#peaky fic

[angloirishnolanist]

New chapter added to the repost of ABSENT if you're reading it on AO3.

[mootiemoose]

Penalties - A frog prince retelling of sorts.

A big thank you to the wonderful @zablife who has been very patient with me writing this for her lovely Fairytale retelling challenge. I haven’t written in an age, and this was a little outside my comfort zone so I hope it’s alright! Thank you so much for letting me be part of it ♥️ Lee you are simply awesome

Gif credits to the owner

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there lived a very tired nurse called Meg. She worked all day and all night helping other people. Throughout the summer holidays, her two nephews Isiah and Isaac came to stay with her while their Father went to work. Their mother has passed away a few years before, and they were very close with her sister, their Aunt Meg. Isaiah and Isaacs favourite game to play was football, and they were always outside kicking a ball around.

One fine day in July, they were playing football in the park when a little boy around their age came over and asked if he could play too. They played all afternoon under the blazing sun before returning home for their dinner.

They returned to the park the next day, and Isiah asked the boy what his name was.

“Finn” the boy replied.

Over the next few weeks the boys became fast friends and spent most of their days out playing together. One evening, a group of older boys came to the park and they decided to play football back at Isiah and Isaacs Aunts house instead.

They all trekked back, taking the shortcut under the fence and through the community garden. Isaac went and double checked with his Aunt that it was alright for FInn to come over and play. She was fine with it,and they all trooped through the house into the back garden.

A spectacular game of football ensued, with Finn and Isaac on opposite teams and Isiah in goals. After an hour or so, Aunt Meg came out to check on them and took them glasses of lemonade and party rings. The boys stopped for a halftime break and earnestly told her a play by play account of the game so far through mouthfuls of biscuit. Finn was winning 2-0.

Now refueled, they played on. Meg returned inside and left them to it.

A while later, she heard a commotion and came outside to check on them. There was a penalty dispute. Isaac reckoned he should take it. Finn reckoned he shouldn’t. Isaiah was on side with FInn, but only because he didn’t want his brother to win. After each explaining their point, the boys commonly decided between them that the fairest and most acceptable person to take the penalty was Meg.

Impressed with their grown up approach to the situation, Meg agreed to take the penalty. Finn and Isaac stepped to the side and watched intently as she got the ball in position on the right-hand side. Isaiah stood ready in goals. She lined up her shot, taking a little run up to kick it. Her foot collided with it, sending it up into the air, towards the goal. Up, Up, over Isaiah's head, over the fence and finally crashing down into next-door's garden.

Aunt Meg turned almost in slow motion as what she had done dawned on her, a look of pure horror on her face. And after a tense second, she burst out laughing. They were very quick to join in, laughing at the pure ridiculousness of it all. They laughed until their sides were sore and nobody could stand up anymore. Once they’d all calmed down, composed themselves and picked themselves up from the ground Meg led the charge on the retrieval mission. The boys all followed along behind her.

Back through the house they went. Out onto the neatly kept street and down the road. Turning the corner at the phonebox and the sycamore tree, and following down onto the road perpendicular to their own. Along a bit further, stopping only for Isaac to tie his shoelace. The sun was coming lower, nearly teatime. The sky was a beautiful mix of blue into pink and orange. Turning off onto Watery lane the four of them wandered in the evening haze until they got to number 5.

Up the path to the big dark brown door. Meg went first, with the boys trailing on behind her like little ducklings. She knocked three times on the dark wood door. Knock. Knock. Knock. Mere seconds passed before it flew open, a large moustached man revealed himself as the occupier of this house. He was grumpy looking and tough, but softens a little when he saw the woman and gaggle of boys on the porch.

“I believe this is your ball, Miss?I fished it out of what was left of the flowerpots” He said gruffly, handing the football back to Meg.

“I apologise most profusely.” She smiled bashfully, "I need to work on my penalties.

It turned out that this was Finn’s house, and as it was nearly time for his tea he bid Meg and the boys farewell and merrily skipped inside for sausage and mash. Isaiah, Isaac and their Aunt apologised again before heading back home for their own dinner.

The following afternoon, as she was doing laundry and both the boys were in the backgarden playing football, the doorbell rang. Meg answered it to reveal Finn and the man she had met the previous evening. Finn had wanted to come and ask Isiah and Isaac out to play, but couldn’t quite remember what house it was so had asked his much older brother to come with him in case it wasn’t the right house at all. Upon discovering he had gotten the right house and getting permission from his friend’s Aunt to go outside and play, Finn happily dashed out to the back door leaving his brother stranded on the doorstep looking a little sheepish.

“Would you like to come in?” She asked, taking pity upon the poor man whos garden she’d already wrecked and had now been abandoned on her doorstep.

“That would be lovely, Miss…?” He smiled, softening a little.

“Meg Darowby. And you are?”

“Arthur. Arthur Shelby.”

The end.

Although that was only the very beginning.

To Megs,

For your “Something old” on your special day.

We are so glad you are finally ‘officially’ joining the family, even though really you’ve been a Shelby for a very long time. So long ago in-fact nokia 3310s were on the go, Brittney and NSYNC dominated the charts and Tom Hanks was wandering about France trying to find Matt Damon in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. Truly you’ve been one of us from the very beginning. And seeing as we were the whole reason you and Arthur got together, we thought there was nobody more qualified to recount your love story.

So, with lots of love and best wishes on your wedding day. (+ Good luck - Arthur is now legally your problem!)

Finn, Isaac and Isiah.

[ilovefinncole]

The Runaway

Summary: While Michael is locked away in jail in Boston for smuggling opium, Gina is having the time with her life having an affair with Oswald Mosley, and when Ada agrees to meet her in London she discovers the affair, and threatens to tell Michael. But the only thing for Gina to do now is run away with Oswald.

Characters: Gina Gray, Michael Gray, Oswald Mosley, Ada Thorne, Karl Thorne, Elizabeth Younger, Diana Mitford, Jack Nelson and Tommy Shelby.

Word count: 3,416

Warning(s): English is my second language, smoking, sex, swearing and drinking, spoilers for Ep1 and EP4.

Published: 24th March 2022

Author’s note: This is my second time writing for any Peaky Characters and after the last episode I decided to carry on the Gina and Oswald affair story, it had me hooked but I absolutely hated it. I always thought how would both Michael and Diana would react to the affair, so I decided to write a fic for my idea. Enjoy x

It was 5am, fucking 5am and Gina was fucking Oswald fucking Mosley the Minister of Lancaster, she was having an affair with him being Michael’s back while he is in prison.

“Midnight fucks 5am.” those where Michael’s last words to her, the last time they saw each other when she visited him in prison. Those words go round and round in her mind.

Gina didn’t mean to hurt Michael and neither did Oswald mean to hurt Diana but they both did it anyway. And the question is why did they do it.

Gina moans in bed, “Stop it Oswald please, you know we really shouldn’t be doing this. Michael will be out soon, you should get back to Miss Mitford.” Gina says.

Oswald stops and gets off of Gina, “Your right Gina I better go, but this was fun we should do this another time. Maybe Friday?” He suggests.

Gina smiles, “Yes Friday, goodbye Oswald.” She says, “Goodbye Gina.” He says, they kiss in bed, Oswald gets dressed and leaves they smile at each other softly.

Gina stresses as this is going to hurt Michael as well as Diana if they both found about the affair.

The next day, Gina set aboard a boat to take her to Boston she was going to visit Michael in prison. 

When she arrived, she had a smug look on her pretty American face only because she was guilty of the affair with Oswald, and he was too. He couldn't bare to face Diana after he got back from Gina`s so he stayed at a Hotel in Westminster. So he couldn`t see Diana, or even speak to her.

Gina was guided to Michael by the prison guards, she is wearing a black beret like the ones all the women wear in France, a red long coat, a grey dress with short sleeves and black shoes, and red rounded sunglasses just for an effect.

She wanted to look like for her husband even though she is hiding a dark dirty secret, which could ruin there marriage forever.

“Johnny, what is it?” Michael said, standing around his cell, like a lost soul, he had nothing better to do these days, with being locked away in jail in Boston, he sulks and moans all day long.

“Its your wife Michael, Gina she`s come to visit you.” Johnny said, he`s Michael`s personal prison guard. “Fuck, send her in.” Michael said, with inhaling a cigarette. He was nervous he hadn't seen her in weeks. 

Two prison guards opened the doors then opened up his cell, so him and Gina could finally see each other and they could sit down, and talk at the table. 

Gina strutted into the cell, “Michael, how are you my love? I've missed you baby.” she says, putting her purse on the table, and walking straight over to him. 

“Gina, I`m alright just waiting in here like a dog, waiting for your fucking Uncle to get me the fuck out of here.” Michael said, they kissed. Gina squealed, “I'm so glad I came to visit baby, I have a lot to tell you.” Gina says.

“Oh yeah, then tell me baby. I want to hear it all.” He said, Gina took her coat off and sat, she also took off her sunglasses, now Michael can see her beautiful bright hazel eyes.

“Well firstly, Jack has spoken to some people and he will get you out very soon, honey. Your gonna come home, you`ll be reunited with me and Laurence again, he misses his daddy.” Gina says, she smiles nervously. “I bet he does, I miss my handsome little solider” Michael says.

Gina laughs and looks down at the ground, she doesn't know where to put herself, she is worried about telling Michael. “Is something wrong Gina?” Michael asks.

Gina is now worried, “No Michael, why?” she asks, “Well I just sense that something isn`t right with you, I mean your not your usual bubbly self, has something happened? Is it the devil well is it the devil? If he`s hurt you Gina I swear when I get the fuck out of here I`ll-” 

“No stop Michael please, no it’s not the devil don`t worry about him he`ll be dead soon, but his daughter is though, remember Ruby she was at the funeral holding his hand. She died from  tuberculosis, she was so young. Jack told me when he went for a meeting with the devil at his house, they were all in mourning. Its tragic.” Gina said.

“Oh how awful, that's very sad, anyway I don`t really care. I couldn`t give a shit about the devil and his family. So is there any other news that I need to know about?” Michael asks. 

“No that's it honey, I cant wait for you to come home. Laurence misses you. every day I tell him stories about you, his little face lights up.” she says, “Me too, I miss you and Laurence all the time.” Michael says, they hold each others hands across the table.

They look at each other across the table, “Well that`s me done, Michael. I`ll see you soon and Jack will get you out, I promise” Gina said, she put her coat back on and her sunglasses. “Gina, we havent finished yet, please stay.” Michael says.

“I`d love to but er I've got to be elsewhere, sorry.” Gina says, she kisses Michael on his cheek, “bye Michael, I'll give Laurence your love.” Gina said. “bye Gina” Michael says as he inhales another cigarette.

“Oh, bye honey.” Gina says, she leaves and has a worried look on her face, she feels guilty and ashamed that she cheated on him. Michael goes back into his cell and sits down and inhales another cigarette, “Some day, some day I`ll get revenge on Tommy Shelby mum, I promise” Michael says to himself.

He is really saying it to Polly his mum, hoping that she is listening to him from heaven, he promises to get revenge on the people who killed her and this is exactly what Tommy isn't doing.

In Birmingham, at Ada`s house she is playing with Elizabeth her youngest child, her daughter that she had with the late Ben Younger, who was the head of Army Intelligence, but she never told him that she is pregnant with his daughter nor she was not in love with him.

 He tragically died in a car explosion outside of Shelby Company Limited, they were very good friends, she did like him.

“Karl come on, lets go or you`ll be late.” Ada says, “I`m coming mum.” Karl says with carrying a bag he is going to stay at his friend`s house, six streets away. “Right lets go, now lets get you in the car my darling Elizabeth.” Ada says as she holds her in her arms, they smile at each other. 

“Wait, Elizabeth is coming with us?” Karl says, “Yes she is, I think a ride in the car will do all of us some good.” she says. “Ok, come on Will doesn't want us to be late, he`s expecting me there in ten minutes.” he says.

“Alright bossy boots, we're coming aren't we Elizabeth, yeah” Ada says. She puts Elizabeth in the car in the front, and Karl puts his bag in the back and gets in the car. 

“You know she won`t be with us for long wont you? They`ll take her off you and send me to another country. That thing almost killed us last week and we got another one thrown through that window, It almost killed Elizabeth and me. Will it ever stop? Maybe you can talk to Uncle Tommy about it, I`m sure he can spare you some soldiers.” Karl said.

He is bringing up the subject again, “Karl shut your mouth, your Uncle Tommy is very busy at the moment, he is grieving cousin Ruby and he doesn't even have any soldiers, only Peaky Blinders who do his dirty work for him, now stop your moaning so we can go.” she says, Ada is getting more and more frustrated by each day with her teenage son.

He doesn't stop moaning about Elizabeth and the bricks being thrown through there window, he allows Ada to drive. They get there in time, “Be good Karl, I`ll pick you up, same time next week.” Ada says.

“Alright bye mum, bye Elizabeth, Hello Will” Karl says, “Karl, mate you alright? Oh hello Ada, who`s this?” Will asks, he is the same height as Karl, he has blonde hair and blue eyes. “This is my other child Elizabeth, hello Will.” Ada says smiling at Karl`s friend.

“Well hello Elizabeth, she`s very cute Mrs Thorne.” Will says, “Thank you.” Ada says, “She isn`t as cute as me when I was her age” Karl says, “How do you know that Karl? You were only a baby.” Ada says, Will laughs. Karl gets his bag out of the back. He waves at Ada, and she waves back.

The boys walk into the house, happily and laughing and talking. “Boys, I just cant understand them, here`s a bit of advice Elizabeth never get into boys they`ll rip you apart, now lets go home, yeah?” Ada says, she drives back home.

At Tommy`s house, he is all alone writing a letter to meet with Oswald to discuss business with him, himself and Jack Nelson. He phones Ada, as she just gets through the door with Elizabeth in her arms, the phone rings.

“Oh who could that be I wonder Elizabeth, I've just got in.” Ada says, she puts Elizabeth down, she answers the phone, “Hello, its Ada speaking, who is it?” Ada says. “Hello Ada,” Tommy says, inhaling a cigarette as he speaks.

“Tommy its you, what do you want? I've just come home from dropping Karl off at a friend`s house.” Ada says, “I need you to go up to London Ada and see Gina, I've asked her to do something for me, its important Ada, please. I've got a lot of work here to do as it is. You`d be doing me a favor Ada.” Tommy says.

“Fuck Tommy, London. I havent been there since, well since Ben. Alright I'll go, I`ll go tomorrow, can Lizzie look after Elizbeth while I'm gone?” Ada asks. She isn`t happy by Tommy`s request 

“Yes Lizzie can look after Elizabeth, just drop her round first thing tomorrow morning, then get a trail I`ll give you some money.” Tommy says, “No Tommy, I can buy my own fucking train ticket, I'm not a little girl anymore, I'm a strong independent woman, so keep your fucking money, now if you excuse me I`ve got to get Elizabeth sorted.” Ada says.

“Alright bye Ada.” Tommy says, he puts the phone down on her, “Bye Tommy Tom are you there, Tom, Thomas Tommy, oh he`s hang up on me.” she says. “Now lets get you sorted Elizabeth yeah.” Ada says to her.

After Gina gets back to London, after visiting Michael who is banged up in Jail in Boston, she puts on some jazz music and dances, she drinks till she drops, she opens about a dozen bottles of champagne, then all a sudden the phone rings.

Gina sighs and runs to the phone from the living room, “Hello Jack is that you? have you spoken to them about getting Michael out yet? please say yes Jack.” Gina says, thinking it is Jack on the other side of the line.

“Afternoon Gina, its Tommy or shall I say the devil, you and Michael do like that name don`t you? hmm” Tommy says, while inhaling a cigarette “Tommy, what do you want? I`m busy right now.” she says looking sheepish.

“I can`t come and see you tomorrow Gina, so I'm sending Ada, I've got something to do, you`ll talk business then she`ll leave alright?” he says.

“Ok, cool bye Tommy.” Gina says, “Bye Gina” Tommy says, she puts the phone down on him. “Hmm that bastard is going to get what he finally deserves death.” Gina says, she smiles and laughs to herself, so she carries on drinking and dancing all by herself in the living room.

At Oswald`s house that he shares with Diana, they sit smoking in the living room, “Darling when will our American friend be here? I can`t wait to catch up with him, its been weeks since we've last seen him.” Oswald asks.

“He`ll be here soon Oswald, yes it would be nice to catch up, that meeting was lame wasn't it and that IRA woman had a horrible mousy voice, I wanted to squeeze her voice box so her eyes pop out and she can never since again.” 

Diana said, “Oh don`t be too harsh on her Diana, well the singing was dreadful I really wanted our American friend to block my ears.” he says, they both laugh, Diana inhales another cigarette.

“Mr. Mosley, Miss Mitford.” James, the head of Oswald`s house says “Yes James what is it?” Oswald asks, him and Diana turn there heads round and turn all of there attention on him. “Mr. Nelson is here, sir.” he says.

“Ooh goody, bring him in James. Diana are you ready?” he says, “Indeed I am Oswald.” they stand up holding hands while waiting for him to enter the room.

“I do love this house, you know its so colorful its so Oswald Mosley and Diana Mitford, I do love it. I miss this place, its like a second place to me, you know in American my dear Peter, we don`t have lamps like this there bigger and better no offence to my friends Oswald and Diana but America is better than England.”

Jack said, you could hear him before you could see him, he said this to Peter down the hallway, Peter opened the door, for him. “Mr. Nelson, welcome back we've missed having you here, how are you my man?” asked Oswald, he was pleased to see him back.

“My dear Oswald, hey I'm alright, how are you my friend? Diana your looking well beautiful as ever, how are you?” he asked, “I'm good thank you Mr. Nelson.” said Oswald, “Hello Mr. Nelson, thank you, we are very good, is there no Gina today? I thought she`d be here, I do love our little chats.” Diana said.

“I'm so sorry to let you down like this but there is no Gina today, she`s quite busy doing what I don`t know but I`m here.” said Jack, “Jolly Good I say” Oswald says, “Please do sit down Mr. Nelson, we really wouldn`t want you to wait on us hand and foot, like a footman now would we Oswald?” Diana says smiling.

“No we really wouldn`t, would you like a drink Mr. Nelson? We have champagne, Prosecco, wine or water.” Oswald says, “Ha water, Mr. Nelson doesn't want that darling, he`s not Thomas is he?” says Diana, Oswald laughs.

“Please do call me Jack, I'd prefer it.” Jack says, “Alright what would you like to drink Jack?” Oswald asks, “I would love to drink a glass of champagne Oswald” he says, “Of course, James get Jack a glass of our finest champagne please?” Oswald asks James.

“Of Course Sir” says James, he pours him a glass of champagne, “Ah thank you, your all too kind to me. Now lets talk business.” says Jack, Oswald lights a cigarette, “We shall.” says Oswald with a grin.

After the meeting is over, Oswald lies to Diana about going away, he is really seeing Gina in London as its Friday and he promised that he would come back and finished what they started

Ada gets out of a taxi as she is going to meet Gina for Tommy as he cant see her himself as he is too busy, “keep the change” she says to the taxi driver, “thank you miss, have a good day.” he says, “and you” she says. 

He drives off and Ada looks up at the house, Gina sees her through the window and gets the house ready for her quite quickly, but Oswald is in the house

“Fuck Oswald, Its Ada she`s coming to see me because the devil cant, now hide before she sees you with me. She`s bound to tell Michael.” Gina says.

“What? the sister?” he says, “Yes the fucking sister, the smart one.” she says, “Alright I`ll hide” Oswald says, Gina doesn't answer him but they kiss. Gina walks out of her bedroom. 

Ada knocks on the front door, Gina hurries and opens the door “Ada” Gina says with a smile, “Hello Gina, may I come in?” she says, “Oh yes, of course.” she says, “thank you, you look nice, I love that dress” Ada says, “thanks its new, please do excuse the mess I forgot you were coming.” she says.

“Well my house isn`t tidy either, Elizabeth messes the whole house up, there`s always paint on the walls and Karl`s clothes are everywhere, it looks like you've had a party in here.” she says.

“I've had a party for one, I'm getting quite bored these days with Michael locked away in jail and I'm all on my own, all I've got is Jack, no one else.” Gina says faking a smile.

“Oh well, don`t worry your not alone now are you, because I'm here.” Ada says, “Yeah you are.” Gina says. “I`m sorry I havent offered you a drink yet have I, what would you like to drink Ada?” she asks. “I`ll have some champagne please?” Gina says, “Of course I`ll get it for you now Ada.” she says.

“Oh, I don't have any I think I've got a bottle in my room, I`ll just go and look I`ll be back in a minute Ada.” she says, “Of course” she says, Ada sits and waits for Gina to come back with the bottle of champagne. 

Gina walks to her room, and opens the door then closes it behind her. “Have you come back for round 2 Gina or shall we say round 3?” Oswald says.

“No I've come for fucking champagne, Ada wants it” she says, she snatches it off of his hands. “If she found out about this Oswald, then we are dead, the both of us, and if Diana every found out then you`ll be-” she says but is stopped by him.

“Oh relax Gina, Diana won`t find out because we both have our secrets, she`s got too many secrets and I've only got one secret and that's you.” he says, she laughs.

Ada hears Gina laugh from where she is sitting, “what is taking so long Gina?” Ada says, she goes to look for her, herself. “I do love you Oswald.” she says.

“And I love you Gina” he says, they kiss again and Ada walks to her bedroom and opens the door, and Gina and Oswald look shocked and nervous as Ada has just spotted them together.

“Ada this is not what it looks like we were only-” she says, “you were kissing him Gina, now I have come for my champagne but I guess I don`t need ant now, I`m not thirsty anymore. So I'll be on my way.” Ada says, looking unimpressed.

“Miss Thorne, please don`t tell Thomas about this, lets just keep it between the three of us” Oswald suggests, he is now worried that Tommy and Diana will find out. “And don't Michael, if you told him once he is out of jail he would divorce me and take Laurence away from me, please Ada don`t be a bitch.” Gina says.

“Hmm this is quite the scandal isn't it, I wonder how Tommy would like this, even Lizzie, even Diana and Michael.” she says, “No please don`t Ada, please” Gina says.

“Oh I will tell Michael, but I`ll leave it to you Mosley to tell Diana about this, I'm not impressed have a good day, I'll see my self out, oh and before I go you are a bitch Gina.” Ada says, smiling, she walks out of the house and gets into another taxi.

“This is all your fault Oswald, I`m ruined your ruined, were ruined.” she says, blaming him. “This isn't my fault Gina its ours, but you did ask for this sweetie.” he says, Gina sighs and crosses her arms like a little girl being banned from a sweet shop.

“We will have to run Oswald.” she says, “Yes we shall.” he says they kiss each other again.

“I will be the runaway.”

Tag list: @mrs-gray​

[ladytshelby]

I’m almost finished with my fic. Hallelujah girls and boys. Damn it felt good to write again and actually finish a project 😊

[fireofmyloins19]

Don’t hurt yourself

Requested - “Tommy imagine based off the song don’t hurt yourself by beyonce please, thank you x”

Thomas Shelby - Don’t hurt yourself

The glass only just missed his face, smashing against the wall beside him as he turned to look at it shatter to the floor, his hands raised for protection.

“Who the fuck do you think I am?” you screamed at him, grabbing another glass from the side and launching it at him again, this time slicing him on the hand when he tried to catch it, incapable of stopping you in your rage. “Come on, do something, say something! FUCKING DO SOMETHING TOMMY”

His lack of a response to your accusations were only making you angrier, his composed expression and insistence to not defend himself confirming that what you had heard was true. Him and that whore of a barmaid. You turned to grab another glass before he lunged forward and grabbed onto you, restraining you by your wrists to stop anymore blood shed. You writhed in his grasp, desperate to be free so you could give him what for but you knew you couldn’t outweigh his strength so instead, settled for screaming in his face.

“You would choose her over me? HER? I don’t need you, you’re welcome to that god fucking whore, go on!” his grip had loosened slightly whilst he stared down at you, concentrating on your words. Giving you chance to pull one hand free and bring it down on his chest, throwing it against him hard as you began to fight with his strength. “I could get any fucking man around here Thomas Shelby, just you fucking watch me”

“STOP FUCKING FIGHTING ME”

The first words he spoke since you stormed into the room caught you off guard, your barrier dropping for a brief moment as you looked up at his stony face. A fear washing over you whilst you stood in silence, his fingers still wrapped around one of your wrists whilst your other hand lay balled up on his chest; yours twinging as the pain set in. His eyes were wide and crazed, flicking from one of yours to the other as he tried to work out what you were thinking. You scrunched up your face in disgust and ragged your hand away from his, not wanting him to see your moment of vulnerability but you knew it was clear in your eyes.

“You’re disgusting” you spat at him, being sure to let your eyes trail up and down his body in the hope of making him feel uncomfortable and insecure but it was an achievement to ever know how Tommy felt. He stood helpless before you. Now that he wasn’t dodging the glasses or taking your punches, the first wave of guilt set in. He knew it was wrong, a mistake that meant nothing but, try telling that to you.

You grabbed your coat from the back of the chair that sat at your dining room table, throwing it over your shoulders in a hurry and scooping up your house keys.

“Wait, where are you going” Tommy sighed, stepping forward slightly with an arm out as though to gesture for you to stop. You turned back to him with an exaggerated look of confusion on your face, as though to question how he dare ask.  

“Why does that concern you? You quite clearly haven’t been telling me where you’ve been and what or who you have been doing, so what makes you think I should tell you?” you lent your head to the side as though to show you were waiting for his answer but when it never came you gave him a sarcastic smile and walked towards the door, “Bye Tom”

It was after midnight when he finally found you again, stumbling about by the bar in the Garrison, attempting to order yet another drink. His face fell cold when he saw you, a hand still raised towards his mouth where he had just placed a cigarette and his brow furrowing as he watched your sorry state. He sighed to himself, pulling the cigarette away and sliding it back into the tin before making his way towards you. He strolled to your side, wrapping an arm swiftly around your waist and putting on a small smile as he nodded at Harry behind the bar, hoping to keep up a front to the people around you so as the whole of Small Heath wouldn’t know what he had done.

Your head flew in his direction when you felt his touch, your eyes squinting as they tried to focus on his face, the excessive amount of Whisky blinding your way but you could just about make out his features; fuzzy but familiar. You scoffed and rolled your eyes dramatically, your head lolling to the side where you looked back to Harry as though in the hope he would match your expression but he simply stood bemused. You twisted your head back to Tommy, wobbling backwards in his arms.

“Do I know you?” you giggled, a wide sloppy smile now present on your face.

“Stop it we’re not doing this now” Tommy groaned, glancing to the side where Harry still stood watching but the look he now got from Tommy was enough to make him walk away instantly.

“Doing what?” you pouted dramatically, swaying forwards where your arms landed on the bar and your head falling into your hands for a moment before pulling yourself back up, brushing your loose strands of hair from your face, “Is anyone gonna give me a drink round here, HELLO?”

You shouted across the bar before falling into a fit of giggles, Tommy pulling on your side to try get you walking back towards the door but it was no use. Your face contorting with anger while you tried to push him off you, beginning to protest loudly in front of the crowd.

“Get the fuck off me” your cries filled the pub as the doors swung open, Grace entering and her face making it clear she knew she had arrived at the wrong time, “OH HERE SHE IS! Someone who can get me a fucking drink, come one!”

You slammed your fist against the bar to which Grace quickly responded, slipping behind it and dropping her belongings to the floor before looking between you and Tommy apprehensively.

“What would you like?”

“Oh well, I’d like a lot of things” you tilted your head back as you spoke, suggesting you were thinking about your answer before leaning forward to meet her worried eyes again, “but I tell you what you can give me. An apology and a new fucking husband, because you stole mine right from me didn’t yo-”

“Right that’s enough” Tommy snapped at you as your voice began to rise and your hands swung towards Grace who cowered behind the bar. He wrapped both arms around your waist from behind, pulling your feet from the floor which you quickly began to flail about, kicking him numerous times in the knees.

“Get off me!” you screamed, fighting against him yet again but this time, actually managing to get free. Just about landing on your feet with a thud, your arms flying out to your sides as you regained your balance before catching sight of the now deadly silent audience that had gathered. “What the fuck are you all looking at?”

It only took your few words and venomous stare for them to quickly look away, the usual rowdy noise of the pub picking up again as though nothing ever happened. You spun around to face Tommy, seeing his lips part as he was about to speak but you raised your finger towards him as a warning. “Don’t you dare say another word”

You could feel Tommy’s eyes burning into the back of your head while you let yourself fall all over the young man charming you at the bar. Your flirtatious giggles rang out through the pub, even if they were fake you were happy Tommy could hear them. You couldn’t repeat a word the man had been saying to you, simply smiling at laughing at everything he said whilst you thought about your husband’s rage building in the corner of the room; finding it quite entertaining to see how much you could get away with.

You hadn’t seen the man around before, and you guessed that was understandable as no man who lived in the area would think about going near Thomas Shelby’s wife. His hair was short, though longer than Tommy’s, slicked to one side and a sandy blonde. The lack of wear on his face portraying his youth, not a single line or blemish. Fresh faced and handsome but not a man, and you guessed this was why you had got away with standing there for so long, Tommy maybe found it half amusing to see the boy you were trying to make him jealous of. But this thought only made you feel that you needed to up your game.

You reached your hand towards his face, letting your fingers trail across the hair just above his ear gently whilst he spoke. He voice fading out slowly as he realised you weren’t listening and his eyes glancing towards your touch, more than likely thinking he was about to get lucky with the wealthy beauty stood before him. You let your eyes meet his, giving him your best seductive stare with a sweet smirk on your face, not having worked this hard for any man before but you prayed it would pay off. He had stopped talking all together now, a mischievous grin spreading across his face which you struggled to not scowl at but ignored it the only way you saw fit, closing your eyes and leaning forward slowly. You soon felt his lips brush against yours, but only for a second before they were hastily removed.

You opened your eyes with a smile, seeing the man now staggering from the pub over Tommy’s shoulder before focusing on his face. He stared at you hard, his eyes so vacant it was as though he was staring at not only your person but your soul, leaving you feeling nervous yet somewhat enthralled by the excitement of your game. You noticed his jaw clench when your smile grew wider, only making you scoff and turn towards the bar which he copied.

“Have you finished?” his voice was low but his annoyance evident, causing you to snicker.

“Well have you learnt your lesson?”

“Yes” he spoke flatly, still not having turned to face you while both of your eyes stay fixated on the liquor behind the bar.

“Well then yeah, I have. But if you dare ever disrespect me or go against our marriage like that again,” you turned and threw your hand up, grabbing onto his shirt collar and being sure to pull him close to your face, “you’re gonna loose your fucking wife.”

[angloirishnolanist]

Update added to the repost of ABSENT if you're reading it over on AO3.

Huge thank you for your engagement here and on AO3. I really appreciate that you're taking the time to share, engage, and get in touch.

[angloirishnolanist]

Update added to the repost of ABSENT if you're reading it on AO3

[angloirishnolanist]

New update added to the repost of ABSENT if you're reading it over on AO3.