Thomas Shelby pinched the end of his cigarette, tossing it on the dirty ground as he walked toward the Garrison. As he walked, he mulled over the past several weeks since his arrival from France. The Special from Belfast increased the ranks of the local police force, making it hard for mishaps to be covered up.
He knew these "coppers" would do anything to nab him if he stepped out of line. With Inspector Campbell's agreement with Thomas's terms, he was confident Campbell wouldn't step out of line and ruin all their plans. Curly and Uncle Charlie safely tucked away the large crates of guns in the building at the tobacco wharf. He could breathe easily for a moment, but he knew the Inspector would continue to upbraid and cause dissonance in his territory. The people of Small Heath, whether or not many agreed, relied on the Shelbys to keep the devil away from their doors.
Thomas couldn't prevent all deaths and intruders, but he would take care of what he could. It wasn't so much keeping the people of the city safe, but keeping his family safe. His family came before everyone else. The rest of the world could burn.
A crumpled, half torn newspaper floating along a breeze attached itself to his right trouser leg. He shook his leg to remove the newspaper, but it stuck to the woolen trouser. He paused his step and pulled it off his leg. Thomas went to toss it aside when he saw an advertisement for the upcoming fair. If the fair was in town, the Lees were close by. A tiny half smile formed on his face before he chucked the offending paper to the side and continued his walk.
He knew from his sources that Billy Kimber was at war with the Lees. The Lees were constantly attacking Kimber's bookies and stealing the money. Thomas deeply understood doing what was necessary to make money, and the Lees chose to rob Billy Kimber, of all people. This information gave him a way to get in contact with the Lees. He'd have a Blinder track down Johnny Dogs and set a meeting. Ahead of him stood the Garrison. He'd have a drink, talk to whichever his brothers were there and hopefully talk them into buying another horse.
Thomas saw Maze before she walked into the Garrison. Cursing, he quickened his step and to heed her off. Coming to a stop in front of her, he blocked her entrance to the pub. He looked down at Maze and saw the dark circles around her eyes. The death of the Italian affected her and possibly nightmares. She was wearing a thick overcoat to hide the large bruise on her forearm. Anger stirred in him but pushed it down, knowing there wasn't anything he could do about it. It amused him to see her scowl at him.
"Let me pass," she said without provocation.
"Can't let you do that," Thomas replied with a tiny shake of his head.
Maze's mouth dropped open at his statement, "You let me in the other day."
"That was different."
"I want a drink."
"It's half past ten in the morning," he countered, shaking his head at her again.
"And?"
"No women allowed," he said, frowning at her arched eyebrow.
Maze stretched onto her toes to peer over him, to gaze into the bare window to see a woman inside. "You have a woman inside."
Thomas refused to give into her. He didn't want her going inside the pub. "She's working,"
"You have a barmaid now?" She pretended to think, tapping her chin with one finger. "Then it's all right for me to go inside."
Maze moved her tired feet to step past him, only to find his larger frame blocking her. He heard her huff in frustration. "You still can't go in."
"Of all the bloody places in Birmingham, this is the only place you won't let me step into?!" she asked, her body tense with frustration.
"Yes," he said without missing a beat.
She fumed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What if I wanted to go to a different pub…. you know, one that you can't have eyes on me?"
His next sentence was going to infuriate her, but he pressed on. Shoving his hands in his trouser pockets, he leaned down until he was eye level with her. "I always have eyes on you."
"Who's that outside talking to Mr. Shelby?" Grace asked, wiping down the bare counter.
Harry looked up from storing bottles to glimpse Thomas standing outside talking to Mazella Hawthorne. "Oh, it's no one." The landlord knew better than to tell a complete stranger who Thomas was talking to.
"You sure? Their conversation seems fairly heated," Grace pressed, looking at Harry before turning back to Thomas.
"I'm sure Grace. Listen, don't mind who Mr. Shelby talks to. It's none of our business," Harry replied sternly. There was something about this woman that he didn't trust. He had known Thomas Shelby long enough to be wary of newcomers asking questions.
Harry saw Grace nod her head hesitantly. Satisfied, the landlord went back to stocking fresh bottles of alcohol, never noticing that Grace kept looking outside.
"You're infuriating," Maze hissed quietly.
"And you can turn around and leave," Thomas shot back.
"I'm not leaving," Maze pushed, glaring at him. "Not now, never…. unless I die."
Thomas' eyes widened a fraction, her words settling on him as realization dawned on him. It had been his biggest fear that she would leave the moment they returned from France. Finding her in France made his blood boil in anger, but believing she would leave…. hurt him immensely.
"You're not leaving?" he asked slowly, eyeing her carefully.
Maze refused to roll her eyes at him. "You understand English enough. I'm not leaving Birmingham."
Relief washed over him like a summer rain. She wasn't leaving him. It seemed her work wasn't done in the past, after all.
"And you made this decision?" he asked, fishing in his coat for his cigarettes, earning a glare from Maze.
She gave him a baleful look for his lack of faith in her decision making. "I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions, Thomas."
He snorted softly, shaking his head before looking up at her and slipped a cigarette between his lips. "Didn't seem that way in '15."
She couldn't believe him! Anger rose in her quickly and she took a deep breath, trying to push down the sarcastic, angry tone that threatened to spew from her lips. Once again, Thomas was trying to start an argument. Only this time it was in the middle of the street, "Don't fucking start that again. You've yelled at me enough. Besides, what are you waiting for from me?"
"An apology."
Her eyes widened at his words. "An apology? For what?" then the light clicked above her head. "You want me to apologize to you and for running off to France?"
"'Bout the gist of it," he countered.
Maze glared at him angrily, wishing she could stomp her foot like a toddler. "You're not getting an apology from me. Now, will you let me pass so I can go into the Garrison?"
"Don't you have a job to go to?" he replied, knowing it would infuriate her.
She frowned at him. "Just got done. I want a fucking drink, Thomas. Then I'll be a good little girl and run off to bed."
"Drink at home," he said, turning away from her and walking into the Garrison. He smirked, hearing her screech in frustration.
"No," Maze said, finally losing her temper with his antagonizing ways. "I'm not."
Thomas turned around slowly, staring at her incredulously. Few people told him no. The look in her eyes shook him. He had seen her angry in the past, but this was something different. Whatever she was about to say would not be pleasant.
"Until you can be fucking civil with me, I don't want to see you. Don't come to me fucking house either until you can talk to me without trying to start a row," she held up her hand, fury rolling over as she screamed on the inside for what she was doing to them. "Just…. fucking….. don't….., Thomas."
Something inside him ripped to shreds, hearing her scathing, but truthful, words. Thomas controlled the shudder that passed over him as the wolf in his head snarled at her. He didn't want their steady relationship fragmented because of his bull headed attitude toward her, but he couldn't stop the vitriolic words from tumbling from his lips until she saw reason. His reason. He should have known if he kept antagonizing her and arguing with her, she would eventually tell him to fuck off. It surprised him she lasted this long.
Glaring at him once more, Maze stormed off, brushing past him. He lowered his head, smelling her tears and her fury at him. Thomas felt like an utter bastard for causing her pain. Cursing himself, he pursed his lips before turning around to watch her disappear into the throng of people. Despite her 'modernism', she would listen about not stepping into the Garrison. It didn't mean she liked it, but a pub wasn't for women and she knew it. Left without an option, he pushed a sharp breath of air from his lips and walked to the pub. As he pushed the double doors open to the pub, he let the doors close behind him loudly. He placed his hand on the handle of the small room he and the other Blinders used. He felt eyes on him. Thomas turned his head to see Grace watching him with interest.
"Can I help you?" he asked with disinterest.
"I-," Grace began, setting the towel down. "Just wondering who you were talking to."
"Nobody," he replied and pushed the door open to see Arthur sitting alone with a half bottle of whiskey in front of him.
"It's half past ten in the morning," Thomas said, sitting down and fishing out his matches, lighting the cigarette he abandoned earlier. He struck the match and lit a cigarette before shaking the flame out.
"That's what you said to her a few minutes ago," Arthur mumbled, staring into his drink.
Thomas stopped, the cigarette barely hanging from his lips. "Listening, are you?"
"Couldn't help it. You're both fucking loud."
"I'm going to be gone from the city today."
"Yea? Where too?" Arthur's interest piqued.
"I'll tell you later," Thomas promised, much to Arthur's annoyance.
Thomas shook his head at his older brother. Inhaling from the cigarette, he leaned back against the wooden chair and exhaled. He didn't dare tell Arthur of his plan to meet Johnny Dogs for a horse, either. Not while he was pissed before dinner. Ten minutes later, Arthur rose unsteadily from his seat and stumbled out of the Garrison, leaving Thomas alone.
That afternoon, after learning from one of his men where Johnny Dogs currently lived, Thomas took the road toward the fair. He wanted to know if they had a horse, he could buy off the traveling gypsies. Thomas didn't trust the lot of them, but they always took care of their horses. He would tread carefully with the gypsies, knowing from experience you couldn't anger them lest you pay the consequences.
He slowed the Model T, seeing Johnny standing by a horse covered wagon. Thomas sometimes wondered what it would be like to live like his distantly related kin. Traveling all the time and working when money was needed. The short Romani man saw Thomas and waved excitedly. There was something about Johnny that Thomas liked, but he didn't trust him. Getting out of the car a few minutes later, he fixed his coat and walked over to Johnny.
"Thomas!" Johnny called, rushing over and vigorously shaking Thomas' outstretched hand.
"Johnny Dogs, good to see you. Back in town for the fair?"
"Yea, you know how it is. So…," Johnny clapped his hands together, coming to walk beside Thomas. "Your fella said you needed to talk to me?"
Thomas fished a cigarette out, offering one to Johnny, who declined and lit one quickly. "I need to know if you have a horse you can sell?"
"A horse?" Johnny paused, eyeing Thomas curiously. What do you need a horse for?"
"Just need another horse, Johnny," Thomas replied, puffing out a cloud of smoke. "Do you have one?"
Johnny pretended to think it over for a moment, leaving Thomas on edge for an answer. "Aye, I think I do, but it will cost you."
"How much?" Thomas asked. He didn't have money on him, but could retrieve it before the end of day.
Johnny looked over at the black Model T and sighed wistfully. "Maybe a ride in your Model T, eh?"
"That all?" Thomas asked, the surprise in his voice clear. It made him suspicious that Johnny didn't ask for money. If it was Thomas, he wouldn't be bartering to drive a fucking car when he could have money in his hand.
"That's all," Johnny smiled brightly.
Thomas mulled it over quickly. "Deal," he said, reaching to shake Johnny's hand.
"We'll be back in a few days when the fair is running to check on the horse," Thomas turned his back to open the door on his car. Giving the car a turn crank, he got in once the engine rumbled.
Giving Johnny one last nod, Thomas reversed the car and turned around to head back to the city. It wouldn't be hard to convince Arthur, John, and a few others to visit the fair, but make a pit stop first.
"So what's this about?" Polly asked from her chair at the Betting House. A small fire crackled in the stove behind them as they waited for Thomas to start the impromptu meeting. Arthur and John sat across from her, but she suspected they already knew what the meeting was about. She looked up expectantly at Thomas, who called the meeting.
"This is about buying another horse," Thomas said, leaning against the wall.
"You said that a week ago," John said, his words slurred a little from the stick of wood lodged in his mouth.
"Aye, I did, and we're going to buy one."
"From who?" Polly asked, pausing her shuffling from the stack of papers in front of her.
Thomas braced himself. This was the part he knew his family would object to. "The Lees."
A cacophony of noise came at him as he stood there waiting for the complaints to die down. He pushed himself off the wall and sat down at the head of the table. When his family ended their complaining a few minutes later, Thomas eyed the glares coming from them. He knew the family history with the Lees, despite being distantly related to them.
"No," Polly slammed her hands on the table, breaking the silence.
"They have a horse…" Thomas began.
"Who did you talk to?" Arthur interrupted, leaning against the back of his chair.
"Johnny Dogs."
"And he's a reliable source?" Polly asked curtly.
"The only one that won't stab me in the back," Thomas replied stiffly.
Arthur scoffed from his spot at the table and opened his mouth to rebuke Thomas' words.
"When will this be happening?" Polly asked before Arthur started his tirade. She earned a glare from Arthur, but ignored it.
"The day of the fair."
"The fair is coming to Birmingham?" John asked, realizing he'd have to take his children to it.
"It is. Saw it in the paper this morning."
"I still don't think it's a good idea," Polly mumbled.
"We're going," Thomas said with finality.
The day of the fair arrived faster than Thomas expected. Thomas had not spoken to Maze since their last encounter. Her absence in his life was eating at him slowly, consuming him until he knew he would crawl back to her to apologize. He passed her on the way out of Birmingham as he, Arthur, John, and Finn left to their stop with the Lees before they went to the fair.
The sun shined brightly on the early March day. A few weeks ago it was snowing and today, the surrounding air smelled like Spring. The next race was in two weeks and he needed his horse when Monaghan Boy finally lost. Another trick to be played, more money to make, and a red flag to Billy Kimber.
His brothers didn't know that Thomas planned for the Shelbys to go to war with the Lee family before the day was over. He knew what the Lees were doing to Kimber's men, and this was his way in. Thomas would wait patiently for an opening, and he knew those drunkard Lees would give it to him. Thomas took a turn off the well-worn path and onto a dirt road that led him to the Lee encampment.
As the car ambled closer to the encampment, he could hear the bleating of goats and rushing of water over the loud engine of his Model T. If he pressed hard enough with his hearing, he could hear the Lees talking amongst themselves. The wolf in his head perked up, realizing something was going to happen. It had been awhile since Thomas fought and the wolf was ready to assist him.
Thomas slowed the car to a stop, sensing confusion from his brothers. Putting it in park, he turned off the car and climbed out. Thomas looked around the encampment to see if he spotted Johnny anywhere amongst the crowd of Lees.
"Thought you said we were going to the fair?" Arthur asked, seeing the Lees.
"Business first," Thomas said. "Now get out and keep your wits about you."
"Tommy!" Johnny Dogs voice rang out from across the settlement.
"Johnny Dogs!"
"How the hell are ya?" Johnny asked, clamouring up the small hill to eagerly shake Thomas' hand.
"Good. Been busy." Thomas followed Johnny across the encampment to a white horse tethered to a wagon.
"So this is the horse?" Thomas inquired, coming toward the horse. It shuffled its feet and shook the tether.
"And that's the car?" Johnny asked, walking off to inspect the car.
Thomas inspected the horse, checking the feet and flank before running his fingers through the thick, white mane of hair. He knew better than to take anyone's word about a horse or any dealing without checking over it first. He wanted this horse to win races despite who he got it from.
"Don't fucking tell me you're going to swap the family car for a horse?" Arthur demanded, shoving his hands in his trouser pockets.
"Of course not!" Johnny called, walking back to the Shelbys. "That would be mad."
When Thomas handed Johnny the keys to the Model T, Arthur lost it. Arthur looked back and forth between Thomas and Johnny, fury building. "Damnit Tommy, you said you didn't sell the…."
"Shut up Arthur. I told him he could have a spin in the car. It's what we agreed on."
The men could hear Johnny give a little excited squeal as he rushed off to get into the Model T to drive off. Thomas suppressed a smile that threatened to show. The sound of laughter from the side caught his attention. His head snapped up seeing three of the Lee men laughing at Johnny's antics. This was the opportunity he was looking for. All he needed to do was accuse one of the men of laughing at his brother. If he knew the Lees at all, he knew they wouldn't back down from a fight. The three men standing there chuckled at the scene, not knowing Thomas' intentions.
"You boys laughing at me brother?" Thomas asked, turning his attention to the Lees. When none replied, Thomas tried again. "Well, are ya? Eh?" he asked, forcing anger to rise to the surface.
"Tommy, don't!" Johnny shouted, running back to the Shelby's. "Don't start a fight. Get out of here and take your family to the fair, all right?"
To smooth things over, Johnny turned to speak quickly in Romani, letting the Lees know the Shelby's were good people and their grandad was a King. It didn't matter to the Lees who the fuck Thomas' family was in the past. All that matter was the present, and they were insulted.
"Yea, but his mum was a didicoy whore," one spoke up, ensuring there would be a fight.
That did it.
Thomas reared back, ripping his hat off and slugging his arm at the one who insulted his mother. With a few well-placed hits, the men went down razor blade cuts down their faces. Arthur and John took on the other two Lees, enjoying every second of the fight. When one came up, Thomas knocked his opponent back to the semi soft dirt.
"Tommy, what the hell?" Johnny yelled loudly.
"Insulted me mother," Thomas said, fishing out a cigarette and quickly lightening it. He knew he would regret the fighting over the next couple of days, but it was well worth it.
"Leave now Tommy. Take your family and go," Johnny demanded, trying to keep the peace between the Lees and the Shelby's. Johnny didn't know things were going to go pear-shaped for his friend.
Thomas considered Johnny's words and conceded. His primary goal for the day was finished. Motioning for his brothers to get back into the car, Thomas cranked the engine as they climbed in. Hearing the engine as it fired up a second later, he climbed into the driver's seat and turned the key. The wolf howled joyously for the impromptu fight. Since their return from France, the physical fighting all but disappeared, much to the wolf's disgust. He would need to work off the excess during a full moon night.
Unbeknownst to the boys, Campbell took the opportunity to have his officers kick open every door of the city. His men were looking for guns and/or Commies. He was truly looking for the guns that Churchill demanded of him, but a few Communists agitators arrested would make his job easier and he would look better in front of his boss. He didn't care how it looked, but his primary goal was to make sure the people of Small Heath blamed the Peaky Blinders for this tragedy.
He would later find out the coppers nearly caught that Ada, resulting in interesting information to come to the surface.
Ada Shelby pulled her stocking upon her leg as Freddie talked to a woman to let her inside to hide until the coppers were finished tearing up Watery Lane. She watched as Freddie disappeared, leaving her in the hands of a woman she never met.
It never mattered to the coppers, but they always took care of their business when the Shelby men were out of town. Campbell couldn't have Thomas Shelby interfering with his great work.
Arriving back at Small Heath with their horse in tow, Thomas wondered what happened while they were gone. The coppers filled the street with furniture. People rummaged through the mess and collected their things that were thrown from windows and doors as the coppers were looking for the guns. It was a bonus if they caught a Communist. They drove past the town and toward Charlie's, dropping off the horse with Curly, who would take care of it until Thomas had time to come back and assess the animal.
Returning to the house on Watery Lane, Thome entered the house and saw Polly sitting in the betting room with Arthur, John, and several other Blinders. They were talking quietly, waiting for him to arrive. He could tell from their posture that they knew what had occurred earlier that day.
"Now what happened outside?" Thomas asked, leaning against the china hutch.
"Word is the Peaky Blinders left to go to the fair, letting Campbell do what he did," Polly spat, raising her hand to her mouth. It truly bothered her that Campbell and his men would devastate the entire Lane looking for the guns. The talking hushed as Polly explained to Thomas what happened.
A bucket of beer sat on the table untouched by Thomas, but the others indulged with a pint. He took a glass when offered to him by John, but didn't sip it. Polly light a cigarette before tossing the match.
"I never fucking said they could come in here and smash up bloody houses!" Arthur roared from his chair, his fingers gripping the pint of beer tightly.
"All right," Thomas sighed, already tired of hearing the bickering. "Which pubs did they do?"
"All the ones that pay for protection," Polly answered, looking at Thomas. "They didn't touch the Garrison, though. They made sure that people think we're in on it. I hate that man. This copper is far too smart."
The men stared at her for a long moment. He could tell their lack of movement irritated her. "Well," she snapped, "drink your beers and get out there and let them know you're still the cocks of the walk."
Thomas waited back as the rest of the men and his brothers left the house to do what Polly instructed them to do. As the men dispersed, Arthur stayed back for a few minutes to find out what his brother was doing instead of paying off landlords and hiring veterans to clean up the pubs that Campbell demolished. It would go a long way to gain back their popularity now if it looked like they were fixing the mess.
"I—I," he paused, his cigarette halfway to his lips. He didn't want to deal with this mess right now. "I've got to go to Charlie's yard to inspect the horse we bought."
Polly closed the door, barely restraining from locking it when she turned around to pull out a chair to sit in. She couldn't believe Thomas shirked responsibility. She took her seat and tapped her fingers lightly on the table, waiting for him to sit down as well.
"You know," she whispered, eyeing Thomas intently. "The copper will not stop until he gets the guns back."
Thomas sighed, knowing this. He finished the two steps to the table and pushed the chair out for him to sit. He set the beer glass down heavily on the wooden table and sighed again. If it wasn't Campbell, it was Ada. If it wasn't them, it was Maze. It was starting to look like he would not catch a break soon.
"Have you tried to find our Ada?" Thomas ran his hand smoothly over the table, refusing to look at Polly.
"Women's business," Poly replied succinctly.
Thomas scoffed at her words, a smile breaking out over his face before he schooled it. "Where's her bed now, Polly?"
"I thought you didn't want to know about women's business," Polly inquired, raising an eyebrow at her nephew.
He stared at her for a moment, contemplating her words, before turning away to tap the cigarette against the ashtray. He picked it up again, listening to his aunt reiterate Campbell wanted to finally meet him.
"Are you going to meet Campbell?"
"No," he replied, looking off into the distance. "You don't backpedal when you're ahead. I'll strike a blowback first."
With that, he grabbed his hat and coat, leaving Polly sitting alone in the parlor with a half empty bucket of beer.
