her wine, aware that his parents where eyeing them both with apprehension.

"I have a few interviews lined up in the next week or so"

Lily nodded, of course he did, coming from a prestigious family she was pretty certain his father had lined this up for him in advance.

"Well, if that doesn't work out let me know. I have plans to open my own hospital and will need someone on the business side to ensure we stay profitable"

Lily's lawyers eyes bulged but before he could interrupt George jumped in.

"A hospital!? Wow Lily that's amazing"

"I'm hoping it will be" she replied with a small smile. The plan had come to her one night when she had sunk herself into a bottle of whiskey. The money that her parents had left was sitting useless and she knew hospitals where the new way to make money.

It was also a way to atone for all of the bad things she had done since meeting with Tommy Shelby.

The rest of the evening went well. Lily listened to the violins play in the background as everyone idily chatted about current events. It was only when they got to dessert did exhaustion sweep over Lily.

Seeing Tommy earlier in the day had taken so much out of her that she had to force herself to feel energetic to get through to the end. George had asked her several questions about the plans she had for the hospital but she kept it brief. It had to be kept a secret as this project was just for her.

—-

Lily sat in the back of the car as Albert drove her home, staring out into the darkness as they made their way up the long country road.

"Miss Adler there has been a slight issue back at the house" Albert muttered from the front.

Lily sighed "What's the issue?"

Had the phone been ringing constantly? Had Martha  set fire to a book case again?

Albert paused briefly "There are a group of people that have camped in front of the gates, I believe them to be travellers Miss Adler"