Birmingham, 1919
A Plan
'BRAK!'
Anne slammed the door of her room, and immediately threw her whole body onto the bed. He regretted his decision to accept the political marriage. Anne cried while burying her face on the pillow. He was upset with himself and the situation. Is there no other way than to accept Thomas to save his family from bloodshed? The answer is, nothing.
Anne stopped her crying, then headed to the desk where she studied and read. He took out a piece of paper and began to fill his pen with ink.
Dear George's.
My love, I love you so much that I don't want to lose you. A few days ago, my brother was attacked by a gangster from Birmingham called The Blinders. Looks like my brother's group can't fight The Blinders. They negotiated and ended up with a peace deal. Peace in the name of marriage. My brother sold me to the leader of The Blinders, Thomas Scott. At first I was willing because I thought, it's time I stopped the bloodshed and saved my family. But I realized, I didn't want to risk my happiness.
George, the day after tomorrow I'm getting married in church and after I get married I'll be taken to Birmingham. I want you to come quietly and take me as far away from England as possible. Let's live happily together.
From me, the lover who missed you.
Mary Anne.
Anne kept the pen and folded the paper. Tomorrow he'll ask Charlotte to give it to George at the library.
***
That morning the group from Birmingham came to the hotel where Thomas was staying in London. Two black Bentley cars stopped at the hotel's courtyard. From the first car came out a middle-aged woman yet still dressed up with an elegant and intimidating look, a beautiful young woman with short hair and a young man with the same haircut as Thomas.
In the second car, an older man descends from Thomas with a long moustache and a typical Blinders haircut with his wife. They all entered the hotel building and headed straight for the suite Thomas had rented.
"Where's Tomy?" ask the middle-aged woman, named Poly, to Thomas' men who opened the door to the room.
Not yet had the question answered, Thomas appeared in his sleeping robe. "Welcome to London Aunt Poly" said Thomas.
Poly stared intently and approached his nephew in annoyance. 'PLAC!'
A slap landed on Thomas' left cheek.
"Auntie!" adda, the short-haired young lady.
"Why did you suddenly decide to have a wedding with a member of The Alexanders family?" ask Aunt Poly. "You said you were going to expand your business in London?"
"That's what I did. The Alexanders can't get their hands on it easily, This marriage is a road to business" Thomas replied.
"Oh yeah? Not for an impingement for Grace's betrayal of you?" aunt Poly said, making everyone look at her.
The word "Grace" was a forbidden word when Thomas was present.
Thomas turned his face away from his aunt. Poly's aunt was the successor to both her parents and her advisor at The Blinders. A group built on a bond of blood and brotherhood. Aunt Poly's words were often too honest, but that was what Thomas needed as a leader. An honest advisor.
"Let me do something for this family in my own way" Thomas said without looking at Aunt Poly.
The older man of Thomas, Arthur, then stepped towards his younger brother. Arthur held Thomas' cheek with both palms. "alright. I believe in you, Brother!" arthur said, supporting his brother's decision.
Arthur looked at the rest of his family. "Let's celebrate this wedding!" yells.
Arthur is the oldest of the Blinders, after Aunt Poly. However, the leader of The Blinders is Thomas, who is the number two child. Thomas is known for his attitude that is not easily ignited emotionally and intelligently. His intelligence always saves The Blinders from various problems caused by other members. Arthur is too reckless in his actions and easily ignited emotions. Arthur will perform if there is war and other executions.
Adda is the younger brother of Thomas, the third child. Adda is the only daughter of the Scott family. There's always been with Aunt Poly to take care of the inside affairs of The Blinders. Adda and Aunt Poly were operators of The Blinders when the men in the family were not in Birmingham.
Jhonny is the youngest son in the Scott family. He still likes to have fun and pretend with the name The Blinders embedded in his name. Jhonny will always be there if her brothers need her.
***
Anne was so careful when she took out a roll of paper from her pocket on Charlotte. William is in the workspace. He did not want his plan to escape with George to fail because of his carelessness.
Charlotte received the scroll. "What's this?"
"This is a letter to George. This afternoon, please give this to George at the library. You won't be followed by Martin. I'm asking you for help, for the first and last time" Anne said in a whispering voice.
Charlotte looked at Anne doubtfully. But he finally nodded. "I'll get ready."
Anne nodded and hugged Charlotte. "Thank you."
Charlotte went inside her room and her feelings were so whipped. He slowly unrolled the paper and read the contents without Anne's knowledge. His eyes widened as he read the escape plan. She is concerned about Anne's fate, but she is more afraid of William dying by The Blinders.
"No, I can't derail this marriage" Charlotte said.
He quickly headed to the desk and pulled out a piece of paper and wet his pen with ink, then wrote a letter. Carefully, Charlotte imitated Anne's handwriting.
Dear, George.
My dear, I am a woman who loves you so much that I cannot meet to hurt you. With this letter, I have a heavy heart to say that we will not be able to meet again forever. It was time to be the savior for my family. I'm getting married to save my family from bloodshed. Ii'm sorry. You'll easily get a good woman for you.
From me, poor lady.
Mary Anne.
Charlotte kept the pen, then rolled up the paper and threw away the original letter Anne wrote to George. After that, he got ready to go to the library.
***
Charlotte was careful when she went to the library. He made sure none of his lovers followed him. As per Anne's instructions, she will meet George in the end of the library's bookshelf aisle.
George was waiting for Anne to arrive while reading a book in the hallway between bookshelves. George saw Charlotte coming. George and Charlotte met when Anne introduced George to William.
"Charlotte?" confused George.
"You're still in a relationship with Anne?" charlotte asked in a stifled voice, so as not to hear anyone else.
George began to worry whether the relationship had been exposed by William. She was worried something might happen to Anne. "Did William know?"
"Yes" said Charlotte, a lie. "I'm still here with generosity. You better get out of London before William's men find you, for your own safety."
George remained silent.
Charlotte took out a roll of paper from inside her handbag. "This is for you from Anne. Anne asked me to give it to you."
George received the paper.
"One more time, if you really love Anne, leave her," Charlotte finally leaves that place.
Charlotte feels bad for Anne, but in her mind she is on a mission to save The Alexanders from bloodshed. Lies for good, are allowed, right?
George was pensive as he stared at the paper with the farewell from his lover. His heart was broken and helpless. What a power, he's just a commoner who loves a rich and dangerous family's daughter.