Unbreakable Connection

by MrsNShelby2021

Tommy was brought up to believe in his feelings, in his gut, his Ma told him that there is a true love for everyone you just have to be brave enough to want it and keep it to grab it with both hands an never let it go. When Ness was only six weeks old her parents moved from the south of England to Birmingham. She grew up with the Shelby's but one Shelby loved her more then anything

7. Protecting my love

Chapter 7,

Tommy's POV,

I woke up in the early hours of the morning with my arms around Ness and I just laid here for a moment. Yesterday was such a long day. So much to think about, Arthur getting the shit kicked out of him to the new barmaid who couldn't seem to stop staring at me or glaring at my wife and what she said to me yesterday in the Garrison about not telling my wife had me wondering why she had so much attention on me there was something I didn't trust about that woman and I knew Ness felt the same, I also knew there would be hell to pay when I tell her what the bitch said when she left the Garrison and the way she was smiling at me. I was brought out of my thoughts by a hand on my cheek which had me smiling instantly and looking down at Ness who had her head on my chest she was looking up at me and smiling.

"Morning my love."

"Morning Tom, what's your plans for today?"

"I'm taking the lads to the fair this morning but I have a meeting with Johnny-Dogs first about a horse."

"Hmm, you taking Finn?"

"I am my love,"

"Good, he needs some time with his brothers. What deal you got in place with Johnny-Dogs?"

"Two ups love, I win, I get the horse and he has a spin in the car, I lose and he gets a spin in the car."

"Sounds fun, who's he riding with nowadays?"

That had me smirking at her, Ness was a lot smarter than she let on to people outside of the family.

"The Lee family, what about you love?"

That had her looking at me with a spark of mischievousness in her eyes and she smirked at me,

"Ah so this is not just a business meeting with Johnny-Dogs then my love? I know Pol will be in church this morning so I was thinking I'll go see Sarah down the road. I know you don't like her husband because he's a communist but I haven't seen Sarah since I got back from the war and I heard she's just had a baby so I really want to go see her."

"No love, if we have a hope of getting Kimber to work with us then we have to have the same enemy, the Lee family. Just be safe, love that's all I ask. I don't like the communists, but I know you don't either. And I know she's not a communist, I'll be back by this afternoon."

"I trust you Tommy, I know things are going to be very hectic the next few weeks if not months until this shit with Kimber is done but I trust you and I will be here supporting you and I'll be here waiting for you to come home this afternoon."

Having her support and trust meant everything to me, especially now when the family were fighting me at every turn, I knew I could trust my wife to be there for me and have my back and there was no way in hell I would take that for granted or hurt her. I knew I would have to tell her about what Grace said but right now I was just enjoying some quiet time with my wife. She rolled so she was straddling me then leaned down placing her lips against mine. My hands went to her hips to hold her in place, before we could get too carried away there was banging on our bedroom door.

"What?"

"Tommy we're ready when you are!"

"I'll be down in a minute Arthur!"

We heard him walk away from the door, Ness giggled softly before kissing me then rolling off me and getting up off the bed. She pulled some clothes out of her wardrobe and quickly got dressed. She then turned to look at me smiling when she caught me looking,

"See something you like, my love?"

"Hmmm I certainly do, my beautiful wife!"

"Thank you husband, you can enjoy this beautiful wife tonight once you're home. Oh say hello to Johnny-Dogs for me,"

"Oh I will most definitely be enjoying my wife tonight, I will do love."

I smirked at her and got up off the bed getting a fresh suit out and getting dressed for the day. I held my hand out to her which she took without hesitation we made our way downstairs where Arthur, John and Finn were waiting for me. I turned and cupped Ness's face pulling her lips to mine, I pulled back looking at her.

"See you later, love, stay safe."

"Have fun Tom."

"I love you!"

"I love you Tommy."

With that I kissed her lips once more then butted my nose against hers pulling away. I put my peaky cap on and pulled me coat on nodding to Polly,

"Come on then lads."

I got into the driver's seat, Arthur getting into the passenger seat, John and Finn in the back. There was no conversation while I was driving which I was ok with. I just kept planning things over and over in my mind, not just the future of the business but the future for me and Ness. I didn't want us to stay in Small Heath forever and I knew Ness didn't either. Before long I got to the fork in the road, going right would take us right to the fair and going left would bring us to Johnny-Dogs and the camp he was now in. I pulled left no one saying anything until we pulled onto the grass field with a beautiful stream going through it I knew Ness would love this place, Arthur broke the silence,

"I thought you said we were going to the fair?"

I turned the car off and looked at Arthur,

"We have business first. Come on, bring your wits."

"What business?"

Thankfully John had some sense and noticed where we were,

"That's the Lee family."

They got out of the car, when I heard my name being called,

"Tommy!"

"Johnny-Dogs!"

"Tommy, how the hell are ya?"

He walked over to me

"All the better for getting the city smoke out of me lungs."

We shook hands, Johnny-Dogs was a loyal friend he had been helping the Shelbys out for many years. He wasn't quite a Peaky Blinder but he was an honorary Peaky Blinder because I knew if I needed him he would be there in a heartbeat.

"I thought you became a bit too grand for us."

"I've been busy."

"Yeah? How is that beautiful wife of yours?"

"Ness is good, she told to say hi to you that she misses her friend."

He smiled at that and looked at me,

"Tell her I said hi back and that I miss her too."

I just nodded my head to that, it was one of the things I loved most about my wife and that was her ability to befriend anyone and how liked she was. I got brought out of my thoughts by Johnny speaking again,

"I'm riding with the Lee family now."

Another reason I was here the Lee family, if I was going to even get Kimbers attention I had to start something with the Lee family and there was nothing I liked more than starting shit. I didn't like the Lee family, they were full of disloyal idiots so I knew starting something with them would be easy.

"I heard. Myself I'd rather live among pigs!" I spat out

"Come on, Tommy. No disputing. So, your first fair since France?"

"What do you know about France, you war-shy Gypsy bastard?"

I saw a beautiful white horse, if Ness were here she would fall in love with the beautiful beast immediately.

"So this is the horse?"

"And that's the car."

I put my cigarette between my lips and walked over to the horse running my hand down its nose and then through its main, I then ran my hand down its side going to its hoof softly encouraging the beast to lift its foot for me, once I had it's foot in my hand I ran my hand on its foot checking and then let its leg go. I stood back up to softly smooth the horse when Arthur spoke up again, and what he said had me rolling my eyes.

"Hang on a minute, you're not swapping the family car for a bloody horse?"

It was Johnny who answered him,

"Of course we're not swapping it. That would be mad!"

This time I spoke up and I knew what I was about to say would piss Arthur off even more.

"We're going to play two-up"

Johnny came and stood next to me and we got the coins out, we put them on our thumbs and flipped them in the air both of us looking once they hit the floor. It was heads up which means I won, we picked up the coins and looked at each other. We spit in our hands and shook hands. It was gyspy custom to do this to seal a deal.

I fished the car keys out of my pocket,

"Here you are."

Just as I was handing the keys over to Johnny, Arthur had enough of being quiet and left out of the loop so he spoke up again what he said had me rolling my eyes.

"I knew it. I knew it. Tommy, you bloody idiot!"

I turned away from him for a moment then looked back at him,

"Shut up, Arthur, I won. I promised Johnny, I'd let him have a spin in the car if he lost."

I nodded at Johnny then jerked my head in the direction of the car which he made his way to,

"All right."

This had the Lee's laughing which caught my attention, I looked at them with distaste on my face, not just because I was trying to piss them off today but no one laughs at my brother and gets away with it.

"Are you Lee boys laughing at my brother?"

That caught their attention and they started making their way over to me,

"Are ya? Eh? I asked you a question!"

I heard Johnny trying to get me to calm down but it wouldn't work,

"Tommy, come on!"

He jumped in front of me,

"Tommy come on, its just a crack. Get your family out of here and go and enjoy yourselves at the fair before they start a war!"

Sorry Johnny but not today my friend, a war is exactly what I want to start right now. He turned to the Lee's and started speaking to them in Romani I knew what he was saying of course but let him have his moment. I was thinking of walking away, I had already started something even if it was just something little between us and the Lee's but one of them spoke up it wasn't until he mentioned our mother and Ness that I flipped! No one brings my wife into this and they certainly don't call her a whore either!

"Yeah, but his mother was a diddicoy whore I'm sure his wives not too far from the mark either!"

That comment caused me to to grab my cap I pulled it off my head and flung it like a knife in my hand causing the blades to cut down the Lee boys face, Arthur and John joining in instantly, I flung my cap from my hand and punched the idiot to the floor where I then kicked him in the face, I knew this was bound to cause more shit then I planned but as I said no one brings my wife into it and they don't call her a fucking whore!

Ness's POV,

Tommy and the guys left leaving me with Pol, I looked at her and saw she was already dressed in her church attire which had me inwardly smirking. She smiled at me so I smiled back,

"You coming to church with me, love?"

I wanted to laugh in her face but thought better of it, me and Pol hadn't had a proper conversation without Tommy around but I wasn't worried she would come to me when she had got past whatever it is she needed to get past but I wasn't about to bow down to her when all I had done was support my husband.

"Not today Pol, I'm going to see an old friend."

With that I grabbed my coat and walked out the door, thankfully Sarah didn't live to far away so it didn't take me long to get there, I knocked on the door but didn't have to wait long before the door opened and I saw Sarah standing there, she looked shocked to see me,

"Ness?"

"Sarah, I know it's been a while,"

I was going to apologise but thought better of it, the road to friendship went both ways it wasn't just down to me to make the moves to see her,

"Come in"

"Thank you."

I walked in and took a seat on the sofa where I saw Paul, Sarah's husband holding a baby. Paul looked up to me and smiled softly.

"Ness, it's lovely to see you back on your feet."

"Thank you Paul, congratulations on becoming a father."

"Thanks love,"

I looked to Sarah who still looked shocked to see me so I grabbed her hands getting her attention,

"Sorry Ness, it's just so nice to see you back on your feet. We heard you got hurt from the war."

"It's ok. I came to see the new member of your family."

Sarah stood up and grabbed the baby from Paul she then walked over to me handing me the baby,

"Meet Eliza, our beautiful baby girl."

"She's adorable Sarah."

I looked down at the baby who was a spit of her mother, she had Sarah's emerald green eyes and her fathers nose but she was beautiful.

"Would you like tea Ness?"

"Water actually please?"

"Of course."

Sarah stood up too busy herself making tea for her and Paul and grabbing me a glass of water, while I stayed focused on the beautiful little girl in my arm's I softly ran the pad of my thumb over her cheek and held a finger to her hand where she grabbed it softly. Sarah came back in shortly after leaving, handing me a glass of water to which I handed the baby back to her. I thanked her for the water and took a sip, looking around. She handed the baby back to Paul and then she sat down in front of me smiling. She went to open her mouth when we heard a loud bang and her front door flew open, police came swarming in. I stood to my feet making sure I was stood in front of Paul and the baby, I held my hands up.

"There is a baby in this room!"

But it was like my words fell on deaf ears, I turned my head and saw Paul holding tight to his baby, I kicked his leg to get his attention and whispered so the police couldn't hear me.

"Get out of here take Eliza and go!"

Thankfully he listened to me, he jumped to his feet and rushed to the hallway into the cupboard and closing the door. The police man in front of me who I noticed was in fact on the Peaky Blinders payroll grabbed me and threw me against the wall my back to his chest smashing my face against the wall. I knew he had cut me cause I could feel the blood running down my cheek and I knew I would have bruises tomorrow. He grabbed my hair pulling my head back to then smash my head against the wall again his other hand going to my neck squeezing. Thankfully Moss walked in and saw me, Moss wasn't on the Peaky payroll but he had always had a soft spot for me Tommy claims he was in love with me.

He pulled the officer off of me holding him by his collar,

"That's Tommy's wife you idiot!"

That had the idiot looking at me in fear, I turned around to look at him and smirked. I could feel the bruise on my cheek already and knew it would be bad. I walked over and punched him in the face and nodded at Moss.

"What's going on Moss?"

"We're looking for communists, Ness."

"Well I'm not a bloody communist am I?"

He dragged the officer out and pulled the door closed. I then looked at Sarah who had fear written all over her face, she looked at me and I knew she was sorry for what had happened. She went to take a step towards the back and I knew where she was going so I shook my head,

"Not yet Sarah let them go first."

With that said I left her house, I saw the police going into a lot of homes bringing men out and women calling for their partners to be let go. As I got closer to number 6 I saw the Martin children sat on the floor hugging each other and crying, Charlotte and Henry Martin were two lovely children, Charlotte being four and Henry nine. Sadly they lost their father in the war and I knew Hettie had been struggling ever since to make ends meet which is why she got in a relationship with Frank who is a communist. I walked over to the children and kneeled down in front of them pulling Charlotte into my arms letting her bury her face into my chest. I looked at Henry and held my arm out waiting to see what he would do, it wasn't long before he dived into my arms and held me tightly.

"Shh, it's I've got you."

I held them both close to me when I saw their mother being dragged out by the police in nothing more then her slip, I tucked Henry's head into my chest so he couldn't see. I made eye contact with her and nodded, she nodded back so I knew she understood. I picked up Charlotte keeping her head buried in my chest and grabbed Henry's hand.

"Come on you two let's go see you're Auntie Maggie."

We crossed the street and walked for about five minutes when I knocked on the door to Maggie's house, thankfully she opened quickly when she saw me stood there with the kids she smiled at me, she took Henry's hand pulling him into the house then reached for Charlotte, once she hand her she then looked at me. Her smile fading once she took notice of the blood still running down my forehead and the bruise starting to form on my face.

"Thank you for bringing the children to me Mrs Shelby. Are you ok?"

"Not a problem Maggie, I've told you before it's Ness I'm fine thank you. Your sister was taken, I'm afraid with Frank."

She nodded her head and thanked me again, I walked away from them hearing the door close and carried on to number 6 walking in. I got to the dining room where thankfully Polly was sat, she looked up at my entrance smiling but her smile dropped once she saw me. She stood up and grabbed my face,

"What the hell happened?"

Before I could answer the door was opening and Tommy came walking in followed by Arthur, and John. I was facing away from the door so they hadn't noticed my face just yet, Tommy walked in and lent against the china cabinet, Arthur pulled a seat out and sat down and John was getting everyone drinks. I kept facing away from them for the moment, so Polly spoke up,

"The coppers told everyone Arthur'd agreed to it when he was arrested. They said the Peaky Blinders had cleared out to the fair to let them do it."

"I never said nothing to that copper about smashing up bloody houses!"

I knew Arthur was pissed I also knew Tommy was angry cause I could feel his tension if though I was stood next to Polly and not even looking at Tommy. I just kept quiet for the moment cause I knew once Tommy saw my face he would become pissed as hell and right now he needed to think.

"All right. Which pubs did they do?"

"The Guns, The Chain, The Marquis. All the ones that pay you to protect them, only one they didn't touch was the Garrison. Make sure people think we were in on it, he's smart, this copper."

It did have me thinking though, why the Garrison wasn't touched it was after all the drinking place for the Peaky Blinders but it also had me thinking about that new barmaid, it seemed awfully strange to me that an Irish bitch came to work for the Garrison the exact place where the Shelbys frequented and the inspector was Irish too! I would have to do some major digging cause something wasn't adding up to me.

"So, go on. Drink your beers, get out. You'd better show people you're still the cocks of the walk."

"Hand out some cash to the landlords of the pubs, pay some veterans to fix the places up."

Just as John went to walk away he got a look at my face and the shock that went across made me smile slightly,

"What the fuck happened to your face?"

That got Tommy's attention he reached for my hand pulling me to him and turning me around, I saw the look of shock that went across his face then I saw the utter pissed off look, he cupped my face softly.

"What happened? Did the inspector do this?"

"No, it wasn't the inspector it was a different copper, it was one on the Peaky payroll though. I was at Sarah's and he came storming in he grabbed me and smashed my face into the wall twice and pulled my hair he also had his hand around my throat. It was Moss who got him off me and told him who I was,"

He kissed my forehead then softly kissed over the bruise pulling me into his arms holding me close.

"When I fucking find out who did this, I'm gonna cut him you have my word my love."

I pulled away from him and cupped his face making him look at me, I knew he was pissed I could feel that in the way he held me so close to him like he was going to lose me and I knew the arsehole that did this to me would soon be regretting it but right now I needed to calm him down because I knew he needed a level head to deal with this and plan forward.

"I know you will my love, I have no doubt in my mind that you will get the arsehole who did this but right now you need to calm yourself. I am right here with you and I am not going anywhere ok?"

I pulled his face down to mine and kissed his lips softly, pulling away and putting my forehead against his just letting him take a breath so he could breath for a moment.

Tommy's POV, (I know I change POV a lot I am still practicing writing in third person so until I get that right to my liking I will continue with the POV changes.)

I can't believe the fucking bastards did this to my wife, the cut on her forehead was big and still slightly bleeding but I knew it was the bruising on her face that would hurt the most by tomorrow it would also be really bad from looking at her. FInding out it was a copper on my payroll made it worse because they all know Ness and they know she's my fucking wife, when I find out who did it he will be regretting ever putting his hands on my wife.

Polly had always made me believe that being in love was a weakness, she's told me many times that being in love makes me do stupid things or make stupid decisions especially when Ness was involved. Ness has made me see the truth of it all though, she has made me see that love is not my weakness but my greatest strength, she has also made me see that I can make the biggest decisions of our lives because of that love. She made me see that sometimes Pol wasn't always the right person to give me the advice I need, and that's not because Ness doesn't like Polly cause she does it's simply because she has seen how negative Polly can be when dealing with me.

We were brought out of our moment by John and Arthur, John walked over to Ness and kissed her forehead softly.

"I'll be right there with Tommy love, no one hurts our little sister!"

He then walked out following Scudboat, I put my arm around Ness's waist holding her tight to me. Arthur was putting his coat on when he spoke up,

"So, what about you, Tommy?"

I looked at him for a moment then looked away taking a drag from my cigarette,

"I have to go to Charlie's to stable the horse. She looked footsore in the box,"

With that he started making his way out when Polly spoke up again,

"Let them see your faces."

She closed the doors to the betting den, and then looked at me and Ness.

"So we all know what they were looking for."

I stood staring at her for a moment, hoping she would just leave it but Pol never was one to quit anything let alone when she had something she wanted to say to me, she sat down and glared at me and Ness.

"Neither of you read the papers?"

I shrugged my shoulders slightly,

"Racing papers."

Was all I said and Ness never answered because she didn't read the papers at all. She told me life was depressing enough why add to it with all the crap that goes into a paper. So she choose not to read a paper and kept to reading books.

"So let me tell you the odds, I reckon it's three to one there'll be a revolution."

This had Ness snorting,

"Yeah right Pol, there ain't gonna be a revolution it's just talk from the big people in their big houses trying to scare us all straight to do what the bloody hell they want us to do."

"I wouldn't bet on that." I said in total agreement with Ness,

"That coppers betting on it, he's not going to let it rest till he gets those guns back."

I wish I never told her about the bloody guns now, I always knew I had ambitions that the others didn't or did but they weren't willing to do things to get there. I know Pol was about keeping us all safe and doing the right thing and shit but Ness and I have a plan and it's a damn good plan that we haven't told the others about because we know they wouldn't agree. I signed and sat down pulling Ness into my lap and holding her close to my chest.

"Did he talk to you Pol?"

"In the church."

"Did he try to find our Ada?"

"She was sleeping."

That had both me and Ness scoffing mine more in disbelief and hers in amusement, neither of us believed Ada was sleeping.

"Where was she sleeping, Pol?"

"I thought you didn't care for women's business."

"Oh come on, Pol! You and I both know that wasn't what Tommy meant for fuck sake Ada has barely been seen by any of us for fucking weeks and no ones said shit about it. You know full well the boys love that girl and they worry about her daily."

Ness was pissed, I knew she thought it was a joke that Polly let Ada pretty much disappear all the time. None of us knew anything about her life because she was so closed off all the time and it was truly pissing Ness off. I love my little sister don't get me wrong, me and the boys would do anything and everything for that girl but she was pushing our buttons way past the line lately and enough was enough. We didn't want her to get in trouble and not have a way out of it or know where she was to help her, we also didn't want some guy taking advantage of Ada because she was so quick to believe anything a guy says to her. Pol and Ness had been butting heads a lot lately, it was something I needed to talk to Ness about and I would when we were alone.

"He knows you're the boss, he wants to meet you. Will you talk to him?"

Ness snorted then shook her head,

"No,"

I knew me saying no was going to piss Pol off but she had to understand that talking to him right now was not the way to go especially when he was ahead of me in this little game of ours. It was Ness who spoke up next,

"You don't parley when you're on the back foot Pol, you get even and then get one over on them then you parley."

That had me smirking, Ness was perfect for me war had changed us both but there was still parts of Ness and Tommy in us both. But it was moments like this that reminded me Ness had changed, she would normally leave the planning to me but she had come back just as ruthless and ambitious as me but there was one thing for us both that would always come before anything and everything including the business and for me that was her!

I looked at Polly and smirked,

"We'll strike a blow back first."

I tapped Ness's thigh getting her to stand up, once up I stood up and grabbed her hand.

"Come on love, let's clean this blood off before we do anything."

I pulled her into the kitchen and wet a cloth wiping away the blood from her face, once done I kissed her lips and grabbed her hand again. We walked out to the front door grabbing our coats on the way, once out the door we grabbed hands again and just walked.

"Do you have a plan Tom?"

This had me looking at her cause she only asked that when she had something in her mind that she wanted to share. I pulled her in front of my and cupped her cheeks,

"I have a feeling you do?"

She smirked at me,

"It's a nice night for a bonfire don't you think?"

That had me chuckling, and nodding my head. See a lot of people thought I made all the plans but I don't my beautiful wife is just as if not more devious then me and it was something I love about her.

"Let's go tell Arthur and John about the plan and get Finn on it too love."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her along with me, we found John with Scudboat.

"Scud? You and Lovelock close off the road into the lane no one comes in unless they ask for me specifically. John I want you and all the Peakys going round to everyone, I want their picture of the king offer them money for it if you have too."

I didn't give them chance to answer before me and Ness were off again, we found Arthur and Finn just outside the Garrison, we walked over to them and Ness knelt down to Finn's level, she put her hands on his shoulders and smiled,

"Ok Finny, I have a mission for you should you accept it? I want you to go into the Garrison and get the picture of the king off the wall and meet us back in the lane ok, we're having a fire."

Finn looked at me and I nodded my head, I offered my hand to Ness who took it without hesitation I helped her off the floor and pulled her back into my arms kissing her temple. We both looked to Finn who smiled at us.

"I accept Ness."

I ruffled his hair and smirked at him,

"Good lad Finn."

We both then looked at Arthur, he looked like he wanted to ask questions but I spoke up before he could.

"Arthur, go find John and help him, he will tell you what to do."

With that me and Ness walked away, we walked to the betting den and walked into my office, I sat down pulling Ness into my lap wrapping an arm around her and using the other to use the telephone. I wasn't on the phone long, just long enough to let them know I wanted someone in the lane in the next ten minutes so they could hear what I have to say. I looked at Ness who had a smirk on her face, She turned slightly in the chair so she was sideways with her legs over the chair arm, she wrapped her arms around my neck, mine going around her waist. She placed her lips against mine and we both sighed and smiled into the kiss she pulled away and smiled at me.

"You ready for this, my love?"

"With you by my side I'm ready for anything darling."

She smiled softly at me then stood up offering me her hand which I took without hesitation she pulled me to my feet with my help and we both made our way out to the bonfire that Arthur had already started. I was stood with Ness in front of my her back to my chest and an arm around her holding her close to me. People were cheering, getting louder the more pictures got put on the fire. Arthur was stood next to us, John just joined us with Finn I had two pictures in hand already and chucked them onto the fire, when I saw John had more and a few lads round me did too I spoke.

"Chuck them on boys!"

I turned slightly and saw a young lad with a picture which I took from him and threw it into the fire too. Arthur opened his bottle of whisky then spoke up,

"I hope to god you know what you're doing."

I looked at him then noticed John throwing more pictures onto the fire, I was just about to speak up when Ness beat me to it.

"deartháir stop worrying so much, Tommy always has a plan. Enjoy the fire tonight and we can worry about the rest in the morning."

I know her calling him brother in Irish Gaelic was what got him to stop, Arthur and Ness alway had a close bond he was the big brother she wishes she had in blood. He nodded his head at her with a soft smile on his face, before he could say anything back Fred called my name so I looked behind me to see him bringing a bloke with him,

"You're Mr Shelby?"

"I am."

John and Arthur walked away but I kept Ness with him, kept her in front of me with my arm around her waist.

"You said I would be protected."

I felt Ness snort more then heard her and I knew what she was thinking,

"You're protected."

"What's going on?"

"There are some things I want you to write down, now first of all. It's not that people around here are disloyal to the king, it's the opposite. You see, we don't want our beloved king looking down and seeing the things that are being done to us. So we are taking down his pictures."

"But why are you burning them?"

Ness spoke up that time, which had the idiot looking at my wife.

"These boys went through hell for our king, some of these women did too. They walked through the flames of war."

Before she could continue I spoke up, I noticed the idiot had stopped writing while focusing on Ness,

"Write all this down! Now we're being attacked in our own homes, these new coppers over from Belfast breaking into our homes and interfering with our women, smashing their faces against walls drawing blood and leaving bruises,"

I stopped there and turned Ness's face so he could see the damage done to her face so he knew I was being serious. He looked at her face and I saw the shock cover his face,

"We don't think our king would want to see that happening. So we are lighting fires to raise the alarm,"

"May I ask you both, in what capacity do you speak?"

I looked down and Ness who was looking at me smiling,

"No capacity, I am an ordinary man. I came home from the fair to see my wife's face bleeding and bruised. I won Gallantry medals at the Somme, my wife won medals also. I want you to write in your paper what's going on here. Go on, go."

(Ok so I looked online and women did win medals in WW1 I just can't seem to find the right name for these medals so if anyone knows please let me know thank you)

With that said he walked away, I threw my cigarette onto the fire and wrapped both arms around Ness pulling her closer to my chest, I put my head onto her shoulder and turned so I could speak into her ear but kept staring at the fire.

"What do you think sweetheart?"

"I think Thomas Shelby, that I couldn't be prouder of you."

I kissed her neck and just stared into the flames, I could feel Ness getting tired so I pulled away and walked us home, Ness falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Me joining her shortly after.

I woke up later than I usually would, Ness still laying with her head on my chest but her fingers rubbing soft circles on my chest. I tightened my arm around her waist holding her close to me, I had something I wanted to discuss with her about my plan for Kimber so I put my hand on top of hers holding hers to my chest.

"Love?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you come to the races?"

"Of course I will Tom, what's the plan?"

"Well I was thinking, I need someone to distract Kimber."

I did need someone to use as a distraction and there was no way in hell I would be using my wife for the distraction.

"Who do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking that barmaid, she seems a bit suspicious, she pops up out of nowhere."

"So ask her, you might be able to get her to spill or open up."

"What about you, love?"

She sat up and looked at me, then rolled on top of me so she was straddling me she cupped my face and smiled,

"What about me?"

"If I take the barmaid I won't be able to spend a lot of time with you there. Maybe you should go with Arthur and John first then join me, after all the Lee's did call you a whore and I know you want your pound of flesh from them."

"Then we have a plan my love, I won't be upset or jealous unless you kiss her!"

"Never sweetheart, you are my wife and I don't take you for granted,"

"Good."

"Come with me to Charlie's yard to see the horse?"

"Yes I'd love to."

With that we both got out of bed and got dressed for the day, thankfully there was no one downstairs so we left and made our way straight to Charlie's yard. We got there and saw Curly bringing over the horse,

"Get me down the Spanish saddle Curly?"

"Yes, Tommy, A Spanish saddle."

I took the reins from Curly and walked with the horse Ness on the other side stroking his neck and keeping him calm. I was always amazed watching Ness with the horses she has such an amazing connection with the beautiful beasts. I was brought out of my thoughts by Charlie speaking up,

"A fine beast you got there, Thomas. But is he worth falling out with the Lee family over?"

I turned to look at him and he put a bullet on the table, I knew what it meant of course this is what I had been waiting for I looked to Ness quickly and caught her smile at me. I knew she wasn't worried about this, we had talked about this plan and she knew what would happened but she supported me anyway trusting in me that I knew what I was doing.

I took the cigarette out of my mouth and let Ness grab the reins, I walked over to the table and picked up the bullet taking a look seeing my name scratched into it.

"I'm just passing it on, a declaration of war. The whole Lee clan. The guns and now this!"

I slammed my hands on the table and got to his level, I was pissed off he knew we didn't mention the guns out in the open like this.

"The guns are not spoken of. Right?"

I went to walk away when he called me back,

"Tommy? Tommy?"

I walked back over to him,

"You mind how you speak to me!"

"Forgive me, Uncle."

I helped Ness onto the horse, making sure she was comfortable then climbed on after her wrapping my arms around her.

"It's Thomas Shelby against the whole bloody world, right?"

Ness turned to glare at Charlie,

"Thomas will never be against anyone alone as long as I am breathing!"

I pulled her closer to me and clicked my tongue jolting the horse into motion. I got the horse into a stead trot, coming out of the yard. It wasn't until we got close to the Garrison he got spooked, I handed Ness the reins making sure she wouldn't fall off before I got down she jumped down after me. I stroked the horses nose while Ness kept close to him stroking his neck.

"Shhh, in France we used to say it's just a music hall band turning up. It's just trombones and tubas that's all. It's just noise."

I grabbed his reins and held his nose down, Ness stepping in front of me and stroking his nose then she rubbed her thumb between his eyes while staring into his eyes keeping contact.

"Shh it's ok boy,"

She got him calmed down and I kissed her neck. She smiled softly at me and we started walking again, her on the other side to me. I went to say something to her when I saw her looking at something so I discreetly looked where she was looking and saw the barmaid staring at me again and then looking at Ness and glaring. Before I could speak up to say anything Ness spoke up,

"Bitch is pushing her luck Tom, she keeps staring at you with those bloody stupid fake innocent eyes of hers I'm going to rip them out!"

That had me chuckling at her,

"Don't let her get to you, love, she has nothing on you. You're the woman I'm in love with, not her."

We got to the Garrison when we both noticed the horse was limping a bit on one of his legs,

"Some pain there, boy?"

We carried on walking when the side door opened and a bucket with something disgusting came in our direction, luckily we saw it and moved back just in time but I caught the look on Ness's face. We both knew the bitch barmaid did it on purpose.

"I'm so sorry, Mr Shelby."

She completely ignored Ness which pissed me even more then the bloody bucket of crap being thrown our way. I looked at the barmaid with nothing but disgust on my face, as if this woman could ever hold my attention. She was plain compared to my Ness, and her singing voice was like strangled cats at least Ness could sing.

"I'm Grace, by the way."

"We know who you are."

I said we because I wanted her to know I wasn't alone. I caught the look of annoyance in her eyes when I said we even thought she tried to cover it up she didn't do it quickly enough she looked at the horse then me.

"What's his name?"

"He doesn't have a name"

"Poor boy deserves a name"

"You have something to say to me?"

"The other night you came into the pub when I was singing"

Before she could finish Ness spoke up which had me smirking,

"You call that singing?"

She ignored that and carried on speaking to me,

"You said singing wasn't allowed, I'd like there to be one night a week when there is singing I think it would be good for everyone."

I looked at Ness who I could see was getting more and more pissed off,

"Harry was to afraid to ask you, so"

"But you're not?"

"I am, but I love to sing."

Ness spoke up again,

"Why? You can't sing for shit princess!"

Again this had me smirking, I could see from Grace's face that she was lying to me she was afraid of me and even Ness but she was trying to hide it she just wasn't doing a good enough job.

"You sound like one of those rich girls come over from Dublin, for the races. Do you like horses?"

I walked round to Ness and helped her back on the horse and looked back to Grace,

"How do you fancy earning some extra money?"

"Doing what?"

I climbed back on the horse pulling Ness close to me, trying to make it clear I was not asking the bitch on a date.

"Dig out a nice dress, I want to take you to the races."

I didn't wait for an answer I just rode off, Ness leant back against me putting her head onto my shoulder which had me pulling her tighter against me.

"That bitch pisses me off!"

"You're not the only one, love. When the race is done with Kimber I won't be talking to her again."

"I know, it's just how obvious does she have to make it, everyone know's I'm your wife for fuck sake."

"And everyone knows I'm your husband, my love. You have nothing to worry about I don't want anything to do with Grace outside of the Kimber shit."

I felt her relax against me, so I kissed her temple letting her know I was here for her like she is here for me. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt my wife over this shit. We rode the horse back to Charlie's yard letting Curly deal with him, I grabbed Ness's hand and we both made our way back to the lane. People nodding there hellos at us on the way. We got to the lane and just turned the corner when two little girls walked into our way, their mother pulling them back and apologising to us both,

"Sorry, Mr & Mrs Shelby."

Ness let go of my hand on got down on her knees in front of the children smiling softly at their mother,

"It's ok Laura."

She then looked at the little girls and smiled softly,

"You off to the market girls?"

It was the taller of the two that spoke up,

"Yes Mrs Shelby,"

"What have I told you Lara? It's ok to call me Ness,"

"Sorry Ness,"

Ness giggled softly then opened her purse pulling out some coins handing them to the little girls,

"Here you go girls, grab yourself some sweets yeah?"

She smiled at the girls who took the coins then wrapped their arms around her shoulders hugging her, this brought a soft smile to my face. The girls pulled away looking at their mother who smiled at Ness,

"Thank you Mrs Shelby."

Ness nodded her head at the mother, I offered my hand to help her stand and kissed her cheek which had her smiling at me, before we could say anything Finn came running over to us.

"Ness? Ada wants you to meet her at the pictures."

"Thank you Finny."

She kissed his cheek then kissed my lips.

"I love you Tommy."

"I love you Ness."

She then made her way to the pictures to meet Ada, I ruffled Finns hair and grabbed his hand,

"Come on then Finn,"

Ness's POV,

I got to the picture house walking straight on in, I saw Ada a few rows from the front so I walked down and sat next to her. She offered me some popcorn which I took a handful of.

"Why did you want me to join you Ada?"

"I missed spending time with my friend."

I didn't believe a word of it but I let it go for now and just settled in to watch the film. I took another handful of popcorn munching on it, I don't know why Ada asked me to meet her this film was boring she knows I don't like these things. I hadn't been sat here with her long when we heard the door open so we both looked to see it was Tommy which had me frowning wondering what was going on. He marched down the isle towards us which had me smirking at him, what can I say my husband is hot a fuck. He sat down in the seat next to me grabbing my hand and leaning across me slightly.

"Tell me the man's name Ada?"

This had me raising an eyebrow in question, what the fuck had I missed and why the fuck had Ada brought me here.

"Rudolf Valentino."

I looked to Ada in shock what was she playing at! Tommy stood up and stormed off so I turned to look at Ada who wouldn't look at me when the film stopped playing and the lights came on. The door opening again Tommy walking in even more pissed off.

"Get out! All of you! Go on! Now!"

He got to our row again and looked at me, I knew he could see the pure confusion on my face and gave me a look that told me he wasn't pissed off at me.

"I said, tell me his fucking name!"

That had Ada exploding at Tommy,

"Freddie fucking Thorne, Yeah. Your best mate since school, the man who saved you life in France."

What the fuck? I could see the shock on Tommy's face, but I could also see the anger, pain and betrayal. I knew this was not going to be good.

"So go on! Go on, cut him! Cut him and chuck him in the cut!"

Tommy stormed off after hearing that and I can't say I blame him either, I mean I knew Ada was known to be more interested in boys but I never thought she would go for her brothers ex best mate for fuck sake. When Tommy had left Ada got angry at shouted at the man to put the film back on,

"Oye, I'm a Shelby, too, you know. Put my fucking film back on!"

This made me angry I knew why Ada asked me here now, it wasn't to spend time with me it was cause she thought I would help her against Tommy! I stood up which had Ada looking at me and I knew she could see the anger on my face,

"Next time you want a buffer between you and Tommy don't ask me to be here! You asked me here under false pretences and I don't like that, but you also expected me to be on your side when I know nothing of what is going on. Let me make this clear to you Ada, I won't stand against my husband."

I left the picture house noticing how dark it had got in the short amount of time I had been inside, I made my way to the betting den hoping to find Tommy there as I knew he would be pissed off right now and I really didn't want to have this conversation in the Garrison for that nosey barmaid bitch to hear. I got to the betting den and heard Tommy arguing with Polly, I knew she would have Ada's side of this. I still wasn't sure on what was going on but I knew Ada had been sleeping with Freddie from what I could gather in the picture house.

I heard Polly say something about Kimber when I walked in,

"And you fixed this race without the permission of Billy Kimber?"

I heard a glass smash and Polly shouting, so I just stood for a moment and listened,

"Obviously, didn't teach you well enough. Rule one you don't punch above your weight."

"Billy Kimber is there for the taking."

"Says who? Tommy and his parliament of one?"

That was when I walked in making my steps loud so they would hear me,

"No says Tommy and his parliament of two Polly,"

They both looked at me, Polly in anger and Tommy with love and relief on his face, I walked over to him and stood next to him which had him grabbing my hand.

"I ran this business for five years,"

When is she going to shut up about that? Yeah we get it Pol you kept the business going but barely!

"Yeah, while we were away fighting, remember? I learnt some things, such as, you strike when your enemy is weak."

He stood up, kissed my temple and then raised my hand to kiss my knuckles before letting go and walking to lean on the sideboard by the fire.

"I thought you came here to talk family business."

"I'll deal with it, you two are busy taking over the world."

"Polly, if its about Ada I need to know,"

She took a letter out of her purse and held it,

"Ada wants you to give Freddie this letter. She wants Freddie to know she's having his baby. He deserves an opportunity to do the right thing."

Shit! So Ada went and got herself pregnant! For fuck sake with Freddie Thorne of all people too! Tommy picked up the letter and turned it over in his hands,

"For a woman who's had a hard life with men, you're still full of romance, eh? What do you think Freddie sees in our Ada?"

"That's Freddie's business"

Oh Pol! No it's not!

"No, No I'll tell you what he sees. He sees Machine guns and Rifles, and ammunition and some glorious revolution."

"What is it you really don't like about Freddie?"

"She'll have no life with a man on the run. If you can't see that you can't see much."

Tommy put the letter near the fire and Polly picked the fire poker up which had me taking a step closer to them both of them, he then threw the letter in the fire and Polly threw the poker down.

"Damn them for what they did to you in France!"

"Tell Ada, Freddie went to America or Russia. Polly, it would do no good for Ada to bring a baby into the world alone. Pol listen! The truth is you would have hit me with that thing if it weren't for the fact you know I'm right."

He then kicked the chair in front of him which had me walking over to him and cupping his face. I looked into his eyes and I saw nothing but pain, I knew he was worried about Ada and her reputation Freddie had left her in shits creek, he looked at me then put his left hand over my hand holding it close to his cheek.

"What do you think?"

"I agree with you about Freddie, but you can't tell Polly or Ada shit because they both believe they are right. Ada thinks shes in love with him and he loves her, I don't doubt she is in love with him but whether he feels the same I don't know."

"Did you know?"

"Tommy if I knew do you think it would of been Polly telling you? I was as blindsided as you, Ada asked me to meet her at the picture house thinking I would be on her side about something I know nothing about. I made it clear I wouldn't go against my husband!"

He kissed my lips softly then pulled me into his arms, I put my head on his chest and just stood there,

"I agree and support you in everything Tommy, but I do think you should give Freddie a chance to do the right thing. Not for you but for Ada she is your little sister."

He kissed my head and nodded.

"Let's go to bed love, I have that meeting with the inspector in the morning."

With that we locked up the betting den and made our way to our room, I took my dress off and put one of Tommy's shirts on getting into bed. Tommy joined me shortly after, wrapping his arms around me tightly. It wasn't long before we were asleep.