Birmingham 1919.

Elizabeth sighed as she continued to sweep, hearing the clops of a horse drawing closer. Her eyes flashing up briefly to catch a look as it slowly moved past the front door to her home. She felt her eyes rolling and a frown come over her face as she caught a glimpse of the man who sat atop the mighty black steed – doing a good impression of the prince she supposed he was in this town. She knew better though, he was as much a prince as she was a princess, they were both soldiers through and through. She shook her head at him, not amused in the slightest at his performance – not that the mighty Thomas Shelby would care at the moment.

It had 5 years since the world had changed forever but for some reason her home always felt the same. She snorted at the thought of the hope and joy that peace had once brought, now long gone as the horrors of the war came back to bite. Men scarred, physically and mentally, now tried to fit back into a world that itself was more askew and scarred. The scars left plenty of space for the corrupt to rise up and take over, or certainly that had been her experience.

She still wasn't sure where her family fell in the hierarchy of the corruption, the people loved them and hated them and so did the police. She supposed they fit in Birmingham perfectly. Morally grey, just like the skyline of their home.

"There she is!" A familiar gravelly tone cheered. Elizabeth looked around from her sweeping and half smiled at her older brother, standing to lean against the broom.

"Hey Arthur." She greeted, pushing the wisps of her brown hair that had fallen out her bun back with her free hand.

"What are you doing cleaning the streets, get inside will ya?" He half heartedly ordered, pushing the door open with one hand as he reached up to pull off his cap with the other. Elizabeth let out a small chuckle but followed the orders.

"Had to bow to his majesty on his way past with Monaghan Boy." She shrugged, setting the broom just inside the doorway as she followed him through to the kitchen, watching as he shrugged off his jacket. She subconsciously rubbed her hands on her apron before crossing to the fire to place the kettle onto heat up.

"What was he doing with that bloody horse?" Arthur grumbled rubbing his free hand over his face as he sat himself down at the table.

"My bets are as good as yours Arthur, its why I don't make any." Elizabeth mumbled, her eyes narrowing on a cigarette butt on the edge of the fireplace.

"He's your twin." Arthur argued back with the third oldest Shelby, who in turn rolled her eyes and let out a huff, crossing her arms over her grey Victorian style dress she'd inherited from her mother.

"He's not speaking to me, as you bloody well know." Arthur rolled his eyes are her retort, mumbling under his breath, Elizabeth tilted her head to the left slightly, her eyes narrowing, "What was that Arthur?"

"You're as bloody bad as each other." Arthur grunted, rolling his eyes as a small cloth was thrown at him from across the room. Elizabeth let out a sigh as she turned to stare at the fire, her hands tightening slightly as the reminder of the night she came home flashed before her.

"I've apologised." She reminded herself and Arthur, who sighed and nodded.

"We know." Arthur sighed, getting up from the seat to wrap her shoulders in half a hug. Elizabeth leaned her head on him briefly, pushing the reminders of the fight to the back of her skull, focusing her mind on her growing list of chores, as if sensing where her head as gone, "Don't overwork yourself for him, Lil."

Elizabeth plastered a small smile on her face and nodded, earning a pat on the shoulder before Arthur disappeared into through the curtains and into the den. Her smile fell as she watched with slight envy as he entered, her no longer allowed to enter as freely as she once had, all down to his majesty, the royal pain in the arse. She had taken it as well as a Shelby could at first and had told him to go to hell followed by a few more choice words, but as proud as she was, she didn't dare disobey. Tommy had run of the house, he was king, as much as she and Arthur didn't want to admit it. Before the war it had been Lil and Tom against the world, now it was Lil and Arthur against King Tommy, and it was a losing battle. Tommy was smart, she was cunning, and Arthur was strong, a threat when on the same page but brawn without brains was nothing – and while she could be just as smart, she had yet to outthink Thomas Shelby.

Shaking her head, she headed back to the fire, the kettle now steaming and very much ready to use for her tea. Silently and methodically, she began pulling out a few cups, knowing Finn would probably need something if he came back in from where he'd ran off to. She had fed him earlier than normal, admittedly to try and get a chance to speak to Tommy without their youngest brother hearing any shouting, should it come to that. It took a lot to get to Tommy, but she was his twin sister, she was in his head and knew how he thought, and really knew how to wind him up.

"BOO!"

SMASH.

Elizabeth blinked, her mind trying to catch up to her body, her hands still shaking as she realised, she was now ducked behind the table. She let out a small gasp as a hand touched her shoulder, blinking as she realised John was trying to speak to her. She let out a couple easy breaths, blinking a few more times as she stared at her younger brother in slight shock, as he gently helped her up off the floor. She shook her head, trying to push past the flash of fear.

"What were you fucking idiots thinking?" She heard Arthur shouting, a slight slur to his words she hadn't sensed before. She looked back at John who was glaring openly over at Scudboat and Lovelock who had a small speck of what had once been a teacup in his hair. She squeezed John's arm in thanks, realising they must have heard the smash and come running. She took a step back and removing her hands from John to wipe down the front of her dress and apron, letting out a light cough of embarrassment.

"That's enough Arthur." Elizabeth called, trying to place a light smile on her face to hide the embarrassment and fear that had shot through her, "I'm sure they didn't realise it was me in here, Finn has been hanging in here a lot since you boys came home." She lifted an eyebrow at their cousins, doing a frightening impression of Aunt Polly, silently giving them the opportunity to apologise and walk away without another further trouble from either of her brothers.

"Yeah, yeah, that's it Arthur." Scudboat instantly agreed, nodding vigorously, "Apologies El, we didn't realise it was you." Elizabeth nodded her head, slapping John lightly on the chest as he went to lift his hands threateningly.

"Apology accepted, now get out of here before Finn and Tommy get home and see this mess." She ordered, Arthur and John both pointing for the cousins to head through first before they followed. Hearing the door close she walked over to shut the curtains, pausing for a moment to catch her breath.

Pulling herself together, Elizabeth pushed away from the betting shops door, grabbing the dustpan and brush moving over to the pile of what was once one of her mother's china teacups. They had been stolen by her father, but her mother had loved them and so instead of selling them on her father had let her keep them. Or rather that's what her and Tommy had told Arthur, John and Ada – in reality, they'd hidden them until their father had gotten drunk enough to forget he'd even stolen them and given them to their mother. Tommy had wanted to tell their siblings the truth, seemingly to have always known their father was a waste, but she had always tried to pretend they were a happy family. A childish fantasy she had grown out of very soon after that incident.

She moved the now filled dustpan back to it place beside the fire, deciding to empty it when she would be cleaning out the fire later that night. Her list of things to do endlessly seemed to grow, but it was her own fault, she could no longer cope with being unbusy. She silently took a seat back at the dinner table, her head shooting up as she heard the front door open, fixing a smile when Finn appeared.

"And where have you been?" She jokingly scolded, pushing herself up once more to get back to fixing some tea. Finn smiled at her with such childish glee, her smile became more genuine.

"Down at the cut! I've been practicing my aim. Knocked off 3 bottles with a stone." He cheered, making his tiny fists into a gun and pretending to shoot something. Elizabeth smirked, setting a cup of tea in front of the young boy with a slice of bread and butter.

"Very impressive!" Elizabeth replied with equal enthusiasm, wiping down her apron before she went over to fix herself a bowl of stew she'd made for her own tea earlier that day, "You still hungry?"

"Nah!" Finn declined as he ate, making Elizabeth sigh and tilt her head at him, "Sorry Lil!" He apologised, this time after he'd finished eating. His older sister nodded her acceptance of the apology, digging into her own meal. The two sat in silence, the only noise being the rustling of Finns clothes with the childish swinging of his legs. It wasn't long though before the sound of the panty doors opening caught their attention, John's head popping out.

"Hey Lil! Set us up some food will ya?" John asked, eyeing her bowl of stew. Elizabeth nodded her agreement, waving her hand at him to let him know she'd heard and would be there in a minute, "Thanks!"

The doors quickly slammed shut after that, Finn looking down in disappointment as he wasn't acknowledged. Elizabeth seeing her youngest siblings smile fall lifted her hand to ruffle his hair, a small smile on her face trying to tell him not to give up. Finn had had a hard time since the family had come back together. He'd been the only brother not to go to war and the only Shelby that had the bliss of being a baby through the worst parts of their fathers' drunken rage, he was so innocent, and the older siblings had banded together to try and keep him from the family business until her was old enough to handle the pressure. Elizabeth had fallen back into her sisterly role, her immense guilt for the mistakes she'd made and for how they affected Finn forcing her to focus on protecting him.

Quietly she got up, setting the half empty bowl in front of the youngest and placing a small kiss on his head before she started preparing the bowls for the family in the Betting Shop. Hearing the spoon hitting the bowl she felt a small smile appear, Finn was a selfless little boy, and smarter than he let on. Rationing from the war had meant less food. She'd noticed that Finn had been eyeing up her bowl, but from his time having to stay with Polly and his cousins, he knew that there was less to go around. He'd been denying Elizabeth's offer of extra food every time since the family had returned, figuring it would be the same as before, and it might have been had Elizabeth and Arthur not visited the butcher a few weeks back.

"Hey Finn, you can head out for a while longer when you want but try to be back before it gets too dark, I don't want to send John or Arthur out looking for ya." Elizabeth offered while she finished the food, turning to flash Finn a small smile. He nodded back, still digging into the food that was leftover. Seeing the agreement, she walked over with the plates to the door, pushing it open with her foot, "Close the door after me please!"

She never heard Finns vocal agreement but heard the door slam behind her. Ignoring the looks over from the multitude of men that turned to look, she strode over to the table closest to the chalkboard John was currently furiously scribbling on and set the plate down. He waved a thanks, barely turning around as Scudboat continued to shout out numbers. Shaking her head in amusement, Elizabeth headed to Arthur's office opening the door to him grumbling into a glass of whiskey. She sat the plate on his desk, her free hand on her hip as she watched him turn his head to look at her.

"He was messing with the bloody Chinese!" Arthur shouted, Elizabeth's face scrunching in confusion before it hit her whom Arthur was shouting about, "The bloody Chinese!"

"Calm down Arthur. Finn in the kitchen and is no doubt listening in!" Elizabeth sighed, knowing that Arthur was slightly drunk and blowing it slightly out of proportion, "Plus, it's Tommy and he always.."

"Has a fucking plan!" Arthur cut in, no quieter making Elizabeth roll her eyes. Arthur turned his glare on her, "This is all your doing!"

"My doing?!" Elizabeth shouted bristling at the insinuation, her posture tensing as all Arthur's frustrations got directed at the wrong twin. She opened her mouth to point that just out but slammed it closed before a word came out, knowing she was already treading a thin line with the family as it was. "He doesn't even talk to me Arthur, how could I put any ideas in his mind?" She countered after a breath.

She watched as the cogs in her older brothers head turned, looking as if he'd forgotten all about her and Tommys fight. He sighed rubbing his face with his hand, not proud of himself for having blown up at his sister, but knowing it wasn't unusual. Her and Tommy had always been the schemers in the family, scarily Ada was leaning that way too, picking up everything she'd learned from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth shook her head at him, letting out a frustrated sigh. It wasn't an unusual fight for herself and Arthur to have, having so long been apart of Tommys schemes, so it made sense for him to have slipped into old habits in his drunken state. She turned to head back out the door, wanting to check on Finn, only to freeze when her eyes caught sight of Thomas calmly reading over Johns handiwork.

"Tommy, will you just look at the board. Will you just look." John was shouting having run over to show the takings for the day. Arthur moved over to stand beside her, looking at the second eldest Shelby with the frustration that had just been directed at his twin. Elizabeth glanced at Arthur almost letting him decide if she should stay for this conversation or not, Tommy wasn't happy with her, but Arthur wasn't happy with Tommy. Sensing where this was heading, she sighed and turned back into the office to lean against the far wall.

"Tommy! Get in here! Now!" Arthur continued to shout, Elizabeth taking a breath and wiping down her apron as her older brother took a seat as his desk.

They watched as Tommy slowly sauntered to the office, Elizabeth noting the small change in his face to indicate his unhappiness with her presence before it appeared an idea came to him. Her and Tommy had always been able to read each other, Polly believes it was part of the magic and gift of a twin, she just thought she'd spent too much time trying to find out what was going through Tommys head. To her, seeing his inner demons fighting was not a gift, and him seeing hers was more so a curse.

Tommy let out a sigh, turning his full attention to Arthur as he leaned against the wall close to Elizabeth, making her roll her eyes. She knew what this meant. Tommy had known he'd piss Arthur off, he was wanting her to act as mediator and as loath she was to admit it, she'd play the part. Tommy was usually the brains, and if he'd been messing with the Chinese, she knew it would have been for good reason. Arthur was too quick to judge, and always played it as safe as they could, not wanting to mess with the status quo too much. She tilted her head to the floor and shook her head slightly with an unamused smile trying not to let out the bitter laugh bubbling in her chest, she already knew Tommy would get off with it and then she'd be left with a drunk angry Arthur to deal with.

Lifting her head, she turned her attention back to Arthur who poured himself another Whiskey, his eyes flickering between the twins, as if waiting for them to be done their silent conversation. John and Arthur believed her and Tommy could talk to each other inside their heads, the twins being so synchronised throughout their childhood.

"You was seen doing the powder trick down at Garrison courts." Arthur revealed as he sat the whiskey bottle back on his desk. Tommy glanced at his twin before focusing back on Arthur.

"Times are hard. People need a reason to lay a bet." Tommy shrugged off as Arthur picked up his drink.

"There was a Chinese." Arthur continued, downing the glass earning a small huff of annoyance from Elizabeth.

"The washer women say she's a witch." Elizabeth answered for Tommy, now understanding what her twin must have been doing. She'd been down there a few times since the war, heard the stories about the supposed witch.

"It helps them believe." Tommy cut in, drawing Arthur back to him. Arthur set his glass down angrily.

"We don't mess with Chinese." Arthur spat.

"Look at the book..." Tommy calmly started to reply when Arthur slammed his hand on the desk.

"Chinese have cutters of their own." Arthur argued, becoming more angry at Tommys laid back replies.

"We agreed Arthur. I'm taking charge of drumming up new money." Tommy reminded their brother, shaking his head slightly as Arthur got more angry. At the statement Elizabeth's face scrunched in confusion.

"What?" She asked, not shocked but more confused. She knew Tommy was more leadership material, she'd seen it throughout their lives. She would never have thought Arthur would give up his position in the company to his younger brother, no matter how much sense it would make. She eyed Arthur, who glanced down for a moment rubbing his hands together, indicating Tommy spoke the truth.

"What if Monaghan Boy wins, Tommy?" Arthur asked, ignoring their sisters confused face. "You fixing races now? Do you have permission from Billy Kimber to be fixing races?"

Thomas doesn't reply, his face hardening in defiance or stupidity. His eyes were guarded hardly revealing the thoughts behind them. Elizabeth raised a hand to rub her face slightly.

"Oh Fuck, Tommy." She breathed, knowing what Arthur was saying. While she wasn't in the Betting Shop all the time, she still knew the business, she helped build it. Going against Billy Kimber without telling the family, preparing, wouldn't be easy. Tommy cast a glance at his sister, still angry with her but at least letting her know he knew what he was doing. It did little to ease Elizabeth, she could see it in Tommy, the confidence in his plans even as the demons were fighting, it was evident in the cool control he displayed over the conversation.

Arthur walked around the desk, getting closer to the twins, drawing their attention back to him. He'd seen the small look they'd given each other, their gift of communication in action, and knew he was in a loosing position if Elizabeth was convinced this was a wise path forward. As mad as Tommy was with Elizabeth, he knew as well as Arthur that she still held some say in the way forward, Polly trusted her and so did Ada. Tommy needed Elizabeth to keep it calm, to ensure the family didn't fall apart, and he would push his anger to the side for a brief moment to get what he wanted.

"What's got into you Tommy? You think we can take on the Chinese and Billy Kimber." Arthur questioned, looking at Elizabeth pointedly, "Billy's got a bloody army..!"

"I think, Arthur. That's what I do." Tommy cut in again, walking forward to meet Arthur at the desk. "I think. So that you don't have to."

"Arthur…" Elizabeth cut in firmly, seeing him going to argue further. The older Shelby looked over at his sister, seeing the firmness beginning to settle in her face and deflated slightly, knowing he only had one more chance to convince her or Tommy had won. Tommy glanced at his sister once more before opening the door to the office.

"There's some news from Belfast..." Arthur threw out, earning a tilt of the head from Elizabeth as she pushed herself off the wall.

"News?" She asked, her previous stern expression softening slightly in concern, knowing something else was afoot now with Arthur's persistence and lack of backing down. Tommy however continued to walk out the office. Arthur threw his sister an annoyed glance and followed his brother to the door, leaning out the doorway as Tommy calmly walked off.

"Tommy! I'm calling a family meeting tonight at eight o'clock. I want all of us there. You hear me?! There's trouble coming." Arthur shouted after him. Elizabeth sighed, as she saw Tommy disappear through the velvet curtain. Arthur seethed as he stared out after him before turning back in and slamming the door, quickly grabbing the bottle and taking another swig of whiskey and pouring himself another glass before slamming it on the table. Elizabeth sighed moving over to pick up the bottle her brother had just sat down.

"You should have known he would have something up his sleeve." She offered her brother who just waved her off, "I don't know why you include me if you don't want my opinion."

"Oh fuck off Lil." Arthur seethed into his glass making Elizabeth roll her eyes. She opened the bottle and took a quick gulp, scrunching up slightly at the burn in her throat. Arthur snatched the bottle off her, refusing to look at her. Elizabeth felt herself sag a little, not wanting two of her brothers to hate her.

"I'll try to speak to him, but you know he's not listening to me right now." She offered. Arthur glanced at her.

"You weren't exactly much help here." Arthur countered, Elizabeth shrugged in response, looking out the office window at the flurry of activity in the shop.

"He knows something we don't, it's making him confident and moving him to act. I know he's doing it for us, well you, John, Ada and Finn." Elizabeth summarised, her eyes looking off into the distance as she tried to think through anything she had spotted in the past few weeks to make Tommy do this. But without him speaking to her and actively trying to avoid her until Arthur dragged her in, there was nothing for her to go off.

"You're still our sister." Arthur countered, shrugging as he took another drink. Elizabeth looked back at him with a half smile.

"Thanks Arthur." Thankful for the implied support. Even if Tommy wasn't speaking to her, John and Arthur had forgiven her and still cared. It was nice to hear.

Sighing Elizabeth stood up, dusting down her apron once more before quickly swiping Arthur's glass and downing the rest herself before heading over to the door. She sent him a small smirk at the cry of annoyance from him, offering a small wave to John as she breezed back towards the kitchen.

"8pm! Don't be late!" Arthur shouted after her. Elizabeth nodded as she closed the door to the shop. Seeing the empty plate and lack of Finn she nodded her head with determination, deciding it best she get back to her list of chores before the family descended on the house.