It was early morning in the Shelby household, the house deserted by everyone after breakfast except Elizabeth who'd immediately moved her attention from the first meal to the next. She'd been alone for an hour, enjoying the quiet after a fairly rowdy day in the betting shop the day before. She knew it wouldn't last long, especially with her brothers, so took a moment to appreciate the calm.
Elizabeth turned her head to glance back as the front door opened, turning back around when she saw Tommy walk in, her brother taking his coat off as he took a seat. She continued tossing the onion she had just chopped into the pot over the stove. Saying nothing, Elizabeth moved back to the table to chop some carrots as her brother pulled out the paper. The two continued in a comfortable silence, Elizabeth joining her brother at the table with a cup of tea once the soup she had made for lunch was finished. She hummed into her tea; unsure what Tommy had planned for the day but knowing he was scheming something. She glanced back up at the door as Finn suddenly appeared, a tired smile on the boy's face indicating he'd been playing somewhere near the cut or down at Charlie's Yard helping with the horses. Tommy barely cast their youngest sibling a glance, his eyes only flickering when Elizabeth got up and made the boy a cup of tea and set it on the table.
"Thanks Lil!" Finn cheered, reaching to pick up his cup. Elizabeth ruffled his hair, before smiling as she remembered her purchase from yesterday afternoon and opened the cupboard, pulling out a small cake from the bakery and setting it beside the young boy. Finn's eyes lit up at the sight of the item he'd barely seen during the war.
"Happy Birthday." Elizabeth smiled, knowing it was a couple days late.
"Thanks Lil!" Finn cheered once again, barely wasting a second before he was digging into the treat. Tommy eyed the exchange, a glint of an idea passing over his face.
"How about a trip to the fair, ey Finn? Haven't been there in a while." Tommy offered. Elizabeth shot him a confused look, knowing Tommy hadn't planned to take Finn. Their youngest sibling smiled as wide as possible, nodding enthusiastically as he knew he'd upset Elizabeth if he spoke with his mouth full.
"When were you planning that, Tom?" Elizabeth asked, returning to her seat and picking back up her cup.
"Now." Tommy answered, folding back up his paper. Elizabeths eyes widened, her eyes flickering to the clock.
"Now?" She repeated.
"Yes. Now." Tommy confirmed, picking back up his coat. Elizabeth eyed her twin, seeing his mind working and instantly knew there was more to the decision than Tommy was letting on. Sighing, she looked down, nodding her head in acceptance.
"Alright." She breathed, looking over at Finn, "Go get your hat and Jacket," she rolled her eyes as Finn jumped up and ran out the door, getting up herself and following him as far as the door frame "and it best be your hat, mister! Or you'll be going to no fair!" She finished before turning back to turn off the stove, ignoring Tommy who was trying to hide his amusement.
"I'll get the car, Arthur and John." Tommy nodded, slipping his coat on as he joined his sister beside the door, "You get Finn and your coat." Elizabeth frowned, her eyes narrowing in suspicion at the invite.
"We are going to the fair?" She clarified. Tommy knew she hated the fair so it would make no sense for her to come, "Just the fair?"
She watched as her twin just smirked, pulling out a cigarette before heading out the front door. She sighed, pulling off her apron and throwing it over the back of the kitchen door before heading out the lobby. She pulled her own coat off the hook, eyeing Tommys old hat as she debated what Tommy could be planning before sighing and pulling it on her head. There was going to be business involved, it was clear from Tommys actions and the fact he'd decided to take along John and Arthur.
Opening the front door, she leaned against the frame, turning her head back briefly to smile at Finn as she heard his feet thundering down the stairs. The boy was clearly excited, he'd changed into a suit she recognised as Arthur's old church wear, but combined with the cap, he looked like a mini blinder. Finn came and stood beside her, Elizabeth snatching the cap off his head quickly earning a shout if annoyance. She smirked down at him, sliding her finger over the brim to ensure it was Finn's cap before placing it back on his head. Happy her conditions were met she allowed the boy to step out the door and twisted to close the door, just in time for Tommy, Arthur and John to appear around the corner with the car.
"In we get." She ordered Finn, pushing the boy in and over so he was nearly on John's lap before climbing in herself. John immediately passed Finn back, the boy mostly on her lap as the group of 5 squeezed into the car.
"Excited for brothers' day out, ey Finn?" Arthur called back to the youngest Shelby who nodded enthusiastically as Tommy started driving. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at her eldest brother.
"Am I just coming to sit in the car?" She joked. Arthur twisted back to look at her.
"You don't like the fair." He reminded her, Elizabeth nodding her head.
"At least you remembered." She offered with a shrug, glancing at the back of Tommys head in a clear indication to Arthur that it was her twin that had requested her presence.
The drive was pretty silent, the oldest four siblings not having much to say since they'd talked at breakfast that morning. Elizabeth couldn't help but people watch as they went passed, her eyes narrowing at people when they turned to gawk at the sight of the four eldest Shelby's leaving Birmingham together, knowing they'd be the talk of the town. It wasn't often most people outside of the Garrison saw them all together, and to see them leaving in a car, she knew it would be widespread gossip as people started rumours of what business the Peaky Blinders could be doing outside their hometown.
Elizabeth felt herself relax more as they exited Birmingham, the trees and flowing country calming her slightly. She couldn't help but grunt in light pain as Finn climbed across her a little more, excited to see the countryside in all its glory and eagerly tilting his head as he tried to spot the fair. Elizabeth said nothing as they took an early turn left, leaving the main road and going up some dirt paths. The group continued in silence until Tommy began to cut over some grass, a group of wagons coming into view. Arthur twisted back to frown at Elizabeth before he looked back to Tommy as they pulled off the road towards the closest wagon.
"I thought you said we were going to the fair." Arthur argued as Tommy shut off the engine. Elizabeth hummed in agreement even as she mirrored her twin and began to climb out the car.
"We have business first. Come on. Bring your wits." Tommy answered, as he pulled out his packet of cigarettes and handed one to his sister who took it, sending him a look of slight annoyance at not knowing what was going on.
"What business?" Arthur questioned sharply as John leaned out the car, squinting at the wagons and semi familiar faces. Tommy didn't answer, instead handing Elizabeth a lit match to allow her to light her cigarette.
"That's the Lee family!" John announced as he jumped out, Elizabeth humming once again as she leaned against the front of the car as she smoked. Arthur climbed out the car, tossing her a confused look to which she shrugged in reply.
"Tommy!" Johnny greeted, as he got up from a table set up not far from the car.
"'Johnny-dogs!" Tommy greeted back. Elizabeth hanging back with Finn as Arthur and John flanked her twin.
"Tommy, how the hell are ya?" Johnny asked, coming up to shake Tommys hand.
"All the better for getting the city smoke out of me lungs." Tommy replied easily, casting a small glance back over to Elizabeth, and nodded for her to come over but with a hint of warning in his eyes. Elizabeth tilted her head, catching the warning and starting to eye the group surrounding them as she pushed off the car.
"Stay there for now Finn." She ordered lightly, not knowing what trouble Tommy sensed was afoot but not wanting Finn in it if she could avoid it.
"I thought you became a bit too grand for us." Johnny continued as Elizabeth came closer, now standing alongside Arthur.
"I've been busy." Tommy nodded as he led the small group further away from the car.
"I'm riding with the Lee family now." Johnny revealed as he stuck his hands in his pockets, nodding to the group of men gathered in the area. Elizabeth glanced around as the men all seemed to turn and glance at the group of Shelby's, one hand tightening into a fist in her pocket to control the shaking as her other continued to hold her cigarette. As she looked around, her eyes landed on a pristine grey horse glowing in the sunlight. Unable to hide it, a small smile graced her face, she quickly dumped her cigarette and ducked past Arthur and John, ignoring their quiet protest as she moved to get close to the beauty that reminded her so much of her own horse before the war.
"I heard. Myself, I'd rather live among pigs." Tommy spat, his eyes narrowing seeing a few of the men clearly eyeing his sister as she moved over quickly to see the horse.
"Come on, Tommy, no disputing." Johnny tried to calm the situation, moving the topic on as they came to a stop just above the river, close to the horse Elizabeth was going over, "So your first fair since France?"
"What do you know about France? You war-shy, gypsy bastard." Tommy questioned before he came to stand beside his sister, blocking the Lees view of her, "So, this is the horse?"
"And that's the car." Johnny returned a smile on his face before he disappeared off to the car. Elizabeth's head twisting to her twin, eyes narrowing at Tommy as she continued to pet the horse. Tommy ignored her, focusing on going over the horse, checking the condition of his body and hooves.
"Hang on a minute." Arthur called out to Tommy, "You're not swapping the family car for a bloody horse." Elizabeth glanced back at Arthur, sensing an opportunity to tease him when Johnny moving close to the car caught her attention. Her gaze fell to Finn who hanging out the car, clearly interested but not wanting to miss out on the fair by getting in trouble. Sighing, she waved him over, him following just behind Johnny-dogs who had heard Arthur's question.
"Of course, we're not swapping it. Huh? That'd be mad." He answered the oldest Shelby as Elizabeth gestured Finn closer, allowing him to look over the horse.
"We're gonna play two up." Tommy answered. Arthur let out an angry sigh and slapped his arms against his side before turning to his sister.
"Lil, talk some sense into him." He ordered. Elizabeth looked up from the hoof she was currently showing Finn and cast a look between her two older brothers. She eyed Tommy for a moment longer, seeing the confidence and determination and knew she wouldn't be getting anywhere.
"If you lose, I'm riding the horse home." She insisted, ignoring the chuckle from John and smirk from Tommy as she set back down the hoof. Arthur let out a frustrated call of her name, "Fine Arthur, you can have the first mile then it's mine."
The group watched as Tommy took the offered coin. The two men nodding to each other before flicking the coins in the air, the coins landing beside each other in the grass. Elizabeth led Finn back over to stand John as they waited for the verdict.
"Here you are." Tommy offered Johnny the keys, John and Elizabeth sharing a look as Arthur began shaking his head with frustration at his younger brother.
"Yeah, I knew it. See, I knew it. Tommy, you bloody idiot." Arthur shouted.
"Shut up, Arthur, I won." Tommy called back, finding a bit of amusement in his brother's frustration.
"Good." Arthur breathed.
"I promised Johnny I'd let him have a spin in the car if he lost." Tommy explained, nodding to Johnny to go take the car. Elizabeth watched the man go past, letting out a breath of relief. She could admit feeling a bit concerned that her brother had lost as well.
"All right." Arthur breathed again, his panic over.
Elizabeth glanced up as laughter hit her ears. She looked down to see a group of the Lees that had previously been down at the riverside had wondered closer and were now laughing at Arthur's expense. She had caught them staring at her earlier and knew Tommy had been keeping an eye on them. She could see Tommy tensing as if for a fight, could sense his frustration and knew trouble was brewing, she felt her hands begin to shake once more and quickly thrust them in her pockets. She bent down slightly so she was closer in height to Finn.
"Hey Finn, why don't you jump back in the car? Make sure Johnny doesn't do one over on us." She quietly ordered. The young boy unaware of the building tension, nodding excitedly before running back to the car, quickly past the older gypsy, at the thought of being tasked with a seemingly important job.
"Are you Lee boys laughing at my brother?" Tommy called down as he walked closer, the laughter quietening down as he got closer, "Are ya? Eh?"
"Tommy! Tommy, come on!" Johnny shouted, running back over to jump between the angry Shelby and the three Lee boys that had started to stalk closer.
"I asked you a question." Tommy continued, ignoring the man.
"Tommy, come on, it's just the craic. Get your family out of here and go and enjoy yourselves at the fair before they start a war. Huh?" Johnny tried, managing to turn Tommy around and begin to walk back. Johnny turned to the Lees and speaking in Shelta, explaining the Shelby heritage as royalty amongst the community. Elizabeth felt her eyes narrow as one of the boys set his gaze on her, his thoughts very visible on his face. She stepped forward, going to move past Tommy as she pulled her shaking hands out of her pocket, only for him to grab her arm.
"Yeah, but his mum was a didicoy whore. His sister looks no better." The man called. Tommy, Arthur and John seemed to freeze for a moment, Elizabeth's eyes widening in slight shock at the insult before her eyes narrowed dangerously. Tommy was the first to react, turning around swiftly and pulling off his cap to strike at the Lee that had spoken. Arthur and John wasted no time in following, pulling off their own caps and getting into the fight. Elizabeth went to pull hers off when her arm was grabbed by Johnny-dogs, pulling her back out the fray. She glared at the man but didn't fight it, snatching her arm out his grip and marching back towards the car where Finn was near falling out to watch. She leaned back against the front, her hat in her hands, eyes narrowed dangerously, prepared incase any Lee tried to get close.
The Lees were quickly incapacitated, Elizabeth watching as her brothers pulled their caps back on. John spitting down at the men before the three turned and headed past Johnny-dogs. Elizabeth placed her hat back on her head, happy they had dealt with the situation.
"Do you know what you've done?" Johnny questioned, shaking his head at the Shelby's. Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"It's not of much concern to you, is it Johnny." She bit out, shaking her head at the man who sighed and rubbed the back of his head, understanding the line that had been crossed by the Lees insulting the matriarch of the Shelby clan. The Shelby's had justification for the war, and he knew it. Elizabeth cast him a frustrated look, and turned her attention to her brothers her eye's specifically meeting Tommys, "Can we please go," She started before letting out a sigh, glancing back at Finn, "go to the fair now?"
"Get in." Tommy huffed, Arthur and John rolling their eyes at their sister, knowing she was wanting to go home but spoilt their baby brother.
"Tommy, this isn't something you want to start." Johnny cut in again as the woman began to climb back in the car, hoping he could get Tommy to see sense.
"It's too late, Johnny." Elizabeth called out, her eyes glaring at the Lees still lying across the ground, "We've corrected a slight so have no need to make peace and the Lees are too pigheaded to see they caused this." She bit out. Tommy nodded his head, not arguing with her.
"We'll be back to pick up that horse." He promised, saying nothing further on the matter as he climbed back in the car and started the engine.
The Shelby's frowned as they crossed back into Birmingham, a tense feeling filling the car. Elizabeth became grateful Finn had decided to sit in the front of the van Tommy had hired to take the horse, knowing even he would pick up the unease filling the car. The area surrounding the Garrison was a mess. Peoples' belongings scattered everywhere, items damaged, and people were not happy. Elizabeth looked down as they drove past a family, the glares unsettling her slightly. Something serious must have happened while they'd been away, and it concerned her.
"Now what the bloody hell's been going on here?" Arthur asked as Tommy pulled to a stop outside the factory.
"Jesus Christ." Tommy breathed as all the siblings glanced around, seeing the intense damage that had been done. He released the break and continued on to their home. Elizabeth was the first to hop out, moving over to the van that carried the horse and gesturing for Finn to hop out.
"Finn, inside, straight upstairs." She ordered lightly trying to not look too concerned, hearing some tutting from women behind her.
"What happened Lil?" Finn asked innocently as he climbed down, hoping to the floor.
"I'm not sure Finn, Arthur, John and Tommy will find out." She promised, casting a mild glare over at the women as the tutting turned into chattering. The two women were quick to turn and walk away, Elizabeth rolling her eyes as she led Finn towards the front door.
Elizabeth frowned as she came inside, their home appeared to be relatively untouched, but a small pile of pipe smoke lay just outside the front door made her worried. She looked around but could see nothing aside from the pile of jackets that now hung over the stair rail and the hooks, immediately making her concerned. She absently sighed and picked up a few that had fallen and hung them up before putting up her own, taking Finns from him before pushing him towards the stairs, shaking her head in amusement as he clearly tried to peer into the kitchen on his way past. Entering the kitchen she closed the door, unsurprised to see their Aunt Polly sitting at the table but confused at the sight of Scudboat and Lovelock. She pushed Tommy over slightly and leaned on the sideboard beside him. John leant forward and took a pint from the bucket of beer on the table, Arthur following his lead. Elizabeth glanced around at her brothers before she focused on Polly.
"Pol, what happened?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest as the older women stood up.
"That Detective Inspector came knocking, came charging in this morning no long after you left. Began searching houses and pubs." Polly revealed. Elizabeth lifted a hand to rub her forehead.
"Fuck." She breathed, moving over to peer out the window. The tutting women and glares now making sense.
"The coppers told everyone Arthur had agreed to it when he was arrested. They said the Peaky Blinders had cleared out to the fair to let them do it." Polly continued, watching the eldest sister as she turned to lean against the cupboard below the window with her arms crossed, directly opposite Tommy.
"No one never said nothing to that copper about smashing up bloody houses!" Arthur defended angrily.
"All right." Tommy cut in, trying to get a handle on the situation, "Which pubs did they do?"
"The Guns, The Chain, The Marquis. All the ones that pay you to protect them. The only one they didn't touch was The Garrison." Polly revealed to the group as the lit her cigarette. Elizabeth nodded her head, lifting her right hand to run through her hair, her left still over her stomach.
"To make sure people think we were in on it." She muttered, connecting the dots before sighing and dropping her hands to the side, "Smart, this copper."
"So go on. Drink your beers. Get out. You better show people you'll still the cocks of the walk." Polly ordered, seeing the boys not reacting to the news and continuing to drink. Tommy nodded as the boys all got up.
"Hand out some cash to the landlords of the pubs. Pay some veterans to fix the places up." Tommy ordered as he took out another cigarette.
"Give us the bag." John ordered a cousin, taking some of their earnings and heading out the door.
"So, what about you, Tommy?" Arthur asked, seeing the man not moving to follow John and the cousins towards the door. Elizabeth eyed the exchange, quickly turning around to the stove as Arthur also cast her a look, as if suspecting she was in on something.
"I've to go to Charlie's to stable the horse. Looked foot sore in the box." Tommy excused. Arthur looked over his face once more before twisting back once more to look at Elizabeth who continued to focus on heating up the soup.
"Let them see your faces." Polly ordered, seeing Arthur getting suspicious and needing him out the room to speak freely with Tommy and Elizabeth. They watched Arthur move towards the door, casting a quick glance back before shaking his head, Polly shared a look with Tommy before moving to shut the doors to the Shop.
"So, we all know what they were looking for." Polly reminded the pair as she took the seat Arthur had just vacated, her gaze firmly on Tommy as Elizabeth busied herself in the kitchen, "You don't read the papers?"
"Racing papers." Tommy answered back somewhat cheekily earning a warning glance back from Elizabeth as she moved past to pick out a few bowls.
"So let me tell you the odds. I reckon it's 3-to-1 there'll be a revolution." Polly offered. Tommy shook his head.
"I wouldn't bet on that." Tommy disagreed, his eyes on Polly as she took a slow drag from her cigarette.
"That copper's betting on it. He's not gonna let it rest till he gets those guns back." Polly argued. Elizabeth paused at the promise in her voice, turning to look at the woman and shared a look with Tommy.
"Did he talk to ya, Pol?" Elizabeth asked, as her brother sighed and took a seat at the table. Polly twisted her head to look at the younger woman, seeing concern in Elizabeth's eyes before turning back forward.
"In the church." Polly revealed.
"Did he try to find our Ada?" Tommy asked, a touch of concern in his eyes. Elizabeth set the bowls down on the table as her hands began to shake.
"She was sleeping." Polly dismissed, her eyes on Elizabeth as the younger woman moved back to the window, noting the tenseness across the woman's back. Tommy let out a huff of laughter.
"Where was she sleeping, Pol?" Tommy asked, already knowing the answer was not her own bed. Polly smirked.
"I thought you didn't care for women's business." Tommy eyed Polly for the comment. Elizabeth turned around quickly, hearing her brother huff with agitation and settled a glare at her brother.
"Tommy." She bit out. Her twin instantly glanced over at her, seeing the concern for the family in her eyes and nodded lightly, settling back in his chair and letting the point go. Polly watched with interest.
"He knows you're the boss. He wants to meet you." Polly explained, moving over the topic of Ada. "Will you talk to him?"
"No. You don't parlay when you're on the back foot. We'll strike a blow back first." Tommy announced, putting out his cigarette before picking up his coat. Elizabeth nodded her head, shaking her hands out.
"I'll leave the soup and bread out." She told him, seeing his mind going a mile a minute and knew he wouldn't be eating any time soon. Her brother nodded, patting her on the shoulder once before disappearing out the door, leaving her and Polly alone in the kitchen.
Elizabeth could feel the eyes of her aunt on her back as she began to plate up soup for herself, her aunt and Finn. She tried to control her shaking, not wanting to show how affected she was by the copper being so close to her family while they'd been away but set the bowls down when she couldn't stop. She glanced to her right side as Polly appeared, taking the bowl from her to do it herself.
"He was asking for you too." Polly added quietly, Elizabeth looking up sharply at that, "said to tell Thomas to bring his sister." There was a brief silence as Elizabeth took the information in, her eyes flitting back and forth as she tried to reason with herself why the Inspector could possibly be interested.
"He thinks I'm a weak link Pol, just wants me as bait." Elizabeth tried to shrug off, purposely not looking at her aunt as she spoke, Polly cast her a hard look, trying to tell her to listen and see sense.
"He knows you're Tommys right hand. He must have noticed something when they took you." Polly insisted. Elizabeth sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I'm not his right hand." Polly slapped her up the back of the head making her wince.
"See sense girl, everyone around here knows your orders are as sacred as his. Even while you were fighting Tommy still relied on you inside the business." Polly reminded the girl, "Your as much a blinder as your brothers." Elizabeth let out another sigh, looking down as she shook her head.
"Pol, that inspector is as twisted as the rest of us. You know what he wants. He's like any other man. I'm something to look at while he taunts my brother." She offered, not wanting to admit her aunt's argument made sense, "He wanted to be disgusted by me but instead felt pity for me and that frustrates him."
"You're as stubborn as your twin." Polly scoffed, turning to set the bowls on the table.
"You're the one who keeps saying we're two sides of the same coin, you should expect it." Elizabeth replied with a scoff as she rolled of her eyes, moving to lean out the kitchen door, "Finn come get food!" She turned back to look at Polly, "Why didn't you say anything to Tommy?"
"Your brother would never take you if he found out the inspection was asking. You're the only one that can go toe to toe with that boy when he's going too far." Polly explained as the thundering of Finns feet got closer. Elizabeth nodded in understanding, gently tapping Finn on the head as he walked past.
"I'll keep on eye on him." She promised Polly. The older woman nodded her head, her attention instantly turning to Finn to signal the end of the conversation. Elizabeth's let out a breath, sticking an easy smile on her face for her youngest brother before she sat at the table. Her mind repeating the conversation over as she began wracking her brains to work out what their next move could be.
Polly glanced over, trying to not look too proud of her niece as she listened to Finn recalling the day at the fair. Elizabeth had turned into a bright young woman and was a real testament to her sister-in-law. She could still see the devilment from her brother that influenced Elizabeth's methods but the diehard protection she offered her family was all inherited from the young woman's mother. The young girl could handle herself as well as any of her brothers, and her mind had certainly become as sharp as Thomas's. However as brilliant as Elizabeth had become, Polly still found herself wishing life had been easier for the girl, she'd had to raise Ada and Finn for most of her life while keeping an eye on Arthur, Tommy and John, an art that took a fine balance. The choices the woman had had to make to keep her siblings alive had not been easy on the young woman and Polly could see it all in the tea leaves, but she would never admit that to her niece. She watched as Elizabeth's eyes cleared of indecision and the young woman turned to her younger brother.
"Finn, stay here until one of us comes to get you." She lightly ordered, her eyes flashing over to meet Polly's, "Help Aunt Polly out around here."
"The shop could use a tidy." Polly nodded, understanding this was Elizabeth's method of asking her to watch him for a while.
"Be good. I'll be back." Elizabeth nodded, quickly getting up from the table leaving her untouched soup abandoned as she headed to the front door.
Barely stopping, she threw Thomas's old cap on her head and swung the front door open, pulling on her coat as she marched down the street. She nodded to John and Arthur as she passed, not stopping as she continued on her way to Charlies Yard. She kept her head down as she passed the carnage the coppers had caused, not wanting to incite trouble and knowing that there was a potential for many people to be out for blood at what they believed the Peaky Blinders had agreed to, and while a sober man wouldn't dare lay a hand on her, a drunk certainly wouldn't care – until the blades were out.
Charlie's yard was very much deserted when she arrived, a single lantern on in the stables was all that greeted her. She frowned in suspicion before coming to the conclusion that Tommy must have sent Charlie's boys out too to help with the effort. Sticking her hands in her pockets, she began walking quietly over to the stables. Peering in the door she felt a smile gracing her features at the sight of her brother standing in one of the stalls, his jacket and cap hanging over the front, as he attended the horse within, just like they used to when they were kids.
"Would make more sense for you to be out there." Elizabeth commented as she pulled her own cap and coat off, hanging them on the door as she entered the stables.
"Helps me think." Tommy answered back around the cigarette in his mouth, not turning to her as he continued to muck out the stall. Elizabeth hummed in agreement, reaching her hand up to pet along the bay-coloured horse tied just outside the door as she picked up a brush from the side. The two fell into a comfortable silence as Tommy worked and Elizabeth brushed over the horses.
"Remember that time you and Arthur decided to go into my room when I was out getting lessons with Charlie on Green Star." Elizabeth started suddenly when she finished brushing the last horse, breaking the silence, Tommy continuing his chores even as he listened, "Do you remember Green Star? She was a lovely horse, should have kept her first foal. He was a gorgeous roan; I think we should get another kind of roan."
"Is there a point to this?" Tommy huffed out, turning to glare at his sister. He was in no mood for stories, and no mood to think of any memories.
"You and Arthur entered my room without permission." Elizabeth chuckled lightly, having gotten a bit distracted, "Do you remember what happened?" Tommy rolled his eyes at his sister.
"No." He snapped turning back to continue shovelling. Elizabeth rolled her eyes at his attitude, knowing he would remember if he actively thought about anything before the war, but sighed as she took pity, understanding that memories, especially the happier ones, hurt.
"Arthur would, it hurt him more." She offered with a shrug, before for turning to look more at Tommy, "Don't you remember your crush on that girl Charlotte? Blonde girl? We were about 7. Poor girl had a crush on you too. I'll never know what she saw." Elizabeth smirked, letting out a huff of a laugh as her brother rolled his eyes, "Well anyway, what better revenge on my idiot brothers than to send their crushes running for the hills, make them look bad. You missed a spot." Elizabeth pointed out as Tommy stopped, his head twisting with narrowed eyes.
"Elizabeth." Tommy cut in, seeing the point once again drifting away. Elizabeth sighed.
"Campbell believes we are the scum of the earth. And while he may be right, he doesn't realise what he gives away with his holier-than-thou attitude." She shrugged, "He told Arthur and I everything, he's a patriot, Winston Churchill himself sent him, essentially… the King is watching Birmingham."
She watched as her brother slowly straightened. She could see his head nodding as his eyes flickered, his mind reeled with all the information Elizabeth had once again brought to his attention. His eyes narrowed for a moment before a small, calculated smile graced his features. He glanced up at Elizabeth, looking almost proud of his sister who rolled her eyes but smiled back.
It was a few hours later under the darkness of night that Elizabeth stood in the centre of Watery Lane, beside her twin, the two admiring their handywork as the fiery pile continued to get bigger and bigger. The two had schemed as they'd worked, arranging the embarrassment of Detective Inspector Campbell while mucking the stables. They were mildly aware the story may never be truly broken if Churchill was informed before it could be printed, but the important step was the attention and the protection. They needed Campbell to know they knew his weakness.
The two had separated from the stables, Elizabeth organising a reporter from the local press to attend while Tommy had taken to building the fire and starting the collection of images. Once the call was made to the press Elizabeth had gone to the Garrison and bought a few buckets of beer and a couple bottles of rum, taking them into the street and waited. Once the fire was going, she had gotten Finn and sent him to the Garrison to get the image from in there, Tommy getting all the cousins as well as John and Arthur on the case, offering a shilling for the image of the King and inviting the men and woman of the area down to see the fire. The key was witnesses and they were going to be sure they had them.
Elizabeth smiled as Arthur came over beside them, a bottle of rum in his hands. Her smile quickly fell at the unamused expression on his face.
"Chuck them on, boys." Tommy ordered as John came over with a new pile of images under his arm.
"Well, I hope to God you two know what you're doing." Arthur offered the twins as he uncorked the bottle with his mouth. Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded her head as Tommy took a drag from his cigarette, neither outwardly replying to their older brother.
The cheers kept flying as image after image was thrown on, the fire seeming to recuperate some respect the Peaky Blinders had in the area. Elizabeth gave a half smile as she watched Finn throw an image on before giving John a dirty look as he passed their young brother his beer mug. John just rolled his eyes, making her do the same.
"Move aside. Give us a bit of room. Tommy." Scudboat called as he came through the crowd, Tommy and Elizabeth both turned around as a man wearing a suit and fedora appeared between the two of them, Elizabeth shuffling to the side to give the man some room as Scudboat called for the people directly behind them to move back.
"You're Mr Shelby?" The man asked, his eyes filled with worry at the size and kind of crowd he was standing in.
"I am." Tommy simply answered. Elizabeth withholding an eyeroll at the tone but letting out a small sigh.
"Tom this is Mr Turner from the Birmingham Evening Despatch. Elizabeth Shelby." She introduced, nodding to the man. The reporter turned to stare at her, his eyes unsure. She had sounded very eloquent on the phone but seeing her standing in a fiery protest was nothing like what he had pictured her to be.
"You said I would be protected." He reminded Elizabeth, not trusting her judgement.
"You're protected." Tommy cut in, not wanting the man to talk to his sister in such a manor. The reporters head twisted back to Tommy who had yet to look over.
"What's going on?" Mr Turner asked, not understanding why he'd been called down here for a story of 'National Interest' as Miss Shelby had described.
"There are some things I want you to write down." Tommy demanded, the reporter scrambling to get his pad and pen out to take notes, "Now, first of all. It's not the people around here that 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 have been done to us. So, we are taking down his pictures." Tommy explained to the reporter, being sure to make his point clear.
"But why are you burning them?" Mr Turner questioned him.
"We went through hell for our king. Walked through the flames of war. Write all this down!" Tommy ordered, seeing the man stop, "And now we're being attacked in our own homes. These new coppers over from Belfast, breaking into our homes and interfering with our women. 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, in what capacity do you speak?" The reporter asked.
"No capacity. I'm an ordinary man. I won gallantry medals at the Somme. I want you to write in your paper what's going on here. Go on, go." Tommy finished, pointing the man back towards Scudboat. Elizabeth nodded her goodbye to the man, a thankful smile on her face, polite even at the slight against her honesty the man had made earlier.
"Very eloquent Tom." She offered her twin quietly. Her brother nodded, his eyes not moving from the flames.
The Shelby twins remained there watching the fire intently, just taking the time to be in each other's company. Neither moved or spoke, even as the crowds began to disperse, and the flames started to die down. They'd each gotten a pat on the shoulder from John as he'd left to be with the kids and Arthur who'd taken a tired Finn back home. Still the two remained even as the night air swooped in, the chill becoming more prominent, but neither cared, both stuck in their own memories of buildings burning and the chaos they'd possibly caused by lighting the fire. It was early in the morning when Elizabeth let out her first yawn, the fire not much more than a smoking pit.
"I'll see you in the morning Tom." Elizabeth offered, pulling her hands out her pockets and stretching them out to get some warmth flowing.
"You're coming with me." Tommy stated, turning to look at his sister who eyed him with confusion, "To see Inspector Campbell." He explained. Elizabeth nodded her head even as her eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Pol told me Campbell wanted me to be with you, explained after you'd left." She told Tommy, rubbing her hands together, "She thought if she told us together, you'd refuse to let me go. Seems to think that it's best we're together because I keep you out of trouble." She and Tommy shared an amused smile at the thought before he sighed, unhappy with the idea that the Inspector wanted her there after his sisters last interaction with him.
"Just let me do the talking." He ordered her. Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"As if you need to remind me." She remarked cheekily before offering him a tired smile, "I'll speak to you in the morning."
Tommy nodded and watched her go, lighting up a cigarette as he turned back to what was left of the fire. He had many battles on the forefront, and it was a fine line to walk to keep them in toe. Elizabeth was a great asset, able to almost read the plans from his expressions, and it gave him some peace of mind that she took care of the business of family. He could focus on plotting while she towed the line. Arthur and John had never been thinkers, not like him and Elizabeth. They could fight to hell and back, and they had, but they'd never been able to plan, properly plan, like him and Lil.
He threw his cigarette into what remained of the flames, taking one last look at the burnt remains before turning his back on the pile and walking back to his front door. Not wanting to go to bed but needing to. There was a long way to go in this war and he couldn't allow his attention to waiver. There was only one Thomas Shelby after all.
