The Way Things Were | Tommy Shelby x Reader
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Chapter 11: Pride Goeth Before The Fall
You couldn't help but smile bitterly.
She is beauty, she is Grace
There were many forms of currency in the world: money, weapons, and information, to name a few. But she exhibited the easiest of all, the most deadly form of currency, and that was persuasion. She had entrapped him in her claws of greed and ran laps around all of you.
Though, there was relief in receiving the news that Campbell had skipped town. Maybe, you thought wistfully, she would pack her bags and go too. You would never have to see her face or feel her presence tugging in the corner of your mind. Her figure would no longer appear forebodingly in your mirror, nor plague your life in any manner again.
Just maybe, life could return to the way it was previously. It had been boring and tiresome, but the hair left over in your sink was evident that the new life's stresses had been taking a toll on you. The tips of your nails had begun to chip and pull away at the raw skin of your fingers. Your mouth was always parched, arms jittery. It was a mundane life, but it had been yours. And Tommy never looked at you anymore, but there had been remnants of what had been, slivers of memories that meant you could get by just fine.
Now, you had everything and nothing.
You had everything you needed and yet, the hollowness in your husk of a body was more desperately haunting than ever before.
If you had just kept your mouth shut, you pondered, would things have been different? Could you have prevented anything that had transpired?
It had utterly destroyed you.
You blinked, rubbing your cool hands together anxiously. Then the realisation set in, broken from your haze of thought.
Your hand pulled the door open, Polly squinting as she observed your appearance. Her red and puffy eyes softened, the crows feet in the corner of her face scrunching together. Lips pressing together, she stepped inside the apartment without another word. It was as if she could read your face like a tea reader, the tired creases and lines, or the way your lip curved in dismay. She sat without another word, hands gathered in her lap while her gaze drifted across the room.
"You look tired" She paused,
It was as if your ears had perked upwards, but you remained focused on the task at hand, which was making tea for your guest.
"He made his choice" you mused, fingers brushing past Tommy's favourite mug. Well, it hadn't been his favourite per se, but whenever he visited, you would always use the navy blue mug for him. Your heart wrenched. "I appreciate it, but why are you here, Polly?"
"I needed to tell you... I told Ada too. Tommy's replacing Billy Kimber. We're joining the official National Association of Race Course Bookmakers". Despite the good news and the swelling of your heart, Polly's look remained downcast, as if foretelling the worst.
"That's great for us, for you, for the business. But I don't want to get involved"
Her tongue clicked, "Maybe so, but you wouldn't forgive yourself if something happened to Tommy, or John, or Arthur or anyone of the likes and you weren't there. Just come, love. Do it for me, if not them"
The spoon in your hand moved in circular motions, creating a small whirlpool as you stirred in her sugar. The thought burned in your mind. She was right. They all meant so much to you, they were your family, despite the fact you couldn't bare to face the head of the family.
Polly pushed the doors forward, moving into the room like she owned it. Not a glance was spent your way while Polly acted as your own personal guide through the sea of tables and people. It was as if her body was protecting you from any onslaught. "Leave that, boys, come back to it later" she warned softly to Scudboat and Lovelock who remained seated doing work. They rose from the chairs without a word to obey the matron and scurried off after you with their heads between their tails.
Tommy was like a threatening, towering monster, even with a smirk winding up his face. You felt your body shrink at the thought of confrontation.
Hell, this wasn't you, but you couldn't seem to snap out of the trance either.
"Right" he cleared his throat, "I've brought you all here today because this is the day we replace Billy Kimber. This is the day we become respectable. The day we join the official National Association of Race Course Bookmakers. But first, we do the dirty work"
The bile in your throat rose with every moment that ticked by. The fact that too many variables could go wrong was daunting in the back of your mind as he laid out the alarmingly brief plan.
"We've all known this day's been coming. I just haven't told anyone the date" he paused and inhaled deeply, the room falling silent as he turned to face the neat scribbles on the chalkboard behind him. "We're going to the Worcester races. The track opens at one, we get there at two. Now, Kimber thinks we're going there to help him fight the Lee brothers. But thanks to the efforts of our John, and his lovely new wife Esme, the Lees are now our kin. I interrupted those efforts this morning, and er-"
Chuckles echoed throughout the room as the picture flooded your brain of John underneath the sheets with his new bride. Pushing back the need to stick out your tongue in disgust at the men's piggish behaviour, you shoved your hands into the pockets of your pants to distract yourself.
"-I can assure you John is making great sacrifices for the cause of peace"
Polly let out a restrained snicker beside you. Your eyes found John's, watching the distaste form on his face. You couldn't help but smirk as your focus found the floor once again.
"Yeah, alright" John murmured, attempting to calm the chortle.
Tommy continued, "So it'll be us and the Lees against Kimber's boys. We take them out but leave the bookies. I expect a swift victory which will send a signal all the way to London, that we believe in letting legitimate businesses run peacefully"
The unanimous mood around the room, as you perceived it, appeared to be docile understanding. Despite the hasty explanation of the plan, all seemed to be in order, the members of the Peaky Blinders already coming to the conclusion of violence. You saw as a handful of their hands tightened or eyes grew in excitement at the prospect.
"And er- what about Kimber himself?" John posed, toothpick wedged between his lips.
"I'll deal with Kimber. Any other questions?"
For a moment, nobody spoke as looks were tossed around the room. Smoke fell from the tips of cigarettes. Polly crossed her arms and glanced back at the rough door which led into the room you were currently in. "Yes" she remarked, face lighting up as if she had remembered a crucial detail. Everybody leant in eagerly towards her, eyes never leaving her figure as she made her way towards the door.
Your mind was piqued with curiosity, fingers finding their way to your painted lips.
"Does anyone object if I bring a newcomer to the meeting?" to be met with silence. Her head poked around the door as she gave a whisper of encouragement to the anonymous persons behind it. Without the skip of a beat, she smiled and the door was pulled open, "I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Shelby clan"
Karl gurgled playfully while Ada's clutch on her child was tight, her smile radiating happy innocence. Karl's chubby, rosy cheeks were covered with a soft, canary yellow swaddle. The colour in your friend's face had returned.
It had been months since you had seen her so happy.
The room broke out into a slow clap, and then the pace was quickened to match Ada's steps towards the front of the room. Finn giggled with excitement at the sight of the newborn.
She nodded, receiving acceptance from her brother gratefully, "We named him Karl. After Karl Marx..."
All the men in the room laughed.
"Karl Bloody Marx" Arthur cursed. Though you could tell his tone was not that of malice, but of high spirit. Even his walk towards his sister seemed to have a pep. "Let me get a look at him". Karl was passed to Arthur and he held the babe high for everyone to see. A cap was placed on his head, causing your lips to break away from the nibbling of your fingers.
"Careful of the blades, Arthur" you stated softly, voice barely coming out as loud as a mouse squeak.
"Always the mother, (Y/N)" Arthur responded affectionately, tipping the cap slightly to adhere to your warning without taking the cap off of the boy. "Hey, look, he looks just like me!"
"That's his arse that looks just like you, Arthur" John remarked.
"He's alright" Arthur cooed, "He's a Shelby"
Everyone began to shuffle back to their stations, buzzing with anticipation and the morale boost. Feeling warmer than before, you placed a reassuring hand on Polly's shoulder and smiled gently. The woman noticed what you were trying to say and reciprocated the expression.
Tommy swallowed, "Well, Ada? Am I forgiven?"
Her arms were crossed against her chest, "If what Aunt Polly says is true, you are"
Without another word, Ada rushed towards her brother to embrace him fondly. You heard her exhale as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, savouring the hug. "Thank you, Tommy"
You did your best to fill in the gaps with what you had been told. Freddie was in prison so you assumed Tommy was going to get him out, and that was why Ada was so elated.
The woman broke away from her brother, and Tommy's gaze fell onto you. His head snapped away violently, the hairs on your neck standing at his coldness. Sighing, she approached you with an apologetic expression, cheeks flushed red.
"I wanted to apologise for what I said earlier-"
"-Ada" you cut in, feeling the apology was unnecessary, "Please, it's alright. Don't worry about it". Your arms opened in acceptance and you found your head posed on top of Ada's, the smell of her floral perfume invading your senses.
Ada gave you a light lipped smile, back pressed against the chair with her feet up. You stood against the wall in a comfortable position, taking a moment to rest after absorbing everything that had happened to you over the last few days. Your body craved the nicotine, the sweet release of exhaling that puff of smoke, but you had promised yourself not to smoke around Karl, so it would stay that way.
Polly had disappeared into the other room minutes ago, yet to return. There had been the occasional clatter of dishes, but not enough to warrant distress. Eventually, she emerged with a platter of china dishes which were placed on the coffee table where Ada’s swollen feet once rest.
“More… tea” you pursed, eyebrows dragging into a frown.
“To help with the nerves. Christ knows you both need it”
Your mouth opened to protest but the words fell short as you decided you couldn’t argue with her logic. Bringing the warm cup to your lips, you sighed, feeling the steam cloud your face. The atmosphere of the room was light, the previous weight lifting from your shoulders as you felt relief course through you.
That was, until the door burst open, prompting you to jump in shock. The umber drops of tea splattered to the hardwood floor. Your violently shaking hands sat the cup down on the coffee table before looking up at Tommy expectedly. The surprise had brought you over to the edge. Your resting head had once again been plunged into anxiety.
His presence was commanding and his voice exasperated as if he had run a mile to get there, “Ada! You and the baby, get in the bull ring where there’s lots of people”
She didn’t hesitate as she jumped from her seat, face ridden with panic.
Polly stood in the doorway with anticipation, “What’s going on?”
“We’ve been fucking betrayed” he spat, pacing around the room with his hand to his head. Your stomach lurched, the pieces falling into place once again. “Somebody let slip. Kimber’s men are on their way here”
“But you can handle them, Tommy?” Polly asked, desperate for reassurance.
“It’s just us. All the Lees are on their way to Worcester. We’re outnumbered”. The pit in your stomach grew bigger, more sickening as his fists made contact with one of the cabinets, causing the furniture to shake. A string of rash profanities left his lips as he watched his plan unravel before his very eyes.
“But who else knew today was the day you were moving on Kimber? You said you kept it a secret. Who else did you tell?”
His face went ghostly pale, jaw clenching as the veins became prominent on his forehead. You tsked, eyes burning into his back. Polly’s head went between you both and her jaw hung open. In that moment, she was overcome with pity for you.
“There’s only one thing that can blind a man as smart as you, Tommy: Pride. It was that barmaid”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
