Alfie had gone into the bakery to prepare some paperwork that Tommy was coming down to sign that morning and Ishmael would be picking Niamh up in a few hours, so that she could meet Tommy and Alfie at a restaurant for lunch. Niamh was so excited to see her brother. She had been speaking to her family most days but it wasn't the same as actually seeing one of them in real life. She chuckled to herself because even just a week or two ago she still felt some animosity towards Tommy for putting her on this path in life, but now she was going to have to stop herself from thanking him for it. There was no way she would give him that satisfaction, but truly with the way things were going with Alfie, she felt like Tommy had been guided by higher beings to bring Alfie into her life, so how could she be mad about it any longer?

But then a thought of horror crossed her mind and she gasped. What if Tommy saw her today and somehow knew that she and Alfie had made love? Twice, in fact. She was being stupid; of course she was. First of all, it was not as though a sign had appeared on her forehead declaring that she was no longer and a virgin; and secondly, even if Tommy did know, what was the issue? She and Alfie were married for crying out loud. It was literally expected.

Groaning to herself, Niamh knew she was being ridiculous and probably somewhat immature, and it was at times like this she wished she was more experienced when it came to life. She wished at times like this she could be more like Ada. Ada who didn't give a damn about anything and took what she wanted and what made her happy without worrying what anyone else thought. Niamh decided that even if she couldn't be like Ada then at least she could phone her and talk to her for advice. Picking up the phone, she dialled the number from memory, her foot bobbing up and down as she waited to be connected.

"What?"

"Is that how you were taught to answer the phone, Joseph Shelby?"

"Aunty Niamh? That you?" asked John's eldest son.

"No it's the Queen of Camden," Niamh tutted. "Course it's me you divvy. Why aren't you at school?"

"Told dad I felt sick so he said I could stay off," Joseph answered proudly. "Uncle Arthur taught me to put a hot towel on my bed before mum came to take my temperature and it worked! But mum and dad have gone out so aunty Ada's looking after me."

"I know you were lying, you little shit," Niamh heard Ada say incredulously from somewhere in the background. "Get upstairs to bed now or I'll send you into school."

"It's nearly lunchtime," Joseph answered smartly.

"I don't care," Ada was firm.

Niamh grinned to herself as she pictured Ada's scowl and raised eyebrow; the look she always gave when she was displeased with someone; usually mostly Tommy, and she just knew Joseph was on the receiving end of that very look. Really he was lucky Esme was away with John otherwise he would have received more than a look. There was a bit of shuffling and what sounded like foot stamping and then Ada grabbed the phone.

"I wondered when you were going to phone."

"It's only been three days since I last phoned," Niamh chuckled. "And it's not my fault that the last two times I've phoned you've been out."

"Well that's a few days too many," Ada answered curtly. "I need all of that wonderful Camden gossip."

"Oh yeah because there's so much of it," Niamh snorted. "I mean in between sitting in the house reading most of the day, there's the occasional fight that needs breaking up between two finches in the garden. Oh and yesterday and saw a rat as big as Arthur's foot when I took Cyril for a walk."

"See what I mean?" Ada laughed. "The excitement is too much to bear. I wonder what it'll be next? Old ladies scrapping in the street over their shopping? Cats attacking you when you put out the rubbish?"

"I'll have you know I live in a very nice area, Ada. No fighting or any of that shit round here. It's full of hoity toity bastards."

"What the fuck are you two living there for then?" Ada snorted. "Can you just imagine the faces of the people when they first met their new neighbour, Alfie Solomons? Jesus Christ I bet the fucking women's committee was having a meltdown. Then again knowing those sorts of women, I bet they fancied having a tumble with him instead."

"Thanks Ada," Niamh scowled playfully. "I don't want to think about how many women on my street have slept with my husband."

"Spoilsport,"Ada huffed. "Well if you won't talk about other women fucking him, are you at least going to tell me if you've finally fucked him yet?"

"Ada!" Niamh exclaimed. "You can't ask me something like that."

"Pretty sure I just did. You're my little sister which means I can ask you whatever I want. So... is that a yes or a no?"

"That's a 'it's none of your business'."

"You have!" Ada gasped gleefully. "I need details immediately."

"Ada," Niamh sighed.

"Don't you bloody Ada me. Tell me everything otherwise I'm shouting for Polly and she'll ask you instead."

"I don't wanna talk about it with either of you thanks," Niamh tutted. "But I suppose you really are the lesser of two evils."

"Ok before you start let me just check that the little shit isn't listening."

"That's an awful way to talk about our nephew."

"Yeah, well it's the truth. He's a real Shelby that one," Ada scoffed.

As Ada disappeared momentarily to check on Joseph, Niamh couldn't help but think for a moment about the fact that one day she was going to have children of her own; and with Alfie Solomons no less. She had always wanted children; it was a given coming from a family like hers, but the reality of it actually potentially happening in the near future was sort of terrifying.

"I'm back," Ada announced, sounding a little out of breath. "Just as I suspected, the little bugger was listening to our conversation using the phone in Tommy's room. I've sent him down to the shop for some sweets so you've got precisely ten minutes to tell me just how good or bad Alfie Solomons is in the sack."

"Ada," Niamh couldn't help but chuckle at Ada's bluntness. "I'm not telling you anything, I already said that."

"Niamh Shelby- I mean, Solomons- you have to tell me," Ada demanded. "And not just because I threatened you with Polly but because we're sisters. When I slept with Freddie, I told you, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you told me far more than I bloody wanted to know," Niamh scoffed.

"It's not my fault I'm just very open," Ada muttered. "Now come on, just tell me one thing then; was he good?"

"If I tell you, do you swear that you won't ask anything else?"

"Cross my heart," Ada promised.

"Fine," Niamh groaned, a smile breaking out upon her face as she thought about the night before. And this morning. "It was… I… oh, Ada, this is embarrassing."

"Oh piss off, Niamh, how can you be embarrassed? I'm your bloody sister, for God's sakes. I've shared a bed with you near enough our whole lives; I've bathed with you when you had that god awful stomach bug and shit in the water; I've brushed nits out of your hair; I've-"

"-I get the idea," Niamh interrupted her. "Fine, I'll tell you because otherwise I'm never gonna hear the end of it. Alfie is very… hm… it's…he's very good, erm, good. More than good actually. I mean I don't have anything else to compare it to but… yeah."

Ada made a sort of excited squeal down the end of the phone and Niamh couldn't stop laughing, despite how embarrassed she felt.

"So how many times have you two done the deed?" Ada asked.

"You said you weren't going to ask anything else," Niamh said indignantly. "In fact you promised."

"Yeah well I had my fingers crossed," Ada chortled. "So come on, I need more details."

"Not a chance," Niamh shook her head. "In fact, I think I heard the doorbell so I'd better go."

"Niamh, don't you dare," Ada warned.

"Bye, Ada; give everyone a kiss for me."

Niamh slammed the phone down and let out a sigh. Bloody sisters. Thank God she only had one of them because there was no way she could cope with an interrogation from more than one. She was certain though that there would be one to come from Polly at some point in the near future. Not that she had time to think about that now because she needed to go and get ready for lunch.

The restaurant was somewhat out of Alfie's comfort zone; all posh and what not, and judging by the smarmy look on Tommy's face, the Peaky Blinder knew it as well. Their meeting had adjourned half an hour ago and since then the two of them had painfully tried to force awkward conversation until Niamh arrived. Alfie was the first to spot her, and he was out of his seat and across the restaurant floor before Niamh had even checked her coat in with the concierge.

"Thank fuckin' God you're here," he muttered, taking her by the hand. "If I had to spend another second on my own with your brother, I reckon I might have taken up drinkin'."

"Hi Niamh," she rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you too, Niamh."

Alfie tutted but smiled and led her outside the dining room for a moment, ignoring her puzzled gaze when he didn't stop until they were in a quiet corner, out of sight. Pulling her into his arms, he brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Mm, I missed you," his eyes were dark with lust and something else that Niamh couldn't quite place. "Been waitin' all day to do that."

"It's only lunchtime," Niamh chuckled, cupping his face and standing up on her tiptoes to kiss him back quickly.

"Don't care," he grumbled, tracing a finger down her nose. "I wanna kiss you all day every day, don't I? But instead I've spent most of the mornin' starin' at your brother's ugly mug."

"Hey," Niamh pretended to pout. "You might not like him but he's still my brother so can you at least try and pretend not to hate him? And did you two get your business sorted then?"

"Just about. That's unless your brother changes his mind again. Anyway, I don't wanna talk about him right now. I like your dress; I'd like it even more on our bedroom floor," Alfie's eyes roved Niamh's body and his hand slipped under skirt sneakily.

"Alfie!" she hissed, slapping his hand away as her face turned bright red.

"What?" he shrugged, a smirk decorating his face. "No one can see us, and anyway it aint my fault that my wife's so beautiful, is it? What do you say we fuck your brother off and go home, eh?"

"Sorry to interrupt whatever this is but I thought we were meant to be having lunch?"

"Tommy!" Niamh exclaimed, forgetting her shame at having been caught in a rather interesting clinch with Alfie. She threw her arms around Tommy, giggling when he picked her up and kissed her cheek.

"Have you always been this heavy?" he frowned, setting her to her feet and taking a good look at her as though he hadn't seen her in years not weeks.

"You calling me fat?" Niamh raised a curt eyebrow but couldn't keep her face straight long enough to make Tommy think that she was being serious. She hugged him again, squeezing him tight and breathing in his familiar smell- the smell of home- and he rubbed her back soothingly. He would never say it out loud in front of Alfie but he had missed her greatly. He had missed her and despite hearing about her conversations with the others, as well as the ones he himself had with her, he had been unable to let go of the tiny niggle of guilt that had plagued him since her wedding day. Although now, with the look in her eyes that spoke of her genuine happiness alongside the way he had seen her and Solomons canoodling like teenagers, he found himself eased somewhat.

"Would I ever do such a thing?" he narrowed his playful eyes at his sister who just slapped him on the arm and snorted.

"Yes actually, you fucking would. Now can we go and eat 'cause I'm starving."

"When are you not?" Tommy muttered under his breath. "Anyway, it was you two who were messing about out here, not me."

"Shut up," Niamh blushed.

Tommy smirked, watching as Alfie pulled out the seat beside his own for Niamh and waited for her to be sitting comfortably before he did the same. This was definitely an interesting turn of events and one he was interested in observing more of over lunch.

"So how's married life treating you?" Tommy asked. .

"Can't complain," Alfie shrugged nonchalantly.

"Can't complain?" Niamh turned to look at him with a frown. "That's it?"

"What?" Alfie asked incredulously.

"I think what's happening here, Niamh, is that Alfie doesn't want to let me know that marriage to a Shelby agrees with him," Tommy smirked into his tumbler of whiskey.

"Observant as always," Alfie nodded to Tommy, placing a hand to rest on Niamh's knee. "Perhaps if you'd wipe that smug fuckin' look off your face then I might not have such a problem admittin' that I'm actually rather happy. And also, she aint a Shelby no more."

Tommy wasn't entirely sure what to make of Alfie's declaration. It was obvious from the looks passed between the two that both Niamh and Alfie were happy with their arranged marriage, but Tommy couldn't let go of the niggle in the back of his head that had appeared that this was all part of Alfie's plan to lull the family into a false sense of security. It seemed over the course of just a short while his emotions had gone from guilt to relief to suspicion and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

"So how's Pol?" Niamh asked, breaking him from his thoughts. "Did you know she's hired someone to do the cleaning? Of course you must know that seeing as it's your house too."

"Gone up in the world, our Pol," Tommy muttered wryly. "Although the woman she's hired may as well not bother being there seeing as Polly cleans before she comes anyway so it doesn't leave a bad impression."

"That sounds like Pol," Niamh chuckled.

"What about you? You have a cleaning lady or do you still have to get your hands dirty?"

"I offered her a housekeeper 'cause my one left just before we got married but your absolute mental head of a sister chose to do all the cleanin' and what not herself. Says she enjoys it and it gives her somethin' to do with her days."

"That sounds like Niamh," Tommy smirked. "Only person I know who enjoys cleaning."

"Yeah well between you messy boys and Ada, someone in the family had to enjoy it," she retorted.

"Mr Shelby?" one of the waiters appeared before Tommy could form a droll reply. "I'm sorry to interrupt your meal but there's a phone call for you. A Mr Dogs."

"Excuse me a minute," Tommy sighed, getting up to follow the waiter into the lobby.

"Can we go home yet?" Alfie spoke quietly.

"We've not even had dessert yet," Niamh shook her head but smiled. "I know this is probably awkward but he's being really nice and I've missed him, you know."

"I know," Alfie sighed.

Niamh gave him a quick peck on the cheek and then reached for the dessert menu to decide what she wanted. Of course it would have to be something with chocolate but she didn't know exactly what just yet. Her breath caught in her throat when suddenly she felt Alfie's hand slide up her thigh just a little, the cold of his rings against her sensitive skin making her shiver, and he squeezed ever so slightly.

"I think I'll have my dessert at home," he murmured, leaning towards her under the guise of reading the menu with her.

Niamh's breathing faltered and her mouth parted in silent ecstasy when his hand moved up higher, his fingers trailing beneath the skirt of her dress and brushing her core over her thin silky underwear. Biting her lip, Niamh tried her best to pretend that she was completely unaffected as his fingers threatened to slip beneath her underwear.

"Alfie please, he's coming back," she begged, trying to return the easy smile her brother cast at her as he made his way back to the table.

"Sorry about that," Tommy cleared his throat and sat back down. "Oh I see Niamh's got the dessert menu ready. Let me guess, chocolate cake?"

"Loves dessert, don't you?" Alfie grinned at her innocently. "With plenty of cream."

Niamh yelped as one of his fingers traced her wet slit beneath her underwear and Tommy frowned at her in concern.

"Sorry," she muttered, her voice croaky as Alfie's hand became more insistent. "Cramp."

Alfie's finger began to rub in slow circles and Niamh had to squeeze her hands in her lap in an attempt to stop herself from moaning right at the table. Just as she was about to make a sound, Alfie removed his hand and peered at Niamh with worry. "You know, you look a bit flushed."

"Yeah, I'm not sure I feel so well actually," she grimaced, and if Tommy didn't buy her act his face didn't show it. "Would you hate me if we had to cut lunch short? I feel really bad that you came all the way down here and I only saw you for a short while."

"Course not," Tommy smiled. "I should get back anyway and make sure your brothers are behaving themselves."

For Niamh, it felt like hours waiting for the server to come with the bill, and for her and Tommy to say their goodbyes. All the while, Alfie's eyes ate her up hungrily and she was physically trembling by the time Tommy retrieved her coat for her and helped to slip it on. When he mentioned it, she put it down to her not feeling well and Tommy didn't argue. He simply told Alfie to take good care of her and said he would phone later to see how she was, and then after one final hug they went their separate ways.

The car ride home was fraught with tension. Alfie wriggled uncomfortable in his seat, tapping his cane impatiently on the floor, eager to get home. How he had gone weeks without touching the woman beside him he did not know, but now the floodgates had been well and truly opened there was no closing them again. He was addicted and he was desperate for her.

"Ishmael, can't you go any faster, mate?" Alfie grumbled, not daring to glance in Niamh's direction because he most definitely didn't think he would be able to stop himself from fucking her right there and then in the back seat of the car.

When they finally arrived home, they barely made it through the front door before they were yanking each other's clothes off desperately as their mouths clashed together in an explosion of want. Too impatient to make it upstairs, Alfie pushed Niamh against the hallway wall, tearing at her underwear and pushing himself inside of her with a hard thrust. He took one of her legs and wrapped it around his hip, grabbing hold of the thigh to keep it there while he thrust into her again and again without mercy, not even caring when her head banged against the wall. There were no sweet words; no slow and tender movements. Instead it was raw and animalistic and when Niamh came apart, Alfie was right behind her within seconds.

"Fuckin' hell," Alfie panted, resting his head against her neck while he tried to catch his breath. He made a move to lower Niamh's leg to the ground and she let out a pained groan.

"Fuck," she hissed with a grimace. "Now I really have got bloody cramp."

Alfie was the first to start laughing; a throaty chuckle that soon turned into a full belly laugh which made Niamh laugh as well. Soon enough the two of them were doubled over with laughter, high on life and on their feelings for each other.

But very soon they would be forced to come back down to earth with a bump. After all, the greater the ascent, the sharper the decline.