Chapter 25

Small Heath - Birmingham

#6 Watery Lane

Gambling Den

Sunday January 25, 1920

Polly POV

Things had been running a long smoothly. She'd managed to corner Tommy earlier in the week and he'd shared his current plan with her. It was clever, but tricky and he'd need to contact Aoife safely to discuss it with her. As it stood they were at a standstill until he managed to see if Aoife could do what he hoped she could. If it was feasible then all of their current problems could be put to rest upon the Adelisa's return.

The problem they faced was speaking with Aoife safely. They'd discussed sending a coded relay through Alfie. The problem was anything sent over the wire coded or not could possibly be seen by their enemies. Until they worked out that part of the plan they couldn't do anything other than work on getting some documents forged.

Polly looked around the den, it was quiet at the moment and all the boys were out and about taking care of business. Esme was sitting at John's desk going through some of the books, checkin numbers. Lizzie was sitting behind her own desk, typing out some correspondence that Tommy had given to her to do. She was still keeping an eye on that one. Another envelope from Aoife had arrived a couple of days ago and Lizzie again had studied it intently before getting it to Tommy. So far she'd not seen anything unprofessional happening and she hoped Lizzie put any silly thoughts she had about Tommy to bed as it were.

The den door opened and she expected to see one of the boys coming in or another gambling man looking to place his bets. She certainly hadn't expected to see the slim blonde haired blue eyed Grace Burgess walking through the door. Bloody fuckin hell.

Grace POV

The gambling den was almost exactly how she'd remembered it. Although it did seem a bit less busy than she recalled. She supposed it was a Sunday though and the family men typically wouldn't be coming in to place their bets till around lunch hour.

She took notice that Polly sat at a desk on the main floor, while a girl she didn't recognize was back in an office and if she was correct the other woman sitting just outside of a different office was none other than Lizzie Stark.

All three women had lifted their heads to see who'd come in. Lizzie recognized her and she noticed an apprehensive and somewhat resentful look in the girls eyes. Polly was glaring at her, no surprise there and the unknown brunette was curious as to who she was no doubt.

Grace walked calmly over to Polly.

"Hello Polly."

"Grace."

"I was hoping to speak with Tommy. I tried the Garrison first but I see that it's under construction. "

"Tommy's out."

"I see that too. Do you happen to know when he'll return?"

Grace could tell that Polly was angry and clearly getting irritated the longer they conversed.

"I'm not Thomas's keeper, business doesn't exactly run on a schedule. I can't tell you when he'll be back."

"Would you happen to know if he received my letter?"

Grace could see the look in Polly's eyes change and she did take note that Lizzie seemed to stiffen at her question. Were Tommy and Lizzie a thing? Is that why he never responded to her letter?

"He received it Grace. Quite frankly I'm surprised you came back to Birmingham. I recall when you left you said you'd never set foot on our soil again."

"Things have changed. I've come to understand a few things better and as I said I was hoping to speak with Tommy."

"You've been gone for five years Grace. What could you possibly have to say to Thomas now?"

"That's between me and him."

"I'll let him know you stopped by."

Grace didn't believe for one second that Polly would mention she'd dropped in.

"I'm not leaving Small Heath until I've spoken with him Polly."

Grace turned to leave and was just to the door when it opened and Tommy Shelby stood in the doorway freezing in his spot as he took her in.

Tommy POV

Grace was in the den. She didn't look like she'd aged a single day. Her hair was shorter but still that pale golden color. Her eyes were still their crystalline blue but there was an inquiring look in them. She was still tall, willowy and very well put together. Her clothing was of moderate wealth and finery. They took each other in warily and the silence broke when she spoke in that soft lilting Irish cadence he'd once found alluring.

The errant thought that he much preferred Aoife's soothing tone of voice and the exotic mixture of the Irish French accent she spoke in popped into his head along with a vision of her in his arms.

"Tommy...Hello, I was hoping that maybe we could speak."

Tommy pulled his lips in between his teeth before nodding an affirmative as he turned his head. He stepped aside and waved his arm in front of him for her step outside. He turned his head back to find Aunt Polly staring at him with a speculative arch to her brow and a chastising look in her eyes.

"I'll be back shortly Pol."

Lizzie POV

So Grace was the one who'd been writing him. What the hell was she doing back here? And what did she want with Tommy? She'd seen the hopeful look in her eyes when she'd told Polly she wanted to speak with Tommy. If she'd been writing and she was hopeful than that could only mean that she wanted Tommy back. Would he take her back after all this time? He wasn't the same man he'd been when Grace had known him. Would she care? Would he?

It had been herself who Tommy'd gone to visit when he'd come home alive. Her bed he shared on numerous occasions even if he did leave money every time. She'd even mentioned to him once after they'd been together that she wished just once he wouldn't pay her after, like they were normal people. He'd disappeared for a time after that but he'd eventually come back. She knew he never visited any of the other girls that were in the trade, just her, always only her.

Esme POV

Esme knew she hadn't been in the family for that long and she while she was technically a Shelby now, she was still not trusted as family. She couldn't help but wonder what the story was between John's older brother and the classically pretty blonde woman.

It was clear that Polly didn't care for the woman and Lizzie seemed disgruntled by her appearance as well.

"Who was that Aunt Polly?"

"A nobody that's returned to try and wreak havoc on our lives once more."

"Are she and Tommy friendly?"

Polly turned her attention to her more fully. At first she thought Polly was going to tell her it wasn't her concern and to get back to work, but something seemed to change her mind. Polly's sigh was loud but she stood up and joined her in John's office, closing the door behind her.

"That woman...is Grace. Grace Burgess. About a year before the war she came to Small Heath. Got a job at the Garrison as a barmaid. She sang Irish songs every weekend to an enraptured crowd. She was meek and mild mannered but with a refined air that appealed to Thomas. She lied about the pub she used to work at in Dublin and she lied about being Catholic. She lied about a lot and Thomas caught her in those lies, called her out on them. Unfortunately he'd already started to take a shine to her. So instead of being quiet and listening like he always does, he came up with plausible reasons why she'd lied. All she had to do was agree that he was right.

They continued to get close, she knew that business wasn't legal, she knew that he was a Peaky Blinder. She'd tell him that she was worried for his safety and urged him to run away to the Colonies with her, to make a new start, just the two of them. She asked him to leave his home, his family. When some trouble came and the coppers started to apply some pressure, she snitched. We barely managed to maneuver our way out of it, and if it hadn't been for Tommy's quick thinking we wouldn't have.

While we were trying to sort out the mess she'd created for us, she came in and took everything she could get her hands on. A substantial amount. She disappeared after that and we never saw her again. Though I'm quite certain that Thomas caught up with her before she left. Don't know what happened or what was said. The fact that she hadn't earned herself a grave for what she'd done. Proved that his own heart had been involved. Thomas had been blinded by her. I think it's for that reason he let her walk away unscathed and with all that she'd taken."

"And now she's shown up out of nowhere after all that time. What for I wonder?"

"Nothing good. I can tell you that."

"Are you worried she's here to see about getting him back? That he'll forgive her and take her back? He's seeing someone else now isn't he, though?"

"He is and Aoife is a thousand times better than that woman. I don't know why Grace has come back, what I do know is that Thomas forgave her the night she left town. What I don't know is if he'll throw everything he has right now away, for some history that's not worth repeating. Men are notorious for allowing their cocks to think for them. I will tell you, that knowing Aoife, if anything does happen, Thomas will have lost any chance he'd had with her."

"So we want Grace gone and Aoife to return."

"Yes. The sooner the better. Unfortunately Aoife will not be returning till mid to end of March. The best we can hope for is that Grace speaks her piece with Thomas and then gets the hell out of town. If you ever have reason to speak with the woman don't mention Aoife. I don't know what Thomas will say to her, but if he doesn't mention her then it's none of her business. Besides Grace and Aoife have a history of their own. We're just unaware of what it is."

Esme nodded her head in understanding and agreement.

"Thank you Polly."

"For what?"

"Telling me."

"Hm. You're family now, it's time you start acting like it."

Esme lowered her eyes to the floor. She wasn't sure if she was being accepted or chastised but she supposed either one was better than being ignored entirely. She heard Polly leave the office and return to her desk. Esme followed her lead and got back to checkin the numbers.

Grace POV

Grace was unsure where Tommy was taking her but she followed along beside him. She noted that he kept his hands to himself and he remained quiet as they walked. They turned the corner and after a short distance he stopped at a large door. After he unlocked it he waved her through ahead of him. It was a garage, she saw the motorcar and several crates of miscellaneous things stacked about in the corners. There was a couple of stools and small table, she followed Tommy to them and took a seat.

"Tommy, are you gonna say anything?"

"What do ya want me ta say Grace?"

"I don't know, something. You look good, well." She found herself pointing at the motorcar as she continued, "Business seems to be good. How have you been Tommy?"

"..." Tommy's brows arched in what she'd have once known for certain was incredulity. He rubbed his hand over his face and swiped his hat off as he continued running it through his hair. He really did look good, he'd filled out a bit, he wasn't the lanky boy he'd once been, but a strong man.

"Grace...ya came all the way here after five years ta catch up? Why are ya here?"

"Polly said you'd received my letter, I take it you never read it?"

"No reason to."

Grace nodded her head slowly. "Tommy, please sit down. I really would like to speak with you."

She watched as Tommy took a seat on the stool opposite her before he plucked a cigarette from the pack in his pocket and lit up.

"I see you still smoke."

"Aye, still smoke, still drink... still kill people."

"...It's been a long time..."

"Aye, it has."

"Do you have someone now Tommy?"

"..."

"...I was wrong when I left all that time ago Tommy. I was young and stupid and I didn't understand the world around me."

"But ya do now?"

Grace stood from her seat and walked over to him, she leaned down and cupped his cheek. He didn't move, he didn't even breathe.

"I understand that I loved you, but I didn't realize it, till it was too late. There hasn't been a day in the last five years where you haven't crossed my mind. I still love you Tommy."

Their faces were inches apart and she could see him studying her but where his eyes used to convey his thoughts to her, there was nothing but a blankness. She leaned in the rest of the way and kissed his lips. Still as soft and full as ever, still with the same taste, the cigarettes, the alcohol, and the faint hint at something sweet. It was only a moment and then she felt his hands on her arms. She'd always enjoyed his hands.

Tommy POV

Tommy gripped Grace's arms carefully but firmly as he pushed her away from him. When her lips were no longer on his and he could look into her eyes once more he shook his head, "I would have given everything ta hear ya say those words five years ago Grace. Neither one of us are the same people we once were."

"We can get to know one another again, Tommy. These feelings don't just disappear. I know you loved me five years ago. You could love me again. You know you could Tommy. Let's start over."

"It's too late for us Grace. It'll never happen. We can never happen."

"So you do have someone then."

Grace pulled away from his grasp and took a few steps back. He watched her, he could see that she was thinking. Her mind whirling trying to figure another way of getting whatever it was she'd come back here for.

"Was that all Grace? Or did you come here for another reason?"

"It's Lizzie, isn't it. I saw the look in her eyes when I showed up at the den. I'm happy for you Tommy... Do you love her?"

Tommy couldn't contain the half sigh half scoff that left him as he expelled the air from his lungs. What the fuck was happening here. Before he could comment her soft voice continued on.

"Forgive me. It's none of my business...I spent the last of my funds getting here. Do you know when the Garrison is set to open? I'll find Harry and ask if he's in need of a barmaid when he reopens. Once I've saved enough I'll be on my way."

"How much do ya need Grace?"

"No. Tommy, I've taken enough from you, I won't take anymore. I can earn enough to leave on my own."

Meaning she wasn't going ta be fuckin leaving Birmingham anytime soon. FUCK!

"Do you know where I can find Harry?"

"Cemetery."

Grace looked at him in confusion.

"He's dead Grace. Died in the explosion that took the Garrison. It belongs ta Arthur now. It won't be ready for opening for at least another four ta eight weeks. I'm afraid you won't be making any money as a barmaid anytime soon."

Tommy studied her as she took in the information he'd just given her. She'd come here but she hadn't come prepared for the reception she was getting. He could tell she had been sure she'd have a chance at getting him back. Maybe she was hoping if she stuck around long enough she would. The question was why. Five years was a long time to carry a torch for someone and then show up out of the blue and ask to be taken back.

She thought he was with Lizzie and for now he'd allow her to continue thinking that. He needed to speak with Aoife. He wanted to know what the hell Grace had been up to in the last five years. He also needed to speak with Aunt Pol and find out what the hell had been in that bloody fuckin letter they'd burned.