Many thanks again to everyone reading this. I'd really appreciate any feedback so I can know if I'm taking the story in the right direction. I enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope you enjoy reading it.

Rose polished the bar furiously. She could see her face in it but she still kept polishing. Round and round went the cloth, over and over the same area, getting rid of spots and smudges which weren't there but Rose was sure she could see. She was on a bar chair, balancing on her knees, leaning over the bar, breathing heavily with the effort. Mavis had left half an hour ago with strict orders to polish the bar until the wood gleamed.

Rose was in a bad mood, and not just because of Mavis. Since her day of playing truant, things had gone from bad to worse. Try as she might, she hadn't been able to speak to Tommy to explain what had happened with Campbell. Polly drove her to The Garrison every morning where she would clean before going to school. She'd walk to Watery Lane after school hoping to catch Tommy there, but he never was - just Polly, sitting at the table, waiting for her with a plate of bread and butter. Polly never mentioned that day again and Rose didn't dare bring it up for fear of more misunderstanding. She had indeed received a double caning at school the next day and she was keen to avoid any more punishments. As soon as she finished her food, Polly would drive her back to Sutton. She asked her aunt every day if she could go and see Tommy at his other office, or if she could wait to see him when he returned home, but Polly always said no. Apparently, Tommy was busy with London business.

Rose was getting more and more desperate. The encounter with Campbell had shaken her and she couldn't stop thinking about what he'd said and how he'd made her feel. His voice echoed in her head – that Irish accent telling her that Tommy was working for him, that he wasn't a good man. Every time she closed her eyes, she found herself looking into his in her memory; watching his moustache move up and down as he spoke; his mouth curling into a smirk as he watched her cry; the smell of pipe tobacco; the sound of his cane tapping on the pavement as he limped away. So she tried not to close her eyes, staying awake long into the night, reading books to distract herself. Sleep always caught up with her, however, and as she slept the dreams came.

They were always the same. She was running to school but couldn't find her way. Every corner she turned led to a street she didn't recognise. She got more and more anxious, knowing she had to get to school but never arriving. Eventually, she became aware of someone behind her and she tried to run faster but her legs felt like they were wading through treacle. She could hear the cane tapping behind her, getting faster and faster, and she knew he was getting closer. A hand grabbed her shoulder and swung her around. She expected to see Campbell but instead it was Tommy in a bowler hat, smirking at her. "I'm not a good man, Mouse." This was the moment that Rose woke with a start, sweating and sometimes also crying. She would lie back, looking up at the ceiling, trying to regulate her rapid breathing. She didn't dare go back to sleep again, so she stayed awake until the morning light found its way through the gap in her curtains and she could hear Joan moving about the house getting ready for the family to emerge.

As she polished the bar in The Garrison, Rose was releasing her feelings of frustration and anxiety in every movement. She knew that if she could only speak to Tommy and explain everything to him, than he would believe her and be able to explain why Campbell had said the things he'd said. Maybe she should risk incurring more of Polly's wrath and go to Tommy's office when she'd finished in the pub. It was Saturday and Polly had dropped her off at Uncle Charlie's yard to see the new horse, with strict orders to go directly to The Garrison afterwards and then straight to Watery Lane, no deviations. She didn't even know if Tommy would be there but it was the best place to find him, and if he wasn't there, Lizzie could tell her where he was. She had just made up her mind to go, when the doors of the pub opened and in walked the person she was longing to see. She almost overbalanced on the bar chair in her eagerness to get down and go to him, and by the time she'd untangled her legs from it and lowered herself safely to the floor, she realised he wasn't alone. Rose stood in open-mouthed astonishment at her brother's companion. She was the most beautiful lady she had ever seen. She was elegant and confident, wearing a beautiful full length coat made of a material she'd never seen before. Rose's fingers itched to touch it. She stared as she took in the lady's straight, grey pencil skirt, her knee-high leather boots and her stylish cloche hat. She looked very out of place in The Garrison.

Tommy took in the sight of his little sister clambering inelegantly down from the bar chair and closed his eyes for a brief moment. She looked like any of the urchins he and May had just walked past on the street. She was wearing a dirty apron over her Saturday clothes which were a blue pinafore dress over a grey blouse. She had polish-smeared cuffs on over her sleeves. Her socks had a hole in them and her boots were scuffed at the toes. Her hair was in two plaits down her back with a number of strands loose around her face, some sticking to her with the sweat that had formed from her vigorous polishing. And, to top it all off, she had a smear of wood polish on one cheek. He also noted, with concern, the dark circles under her eyes. He cleared his throat, arranged his face back into its usual unreadable expression and turned back to May.

"Mrs. Carlton, this is my sister, Rose." He turned back to Rose who, by now, had also become aware of her appearance and, blushing furiously, had ripped off her cuffs and apron, and was trying in vain to smooth her hair by tucking the strands behind her ears. "Rose, this is Mrs. Carlton. She will be training our race horse in her stables." Rose stood rooted to the spot, twisting the apron in her hands. Tommy took a deep breath. "Rose, where are your manners? Come here and say hello properly."

Rose looked at him with a split second of panic, but to her credit, pulled herself together quickly. Putting the apron and cuffs on the bar chair, she walked over to them, wiping her hands on her skirt. Standing next to Tommy, she reached out her right hand and said, "How do you do, Mrs. Carlton."

May looked at the small girl stood next to Tommy and wondered at how alike they looked. She could have been his daughter. The same strong cheekbones, full lips and large blue eyes. Tommy's were cornflower blue, almost translucent at times, whereas Rose's were a darker blue and seemed violet when the light was behind her. Rose carried herself with the same proud tilt of her chin, as if they both dared anyone to question them. She was, however, as slight as he was broad and May wondered how old she was. She looked about eight or nine. The other thing in which they differed was that Rose still had her childish wonder and allowed her feelings to cross her face. May was well aware of the admiration and curiosity which Rose showed towards her. Tommy kept his feelings about her completely hidden, which only served to make him all the more intriguing to her.

May reached out, took the grubby hand which was offered to her and said, "I'm very well, thank you, Rose. It really is a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Shelby, I had no idea you had a younger sister."

"I imagine there are many things you don't know about me, Mrs. Carlton."

"Yes, I imagine there are. Rose, do you often clean pubs on Saturdays? It seems a strange pastime for a child."

"Oh no, this is just for two weeks. Tommy said I have to earn my place in the family business. And, also, I ran away to London and this is my punishment. I only have a week left which is good cos I hate it. Mavis, the cleaning lady, gives me all the worst jobs."

Tommy kept his face unaltered but cringed inwardly. May was very interested in what Rose had to say.

"Rose, when I was your age, I broke one of my mother's very valuable vases, hid the pieces behind the sideboard and lied about it. When I was found out, my father made me muck out the stables with the stable boys for a week! It was horrible. But tell me, did you really run away to London? Wasn't that awfully dangerous?"

Rose recognised a captive audience when she saw one. "No, it wasn't really that dangerous. I stowed away in a train. I sat next to lady who was on her own and pretended to be asleep whenever the conductor came. It was easy, really. And when I got to London, I just asked the station master where Camd…"

"Rose," Tommy interrupted her firmly. "Aunt Polly is waiting for you at home, isn't she?"

Rose looked at Tommy and realised he wanted to get rid of her. She took hold of his sleeve.

"Tommy, I really need to talk to you." She glanced at May and lowered her voice. "It's really important."

Tommy noticed again how tired she looked and could see from her worried frown that she really did have something on her mind. He removed her hand from the grip she had on his sleeve and held onto it. May was surprised at the tenderness with which he dealt with his sister. This was the first time she'd seen a softer side to him.

"Rose, I can't talk to you right now, I have business to conduct with Mrs. Carlton. I'll come to the house when I'm finished and we can talk then."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Off you go, now." He let go of her hand and gave her a gentle nudge towards the door. Rose took a step, then stopped and looked at May.

"Mrs. Carlton, do you own the stables where you're going to train our horse?"

"Yes, well, I co-own it with my father."

"So, you're in charge? And you tell people what to do? Even though you're a woman?"

May caught Tommy's eye and smiled at Rose. "Yes, I'm in charge and I tell people what to do even though I'm a woman. I enjoy it very much. Do you like horses? Maybe you can own a stables one day? No reason why not."

Tommy rolled his eyes, but Rose had other plans.

"No, I don't want to own a stables. I want to run the Shelby Company Limited and be in charge. Tommy's going to show me how. That is, I'm going to watch how he does it and learn for myself. I'm already allowed to go to the family meetings. Finn wasn't even allowed at my age. Finn said I couldn't be in charge cos I'm a girl, but that's rubbish, isn't it?"

May laughed out loud and Tommy was drawn to her even more. "Yes, Rose, it's utter rubbish. It won't be easy and there will be plenty of people like Finn who will tell you it's impossible, but you mustn't listen to them. The only person who can stop you from doing what you want is yourself, so be brave and don't give up."

Tommy shook his head and smiled despite himself. "Are you trying to do me out of a job, Mrs. Carlton? I have enough people snapping at my heels without Rose joining them. Rose, go on now, Polly will be wondering where you are. I'll be round later."

Rose nodded. "It was very nice to meet you, Mrs. Carlton. Look after our racehorse, she's a beauty."

May smiled at Rose. "I promise I will. And you'll have to persuade your brother to bring you to visit her – and me. You would both be very welcome."

Rose beamed. "I'd love that, thank you. Bye Mrs. Carlton, see you later Tommy." And with a wave and a newly added skip to her step, Rose left The Garrison.

But Tommy didn't make it back to the house before Polly made Rose leave to go back to Sutton. Rose begged Polly to let her stay and told her that Tommy had promised to come back and see her. Polly said they'd waited long enough and that if Tommy wanted to see Rose he could come to the house in Sutton. No amount of pleading would change Polly's mind. She had vowed to keep Rose away from Small Heath as much as she could and she was sticking to it.

So, Rose returned to Sutton and to her nightmares. She became more and more withdrawn, spending most of her time on the window seat in the living room, staring at the street, hoping to see Tommy's car pull up in front of the house. It never did. Michael was worried about her and voiced his concerns to Polly who told him that Rose's behaviour was merely because she was adapting to her new life in the suburbs. As soon as Polly could sort out a place in the local school for her and Rose made new friends, she'd soon forget Small Heath and start to feel happier. As confident as Polly was about this when explaining it to Michael, she wasn't nearly as confident in herself. She too was concerned about Rose and knew that she was missing her brothers. She wondered, not for the first time, if she was making a mistake taking Rose away from her life and the family she loved. But she was determined to spare Rose the life that she and her mother had had – one of loss and sorrow and heartbreak. Surely, there was no other outcome for a girl from a family of gangsters. It was Michael's birthday party soon when all the family would gather to celebrate. That would cheer Rose up.

On the day of the party, Polly took Rose out to buy her a new dress which did seem to brighten her spirits for a while. She chose a moss green taffeta short-sleeved, drop-waisted dress with a layered, lace-trimmed, knee-length skirt. It had a silk flower on the left shoulder and a white silk sash which tied around her hips with a bow at the side. Polly took a breath when she saw her in it. The shade of green perfectly complemented her hair and for the first time, Polly caught a glimpse of the woman Rose would one day become. Although she hadn't intended to, she also bought Rose a white finely-knitted cardigan with pearl edging, some new white stockings and a lovely pair of green silk slip-on shoes. Rose had never owned an outfit as beautiful as this and she was enamoured with it. Polly was pleased to see her niece smiling again and felt sure things were looking up.

Later that evening, they arrived at Watery Lane to get ready. Rose wondered if she'd get a chance to talk to Tommy before they left for The Garrison. She knew once they were there that there would be no chance she'd get to speak to him properly. Shelby parties were riotous affairs and Tommy enjoyed his drinks as much as the rest of them. Polly, however, shooed her up the stairs to use the bedroom whilst she talked to Tommy in the living room. Rose sighed as she unwrapped the tissue paper which was protecting her new dress in its box. She was beginning to lose hope that she'd ever get to speak to Tommy. But then what would she do? She remembered what Mrs. Carlton had said to her – "Be brave and never give up". She lifted her head and looked around her room. This was her room, not the room she slept in in Sutton. She was determined to return here and she was even more determined to talk to Tommy about Campbell. So, she would be brave and not give up. If she couldn't speak to Tommy tonight, she'd find another way tomorrow. She carefully put on all her new clothes, slipped on her new shoes and stood up straight, pushing her shoulders back as she'd seen Tommy do so often. She patted her hair which Polly had pinned up leaving some loose curls falling around her face. The only person who could stop her getting what she wanted was herself and, tonight, Rose felt strong. She would get what she wanted, she would make sure of it.

Tommy helped Polly put on her coat and turned as the door to the living room opened. He knew it was Rose who had entered the room but it took him a second to process that this young girl who stood in front of him was in fact the same scruffy urchin who had embarrassed him in front of May at The Garrison a few days ago. He looked at her in awe. He too glimpsed the woman she would become and he swallowed a lump in his throat. She looked so much like their mother. She was looking at him with bright eyes which reflected the dancing flames from the fire, anxious for his verdict.

"Rose, you look beautiful! I hardly recognised you. You look like a young lady who's about to go to a ball in the city."

She beamed at him and he wanted to take her face in his hands and stare at her until the way she looked now imprinted itself so firmly in his memory that he'd never forget it. There was nothing he didn't love about that girl. Instead he took her cardigan from where it hung over her arm and held it out for her to put on. She was delighted. She'd seen men do this for ladies many times in films at the pictures, but no one had ever done it for her. As she slipped her arms into the sleeves and Tommy lifted it up and onto her shoulders, she felt the happiest she'd felt in a long, long time. Then, to make her even happier, Tommy, resplendent in his best suit and tie, a smart red handkerchief peeping out of his jacket pocket and his watch chain gleaming in the firelight, held out his arm to her, crooked at the elbow and said, "Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the ball, Lady Rose?" Rose giggled, put her arm through his and replied, "It would be my pleasure, Lord Thomas" Polly laughed at them as she opened the door to let them through. These were the things which made the bad times worth it.

When Tommy opened the door of the snug at The Garrison and led Rose in, she received the same delayed reaction as she'd had from Tommy. She looked, in barely concealed delight, at the faces of her family as they took in the sight before them. Arthur spoke first with a merry glint in his eye.

"Who's this, then, Tom? She one of them fancy ladies who goes to the theatre in the city? Why've you brought her here?"

John joined in. "Yeah, Tommy, two posh ladies in The Garrison this week? You moving in higher circles than us now?"

Finn rolled his eyes, not allowing himself to join in the joke. He thought she looked ridiculous and not like the Rose he was used to. Besides, why was she allowed new clothes when he had to wear his brothers' cast-offs?

Tommy presented Rose to them with a flourish. "This, gentlemen, is Lady Rose of Shelby – a young lady who's moving up in the world."

Rose beamed round at them all, enjoying the attention. She hadn't seen her brothers in weeks and she'd missed them. Especially Arthur, who was based in London at the moment. He grinned at her and beckoned her over.

"Come here then, Rosie, let's take a good look at you. I'm sure you've grown an inch or two since I last saw you."

Finn scoffed as Rose squeezed past him to sit in between Arthur and John . "Barely," he muttered, "She's still a squirt if you ask me. 'Cept now she looks like a frog in all that green."

This earned him a clip on the back of his head from Arthur. "Shut up, Finn."

John put his arm around Rose and gave her a squeeze. "You look great, Rosie. Really grown-up."

Esme reached over and felt the material of her skirt. "That's a lovely dress, Rose. Really suits you."

Rose thanked them and settled herself in next to John as they waited for Michael to arrive. She laughed at Arthur's jokes and chatted to Esme about her shopping trip with Polly. When Michael arrived and was welcomed into the family by Tommy, she stood with everyone else and raised her glass of cordial in a toast to him. She felt content and safe here with the people she loved the most and for the first time in days she relaxed. No thoughts of bowler hats or pipe tobacco entered her mind as she enjoyed the celebrations.

Polly moved to stand next to Tommy who was leaning against the wall with a whiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other, watching his family contentedly. This was why he did what he did, for these people in this room. Nothing was more important to him. Polly took a cigarette from her case and allowed Tommy to light it for her. She exhaled the smoke and gestured towards Rose who was talking to Finn, catching up on all the news in Small Heath.

"She looks happy. First time in days I've seen her smiling."

Tommy nodded, pulling at his own cigarette. "She misses her family."

Polly glanced sharply at Tommy, then back at Rose. "Me and Michael are her family too."

Tommy inclined his head to acknowledge the point.

Polly continued as if countering a point Tommy had made, "She can't live in a house where there's no adult present half the time."

"There are always adults in the house."

Polly scoffed. "The men in the shop don't count."

"Esme is there a lot too."

"Esme has her own family to take care of."

Tommy took a sip of whiskey. "I miss her, Pol."

"Then come and visit her in Sutton."

"Not the same."

Polly sighed. "It's not about you, Thomas. What's best for Rose isn't here in Small Heath. I want to put her in the local school in Sutton."

Tommy looked at Polly, surprised. "Take her away from her friends here?"

"She'll make new friends. Tommy, do you really want her to grow up like all the girls round here do? Like Ada did? Pregnant before she's 20?"

Tommy shook his head. "Rose isn't like Ada. Ada always wanted to break away from the family. Rose wants to be at the centre of it. Did you know she wants to run the Shelby Company Limited when she's grown up. Apparently, she's going to watch how I do it and copy me." He chuckled at the thought.

Polly wasn't laughing. "Really, Thomas? You want her to be like you? Will you get her her very own razor blade to sew inside her bonnet? Will you show her how to get the police in her pocket? Maybe Finn could be her attack dog like Arthur is for you."

Tommy didn't reply. He felt the sting of her words but he knew she was right.

Polly sighed. "The best thing for Rose is to get out of here, away from this life. She'll get a good education in Sutton and then when she leaves school she can go on and do classes. She could be a secretary or a clerk, maybe even a nurse."

Tommy looked at Rose who was laughing at some story Finn was telling. He couldn't imagine her as a secretary. The truth was, out of all his siblings, she was the one he could well imagine running the business eventually. She had the brains and the wherewithal; she'd got herself all the way into Alfie Solomons office in London after all. But she was a girl. In that much, Polly was right. She didn't have the background of May Carlton which allowed her to co-own her own business. Girls from Small Heath didn't grow up to run businesses. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'll think about it. Don't do anything unless I agree it."

Polly tutted and opened her mouth to reply, but Tommy moved away from her and sat down, indicating the conversation was over. She pursed her lips and went to sit next to Michael who was showing his new watch to John. Tommy finished his cigarette, stubbed it out in the ashtray and called to Rose.

"Hey, Mouse. Come here and talk to your old brother for a while."

Rose looked up at Tommy, smiled and came over to him. He took her hand and rubbed a thumb over the back of her hand. She looked happy but tired. Those dark circles under her eyes had become more noticeable as the evening had worn on.

"Are you having a nice time, eh Mouse?"

"Yes, Tommy. Finn says I look like a frog in this dress though." She pulled a face to show what she thought of Finn's opinion.

"Finn's just jealous he doesn't scrub up as well as you do. Come here."

He turned her sideways and pulled her onto his lap.

"I'm sorry I didn't get back to see you in time last Saturday. I had business."

Rose shrugged. You always have business, she thought. "That's ok", she said.

"We can talk now if you want to. I'm all ears."

He took another sip of his whiskey and as Rose watched him, she knew it wasn't the right time. He'd be so angry about what Campbell had done to her and the things he'd said. Then who knows what he'd do? It would definitely spoil Michael's party and Polly would be cross.

"It's ok, it can wait."

"You sure? I can tell there're a lot of things going on in that head of yours."

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll talk to you soon?"

Tommy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ok, Mouse. I'll take you out for a cream tea and we'll have a nice long chat."

Rose wafted Tommy's hand away and pulled the strand back in front of her ear. "It's not supposed to be tucked behind my ear. It stays in front of it. Polly says it's called a tendril."

Tommy nodded and feigned interest in this new piece of information. He pulled gently on the red curl and watched it spring back into place. "Is that right? A tendril? Well, tendrils suit you, Mouse."

She smiled at the compliment and then yawned. She blinked at him as if the yawn had taken her by surprise. He pulled her into him and she leant against his chest.

"You're tired. Are you not sleeping properly at Aunt Pol's?"

"I'm not tired."

"Ok"

"Tommy?"

"Hmm?"

"I want to come home."

Tommy sighed and enclosed his arms around her. "I know, Mouse."

She was asleep in seconds. She wasn't aware of Tommy carrying her back to Watery Lane, or of the slightly heated conversation about where she was going to spend the night. She didn't wake when Tommy put her in Polly's car, nor when Michael carried her up to her bed in Polly's house. She stayed asleep when Polly undressed her and put her night clothes on her, then hung up the green dress in her wardrobe. She did wake up, however, when she swung around to see Tommy in a bowler hat. "I'm not a good man, Mouse."

The cream tea with Tommy didn't happen the next day, or the next, or the next. In fact, it didn't happen at all. She learnt that Tommy was in London on business so she waited for him to return, reminding herself to not give up. Then he went away again. Polly said he'd gone to see the race horse at Mrs. Carlton's stables. Rose's resolve wobbled. Mrs. Carlton had said she could go and visit the horse too but Tommy had gone without her. She said very little that evening at the table. Polly didn't seem to notice. She was too busy asking questions about the injuries on Michael's knuckles.

That night she woke with a start, but this time it wasn't Tommy in a bowler hat. It was a loud incessant knocking at the door. She heard men's voices downstairs, followed by Polly screaming and shouting. Scared, Rose got out of bed and looked out of the window to see Michael being led to a car by two policemen. She could hear Polly shouting, "Not my boy! Not again!" A large policeman restrained her and Rose didn't wait to see any more. She ran down the stairs and out of the door. She saw Polly being pushed roughly up against the car by a man in a long coat. She dodged around the two policemen who were on the steps and ran down the garden towards Polly. She had to help her. Then she saw it – the bowler hat. The man wearing it had been leaning forward talking into Polly's ear. Now he turned around to look directly at Rose. He looked at her face, ashen in the moonlight. She watched his moustache move as his lips curled into a smirk. He lifted his hat in a mock greeting to her. Rose turned and was violently sick in the grass. Satisfied with his night's work, Campbell replaced his hat, turned and got into the car. Tommy Shelby was indeed finished.