"There are many dangerous things in this world. But above all, the most dangerous, is love"
A young girl haunted by war returns to Small Heath to tell Polly gray about the death of a family member, not expecting to be caught up with the Shelby boys...
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I made my way down stairs after getting dressed ready for my shift at the garrison, to be met with Polly sat at the kitchen table in frustration. "Adas pregnant" she blurted out, as if it was the most normal thing.
"Fuck. Is she to be married ?"
"Fathers fucked off. Freddie Thorne, communist. Ran after the police raided houses" she shook her head
"Well does he know she's with child?" I asked, worried for Ada.
"No. She wants to keep it. I told her not to, I said I'll take her to a woman. Fuck, I don't know what's right and what's wrong anymore" she looked down
"I understand why you would think that's best for her pol, but if he doesn't know yet what if he comes back, and he stays, a wedding pol. A baby" I smiled up at her, taking a seat then continuing, " and even if he leaves, she's got this family, pol, fucking Shelbys, no one would get close enough to give her abuse, and fuck what people think. New life pol, I think she'd be a good mum"
"I gave tommy a letter to give to Freddy, to tell him about the baby. You want to know what he said? He thinks she should be rid of it, he thinks we should tell Ada Freddie ran off to fucking America, or Russia" she spat in disgust.
"I could talk to him?" I suggested
"No use. He can get fucked. Our Ada is pregnant whether he likes it or not" she frowned.
"I'm sure he'll come around" I said with hope
"Speaking of talking, I heard Thomas in your room last night" she smirked
"Fuck. I promise pol it wasn't like that he-"
"Heard your screams?" She finished off for me
"So you heard them too?" I sighed
"Yes my dear. But I knew you were in France as a nurse the second you left; you really think Kathy would of kept that a bloody secret from me? I didn't tell anyone of course, that's up to you. But I think you should tell Thomas, he goes through the same thing-the nightmares I mean-Maybe, if you talk, he'll open up too, and talk some of that shit out of his head." She spoke hopefully
"You think he'd talk to me?" I frowned
"Possibly. I can usually read him, and when you're around, no matter how hard he tries to hide it, I see a glimpse of the boy before the war. I think you bring the good out in him"
"It would be nice, to have someone who understands" I smiled sadly, squeezing pollys shoulder as I got up to leave for my shift.
..
"Hazel, Mr Shelby is outside, he's asking for you" grace walked up to me, the look on her face seemed defeated.
A small smile crept on my lips as I headed to the back door, and I gasped in awe as he stood with the most beautiful white horse.
