Chapter 6

They lay entwined throughout the next day and the one following it, separating only to use the po or scavenge for food, making love as the mood took them: their excitement in each other seemed unending and their mutual satisfaction boundless. The time for him to leave came with unwanted swiftness. At midnight they washed and dressed silently, pausing occasionally to kiss or embrace. A heavy feeling of impending separation hung over their every action. At a few minutes to one Alice looked out in to the street. All was quiet. Tommy kissed her deeply for one final time and had to restrain himself from taking her again then and there. Reluctantly they pulled apart and went out in the street to undertake the short journey back to The Clifton. Tommy led the way, checking for danger at every turn and stiffening at every sound. Finally he saw the sleek black lines of the Shelby Company Limited's Sunbeam in the distance.

At Tommy's approach Arthur slid out of the back seat. Betraying none of his sense of concern he nodded to Tommy. 'The money's for her, right?' he asked. Tommy nodded in return and then Arthur threw the bundle of notes over to Alice. She caught it awkwardly and stowed it in her purse. Unsure what to do next she waited whilst the brothers hugged brusquely, Arthur pounding Tommy's back with his fist. Tommy turned to her and fixed her with his penetrating gaze. 'Thanks for everything Alice.' As he turned away she caught a brief glimpse of his heart-breaking smile. She smiled to herself in return. The money would help her live easily for the next year or so; longer if she was careful. More to the point she knew that she'd be seeing Tommy Shelby again. Soon.

'That woman of yours has a nice fat arse,' Arthur said with a grin as they drove away. 'If I'd been nursed by a woman with an arse like that I'd have taken my time getting better too.'

'I'm just after getting on with business, Arthur,' Tommy replied stiffly but in his head he was smiling.

If you liked this then you might also enjoy the sequel: The Safe House.