𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

COLD LICKED AT HER FACE AND CREPT UNDER HER CLOTHES, spreading across her skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach. With purple lips tinged with blue and gently chattering teeth she wrapped her thin coat around her tighter.

"God, Finn do I have to be in it?" She whispered to the boy beside her as the walked to the front of the Grace Shelby institute.

"C'mon, your technically part of the family by now." He told her, whispering the words into her hair as he placed a kiss in her forehead and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

It had been a couple of days since Mary told Finn of her miscarrage. The two were growing closer again the more time they spent with each other however, without iut it being discussed between the pair Mary knew it was nothing more than friends.

"Welcome, to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for the non-insured children of the poor." Polly began as she stood in front of the small crowd. "I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that actually made the founding of this establishment actually possible. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Thomas Shelby."

Clapping along with everyone else in the room, she stood with Finn and laughed to herself as Arthur began to shout noncinse from his seat in front of her.

"Now I didn't come her today to make a speech but I will say this, these children are now safe." Thomas began as he stood tall in front of the guests. "In our care they will be safe, because we are from the same cold streets as they are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies or separated from kin..."

As Thomas continued Mary turned to her left to gaze at Finn. He had a kind of understated beauty, perhaps it was because he was so disarmingly unaware of his handsomeness. His pale skin was completely flawless, with the light freckles that adorned his features. The truth was she did miss him. Not the way you miss someone after they leave, but rather she missed the way they were before. Before the bad things happened. She wanted to tell him she missed him, but she knew it wouldn't change anything so she just kept pretending she didnt. Turning his gaze towards her he smiled and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before placing their joined hands on his lap.

"Now let us sing Immortal Invisible."

A little while later everyone had gathered in the hall, eager to talk to Thomas Shelby himself.

However, Mary and Finn were minding their own business. Scoffing down any food they could find that they could take without anyone noticing. As they talked Mary noticed Finn listening to her as if her words were golden, perhaps some elixir he had been waiting all his days to hear. This attentiveness is apart of who he is and that is, if Mary was honest, the most attractive feature she had ever seen in a boy. As the time went by their laughter continued, it flowed. Mary just guessed that's what happens when two loving friends reconnect.

"Have either of you seen Charlie?" Mary jumped, as Michael's hand was placed on her shoulder.

"No? Why what's wrong?" Mary could feel it. A discomfort in her chest.

"We can't find him."

She felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in her abdomen. Tension grew in her face and limbs. Her breathing became more rapid, more shallow.

"Finn go help your brothers, I'll go see if I can get Ada." She told him, giving him a quick squeeze on the arm before scattering to find the Shelby sister.

As Mary scanned the crowd in the hall she suddenly realised she could see no sign of Ada. She started to move amongst the guests, her eyes darting more wildly with each passing second, noticing a woman wearing a coat similar to Ada's. Then she began to call her name, getting ever louder, until many heads were turned in her direction. She had their attention. She might as well use it. "Has anyone seen Ada Shelby?" she yelled, her voice almost cracking.

"Mary?" she heard a voice behind her.

Turning to her left she caught sight of Ada. The older woman went to hug Mary before releasing her and holding her at arms length.

"Oh God, Ada have they found him yet?" Adrenaline was flooding her system, pumping and beating like it was trying to escape. She thought her heart would explode and her eyes were wide with fear.

"No they're still looking." Ada told her, as her eyes were glassy. "Look, why don't you go find Finn and search with him. I'll go home with Pol and Thommy, alright?"

"Yeah, okay."

But Mary didn't think it would be that easy.