by order of the fucking peaky blinders

40

"How is Mr Shelby?" A feminine tone asks as Charlie enters the yard, a cigarette hung loosely out her mouth, ahh horse trainer lady, "well, now he's the Americans after him, he's a bit hard on people." Curly replies, "the Americans?" May questions. "Yeah, they call them the mafia, yeah, there's 15 of them and they want to kill us all. But we got guns and Grenades and, and Polly and Charlie Girl are back, so it's all going to be okay. Yeah." Curly nods making Charlie laugh, "Curls, why don't you go and get the horse?" Charlie suggests leaning against the horse carrier, "you're a nice one, pretty too, why can't he have chosen you?" Charlotte murmurs, "excuse me?" May questions, "oh nothing, don't worry, I'm Charlie Shelby." She introduces offering her hand, "I thought he was-" May says pointing at Uncle Charlie, "Charlie Strong. Charlotte Shelby. If we are both here call me Leah." Charlotte says shaking her hand, "May. May Carleton, horse trainer." The lady smiles. "Tommy's off at some other business, so he sent me." Charlotte tells her, "of course he did." May tuts, making Charlie laugh, as Curly brings the horse over. "Take care, he's gentle." Charlie tells May, "so I've been told." May replies stroking the horse, "alright, you've got the horse, I can go back home, have a good day Ms Carleton. Uncle C. Curls. See you soon." Charlie says exiting just as quickly as she entered walking back to her family home.

-

"Look who's back, it's Mummy." Diego says using Douglas' hand to point at Charlie, her bestfriend and husband were sat on the floor, a baby in each of their laps, with a glass of whiskey nearby, "do I even want to ask why you're on the floor?" Charlie asks joining them, kissing Isaiahs cheek. "We got bored so gave them horse rides." Diego shrugs, "what? You put my babies on horses." Charlotte says looking at the pair in disbelief, "of course not they're like 4 months old, don't be ridiculous we put them on our backs and crawled round the house." Diego tells her, "I'm going to choose to ignore that comment" Charlotte says slowly, and the men shrug, Diego lifting Douglas up, making airplane noises, "babies are just free toys." Diego tells them, "I wouldn't say they're free." Isaiah replies, and Charlie slaps his head. "They aren't toys." She scolds, and he pouts, "you look adorable when you do that." She teases kissing him, "ewwwie, babies around." Diego exclaims covering his and Douglas' eyes. "Great, we have 3 kids." Charlie groans, "you're pregnant? Again? Already?" Diego says, "what?" Ada questions overhearing the conversation, "no, she was talking about you, idiot. You're like a third child." Isaiah says. "Few." Ada says sitting on the sofa behind them. "Where's your brother?" Ada asks Diego, "probably at home? Why? You shagging?" Diego questions, making Ada flush bright red, "no, but he's interesting to talk to." Ada deflects, "you're boning." Diego teases in a sing song voice, and Ada reaches forwards slapping his head, "we aren't fucking, not that it's any of your business, I need to return a book I borrowed from him." Ada says, holding up the book, "they're shagging." Isaiah nods, and Isaiah slaps his head as well making Charlie laugh. "Then we can be properly related. All of us." Diego exclaims, "don't squish Duggy." Charlie says, "right forgot, babies are fragile." Diego replies

-

"Tom, I've looked of these sheets, everything seems alright to me." Charlotte tells him placing a folder onto his desk, "I'm sorry, I'm not coming but the boys-" "Lottie, it's alright, look after your kids. I'm off now, I'll see you later on." Tommy replies picking up the file, kissing her temple, and walking out the house, a smile concealed behind his impassive face. Things between them were going back to the way they were. How long would it last? She said 'respite' does that mean when they all go back to their big houses they won't be talking again? He was choosing to ignore those questions, didn't want to fuck up his brain even more. Worrying about the future. Every minute was a soldiers minute nowadays.

-

"Your brothers are yelling and arguing." Isaiah groans as they lay in bed, the twins crawling about. "I know, doing my head in. Probably about the meeting. Apparently Arthur didn't go." Charlotte says, "why didn't you go? Surely you should be down there in the argument too." Isaiah teases, "I told Tom I wanted to stay with the kids, so he asked if I could check over everything before, and he'll include my vote." Charlotte tells him, pressing a kiss to his lips. "How do you know the Golds?" Isaiah questions, "Brighton, when I fell onto that knife, they were the two gypsys who helped me, help the old lady." Charlotte replies, as Nate takes a hold of one of her fingers, in his whole hand, giggling softly as he shook her arm. "So nothing with the kid?" Isaiah asks, "absolutely bloody nothing." Charlie assures kissing him agains.