The Garrison, louder than ever, was now troubling Tommy. What once he perceived as a safe haven, a place where he could drink, be with his brothers, have a laugh, think or confide in someone, was now becoming a burden. He couldn't think with all the racket coming from outside of their private room.
"Arthur. Get out there, tell Jeremiah to clear out the place." Tommy told him. Arthur looked fairly uncomfortable and Tommy understood why. This was his pub. It was registered in his name and this was a big night, lots of customers meant lots of coin.
What Tommy was asking for him was bad for business, but there was no time for business now. He needed to think. He needed quiet, and he needed his brothers with him.
When Arthur didn't move from his seat, all the guys started giving him stares. Tommy's orders were Tommy's orders after all. It took a little nudge from Michael for Arthur to finally get up and say, "Oh, alright!"
Rubbing his forehead, he stepped out of the room and stood up on the bar, making the grand announcement that the pub was closing. Many groans followed and lots of protests which could have turned into riots.
"The pub is closin'! By order of the Peaky Blinders!" Arthur called out a little louder and things finally started to quiet down.
It was good to know that despite their long absence, the Peaky Blinders, especially the Shelby family, still greatly influenced Birmingham. Everyone obeyed the rules while they were here, and sure enough, all the men started leaving, their women close behind them.
After having a few words with Jeremiah and telling him what drinks to bring over to their private table, Arthur rushed back there, to make sure he hadn't missed anything.
The men were all sitting in silence, waiting for their drinks. Tommy smoked one of his cigarettes and closed his eyes, trying to think about their next move. They had so many options. Many allies to choose from.
A foreign mob was never good news to anyone in England. No other gang would approve of their arrival, regardless of how they felt about the Peaky Blinders.
But at the same time, they wouldn't dare join in and side with them against the Italians in the vendetta. A vendetta was to be carried out by those involved, and no one wanted to be involved.
Clearing his throat, Tommy opened his eyes and looked at his brothers, Isaiah and Michael who were all waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Alright. We have the new recruits. First thing tomorrow morning, Arthur, you handle our contacts and find out what is going on in London. And take some time to figure out what to do with Linda and your baby. They said they would not harm children or civilians. But that doesn't mean that your wife is out of harm's way." Tommy began and pointed at Arthur, who nodded.
"The same thing goes for you, John. Get Esme and the children somewhere barricaded and safe. The church would do. No doubt Jeremiah will help."
After that, Tommy turned his attention to his cousin, "Michael, you are coming with me. We have a meeting set up by Uncle Charlie with Aberama Gold and his lot of gypsies. We need to negotiate and they don't come cheap."
The news surprised Michael to say the least. He leaned forward across the table and whispered, "But…I thought I was only supposed to handle the legitimate business. That's what you said. That's what you promised my mum."
"Polly knew this day would come sooner or later. You cannot handle the legitimate business alone, Michael. Not anymore. Not when the family is at this high a risk. You're a smart young lad and I know you can help me. I will keep you out of harm's way, like I promised your mother. But it is time for you to become a man. From what Arthur and John have told me, you have learned to use the gun properly. And let's not forget it was you who made the decision to kill the priest. Now, I need you to continue making such decisions, under my supervision, of course." Tommy responded and that settled Michael back in his seat.
Finn, his eyes eager, as he glanced from Tommy to Michael, finally got the courage to speak up, "And, it's time for me to step up too, right Tom? I can help out…"
"No." Tommy's firm answer came at once. He knew how much he was hurting Finn by keeping him out of the business. But the sixteen-year old was still too young and innocent. He had never used a gun before, never pulled the trigger. And most importantly, he didn't have the stomach for it.
Tommy knew. Finn hadn't fought in the war like his brothers, and he hadn't faced the difficulties Michael faced in his childhood. Finn was different. Tommy was determined to keep him innocent for as long as possible. He wanted to keep him out of harm's way and out of this kind of life. Perhaps because he hoped that someday, Finn would clean up the black spots on the Shelby family name, do some real legitimate business, and make them all proud.
Confused, the poor boy looked around desperately at all of his brothers and when his eyes landed on Tommy, he stuttered, "But you just told Michael he needed to grow up. I need to grow up too…"
"No, you don't, Finn. You need to stay put. Isaiah is going to watch over you. Starting tonight, the two of you are heading over to Ada's place and you're staying there with her. Think of it as a task to protect your sister with Isaiah by your side." Tommy instructed him and Isaiah immediately nodded, acknowledging his mission.
Somewhat humiliated, Finn sat back down with a frown, just as Emily, the new barmaid, entered with a big tray holding all of their drinks. Rum and whisky. It is all they ordered.
"The rum and the whisky." She whispered as she placed them on the table.
Pretty much all of them mumbled something except John. He was transfixed by this girl's presence again. He could only stare at her, messing around with his cap. Arthur noticed his brother's fidgeting and started to chuckle a little as he downed his whisky. Emily didn't seem to notice as she quietly walked outside and shut the door behind her.
"What's the matter, Arthur?" Michael asked, finally noticing his amused state.
"Our John boy here. Has been acting weird ever since he saw this pretty new barmaid. Better not let yer wife catch you lookin' like that again." Arthur responded, laughing afterwards when he saw the look on John's face at being caught red-handed.
Tommy was about to suck in another deep smoke when he stilled his hand, his icy blue eyes looking at his younger brother with suspicion. But John was a Shelby too and he was not intimidated by the look that his brother was giving him right now, even if he was the boss.
"Speaking of your wife, John…how is marriage life? Is Esme satisfied?" Tommy asked him, the cigarette finally reaching his mouth but his eyes hardened at John's lack of a satisfying response.
"Yeah…sure." Was all John mumbled. He was not about to reveal in front of everyone in the family how his marriage was going down the crapper.
"Is she satisfied, John?" Tommy continued to insist. "What are you on about, Tommy?" John crossed his arms over his chest in a challenging posture. He would put up a good fight if he had to. Even in front of Arthur and the rest of the boys.
"We are in the middle of a very dangerous vendetta, that could end us all. And you have a wife, who's family can be very useful to us right now. You know how close Esme is to her family. She talks to them all the time…about us…about you. I need the Lee family to back us up tomorrow when I go speak to them. Johnny Dogs will be with me. My question is, aside from all the fuckin' trouble that I find myself in, do I have any reason to fear that my talk with the Lee boys will be unsuccessful tomorrow?"
John leaned over the table, facing Tommy and spoke, "No. No, you don't fuckin' need to worry. My marriage is fine."
He wasn't putting up with this shit. John knew his attraction to the new barmaid was strong. He hadn't figured out what to do about it yet. But he was not going to let Tommy dictate everything in his life again. Ever since those crucial moments in the gallows when he thought he would be hanged, John felt the need to stand up to Tommy, no matter if he was right or wrong in doing so.
Tommy either didn't notice John's new found rebellious state or he didn't seem to care. Breaking eye contact, he gave a small nod.
"Good. You best keep it that way, then. Which means, you need to stay away from this barmaid. I am not going to tell you again." Tommy ordered in a tone that meant 'submit or else'. Arthur and Finn, despite being his brothers were not immune to Tommy's tone of voice. When he meant something, they submitted.
John was different. But how much would this 'different' cost them? John didn't respond to Tommy's order and just continued to stare at him from across the table.
Michael, realizing that this was getting them nowhere, decided to break the tension between the two brothers. "Um…Tommy…about the Jews…" Tommy turned his attention away from John and nodded at Michael. "I'll handle Alfie Solomons on my own. I'll work up a deal. Get him to side with us."
"Maybe he doesn't want to be involved." Finn naively decided to throw in his two cents, making Arthur and John chuckle. Tommy didn't laugh at his youngest brother, just turned to him and calmly stated, "With such a vendetta and the lives we live, you don't have a fuckin' choice here, Finn. When the Italians arrive in Birmingham, Alfie Solomons will be forced to take a side one way or another. We have to get to him first. Try to learn, Finn. It'll be useful for ya, eh?" Finn nodded, deciding it was in his best interest to shut up and listen to Tommy's wisdom.
Afterwards, Tommy took a big swig of his rum and pointed a finger in the air, deciding to tell them all more about how someone like Alfie Solomons needs to be handled.
"He is as skilled as me when it comes to business, a clever man. I need to make sure even if I do offer him a good deal, he won't double cross us."
"Ya think he might do that, Tom?" Arthur asked him.
"After working for as long as I have with him, I came to the conclusion that despite how well we get along, Alfie Solomons would double cross anyone for the right price. And in case that happens, I will have a backup plan ready."
Tommy took in a smoke and ended the discussion on the matter. Everyone knew what they needed to do. They were going to war again. And they needed to be ready.
Tommy let out a quiet sigh and glanced over at Arthur and John. The two brothers knew the signal. Tommy wanted to talk to them alone. Understanding the signal, Arthur clapped his hands together and sent Finn, Isaiah and Michael away to handle their affairs. Until tomorrow when he would meet Aberama Gold alongside Tommy, Michael was given the task to clear his mother of drugs and get her on her feet. Finn and Isaiah were going off to find Ada.
Luca Changretta had made it clear to Tommy who his intended targets were and Ada was one of them. She needed protection, and Tommy would make sure she received more than two young junior Peakys, just as soon as he could figure out which of the new recruits he could trust with his sister's life.
Once the private table was cleared out and only the three brothers remained, Arthur asked, "Alright, Tom. What's on yer mind?"
John didn't seem to be listening. His eyes were glued to the door, somehow hoping Emily would walk back inside to collect the empty glasses. But she never came. Why, John could not guess. He was thinking of a plan to get her alone, to get her to talk to him.
He couldn't help it. He was more and more attracted to the girl. But then he remembered what Tommy said about Esme. The Peaky Blinders' alliance with the Lee family depended on this fragile marriage of his with his wife. And Tommy needed the Lee boys now more than ever.
John didn't want to mess up Tommy's plans, especially now when they were all in danger. But he also didn't want his brothers dictating his feelings. If he really wanted to be alone with this Emily girl, he would, without Tommy or Esme knowing it.
"John…you with us?" Tommy snapped his brother back to reality and out of his thoughts. "Hmm...yea!" was John's response, while Arthur snickered. "Alright, John boy. Time to get yer head on straight and forget about the barmaid. She ain't nothin' but trouble." When Tommy's face scrunched up in confusion, Arthur added, "Jeremiah thinks she hidin' something."
Nodding, Tommy didn't want to continue the subject of the new barmaid. He just gave John a stern look and then placed his hands on the table, looking down, in thought. Arthur and John were waiting somewhat patiently for him to continue.
"I have plans for this vendetta…but I do not have plans for Tatiana Petrovna and the child she's carrying." Tommy explained and started rubbing his eyes, tired of worrying…fearing that he might never get to hold that baby in his hands. He wanted it badly. Never had he wanted something that much.
Tommy remembered when Grace told him she was pregnant. For a while, he considered convincing her to tell her husband that the child was his. But he hadn't, because he had been selfish. He wanted to get married and have a try at a normal family. His experiment failed when his wife died and Charlie was almost taken away from him for good.
A child of the great Tommy Shelby would be born with as many enemies as his or her father had accumulated over the years of handling business. Why would he accept to place such burden on a baby? He didn't know. What he did know was that the baby would be born, and would be raised by this family.
As for Tatiana…Tommy was certain that she wouldn't want to stay anywhere near him. She was prepared to get rid of the baby herself, before the Italians got hold of her. As much as he knew the child would need a mother, Tommy would not force her to stay. She would be free to live her life as she wished, but the baby would stay with him.
"Tommy…that there's a smart woman. Hell, a mad woman! She can free herself." Arthur tried to soothe his brother, placing a hand over his shoulder. Tommy nodded, glancing his brothers. "I have faith in her wit. I know what she is capable of. She can free herself from them. But she won't get far. And I don't think Luca Changretta will be patient for long. He might break his promise. He might kill her. That is why I need to be there. I need to get her…and I don't know how. I don't know where to look."
"Look, Tommy, she won't be alone. Those fuckin' wops would be all over her. You can't do nothin'." John tried to reason with him. Arthur nodded. "John's right, Tommy. Ya gotta' let her go. For now. And we'll get her. We'll get her when you kill that fucker."
Tommy looked at his brother in disbelief. Why was he the only one thinking rationally? Why did he have to handle the burden of thinking for his whole family? He turned in his chair and faced Arthur, with one eyebrow shot up in a challenging manner.
"And when is that, Arthur, eh? When it's too late? When Tatiana is shot dead? Or when she somehow manages to escape and gets rid of the baby herself? No…I need to plan."
He turned back around and calculated his chances. He thought long and hard about what he has accomplished so far. Twenty new peakys. An alliance with Aberama Gold and the rest of his charlatans was in the bag. And let's not forget Alfie Solomons, who might act in his favor.
But he remembered something else…another possible advantage. They were the last people Tommy would have contacted, but…drastic times called for drastic measures.
The only thing he told his brothers was, "A good offense. The only way to protect ourselves is to attack. And that's the only way I'll find Tatiana." Tommy finished another drink and stood up, ready to leave the pub.
"What are you talkin' about?" John asked, intrigued, not moving an inch.
"You handle the tasks I've given you. When yer done with 'em, I'll tell you."
…
Michael angry took the drink from Polly's hand and smelled it. Disgusted when he sensed the drugs, he whispered, "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"
"Tommy has you on a tight leash now, does he? Leave me alone, Michael!" Polly spat at him, rummaging around her purse to light another cigarette.
They were back in her Birmingham home, that large and beautiful one her nephews bought for her on her birthday. Michael has been given the task to get her back on her feet and Polly knew that this was all Tommy's idea. Tommy, who is the reason why she has gone off the deep end.
It had started raining outside that night and thunder could also be heard. They needed to get their shit together to survive the start of the vendetta tomorrow. The door opened and closed, startling both of them.
Ada walked inside loudly and just as loudly, she exclaimed, "Tommy has some bodyguards for me and Karl and you will never guess who!" Michael already knew the answer, but Polly started laughing with her hand on her stomach when she saw Finn and Isaiah enter the picture. This went on for a few moments. Finn looked confused, Isaiah smirked, Ada was angry as hell and Michael just rolled his eyes at his mother's reaction.
"Tommy's got a real sense of humor, I'll give him that." Polly said after regaining her voice. "How exactly does he think these two are going to protect me and my child?" Ada asked, her hands up in the air in exasperation.
Finn kept his chin up and said, "Tommy thinks this experience will help me become a man."
"Um…no! This experience will get you killed. I'll have a word or two with Tommy about this! You two need to stay out of trouble and I need some good, strong fuckin' men, soldiers even, to watch over us women!" Ada replied, and then turned to her aunt with a determined look on her face.
"Polly, I have invited Linda and Esme over with their kids. We're stayin' here with you until this whole Italian business is finished."
Michael stepped forward before Polly could respond, "No. Tommy wants Esme and the kids to stay in the church. And Linda should join them too. They'll be safe there."
"Don't be ridiculous, Michael. I almost killed a man there. Anyone can enter. And you can be sure that the Italians won't have a problem busting down some of our doors to get to us." His mother intervened.
"They're religious people. I doubt it." Michael argued.
"Well, either way, you can tell Tommy that us women are staying in one safe place we're certain of. We can worry about ourselves. He should start worrying about that baby-filled Russian duchess he left behind in the enemy's hands." Ada snapped at him, grabbed Karl's hand and took him to a bedroom to lay him down for bed.
Sighing, Polly rubbed her forehead and whispered, "There will be no bloody peace in this house when all the women get here." Michael looked down at the drink he was still holding, the one laced with some kind of drug and threw it away.
"I got more important things to do." "What? Then to look after your own mother?"
"I got sent to the gallows too, Polly! You don't see me holding on to the past! I focus on what's to come, like Tommy says!" Michael snapped and pointed his finger at Polly in a scolding manner.
At hearing that name from her own son's mouth, Polly raised her eyebrows in surprise but a trace of disappointment coursed through her. He was beginning to act more and more like Tommy…and she didn't like that one bit.
"Your cousin seems to be a good influence." She remarked, sarcastically. "Better him than you at the moment." Michael mumbled, grabbing his coat and heading outside in the rain, leaving his disappointed mother in the house lit only by candlelight in the harsh night.
One tear managed to slide down on one of Polly's cheeks but she instantly rubbed it off. This was no time for sentiment. When the men made their own plans…women had to do the same.
…
Esme and Linda were packing away again, completely unsatisfied. Their husbands weren't home, God help them and they were left alone with the children. Esme glared over at the three girls from John's previous marriage, who were braiding each others' hair in a circle.
Katie, Mildred and Anne all looked happy, unaware of the dangers that lied ahead. All three girls looked almost exactly like their mother, Martha, something which didn't seem to upset Esme too much until recently.
John had started spending less and less time with her since he was saved from the gallows and above all, he was no longer interested in fuckin' her no more.
Albeit, the timing wasn't all too great, with the Italians from New York coming to kill 'em all, but still. Esme could sense him getting colder towards her. And now, he was not even here, when they had to leave their homes.
Michael had called earlier and informed them that Tommy wanted them to take refuge at the church.
"We promised Ada we would stay at Polly's. That's what we'll do." Linda said, as she folded clothes.
"Yes, that's right!" Esme exclaimed, angrily, as she grabbed Henry and David, getting them ready. Her eyes wondered over her stepson, John Jr.
He looked stronger than her own boys, looked a lot more like John than them. Yes, her own boys were younger but still...Esme felt continued anger to rush through her.
She cared for John's other children and promised to look after them while he was not there, but they were a constant reminder that John married out of love once, before he was forced into marriage with her.
More and more she felt the need to take John and all the kids and just leave…go out on the road like her gypsy ancestors, and just live. They wouldn't need anyone. And she would have John all to herself, not a husband constantly doing Tommy Shelby's bidding.
She wouldn't even need to hear that name anymore. Maybe she would eventually convince her family to stop supporting the Peaky Blinders, and take John away from them.
"Where the fuck is John?" Esme mumbled.
…
Two hours after midnight had finally passed and it was time to officially close up, even though everyone had already left the Garrison. Through this entire night, Emily had carefully observed the importance and the influence of the Peaky Blinders.
They had their own private room, the eldest Shelby brother had managed to clear out the entire pub "by order of the Peaky Blinders", the free drinks…of course, sometimes she forgot that it was Arthur Shelby who owned the pub, even if Jeremiah was currently left in charge.
It was all very clear to her now. In Birmingham, what the Peaky Blinders wanted, the Peaky Blinders got, and that was not going to change anytime soon. As long as she stayed on their good side, she would be just fine. She wouldn't have to worry about danger coming in from the outside.
One thing she learned from Jeremiah was the Shelby family protected their own. As a barmaid at their pub, she was now under their protection. No man would dare touch her. Or at least, that is what she hoped.
Emily finished wiping the tables and had left mint on top in order to keep a sense of freshness after all the booze and smoke. She was determined to do a good job, because she needed it. She needed to stay here, in Birmingham.
Finally taking off her apron, feeling extremely tired, Emily felt someone standing behind her. Turning around, she let out a small squeak of surprise, her apron dropping in front of her. Standing before her was the handsome man who had been eying her earlier. At that time, he had been standing next to the owner, Arthur Shelby, in complete silence.
She knew he was a Peaky Blinder. The cap itself gave at away, as she saw the razor blades sticking out of the end. His black coat was neat and pressed. His eyes were bewitching, staring intently in her surprised green ones.
"I'm sorry. The pub is closing." She whispered. In the silence, her voice was easily heard.
One corner of the man's mouth pulled up slightly, revealing a dashing half-smile.
"Not for me it ain't. I'm John Shelby."
…
Next chapter: John and Emily have their one-on-one meeting, with John being a bit more forward than expected ;) Tommy negotiates with Aberama Gold and Alfie Solomons, while Tatiana finally makes a move to get free. Let me know what you think!