Despite their talk and the holidays, she hadn't seen him in a while. They couldn't leave the grounds they couldn't travel anywhere. They couldn't drive to Birmingham, or travel to London to see him. Time seemed to move slower out here. The only view for miles were open fields, not a new face in sight. Just as she had predicted, the children had adapted to the new people, the people he had paid to keep them safe. Despite this she didn’t trust some of them. It was something in their eyes whenever they looked at her.
It was late afternoon when she heard some sounds outside. Thinking it might be him for a moment, Lizzie moved the curtains in the sitting room to see the courtyard. The cars were not any she was familiar with. A knot started to form in her stomach as she knew that something was wrong.
Putting her cigarette out, she half-ran through the house "Get the children," was the first thing she said to the housekeeper when she found her. A second later there was a commotion outside and a short was fired. It didn't take Frances more than a moment to realise what was happening. One of the maids took the children by the hands to lead them to a safe place Tommy had made. Lizzie couldn't go with them. Someone had to keep them occupied until they were safe.
This couldn't be happening. Tommy had promised they would be safe, this couldn't be happening. Closing his office door behind her she made her way over to the desk where she picked up the receiver. "Put me through to Mr Shelby's London office please," was all she said as she tried to remain calm. Hearing more shouting she knew she didn't have much time before they found her. "I'm his wife, and I don't care if his secretary says no. I have to speak to him now! It's about the children. He will take this call," Lizzie was losing her patience. Her heart beating faster and faster by the second. Her breath catching in her throat. They were coming for her children. Why else would they be here? He wasn’t here. They could make him do anything if they had them.
"Come on Tommy," she told herself as she waited. "Pick up the fucking phone," the man who always answered his calls. Why was this the day it seemed like he was busy. They were right outside the door. Hearing something on the other end she didn't know if it was him, or if it was Maggie telling her he wasn't picking up. Fuck this. She didn't have time. "They are here. I have hidden the children but they are here," was all she could say as the door to his office opened.
