The door opened slowly and with it Tommy's eyes, the experience of war meant Tommy was aware of his surroundings even when he was sleeping.
Instinctively he slid an arm across the naked female figure that laid beside him and pulled the sheet around her, defending her modesty from whatever came through that door. Tommy wasn't concerned by his own appearance as he had slipped on his grey smart trouser pants an hour before, to head out into the lounge. He wanted to speak with the staff, without Ana knowing.
"Oh forgive me Mr Shelby, I didn't realise you were still here" The young maid stuttered "I just came in to light Mrs Shelby's fire, it's going to be a cold one"
"Continue" Tommy's voice was low and raspy, though he was a little inconvenienced by the maids presence. Tommy tried to be respectful, this woman had been hired to take care of Ana. She was simply doing her job.
"Can I get you anything sir?" The girl remembered herself.
"No" His reply was force and seemed aggressive "Thank you" he added with a smile to try and soften the blow a little. The maid nodded before gently closing the door behind her.
Lying beside Ana almost made him forget about everything, the way he lived, the reason he was there...his beautiful red head had made him forget it all. He traced her spine with his fingertips as she slept soundly, his fingers ran up her spine before reaching a small round scar just in her right shoulder blade.
Tommy's eyes closed as he remembered the night Ana got that scar, the night she put her body in front of his to shield him from a bullet, the night she saved his life.
"Tommy" Ana's voice was croaky "Are you alright?" She asked as she sat upright in bed holding the sheet around her chest.
"Yes love, go back to sleep" Tommy replied and Ana frowned at him "What?" He added curiously.
"It's just nice waking up to you here for a change" Ana smiled "I love you Tommy Shelby"
"I love you too" Tommy didn't say these words lightly, in fact he didn't so much as mutter them before Ana was shot. After that Tommy decided he would always tell Ana how he felt about her, he couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to him, without her knowing what she meant to him...how important she was to him.
Tommy watched curiously as Ana snuggled back down beside him "Don't you ever change Thomas Shelby" she sighed before closing her eyes.
"I don't intend on doing" Tommy's mouth lifted at the corners, this woman had more front than some of his best men.
Tommy Shelby lie down beside his wife, he laid an arm across her back and allowed himself to drift off to sleep for a few more hours.
Polly was still pacing the floor as the two older, remaining Shelby brothers in Birmingham stood next to her "So 800 pounds has just upped and vanished, is that what you're saying?" She barked furiously at the men "Are you sure you haven't miscounted?
"No" Arthur looked offended at Pollys accusation "There's 800 pound missing from the takings"
"Well where is it?" Poly snapped "That amount of money doesn't just vanish. Has anyone left town recently?"
"Tommy has" John spoke out of turn.
"Don't be stupid John, Tommy wouldn't..." Arthur started but Polly interrupted.
"No Arthur wait a minute" Polly thought for a few moments "Tommy might have taken it with him to London, incase he needed to pay for a new place for Ana"
Tommy watched as Ana pulled her cream coloured blouse up over her shoulders, before starting to fasten each pearl button. He moved forwards and started to help her "Tommy I'm a big girl I can manage a few buttons" Ana scolded and Tommy smiled.
"Yeah, but I don't get to do this often" Tommy sighed as he held Ana's gaze in his blue eyes.
"And who's faults that?" Ana snapped a little, she didn't mean to but it just came out.
Tommy ran his fingers down the 4 inch line scar on the right side of Ana's collarbone, whether Tommy Shelby cared to admit it of not, he knew he was accountable for every scar on his wife's body. Although he had never laid a hand on her himself, his dealings were the reason she had so many enemies.
"You still blame yourself?" Ana's tone had softened and her eyes were kind and gentle again. She put her left hand on his and held it there. Linking her tiny delicate fingers inside his rough masculine hand. Tommy's eyes were drawn instantly to the yellow gold wedding band and diamond ring that sat proudly on Ana's wedding finger.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again now, no-one held a gun to my head and made me marry you Thomas Shelby, Lord knows I loved you enough to do that myself. And you are not responsible for every scar, most of the time you were there to save me" Ana stood firm "You have given me a life my love, don't you ever feel guilty do you hear me" her voice was stern "Tommy!"
"Alright, Alright I hear you" Tommy nodded before leaning in and kissing his wife.
"Good, now help me fasten this will you" She handed him a silver necklace which was a simple chain with a St Christopher on it. Tommy fastened the clasp while Ana held her long red curls in her hand. Tommy brushed his hands along Ana's making her let her hair loose, he then arranged it around her shoulders.
"You have such a soft hand Thomas Shelby, it's almost impossible to believe the things you have done. If I hadn't seen them with my own eyes then I for one certainly wouldn't" Ana had a playful luck in her eyes.
"Be careful love" Tommy grinned boyishly "I can unbutton those buttons just as quickly as I fastened them..." he threatens, before allowing his hands to grasp her tiny waist.
"Oh" Ana managed before a gentle tap on the door disturbed them "Come in" Ana called out, as she managed to wriggle free from Tommy's grip.
"It's only me Ma'am" A young man appeared in the doorway, wearing a black suit, with a crisp white shirt and a slim black tie. He looked a little wary of Tommy's presence.
"How many more times James, it's Ana" Ana giggled at James' shyness.
"Sorry, Ana" James corrected his mistake "There is a man in the lobby, he says he's here to see Mr Shelby" Ana quickly turned to Tommy who nodded. James excused himself leaving Ana and Tommy alone.
"Does anyone know you're here?" Ana frowned, she looked worried "Any of the Peaky Blinders?"
"No" Tommy lifted his jacket of the back of Ana's dressing chair and headed to the door "You wait here, if you hear a gunshot you get out of here as quickly as you can, right?"
"Tommy?" Ana pleaded, grabbing Tommy's arm.
"I mean it Ana, you run" Tommy's tone wasn't one you would argue with "You get as far away as you can and then you contact Arthur and John alright?" Ana nodded her head, but doubt and fear had taken over the look in her eyes.
"PROMISE ME ANA" Tommy forced her to promise, before he headed out of the bedroom and towards the lobby.
Ana took a gun from the top drawer of her dresser and sat it beside her on the bed. She inhaled and exhaled deeply gripping tightly to the St Christopher around her neck "Please god, save him from grace. Spare him, spare him" she repeated over and over again, until the handle turning caused her to jump out of her skin. She jumped to her feet and lifted the gun in her extended hand to just below shoulder length "It's alright love it's me, it's me" Tommy's voice caused Ana to lower the gun instantly as he appeared from behind the door.
"Who was it?" Ana asked, trying hide her racing heart.
"Just a man, on business" Tommy replied vaguely "It's nothing for you to worry about...now come on get your coat, I'm taking you out for dinner"
"I thought you were keeping a low profile?" Ana frowned and Tommy brushed her cheek gently.
"I think it's about time people around 'ere realise exactly who you are" Tommy smiled "And besides you won't be living around 'ere for much longer"