The Shelbys had received a letter. It was how the letter had made its way to Small Heath that was unusual. Lizzie had been given it by a small boy no older than 7. He left no name or indication of affiliation, but had ordered Lizzie to deliver the letter directly to Tommy. Lizzie had scoffed at the order but nonetheless, amused by the boy's conviction, had delivered it to Tommy during a family meeting.

Tommy had fingered the letter tentatively, as it obviously contained something with weight, before opening it to find further instructions. Inside the envelope was a gold bracelet, which Tommy knew to be Polly's. Also inside the envelope was a silver pocket watch which Tommy dangled in front of the table. Arthur embarrassingly claimed it was his and he had misplaced it several weeks ago.

Tommy had followed the instructions and found himself standing in front of a dark alley at 10pm accompanied by Arthur. He glanced ahead and saw the dim light cast by a door light. There was a couple of whores giggling in front of it. Their painted faces twisted in amusement. One of them stuck out to Tommy. Her brown hair was cut short and curled around her angled jawline. Her green eyes twinkled as she approached them.

"Well hello boys, we are very excited to see such fine gentlemen at this establishment," The whore smiled. Tommy almost smirked and lit a cigarette. Arthur opened his mouth to utter some flattery and a rejection but the whore just held up her hand.

"Don't you worry, boys, I know why you're here. I'll take you in."

Tommy nodded and watched the whore walk ahead on dainty pins. Arthur adjusted his collar then huffed out a breath.

The whore walked them through a club which was full. She smiled affectionately at some of the regulars and waved at some of the girls as she walked. Music drifted around them lazily from a small band positioned in the corner. They made their way through the small club which was decorated in a deep red that had a golden glow from the sconces. She led them through a winding corridor before knocking gently on a black metallic door.

"Oi, Black, your guests are here," She shouted over the music. The door unlocked and the whore smiled. "In you go, boys." She turned the handle and gestured for them to go in. Arthur looked at Tommy with uncertainty. Tommy shrugged and stomped out his cigarette before pushing through the door. The office was small but adequate. Filing cabinets lined one wall while the other had a red loveseat and a coffee table which showed a stack of books. The sturdy wooden desk sat in front of a striking landscape painting.

The man at the desk looked up and signalled for the body guard to leave. Tommy took off his cap and Arthur followed suit. They both let out a breath as they noticed a woman who looked identical to the whore they had just met.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet the infamous Shelbys," The man stated with a strong Birmingham accent. He was focused on them with an enthusiastic grin but the woman was fixed on the papers spread across the desk.

"And we are happy to meet you, Mr Black," Tommy replied with a knowing smile. The woman looked up at that and clocked the smirk on Tommy's lips. It was then Arthur drew in a breath. The woman stood and rested a hand on Mr Black's shoulder.

"But I think our business is with Madam Fox," Tommy added.

"I'm glad you did your research," Mr Black smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Sister." Mr Black signalled for the woman to take over. She picked up a cigarette and pressed it to her rouge lips. Her eyes flicked up from under thick lashes to watch Tommy.

"Firstly, Alice will suffice especially for such a distinguished potential business partner," Alice smiled as she ran one hand through her loose curled hair which fell to her shoulders. Her dress hugged her in all the right places without the same effect as her twin's dress. "You don't mind, do you?" She asked as she gestured to the cigarette then watched as Thomas produced his own cigarette. She lit his then her own. Arthur watched the exchange with a weird confusion on his face.

"And yes, before you ask Arthur, my twin is a whore," Alice inhaled deeply and held the breath as she spoke. "Our sister is a bit of a wild one but she plays to her talents. Wouldn't you agree David?" Mr Black chuckled in response.

Tommy considered Alice for a minute while Arthur made a remark on their similarities. She was a twin no doubt about that but her long hair was smoother. Her face was older looking somehow and she had a small tattoo on her hand which was a simple line between her first two knuckles. Tommy blew out smoke before speaking. She was watching him back and she looked collected.

"Arthur here has a bit of a fascination with the unusual," Tommy stated with a bored tone. Alice raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"If you want to fuck her Arthur, be my guest," Alice laughed at Arthur's embarrassment.

"I am a happily married man," Arthur stated but looked unsure.

"As are many of Lettie's clientele," Alice took another draw. "Anyways to business."

Tommy mimicked her movements. She leaned against the desk while he leaned against the wall.

"The Shelby have no interest in prostitution," Tommy stated. "We are a legitimate business." David scoffed and Tommy tried not to be insulted.

"David, you can go get our sister… maybe Arthur should accompany you," She flicked the ash from her cigarette into an ashtray. Tommy took another drag and she held the ashtray in front of him. Tommy signalled for Arthur to follow David through the door. "Now we're alone…. Mr Shelby, I'll put this plainly. The Foxes need transport for some products that we have a great deal of interest in getting through Birmingham."

"What type of products?" Tommy contemplated as he stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray now beside her on the desk. Even over the smoke, he could smell her perfume.

"We have select clientele who would like some of the finest rum, among other produce," Alice smiled

"And what are you offering in return? The Peaky Blinders can accommodate but not without payment," Thomas asked.

"My Foxes can offer intel as well as support," Alice said plainly.

"The Blinders have intel," Thomas said as if becoming bored with the conversation.

Alice cocked her eyebrow.

"Intel, support and entertainment," Alice said. "You see unlike Men. Women know how to manipulate information, observations and desires to our best interests." Tommy took his turn to scoff. Alice pushed herself off the desk and placed her own glass down.

"I might not be my sister," Alice whispered as she flicked her eyes to the door suggestively. Tommy took a sip of his drink. "But Thomas, I've trained most of the girls in here." She maintained his gaze as she got close to him and reached out her hands to play with his shirt buttons. Her soft fingers pushed the top button through its hole to reveal more of his slender pale neck. The heat radiated from her. Tommy tried to take a step back and found himself against the wall. She was close to his face as she whispered: "Have you ever known a woman who didn't try to sleep with you?" She smirked as she felt his breath deepen. "Or do you always get your way?"

He looked down at her. She smiled and pushed herself away. Her hands went behind her back as she walked backwards to the desk. She turned to pick up her glass. Tommy shook his head and took a sip of his whiskey then felt an emptiness on his left side. He searched for his gun.

"Is this any way to treat your prospective business partners?" Tommy said with feigned anger as Alice held his gun in her left hand and her drink in the other.

"I think you needed some evidence," Alice smiled before handing him back his gun. She made sure to hand him it with barrel facing her. "Women are different to men. We are so sweet." She mimicked her sister's sweet voice: "We couldn't possibly think to do such things."

"We fail to take women at their ability but we overestimate men," Alice continued in her natural lower tone. "What the Foxes can offer you is information solicited without force, but with soft words and sometimes soft kisses... And soldiers who can offer military support whilst some of our company could be potential entertainment to your men…"

"The blinders will consider your offer," Thomas said in reply. "I will however hope to see you again soon maybe for a drink."

Alice nodded with a solemn acceptance. She held out a hand to Thomas and he shook it warmly. "It was still interesting to meet you Thomas, no matter the decision."

…

The meeting came sooner than Tommy had expected. The Peaky Blinders had acknowledged the importance of another ally because of the imminent Italian threat.

He had decided to host a small polite drink with Madam Fox in his distillery as he had not known a woman who didn't appreciate a quiet drink away from prying eyes and chattering.

He stood while he lit another cigarette. Alice had chosen to wear a more modern outfit which he had seen Polly model earlier in the week. A black suit which had been tailor-made for her curves. Her shirt had been unbuttoned to just under her collarbone and he could see the tip of another tattoo peak from her shoulder.

"How are you, Thomas?" Alice asked as she took a seat.

"I am very well, thank you," Tommy replied. "And yourself?"

Alice looked away: "My twin sister is still a whore and the business is growing so as good as I can be."

Tommy put his hand in his pocket and tilted his head. "We would like to begin an equally pleasing partnership. We need more allies going forward." He offered her a cigarette which she took gladly.

"I am looking forward to an equally pleasing partnership too," She took a drag and found his eyes locked on hers. He smirked as he took a drag and looked away.

"If I didn't know who you were Mr Shelby, I would think you were eyeing me up," Alice joked.

"And what if I were?" Tommy asked with no hint of humour.

"I think if you're looking for a whore, you should go find my sister," Alice smiled. "I keep my partnerships professional. Besides if I let any handsome man coerce me into bed during a business agreement they would start to expect it as part of the conditions."

Tommy inhaled, held it then blew out the smoke slowly. He caught her eye again. She looked weary and tired but she still looked beautiful in the dusk light.

"I will keep that in mind," Tommy said and nodded before blowing out another cloud. "What do you think of the gin?" He finally took a seat across from her. He coughed to spare himself looking concerned.

"It is lovely," Alice said but didn't meet his eyes. She giggled, "I was trying to save your pride, but a partnership based on honesty is always the better option. I don't like gin so to me, it tastes like gin."

Tommy smiled – a small one but it must have been the first in Alice's presence because she looked incredibly pleased with herself. He took a swig of his own glass and watched her pretty face as she took another drag from her cigarette.

"I hear you've met with the communists," Alice said quietly. She looked up at him shyly. "A surprising turn of events for such a strong believer in this country."

"I'd rather not discuss my plans in that particular area with a new business partner," Tommy leaned back in his seat. "I'd rather discuss your current enterprise into opium." Alice laughed.

"I knew you would focus on the opium," She said as she swirled the gin around its glass. She looked up to see his unamused face. "Among other substances, that is my main enterprise in addition to the re-appropriation of goods." She took a sip of the gin. "It's growing on me."

"How are you hoping to transport them into the city?" Tommy pressed.

"I think you already know how," Alice leaned onto the table and put out her cigarette.