𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘅:
restless night

MARGARET STOOD IN POLLY'S OFFICE back at the betting shop as she turned in circles.  Sadly, the woman hadn't been able to speak about the situation with everyone so the aunt was the only one here for her. Sometimes she wanted to talk about it every time Lizzie or Ada would ask about it, but she just couldn't.

"Use your fucking head, man." Arthur's voice echoed through the betting shop, and she poked her head out of the door just to see him standing there. She called for him as he turned around. "Oi! Maggie. How are you?"

Margaret hugged herself offering the man a sweet smile, "Great. Just waiting for Polly. You're working today?"

Arthur nodded, "Yeah. Thought I'd take care of the business since am staying." He admitted scratching the back of his neck.

Maggie was about to say something, but incoming footsteps distracted her and she quietly waited. Her head snapped towards the noise, and she met Tommy strolling through the shop.

"Whose fucking idea was it that I go on holiday, eh?" He replied.

The Eldest walked past Margaret going to his brother, "Welcome back, Tommy. How was it? What'd you get up to? Mags?" He teased.

Margaret followed being rolling her eyes, "Fuck no, Arthur." Exclaimed the woman as he put his hands in surrender laughing.

Tommy cleared his throat, "Went fishing, played golf."

"Golf's fucking boring!"

Thomas agreed, "Boring and easy."

Margaret closed the door behind her, not knowing if she was actually supposed to be here but Tommy wasn't arguing so she sat. She sat and listened to the conversation the two brothers were having. This morning he looked more himself, like being back in business was satisfying. The mention of Jessie Eden didn't miss to make her scowl, which earned a glance from Tommy, but she shrugged it off.

Arthur had no idea of what Tommy had gone through the last three months, no idea. Yet, he sat there happier than ever to see his brother back. And, Maggie watched back and forth at them. . . wondering if the Eldest would ever notice how bad he had gotten. The Shelbys all came back from a dark, far away place that she didn't want to know about. But it felt like they all had this dirty little secret inside of them, just imploring to be discovered— but Margaret wouldn't go that far.

Arthur shook her a little and she noticed Thomas was in the other room, "Maggie, are you and Tommy. . ."

Margaret cut him off, ". . . No. Nothing had happened. We kissed, that's about it." By his eyes that screamed surprise, she let out a laugh.

"See, Mag, am starting to wonder if ye not a saint. For fuck's sake. Just give him want he wants." Whispered the Eldest.

Margaret leaned closer to him, arching her eyebrow, "What does he want, eh? Did he tell you? Because he didn't fucking say to me." Replied the woman, grazing his ear lobe with her lips. She was a tease and she loved every second of it.

She pulled away as he released a breath, "You're evil, Maggie."

She chuckled lighting a cigarette, "Still think I'm a fucking saint, Arthur?"

Arthur just simply groaned as he walked out of the office. Honestly, Arthur and Margaret were really like brother and sister. She would tease him endlessly and he would get mad, then history would repeat itself. Maggie teasing and Arthur getting pissed off at her. But when he wanted, the Shelby man could be a sweetheart with the woman— like he was afraid to broke her if he did anything or say anything.

"Maggie, Jessie Eden is going to meet me at the factory." He started and she just laughed not believing what she just heard. "What?"

Margaret shook her head, head falling back, "God. Jessie fucking Eden. You know I thought you were past the time where you'd get whores, but guess you're not."

"I believe in her cause."

"So do I!" Admitted Maggie. "But have you ever thought about how I hurt whenever I see you with another? You don't care in the slightest. And, maybe that's why I hate you so much." Spat the woman who was now standing in the office.

He scoffed, his eyes locking with hers, "You hate me because I don't care about how bad you hurt?" He innocently replied like he was waiting for her to speak. To say it out loud.

"I hate you because you never cared! When I told you me little self would have gone through hell for you, I meant it." Muttered the brunette. "But you didn't care. You didn't care you had Margaret Kegley on your fucking side, and you still don't."

Tommy stood up, "Mag. . ."

"No. You go do whatever you want with her. I don't care." Mumbled Margaret as she breathed in and out for a minute. Letting the madness leave her body. "Don't expect to see me tonight. I'm leaving."

He caught up with her, his hand wrapped around her wrist, "Fucking leaving where?"

"I don't know. Somewhere." Quietly answered Margaret as she left the office.

Thomas Shelby walked past the front door late at night, and to his surprise, his son was still awake. He was about to go find Frances until he heard them laugh. Charles always had a bright laugh, even as a baby. He still recalled moments with Grace where they would bend over the crib and he'd just laugh. Or let out funny noises. It never missed making Grace's heart flutter. Then another bright laugh he had learned to recognize over the past few months. Margaret's. He started wondering if he was imagining it, or if she was really here. Still in house, under his roof. . . and not somewhere else in England like she had said earlier today.

So he stood there in front of Charlie's door, the laughs were still there and he knew they were real. He slightly pushed the door and he saw Margaret explaining a story to Charles, which seemed to make him laugh quite a lot. He cleared his throat and Margaret turned around, her eyes were cold, and definitely not the green eyes he used to see after a long day.

"I thought you'd be gone." Confessed Tommy.

Margaret shrugged, "I wanted to. Then I just couldn't bring myself to leave him alone." She revealed, smiling at Charlie. "How's Jessie?"

Margaret had thought of it. Being jealous wasn't necessary. Tommy Shelby would somehow make his way back to her, she just knew it in her heart. He needed the right time. It took quite long for her to understand that he was her person, not just a random kid she had grown up with. Her person. Her forever someone.

He sighed, "Jessie's well. Thank you for asking."

Margaret smiled, "Of course. Come say goodnight to Charles." Whispered the woman realizing the little boy was half asleep in his bed. "He looks so much like you. I still remember the baby face you had before."

"And, I remember yours." Chuckled Thomas. "Not very attractive."

Margaret silently laughed rolling her eyes, "So, you joke now?"

He shrugged as he stepped aside letting Margaret walk out of the bedroom. He excepted her heels to click on the floor, but not a sound. But by her attitude, it felt like they were back when she strolled into his office requesting his help. All the steps they had taken in their somewhat relationship seemed gone. Evaporated.

Thomas walked a little faster than her as he lead her to the living room. He sat down on the couch, taking off his glasses, and ran his hand across his face exhaling. Margaret poured herself a drink before sitting in front of him.

"I've thought about it, talked about it with Polly and Arthur." He started, clearing his throat. "How do you feel about being the company accountant?"

Margaret choked on her drink, her eyes opening wide, "Are you offering me a permanent job? Here in Small Heath?"

He hummed, holding his cigarette between his fingers as he exhaled the smoke.  Margaret stayed silent as she thought, and started being grateful for the fact that Tommy was a patient man.  She knew they could stay here for hours without exchanging a word, and he'd still be waiting for her answer. 

"I guess. Yes." Breathed out Margaret.  She gave him a toothy smile and cleared her throat, in hope to hear him say something.  But nothing.  "I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight, Tom."

Part of her wished he'd have gotten up and grabbed her hand, but he didn't.  Instead, he let her walk away.  But, inside Tommy wanted to.  He wanted to hold her close, keep her with him.  He just couldn't bring himself to do it, afraid she would push him away after all the terrible things he had done to her.  Both of them went to bed. . .  Margaret had a hard time falling asleep but managed to do it before dawn came, however, Tommy couldn't close an eye and ended up having a restless night again.

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AUTHORS NOTE,
three chapters until the end of act one
OMGGGG

also thank you for 3k reads, it means the world
really <3333