This is kind of blaa, but it needed to be done and now I feel I can start moving on with the more exciting plot. I hope you can all forgive me for how crap this chapter is.
When A Shelby Bets
I couldn't remember this much work being put into our wedding but I couldn't remember much leading up to the wedding besides Tommy starting a fight. Polly was rushing around trying to finish off last minute things while Ada and Daisy were helping to come Violet.
Maeve was putting together Violet's bouquet and James was pacing the room as he prepared to walk Violet into the church to meet Percy.
"El?" I turned to see Tommy waving me over to his old room and I followed with a frown on my face. What was he up to?
"What? Has something happened?"
"I just wanted to see you before all the drama starts," he said, pressing a kiss to my lips as he pulled me into his arms.
"This isn't our wedding, Tommy," I teased, pulling back and giving him a soft smile. "How many fights will there be?"
"Are you making a bet with me, dear wife?"
"Are you afraid you'll lose?"
"Three. Arthur will be centred in them all," he said, pushing me against the wall, his hands slipping down as he tried to pull up my dress.
"I say five and James and John will begin one each." I smiled down at him, running my hands through his hair as he dropped to his knees. "Perhaps six if Helen turns up. I'm sure Ada will win that one."
A knock at the door had Tommy huffing in annoyance as I laughed and pushed down my dress. I went over to the door and opened it as Tommy got back to his feet, lighting a cigarette.
"Is Tommy ready?" Arthur said, fiddling with his suit jacket. For some reason, he looked nervous. I had a feeling that Polly had warned him about fighting. It was to be expected though considering we'd paid for the Lee's to bring their fair to the farm. There was still a bit of tension after Tommy beat Doug up but Mah-mee had managed to smooth it enough to stop any fight for the time being.
"I'll meet you at the church," Tommy muttered as he pressed a kiss to my cheek and followed Arthur out of the room.
It was a strange thing to see the Peaky Blinders in church, all dressed in their best and acting respectfully. Polly must have them all about fighting today.
The ceremony wasn't as long as the one at our wedding and I was thankful for that. I could already tell that Tommy was getting bored no matter how hard he tried to pretend he wasn't.
"I give it three months," he muttered to me, leaning in slightly so he wasn't overheard and interrupting the ceremony.
"Three months?" I asked, tilting my head up to him.
"Until she's in the family way." I smiled at that finding it amusing that he would be making bets on such a thing. I wonder if he'd done it at our wedding.
"I'd give it until the end of April," I said, taking his hand in mine as the bride and groom led the way out of the church. "Violet already told me they've been intimate since coming back from Ireland. If she's not already in the family way, she will be soon."
"What do I get if I win?" Tommy asked as he helped me into his car. I gave him a soft smile as John's boys clambered into the back with Finn.
"A weekend away without any interruptions," I said, placing my hand on his thigh and giving it a squeeze.
"Hmm, I like the sound of winning," he muttered, dropping one hand to capture mine.
"What do I get if I win?" I asked, leaning in close to him and pressing a kiss to his cheekbone.
"A proper honeymoon, I'll take you away for a couple of weeks."
"I like the sound of that, Tommy."
I really did. It wasn't about the honeymoon but the time spent away with him, just the two of us. It would be nice to get away from the bustle of Birmingham and away from the business, even if it was only a week.
The children grew excited as we came up to the farm. They hadn't seen the fair since Finn and my birthday, so it was everything a child could dream of.
"Look at that!" Matthew said, as they clambered out of the car and rushed over to their dad.
"Elsie, did you do this?" Violet asked as she and Percy came to us, smiles on their faces.
"This is our gift to you," I said, gesturing between me and Tommy. "We wanted to do something special for you both."
"We really appreciate it," Percy said as he shook Tommy's hand.
Tommy wasn't keen on the idea of throwing them a party, he said everyone would expect it, but I pointed out to him that Percy wasn't everyone. He might be young, but he was one of Tommy's most trusted members alongside Kyle and James.
"Go on," Tommy said, nodding over to the fair. "Go have some fun."
They didn't need to be told twice.
John and Arthur were already mingling with Jimmy and Al. Both looked proud as their little brother led his wife into the bustling fair.
"No fighting tonight," I warned Tommy, turning to face him as I took slow steps to join Ada and Maeve. "You weren't part of our bet so don't go losing your temper."
"Me? Love, you've got a worse temper," he said, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear before placing a kiss to my head. "Go have some fun, but not too much fun."
"Ada," I called, catching her just before she was able to walk off with Freddie. She ought to be careful. She wasn't stupid but I knew she was hoping Tommy would catch her with Freddie so she wouldn't have to sneak off anymore. "Have you seen Tommy?"
"He was at the front by the cars," she said, giving me a smile before dragging Freddie off.
I walked towards the cars, frowning as I stumbled across most of the boys, muttering and looking ready as if they were about to go into a fight. They avoided my eyes as I passed them, dipping their heads down in respect as I walked over to Tommy.
I slowed down when I saw him talking to someone. I didn't know who it was but Tommy was getting angry with him. Arthur rested his hand on Tommy's shoulder and my husband gave a stiff nod and turned away. His eyes locked onto mine and he gave me a defeated smile.
"What?" I asked, allowing him to move me to the side where no one could overhear us.
"I've got to go," he said, rubbing his hand over his jaw.
"Where? Why?"
"Don't get upset."
"I'm not upset, Tommy." Okay. Perhaps I was starting to sound more than upset. "Why are you leaving?"
"Graves threatened you, Finn and John's boys. If I don't leave he'll hurt you."
"Do you really believe that?"
"He's done it before, Elsie. I won't risk it again."
"But we've got things planned, Tommy. I need you here," I whispered, grabbing hold of his hand and grasping it tightly as if it would stop him from going.
"Look, love." That was strange. He'd never called me that before. "This wasn't part of the plan. Let me go. Let me figure it out."
"What if you don't come back?" That was the real problem. I was worried he'd end up dead and I'd be left all alone without him.
"Graves promised I'd be back in a couple of days. He can't hurt me, remember."
"That's very reassuring, Tommy," I snapped, pulling away from him and crossing my arms over my chest. "I want you back by the fifth."
"Why?"
I glared at him and clenched my jaw. Had he already forgotten we were meant to be at another wedding by then.
"Oh. The wedding. I'll be there, Ellie, I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep." I turned away from him, looking back over to the fair where I could see everyone having fun. Violet and Percy were giggling as they fed each other cake, Violet smashing it in her husband's face. "I bet you won't be." I had to give a small smile when he sighed deeply behind me.
"I bet I will. I bet you anything, I will," Tommy said as he came up behind me, his hands wrapping around my waist as he pulled me into his chest. He pressed a kiss to the side of my head and held me close as he sighed deeply. "I love you, Elsie. I hope you remember that."
I wasn't surprised that John and Arthur disappeared the day after Tommy left. It seemed strange having them all gone but James was making a point of being everywhere I went. If I popped down the road to the shops he was there with me, railing behind me with Kyle.
When I took the children to school he was there.
As I worked in the Garrison to take my mind off my stubborn husband, he sat in the corner waiting for me to finish up.
Wherever I went James followed and wherever James was so was Kyle.
That following Friday, I wasn't surprised to see James waiting for me by the car, ready to escort me to the estate ready for the following day.
"You really need to stop," I told him as I clambered into the back, Gunner at my feet. The loyal dog was almost as bad as James. At least he could get away with sleeping in the bed next to me.
"Tommy's orders, Ellie, sorry."
"Don't lie," I grumbled, giving him a small smile as Kyle drove off. "You enjoy it really."
"You know I care for you, Ellie. Like a sister," he said, making sure I could see the honesty in his eyes.
"I know, James, I really do appreciate it but I would rather it was my husband here with me."
"He called earlier this morning and said he'd be there before the wedding tomorrow," James said, giving me a soft smile as if that would wash away my troubles.
It didn't. Not really.
How did Tommy think I was going to feel after spending most of the week with no word from him?
Was he expecting me to welcome him with open arms as if he hadn't disappeared for a week without a word? For all I knew he could have been hurt. What if Graves decided to break their deal and kill him?
What if they killed him after he called this morning?
I shook my head as I tried to calm myself down. It wouldn't do for me to let my mind wander. It would only cause more chaos down the line.
I needed to keep myself calm so that when Tommy came waltzing back tomorrow, that stupid smug look on his face I could be prepared to dish him the anger and worry he'd left me with.
Thank you for reading xx
