Thanks to those who took the time to review the last chapter. I love reading your comments and they definitely help me to shape the story. It's interesting to know your thoughts on what's happening and on what should happen. Thanks also to all of you who follow and favourite - you're all lovely to show an interest.

Anyway, here he is - Mr. Alfie Solomons. Let me know what you think.

Rose walked Nua slowly down the path leading to the house, keeping her eyes on the man who was watching her, a large grin on his face. As she approached, memories of a morning spent in a messy, dusty office which smelled of rum flooded back to her. She remembered feeling safe and welcome there, listened to and taken seriously. She remembered the sweetest apple she'd ever eaten. She brought Nua to a halt a few feet from the car and looked down into a delighted face with sparkling eyes fixed on hers. She had to work hard to keep from smiling back. Despite everything that had happened since she'd last seen him, she was pleased to see Mr. Alfie Solomons.

"Well, look at you, striding in on horseback, your hair flowing behind you. A veritable Boudicca!"

Rose had a vague recollection of a history lesson about a red-headed Celtic queen who had fought against the Romans. She wasn't about to be drawn into small talk though. There was an important matter which needed to be resolved before she could hold a conversation with him. So she didn't say anything, just continued to look at him. Nua, a little unsettled by the stranger, nickered and tossed her head. Rose was about to calm her when she saw how uncomfortable Alfie looked. He was looking at Nua warily and Rose deliberately allowed Nua to step towards him slightly, still tossing her head. Alfie stepped back frowning and Rose smirked. Jim, having heard Nua from the stables, came round to collect her and, deciding to put Alfie out of his misery, Rose dismounted. She made a small fuss of Nua before handing her over to Jim to take care of.

Alfie watched Rose as she interacted with Nua and recognised her natural skill with the horse. He assumed that was the Gypsy in her. Alfie himself didn't like horses. He knew how to ride, everyone did in his generation, but he'd been glad of the invention of the motor car. It was a much more comfortable means of travel. He watched her turn around and noted how much older she looked from the last time he'd seen her. Not just physically but inwardly too; there was a change in her demeanour, in the look in her eyes that told him she'd experienced a few things in the past couple of years. She was a Shelby and it was an inevitability that she would see things she never should. He sighed inwardly at the damage that had been done to this child who had made such an impression on him in his office one morning two years ago. He caught her looking at him, a frown forming on her face and flashed her a wide smile.

"Well now, Petal, you haven't changed a bit, have you?"

Rose solidified the frown on her face, pushed her shoulders back and lifted up her chin. She had grown a good few inches since she'd last seen him and knew she was physically changing as she got older. She wasn't impressed with his comment. Alfie was delighted to see this proud little girl stand up straight as she silently pushed back against his judgment of her. She was still the image of Tommy and he was tickled once again by the similarity. As she stared at him, annoyance written all over her face, he became aware of an unspoken issue between them. He wiped the smile from his face, tucked his chin into his chest and looked at her seriously from under his brow. He was waiting for her to speak and when she didn't, he cleared his throat, recognising the Shelby technique of using silence to take control of the situation. As young as she was, Alfie felt the power of what she was doing and was as equally impressed as he was frustrated.

"Go on then, spit it out. Say whatever it is you want to say."

Rose waited a beat, made sure her face was expressionless, then spoke.

"You killed Billy Kitchen and had Arthur sent to prison for it."

Taking a deep breath in, Alfie nodded. "That's right."

Anger flashed across Rose's face at his admittance. "They almost hung him!"

He nodded again. "But they didn't because I had all witnesses retract their statements. I saved his life!"

She was furious now. "Only because Tommy offered you a better deal than the Italians!"

He shrugged. "It was business."

Clenching her fists as she thought back to how afraid she'd been when Arthur was in prison, she struggled to keep her voice steady.

"You promised me that you wouldn't kill my brothers."

"Oh, no. Come now, Rose, you know full well that wasn't what I promised. Don't you? Hmm?"

He ducked his head to try and catch her gaze which had moved from his. She knew it wasn't. He'd promised never to kill them because of anything she'd done. What happened with Billy Kitchen was entirely different and as angry as it made her, she knew that it had just been "business" to Alfie. She wasn't going to concede the point though. Looking back at him, she narrowed her eyes.

"My brother was almost put to death for something he didn't do."

"This time."

"What?"

"He was almost put to death for something he didn't do - this time."

She shook her head slightly, not understanding. Alfie continued.

"What about all the times he has done something worthy of hanging for? I won't insult your intelligence by pretending that you don't know how your brothers do business. Each of them have committed crimes for which they deserve to hang ten times over. Haven't they? Hmm? Arthur was innocent of the death of Billy Kitchen, but he's not innocent. Neither am I. It's business, that's all."

Rose searched his face, her brow furrowed, as she processed what he'd said. No matter which way she looked at it, she couldn't fault his argument. It hadn't been personal for Alfie. It was for her, but not for him. She was struggling to find a reason to continue to hold a grudge. Gradually, as she wrestled with the issue, the anger she felt towards him disappeared. He passed a hand down his beard.

"If it makes a difference, I'll apologise to him."

Shocked, her eyes widened. "You'd do that?"

"To resolve this issue between us and restore our friendship, my Petal, I'd do anything.

The truth was, Alfie knew that an apology to Arthur would be Tommy's requirement for what he suspected was going to be a very lucrative business offer. But there was no need to tell Rose that. He was a great believer in killing as many birds as possible with one stone.

Rose chewed her lip as she considered this. If he apologised to Arthur, then the matter could be considered closed. And besides, if Tommy had invited Alfie to a meeting in his own home, then he was clearly comfortable doing business with him again. Rose decided that it wouldn't be disloyal to the family if she reacquainted herself with Mr. Solomons.

"Fine. Apologise to Arthur and if he doesn't kill you himself, then we can put the matter behind us."

Alfie laughed out loud at this pronouncement. She was delightful. He made a show of graciously bowing to her.

"I am eternally grateful for your mercy, my lady."

Finally relaxing, Rose chuckled at the gesture. She was astute enough to be aware of the faint ridiculousness of her "forgiving" one of the most feared gangsters in London. Alfie smiled at her laughter, then turned and at looked at Arrow House.

"My, my, your brother really has gone up in the world, hasn't he? Tell me, if he's the Lord of the Manor, what does that make you?"

"The Lord of the Manor's sister."

Turning back to her with grin, he stepped a little closer to her.

"So, what do you get up to these days now that you're not beating up young Jewish boys in the street?"

"Who says I'm not still beating up young Jewish boys in the street?"

Alfie's eyes sparkled as he looked at her. "I imagine you have bigger ambitions than fighting in the streets, no?"

Smiling, Rose shrugged. "Maybe."

"Maybe?"

She wasn't about to enlighten him. "Why are you here? Did Tommy invite you?"

"Thomas did indeed send a message saying he would be grateful for my presence here today."

"Must be a lot in it for you, if you've come all the way from London."

"That, my Petal, is very cynical of you."

"It's a dangerous business he's involved in, even if it does pay a lot of money."

"Yes, the more money, the more danger. You're worried about him?"

"I'm always worried about him."

Alfie nodded, understanding her concern. He changed the subject.

"A little bird told me that it was your birthday recently."

"What little bird?"

"Now, that would be telling, wouldn't it? This little bird told me you've just turned thirteen. Is that correct?"

"Yes, a couple of months ago."

Arthur beamed and threw his arms wide.

"Then Mazeltov, my dear. In the Jewish religion, when a child turns thirteen, they are officially an adult."

Worried that he'd engulf her in a bear hug, Rose stepped backwards. She wasn't ready for that level of friendship. He laughed at her wariness.

"In some sects of Judaism, your parents would have already chosen a husband for you."

"Don't you start. John's already told me the Gypsies would have me married by now."

Alfie raised his eyebrows. "Really? Well, it seems that for once your family and mine have something in common."

"Other than making money from dangerous business, you mean?"

Wagging his finger at her, Alfie smiled wryly. She didn't miss a trick. He was enjoying this conversation with her.

"I have brought a birthday gift for you."

Rose was surprised. The last thing she'd expected was a birthday present from Alfie Solomons. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an apple. Red and shiny, it was exactly like the one she'd eaten in his office. She smiled broadly when she saw it, her mouth already anticipating its sweetness. Reaching out and taking it from him, she looked at it hungrily.

"Thanks, Alfie. I can't wait to try this."

"Well, don't try it just yet because I have something else for you. Put it in your pocket because you'll need both hands for this."

Puzzled, Rose did as he asked and watched as he nodded to one of his men who reached into the car, brought out a box and carried it to Alfie.

"Now, Petal, I have brought you something that no child should grow up without and even though, according to my traditions you may be officially an adult, you'll still need it in the years ahead. I can promise you that you'll wonder how you ever lived without it."

Increasingly curious, Rose watched as Alfie reached into the box and lifted something out carefully. She gasped in delight as he turned towards her holding a wriggling bundle of black and tan fur. Bright brown eyes set in a tan face which faded into black looked back at her and a little black nose sniffed the air, straining towards her as it picked up her scent. Rose's mouth dropped open and she looked excitedly into Alfie's grinning face.

"It's a puppy."

He laughed. "Yes, it's a puppy. And he's yours if you want him."

Rose's eyes dropped back to the small mass of squirming fur and fell in love. She moved closer to Alfie and leaned in to put her arms round the dog and scoop him up. He immediately turned his head and began sniffing, then licking Rose's face, who laughed in delight at the greeting. She tried to get a good look at him between licks. He was small but sturdy with a black body and four tan legs. He had a black neck with what looked like a thin necklace of tan fur which was set in a v-shape down his chest. Eventually the puppy, tired with all the excitement, quieted down and rested his head against Rose's shoulder. She lifted a hand and stroked the back of his head, marvelling at his soft fur and silky ears. She looked at Alfie, slightly overcome.

"He's really mine?"

He nodded. "I picked him out for you myself. His dad is a German Shepherd and his mum is a Beagle, which makes him the most loyal and protective dog you could ever want. If you train him well, he'll never leave your side and he'll never let anyone hurt you. A girl like you needs a dog like him."

Rose's eyes filled with tears and she buried her head into the puppy's neck. Alfie blinked his eyes, he felt he must have some grit or something in them.

"He's called Fred. After me."

"Fred? After you?"

"That's right. I'm Alfred Solomons on my birth certificate."

Of course. That made sense to Rose. She grinned.

"I always thought you were Alfonso."

Alfie threw his head back and roared with laughter, making Fred the puppy jump. Rose settled him down again with a firm calm hand and quiet words of assurance. She moved over to Alfie and, reaching up on her tip toes, quickly put an arm around his neck, hugging him whilst holding tight to Fred with her other arm. Alfie, slightly taken aback by the sudden show of affection, put his arms around her and gently hugged her back.

"Thank you, Alfie. He's perfect."

Alfie nodded. "You're welcome, Petal. Take good care of him."

She stepped back and looked at him earnestly.

"I will, I promise."

Mary opened the front door and came to greet Tommy's visitor. She looked surprised to see Rose with him, a puppy in her arms.

"Good morning, Sir. Are you here to see Mr. Shelby?"

"I am now. Please tell him that The Wandering Jew has arrived."

"Yes, Sir. Miss Rose? Will you be coming in too?"

"You go and get some water and food for that dog now, Petal. He's had a long journey."

Rose flashed Alfie a big smile and hurried past Mary into the house, heading towards the kitchen to get food and water for Fred. Alfie watched her go and then turned to Mary.

"That girl is a rare delight. I hope your master knows how lucky he is."

"Oh, I'm sure he does, Sir. If you'll just follow me, I'll let Mr. Shelby know you're here."

Rose found Arthur, John, Michael and Johnny in the kitchen. The atmosphere was quite tense and they all stopped talking when she entered the room. Michael looked miserable and she wondered what had happened. John spotted Fred immediately.

"What you got there, Rosie?"

"He's mine."

"Alright! I wasn't going to take him from you. Where's he come from?"

Rose hesitated. She instinctively knew that Tommy hadn't told them that Alfie was there and she wasn't going to be the one to deliver the news.

"From a friend."

Arthur was interested. "What friend?"

"A friend from school. Her dog had puppies so she gave me one."

John scoffed. "Tommy'll never let you keep a dog in the house."

"Course he will. He likes animals."

"Not in his precious mansion, he doesn't."

"It'll be fine. I'll take care of him."

Arthur beckoned her over. "Let's have a look then."

Rose took Fred over to Arthur who took him and had a good look. Fred was delighted with more attention and tried to lick Arthur's face. Arthur deftly moved out of the way of each attempt. He was gentle with the puppy and Fred eventually stayed content in his arms. Arthur moved a hand down the dog's back with a small smile on his face.

"This here's a good dog, Rosie. Strong and healthy."

Rose beamed with pride.

"What you gonna call him?"

"He's called Fred."

John laughed. "What kind of a name is Fred for a dog?"

She shrugged. "I like it. It suits him."

Michael, who had been fidgeting impatiently, sighed loudly.

"Rose, can you disappear again? The adults need to talk."

Rose scowled at him. "I need to get Fred some water and something to eat."

Johnny jumped down from the counter he was perched on. "Sure, I'll help you, Rose lass. Come on, now. He won't need much, he's only a pup."

Johnny bustled round the room, finding a couple of small bowls, filling one with water and one with some left-over chicken. He showed Rose how to cut the chicken into small pieces so Fred wouldn't choke. Rose took Fred from Arthur, who by now was quite taken with the puppy and followed Johnny outside to the stables where he put the food down in a sheltered corner.

"There you go now, Rosie. Let him eat what he wants then keep him outside for a while so he can do his business. You ever had a dog before?"

"No"

"Ah well, I'll help you take care of him and show you how to train him. You should let Mal help you too. He's a natural with animals."

Rose smiled at him. "Thanks, Johnny."

He ruffled her hair with a grin and went back to the kitchen. Rose put Fred carefully on the floor and watched him sniff the area. She was ready to grab him if he ran off, but he seemed content to stay near her. His nose led him straight to the chicken and he nibbled at it hungrily. He didn't finish it all and moved onto the water after a while. Rose giggled as he messily lapped it up, as much water going on the ground as in his mouth. When he was done, she let him wander round a small area of the stables for a while, waiting in case he needed do his business. Sure enough, after about five minutes, he'd relieved himself and came trotting up to Rose who made a big fuss of him.

"Well done, Fred. Good boy. Clever boy."

She walked round the yard a little to see if he'd follow her and he more or less did. He wandered off in different directions, distracted by strange new smells, but he would move back towards Rose when he'd finished exploring. He knew she was his person and he wasn't going to let her out of his sight. Rose scooped him up.

"Do you want to meet Tommy, Fred? Do you? He's the one who'll decide if you can stay so you have to be on your best behavior, ok? Let's go and find him, shall we? Eh? Come on."

Rose headed towards Tommy's study. She suspected that he'd still be in there with Alfie and had calculated that Tommy would be less likely to say no to Fred if Alfie was also there when she asked him.

Reaching the study, she knocked on the door and waited for Tommy's "Come" before entering. She knew he'd be expecting the others not her, but catching him off guard would also work in her favour. Bracing herself for his reaction, she walked confidently into the room. Tommy and Alfie stood up and turned round as she did so and, upon seeing her, Tommy sighed. He'd been hoping she wouldn't meet Alfie on his visit. The last thing he wanted was their strange little friendship to be rekindled. Alfie, of course, was fully aware of this and wasn't about to forego an opportunity to strengthen his part in the continual power play he was involved in with Thomas Shelby. He beamed at her.

"There she is - a literal rose amongst the Shelby thorns. What are you thinking, Thomas, keeping this young girl in a giant house in the middle of nowhere? She's like a songbird in a gilded cage, she needs to be set free to sing."

Rose looked at him, confused. She had no idea what he was talking about. Tommy ignored him, focusing instead on what Rose was holding. He looked at Fred, then at her with raised eyebrows. She told him what he already knew.

"It's a puppy."

"I can see that. Why is it in my study?"

She swallowed. "He's mine. He's a gift."

"A gift from whom?" And before he'd finished speaking, he knew.

"Er, that would be me, Tommy. That very valuable and well-bred dog is a gift from me to your sister on the occasion of her thirteenth birthday."

Tommy closed his eyes briefly as he realised the bind he was in. If he let Rose keep the puppy, then he would be acknowledging the bond between his sister and Alfie, and if he didn't, then he would lose face with Alfie and Rose would never forgive him. He cursed Alfie's smartness in giving Rose the dog. He looked at him witheringly. Alfie was watching him work all this out and smiled smugly. Rose, noticing this little interaction, didn't fully understand it, but was keen for Tommy's approval to keep Fred.

"I'll take care of him, I promise, Tommy. You won't even know he's in the house. And I'll train him and feed him. Johnny said he'd help me."

"Rose…"

"And he'll protect me, you know, when you're not here. Like a guard dog."

"Tommy, every child needs a dog. I have a dog I wouldn't be without. I'm never lonely. Now Rose doesn't have to be either."

Tommy looked at him coldly. "Rose isn't lonely."

"No, no, I didn't say she was, did I? But she has a very busy family, don't she? And a dog will always be there to keep her company, see."

Tommy sighed. Rose tried again.

"He's called Fred, Tommy."

"Yeah, after me."

Tommy pinched the bridge of this nose. "Of course he is."

Rose was getting desperate. "He already knows he belongs to me, Tommy. Watch."

She put Fred on the floor, willing him to stay by her side. Fred sniffed around a little, then sat down next to her feet, looking up at her

Tommy was a great believer in the spirit of animals and knew full well that an animal picked its owner and not the other way round. As he watched Fred sit next to Rose, his bright eyes fixed on Rose's face, he knew that the dog had chosen her. It wouldn't matter what he said now, the decision had been made. He pointed a finger at his sister.

"If he keeps me awake in the night with his howling, I'll give him to the Lees as a hunting dog."

Rose's face lit up as she understood that this threat was Tommy's reluctant agreement to her keeping Fred. She took a step towards him to hug him, but he turned away, took a cigarette from his desk and lit it before pulling on the cord which rang the bell in the kitchen. Rose didn't mind, she knew that in his mind he'd capitulated to her in front of Alfie and that he was smarting. She may pay for it later, but he wouldn't go back on his word. She looked at Alfie who winked at her. She grinned at him, then bent down to scoop up Fred. As she did, the door opened and Michael, Johnny, John and, finally, Arthur entered the room.

Each of them looked at the scene in front of them curiously, except Arthur who, when he caught sight of Alfie, stopped short. He looked like he'd been punched in the stomach. Alfie opened his arms wide.

"Arthur!"

Arthur pulled back, inhaled sharply and then turned to leave the room again. Tommy called after him.

"Arthur, come here."

Arthur reluctantly came back in the room as Alfie, enjoying the performance, greeted him loudly.

"Shalom! Arthur, shalom." He grabbed hold of Arthur's arms and led him to a chair. "Come here. Come. Let's sit down. I owe you a little something, don't I? I do. Come on. Sit down. Come on, sit down here."

Rose watched as Alfie sat down with Arthur, took his hand and proceeded to make a long-winded apology for getting him "clinked up and battered." He told him, as he'd told her, that it was just business. She noticed that Arthur kept his eyes on Tommy the whole time, trying to take his cue from him, questioning silently why Tommy was allowing this to happen. Tommy, on his part, watched the whole scenario play out, not speaking, not interfering. Rose couldn't help but think that he viewed this whole meeting as a test. He needed both Arthur and Alfie for his plan and was testing them to see if they would be able to work together – particularly Arthur, who at one point was close to losing it as Alfie couldn't help but wind him up about his new-found faith. She watched tensely as Arthur grasped a heavy glass ashtray, his face seething as he wrestled with the urge to smash it into Alfie's face, staring at Tommy, willing him to take his side. Tommy's expression was one of weary frustration as he shook his head slightly at Arthur. In an almighty feat of mind over matter, Arthur let go of the ashtray, telling Alfie he was "old testament."

Alfie looked at him fascinated before telling Tommy that, in Arthur, he had a man who would murder and maim for him with God on his side. He told him not to let him go. Rose knew that Tommy saw what Alfie saw and, with a sinking feeling, wondered if Tommy would indeed not let him go to California. As much as Rose didn't want him to go either, she also didn't want Tommy to come up with some ruthless, thoughtless plan to make Arthur stay.

Arthur demanded to know why he was being forced to work with Alfie and Rose looked at Tommy curiously, also wanting to know why. Tommy caught her looking at him and indicated the door with a tilt of his chin.

"Get out, Rose."

Sighing at missing the big reveal, Rose turned and left the room, Fred snoozing in her arms. She couldn't think why Tommy needed Alfie's involvement and now she wouldn't find out. She decided to hang around the entrance hall to see if she could ask John or Arthur when they came out. Fred seemed content to sleep in her arms so she paced the entrance hall until Mary told her she was getting in the way of the staff whereupon she went outside and sat down on the front steps. She wouldn't miss them there. Eventually, Arthur, John and Michael walked past her on their way to the car. She jumped up, waking up Fred in the process who yawned and looked around trying to work out where he was. Arthur's face was still like thunder and he marched purposefully to the car. All he wanted to do was leave. Michael still looked as miserable as when she'd seen him in the kitchen, so she chose John as her source of information.

"John"

"What's up, Rosie?" He reached out and scratched Fred round his ears.

"Why is Alfie here? What's Tommy's plan?"

John laughed. "Why are you asking me? Ask Tommy."

"You know he won't tell me. What's going on?"

He shook his head. "Nah, Rosie, not this time. It's best you don't know."

"But why? I won't tell anyone. And I'm part of the family too."

"Doesn't mean you get to know all the business. Why can't you be more like Finn? He just does as he's told without asking questions."

"And that's why he won't get very far, isn't it?"

"What, and you're going places?"

Rose just scowled at him, annoyed that he wouldn't tell her the plan. Arthur yelled at John angrily from the car. He wanted to go. John ruffled Rose's hair and smiled at her.

"Just play with your puppy, Rosie. You don't need to worry about anything else."

She watched him walk to the car and get in. She was frustrated at being patronised again. She knew they wouldn't necessarily tell her the plan but she resented being treated like a small child when she showed an interest in the business. John waved at her cheerily as he drove off but she didn't wave back. Sitting back down on the step, she stroked Fred's soft head.

"I'll show them all, Fred. One day, they'll see."

"What will they see, Petal?"

Rose jumped as Alfie lowered himself laboriously down to the step to sit next to her. He grinned at her when he had settled himself.

"No, seriously, what will you show them? Hmm? I'd like to know."

Rose shrugged and looked away. "Nothing."

"Now, I don't, for one minute, believe you have nothing to show the world – or your brothers. I think you have a great future ahead of you. I do. You're clever and brave and you don't miss anything. The world will be your oyster, as they say."

"Only if Tommy lets me."

"Ah, I see. You know, your brother only wants what's best for you. He's ambitious and power hungry and takes far too many risks, but he does a lot of that for you and the rest of your family."

"But what if I don't want him to? I'm not bothered about big houses and shiny cars. What's the point of all that if you're not happy."

"Are you unhappy?"

Rose looked at him and frowned. She hadn't been asked that before. Shifting her gaze away from his scrutiny, she looked down at Fred.

"A bit, maybe."

Alfie nodded. "So, what would make you happy?"

Rose shrugged again, keeping her eyes on Fred. "It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters. Why wouldn't your happiness matter?"

"No, I mean the thing that would make me happy doesn't matter."

"Why not?"

"Cos it's never going to happen."

"Why not?"

Rose moved her eyes back to Alfie's and saw a genuine interest in them. "Because the thing that would make me happy is my mum still being alive."

Alfie pursed his lips and nodded. His heart ached somewhat for this girl. She was surrounded by family who no doubt loved her, yet she seemed like one of the loneliest people he'd ever met.

Rose looked out across the driveway, but carried on talking. She was rarely given space to express her feelings and, as strange as it was, she felt comfortable opening up to Alfie.

"If she was still here, she'd be in charge of me not Tommy. We'd be living back at home and I'd be near my friends, and my brothers and Ada would come and visit, and it would be normal. She'd cook for us and she'd mend my clothes and she'd not let my brothers pick on me. She'd be there just for me and I wouldn't have to live with different family members when I got in the way."

"Sounds idyllic. Is that what it was like in the Shelby house before she died then? All the cooking and mending and visiting?"

Pondering this question, Rose wasn't sure about the answer. She'd been told about her mum by her family and they only had good things to say about her. Turning back to Alfie, she answered somewhat hesitantly.

"I think so. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but your family weren't exactly rolling in it before Tommy took on the business, were they? And you told me that your dad left before you were born so he doesn't sound like someone she could rely on. She was, for all intents and purposes, a single mother with - how many siblings do you have?"

"Five"

"Five? Your dad really was the worst, wasn't he? Anyway, she had five kids and another on the way. She probably spent her time wondering how to feed and clothe them all. Do you really think your life would have been happy? With an empty belly and bare feet? Even with love in the house, it's hard."

Rose's eyes scanned his face as he spoke. She understood what he was saying. She knew families like that, she'd grown up with them. Eliza's family were just like that and her mum was always busy, shooing Eliza and her siblings out of the house when they got under her feet. She thought about the holes in Eliza's shoes and the harassed look on her mother's face. For the first time she wondered if her dreams of life with her mother in it were really just wishful thinking. Alfie watched her processing her thoughts.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, Petal – everyone needs their mum. My old mum, God rest her soul, was a gem, I tell you, a gem of a woman. But she worked her fingers to the bone for us kids and she didn't have a lot of time for bedtime stories or nursery rhymes, if you get my meaning. Life was hard. And, even though your mum passed too early, you have a family who love you and take care of you. I mean, you have a horse of your very own! Which other girl your age do you know has a horse?"

Rose nodded. She did get his meaning. She knew she was privileged and that life could be a lot worse for her.

"I just don't feel like I belong anywhere or to anyone."

"Well, who does? I mean, really? Who does Tommy think he belongs to? Who do any of us belong to? My mum, she fled Russia when she was young. Cos she was persecuted for being a Jew. They killed her father right in front of her. She didn't belong anywhere. But she was too busy raising all us lot to worry about it. You belong where you are and to whoever you're with. Besides, you're thirteen, you're not supposed to feel like you fit in. You have to find your own way as you grow up, work out your own identity. And if that identity is being Tommy Shelby's sister – well, is that really so bad? For now? Hmm? You've got plenty of time to find your place in the world, Petal. You don't need to be in such a hurry. Enjoy the good things you have and let the bad things make you stronger. That's how I live my life and I'm doing alright, aren't I?"

Rose laughed softly. "Yeah, I think you are."

Smiling Alfie put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. "You think too much, little flower. It's not good for your head, you know. You get all tangled up in your thoughts and before you know it, you don't know up from down."

"Does that happen to you?"

"Yeah, sometimes."

"Alfie?"

He let go of her. "Yeah?"

"What's Tommy's plan?"

Alfie guffawed. "You know what curiosity did, don't you? It killed the cat."

"Good thing I'm not a cat then."

Still chuckling, Alfie quite happily told Rose Tommy's plan to dig a tunnel into the Russians' safe-room and steal their jewels. She was surprised to find out that Alfie was also a jeweller, less surprised at Tommy's plan to steal the jewels. It was exactly the kind of thing he'd do.

"Will he pull it off?"

"It is without doubt, the craziest, most daring and most dangerous plan I have ever come across. And I have no doubt that the only person who can pull it off is Thomas Shelby. He'll be fine. And very rich!"

Rose sighed. Alfie leaned into her with his shoulder. "Look at me, Petal."

Rose looked at him. He was smiling gently at her.

"You are blessed, little one. You just need to start looking for those blessings. And, if nothing else, your life is never boring, is it? Gangster brothers, stolen jewels, angry Russians, friendly Jews – what stories you'll tell your grandchildren!"

Smiling despite herself, Rose leaned into Alfie too. He had a way of making everything seem better. After a few seconds, someone cleared their throat behind them and Rose hurried to her feet. She knew who was there before she turned round. Alfie used his cane to haul himself to his feet with not a little groaning and, smiling, also turned round. Tommy was stood in the doorway, his face hard, looking from one to the other. Alfie, as usual, was the first to speak.

"Ah, Thomas. Young Rose and I were just catching up. It's been nice to reacquaint myself with your sister. She…"

Tommy interrupted. "Rose, go to the kitchen and give that dog to one of the girls, then go to my study and wait for me."

Rose, wondering if she was in trouble, moved to do as he said. Alfie stopped her.

"You can't leave without saying goodbye, Petal, can you?"

He stuck out his hand for her to shake. Not sure what to do, Rose looked at Tommy who nodded almost imperceptibly. She took Alfie's hand and he put his other hand on top of hers. He shook it warmly.

"Goodbye, my friend, it was a delight to see you again."

"Goodbye Al…" Rose shot a glance at Tommy. "Mr. Solomons."

"We mustn't leave it this long before we meet again. If you ever happen to find yourself in London – well, you know where to find me."

Alfie beamed at Rose who grinned back at him. "Thank you, I'd like …."

"Rose"

Tommy's voice had a clear meaning. He expected her gone. She pulled her hand away quickly and moving past Tommy, made her way to the kitchen.

Tommy kept his eyes on Alfie, looking down at him from the top of the steps. He wasn't happy with Alfie's friendship with Rose. He knew Alfie would never hurt her, in fact, he was aware that Alfie had a genuine fondness for his sister. He just wanted to keep Rose away from the illegitimate side of his business. He didn't want her making friends with criminals and gangsters, even if the irony of her family being full of them wasn't lost on him.

"Goodbye, Alfie."

"Bye then, Tommy." Alfie began to make his way to the car, thought better of it and came back. "Listen, Tommy, I know family is family, but I just want to say this and then I'll be gone. That girl there who just left - she is capable of a lot more than you give her credit for. She will be an asset to you if you'd just let her prove herself. All she wants is to make you proud and to belong somewhere. You should let her fly, not keep her locked away in the countryside where she has nothing to do. Because one day, fly she will, and she may not ever return. It'll all depend on how you treat her now. Give her some freedom, some responsibility. Show her you trust her. You'll see, she'll be the best thing you ever invested in.

Tommy stared at Alfie, expressionless, his eyes hard. He couldn't quite believe the audacity of Alfie's statement. How dare he tell him how to raise his own sister? Alfie could see he'd overstepped the mark and raising his cane as a farewell gesture, hurried to the car. Tommy didn't even wait for the engine to start before he turned and closed the front door firmly. Standing there, he leant his forehead on the cool wood, feeling drained after the busiest day he'd had since his accident. Spending any time with Alfie Solomons was exhausting but he couldn't escape the niggling feeling that nobody saw through him quite like Alfie did. Alfie's words had planted a seed of doubt inside him and he knew he'd be wrestling with them till deep into the night. As if he didn't have enough to deal with.