White lace scraped against the gravel of the campsite and Eileen couldn't help but smile at the contrast. It was certainly unlike any wedding she'd ever been to before.

Stood by Tommy's side, Eileen was trying to put stressful thoughts to the back of her mind and enjoy the ceremony but it was proving to be more difficult than she had anticipated. Her brain was racing between loyalty to her father and loyalty to Tommy. The battle of head versus heart was still utterly torturous. She knew that Tommy would soon ask her what was wrong and she would need to come up with an answer, she just wasn't sure what that answer would be yet.

"Kiss her you bastard!"

Arthur's shout was followed by an eruption of cheering from the crowd and Tommy smirked softly at the scene. Though John and Esme's marriage had been orchestrated by himself, he could tell the two would be happy together. The Shelby family deserved a little happiness.

Glancing to his left, Tommy couldn't resist letting his eyes wander up and down the brunette's petite frame. Having never brought a girl back to the Shelby house before, it was unchartered territory for Tommy to invite Eileen to the family wedding. But he found he trusted the girl - she grounded him, made him remember what it was like to live in a world outside of the chaos that surrounded the Peaky Blinders. It reminded him of the man he used to be, something he had been worried he would never experience again.

Whilst Tommy was happy to have Eileen's company, he knew that there was unresolved bitterness in the air and he knew that it was all his fault. The business with Kimber had disturbed his day and he didn't like that Eileen had been exposed to the cruel world that came with running an illegal business. He wanted her to stay as the same girl he'd met in the stable - innocent and naive. Though he knew that wasn't impossible. Wherever Thomas Shelby went, trouble would follow.

"Now let's get drunk!"

Johnny Dogs words cut Tommy's thoughts short, sending the whole crowd into laugher as they all began to disperse. A wedding sure was nice but the party afterwards was always better.


With the stress pounding in Eileen's head, seeing Curly again was a breath of fresh air and she almost tackled the man to the ground out of excitement. She laughed as he spun her around for the fifth time, happily skipping along to the music.

"Curly, Stop! You'll make me sick." She called out, though still laughing as the man persisted to spin her. In a world otherwise filled with worry, Eileen could always count on Curly to lift her mood.

Watching from a table at the back, Tommy inhaled a mouthful of smoke and lingered on the taste for a moment. The girl was clearly having fun and he didn't want to impose on the mood.

"Go talk to her you fool."

Polly's voice made Tommy avert his gaze and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Don't know what you're talking about, Pol." Tommy replied bluntly, tapping the ash of his cigarette into the tray on the table.

Sitting down beside the man, Polly swiped the cigarette from his grasp. "I see the way you look at her. Go."

Tommy wanted to argue with his Aunt but knew there was little point. She was right after all, he needed to talk to Eileen at some point but was just worried about what the outcome might be. After seeing her so concerned earlier, he was expecting the worst.

"And you know everything, don't you Pol." Tommy stated, slowly getting to his feet and making a move towards the dance floor.

"There's hope for you yet, Thomas." Polly ignored his whining. "Maybe there is a heart left in that corpse of yours."

The words rang in his mind as he approached the brunette, watching as Curly roughly threw her around in some kind of attempt at a dance.

"Curly," Tommy announced. "Mind if I cut in?"

Slightly startled, Curly stopped spinning and looked over to Tommy.

"Of course, Tommy." He nodded excessively, "She likes the spins."

Resisting the urge to laugh Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for the tip."

Without another word the horseman disappeared off into the crowd, leaving Tommy and Eileen alone once more. The air seemed heavy between them, thick with tension and secrets.

"May I?" Tommy asked extending a hand. Thankfully the music had slowed and Eileen had just about managed to catch her breath after the routine Curly had put her through.

Finding herself bashful and hesitant, Eileen took a moment before placing her hand in his. The grip was comforting, strong and warm. It immediately flashed her back to the day prior, down by the water's edge.

Gently leading, Tommy placed his other hand on the brunettes hip and pulled her closer. They danced quietly for a moment, both a bit lost for words as they reflected on the past twenty four hours. As chaotic as business could be, nothing fucked with Tommy's brain more than women.

"That's a nice dress," Tommy eventually spoke up, looking down to the deep blue fabric fluttering as the two swayed.

Looking down to her skirt Eileen shrugged, "I only had short notice."

Around them it seemed other couples were getting up to dance and Tommy's eyes lingered on John and Esme. Why was it so simple for them?

"To be clear," Eileen cleared her throat slightly, "I didn't like the spins. Actually made me feel completely nauseous."

Looking away from the couple, Tommy's gaze found Eileen's and he laughed softly at the comment. "Come on, one more." He said, releasing his hand from her waist and guiding her in a twirl. Placing his hand back he smirked softly, "Not so bad now, ey?"

Eileen knew she was falling back into the blackhole she'd been trying to escape from but she couldn't help it. The Shelby had her in the palm of his hand and she worried he knew it.

Gently placing her hand back on his shoulder she looked up to him, "This might be the first time I've seen you smile." She paused, "It suits you."

It was probably true. Since returning from the war, Tommy found he rarely had anything to smile about and hence never felt the need to. A life spent running the Peaky Blinders was hardly going to be filled with joy or happiness.

The smile fell.

"I'm sorry about yesterday." Tommy stated, swiftly changing the topic. "Business is all over the place, with Kimber and the Chief Inspector."

"You don't have to explain yourself, Tommy." Eileen quickly replied, "Your business doesn't matter to me."

It was her father who cared about the Peaky Blinder's business, Eileen on the other hand only cared about Tommy.

"It should matter to you," Tommy quickly responded, his tone laced with harshness. "We're not good men, we don't do good things."

Quite the opposite to good actually. Although Tommy was aiming to make more of his business legal, the Peaky Blinders would always have a reputation for violence and crime. It was what the Shelby family were known for - what he was known for.

"You're not all bad," Eileen responded, chewing on her words for a moment. "I can tell."

The battle of good versus bad was one Eileen's brain had had thousands of times ever since she had first met the Shelby boy. All of the facts pointed to him being rotten to the core, an awful human being that probably did deserve to face the gallows for his crimes. Yet, the Tommy that she had met seemed different. Certainly still temperamental at times, she could sense there was more to him and she thought he was too harsh on himself. Any man who cared for horses the way Tommy did, was a good man in her eyes.

Tommy let the words sink in. Why did the girl have so much faith in him when he had given her little reason to do so? It was foolish. He'd only disappoint her.

"How's that?" Tommy queried.

Eileen could feel wandering eyes watching the pair as they danced. She assumed they weren't used to seeing this side of Tommy - She wasn't even used to it.

"I just… can." She shrugged slightly, suddenly becoming aware of the feeling of Tommy's hand on the small of her waist. It felt right.

Lingering on the words, Tommy was unsure how to feel. He was used to wooing women, bedding them and moving on. He couldn't remember the last time someone had actually made him feel something. After his experiences in the war, he had been certain that he would never be able to feel again.

"You're something," Tommy thought aloud. "You know that?"

Laughing softly, Eileen furrowed her brow. "Something good or something bad?"

Looking away from the girl, Tommy locked eyes with Polly who seemed to be watching the pair intently.

"I'm not sure yet." He replied honestly.

Normally Tommy was exceptional at reading people but he couldn't work out Eileen. She clearly had secrets - everyone did - but there was something else about her. He just wasn't sure what that was yet.

"I know we still need to tal-"

Just as Tommy was ready to ask the brunette what had been stressing her, a scream cut him off. A familiar scream.

"Pick your fucking time, Ada." John called out, rushing to the aid of his sister.

Bringing the dance to a halt, Tommy looked over to see what the commotion was about. Ada was doubled over in pain with Polly at her side - her water had broken. God, she really did know how to pick her timing.

With Eileen in tow, Tommy pushed through the crowd to join the rest of his family.

"Arthur get the car round. Quick." Polly shouted.

Caught up in the argument with his sister over her romance with Freddie, Tommy had almost forgotten that he was due to be an uncle soon. Very soon actually, judging by the sound of Ada's screams.

Pulling off his jacket, Tommy draped the coat over Ada's shoulders and offered a helping hand in escorting her to the car. Whilst the pair's relationship wasn't in a good place, Tommy would always be there for Ada when she needed him. They were family after all - Shelby family.

"Go," Tommy called out to Arthur, helping Polly into the back of the car alongside Ada. "We'll meet you there."

Without another word the car took off down the dirt path, back towards the streets of Small Heath.

Well, it would certainly be a wedding to remember.


Pulling the car to a harsh stop, Esme immediately jumped out and rushed to help Polly with Ada in the house. She was already fitting in with the family perfectly. As far as first impressions went, Eileen liked the girl - she seemed genuine and thick-skinned - something she would probably need when married to a Shelby boy.

Carefully climbing out of the car, Eileen buried her hands in her coat pockets. Whilst Tommy had reassured her that it was fine for her to come, she still felt like she was intruding on a family affair.

Almost sensing the girl's discomfort, Tommy nodded for her to follow him.

"Come on," He called out, John and Arthur soon at his side. "Let's go wet this baby's head."

With little choice but to follow the trio, Eileen tagged along as they strolled down the street towards the Garrison. Her heart seemed to skip a beat as she spotted the familiar pub - Grace's words ringing loud in her head.

John and Arthur were the first to disappear through the pub doors and Tommy was just about to follow when he noticed the brunette was no longer behind him. Turning his head, he saw she had stopped a few meters away and seemed hesitant.

"Ey," He walked towards her. "Come inside for a drink, we're celebrating."

Eileen wished she could but knew that simply wasn't an option. Even though she and Grace were getting along, she knew the blonde would go straight to her father if she saw her with Tommy again. The risk wasn't worth it.

"I can't," Eileen replied. "I should get home."

Somehow the brunette had managed to avoid another day of telling Tommy the truth. It was almost as though fate was telling her that perhaps some secrets were best left untold.

"Come see me again tomorrow then," Tommy tried.

He felt bad that once again family affairs had interrupted the pair and he still wanted to help Eileen with whatever had been bothering her.

Trying to force on a smile, Eileen nodded in response but the gesture didn't seem to convince Tommy. Stepping forwards he tipped the brunette's chin up and gently pressed his lips to hers.

"Come," He repeated. "Tomorrow."

The gesture had taken Eileen by surprise. Unlike the first kiss, this one was soft and affectionate. It wasn't filled with lust or force - it felt like it meant something.

Unable to contain the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips, Eileen replied, "Okay."

The smile stayed on her lips as she watched Tommy disappear into the doors of the Garrison. Turning on her heel, she started to walk back towards her lodgings. Fortunately her father had already told her he'd be out for the night so she knew that her secret would be safe for another night.

Or so she thought.

Closing the wooden slacks of the window, Grace bit her lip. After what she'd just seen, there was little chance of Tommy and Eileen meeting again tomorrow, or ever for that matter.