Family meetings meant one thing in the Shelby household, there was business to discuss.
Arthur was the eldest Shelby brother, his general appearance was no different to his brothers, the grey suit, crisp shirt, freshly polished boots, hair shaved at the sides and long on top, the peaked cap...The only thing that differed was his mustache.
Arthur Shelby sat at the head of the table and waited for Tommy to arrive, Tommy didn't sit down he simply leant on the wall behind Arthur, Tommy hadn't long since returned from London "I called this meeting to discuss the arrival of a new copper in town..."
"His name Campbell" Tommy interupted "He's from Dublin"
"How do you know that?" Arthur seemed greatly pissed by Tommy's knowledge.
"Because he's been following Ana" Tommy stepped forwards and leant his hands on the table beside Arthur "And I make it my business to know who is taking interest in my wife"
"What does he want Tommy?" Polly wondered and Tommy paused "Does Ana know?
"She knows to be extra vigilant" Tommy looked at Polly "As for what he wants, I don't know yet, but I'll ask around" Tommy paused when he realised Arthur wanted to speak.
"And how will you find out?" Arthur sniggered and Tommy pursed his lips.
"Because I'll ask the coppers on our payroll" Tommy's reply was simple, he had already asked around for details about Campbell.
Ana was surprised to hear a loud clattering coming from outside "Jesus Holly it sounds like you're bringing the house down" Ana chuckled as she opened her door and saw one of the maids standing with an arm full of pots.
"I'm sorry ma'am" Holly bowed her head before turning and starting to walk away.
"It's fine Holly I was just teasing" Ana smiled "I'm sorry I've been in such a playful mood today"
"I'm not surprised" Holly quickly remembered her place "I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so bold"
"No, you're right" Ana chuckled lightly "Tommy does seem to have this effect on me"
"I bet it's hard when he's gone...?" Holly replied and Ana frowned.
"Now you're being bold" Ana snapped.
"My apologies, I meant no offence" Holly stuttered nervously.
"No I'm sorry Holly, it's just...yes it is hard when he goes away" Ana walked back inside the lounge and closed the door.
It was late when Holly Marsden escaped from her room, to let a man in the house. He was a taller well built man, who had heavy facial hair, he was wearing a thick black winter coat over a grey shirt, his hands were heavily spread with rings. He had a silver chain around his neck.
"Is he still 'ere then?" The man looked around the grand entrance for any sign that Tommy Shelby was still in the house.
"No he went back to Birmingham last night by train" Holly informed the man.
"And she's definately his wife, I mean she isn't a lover or..." the man probed the young maid.
"No, she's definately his wife" Holly swallowed hard as the man moved closer "The other maids said they were married when they were 17"
"Well, Well, well it seems Tommy Shelby has been holding out on me" the man grinned.
"Alfie you're not going to hurt her are you?" Holly asked and Alfie shook his head "She's a good mistress and she's been nothing but kind to me since I got here"
"What do you take me for?" Alfie was offended "Do I honestly look like a man who would come into a woman's home and harm her?"
"No, I'm sorry I just thought..." Holly seemed troubled.
"Holly, I promise I won't hurt her" Alfie moved some hair from the woman's face "I just wanted you here so you could keep your eye on her, I need to know if she's of value to me"
"Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something Tommy? You've never been able to lie to me..." Polly asked when the room had cleared, being alone meant Tommy might open up to her.
"Hiding what Poll?" Tommy replied with a cigarette in his hand, he lifted it to his lips and lit it "I have nothing to hide"
"No, Tommy I'm not buying it" Polly frowned "Your keeping something from us, Tell me Tommy"
"Alright, Alfie Solomons has been sniffing around looking for information about Ana" Tommy replied and Polly sat on a chair opposite him "I think he's looking for leverage"
"And what about this copper? Should we be worried about him?" Polly lifted a glass to her lips.
"Not yet" Tommy sighed.
"But if he's sniffing around Ana..." Polly pushed and Tommy glanced at her, sometimes a glance from Tommy Shelby was enough "Jesus Tommy you are a clever Man, with one fatal flaw. All I'm saying is maybe it would be a good idea to bring her home"
"What now?"
"If you keep her out there too long people might start to question how important she is to you" Polly frowned hoping Tommy wouldn't lose his temper "They might start and test your boundaries"
"If they are stupid yes they might" Tommy seemed confident "And if they do try anything then I will track them down like dogs and destroy them"
Inspector Campbell sat at his desk with all three Shelby brothers files open. He glanced between them taking note of all pieces of information, before picking up a forth folder off the pile.
Inspector Campbell then lifted his pipe to his parted lips and read through the cover letter on this file...
'Anastasia Shelby nee. Lawrence' was written in bold letters across the top of the page and underneath was a photo of the woman. Of course the black and white image did no justice to Ana's beauty or the red of her hair.
"Anastasia Shelby" Inspector Campbell whispered hoarsely in his Irish accent "I believe you are the key to the Peaky Blinders undoing...oh what fun I will have" he sniggered.
"Polly's worried this copper will Target Ana" Arthur sighed boldly as he leant back in his chair and sipped his whiskey. The sound from the other side of the bar was almost deafening.
"Then Polly doesn't know Ana as well as she likes to think" Tommy watched the group of rowdy men cautiously, he had sensed trouble "If I thought Ana was in any real danger do you honestly think I'd still be here?"
"No" Arthur shook his head, unlike Tommy he was oblivious to what was happening around him.
Suddenly the sound of glasses smashing brought Tommy to his feet, he and Arthur approached the trouble fiercely "Right that's enough, out" Tommy tried to force one of the bigger men out. To his surprise the man pulled a blade out of his jacket.
"Who says?" The man straightened up as he drew closer to Tommy. The two Shelby brothers threw eachother a glance and with their right hands they lifted their peaked caps and swung them into the faces of the two men trying to square up to them.
Slashes appeared on the faces of the two strangers, after that both Shelby's hit each man with an upper cut knocking them to the ground. The thing you should know about the caps is that each cap belonging to a Peaky Blinder had two razor blades stitched inside the peak. Hence their name 'Peaky Blinders'...
"Anyone else want some?" Arthur snarled, something inside him has snapped "And that is why you should never mess with the Peaky Fucking Blinders" he yelled almost in a chant.
Neither man had moved since landing on the ground, they had been knocked unconcious by the Shelby's.
Danny was surprised to see Ana walking towards him, it was late and cold in the winter air. She walked quickly across the small green and toward the two men stood in peaked caps, they were men Tommy had sent to watch the house. It was a protection detail he felt was necessary to keep his wife safe "Ana, what are you doing out ere this time of night"
Ana handed him a white coloured envelope "I need you to get this to Tommy"
"Of course I'll post it in the morning" Danny put the letter in the inside pocket of his heavy black winter coat.
"No I meed you to put this in his hand yourself, no-one else must read it" Ana was forceful.
"Alright" Danny smiled.
"I mean it Danny, promise me you will put this in his hand yourself"
"I promise" he reassured her before she finally turned on her heels and headed back toward the house.
"What do you suppose that's about?" The other man spoke after Ana was out of sight.
"I don't know, but whatever it is...its not going to be good. I can tell you that" Danny watched as Ana dissappeared inside the house. She didn't look back once she simply closed the door behind her...
