Chapter 10

"Anna, Michael you here?" Finn asked, knocking the door reluctantly.

"Oh, sweet little Finn, how are you?" Edward Gray smirked to the youngest Shelby sibling.

"What are you doing here? I thought Polly told you where to go" he said, ignoring Edwards cheek.

"I thought I'd watch the flat till trouble blows over" Edward smirked; Finn raised his brow.

"Trouble won't blow either while you're still here, Tommy doesn't want you in Birmingham after what you did to Thea" Finn informed the older man.

"Since when do you think I'm going to listen to what that bigot says, after all Anna lived with me in Brooklyn for 10 years so I think her feelings should be taken into account here" Edward was loving this.

"She only wants anything to do with you because you brainwashed her into thinking that you are a good man. You and I both know that you took her from aunt Poll instead of finding her like you lead her to believe" Finn shook his head, pleased with himself for working it out but disgusted at the man's actions.

''I didn't want her being tempted by the Peaky Blinders; violence has no place for a young girl. If you ever become a father you'll understand" Edward sighed, he just wanted what was best for her as he knew that's what his brother would have wanted for his daughter.

"Why did you hurt Thea then, that was violence" Finn asked.

"Because she kept refusing my help, she wanted to stay in Small Heath I tried so many times to persuade her to come but she didn't want to" Edward said sadly.

"Where's Anna and Michael?" Finn wanted nothing more but to get away from the man, anger brewing inside.

"Anna's out on a date and Michael has gone somewhere with Thomas he didn't say where or when they'd be back. I'm staying here for a few days then I'll be on my way" Edward said.

"When they come back ask them to pay aunt Pol a visit, she's ever so worried about them" Finn said as he left, he didn't know whether to tell Arthur or John about him staying.

Ada was now almost ready to leave hospital and Thea was doing much better, Polly shared her time between the two as much as she could. John and Arthur had given up their search and decided to head to The Garrison to drink away the rest of the day. Finn decided to go and join them.

"Alright Finn what's your miserable face for" Arthur teased his youngest brother.

"I'm ever so bored Arthur, let me have a glass of gin" Finn soon perked up at the thought of it.

"Nice one mate but no, come back in 4 years" John laughed, ruffling the boy's hair. Arthur and John laughed together loudly much to Finn's annoyance.

"Are we gunna throw a welcome home party for our Ada or what!" Arthur chimed, happy to have heard that she was almost ready to come home.

"Yeah why not. I'd invite Freddie Thorne they're always hanging out, why should it have to be in secret." John said, he had seen them a few times together, but he wanted to leave it be as he saw how happy his sister was when around Freddie.

"I'll have to give him a good warning before I give him my blessing" Arthur chimed, lifting up his glass to take a drink.

"Nah just leave them be" John argued, he wanted her to have nothing but an easy life

''I can't promise that John" Arthur groaned in his usual tone.

"well you bloody better had" John pointed at him.

"Don't worry John it's not him she's got to watch out for its Tommy who will want to check him out" Finn laughed; Tommy was the worst to get past when it came to dating even Finn had trouble.

"Trust me Finn he won't mind this time him and Freddie go way back" Arthur informed them.

"I'm not going to be the one to tell him" Finn placed his hands up in surrender.

"I'm surprised he doesn't already know" John laughed.

Arthur, John and Finn spent the rest of the night at The Garrison.

Tommy was currently sat with Michael in an upmarket bar in Brooklyn discussing the prospect of bringing Cadbury across the pond, he thought that if he put the steps in place before he met with William again then it would get the ball rolling a little quicker. Tommy had arranged a meeting with the owner of Macy's to try and sell the Cadbury name to them. Thankfully for him a 6 month deal was offered under the condition that the chocolate sold well, if it didn't then they would cease the deal after 3 months. Tommy wanted the contract that day so he could hand it to William and show his family what was happening. He decided to leave Small Heath secretly because he knew people would be asking too many questions, he felt bad for not going to see Thea and Ada before he left but he knew he would only be gone a few days. He was also shocked to discover that his cousin Anna once worked at the bar as a performer, he liked the idea of having a singer in the family.

Back home Thea was getting very bored with having to stay home so Polly took her to The Garrison for some fresh air, although the pub wasn't really a suitable place for a 12 almost 13 year old girl she seemed very keen on going. As the two joined Finn, Arthur and John in the snug they all welcomed Thea in with open arms.

"Here she is, how are you flower" Arthur pulled Thea gently into his arms.

"What are you doing out of bed" John felt her head for a tempariture.

"I was ever so bored in that room; I've looked at all my books and I can't bring myself to draw another picture" Thea reassured her family.

"It's good to see you up and about again anyway" Arthur smiled.

"It's early day's yet Arthur but I had to fetch her out for an hour" Polly smiled, sitting her down on the long booth seat.

"Can we play a game of cards?" Thea beamed at the pack of cards on the table.

"Why not, you want in Pol?" John asked, picking up the pack of card and dishing them out between the room.

"I don't see why not, no gambling over a shilling Thea. Nor you Finn" Polly pointed to the two youngest letting them know who was boss.

"Ah come on Pol" Finn moaned.

"Gambling under 16 is illegal can we at least keep you two as children for at least another few years" Polly said.

"bloody hell by the time we start this game the kids will be old enough to drink." Arthur said cheekily.

"Less of the cheek you" Polly scolded her oldest nephew.

They completed their game and then decided to call it a night, Arthur gave an exhausted Thea a piggy back ride as they all walked back together. As they lined the streets of Small Heath they bumped into a very happy looking Freddie Thorne.

"Hello sunshine what's with your chirpiness" Arthur mocked him as they approached him.

"I have just asked your sister to marry me and she said yes" he beamed, not caring what their reaction would be.

"Oh, my goodness this is fantastic news" Thea beamed, Arthur lifted her up a little higher on his back.

"I suppose I should give you my blessing then, if you damage so much as a hair on her head, you'll know about it. Welcome aboard mate" Arthur smiled at Freddie.

"Congratulations mate, you'd better look after her" John said as he gave him a man hug.

"Thanks lads it means a lot. Thea find yourself a nice dress as I want you as our flower girl" Freddie smiled.

"I'm flattered thank you" Thea smiled, excited at the thought of being a flower girl.

"Who would have thought our Ada would be the first to marry" Polly smiled thinking about her niece when she was Thea's age and so against the idea of ever having a boyfriend.

"I think we should throw you an engagement do, as soon as our Ada's up to it we'll have a right old celebration" Arthur said happily, he loved an excuse for a party.

"That will be great thanks" Freddie said, he was relieved that he was being accepted. With Tommy not being in town Freddie had a while to prepare himself he wanted to ask his permission seeing as he was the head of the Peaky Blinders.

Unbeknownst to Polly, Edward was planning something extremely terrible he'd contacted his friends from New York to come over to Small Heath, they were staying at a bed and breakfast in the city waiting for Edward's call they all knew what they needed to do they were just waiting for the right time to do it. He'd offered them some money and they couldn't say no; he knew they would do what it takes to earn some extra cash. Anna was also in on this, but she didn't know all of what was going on. She was told a completely different story so was sure she was helping to do something great….