Thursday, September 1919
Birmingham
It was nearing the end of the day – almost 5 o'clock in the evening.
The Shelby boys – Tommy, Arthur, John and their cousin Michael were sitting in the snug at The Garrison discussing their day's work. Polly and Ada were shopping in London and were to be gone until Sunday.
Tommy cleared his throat.
"So, we just completed our fifth successful run of exporting the car spares to Halifax. I believe that deserves some sort of congratulations." Tommy spoke – he stood and grabbed a bottle of aged whiskey that was in the center of the table accompanied by four glasses.
The Riley motor car spares are being sent to a warehouse in Camden Town and then on way in a secured passage to the Poplar Docks that allow the Shelby Company to send out export crates of the parts with hidden packaging of 500 bottles of single malt Scotch Whiskey, to be sold of course.
Arthur shrugged his jacket off before getting comfortable in the seat across from Tommy.
"Aye, who would've thought we make it this far, eh? Tommy, take your coat off, and pour us all a hefty glass so we can have a proper toast." He said enthusiastically.
Arthur was in a good mood, as were the rest of his brothers and his cousin, although Tommy seldom ever showed his real emotions, he was in high spirits that night. Business was doing well, and things were looking very prosperous for his family.
Tommy did as his brother told while he sipped on a cigarette. John dropped to a seat next to Arthur and toyed with a toothpick in his mouth. Michael remained perched against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Michael, come join us, just don't tell your mother about this." Tommy said as he glanced to his cousin whilst pouring up the last glass. "As proposed head accountant, you're a key part in this business." Tommy handed Michael a glass as he neared the table.
Michael paused and looked at each of his cousins before speaking.
"Yeah, well, as head accountant, I look forward to managing the books and to seeing more successful runs of those damn spare parts." He announced with a raised glass.
A resemblance of a smile came upon Tommy's lips. He withdrew his cigarette and lifted his glass to Michaels. Arthur and John stood and followed suit.
"To more car parts and to more fucking whiskey." Arthur announced and the four men finished their drinks in unison.
"Aye, Tommy," John began as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and sat back down to put his feet on the table, "weren't you supposed to have a meeting with those boys from Riley motor cars. How'd that go?"
Tommy stiffly fixed his shirt before sitting down.
"Aye, supposed to. They didn't show up but I'm not worried. Apparently, Sir James Riley passed, and his sons are taking over and wanted to meet to become most familiar with our business with each other."
"You think they know what's really being sent along with their cars?" Arthur asked.
Tommy took a long drag of his cigarette and stared at his brother.
"Not sure. If and when they do ever come here, I'll judge 'em and gauge what they know and go on from there."
"Well, they're getting a fucking good amount each run in return so they shouldn't have a problem." John scoffed.
As if on cue, a knock from the snug door disturbed their discussion. Harry gently peeped his head in.
"Don't mean to intrude, sir, but there are two women here asking for a Mr. Thomas Shelby OBE. She saying you gave her this address." Harry informed.
Tommy looked back at him with slight confusion.
"Bloody hell. Women?! You've got superb timing, Tommy." John laughed and slammed his hand on the table.
"Wonder what the hell this is about." Tommy murmured to himself. "Bring them here, Harry, thank you." He took another drag of his cigarette and prepared himself. He pushed his back firmly against the seat and lifted his chin.
"Aye, a proper toast ain't proper without some women." Arthur laughed. Tommy and Michael glanced at one another and Michael raised a brow with a smirk on his young face.
A short moment later, the door opened to a brunette and a blonde. They surely were not local. The dark-haired woman was dressed in an equally dark, thick fur coat with a decorated black hat atop her head. The blonde was wearing a brown fur coat with a cream-colored hat decorated with a simple bow.
"Good evening gentlemen," the brunette spoke, "my sister and I are looking for a Mr. Thomas Shelby, OBE. He gave me this address." She finished in a confident tone and made direct eye contact with each of the well-dressed men. She didn't fail to notice their similar haircuts they each had. Her gaze fell back to Tommy.
"Tommy! These lovely women are always asking for you!" Arthur teased and glanced at his younger brother before returning his eyes to the blonde.
She had a light-olive complexion and brown eyes that added a sense of warmth to her. She quickly garnered the attention of Arthur. The other sister, had dark, nearly black hair that was curled into her coat. She had the same olive complexion as her sister, but more bronzed and she had more freckles visible on her face. In contrast to her sister, she had bright hazel eyes.
"Aye, brothers, excuse me." He said as put down his smoke and stood. Both of the ladies' attention were now on Tommy.
"Good evening, ladies. I am Thomas Shelby. How can I be of service?" Tommy asked with mock enthusiasm while examining the ladies.
He had no doubt that these women were far away from home. Besides their lavish coats, he noted the fine jewelry both women adorned on their ears and neck. These women were very attractive, but he wondered what on Earth they were doing in Small Heath.
"Mr. Shelby, I am Diana Riley." She reached out to shake his hand. He glanced down and noticed the slim black leather glove she wore. He felt how smooth it was when she gave him a surprisingly firm handshake.
They are very far from home, he thought.
"We spoke little in writing; however, I am truly sorry my sister, Elisabete, and I arrived so late today. The journey took much longer than anticipated." She continued and locked her gaze on his clear blue eyes.
Tommy observed the woman as she spoke to him. So, these are Sir James Riley's children. They were not men but beautiful women who were wanting to take over his business dealings. He noticed her tone was sharp and professional and how she spoke with sure importance. Tommy knew some about Sir James Riley. He was highly decorated war veteran, a retired field marshal, a very accomplished businessman, and he worked very closely with Mr. Winston Churchill. He also took part in some illegal activity that the Shelby's were involved with.
In return, Thomas Shelby was not the man Diana imagined her father to be doing business with. She was familiar with most of the men that had relations with her father, but they were all his age and were not as striking as Mr. Shelby, she had to admit to herself. She had even asked some of her confidantes about the Shelby's and what they particularly knew about Mr. Thomas Shelby. She was told that he had served as sergeant major in the war and serviced himself as a tunneller with high recognitions and was recently awarded title of OBE.
"That is no problem. We can meet now if you would like." He smiled to the other sister. "Miss. Elisabete, it is a pleasure to meet you both. Why don't you have a seat and relax? I'm sure you've had a long journey." Tommy motioned for them to come inside the snug and moved to close the door after them.
Diana and Elisabete entered the private room and took in their surroundings and began to undress from their coats.
"Allow me to introduce you to my brothers, Arthur and John. There is our cousin Michael." Tommy nodded his head to Michael where he still stood against the wall. Tommy stood aside as his brothers and cousin made their introductions and observed the two strangers who entered his pub.
"A pleasure to be in such fine company, Miss. Riley and Miss. Riley." Arthur grinned. He took the hand of Diana first, bowed and placed a small kiss on her knuckles. Diana watched with a small smile as he then took her sisters hand and made a more obvious indication that he was quite taken by her. Elisabete let out a small laugh before speaking.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Shelby, and to the rest of your brothers and cousin." She smiled as she spoke and nodded her acknowledgements with the rest of the family.
John and Michael followed Arthur, although not as boldly.
"Don't mind my elder brother." John said after his introduction. "He gets quite sheepish amongst pretty women." John laughed and immediately left the snug with Michael before Arthur could say anything harsh to him.
"Aye, well let's not waste anymore time. Arthur, take their coats and we can begin to discuss our business with one another if that is alright?" Tommy quickly added.
Tommy pointed his ending question to Diana, who seemed to be the one taking the lead.
This was not at all what Tommy was expecting when he received notes from the Riley Company Limited asking to meet. The two sisters stood out in The Garrison with their posh coats and extraordinary accessories. There was no indication that he would be meeting with women. He was surprised they even made it this far, directly to the pub, looking as they did.
Diana turned to him as Arthur took Elisabete's coat. "That would be perfect, Mr. Shelby."
The two locked eyes and for the first time Tommy was able to fully take in her exotic appearance without her coat and hat. She did not look anything like any women from Birmingham or any passerby he saw in London or at any of the races. Her sister was beautiful as well, stunning, but it was the dark hair of Diana and her sense of mysteriousness that made him intrigued by her. He kept any disgracing thoughts from his mind and reminded himself that these women are here to do business on the account of losing their father, and besides, they are much too high class for a man from the Shelby family.
"If you do not mind, my brother is almost always with me regarding matters of business." Tommy said as he nodded to Arthur who was beginning to take a seat across from Elisabete. Diana glanced at the man before looking to Tommy with a stoic expression.
"No, of course, not. I have my sister with me, as well." She looked to Elisabete and smiled. Tommy noted that Diana did not give much away in her emotions. It was obvious she cared for her sister, but besides that it was hard to read her.
"Yes, Mr. Shelby." Elisabete spoke as Tommy reached for two more glasses out of a cabinet. "My sister is keener on handling our father's businesses. While I do take some interest, Diana has more of the capacity to handle it than I."
Diana sat at the end of the booth and Elisabeth was to her left in the middle. There was an empty seat across from her that was for Tommy. It was more of an intimate setting; however, the sisters were not there to become complete friends with the Shelby's. Their visit to Birmingham was for business and only that. Of course, they were always the friendliest and wanted to make allies. Diana and her sister wanted business to be something that was not such a burden.
"Aye, I am sorry about your Father's passing. An awful thing." Tommy said in a lower tone. He stood tall and glanced at the women. "Would you like a drink? I just opened a fine bottle of Old Bushmills aged 20 years, also have rum and gin at the bar if that is more your suit."
"From a very fine establishment, I would love a glass." Diana said with an appreciative tone. Tommy glanced down at her. Her eyes were at her hands while she removed her gloves with Elisabete doing the same. He saw the few jeweled rings on each of her hands.
She likes Irish whiskey.
"Would you like the same, Miss. Elisabete?" Tommy asked.
Tommy took note of their attire at this time and saw how high-fashion and ornate each dress was. Diana wore a long sleeve, dark emerald dress that was decorated with small silver beads and what looked to be a sort of crystal. Elisabete wore a mauve dress of similar style as Diana's. Elisabete styled her golden hair in a bun that held at the base of her neck. Two jeweled barrettes adorned one side of her head. Diana had a deep side part and her hair curled to frame her face, but most of it was down falling just below her shoulders. It was very polished and for a brief moment Tommy thought she looked like one of those actresses in the films.
Elisabete nodded with a smile and gave her appreciation. Tommy returned and gave everyone their glass before finally sitting.
"Before we get to business, a toast to your late father." He began and raised his glass. Diana watched the poised man before her and saluted her glass in the air. "An honorable man, a man I respected and trusted. May he rest in peace and may his legacy live on through his empowered daughters."
Diana smiled meekly. Her eyes seemed to glaze over and Elisabete took notice first. Diana was the last to take a drink and when she did it was uncharacteristically slow.
Elisabete knew that their father's death was the hardest on Diana. Diana had been refusing to let her in and only showed emotion once and it was when they first heard of his death. She knew the war also made its contribution to her sister's change in personality.
Diana missed her father very much. If only the Shelby men knew that they also did not have their mother. It was hard for Diana when she returned from war in 1918 to find that her mother had died the year before from the influenza. She was greatly saddened that she could not be with her. Out of all of the daughters, Diana was the closest with her father, so it was much harder when her father suddenly died from what was presumed to be cancer of the pharynx.
Tommy noticed Diana's hesitation when he took his seat. It was the only time he noticed her to show any other kind of emotion besides civility and pleasantry to his brother and him.
"Two ladies who like and know their whiskey! Especially an Irish one. Now where are you two from?" Arthur said loudly as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
"Our home is in Derbyshire. Our father was Irish, so we are somewhat accustomed to the Irish culture. We do take preference to Irish whiskey over any other." Elisabete spoke proudly.
"That's right. I remember your father saying that your grandparents settled in Coventry after moving from Ireland when he was young and that is where the Riley Company Limited began."
"Yes, you're quite right. Coventry is not too far from Birmingham, is it? We would frequent there when we were young and I remember some." Elisabete continued. She was always proud to speak of her heritage.
"Aye, just an hour or so. Derbyshire, the country. You two are far from home. How long did the journey take you?" Tommy asked. He was interested in their travels. He knew that James Riley was from the upper class and had established some wealth for himself; however, the two women were of clearly the highest class. For them to travel for hours to Birmingham, let alone Small Heath, must have been quite an adventure. He knew that the countryside is much different than a city such as Birmingham. There were no fields and no nature, it was all smoke and dirt.
"Nearly half of the day. We were told it would take about two hours, so we left at nine in the morning to make our appointment and I was to drive, but we ran into some trouble actually reaching Small Heath." Diana informed. Tommy watched as she spoke and found himself wondering what kind of car she drove.
While The Garrison was a fine establishment, Diana still looked unnatural to sit across the booth from him and his brother. "That is, until we finally told a man that we were coming on account of business with you Shelby's and he gave us proper directions." She ended, with glances between the brothers and a brow raised.
Tommy knew of all the trouble it would take for people outside of Birmingham to travel to Small Heath. Especially two women like the Riley's, he was sure most people they talked to said to go home and that they didn't belong in Birmingham, especially not to deal with the Shelby Family. Nearly all citizens of Birmingham and London and some of the surrounding area knew who the Shelby family are so on hearing that those women had business with them, it was no surprise it delayed their arrival.
"However, if you do not mind, I would like to lead this conversation towards our business involvement, it is getting rather late." Diana added with a glance outside. It was now completely dark out.
Tommy took a swig of his drink and placed it on the table. "Let's get down to business then, we can discuss your arrangements home after. Do you mind if I smoke?"
Both ladies shook their head no. Diana sipped on her whiskey as she watched Tommy Shelby pull out a cigarette and light it. Diane felt the warming sensation of the liquor move down her throat before finally settling into her belly. It was a good feeling and made her more at ease. She wondered what he meant by their arrangements home. She had a vehicle and was well-suited to drive but her and her sister had already concluded on finding a hotel to stay at in Birmingham while they were still en route.
Diana noted the prominent cheekbones and jaw Tommy possessed and they stood out even more as he inhaled his smoke. He was a good-looking man she thought. A well-kept, bright-eyed individual. He was very handsome and was sure he was popular with other women. Through the enthusiasm - or lack of it, he exhibited towards them, Diana sensed him to be a bit cold and stiff. He did not give much away and it was difficult for her to gauge what he was thinking. She glanced to his brother. They were not very similar looking in appearances and did not seem to have the same personality at all. Arthur was more of a brute and seemed rougher even though he showed much more emotion than his brother.
"So, where shall we begin? Through my export license, I am transporting your motor car spares to reach an ultimate destination in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In fact, my family and I were just having a small celebration for its fifth successful run."
"A congratulations on its success." Diana honestly pressed. "My father had detailed information on it's current and previous expeditions that I read. I am not sure if you are aware, but it was my father that pushed Mr. Churchill to provide you with that export license. I am happy to see it has done you and your family well, Mr. Shelby."
Tommy took a moment to reply. He did not know that it was her father that wanted him to have the license. He had met with the man only a handful of times and respected him greatly. He was an honest and intelligent businessman that was gratefully experienced. Tommy also wondered about her comment of Sir James Riley having detailed information on the actual cargo. She seemed very knowledgeable, but he was still not quite positive if she knew everything. It was unlike a woman, especially one of her background, to become familiar with illegal trading, and especially unlike any woman to have interest in it.
"You can call me Tommy and I did not know that." He returned. He reached for his glass again. With a curt nod and a small raise of the glass he continued, "I must thank your father again, then. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for him."
"For you and I," Diana paused, "Tommy." Diana took a rather long sip of her drink and placed it on the table next to her and her sister. Tommy watched with intrigue at her actions. She glanced at Elisabete once before sitting up. "Now, my sister and I are aware of the other commodity being transferred along with the spare parts. We dutifully wish to carry on with our business together if you may allow it." She sternly said.
The sisters caught Arthur begin to smirk and look between Diana and his brother.
"You ladies are full of surprises; I'll tell you that."
Elisabete smiled and watched the exchange between her sister and Tommy. She knew Diana could be quite intimidating and she enjoyed watching how various men handled her sister's boldness.
Diana did not let her eyes leave Tommy's. She wanted to show the men that she was there to do business and that she damn well knew how. She was a tough girl and the illegal transaction of moving liquor did not scare her.
Tommy moved his cigarette to his lips and pulled a very long drag. His eyes not leaving the dark-haired girl's either. He inwardly agreed with his brother, particularly Diana was surprising him. He wanted to know more of the origins of these sisters. He would surely have to make some calls later that night.
"Well," he began as he ashed his cigarette, "I look forward to continuing our business with one another."
At that moment, a small smile began to play on Diana's full lips. It seemed to be one of the most genuine emotions he had seen from her since she knocked on the door of his pub. She was a pretty sight when she smiled, he acknowledged. A small sense of happiness beamed through Diana for she had just won the hardest part.
"I as well, Thomas. Now I would like to be present on the next run. I want to fully understand what is being loaded and the mechanics of it." She ordered. Tommy founded it amusing she had just used his full name.
"Aye, I can agree to that. The next run will be next month, third week of October. I can write or call you when it is to be arranged exactly." Diana looked to the ground and nodded at his words. Almost exactly a month away worked great for her schedule. "You will have to plan your trip better if you think a delay such as today may happen, it would be best for you to come the day before."
She blinked at Tommy for a few moments and then with a real smile showing teeth she said, "I will most definitely plan ahead." Tommy stared at her longer even when his brother spoke up. Overall, Tommy was in a state of pleasant confusion.
"Miss. Elisabete, you should join your sister to the next run. You lot will bring good feelings around Birmingham. Especially around our men." Arthur gruffly added with a big smile and both sisters smiled politely at him.
"I will certainly accompany Diana. I can't have her travelling alone for so long." Elisabete happily confirmed.
Tommy finished the rest of his drink and went to grab the bottle to fill up the rest of everybody's glasses.
"Now, our next and final topic that I will admit Elisabete does not know much about," Diana paused with an apologetic look to her sister and Elisabete narrowed her eyes in return, "My father has mentioned and I also read in my some of his notes that your company takes part in horse racing and he was going to offer you one of our horses."
Tommy waited to respond while he took another smoke followed by a drink. She knew a lot that Diana and she was willing to be involved still.
"Aye, we were in the speaks of it. It was a newer conversation; however, we did not go into much detail of it." He confirmed. He also wondered what she was getting at.
"It was actually probably better off that way. He is familiar with horse racing, but I am the most experienced in my family. He came to me on a few separate occasions with questions regarding our horses and said that he had someone that was interested. I believe if he was still present, I would have been involved in that business deal and we may have possibly become acquainted then."
At that statement, Tommy wondered what it would have been like if the two of them had met in that fashion. Tommy grew more and more interested in Diana and her family. From interests in smuggling whiskey to knowledge in horse racing, Diana was not an average woman.
Tommy took out his pocket watch and glanced at the time. It was nearing thirty minutes past six.
"It looks like we will be having many future business meetings then Miss. Diana and Miss. Elisabete. I look forward to each one of them; however, let us enjoy the evening some. It has been a long day for the lot of us. It is late now, I'll arrange for you to stay at the Inn here and leave in the morning. It would be safer that way instead driving to the country at this time and possibly getting lost or delayed. Would keep us Shelby boys from worrying about you two."
Thank you to anyone reading. Please let me know what you think!