Michael Gray: Better Man

Birmingham

All it took was one late phone call to Polly, a purchase of two early morning tickets, and a whole lot of ignoring - mostly on Olivia's part.

"Are you really not going to talk to me anymore?" Michael asked quietly. She would've preferred it if he wouldn't follow her anywhere she'd went around the boat, but that would require actually speaking to him. And it's hard to admit, but she actually felt safer with him around.

Met with silence, Michael sighed and fiddled with his thumbs. "I hate this, Livy. I feel like a kid being chaperoned back home." Though it felt more like he was talking to himself.

Deep down she knew that maybe she overreacted a little bit. Maybe she should've listened to what he had to say first.  Shaking her head, she decided that it would be better this way. She got her closure, and now it was time to really start over. Just as soon as she hands him back to his family.

The journey back home felt longer than it should have, and when they finally docked in London, the train ride to Birmingham finally made her feel excitement.

Finally stepping out, she almost felt silly from actually smiling. People would think it's crazy to actually miss such a depressing town like Birmingham. But it's hard not to, when it reminds of happier times in one's life.

A loud whistle from afar caught her attention. "Well isn't it our runaway girl." Arthur loudly declared, arms wide and striding to her direction.

Behind him, Polly was rolling her eyes playfully at Arthur's goofiness. But delight was also evident on her face. It's been so long.

It didn't take long for Arthur and his freakishly long legs to reach her, and soon enough, she was scooped in his arms in a hug.

"Just because I'm hugging you, it doesn't mean I'm not upset about you not calling me." He huffed and finally put her back down.

"I'm sorry, Arthie. I'll make it up to ya." She promised, beaming at his fake scowling face.

Michael was silently watching her reunite with two of his family. It pained to be reminded that he was the cause of her being apart from them for years.

When it was his mum's turn to greet and hug Olivia, Arthur turned to him and gave him a pat on the back. "Good to have ya back, cousin." He greeted. "Tommy's expecting ya back home."

It didn't take long for Polly and Arthur to catch on them both ignoring each other. Polly in particular, was giving them both worried glances. With Michael seated in front, she took the opportunity to talk to Olivia quietly.

"Is everything between you and my son, okay?" she whispered. Olivia, not having the energy to explain everything to her at the moment, just gave her hand a squeeze and a small shake of her head.

"Dear, I've noted that the belongings you've brought are actually smaller than I expected. Are the rest of your things to be shipped?" She asked her, now in her normal tone.

It seemed that she was too much in a hurry to visit, she forgot to tell Pol the one important detail – she wasn't staying for good.

She let out a nervous laugh. "I-uh I'm only staying over for a few days, Pol."

Arthur, having heard the conversation, almost lost control of the steering wheel from surprise, making them all harshly sway to the left. Muttering a quick apology, he cleared his throat and tried to concentrate more on driving.

Tommy's huge home on the outside was gloomier than she remembers. But as soon as she was ushered in arm to arm with Polly, she was overwhelmed with the warm welcome that awaited her.