Chapter 11

Ada was now out of hospital and happily spending most of her time with her fiancé, her family had a joint party planned but couldn't have it without Tommy or Michael, so they waited for them to come home. Arthur promised Ada that he would tell Tommy on his own about the wedding, she didn't really know how to go about telling him. Polly was spending most of her time sorting out a dress for Thea, although they had only just set a date for the big day Polly felt that everybody should have an idea of what they will wear. Ada already knew that she would wear her mother's dress she remembered seeing a photograph of her parents wedding and seeing how beautiful she looked wishing the same for her own special day. A ceremony was due to take place at the catholic church that the family used to attend when the siblings were children, Ada wanted to keep things low key just wanting to have her family and fiancé present. She wanted Jeremiah Jesus Tommy's friend who preached on the streets of Small Heath to lead the service.

Thea was now much better the doctor was pleased with her recovery telling Polly that he was happy for her to return to school, Thea reminded her mother that she wouldn't be going back there saying that the place would hinder her from developing intellectually. Polly said she would have Tommy speak with her as she knew he would want her to stay in school, but unfortunately for her he had other ideas for the girl which didn't include staying in school as such. While in Brooklyn Tommy was given all the information needed to give to William, once he'd provided that he knew that Thea would be able to start with the company. The only hurdle he faced was if she would agree and would Polly let her.

Although he would be at risk from Polly finding out he decided not to tell Polly at all.

Once back in Small Heath he took Thea to Bournville to speak with Mr Cadbury and for him to offer her a chance to work within the company.

Being 12 obviously meant she shouldn't really be earning her own money yet, but Tommy felt she was ready to start making her own living. Of course, he wouldn't let her have it till she was 18 but by then she would have made enough to probably buy herself a house. Mr Cadbury asked for any new ideas she had; she came up with 5 but was told that for now only one would be suffice. At present Thea had been at Bournville a few weeks she seemed to be settling in very well, William was very pleased with her commitment and Tommy was happy with her focus to get her new product out there. She thought long and hard about what her favourite treat was and what else could make it even better, she loved Dairy Milk and also had white chocolate on occasion so she decided that a bar should be made with half Dairy Milk and half white chocolate. Within the first week the factory couldn't keep up with the demand, so they had no other choice but to open another factory in London just focusing on the new bar.

Tommy felt that Thea should still do some sort of tuition while working so for the first few hours of the day he'd booked a tutor to have her doing maths and English as he felt she should always develop her understanding in these subject areas. Tommy also had Ada working for the company, she would travel up and down the country meeting with potential buyers trying her hardest to sell Thea's product to upmarket department stores.

Due to the nature of his new business adventure he had to take a step back from the betting shop and his liquor business, so he'd signed the shop over to Arthur and the liquor business to John and Esme both needing regular money coming in to provide for their young family.

Tommy took the news that Ada was to marry well, Arthur told him privately the same day that he travelled home, he took it much better than everybody thought. As soon as he heard the news, he made sure to visit the happy couple offering them an engagement party on the house providing free drinks all night for them and their guests. Of course, he made it clear that Freddie must look after Ada but deep down he knew she was absolutely safe with him as he saw the way he treated her it was something beautiful to watch and made him wish for love to find him somehow. The engagement party was being held at The Garrison and everybody was in good spirits drinking and dancing happily. Even Tommy was in high spirits something that very rarely happened to him since the war. Thea and John's children were running riot around the place, shrieking with laughter but nobody minded as they were too busy enjoying themselves. Polly was sat with Ada telling her how she would make a beautiful bride and reminiscing on her own wedding day. Tommy and Arthur were sat with Freddie and John in the snug talking, drinking and smoking. It was here that Freddie was asked to join The Peaky Blinders something which meant he had been fully accepted into the family.

Anna was asked to sing at the party, which was a nice moment for her, many of the family didn't know she could sing so well and looked on with pride as she sang her heart out.

Once all the partying had been done it was time to get back down to business, Thea went back to working gentle hours in Bournville dressing in a school uniform in the morning so Polly wouldn't find out that she wasn't going to school. Tommy had her finish at 3pm and made sure she had the breaks that she would have had in school. Michael was now working in an office for the Cadbury company as an accountant something which Tommy made happen. Anna also worked for the company working alongside Ada when it came to selling and drumming up business. As well as this wonderful opportunity Anna was still working for Edward answering to his every demand when it came to trying to take over the Shelby business, she was told that Tommy was going to sign his betting shop and liquor business over to him a deal had been set apparently but instead of this being the case something extremely illegal was on the cards. By the time Freddie and Ada's wedding arrived everyone seemed to be in blissful happiness enjoying their newly made money.

Tommy brought Polly and Thea a house of their own to live in, The Shelby house was becoming way too small for them, now that John and Esme had children it was only right that more space came available for them. Thea didn't know what to do with herself when she was shown to her brand-new bedroom decked out with the prettiest furnishings she had ever seen. Polly was reluctant to take the place at first telling Tommy that she possibly couldn't accept such a gift, but he reminded her of all the things she did for him and his siblings when they had no one else. Their house was a short drive to Small Heath, so they weren't too far. Ada and Freddie asked to hold their wedding reception there as the grounds of the house were absolutely stunning.

Ada and Thea were currently getting ready for the big day, Polly was pin curling Ada's hair making sure to press the down with a little speck of spit.

"Mum that's disgusting you're not doing that to my hair" Thea grimaced.

"We've been doing it like this for as long as I can remember, how do you think Coco Chanel gets her hair done so well" Polly said, hoping to change her daughters mind.

"What about finger waves it's much more hygienic, all you need is your finger and a comb" Thea informed her mum as if it was her bright idea.

"Do you really think I wanted finger waves on my wedding day" Ada laughed at her cousin.

"Anything's better than someone spitting on your head" Thea teased clearly finding the situation gross.

"It's only a little speck" Ada laughed.

"It's still disgusting" Thea added.

Polly and Ada laughed.

Freddie was at The Garrison with Tommy, Arthur, John and Finn. They were having a toast towards the big day hoping to calm Freddie's nerves.

"You'll be alright mate" Arthur slapped his back, handing him a half full glass of whiskey.

"Don't you get too drunk before your wedding now Freddie" Tommy said gently, Ada asked her brothers to bring him to the church on time and in a reasonable state.

"If I ever get married, I probably won't make the ceremony" John laughed, knowing he would probably end up drunk.

"That's nothing to be proud of mate" Freddie laughed.

"Right then lads' we'd better get him to the church" Tommy chimed, everyone getting to their feet.

Ada was now ready looking absolutely stunning in her mother's simple lily-white dress, wearing a matching pair of white simple heels and a beautiful floral garland over the top of her white laced vail. Thea was wearing a simple white dress with flat white ballerina pumps and was clutching a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Polly had a tear in her eyes as she looked at her niece and daughter dressed so beautifully.

While at The Garrison Tommy had received a telegram sent directly to the pub informing him that there would be an unwanted visitor at the wedding and warning him to be prepared for trouble. It was from an anonymous sender so Tommy couldn't do an awful lot to prepare himself. So, he asked The Peaky Blinders to attend the wedding armed, although Ada had asked for no weapons at her wedding, he was sure that she would change her mind if trouble started. Freddie didn't want to tell any of the wedding guests about the potential meeting because everyone would worry which would ruin the day, Tommy wasn't sure if anybody would show up and wanted to avoid scaremongering people.

As the ceremony approached Ada was extremely nervous. As she Polly and Thea walked to the car Polly tried her best to calm her down. She rubbed her back gently while Thea handed her some smelling salts.

"Oh Ada, stop worrying. Freddie loves you" Polly soothed.

"What if he's having second thoughts" she cried breathing in the salts trying to calm herself down. She couldn't marry Freddie in this state.

"Don't be daft. Your mother was like this the day she married your father" Polly smiled at the memory.

"I'm sure if Freddie didn't love you, he would have told you, he's not one to keep secrets" Thea added trying to reassure her cousin.

"5 more minutes Ada and the car will come" Polly said, looking up at the clock on the wall.

Freddie was now stood at the alter beside John, who was having a sneaky smoke before the ceremony. Freddie chose Tommy as his best man, but he was waiting outside alongside Arthur for their sister to arrive, she had asked them both to take up the honour of walking her down the aisle seeing as her father wasn't present. As the wedding car pulled up, they helped her out of the car swelling with pride at how beautiful she looked.

"Are you ready girl?" Arthur beamed as he linked arms with her, Tommy did the same on her right side.

"I think so" Ada sighed, holding onto the two for dear life. Thea lead the way down the aisle smiling from ear to ear as she walked towards the alter, Polly walked down as maid of honour. Tommy and Arthur stood tall as they walked Ada down the aisle, guests couldn't help but smile at the scene. When Freddie saw his bride for the first time, he placed his hand to his mouth, a single tear spilling from his eye he couldn't believe his eyes.

Just as Jeremiah Jesus vowed to begin the service, the doors to the church opened where 5 smartly dressed men entered the church each pulling guns out from beneath their jackets and aiming towards Tommy and Arthur…..